Having won the inaugural event in 2016, Walker was the sole rider to be pre-qualified to finals in BMX Triple Hit. So while 15 riders battled it out in semi-finals, Walker just had to focus on his own goals in this two-run, best-run counts format. He came out swinging on his first run, but went down on the final jump on what is essentially his signature trick, a barspin tailwhip-to-tailwhip.
“That’s exactly what happened last year, too. I fell on my first run, and I put it down on my second run," said Walker. ”It’s hard to explain, but when that happens it motivates me to work out of this corner that I’m in—it was my last run, so I put in all I had. I’ve had that run in my head for a few weeks and I am psyched I was able to put it down.”
And that’s exactly what Walker did on the very last run of the event: he laced a backflip barspin-to-tailwhip, a 360 double downside whip, and stomped the barspin tailwhip-to-tailwhip for the undeniable win.
Going down last year in practice, Fox had a lot weighing on him at Nitro World Games.
“Last year didn’t work out so well," said Fox. "I ended up crashing in practice and this year I was able to come back and do the exact run that I wanted to do last year and it landed me in third—pretty insane. It’s such a great feeling because that run has been on my mind every single day for a year straight.”
Fox stomped a backflip barspin, 1080, and double flip for third place honors.
After the event, Walker was excited and already looking forward to next year’s Nitro World Games.
“To win two years in a row is the best feeling ever, and I’m honored,” said Walker. "This is one of my favorite ramps in the world to ride and I already can’t wait for next year.” But before that, Walker has X Games Minneapolis in mid-July to compete in.
Pics by Monster Energy