The X-Games will be taking place from August 2-7 this year in Los Angeles. I have really grown to like this event a lot, especially since they’ve added so many motocross-related events over the years. First there was just the freestyle competition. Then they added the Step-Up and Best Trick. I think two years ago, they added Supermoto, which attracted a lot of top MX riders to the event. And this year, they’ve added a “Moto X Racing” event, with Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, and several other full-time pros expected to compete.
There have been a lot of great MX moments in X-Games history, but the best had to be just last year when freestyle king Travis Pastrana landed an amazing double backflip in the Best Trick comp. I’ve put a YouTube clip of the jump here so you can relive the moment (or see it for the first time if you’ve somehow managed to miss the buzz). Travis made it look easy, and I think a lot of casual fans don’t realize just how dangerous that type of jump is. A mistake could have landed TP in a wheelchair — or worse. (Check out the part when Travis hugs his mom and says “I’m sorry” to her.)
Anyway, Travis has said he won’t do the double backflip again (nothing to prove), so it’ll be interesting to see what he pulls out of his sleeve for Best Trick. And it’ll be awesome to see him racing against RC and Stewart again! The SX and MX series haven’t been the same since Travis left…..