Paul Carruthers | May 5, 2006
The following is from ESPN…
Las Vegas, Nev.“ In conjunction with tomorrow’s release of Mission: Impossible III and the 40th anniversary of Caesars Palace this August, ESPN and ESPN HD televised X Games gold medalist Mike Metzger as he set a world record tonight becoming the first rider to successfully perform a backflip over the fountains at Caesars Palace. Entertaining a crowd of more than 15,500, Metzger joined an elite class of motorcycle legends including Evel Knievel, Gary Wells and Robbie Knievel, all of whom attempted the fountain jump over the past 40 years. Metzger was the first of the four to attempt a backflip, where tonight Guinness World Record officially recognized his jump of 125 feet.
“I am so excited to be here in Las Vegas, in front of this huge crowd and doing what I love,” said Metzger tonight following his jump. “Landing this jump is another chapter in my career as I’m anxious to move on to the next project.”
Mike “The Godfather” Metzger, age 30, is one of the most influential riders in the history of freestyle motocross. With five X Games medals to his name, three of which are gold, Metzger has been riding motorcycles for more than 25 years. The Menifee, Calif. resident is known for his legendary performance at X Games Eight when he won double gold in Moto X Best Trick and Freestyle, and became the first rider to land back-to-back flips in the history of the sport.
“On behalf of all the Caesars Palace associates“ I would like to congratulate Mike on his remarkable, record-setting backflip over our fountains,” said Caesars Palace President, Gary Selesner. “Partnering with ESPN and Mike Metzger for a special event of this magnitude even further solidifies Caesars Palace as The Home of Champions and is the perfect way for Caesars to launch its 40th anniversary celebration.”
Guinness World Record representatives were present at the jump to officially recognize Metzger’s Guinness World Record. Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 20 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time.
Paul Carruthers | Editor
Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.
