A huge crowd watched the highly anticipated final from the banks of the River Lez after rain had forced the event to be postponed from yesterday.

There was an early shower in the morning but the ramps soon dried up in the afternoon for the decider.

China's Zhou only qualified in ninth place to secure her spot in the 12-rider final but attacked the park on her last run.

A 360 spin on the spine set her up for success in the 60-second run that saw the tricks become more outrageous throughout on the way to 90.80 points.

That left three-time world champion Roberts with a challenge on her hands.

The 21-year-old was one of the favourites going into the competition and lived up to expectations with a first-place qualifying finish.

However, despite a remarkable backflip on the step up ramp she could not dislodge Zhou and was ultimately awarded 87.00 points.

Home favourite Laury Perez made up the top three with an 84.00-point performance.

The Frenchwoman got the crowd going with a double bar spin followed by a tailwhip on her way to bronze.

"This is the fifth year that I have participated [at FISE Montpellier] and it is incredible," the 19-year-old said.

"We have the whole family.

"It's the best event of the year so I'm super happy to be here.

"I gave everything, I always try to do my best but it's not always with the stress so you have to be able to concentrate and the results will follow."

Despite the second-place finish, Roberts extended her lead in the International Cycling Union BMX Freestyle World Cup as she now sits on 1,900 points after winning the opening event of the season in Saudi Arabia.

She is on course to continue her dominance as she has won the overall event a record five times.

Compatriot Perris Benegas came fourth in Montpellier and as a result moves into second overall on 1,590, 20 points ahead of China's Sun Jiaqi.