The Moto X events of Summer X Games 15 officially kicked off with Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart and Josh Grant taking to the Staples Center in the form of the Best Whip competition.
Judging the contest would be the Staples Center fans themselves, who voted via text message and named the winner.
After practicing all morning over the finish line jump of the Moto X course at the Home Depot Center, Josh Grant looked good as ever whipping himself nearly upside down on each of his runs. Folling suit from the AMA Pro ranks, Ricky Carmichael (pictured above right) and James Stewart showed what they had.
In a rare experience, James Stewart was physically upstaged by a competitor whom he had never actually faced. Todd Potter of the Metal Mullisha took home the victory recording nearly 42 percent of the crowd’s vote. James Stewart received 21% of the vote, Carmichael got 17% and Grant ended with 10%.
Immediately following the crowning of Best Whip Gold, the bar was raised and the Step Up competition was off. Once again, there was an eclectic mix of both Freestyle and top motocross riders competing. Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, Ronnie Renner, Brian Deegan and Matt Buyten were back for the event, and GEICO Powersports Honda rider Kevin Windham joined in the fun, making his career first X Games appearance.
Each of the six riders cleared the 29 foot height with relative ease. One jump later, it was Brian Deegan of the Metal Mullisha who first to retire from the competition. Missing two in a row at the 30 foot height he was done early and ready to turn his attention to Rally Car.
The remaining five riders would clear 31 feet before Kevin Windham would fall just short at the 32 foot mark. Jeremy McGrath became the next to bump the bar at 32 feet, leaving just Buyten, Renner and Carmichael to duke it out.
After a series of starting problems with his modified 2008 Honda CRF450R, Buyten would fall short at the 34 foot height. Immediately after, and in dramatic fashion, Renner cleared the height on the only 2-stroke in the competition.
After both riders missed the mark on their first attempts of 35 feet, it came down to a second attempt of 35 feet. This time both riders missed yet again but Carmichael (above right) missed more than the height as he crashed on the landing, leaving both riders at the 34 foot height.
ESPN called the contest at the 34 foot mark, and the Gold medal(s) were awarded to both Renner and Carmichael.