FEATURE

Trial bike world champion rides a slackline over a 120m drop in the French Alps

By Magnum PR

What is balance? For Belgian athlete and nine times nine-time world champion Kenny Belaey, it’s riding his trial bike over a 20m long slackline from one rock to another, over a 120m drop in La Plagne, France.
 
A world premiere, the man with 12 world medals prepared for more than a year, doing up to 80 attempts before he finally crossed.
 
“The moment my wheel touched the actual slackline for the very first time, the only thing I could think of, was: this is impossible,” admits Belaey, looking back at the stunt he performed on La Roche Fendue, a rock located in the ParadiSki resort that groups Peisey Vallandry, Les Arcs and La Plagne.

 
Photo courtesy of Magnum PR

“Every second on that slackline was a nightmare. Every inch gives a different feeling because the slackline constantly moves, changing the surroundings and making my orientation points disappear.
 
“There were numerous factors which came into play: the wind affecting the position of the drone, the limited time window and change of light, fatigue, the thin air. I especially underestimated that last one: at an altitude of 2700m, the air is so thin, providing less oxygen and making every effort so much more exhausting than on ground level.”


Photo courtesy of Magnum PR
 
Kenny ‘The Magician’ Belaey has won 9 world titles, 6 world cups, 4 European titles and numerous Belgian titles. Up until today he is the absolute record holder in terms of UCI world championship titles with 12 medals out of 14 participations.

See event clip here.