From what I have read competing at FISE Montpellier in 2019 was like a ‘completing the circle’ moment for you: Is this how it felt?

It was a very intense moment for me because I discovered BMX freestyle at FISE de Montpellier 10 years ago and my first competition was at FISE de Montpellier; so finding myself in the BMX Park Pro final 10 years later was incredible for me.

Can you remember how you felt watching BMX from the stands as a 10-year-old? And did you make the conscious choice then to be a pro BMX rider?

When I was 10-years-old and watching BMX pro riders I was very impressed and I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life. For me it was a goal and also a clear choice.

Anthony in front of Bart de Jong’s camera (FATBMX)

 

Seems like Skatepark Sérignan is quite the incubator of talent: What is it about the place or crew there that helped the likes of you and Laury Perez?

The BMX Park of Sérignan is indeed a land of champions. In the club we have 7 riders in the French team, and all the young people of the club win competitions in their respective categories. So yes Sérignan is a land filled with young talent and it helps a lot on a daily basis in progression and training!

Judging from the promises of cash and expansion it seems like the success of you guys and the park has woken up the regional government to the fact that skate and BMX is a positive thing that should be encouraged: Who would have guessed it?

Yes indeed the city of Sérignan, the department, the region, as well as the French cycling federation support us and accompany us in our projects of enlargement and development of the club. It is very important to support the professional athletes of the club but also allow young people to progress in safety on structures that are suitable for competitions so that they get to the highest level.

You must be stoked to have been selected to represent France at the Japan Olympics? And do you have any reservations about including such a freethinking ‘sport’ as BMX in The Games? 

It is a great pride for me to have succeeded in qualifying France for the first Olympic Games in BMX Freestyle Park, and a great pride for me to represent my country in this competition. I think that for our discipline it is a good thing because our sport is still little known to the general public and I think that with events like the Olympic games which reach the public of the whole world the sport will evolve and more young people will start BMX. Also more clubs will be created, as well as Skate and BMX parks and so develop BMX and its industry. So yes I think that it is a very good thing that our sport is finally recognized and represented in a legendary competition such as the Olympics.

And on the subject of the Olympics, what do make of your chances going up against Logan Martin?

Logan Martin is an extremely talented athlete and a sportsman whom I greatly respect for his level in BMX, his enormous daily work to get there and for all the titles he has won. But in a competition he remains a competitor like all the others and I work hard daily to be able to compete with athletes like Logan Martin.

If you bag a medal at the games you trophy cabinet is going to be pretty full: Out of all of your successes, including French Champs, and being the first ever European Champ, is there one contest that stands out in your head above all the others and why?

All the competitions are very important for me. I approach them all with the same desire to give the best of myself. That’s what I did to become champion of France and champion of Europe. I am very proud though to be the very first European Champion in the history of BMX freestyle.

Somewhere I read that your favourite BMX edits were of Drew Bezanson, which is understandable: Who else has been an influence on your riding, tricks and style on your pedalling journey? And are there any other riders whose edits you watch on repeat?

Yes, for sure, Drew Bezanson has been an influence on me since I started BMX; I’ve always admired his commitment and risk-taking. I’ve also always admired Kyle Baldock for his incredible tricks! Truth is I just like BMX, and I get inspired by all riders and their unique styles.

What was it like to come back from you monster crash in 2018? Some professional athletes even go as far as getting psychological get rid of the ghosts an accident like that; was it something that you considered?

After my accident in 2018 it was very hard psychologically to return to the highest level with a permanent fear of injury. With time, determination and support from my loved ones I managed to leave this bad period behind me and now look forward to the objectives that I have for national and international competitions.

You take the responsibility of being a professional rider in every sense pretty seriously, from you riding to your online presence: is that a fair statement?

Of course, I try to show a good image of our sport and to be as flawless as possible. I think it is important to have a healthy image for young riders.

On the subject of slams you must be pretty stoked to signing up to the TSG global team and having their protection to keep you safe?

It is an honour for me to represent this legendary brand. I think TSG represents excellence in terms of protection and I am stoked to be able to encourage other riders to put on protection.

Is there a bit of protection that you never ride without?

I never ride without my protection, which includes helmet, gloves, knee pad, shin protectors and ankle protectors. I just never ride without my protection.

In closing do you have any shout outs you would like to make?

I strongly recommend that young riders protect themselves well to avoid injuries and keep their body healthy so they can ride BMX Freestyle for as long as possible!

Check out Anthony’s rider profile.

Jeanjean’s love affair

From that day on his line through life’s rhythm section was set – he was going to be a pro BMXer: “I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life,” says Jeanjean. “For me it was a goal and also a clear choice.”

Jeanjean now joins TSG’s star-studded pro team: “We are so pleased to welcome Anthony Jeanjean into the Ride TSG family,” says CEO Ruedi Herger. “Not only is he an outstandingly skilful rider and competitor but he is also an incredible role model for BMX riders, present and future.”

