GRINDTV NEWSWIRE via ESPN - After putting on a high-profile showing during Best Whip and Super Moto at X Games 15, AMA Motocross and Supercross champion James Stewart has made the last-minute decision to pull out of X Games 16. Locked into Best Whip, Super X and Speed & Style for 2010, Stewart had the potential to be a triple threat gold medal winner.

above: James first practice session for Best Whip at X16

Remounting his bike less than a month ago after breaking the scaphoid bone in his right hand after an altercation with Chad Reed during Phoenix round of the '10 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series on January 17, Stewart decided it would be in his best interest to pass on X16 in order to focus his attention on racing the Outdoor Nationals. Making a much-anticipated comeback on August 14 at the Unadilla round of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Stewart is in full training mode in order to reclaim his clout on the track.

"I'm working hard every day in the gym, and I'm also starting to ride more and more in hopes of making a strong comeback before the end of the Nationals," Stewart stated on the popular motocross radio show, DMXS Radio. He finished, "My goal right now is to make it back for the last four races [Unadilla, Southwick, Steel City, and Pala] -- that's the hope -- but we are assessing my riding everyday to see if that time frame is actually possible."

His presence at X16 will obviously be missed -- especially since we were looking forward to round two of the Stewart vs. Todd Potter Best Whip showdown -- but as always, the show will go on ... and what a show it'll be.