Monster Energy Athletes Take Gold Medals and Sweep Podiums on Day 2 of X Games Ventura 2024

Jun 30, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

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The most action-packed day of Summer X Games is a wrap! Monster Energy congratulates its Skateboard, BMX, and Moto X athletes on a strong performance at X Games Ventura 2024 on Saturday. In a packed schedule of nine medal competitions inside Ventura County Fairgrounds & Events Center, Monster Energy athletes claimed a total of 12 medals, including 3 gold medals, in front of a sold-out live audience. The victories were there in BMX Dirt, where 21-year-old Brady Baker from Toms River, New Jersey, defended his gold medal in dominant fashion. Ending the night on a spectacular note, the Moto X Best Trick final saw 32-year-old Jackson Strong from Lockhart, Australia, take the win with an innovative trick creation on his final attempt.

Here’s how Saturday at X Games Ventura 2024 unfolded for Team Monster Energy:

BMX Dirt: Monster Energy’s Brady Baker Defends Gold, Mike Varga Claims Bronze

One of the most anticipated events unfolded in the BMX Dirt final. The man to beat? No other than 21-year-old Brady Baker from Toms River, New Jersey, after making history in 2023 by clinching gold in his rookie X Games appearance. Dropping into the session as the top qualified rider from Friday’s prelims, Baker faced heavy competition from the best riders on the circuit.

Undeterred by the pressure, Brady came through with a flawless run featuring Cashroll whip to tabletop,

360 triple tailwhip, backflip double tailwhip, and 720 barspin-catch-barspin on the final hit for 94.33 points and the gold medal.

“It was crazy; last year, I was the ultimate rookie. This year, I did it again somehow. I did put in the work, but it still feels crazy somehow!” said Monster Energy’s Baker upon clinching gold in BMX Dirt at X Games Ventura 2024.

Joining Baker on the podium, 27-year-old Mike Varga from Oshawa, Canada, put together a flawless run on his third and final attempt. Putting it all on the line, Varga put down double backflip, 720 no-hander, Cashroll and 720 double tailwhip for 92.00 points and the bronze medal.

“I’ve been looking for this medal for many years. I got fourth a couple of times, but now I got third place, let's see if I can get second or first next year. Just keep sending it!” said Varga, who now owns five X Games medals (3 gold, 2 bronze).

BMX Park: Monster Energy’s Kevin Peraza Claims Silver, Jose Torres Earns Bronze

The medals kept coming in the Men’s BMX Park event on Saturday night. Riding high after claiming BMX Street gold on Friday, Kevin Peraza put his all-terrain skills on full display to earn the silver medal.

In his highest-scoring second run, Peraza put together superman seat grab, truckdriver to unturndown, 360 double downside tailwhip, big wallride, can-can, flair tailwhip, high one-handed tabletop, big pocket air, and a technical flair 180 over the box jump for 91.00 points and the silver medal.

“So much wind, playing with the elements. Making it happen was so much for all of us, but glad that no one was injured. That was a rough one, so hyped!” said Peraza.

Bumping his X Games medal count to 10 medals (6 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze), Peraza will also be competing in Sunday’s BMX Park Best Trick event for another shot at precious metal. Stay tuned!

Also rising to the podium, the previous year’s gold medalist in the discipline, 29-year-old Jose Torres from Cordoba, Argentina, initially had a tough time stringing a perfect run together. Sitting outside of podium contention when final attempts rolled around, Torres put everything on the line and connected a flawless run to claim the bronze medal.

On Run 3, Torres finessed a huge double downside tailwhip over the centerpiece, backflip tailwhip, double tailwhip the quarter, 360 downside tailwhip whip, barspin no-hander the center jump, 360 no-hander, backflip double tailwhip and manual on the awning to barspin for 90.66 points and third place.

“I was so happy to be invited," said Torres. "It's such a dream to be here at X Games that I could not miss the contest. I was dealing with an injury but I'm happy to end up with this result!” said Monster Energy’s Torres. Torres now owns three X Games medals (1 gold, 2 bronze).

That wraps up Saturday! Stay tuned for more action from X Games California 2024 on Sunday with competitions in Skate, BMX and Moto X disciplines inside Ventura County Fairgrounds & Events Center.