In an epic three-way battle featuring the world’s best FMX riders, Thomas Pages emerged victorious at the Red Bull X-Fighters event in Madrid for a record-breaking fourth consecutive year on Friday.

The flying Frenchman sent the sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 at the Las Ventas bullring into a state of euphoria with a brilliant run against Clinton Moore and Josh Sheehan Australia in a gripping final.

Moore, the 2015 World Tour champion, came in a close second after a flawless run in the final. Sheehan had to settle for third despite nailing his signature double backflip. Levi Sherwood finished fourth on an unforgettable night in the Spanish capital.

“That’s insane,” said Pages, trying to catch his breath after dazzling the appreciative crowd on Friday with a stunning comeback following his lowly 11th place finish in Thursday’s qualifying marred by a heavy crash. “I was really stressed coming here with the new tricks. But it all worked out. Madrid is the best place in the world for FMX. It’s incredible. What a place to be!”

Pages won all five helmets from the judges in a clean-sweep of the first three-way final in the history of the Red Bull X-Fighters, one of the many innovations added for the stop in Madrid. He mastered his Bike Flip, Special Flip, new Front Flip Flair and the Volt – amazing tricks that only a few years ago would have been enough on their own to win an event.

Of the remaining Australians in the event, Rob Adelberg battled his way to a solid sixth position, while Red Bull X-Fighters debutant wildcard Tom Robinson was credited 11th for the event.