McGrath Takes X-Games by Storm - News - Dirt Rider Magazine

First-time X Games competitor Jeremy McGrath admitted, "I really didn't know what to expect" in his debut to the made-for-TV action sports extravaganza. "I was really overwhelmed. I didn't think it was that big a deal; then when I got there, that's a big deal!"Despite being retired a few years, the seven-time AMA Supercross Champion quickly discovered the Moto X Step Up competition at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles to be somewhat familiar ground: jumping his CR250R as high as he could, though over a measured height—and what a height it was.After eliminating perennial freestyle competitors Mike Metzger and Brian Deegan at 26 feet, and leaving Step Up specialist Tommy Clowers at 29 feet, it came down to McGrath and Matt Buyten. They'd matched each other jump for jump until finally, McGrath cleared 33 feet, six inches—a half-foot higher than Buyten, the defending Step Up gold medalist who competed despite dislocating his shoulder twice during the competition.The final day of X Games X found McGrath again in the spotlight, this time for the inaugural running of Moto X SuperMoto, the first racing-style motorized competition in X Games history. Running in the dirt arena shared with the freestyle jumpers, as well as out into the paved parking lot next door, it was simply a more extreme version of supermotard (as it's known in Europe) or Superbikers (from the old ABC Wide World of Sports race). And it brought heavy hitters from a variety of motorcycle racing disciplines, from motocross to road racing to freestyle to desert—all champions in their own right.McGrath got the holeshot and led four laps before surrendering to road race star Ben Bostrom and SuperMoto World Champion Eddy Seel of Belgium."It was a great thing when I got out in front of those guys. When they passed me, I just tried to copy what they did," McGrath admitted. "I was like, 'Hey, that's working; they're passing me so I've got to try to stick to the back of them. The best I could've hoped for is a medal. But to lead like that for a long time was great."In the end, the pair with more asphalt experience pulled away in their own battle, leaving McGrath to hold down the bronze medal position. Though Bostrom led most of the race, Seel thought he had the win when he led on the final lap. However, Bostrom got a better drive onto the pavement, setting up Seel to surprise him on the inside after a fast straight to clinch the gold."I was one of the last guys to line up on the grid, and as I was riding by all the last names, it really sunk in," Bostrom said. 'Wow, I'd like to win this thing. When I saw Eddy make the mistake, I knew I had it."