The best to do it was once a newbie striving for stardom
November 2, 2009, 6:05 PM
By: Ryan Leyba
Wow, I don't really know how to start here. This is our third installment of "FMX Archives" and it's probably the most priceless video that will ever grace ESPN.com/Action. As we all know, before Jeremy Lusk had an untimely passing, he was an X Games gold medalist and arguably the best in the sport. To see this video of Jeremy circa '05-'06 just goes to show that you can do anything you put your mind to ... and that's exactly what he did. He had his sights set on one goal and that goal was to the best FMX rider in the world ... mission accomplished.
In the wake of the AFMXA amateur contest and the announcement of open qualifying for the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour, I really feel that videos like this, combined with the opportunity for newcomers to be seen, will help strengthen the sport, build a solid foundation and grow the field of professional riders. To see Jeremy Lusk, Adam Jones and Drake McElroy before they mastered FMX just goes to show that even though a lot of the amateur athletes we'll see this weekend at the AFMXA contest aren't as good as the top dogs, if they keep at it, they WILL be the big dogs in the future.
I don't know about you, but I've really seen some big changes in our sport within the past year ... changes that will ensure progression and a strong future. Since FMX is still a new sport, we all need to work together to make sure this wave of popularity continues. Things are looking good and its fun to think that the next big FMX star isn't even on our radar yet. Jeremy Lusk proved that with practice and dedication, a professional FMX career is tangible. It's time to start supporting amateur FMX, for it is the future ... nice work AFMXA ... and FMX East ... we see ya boys! Just so you know, FMX East has been putting on amateur contests for a few years now, but haven't had the same marketing money as the AFMXA.
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Contributors
Ryan Leyba
Leyba is a bitter, retired FMX rider that likes to sit in his cubicle and call the professionals of the sport wussies for not pulling 360s and double backflips. He claims he quit riding FMX before flips were even invented... yeah, right.
Cliff Talley
Making FMX videos exciting is easy. Making them look good is not. Cliff Talley does both of these well and still manages to find enough time to piss off his neighbors with his Travis Barker-esque drum skills.
Chris Tedesco
You've seen his photos on the covers of Transworld, Racer X and more. You've also seen his tequila shooting skills at your local dive bar. Ladies, Chris is single and looking to mingle.
Grant "Goba" O'brien
FMX in Australia wouldn't exist if it weren't for Goba. Well, maybe it would, but it wouldn't be nearly as cool. I don't know why, but we can't quit calling him gobalobadingdong — it just rolls off the tongue.
Tes Sewell
Tes is the dude that's always involved in everything that's going on in FMX. How he does it, we don't know, but that's the reason we hired him to share his plethora of FMX wisdom in the form of a monthly column.
