Friday, August 5, 2005

   X Games XI recap 1
Listening to: "Points of Authority" - Linkin Park

We kicked off X Games XI w/ BMX Vert. Only 3 people have ever won gold: Mat Hoffman, Dave Mirra, and Jamie Bestwick. It seemed to be another Mirra vs. Bestwick show-down, but Kevin Robinson, Jay Miron (Eric's favorite rider besides Kevin), and Chad Kagy, who pulled the 1st triple barspin, were also contenders. I have to give mad props to Dennis McCoy b/c he's 38 and still going strong. It' hard to believe that he inspired a young Dave Mirra. Anyway, the showdown didn't occur. Mirra, who rode a gold-plated bike, crashed and was a bit delirious afterwards. He pulled out, leaving Bestwick (my favorite) to dominate w/ his smooth riding style. Everyone got a reality check on the sport's danger level when John Parker got knocked out and sent to the hospital.

Results:
1) Jamie Bestwick
2) Chad Kagy
3) Kevin Robinson

Random BMXer quote: "This is a WTF contest." - Mat Hoffman

If you thought that was insane, Moto X Best Trick will change your mind. You never know what to expect, like Travis Pastrana (one of my favorite riders) coming out on a motorcycle that lets you spin the bars around. Unfortunately his plan bombed as did Chuck Carothers' attempt at a repeat gold w/ a body varial. Carothers had a big crash but walked away from it. Pastrana did come back w/ a candy bar to saran-wrap back flip to no-handed lander. ESPN did a nice analysis of the 360 back flip and revealed that Nate Adams got his bike the flattest. Kenny Bartram pulled the 1st side-saddle back flip, and you would've thought he had the gold secured. However, my prediction was right, and Jeremy Stenberg won w/ a no-footed turn down back flip over the 90 foot jump, throwing in a one-handed lander at the end.

Results:
1) Jeremy Stenberg
2) Travis Pastrana
3) Nate Adams

Random FMXer quote: "My strengths and weaknesses are the same. I have the willingness and stupidity to try anything." - Travis Pastrana
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