Salt Lake City, Utah played host to the 30th annual Summer X Games as the “State of Sport” featured three Moto X events over the June 27-29 weekend. The Best Trick, Best Whip, and QuarterPipe High Air competitions highlight the event for two-wheel fans.
Moto X Best Trick
Moto X Best Trick kicked off the weekend with three new tricks landing in medal contention. The top scoring riders all used the new Next Gen ramp which is taller than normal and helps boost them to new heights for more airtime.
Australia’s Ben Richards claimed bronze with his bar hop body varial. After jumping through the handlebars, Richards flipped backwards on the bike, only holding on by his left hand.
His brother, Tom Richards, earned the silver medal in second place with a Superman Seat Grab body varial in which he spun sideways on the bike after starting in the seat grab position.
The gold medal once again went to Rob Adleberg who performed a Front Flip Seat Grab Cordova. This trick looked like something out of a video game but Adleberg rode away clean for his 10th gold medal, his 20th in total.
Moto X Best Whip
The Best Whip jam format allowed riders more time to throw their biggest whips off the larger Next Gen ramp with their best whip counting towards a medal.
Belgium’s Julien Vanstippen defied the laws of physics as he turned his Yamaha YZ450F both upside down and backwards at the same time.
Tom Parsons and Jarryd McNeil rounded out the podium with silver and bronze medals respectively.
Note that the defending gold medalist, Stark Future’s Patrick Evans, did not compete in this year’s event due to the ban on electric bikes.
QuarterPipe High Air
QuarterPipe High Air wrapped up the Moto X Events with the top three riders duking it out for gold at heights over 50-feet.
Colby Raha once again set the height to beat, soaring to 52’6″ in his final run. This height was a full two feet higher than anyone else. It also marks the fifth time Raha has won the QuarterPipe contest, his seventh gold medal and his 13th medal in total.
Guillen Navas grabbed the silver medal with a height of 50’3″ while Australia’s Corey Creed hit the bronze medal position by clearing a height of 49’8″.
Results
Moto X Best Trick
1. Rod Adleberg Yam AUS 95.00
2. Tom Richards Yam AUS 93.00
3. Ben Richards Yam AUS 91.33
Moto X Best Whip
1. Julien Vanstippen Yam BEL
2. Tom Parsons Yam USA
3. Jarryd Mcneil Yam AUS
QuarterPipe High Air
1. Colby Raha Hus USA 52’6″
2. Guillem Navas GG SPA 50’3″
3. Corey Creed HON AUS 49’8″
