The 2026 X Games is taking place this weekend in California’s capital city of Sacramento for the first stop on the 2026 schedule. This is the first year of the new X Games League format which features four clubs battling for the top spot over three different rounds – Sacramento, Chiba, and New Orleans. Quarter Pipe High Air was cut from this year’s schedule meaning Best Whip and Best Trick were the only two events for the Moto X athletes.
Best Whip
The final competition of the opening day at MoonPay X Games Sacramento 2026 saw the Moto X Best Whip riders take center stage, with Belgium’s Julien Vanstippen earning gold for his signature style and massively executed whips. This is Vanstippen’s second gold medal in Best Whip after winning last year’s event.
“Everytime I win gold it’s a different feeling,” said Vanstippen. “Tonight, I’m going to celebrate for sure.”
Best Whip Medal Runs
X Games veteran Tom Parsons of Citra, Florida claimed the silver medal, while Wyatt Fontanot of Opelousas, Louisiana earned his first-ever X Games medal with a bronze.
Moto X Best Whip Results
1. Julien VanStippen Yam
2. Tom Parsons Yam
3. Wyatt Fontanot Yam
Best Trick
Patrick Evans traded Best Whip for Best Trick this year as his gold medal run delivered a winning score of 95.66. Evans is now a two-time X Games gold medalist and was the only rider competing on the electric Stark Varg during this year’s event. His winning trick, a Nac-Nac no-hander front flip, has never been done before in competition.
“Winning Best Trick is a lot more meaningful than Best Whip because it’s the gnarliest thing you can do, so I never thought I’d have it,” said Evans. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I really didn’t think I’d win, even if I stuck my trick. I thought someone else would have something gnarlier.”
Australia’s Ben Richards continued his breakout weekend by earning silver. Richards beat his older brother Tom, who finished just off the podium, by landing a Body Varial flip to double grab Hart Attack to secure his place among Moto X’s elite.
Rounding out the podium was Richards’ mentor, eight-time X Games gold medalist and defending Moto X Best Trick champion Rob Adelberg. The Australian veteran earned his fifth bronze medal and 21st X Games career medal and athlete narrowly missed becoming the first rider in history to win four consecutive Moto X Best Trick titles. He also attempted a never-been-done trick in competition but was unable to cleanly land his Frontflip Seatgrab-Shaolin.
Moto X Best Trick Results
1. Patrick Evans Sta
2. Ben Richards Yam
3. Rob Adleberg Yam
