X Games Live Blog
We're here. Where are you?
July 27, 2009, 3:59 PM
By: Brian Tunney
If you start to wonder why the BMX blog is quiet this week, you're simply looking at the wrong page. Cody and I are here in LA live blogging the whole thing. Literally, as you read this, we're blogging away. So say goodbye to the traditional ESPN BMX Blog for a few days and say hello to our continuously-updated Live X Games BMX Blog.
Live X Games BMX Blog - Monday
Live X Games BMX Blog - Tuesday
Live X Games BMX Blog - Wednesday
Live X Games BMX Blog - Thursday
Vert's New Breed: Coco Zurita
From water filter sales to the pro vert ranks.
July 22, 2009, 11:23 AM
By: Brian Tunney
Classic vert no-hander from Coco.
The first triple tailwhip on vert was attempted by Joe Johnson in 1989, and laid dormant until Santiago, Chile's own Francisco 'Coco' Zurita nailed it in the summer of 2007. There's a reason that the trick remained untouched for almost twenty years in the vert realm; it's an all or nothing commitment. "It's one of those tricks that could definitely kill you," says Zurita. Maybe it didn't actually kill Coco in the process, but it definitely sidelined him with a broken ankle during another go at the 2007 X Games. He's since recovered, but the triple tailwhip's better days may have come and gone for Coco.
Get to know Coco Zurita, South America's answer to the new breed of vert.
Vert's New Breed: Zack Warden
Hoffman's new generation of vert influence.
July 17, 2009, 2:19 PM
By: Brian Tunney
Spotted on Zack's Facebook. Huge invert.
The first 900 was pulled by Mat Hoffman on March 25, 1989. Five days later, Zack Warden was born. There might not be a direct relation between the two events, but it seems as though vert legend Mat Hoffman has had an influence on the lifestyle Zack has chosen to lead.
At the young age of 8, Zack Warden was introduced to vert via the X Games. Astonished by Mat Hoffman's ability to take first place in vert with a broken foot, Zack picked up a bike and started riding in and around the St. Louis, MO area. While still in high school, Zack moved (on his own) to Milheim, PA to be close to Woodward Camp. He finished high school in PA, riding Woodward as much as possible, quickly adapting his style and technique to the vert ramp. Along the way, he picked up a handful of sponsors, including Levi's®, Rockstar Energy Drink, Nike 6.0, Tree, Camp Woodward and appropriately, Hoffman Bikes.
Clearly, Zack's drive and all or nothing approach to BMX had to come from somewhere. And I'm going to have to chalk it up to a healthy serving of Hoffman-esque influence throughout the years. Zack's not jumping out of planes or base jumping his bike of cliffs, but he's got the skills and diehard motivation to take vert into the next generation. And just like Mat Hoffman before him, no one is going to be able to stop him.
This is Zack Warden, a vital part of the new breed of vert.
X Games Park Preview #4
The aerial view.
July 16, 2009, 12:26 PM
By: Brian Tunney
Number four in our ongoing series of "Here's What The X Games Park Course Is Shaping Up To Look Like" includes an aerial view of the park, with concrete laid, Skatelite sections up top and a few builders desperately trying to shade themselves from the sun. I don't know about you, but those Jersey style barriers towards the bottom right look like they'd be awfully fun. Can we make it a full work week with updates from the park course? Check back tomorrow to find out.
X Games Park Preview #3
Including Nate Wessel.
July 15, 2009, 5:18 PM
By: Brian Tunney
I can't believe we're keeping this going three days strong now. We've got more X Games concrete park sneak peek photos. This one includes
Sargeant Nate Wessel, the guy that helps coordinate what gets built and where at X Games.
Read More »
X Games Park Concrete
Now being added.
July 14, 2009, 12:42 PM
By: Brian Tunney
We've got another sneak park of the park course. It's official, the concrete is getting poured as we speak, or type. And it looks pretty sweet. Keep checking back for more sneak peeks of the course as it slowly but surely comes together. We're only about two weeks away from the X Games now, so this thing is going to be taking shape quick.
X Games 15 Park Preview
Not quite finished.
July 13, 2009, 2:55 PM
By: Brian Tunney
Last week, we caught up with X Games builder
Ryan Corrigan to learn about the rigors of building ramps ten hours a day in preparation for X Games. Continuing on with that theme, we've got a sneak peak of the park course, just prior to the concrete being laid down. What you can't tell from the photo is that there's next to no ozone above the
Home Depot Center in L.A., so the sun is beating down hard on the crew. We'll hopefully have some more updates from the crew in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for that. Until then, remember your sun screen.
Brad Simms in Iraq
B-rad heads out to meet the troops in Iraq and Kuwait.
July 13, 2009, 12:27 PM
By: Brian Tunney
Brad with a hawk in Dubai, December '07.
On account of his beyond hectic travel schedule, I don't get to talk to Hoffman Bikes'
Brad Simms nearly as much as I'd like to. Fortunately, Brad's been home in Maryland the past few weeks, readying himself for his next journey;
Iraq and Kuwait for ten days. Along with fellow X Games athletes, skateborder
Jen O'Brien, and snowboarders
Nate Holland and
Grete Eliassen, Brad is embarking on a ten-day journey to "Meet the troops and give them a chance to relax and think about something fun." He'll be flying around in helicopters, talking about his bunnyhop steez and doing his part to give back to his country. First
Stephen Colbert, and now Brad Simms. Wow is all I've got. Here's what Brad had to say about the trip.
Read More »
Steve McCann
Welcome to the new breed of Aussie-influenced vert.
July 10, 2009, 10:32 AM
By: Brian Tunney
Christian Pondella
No-hander at height, X Games 14.
Melbourne, Australia to Woodward, PA transplant
Steve McCann doesn't consider himself a vert rider, but the rest of the pro vert class seems to have a different opinion. The 26-year-old has competed professionally for years on both dirt and park, but it wasn't until 2007 when McCann decided to give the vert ramp a competitive go. And give it a go he did. Now entering his third year in the competitive vert ranks, it's safe to say that Steve looks at home among the vert vets he rides with on a daily basis.
But Steve's riding isn't just limited to the vert ramp. He can ride everything and ride it well; a skill that has allowed for Steve's riding to gracefully transcend into vert. He's got the height, a huge bag of impossible tricks and an impressive vert pump. And not only that, he's psyched on riding vert, going so far as to say that vert has rekindled his love for riding.
Fresh off of ankle surgery, still unsure whether or not he'll be able to ride in X Games 15, I decided to catch up with Steve to discuss his somewhat recent entry into the vert ranks. This is vert according to Steve McCann. Welcome to the new breed.
Check the full Steve McCann interview here.
Harry Main out with broken leg
No Worlds or X Games.
July 8, 2009, 11:29 AM
By: Brian Tunney
While filming for Nike 6.0 in Germany yesterday, Mirraco's
Harry Main broke his leg. No news on the specifics of the injury, but it looks like Harry is out of the running for riding in the
Worlds this coming weekend, as well as the
X Games next month.
Harry was qualified to ride in X Games 15 Park, so it looks like we're headed to the alternates now. And alternate #1 for park is Van Homan. That means Van is going to be pulling double duty in the X Games this year between street and park.
Here's to a speedy recovery Harry!