Anthony’s BMX career is in full swing

Jeanjean burgeoning stash of trophies includes the first ever European freestyle BMX Championship crown; French BMX freestyle gold; and in 2019, after coming back from serious injury, his career came full circle with a win at the FISE Montpellier. “It was a very intense moment for me,” says Jeanjean. “Because I discovered BMX freestyle at FISE de Montpellier 10 years ago and my first competition was at FISE de Montpellier.”

All set for the Olympics

This year, he will lead the French BMX team, including fellow riders from his home stomping ground of BMX Park Sérignan, to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to battle with the world’s best riders for a gold medal. “It is a great pride for me to have succeeded in qualifying France for the first Olympic Games in BMX Freestyle Park,” say Jeanjean. “And a great pride for me to represent my country in this competition.”

TSG are honoured to sponsor Jeanjean and keep him safe on his two-wheeled journey with their first class protective kit. “If anyone has the grit, skill and determination to win a medal at the Olympics it is Jeanjean,” says Ruedi Herger. “We wish him the best of luck.”

Anthony rides safe with this TSG gear:

Want to know more? Check out Anthony’s rider profile.

Read on and find out more about TSG’s newest BMX team ripper…

When, why and how did you get into riding in Brisbane?

I got into riding because when I was around 13 years old I was skateboarding with my two cousins and we thought we would see what the local dirt jumps where like. When we got down there, there were some really good riders and it was awesome to watch, so we started riding instead of skating that week. It just took off from there (haha)…

What riders did you have on rewind on your clips while you were learning and earning your pedals?

A few of the riders that I watched all the time were Corey Bohan, Mike Aitken, Mark Webb, and many. But they were definitely the 3 I watched the most growing up.

How did you get onto the pro circuit and sponsorship?

I got into the pro circuit and sponsors mostly though Colin Mackay, I’d say. He randomly hit me up one day, before I knew him personally, and gave me an invite to the very first Van Doren Invitational Bowl Contest at Huntington Beach. Everything sort of kicked off from there. He got me on Vans and Haro, which I’ll be forever thankful for!

What’s the biggest ball-ache about being goofy-footed?

Haha, the biggest ball-ache would be running pegs. At the start, every time I’d loop out a manual, my foot would hit the peg instead of the ground and I’d hit the ground harder because the peg is on your back foot.

Winning the 2019 Vans BMX Pro Cup last year must have been near the top of your stoke list in your career?

Winning the Vans BMX Pro Cup definitely is the Stoke of my career (haha)!
I was blown away to win two stops in one year. Then to top it off win it overall. I was absolutely pumped!

Are you still rocking the Walsh frame for 2020?

I’ll definitely be rocking the Walsh frame in 2020. I love the way it feels and looks. I don’t think I’ll be changing it for a long time.

What TSG kit are you going to ride this year?

I’ll be riding the TSG Dawn Flex because it feels unreal and comfy to ride in. And possibly the Ankle Guards when my ankles are busted and need to heal.

And what bit of protection would you not ride without?

The piece of kit I never ride without is my helmet. But if you’re out to learn new tricks or dropping something big or new I advise you to pad up. Getting hurt sucks!

Jason’s new Dawn Flex helmet

What are your plans for 2020?

Plans for 2020 are definitely hitting all the stops of the Vans Pro Cup. Also, I’ll hopefully get invites back to XGames, as I missed it last year because of visa issues which are all sorted no.
I am also dropping a DVD part for Fast and Loose and working on a Cult video and much, much more…

Shout outs?

Shout outs to all the brands that support me and help me do what I can do on a bike.
TSG, Vans, Cult, Demolition, Backbone and Fast and Loose

If you want to know more about Jason watch his interview with Vital BMX. Discussing his unique riding style, living in a van, mastering nose manuals, surviving his crazy lifestyle, and much more!

Check out Jason’s Rider Profile or read the news about Jason signing with TSG.

Welcome Jason

Stoked to be on the team.

As Ruedi says, no matter the arena Jason is always pushing the limits of what is possible on his Walsh frame. He is also widely praised in the BMX for flavouring his riding with a medley of heritage tricks, showing a knowledge, commitment and respect for BMX that few other riders have.

The BMX Wonder from Down Under

Jason’s democratic and dynamic style, and his propensity to go HUGE out of transitions, won him the overall crown at the 2019 Vans BMX Pro Cup, scoring what Jason describes as “the highpoint of his career so far”.

“I’m also absolutely stoked to be a part of the TSG team this year,” Jason effuses. “I can’t wait to work with the crew on new designs, photos and videos and of course have fun along the way”.

Jason will be strapping into the Dawn Flex helmet and the Ankle Support which will help keep him in one piece for the coming year of travelling and riding: “On his trips around the world he inspires all who watch him ripping bowls, parks and dirt,” signs off Ruedi. He is the perfect addition to the TSG Team!”

Jason’s sticker job on his new Dawn Flex Helmet

If you want to catch up with Jason this year then watch out for his video parts with Fast and Loose and Cult video as well as news and views of his latest antics right here on www.ridetsg.com.

Check out Jason’s rider profile.

And follow him on instagram @wattzup

Learn more about Jason’s gear