Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Injured Freestyler Thomas Pagès Withdraws - Instead, World's Best, Mat Rebeaud, Coming to Montreal Supermotocross for the First Time

Montreal, September 23, 2009 - Organizers of the 32nd running of Montreal Supermotocross, presented by Coors Light and Parts Canada had important news to share at today's press conference in Montreal, regarding the Freestyle portion of the event. Fans at Olympic stadium on October 3 will not get to see the spectacular Thomas Pagès, who recently suffered a broken wrist. However, thanks to the collaboration of Red Bull and KTM, Mat Rebeaud, considered the best freestyler in the world, will join the lineup at the Montreal Supermotocross. The much anticipated contest between French-speaking overseas cousins Frenchman Charly Pagès and Québec-born Benoît Milot, now adds a third player from a third country to the mix, Swiss Mat Rebeaud.


"We are saddened to learn of Tom Pagès, a man who made numerous fans here last year, withdrawal from out event. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery from his injury. However happily for Montreal fans, we have reached an agreement with Mat Rebeaud, who is, in our estimation the greatest freestyler in the world. I think the contest between Mat, Charly Pagès and our own Ben Milot will be a memorable one, explained Pierre Corbeil, the event promoter. "I'd like to remind fans to bring their cameras in order to capture their incredible jumps and secure lasting memories of probably some of the greatest moments in the history of the Montreal Supermotocross."


Charly Pagès, the 28-year old from France, is a regular on the international competition scene and recently competed in the summer X-Games and the Red Bull X-Fighters (RBXF) tour. Since 2000, the year following his first victory in Montreal, Benoît Milot has participated in all the big competitions in the U.S. and Europe, including the X-Games, the World Cup, the Red Bull X-Fighters tour and dozens of other high profile events. Last year, while recovering from a broken ankle, the Yamachiche veteran had to skip the Montreal event. 


"With Charly Pagès and Mat Rebeaud entered, expect to hear French as the main language spoken on the freestyle sidelines," said Benoît Milot. "The competition will be very strong. Mat is a great guy, but first and foremost, he's a fantastic freestyler. We're going to have to pull out our best stuff to beat him. One thing is sure, the big winners of the night will be the fans in attendance."


A native of Payerne, Switzerland, Rebeaud will make his first visit to Montreal. He holds the world record for the highest jump ever made (11 meters), and over the past five years has built one of the most impressive records. World runner-up of the IFMXF in Hamburg in 2004, he came back the following year to become ranked best freestyler in the same IFMXF after winning eight events in the Night of the Jumps series. FIM world champion in 2006, he also joined Red Bull X Fighters tour, winning the Mexico City event a feat he would repeat in 2008. In this championship, he now counts four victories and 10 podiums. Runner-up of the RBXF in 2007 and champion in 2008, he also earned three silver medals at the X-Games.


The trio of Milot, Pages and Rebeaud, will compete in the Freestyle portion of Montreal Supermotocross, along with Californian Wiley Fullmer, nicknamed the elastic man, as well as with British Columbia natives Morgan Kaliszuk and Jeff Banks. To learn more about Mat Rebeaud, visit www.matrebeaud.com, Information on Charly Pagès can be found at www.brothers-trip.com while Benoît Milot website is located at www.benmilot.com.


In it's 32nd year, the Montreal Supermotocross is the longest continuously running sporting event in Montreal. It is one of the most popular events presented in Quebec each year, attracting nearly 50,000 spectators. This year more than 150 participants from Canada, the United States and Europe will have accepted the organizers invitation to enter the October 3rd event.

The best seats in the house, as well as all reserved seating, are currently on sale, and can be ordered online at Admission (www.admission.com or by calling (514) 790-1245 or 1 800 361-4597). Prices range from $10.00, $19.00, and $28.00 to $37.50. Tickets are also available at participating motorcycle dealers in all regions of Quebec. For more info, go online at www.montrealmotocross.com to learn more about the Montreal Supermotocross.

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Media contact:
Normand Prieur
(450) 492-6963
 nprieur@videotron.ca

SPECIAL NOTE FOR MEDIA:
Mat Rebeaud and Charly Pagès will be in Montreal on Thursday, October 1 and available to meet with media.

Mandatory photo credit: Photos provided by Red Bull Photofiles.


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