Switzerland's Nikita Ducarroz topped BMX freestyle qualifying at the FISE European Series event in Châteauroux ©FISE

Switzerland's Nikita Ducarroz showed why she is considered one of the contenders for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as she topped BMX freestyle qualifying in the second and final leg of the International Festival of Extreme Sports (FISE) European Series at Châteauroux in France.

Ducarroz, fifth on the International Cycling Union World Cup rankings for the discipline, was followed in the rankings by another Tokyo 2020 contender, Argentina’s Analia Zacarias.

Home rider Laury Perez took third place ahead of tomorrow’s day of finals.

France's Manon Derrien finished first in today’s women’s roller freestyle park qualifying as the FISE European Series reached Châteauroux ©FISE
France's Manon Derrien finished first in today’s women’s roller freestyle park qualifying as the FISE European Series reached Châteauroux ©FISE

France’s World Cup winner Manon Derrien finished first in today’s women’s roller freestyle park qualifying, followed by compatriots Armelle Tisler and Anaëlle Nogueira

The field also included two up-and-coming 13-year-olds in the French team, Juliette Chesneau and Zoé Pinault.

The event in the French town, located 274 kilometres from capital city Paris, is part of a circuit launched by the FISE earlier this year and follows the inaugural competition in Madrid in May.

It includes action in BMX, roller, skateboarding and scooter events, which have become a key feature of the FISE World Series.