NIGHT of the JUMPs China: Bizouard and Podmol off to strong start after mid-season break
 and Petr Pilat (CZE). Unfortunately, the 2011 world champion<br />
Javier Villegas had to drop out at short notice due to injury.</p>
<p>As early as the qualifying stage, it was apparent who was going to cope best<br />
with the rock-hard surface in the Guangzhou International Sports Arena.</p>
<p>The top three positions in qualification went to Remi Bizouard (FRA), Maikel<br />
Melero (ESP) and ‘comeback kid’ Josh Sheehan (AUS). Also leaving the rest of<br />
the field standing were David Rinaldo (FRA), Libor Podmol (CZE) and Brice Izzo<br />
(FRA). The four best-placed riders in the FIM World Championship had thus<br />
booked themselves a place in the final. But before that, there was a spectacular<br />
Best Whip contest which had the Chinese crowd on the edge of their seats.<br />
Anyone subscribing to the cliché of the reserved, politely smiling Asian will have<br />
found the occasion in Guangzhou something of a revelation. The spectators in<br />
the hall lauded the Whip contest winner Josh Sheehan as if he had just won the<br />
World Championship itself.</p>
<p>The fans had the opportunity to cool off during the half-time break, but the<br />
Chinese applause machine cranked back up to full volume with the riders<br />
contesting the MAXXIS Highest Air receiving further vociferous support. The<br />
winner was Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) who cleared the bar at 8.90 metres. He<br />
prevailed in a head-to-head with Libor Podmol to come a step closer to winning<br />
the TAG Heuer timepiece for the MAXXIS Highest Air overall winner.</p>
<p>The finale saw the expected duel between Remi Bizouard and Libor Podmol,<br />
this time with the Frenchman coming off best. But playing gooseberry on<br />
this occasion was Spanish rider Maikel Melero who was on magnificent form,<br />
finishing second and recording his best NIGHT of the JUMPS result to date.<br />
Meanwhile, Brice Izzo had to settle for sixth place. Fifth position was taken by<br />
his compatriot David Rinaldo. After seven successive podium finishes in his<br />
previous NIGHT of the JUMPS engagement, a now fully fit Josh Sheehan just<br />
missed out on the podium for a change. He made a small mistake on his final<br />
run which almost certainly deprived him of a better result. Following the contest,<br />
he confirmed that he is 100% back in contention and committed to joining the<br />
podium party on Day 2 of the Chinese Grand Prix.</p>
<p>With a fourth victory of the season, Remi Bizouard marginally extended his<br />
lead in the overall standings over Libor Podmol. But with one day to go here in<br />
Guangzhou, the pack may yet be reshuffled.</p>
<div class=)
FACTS NIGHT of the JUMPs – FIM Freestyle MX World Championships
Guangzhou, 15th September 2012 – Round 8
Overall
Firstname Lastname Nat WR Pts
1 Remi Bizouard FRA 20.0
2 Maikel Melero ESP 18.0
3 Libor Podmol CZE 16.0
4 Josh Sheehan AUS 14.0
5 David Rinaldo FRA 12.0
6 Brice Izzo FRA 10.0
7 Petr Pilat CZE 9.0
8 Jose Miralles ESP 8.0
9 Hannes Ackermann GER 7.0
10 Massimo Bianconcini ITA 6.0
11 Aleksey Koleshnikov RUS 5.0
Final
Firstname Lastname Nat Pts
1 Remi Bizouard FRA 396.0
2 Maikel Melero ESP 378.0
3 Libor Podmol CZE 371.0
4 Josh Sheehan AUS 358.0
5 David Rinaldo FRA 353.0
6 Brice Izzo FRA 315.0
Highest Air
Firstname Lastname Nat Height
1 Massimo Bianconcini ITA 8.9 m
2 Libor Podmol CZE 8.7 m
3 Maikel Melero ESP 7.5 m
Whip Contest
Firstname Lastname Nat
1 Josh Sheehan AUS
2 Libor Podmol CZE
3 Massimo Bianconcini ITA
4 Hannes Ackermann GER
4 Massimo Bianconcini ITA
4 David Rinaldo FRA
Qualification
Firstname Lastname Nat Points
1 Remi Bizouard FRA 348.0
2 Maikel Melero ESP 339.0
3 Josh Sheehan AUS 336.0
4 David Rinaldo FRA 334.0
5 Libor Podmol CZE 330.0
6 Brice Izzo FRA 320.0
7 Petr Pilat CZE 317.0
8 Jose Miralles ESP 309.0
9 Hannes Ackermann GER 295.0
10 Massimo Bianconcini ITA 255.0
11 Aleksey Koleshnikov RUS 240.0
