Unfortunately, one of the best riders to do it on the mega ramp and last year's champion, Chad Kagy, came down hard on his leg and would only complete a run worthy of third place earning him the bronze medal. This made the race for gold quite exciting, however, as it seemed to be anyone's game with Kagy only completing a "safety run" (a run to secure a solid score, usually as a first run, to allow for a back-up score in case of not landing more difficult runs).

And so that race began. Jed Mildon cased on a double flip and wasn't able to piece together a solid run from then on, landing in 6th. Colton Satterfield laid down a solid run consisting of Dave Mirra's invention, the no-handed 360 flip, and a no-handed flair but both lacked in the height and originality department so he was underscored to 5th. Anthony Napolitan laid down an expected no-handed double frontflip but for the second year in a row failed to flip, spin, or whip the quarter and was therefore underscored to 4th. Chad Kagy's flip-whip to flair whip combo landed him in 3rd. Vince Byron upped the ante with a double-whip flip and a no-handed flair at height with a sketchy, flat landing to earn the silver medal.

All said and done, however, it's Steve McCann who takes home the gold medal with a run consisting of a double frontflip (with no variation) and a double tailwhip on the quarter. The difference is he picked some solid tricks and did them with height and textbook style. The Big Air event has become a talent show to display never-been-done-before maneuvers for BMX but in the end who actually wins the event? Those who landed tricks to the pedals and completed runs. Better write that down Jed and Anthony.

It happens quite often and we hate to see it, but some of our favorite riders are out of the X Games going on RIGHT NOW due to injury. First one to go was James Foster, a favorite to win the "Big Air" discipline. Luke Parslow held a jam, like a fun get together typical of Parslow's events, but Foster isn't one to just dead sailor every set for fun. Unfortunately, on a double whip flip attempt he broke his leg. Not sure what the timeframe is for recovery but let's just hope he recovers fully and it doesn't affect his career in the long run.

The first of 4 vert riders to go down was vert legend Jay Eggleston. While participating at the first Dew Tour stop a week ago he came down hard on the flat bottom, what all vert riders try to avoid as the proper way to fall is with the transition. Jay is still unconscious in the hospital as far as we know and the doctors are watching over him carefully. Hopefully he wakes up as so many strong riders have in the past.

Another vert rider, my personal favorite, Coco Zurita also acquired a leg injury. Not sure if it was at the Dew Tour event or just practice prior to the Games, but Coco fractured his ankle and will also have to watch the X Games and the following Dew Tour event go on without him.

And yet another vert contestant, Chad Kagy, goes down hard during the Big Air event. Something that can't be ignored about Big Air is the danger in simply jumping at that magnitude. Throw in going upside down and doing a tailwhip? It's a recipe for disaster that he's escaped (and landed) several times in the past, but not this time as he loses momentum in mid air, bails out, and comes down awkward on his leg, breaking his femur.

Add another to the injured list, Simon Tabron under rotated a 900 during the vert finals and broke his collarbone, requiring surgery and some metal. Gnarly stuff. Apparently, Chad and Simon are hanging out together for a while as they both recover from surgery-requiring injuries.

That said, let's hope for a speedy recovery for all, especially Jay who may have experienced more serious head injuries.

Park may have brought up some new names and new results, but the vert results look like a copy and paste from every single event last year. But what can you do when Jamie Bestwick is still riding in perfect form at whatever age he is (ain't gonna hear it from him). So it would appear the battle for second place begins, as familiar names follow behind Jamie and end up competing for 2 spots on the podium instead of 3. My question is "when is Coco Zurita's riding going to get noticed and earn him a cup?"

Here are the results in plain English (or names...):

PARK
1. Kyle Baldock
2. Dennis Enarson
3. Ryan Nyquist
4. Brett Banasiewicz
5. Scotty Cranmer
6. Gary Young
7. Harry Main
8. Garrett Reynolds
9. Mark Webb
10. Daniel Dhers

VERT
1. Jamie Bestwick
2. Chad Kagy
3. Simon Tabron
4. Steven McCann
5. Vince Byron
6. Coco Zurita
7. Jan Valenta
8. Jimmy Walker
9. Austin Coleman
10.Dennis McCoy

Anybody notice that name at the bottom of the park results... Daniel Dhers? I'm guessing the judges were actually enforcing the rules of using the course and being creative, which doesn't work well with Daniel's box-jump, quarter, spine, quarter, repeat routine. Makes sense too, as those who used the course's diverse lines and transfers best are on the top of the list. And Baldock's double flip cannot be argued with as he takes the top spot.

