Mark Monea's signature trick the "Carry On" which is a 360 front flip was enough to win $40,000 at the Best Trick competition at the inaugural Monster Energy Cup held at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

"This is not only the largest amount of money I have ever won, it's the only money that I have ever won in freestyle motocross," said Monea.

The Monster Energy Cup was the first time Monea has landed the 360 front flip in competition. He failed to land the trick during competition at X Games 17 after successfully landing the trick during the Nitro Circus Demo tour early in the Summer.



The Best Trick competition was a one-trick, go-for-broke-freestyle-motocross format with each rider getting one opportunity to land their biggest trick.

The most anticipated moment of the Night was Kyle Loza's attempt at landing the "Scarecrow," a trick in which Loza removes himself from the motorcycle and flips the bike with one hand. Loza was unsuccessful but was able to walk away unhurt.

Best Trick Presented by Dirt Shark Results
Mark Monea: 94
Jackson Strong: 93
Todd Potter: 85.7
Kyle Loza: 65.3
Cameron Sinclair: 65

With X Games 16 right around the corner, The Metal Mulisha crew has been hard at work training at the Mulisha Compound. They have long dominated X Games in terms of sheer presence for several years now, specifically the number of athletes competing in the Moto X events. This year proves to be no different with 8 of their team riders set to compete in the various Moto X events . Todd Potter will be extremely busy trying to metal in Best Trick, Freestyle, Best Whip and Step Up. Twitch Stenberg is competing in Step Up, Speed & Style, and Freestyle while the General Brian Deegan is trying his luck at Speed & Style and Rally Car.

The Crew will no doubt be busy taking home some hardware at X Games 16, but in the mean time check out this video from Metal Mulisha practicing at the Compound.



Riders competing in X Games for Mulisha

Best Trick

Todd Potter

Jimmy Fitzpatrick

Cam Sinclair

Taka Higashino (Alt)

Freestyle-

Jackson Strong

Todd Potter

Jeremy Stenberg

Step Up

Todd Potter

Jeremy Stenberg

Best Whip

Todd Potter

Josh Grant

Speed and Style

Jeremy Stenberg

Brian Deegan

Rally

Brian Deegan

Words and Photos: Kristen Beat

After X-Games you are most likely to find your favorite athletes in state of comatose, completely exhausted and more than willing to hibernate for the following weeks. Todd Potter is no such creature. After succeeding to bring home a gold medal in Best Whip, and a bronze in Freestyle, you may dare say Potter is the new king of the jungle and he's ready for more.

I had the chance to briefly catch up with him and hear all about what's going on in the life of Todd (which by the way would be an extremely entertaining reality show- trust me, are you listening MTV? ).

Can you describe your experience at X-Games this year?
My experience was really good. I think getting two medals out of three events went over really well. I'm pretty stoked I put in the hard work and it came out good for me.

How much time do you spend preparing for an event like X-Games?
Before X-Games I'll ride twice a day every day about two or three months before. I do other cross training stuff like bicycle riding, a little but of gym action, just stay on top of my game.

Do you think the judging was valid in placing Kyle Loza higher than Bilko in best trick?
I think Loza had a really good performance and everything but if you're going off the innovation of the trick, Bilko should have won.

Do you think Travis Pastrana's Rodeo 720 is possible for any athlete?
I think it's a little bit before it's time, but you'll definitely see some good crashes from guys trying to go for it.

What can we expect for next year?
I plan on competing in every event that I did this year, but add step up & truck racing.

Truck racing eh, could you elaborate on that?
I have a '98 F-150 with suspension, I'm going to build a track and get good, then come out and find a ride.

Is there anything you're working on now?
I'm going to be working on stuff all year long. I really want to get a 360 down and get it a little more like a bmx 360. Bilko's are pretty good. I also am going to try some other stuff too, but that's top secret okay?

Got it, ok thanks for your time Todd!
Thanks

Editor's Note: Think only heros get their own action figures? Damn straight they do! Keep an eye out for a Todd Potter figurine at a store near you.

About the Author:
Kristen Beat has been grinding away as a member of the moto press for a number of years now. While the staff here at Motocross.com call her "The Intern", she works hard and deserves an additional bit of recognition for all that she has done for us. When she's not running around the campus of her college (no, we won't tell you where she goes to school) and writing articles for Motocross.com, she's doin' work over at Fuel TV. The next Erin Bates? We think so.