Maltese BMX rider Gianni Zahra, aged 27, has been selected to represent Malta at the 29th Festival International des Sports Extrêmes (FISE), one of the biggest and most respected urban sports festivals in the world. The event will be held in Montpellier, France, from 13th to 17th May 2026, and will bring together some of the best riders and urban sports athletes from across the globe.
Gianni has been riding for 15 years and is widely regarded as one of Malta’s top BMX riders, having performed consistently well in both local and international competitions. Over the course of his career, he has won numerous local titles across several BMX disciplines, showing great versatility and talent.
One of his standout recent results came at URBENDURO MALTA 2024, an international competition held in Malta, where he finished 2nd overall and was the highest-placed Maltese rider in the Open Men’s category.
Gianni also made history as the only Maltese rider to compete at the UCI BMX World Championships 2023 in Glasgow, proudly flying the flag for Malta on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Beyond competition, Gianni has long been an active member of the Maltese BMX community, playing an important role in growing the sport locally and mentoring younger riders who are just starting out.
His participation at FISE 2026 will give him another opportunity to represent Malta on the world stage, competing alongside some of the best riders in the sport and continuing to inspire the next generation of Maltese athletes.
Special thanks go to the Malta Olympic Committee, SportMalta, the Malta Cycling Federation, and the Malta BMX Association for their support in making this possible. Their ongoing commitment is vital in helping Maltese athletes compete and represent their country internationally.