photo from allisports.com

Oh, it's a-comin'. Starting July 27, this year's X Games will continue the evolving formats and courses that encompass a more free style of riding. The courses this year are continually improving, except for the big air and vert courses which leave little to improve on, except maybe safety. So, let's have a look at this summer's courses and the riders invited to shred on 'em (click to enlarge):




The Big Air event will commence on July 28 and feature the following riders:
Chad Kagy
Steven McCann
Morgan Wade
Zack Warden
Vince Byron
Anthony Napolitan
Alternates: Coco Zurita, James Foster, Colton Satterfield

The Vert event will take place on the following day, the 29th, and feature...
Jamie Bestwick
Steven McCann
Simon Tabron
Chad Kagy
Vince Byron
Coco Zurita
Dennis McCoy
Jimmy Walker
Zack Warden
Austin Coleman
Alternates: Jorge Jovel, Jan Valenta

BMX Park will happen on Saturday, the 30th, and feature these riders:
Daniel Dhers
Dennis Enarson
Gary Young
Drew Bezanson
Brett Banasiewicz
Jeremiah Smith
Chase Hawk
Scotty Cranmer
Pat Casey
Diogo Canina
Ryan Nyquist
Garrett Reynolds
Mark Webb
Corey Bohan
Rob Darden
Harry Main
Kyle Baldock
Alex Coleborn
Craig Mast
Brandon Dosch
Alternates: Chris Doyle, Chris Hughes

BMX Street will happen on the final day, Sunday, the 31st, and involve:
Garrett Reynolds
Dennis Enarson
Brian Kachinsky
Dakota Roche
Ty Morrow
Sean Sexton
Jeremiah Smith
Josh Harrington
Van Homan
Aaron Ross
Alternates: Chad Kerley, Dan Lacey

There are lots of things to say about this exciting your-ending event, but the biggest is that Bestwick, after winning every previous event, didn't sweep this year! Chad Kagy swooped right from under him by a quarter of a point. Bestwick still, however, won the Dew Tour cup for a stellar year overall, but it's just exciting for us all to say that somebody else won a vert event. And if there was anybody to do it, it is definitely Chad Kagy. How do you beat Bestwick you ask? Well the ingredients go something like 1 double whip flair, 2 or 3 whip flairs, 1 barspin to no hander flair, and a slew of other peppers and spices like superman seatgrabs and barspins. Another notable vert moment is DMC taking third. Haven't seen ole McCoy on the podium in a while. Here's the top 5 vert riders in the standings for this year:

2010 Dew Tour Vert Results
1. Jamie Bestwick
2. Chad Kagy
3. Simon Tabron
4. Steve McCann
5. Coco Zurita

Dirt could also be considered an upset after all the Banana Sandwich talk. Brett Banasiewicz started competing in dirt and slaying the entire event with cash rolls and triple whips and any ridiculous video game trick these days. However, his performance would land him in 5th place at this event. The podium goes to Brandon Dosch (1), TJ Ellis (2), and Anthony Napolitan (3). Even Gary Young beat Banasiewicz, taking fourth and proving that style and creativity can beat flips and whips. Once again, TJ Ellis... TJ doesn't... What can I say, man? A flip whip and a front flip whip... For second? Dosch's triple whip to double whip to 360 flip thingy is better than that? Well, good things I'm not a Dew judge, eh? I liked A Nap's turndown to turndown and dirt went off surprisingly gnarly after seeing that horrific TJ Lavin crash. Speaking of, get well soon Teej! Here's the top 5 dirt riders from this year's tour:

2010 Dew Tour Dirt Results
1. Brandon Dosch
2. Brett Banasiewicz
3. TJ Ellis
4. Luke Parslow
5. Dennis Enarson

Look out! What's that!? It's Ryan Nyquist passing you in the standings after sitting in the back of the pack for the most part. Typical Nyquist. If you follow my blog, you probably expect me to start hating on Nyquist and talking about judging, but this is a well-deserved win for the BMX veteran and I'm stoked for him to take a win I totally agree with. I'd like to have seen Reynolds (3) and Dhers (2) swap places finish wise but that's a whole other story. Nyquist use the course to its fullest, taking advantage of the nooks and crannies other riders overlooked. Reynolds did so as well, putting some big tricks in big places like only he can do. Dhers just rode box jumps and spines as usual but he's too good at them to not place podium. I can't disagree too much with this event though. Here's the top 5 park riders for this year:

2010 Dew Tour Park Results
1. Daniel Dhers
2. Garrett Reynolds
3. Mark Webb
4. Brett Banasiewicz
5. Dennis Enarson



Dennis Enarson placed 5th overall in 2 different disciplines. I thought that was pretty "boss" until I realized Brett Banasiewicz placed 2nd overall in dirt and 4th overall in park... Dude, BOSS! He should do vert!

photos by allisports.com