chance to compete on the world stage. With legends cheering them on, eight women brought their best tricks to the course taking another step in the evolution of their sport.
As evening approached, BMX action continued with three more events — BMX Street Final, The Real Cost BMX Big Air and Dave Mirra’s Park Best Trick Final.
First up was the BMX Street Final, with an international field of riders looking to take their most technical tricks to the stairs, rails and ledges of the Street course. In a thrilling come-from-behind win, Chad Kerley regained gold by dethroning nine-time champ Garrett Reynolds on his final run. Lining up combo after combo like a barspin-to-manual-to-barspin-to-tailpick grind, Kerley’s technicality was simply unmatched on his final run as his 92.33 overtook Reynolds’ previous high score of 91.33 by a full point. Taking home bronze was last year’s silver medalist Devon Smillie. This was Kerley’s second gold in the discipline, after taking gold at X Games Los Angeles in 2013.
Immediately following on the adjacent Park course, X Games rookie Alex Haim paid ultimate tribute to an X Games legend with his unbelievable tail whip to foot-jam tailwhip on the wall ride in the winner-take-all Dave Mirra’s BMX Park Best Trick Final. The 22-year-old deservedly rode away with the coveted Golden Pedal after landing a trick never done before at X Games.
The Real Cost BMX Big Air competition once again proved to be the domain of 32-year-old James Foster. In a repeat performance from last year Foster took home Big Air gold. Beginning his run with a Superman seat grab on the 65-foot gap, he then did the unthinkable on the quarterpipe - performing the never-done-before quadruple downside tailwhip. Posting a high score of 89.33 was more than enough to top Texas’ Morgan Wade, who’s massive one-handed triple tailwhip earned him a silver medal score of 87.66. Last night’s Vert gold medalist Vince Byron took bronze.
Alex Haim, Dave Mirra’s BMX Park Best Trick gold medalist.
"Dave Mirra is the reason I started riding BMX. I’m just beaming man! Living the dream right now!”
Chad Kerley, BMX Street gold Medalist.
“My winning run I was just wingin’ it because I felt so good. I didn’t have any nerves and just went for it!”
James Foster, The Real Cost BMX Big Air gold medalist.
"I feel so fortunate. I love Minneapolis! I think Prince was out here tonight looking over us!
Despite an full evening of competitions, for many the night had only just begun as crowds of fans rushed for the all new music venue, The Armory, to feel the chart topping beats of Kaskade, who dropped a lively set to officially wrap day two at X Games Minneapolis 2018.
Stay tuned as action continues on Saturday with completion kicking off mid-day with the Lifeproof Moto X Step Up Final followed by the Toyota Men’s Skateboard Park Final, the SoFi Women’s Skateboard Street Final, the Fruit of the Loom BMX Dirt Final, the Moto X Best Whip Final, the Monster Energy Moto X Best Trick Final and the Skateboard Big Air Final. Activities then climate with a musical performance by Minneapolis’ own Brother Ali and the legendary Ice Cube.
The Real Cost BMX Big Air Final
1. James Foster, 89.33 (USA)
2. Morgan Wade, 87.66 (USA)
3. Vince Byron, 85.66 (AUS)
4. Mykel Larrin, 83.00 (USA)
5. Zack Warden, 81.00 (USA)
6. Ryan Williams, 78.33 (AUS)
7. Douglas Oliveira, 76.33 (BRA)
8. Colton Satterfield, 48.33 (USA)
Dave Mirra’s BMX Park Best Trick Final
1. Alex Haim, 90.00 (AUS)
2. Logan Martin, 87.66 (AUS)
3. Alex Nikulin, 87.66 (RUS)
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4. Kyle Baldock, 85.66 (AUS)
5. Colton Walker, 85.66 (USA)
6. Kevin Peraza, 85.00 (USA)
7. Daniel Dhers, 73.33 (VEN)
8. Pat Casey, 0.00 (USA)
BMX Street Final
- 1. Chad Kerley, 92.33 (USA)
2. Garrett Reynolds, 91.33 (USA)
3. Devon Smillie, 88.66 (USA)
4. Dennis Enarson, 87.00 (USA)
5. Sean Ricany, 84.00 (USA)
6. Felix Pragenberg, 83.00 (GER)
7. Bruno Hoffman, 82.00 (GER)
8. Nathan Williams, 80.66 (USA)
9. Corey Martinez, 80.33 (USA)
10. Colin Varanyak, 78.00 (USA)
11. Dakota Roche, 76.66 (USA)
12. Simone Barranco, 60.00 (ITA)
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.