This partnership has already facilitated many achievements such as the introduction of BMX Freestyle Park to the Tokyo Olympic Games, a clear increase in female competitors, the creation of new national BMX teams, new parks opening all over the world and an increase in media attention for the sport.
The growth in the number of riders and the development of their communities is at the heart of FISE events purpose, which for more than 20 years have endeavored to promote and publicize these sports to a wider audience. Promoting their values, discovering new passions, creating vocation for young people are the initial missions of the festival which is what initially attracted the interest of the UCI.
As the cycling’s governing body recognized by the IOC, the UCI coordinates and structures all national federations, so that local bodies and their practitioners benefit. Emerging disciplines such as BMX Freestyle Park and Flatland are growing and seeing an increase in the number of clubs and practice spaces available.
By extending their partnership, the UCI and Hurricane Group will continue to bring together the key players in the development of BMX Freestyle Park and Flatland, and coordinate support for their democratization.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “I am delighted with the extension of our agreement with Hurricane which provides the UCI with an experienced partner for the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup, and a major platform for the development of the disciplines of BMX Park and BMX Flatland in the coming years and around the world. This expertise also extends to the design and construction of BMX parks for the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships and the new BMX park at the UCI World Cycling Center (UCI CMC), headquarters of our Federation in Aigle, in Switzerland, intended to welcome trainees as part of our training and development program for our 197 National Federations."
Hervé André-Benoit, founder of FISE and Hurricane Group said: “From the very first edition of the festival in 1997, our mission was to bring together urban sports to showcase the best, and each edition was an opportunity to renew this promise. BMX was one of the first disciplines of FISE, and has seen several generations of its riders build its history. By joining forces with the UCI in this mission, we are pooling our expertise to promote our passions."
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.