Next Sunday sees the long-awaited final round of the 2010 NIGHT of the JUMPs / FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. Twelve freestyle motocross riders will be lining up in the Estadio Casteloa in Fortaleza for the showdown in this year’s FMX world title. Centre of attention will be the duel at the top between Libor Podmol and Brice Izzo. Will the Czech at last succeed in adding a champion’s trophy to his collection of three silver medals and one bronze, or will he be pipped at the post by the impressive Frenchman?

After twelve rounds, Libor Podmol is in the championship lead with 202 points. Just six behind is Brice Izzo who was on absolute top form in Vienna where he performed a series of mini backflips on the edge of the landing mound. What’s more, Brazil seems to bring out the best in the small French rider. Two years ago, he posted his first IMXF victory in Fortaleza and then went on to win a medal in the Brazilian X Games. By contrast, Podmol threw away the runner-up spot last year at the same venue and had to settle for third. So it promises to be a battle of nerves.