Red Bull X-Fighters world champion Tom Pagès is running away to the Nitro Circus.
Having won the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour and wowed French crowds at the Bercy SX, Tom Pagès is preparing for to team up with Travis Pastrana and co when the Nitro Circus Live tour roles in to Lille, France, on December 10.
Behind scenes at the Bercy Supercross, Pagès is very much in demand. Everyone wants a piece of his time and he’s followed everywhere by a train of young fans. He’s at the top of his tree right now both professionally and as the darling of the French public.
He was a star when he wowed the crowds at Bercy last year with his classic volt, flair and special flip but this year he’s back as the Red Bull X-Fighters world champion.
Red Bull: After the Red Bull X-Fighters, the Finist’air Show and Paris Bercy SX, you’re off to join the Nitro Circus Live in Lille – how do you prepare for that?
Tom Pagès: These three events are totally different from one another. The way you prepare for a demonstration is very different from how you would for a competition, but the standards are still very high. I’ve always admired Travis Pastrana and I know that these events are really innovative and feature great riders – the quality is exceptional and they’re very well organised. So I’m very confident about what I’ll find when I get there. I’ve been training hard for it since Bercy – at least when the weather allows it.
RB: We’ve seen you on track with the GMT 94 team recently. Are you thinking about moving into racing or is it just for fun?
TP: It’s really because I want to test my limits with something new and see how far I can push it. I had a meeting with the Yamaha France GMT 94 team and was really tempted to try riding on as[phalt. It was a very rewarding experience for me and a complete change from FMX. The line of attack, the reaction times, the location, the surface, the setting – it was nothing like my sport. I had to work really hard but I don’t get many opportunities to practice. Right now, I ‘m happy with where I am. I’m not riding to a very high level, but I’m trying to learn quickly and improve all the way around.
RB: In March, you take off with the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2014. Are you ready to defend your title?
TP: I’ve been thinking abut the 2014 championship from the moment I won the title in Madrid. But it’s not easy to wear number one in any series. Obviously I’ll have to work out some new tricks: partly because my opponents will be busy adding some of my tricks to their programmes (Flair, the Volt and the Special Flip) but mostly because FMX is all about progress. The judges and the public will expect to see something new. I have several things in mind that I have been practicing in the foam pit. I’ll work hard in winter so that I come out on top in Mexico City in March. And of course my main goal for 2014 is to retain my Red Bull X-Fighters crown!
Interview by Red Bull