After three successful years in Austin, Texas in which Jamie won two Gold’s and a Silver in the event, the new location proved fruitful for Bestwick who narrowly missed the top spot by fractions of a point. Kicking off competition outside the US Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, the BMX Vert competition saw elite riders from around the world treat the notoriously nice people of Minnesota to a little piece of nasty. Riding on a ramp that's 13.5 feet high this year, competitors had a chance to go bigger than ever before on the new design. The free event drew a massive crowd who bore witness to a tight competition and a BMX legend in his element.
Incredibly, at 46-years-old Bestwick was competing against riders half his age, showing them a thing or two in the process — not only talent wise but by way of originality. Wasting no time on his first run, he threw down a Bestwick original with a massive look down flair before charging into a barrage of tricks including a clean alley-oop 540, a downside tailwhip, a flair downside whip, an opposite flair and a huge 540 before finishing with the supremely difficult opposite 540 — a trick that’s almost unheard of on the vert ramp.
“After I dropped in it was like — Ok we’re doin’ it,” said Bestwick in regards to his spontaneity.
Continuing to defy physics as well as his age, the British transplant who now lives in State College, Pennsylvania proceeded to stun his fellow competitors and judges alike on his second attempt floating an alley-oop 540 tailwhip, a front flair, and an opposite flair into another highly charge run.
What do Nick Bruce, Logan Martin, Kyle Baldock, Dennis Enarson, and the rest of the riders think of the park course at the 2017 X Games? Watch and find out. Don't worry - there's some great riding in here as well.
Jabe, JP and I woke up early and made the 2 hour drive down to Tampa. We rode some street around the area and then headed over to the infamous DREAM DRIVEWAY. Thanks so much to Ryan Clements for the session!
By now, it's well-known that Mike Varga is one of the best ramp riders in the world. It shouldn't surprise you that he shreds his own personal ramp at his home in Canada like no other. The last trick in this will leave your head spinning!
Last ride on homesoil at Papendal, before heading over to Bordeaux, France, for the European Championships.
TY MORROW ON ÉCLAT. Filmed & Edited By Calvin Kosovich.
Jake "Dizzy" Deering's section from the Alive & Well DVD put out by Focalpoint. Filmed over 6 months during the warmer months in Australia.
You saw Max Bespaliy's banger Stress video last month, now his identical twin brother and Stress teammate Igor is getting in on the action for this rad split video. There must be something in the genes as these two are endowed with a freakish ability for technical rail moves. Watch them tear up Montpellier, France during on a recent trip to stay with Leo Balay.
IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S MIKE STAHL!