Tom Pagès Talks Red Bull X-Fighters Pretoria

The most innovative Freestyle Motocross rider the world has ever seen. Tom Pagès is on route to South Africa to compete in the penultimate round of the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour in Pretoria this weekend, 12 September.
We caught up with the French rider to get his thoughts on the 2015 World Tour, the progression of FMX and what South African fans can expect.

Give us a quick rundown of some of your highlights of your career?
I began my career at the age of 10 with BMX and BMX dirt. I rode a lot with my brother Charles. Then I began Motocross at 15 and right after that with Charles we began FMX. At the beginning it was only for fun but very soon we have practiced very seriously. Since then I have always worked hard. I have been invited on several contests and shows. I won a Red Bull X-Fighters for the first time in Munich in 2012. I finished second on the world tour the same year and I won the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour in 2013. At the beginning of this year, I won a gold medal in X-Games, which took place in Austin USA in Spring.

What have your thoughts been on this year’s Red Bull X-Fighters courses, and which one suited your riding style the most?
Red Bull X-Fighters is a competition upon invitation. So when the organisers have decided that my level was good enough to participate, they have invited me. As it is the higher-level competition worldwide, it was a nice reward for my work. I was very impressed to be amongst the best riders of the world in the biggest and more technical parks I have ever ridden on! I haven’t a preferred track but as I won several times in Madrid and I really enjoy the course, it is my favourite one.

What are you hoping the track builders do different compared to last year’s Pretoria course?
Last year was already a great track in Pretoria and I guess that course builders have put some news ramps and landings to improve the track.

With the progression of FMX, there is a fine line between landing new and innovative tricks and crashing out. Where do you draw that line?
FMX is a very demanding sport and we have to work a lot and train every single day. So we are very precise for each trick we realise. But this is also a very dangerous sport and we can crash if we land five centimetres to far or too short. The line is very fine mainly when we try to realise new tricks.

You are the most innovative rider in the FMX world landing tricks only thought possible on a BMX. How do you take these tricks and turn them into a reality on a Dirt Bike?
I like to invent new tricks and to make our sport progress. I watch a lot of BMX videos and I can find inspiration there or I can have an idea by myself. After I work on the new trick with drawings, then I calculate the length of jump, the length of landing, etc. Then I begin to practice in the foam and after several months I try it on dirt.

How much work goes into tricks like the Alley-Oop and the BikeFlip?
A lot! It is very long, several years, to invent and realise a perfect new trick. But it is important to me to always show different aspects of FMX. I work a lot for that. I have prepared these two tricks during more than two years with training every day.

What new tricks are you working on or planning to work on? Or is that a secret?
Yes it is a secret! Each rider is preparing new tricks for Red Bull X-Fighters and as it is a very high level competition, we have to keep them secret.

How much more do you think Freestyle Motocross and its tricks can evolve and progress?
The level is higher and higher year after year. It is really amazing. All riders competing in Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour have an incredible level. Contest after contest we can see news tricks, impressive and technical. FMX is always evolving.

In your mind, what is the next big unseen trick to be landed?
Who knows!

What do you think is the main attribute to the progression of FMX in recent years?
Riders are inventing and working a lot. That is simple. I have created a lot of new tricks these past years and now some other riders realise them. I am very happy with that.

What are you looking forward to most coming back to South Africa and competing in the 4th stop of the tour?
I am so happy to come back in South Africa. We received a warm welcome last year. The public was incredible. For me it is very important to have a good feeling with the public during the contest.

Besides Moore, Sheehan and Sherwood, which other riders do you see as a threat?
Those riders are my main opponents and they are very strong. But on a Red Bull X-Fighters all riders are very strong and can realise a perfect trick, which can be appreciated from the judges.

Take us through an X-Fighters weekend, from practice, to planning your runs, to what goes through your mind when you are about to compete?
When I arrive on the contest place, my first action is to go and look at the track. See if all the ramps and landings suit to my riding and which tricks I can realise, or not!
Then we have several practice sessions, I try my tricks and I set up my Yamaha with my mechanic. I am very focused on my riding and my tricks and I look at what the other riders do. The day of the competition I am very concentrated and I make the definitive list of the tricks I will propose.

What can fans expect from you come 12 September in Pretoria?
I come to win! Fans can be sure that, as for all other competitions, I will do my best and do my maximum.

How do the South African fans compare to those around the world?
They are very enthusiastic and it is very important to me. Atmosphere is part of our sport.

Lastly, any words for your fans out here in South Africa?
Keep going. Never give up. And enjoy the Red Bull X-Fighters in Pretoria. It will be great again!

The fourth stop of the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour takes place on 12 September at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. Tickets are on sale here.
Can’t make it? We have you covered, as we’ll be broadcasting the event live right here on LW Mag!

To read our previous interview with Clinton Moore, click here.
To read our previous interview with Levi Sherwood, click here.
To read our previous interview with Adam Jones, click here.
To read our previous interview with Remi Bizouard, click here.

Photos by Joerg Mitter, Predrag Vuckovic, Marcos Ferro, Flo Hagena and Sebastian Marko / Red Bull Content Pool