Stewart takes opening night of Rockstar Energy U.S. Open in Vegas
October 10, 2009, 2:52 AM
By: Ryan Leyba
Steve Densmore
As if we didn't know Stewart was going to take it. After we got word that Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey had pulled out, we had to head back down to the sports book and switch up our cash money bets.
Just like that, the first night of the U.S. Open is in the books and as most everyone expected, last year's champ James Stewart walked away with a convincing win. Unfortunately, our boy Ezra Lusk didn't qualify for the main event, but hopefully we'll see him come back and do some damage tomorrow night. OG's represent!
Before the main event, the FMX exhibition went off and the riders didn't hold anything back. Jim McNeil, Mike Mason, Taka Higashino, Keith Sayers and Kenny Bartram lit up the crowd, bringing them to their feet for what was interestingly enough, one of the most exciting parts of the night. During the first FMX practice sesh earlier in the day, The Godfather of FMX, Mike Metzger was the first to hit the ramp, but he unfortunately came up a few feet short, breaking both of his wrists. Freakin' Metzger is a bad dude ... let's hope he can heal up from this in a hurry.
Steve Densmore
The tight confines of the MGM Grand Garden Arena made for close racing action and limited passing. Random info nugget of the day? The MGM Grand Garden Arena is where Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield's ear. Chomp chomp son!
I'd give you a play by play, but that ain't how we roll here at ESPN FMX. Peep the full results and hold tight for our exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the U.S. Open pits. We've got one more night of action and if Stewart can take another win, he'll be a cool $100,000 richer. After party time! Awe yeah boyeeee!
Friday Night Open Class Results
1. James Stewart, Yamaha
2. Davi Millsaps, Honda
3. Dan Reardon, Honda
4. Matt Georke, Yamaha
5. Christian Craig, Yamaha
6. Cole Siebler, Honda
7. Tyler Bowers, Yamaha
8. Nick Wey, Yamaha
9. Chris Blose, Honda
10. Michael Byrne, Suzuki
Steve Densmore
Jim McNeil's flip whips were some of the biggest of the night. The FMX exhibition was one of the most exciting parts of the night ... kind of odd, right?
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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.
