Pastrana Wins Third Gold at X Games 12, repeats as Moto X Freestyle Winner

Los Angeles -  Travis Pastrana can do a double backflip on a motorcycle, drive a rally car, enthrall crowds of fans and much more.  However, after winning a third X Games 12 gold medal – this time in Moto X Freestyle, Pastrana stumbled in the staging area and aggravated an existing knee injury. 

With his knee hurting, Pastrana passed on his second run, and he and the crowd watched as silver medalist Adam Jones and bronze medalist Mike Mason took aim at his leading score.

“I’d rather be lucky than good, and I had a lot of luck on my side with this event,” said Pastrana. “I messed up on the SuperMoto, but I’m glad I was able to come back and put on a good show in the freestyle. The crowds this week have been unbelievable. I can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Despite Pastrana only completing the first run, Jones and Mason had a tough act to compete with. The repeat gold medalist’s sole run included a backflip saran wrap, a backflip kiss of death, a one-handed backflip, and a one-handed backflip lazy boy.

The win moves Pastrana into ultra-elite action sports company, tying him (with Andy Macdonald) for the third most gold medals in X Games history, trailing just Dave Mirra (14) and Tony Hawk (10).  It also ranks him sixth in the all-time X Games medal standings, behind Ryan Nyquist (13), Bob Burnquist (13), Hawk (16), Macdonald (16) and Mirra (20). 

Jones, for his part, came close to matching Pastrana however. The 22-year-old flowed through a run featuring a dead body, a kiss of death, his signature backflip cordova, a cliffhanger, and a backflip can-can to a saran wrap.

“This is so exciting for me,” said Jones. “Some people might be bummed, but I’m so stoked and overwhelmed. I’m extremely happy to be here. I just can’t believe it.”

Mason won the bronze, his first X Games medal, by landing a no-handed superman, a backflip whip, a backflip heel-clicker and a fabulous holy grab.

“I was really nervous last night,” said the 24-year-old Mason. “I didn’t know what to expect.  I’m really excited to get the bronze – it gives me motivation to go home and train.”