Vert riders travel all over the place. There are not too many of them. Getting 12 decent halfpipe riders on a platform for a contest is tough, even if the prize money is decent, there are medals to be won and the contest is held in a place called Dubai that most people would like to experience even once in a lifetime. 9 riders showed up for qualifying at the Dubai-X which, also for vert, had a different qualifying format where you could qualify for the finals through your heats. Simon Tabron was the winner of round one 

which transfered the Brit to the finals straight away. Steve McCann and Jay Eggleston then won the following 4-man heats and made the finals. Koji Kraft took the last opportunity by winning the last chance which consisted of those riders finishing 2nd and 3rd in round 3. I'm sure it sounds confusing but in reality it's quite simpel. The system is something new which, in vert, is welcome at this point.

Koji Kraft kept up his reputation of puking on the platform in the finals in between runs. Once Koji gets a bit more serious about riding vert he could definitely turn some heads. Jay Eggleston has been turning heads for a very long time and in Dubai he was stoked to grab a bronze medal on his new bike. Jay simply flies high which is one of the hardest things to do on vert to keep it up in the 10 feet range doing trick after trick. Jay blasted one of those huge scary looking 540-s that almost caused me another hartattack. Jay finished his riding with a high fakie and when he does that, you know he has done everything in his book. Steve McCann had brought his dad and brother over for a good time in Dubai. They went snowboarding (artificial snow at an indoor place), went to the beach, did the 4X4 safari, and went tax-free shopping. In between all that Stephen managed to grab a silver medal on vert. His vert riding has gotten so good it's ridiculous.

Winner in Dubai was semi-local Simon Tabron who was looking forward to the end of the contest season. Simon rode really well. He's smooth and in control. So much that you forget he rides brakeless. Before going back to his Dubai apartment the Mongoose pro came very close to pulling another 900 to 900 wall to wall. Simon stepped on the podium waving the UAE flag which didn't go over well with some of the other Brits present but Simon loves Dubai and just won another gold there. TV loved it too and got their shot.

BdJ

Results vert finals Dubai X-Games:
1 Simon Tabron 33 Newquay, UK adidas, Mongoose 95.67
2 Steven McCann 24 Melbourne, Australi Mongoose, Bell Helmets, Right Guard 93.67
3 Jay Eggleston 35 Denver, Co Evolution Bikes 89.67
4 Koji Kraft 24 Addison, Ill Oakley 86.00
5 Zack Warden 18 Woodward, PA Hoffman Bikes 87.33
6 Jean-Marie Bartsch 19 Thalwil, Switzerland Mirraco, Eastpak, 48sBMX 84.67
7 Eduardo Terreros 33 Algorta, Spain Fly Bikes 81.33
8 Jan Valenta 23 Parduvice, Czeck Republic Author, DC shoes, 83.33
9 Dave Brumlow 36 Melbourne, Fl GT Bicycles 83.00

Watch the video

Pics: Jean Marie Baertsch/BdJ

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