Matthias
Dandois Delaigue
France
·
BMX
Date of birth | 6 May 1989 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Paris, France |
Age | 36 |
Nationality | France |
Career start | 2002 |
Disciplines | BMX Flatland |
Matthias Dandois was crowned the world's best BMX flatlander at the age of just 19, but the victory was the culmination of six years of hard work in the sport. Dandois began life riding street, but in 2002 he saw someone riding flatland in his local skatepark and fancied his chances. For him, it was a truly life-changing choice that paid dividends – he shook up the sport well before his world championship triumph. He was hailed as one of the most inspiring next-generation riders and hasn't looked back since.
Not one to hang around, the Frenchman continued to establish himself as the world's top rider, now virtually dominating the BMX Flatland world stage, and has enthusiastically been crossing over the disciplines of flatland and street.
2013 was his best season to date. After totally dedicating his time to BMX and improving his street riding, he won the Dew Tour, Bike Days, the Astrolabe, Revolkon and O'Marisquiño, and topped it up with vice-champion at the BMX World Championships in flatland.
Dandois, unfortunately, had some typically old-fashioned bad luck the following year, when he broke his foot attempting the most basic of tricks. But he didn't let it dampen his spirits. "I learned so many things," he says. "I learned how to eat healthily, how to be patient and how to think about something other than bike riding. I'm actually so thankful for that accident, seriously."
Since recovering from that injury, Dandois has continued to do what he does best and that's dominate flatland competitions around the world, with an incredible ninth BMX Flatland World Championship title coming in 2021 at home in France.