Nate Adams Wins Red Bull X-Fighters in Madrid

Backflips, Kisses of Death, No-hander—and a ton of Supermans: Twelve elite freestylers, 23,000 freestyle motocross fans, and Spain's largest bullfighting arena make up the Red Bull X-Fighters, one of the world's most spectacular FMX-events, which took place for the fourth time on July 21 below the night sky of Madrid.

American Nate Adams joined fellow compatriots Kenny Bartram and Travis Pastrana as Red Bull X-Fighters winners at Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid. He earned his victory with an extremely varied and difficult final ride, thus prevailing over fellow American Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg, who also finished second at the Red Bull X-Fighters event in Mexico City in April. Swiss newcomer, Mat Rebeaud, placed a surprising third.

He (Nate) and Twitch were winning, because they had demonstrated a backflip alongside the dirtkicker," said judge "Mad" Mike Jones. The decision was reached unanimously among the jury—"and Nate really deserved it," Jones further commented.

Particularly striking about Adams' victory was that he mounted his bike only four weeks ago, after having suffered a hip/thigh injury that has sidelined him most of the year. "My therapists and my trainer said I can do it and will come back even stronger," Adams said. "And it really came true like that—and then such an incredible victory today... it's simply unbelievable. A dream has come true for me."

The motoreros weren't only cheered on in Las Ventas. The Red Bull X-Fighters were also broadcasted worldwide via TV, cinema and webcast depending on the country. As 2005 Red Bull X-Fighters Mexico City winner Ronnie Renner commented: "The Red Bull X-Fighters are more exciting than the X Games."