2015 X Games Austin got started today with Harley-Davidson Flat Track Racing and Step Up. Photography by Nick Guise-Smith/ESPN Images
Despite heavy rains and flooding the week prior, the 2015 X Games was able to kick off in Austin, Texas today. Day one included the first-ever Harley-Davidson Moto X Flat-Track Racing and the Moto X Step Up competitions. In the end, Kawasaki’s Bryan Smith took the first gold of the event by taking a last-lap victory in Flat Track while X Games veteran Ronnie Renner took home Step Up gold.
Harley-Davidson Moto X Flat Track
Harley-Davidson rider Jared Mees got out to an early lead in the rough 3/8-mile course at Circuit of the Americas, and led the way for most of the race. After an exciting first lap, Mees got a solid grip on the lead and began to check out, leaving Bryan Smith and Sammy Halbert to battle for second place in his wake.
Mees was in the midst of a picture-perfect race in the 20-lap main event, but just when it appeared the number-one plate holder was heading for gold, disaster struck. Moments after getting the white flag, Mees slowed to a roll with an apparent mechanical issue (it appeared Mees’ XR750 threw a chain) allowing Smith and Halbert to storm by.
Smith celebrated the win and the gold medal followed by Halbert who claimed silver. Brad Baker, who enjoyed a brief run out front in the opening lap, rounded out the podium in third place, taking home the bronze medal.
Harley-Davidson Moto X Flat Track Results
1. Bryan Smith
2. Sammy Halbert
3. Brad Baker
4. Johnny Lewis
5. Jake Johnson
6. Briar Bauman
7. Dough Lawrence
8. Mikey Martin
9. Kenny Coolbeth, Jr.
10. Michael Kirkness
11. Jared Mees
12. Brandon Robinson
Moto X Step Up
It was once again Ronnie Renner who tasted sweet victory at the Moto X Step Up competition. Renner was the only rider to successfully hurdle the bar at a staggering height of 34 feet. Behind him was a three-way tie for silver between Massimo Bianconcini, Libor Podmol and Bryce Hudson who all cleared 33 feet.
Already decorated as the winningest rider in Step Up history, Renner’s win marked his 7th gold medal in the event, and his 12th career X Games medal.
X Games Step Up Results
1. Ronnie Renner (34 feet)
2. Massimo Bianconcini (33 feet)
2. Libor Podmol (33 feet)
2. Bryce Hudson (33 feet)
5. Matt Buyten (30 feet)
5. Tom Parsons (30 feet)
7. Alistair Sayer (30 feet)
8. Josh Hansen (28 feet)
