ESPN’s X Games is rolling through Los Angeles for the last time ever this weekend before making its move to Austin, Texas for 2014. Day One featured plenty of moto action, with both Best Whip as well as the Freestyle Finals going down in the Staples Center.
![: Josh Hansen’s whips were absolutely incredible. Hansen was feeling great from the start, and with his buddy Jason Lawrence on hand for support, Hanny absolutely crushed the competition with his combination of upside down and turn-down whips. As if his whips weren’t attention-catching enough, Josh was aboard a trick Cernics Suzuki with a tiny, extremely loud exhaust that seemed to make his whips that much bigger due to all of the noise.]()
: Josh Hansen’s whips were absolutely incredible. Hansen was feeling great from the start, and with his buddy Jason Lawrence on hand for support, Hanny absolutely crushed the competition with his combination of upside down and turn-down whips. As if his whips weren’t attention-catching enough, Josh was aboard a trick Cernics Suzuki with a tiny, extremely loud exhaust that seemed to make his whips that much bigger due to all of the noise. Garth Milan ![Multi-time X Games medalist Robbie Maddison competed in Best Whip for his first time, and rode great. The crowd loved him, and his arsenal of different whips was quite impressive.]()
Multi-time X Games medalist Robbie Maddison competed in Best Whip for his first time, and rode great. The crowd loved him, and his arsenal of different whips was quite impressive. Garth Milan ![Vicki Golden was the first-ever invited female moto athlete for Best Whip, and Golden definitely didn’t disappoint. Golden used her girl power to take home third place in the text voting. And yes, those are Metal Mulisha graphics and stickers that Vicki is running…]()
Vicki Golden was the first-ever invited female moto athlete for Best Whip, and Golden definitely didn’t disappoint. Golden used her girl power to take home third place in the text voting. And yes, those are Metal Mulisha graphics and stickers that Vicki is running… Garth Milan ![You know the field is stacked when guys as talented as Todd Potter are finishing in tenth place. Potter came with tons of flip variations, but a couple of mistimed jumps kept him from doing better.]()
You know the field is stacked when guys as talented as Todd Potter are finishing in tenth place. Potter came with tons of flip variations, but a couple of mistimed jumps kept him from doing better. Garth Milan ![Blake “Bilko” Williams looked to be the man to beat early on, as he threw down an incredible run with intense energy, and was rewarded with the first spot. Bilko stayed on top of the board for quite a while, but was finally unseated.]()
Blake “Bilko” Williams looked to be the man to beat early on, as he threw down an incredible run with intense energy, and was rewarded with the first spot. Bilko stayed on top of the board for quite a while, but was finally unseated. Garth Milan ![Rob Adelberg was a crowd favorite thanks to massive extensions like this.]()
Rob Adelberg was a crowd favorite thanks to massive extensions like this. Garth Milan ![Taka Higashino was unstoppable once again in the Staples Center. With no Best-Trick event this year, Taka decided to make his entire run full of incredible, best-of-the-best jumps that the left both the judges and the crowd with little doubt as to who would be the winner.]()
Taka Higashino was unstoppable once again in the Staples Center. With no Best-Trick event this year, Taka decided to make his entire run full of incredible, best-of-the-best jumps that the left both the judges and the crowd with little doubt as to who would be the winner. Garth Milan ![The crowd couldn’t get enough of Bilko and his hilarious antics. Bilko took a page right out of Renner’s book and decided to hump his bike in the middle of the air.]()
The crowd couldn’t get enough of Bilko and his hilarious antics. Bilko took a page right out of Renner’s book and decided to hump his bike in the middle of the air. Garth Milan ![Wes Agee is a big guy, so when he throws big tricks, his extension is that much more impressive. Agee rode great, but with such stiff competition, he wound up eighth.]()
Wes Agee is a big guy, so when he throws big tricks, his extension is that much more impressive. Agee rode great, but with such stiff competition, he wound up eighth. Garth Milan ![Jackson Strong put together a solid run, including this volt, but a frustrating crash immediately following this jump ended the Australian’s night.]()
Jackson Strong put together a solid run, including this volt, but a frustrating crash immediately following this jump ended the Australian’s night. Garth Milan ![Adam Jones threw multiple flips, tricks, and variations to pull off the Siler Medal. The older Jones gets, the harder he rips!]()
Adam Jones threw multiple flips, tricks, and variations to pull off the Siler Medal. The older Jones gets, the harder he rips! Garth Milan ![They don’t call Levi Sherwood “Gumby” for nothing. Sherwood’s extensions were easily the most impressive of the night.]()
They don’t call Levi Sherwood “Gumby” for nothing. Sherwood’s extensions were easily the most impressive of the night. Garth Milan ![Taka Higashino gives each and every trick his 110% all, and it definitely shows in his perfectly smooth, well extended run.]()
Taka Higashino gives each and every trick his 110% all, and it definitely shows in his perfectly smooth, well extended run. Garth Milan ![Taka, Adam, and Nate, all three of whom are gold medalists themselves, relish in their top-three placings.]()
Taka, Adam, and Nate, all three of whom are gold medalists themselves, relish in their top-three placings. Garth Milan ![The Best Whip medalists hang their precious new hardware (from left: Jeremy Stenberg, Josh Hansen, and Vicki Golden)]()
The Best Whip medalists hang their precious new hardware (from left: Jeremy Stenberg, Josh Hansen, and Vicki Golden) Garth Milan
