FORT WORTH, Texas (June 27, 2009) - Just as the setting sun was calming the blazing daytime heat, eleven of the world's best freestyle motocross riders turned it right back up at Red Bull X-Fighters Texas. Nate Adams defeated defending event winner and 2008 series champion, Mat Rebeaud before a capacity crowd of more than 22,000 fans in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Speaking of historic, Australian rider Cam Sinclair nailed the first-ever double backflip in a competition run, sending the fans into a frenzy. Thomas Pages of France suffered a hip injury in an unsuccessful attempt at the first front flip in a competition run.
"Red Bull X-Fighters is the very top of FMX," said Adams. "There is nothing like winning against such world-class athletes, and in front of my fellow Americans. I'm really happy I am healthy and riding well. It was all-around a great weekend for me."
"There has never been a double backflip in competition before," said Sinclair, who suffered bruised ankles from the hard landings. "I don't really care about the fact I was eliminated in the semis - I'm just happy I'm more or less healthy."
Japan's Eigo Sato now leads the overall standing of the international series with 215 points, closely followed by Rebeaud (210 points) and Robbie Maddison (145 points).
The scene was authentic Texas, replete with Rodeo Queens, bull riding and even the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who many say contributed to the heat. Supercross legend and current TORC off-road truck driver Ricky Johnson got the evening started by tearing into the purpose-built venue with a special passenger - Fort Worth Mayor Michael Moncrief, who welcomed the fans to the second-straight Red Bull X-Fighters held in his town, followed by members of the Red Bull Air Force, who made a high-speed drop-in onto the course.
The course was a genuine challenge for the riders, presenting them with more than 15 different jump combinations, thanks to the 850 truckloads of dirt that were sculpted in the three weeks leading up to the event.
Red Bull X-Fighters Texas Results:
1. Nate Adams (USA) 100 points
2. Mat Rebeaud (SUI) 80 points
3. Cameron Sinclair (AUS) 65 points
4. Eigo Sato (JPN) 55 points
5. Robbie Maddison (AUS) 45 points
6. Jeremy Stenberg (USA) 35 points
7. Dany Torres (SPA) 30 points
8. Adam Jones (USA) 25 points
9. Andre Villa (NOR) 20 points
10. Thomas Pages (FRA) 15 points
11. Jeff Kargola (USA) 10 points
The Texas stop is the third of five international Red Bull X-Fighters events in 2009, starting with the traditional kick-off at the 45,000-seat Monumental Plaza de Toros in Mexico City in March. Calgary hosted Canada's first Red Bull X-Fighters on May 30 at the Calgary Stampede. Next up is the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, which will enjoy its eighth-consecutive year with a stop on July 16-17. The series wraps up with a visit to London's Battersea Power Station on August 22.
Red Bull X-Fighters was created in 2001, debuting in Valencia, Spain at the bullring where the legendary 'Mad' Mike Jones claimed victory. Since that historic night, Red Bull X-Fighters events have taken place in the world's most iconic locations, including the famous bullrings in Madrid and Mexico City, Slane Castle in Ireland, the Sambodromo in Rio de Janeiro, a massive stone quarry in Wuppertal, Germany and the Stadion X-Lecia in Warsaw, Poland.
Red Bull X-Fighters Texas will be broadcast on ABC on Sunday, July 19 at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m., immediately following the British Open golf tournament.