There was no familiar faces on the podium for the Moto X Best Trick Final on Friday after domination from three first-time X Games participants.
Australian Cam Sinclair wowed the crowds and judges with a double backflip, the same trick that him out of contention last year after crashing heavily in the Red Bull X Fighters event in Madrid.
“I have been watching the X Games since I was 10 years old,” Sinclair said. “This is a dream come true.”
Sinclair took the Gold spot after successfully landing his signature double backflip becoming the third ever person to land the trick at X Games.
“After my accident in Spain, I had lots of practice and preparation for this competition,” Sinclair said. “Even though I have completed the double backflip eleven times, I was really worried because the set-up is different everywhere. I am excited that I was able to pull it off.”
Madrid X Fighter winner Robbie Maddison claimed Silver as he completed a smooth spin in his first run then impressed the crowed with a Volt to side-saddle lander.
“I am honored to get silver and am stoked to get my first medal,” Maddison said. “Taka’s trick was insane, and to me, I see no difference between second and third.”
Japanese rider Taka Higashino took Bronze with a double grab indy air.
“I am super excited. This is my fourth year at X Games and my first medal,” Higashino said. “Sometimes the difficulty of the trick messes with my head then I think about Jeremy Lusk. I felt like he was with me and I stuck it.”
1. Cam Sinclair Pearcedale, Australia 94.33 2. Robbie Maddison Kiama, New South Wales Australia 93.66 3. Taka Higashino Osaka, Japan 90.66 4. Clinton Moore Bundaberg, Australia 90.33 5. Levi Sherwood Palmerston North, New Zealand 88.33 6. Rich Kearns Oxford, Conn. 88.00 7. Todd Potter Temecula, Calif. 85.00 8. Paris Rosen Apple Valley, Minn. 52.66
