They call me “La Frite”... a.k.a. Trick Machine

Thomas is one of the youngest, but also one of the most fearless and certainly one of the best dirt jumpers – now ranking 3rd in the FMB (Freeride Mountain Bike) World Tour Ranking after placing 1st at  Red Bul's Joyride at Whistler Crankworks... just two days before his 19th birthday. He began the 2012 season placing 4th at FISE at Rocket Air Slopestyle… five years younger than any other riders on the podium. At Rocket Air 2011when he was just 17, he already ranked 6th.
Getting his MTB jump start at eight years old, when his father taught him how to jump, Thomas learned technique early. After visiting a bike school, where he perfected his moves, he went for the big time at age14, competing in the Roof and Slopestyle at Avoriaz, France in 2008.  Being on the road with another good rider during the last few years, Thomas’ technique has really come into its own. Watching him now, you’d think he’d learned how to fly – and he does!

Thomas’ Saddle

La Frite’s favorite saddle is from the Senso VL 7100 Pivotal series, in a limited edition created especially for him. He has just begun as a solo Senso rider in 2013, now riding Canyon Bikes after four years on the UMF Merida Team. He's changed bikes, but not his saddle: the Pivotal 7100 weighs just 167 grams with a light skin seat and he loves it. “The special pivotal technique supports my jumps and tricks the best of any saddle, and it looks great on my bike. I look for a really strong saddle to support the heavy wear I put it to, but one that is light and streamlined. In my line of cycling, it’s easy ons and offs that count. That makes the pivotal mount perfect for my kinds of tricks,” he explains.

Thomas' Life

He still does some track racing, and, when he’s off his bike, Thomas’ sport is snowboarding.  He listens to most kinds of music, especially the music streamed during bike videos.  Right now, his biggest cycling goals are the US Claymore Challenge and Crankworks at Colorado and Whistler. Cycling is what Thomas does – his profession? Biker: “I’ll try my best to ride everywhere!”

Career Highlights