Interview Matt Jones and Louis Reboul: Back with the Big Boys!

Making their return to the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) at Innsbruck and Les Gets, Matt Jones(GBR) and Louis Reboul (FRA), who secured FMB Wildcards for two of the biggest Slopestyle events at Swatch Rocket Air and FISE Montpellier, are hungry to battle it out with the rest of the global Slopestyle elite. Even though both riders have their fair share of Crankworx experience between them, there is one thing that has eluded them so far; a podium spot at a Crankworx Event. Will 2018 be the year that will see them sneak their way into contention? Watch all the SWC Events LIVE on Red Bull TV.

Catch up with the latest SWC Standings as they head to the next stops of the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship here.

Congratulations on winning the coveted FMB Wildcard. What are you up to at the moment? How has the season been going for you so far?

Matt: I’ve had a pretty busy year so far, but only because I’ve made it busy for myself. I’ve been working on loads of new things at my compound like a sick pump track and pushing my YouTube channel, while also competing at some events in various countries.

Louis: Thanks! Right now, I’m trying to ride everyday, especially because we’ve had some bad weather here in France over the last few weeks. Overall, I would say the season has started pretty good for me.

What went through your mind first when you heard you won the Wildcard for the Slopestyle World Championship?

Matt: This was a crazy revelation. I’ve been hunting for a wildcard for a while. It came alongside a win at an FMB World Tour Gold Event, so that kind of masked the realization that I’d won a wildcard – then I realized the big picture and was over the moon to be going back to Crankworx!

Louis: I said, “Hell yeah, I’m back!!!“ (laughs)

You’ve competed at Crankworx events before. How does it feel to be back?

Matt: Crankworx has a level of prestige and respect that’s not shared by other events, so it’s quite humbling to be a part of something so big. I’ve always been a rider looking in from the outside, and now that I’ve had a taste for the events it’s definitely humbling to be back for more, at the same time working hard to maintain that level of riding.

Louis: It feels really good, because these are those types of events I love to ride! Big Slopestyle courses are more my kind of riding, especially when comparing them to the smaller jump lines.

What’s your approach to competing at Crankworx? Have you changed your preparation?

Matt: At my first two Crankworx events, I took things pretty seriously, which didn’t work for me. I changed my way of thinking to suit a bigger event, but ultimately I just want to land my tricks and make it look good, so this year I’m going to have a more relaxed approach to practicing and riding.

Louis: I didn’t change anything. I’m going to have the same approach as I do to all the events.

Matt, last time you rode in Innsbruck, you finished 14th. What are you hoping for this year?

Matt: I had a shocker last year. I crashed at almost all the stops, so this year I’m going for a clean top to bottom run, of course with some bangers in there, but the focus being on actually getting to the bottom… can’t be that hard surely?! (laughs)

Louis, last time you rode a French Crankworx event, it was still in Les2Alpes. What are your expectations for Les Gets?

Louis: First of all, I want to have fun. Second – I’m going to try to get those precious FMB points so I can get back to Crankworx Whistler for Red Bull Joyride.

Working on any new tricks for the contest? Anything you’re willing to share?

Matt: I’ve been doing more opposite tricks lately to mix things up, but I’m definitely a believer in style over trick difficulty, so I want to do a run that looks fluid overall.

Louis: I don’t have a new one, but I’m going to do all the tricks I love to do!

With you both competing in SWC events this month, what are your plans to make it to the grand final of the World Championship at Crankworx Whistler this year? There will be Wildcards for Red Bull Joyride available at the FMB Gold Events “Big White Invitational” and “GlemmRide Slopestyle” in July.

Matt: I haven’t given Crankworx Whistler too much thought, but it’s definitely in the back of my mind as the big one of the year… Let’s see how things go in Innsbruck and keep momentum for the final showdown in Canada.

Louis: The plan is to go back to Crankworx Whistler for sure, so I will try everything to make that happen.

What are your goals for 2018 overall?

Matt: I’m going to be consistent, stay in the game and that’ll put me in a much better spot than how last year ended up. Sorry if you wanted to hear crazy plans and tricks, but I’m here to stay, so I need to impress the judges in a way that gets me to the finish area at each event. Then it’ll be time to go crazy.

Louis: Really, I just want to get back onto the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship, doesn’t matter the position.

Thanks for taking the time, guys and good luck for the upcoming weeks!

Photos by Andre Maurer and Dope Hammer