Red Bull X-Fighters Russia Recap

A sell-out crowd of 40,000 fans were on hand to witness the best twelve freestyle motocross riders in the world battle it out in front of the world-famous Kremlin on Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday night. Young gun Levi Sherwood (NZL) showed his class in the final against Nate Adams (USA) to take his second ever win on the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour.

No fewer than 250 lorry-loads of dirt transformed the historic cobblestones of Red Square in the heart of the Russian capital into an FMX course worthy of hosting the top riders on the planet as the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour hit Russia for the first time ever. With temperatures touching 35 degrees Celsius, it was 18-year-old Levi “Rubberkid” Sherwood who jumped through the air and into the hearts of the Russian fans packed into the historic location: “The tricky course here was just right for me. This day will go down in history.”

Just metres from the eastern walls of the Kremlin, spectacular tricks, incredible flips and the whine of two-stroke motors brought the tens of thousands of fans in the stadium to boiling point. The legendary square in the heart of Moscow, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1990, was packed to the rafters as the best riders in the world came to town. “The pressure was huge, the course was tough and the heat was a problem for everyone,” explained defeated finalist Nate Adams (USA). “It is an incredible feeling to jump here. The equivalent back home in the USA would be to perform in the garden of the White House!”

Andre Villa continues to lead the overall standings in the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2010 after finishing third in Moscow. Robbie Maddison (AUS), famous for his incredible long-distance jumps over London’s Tower Bridge and the Corinth Canal in Greece, failed to qualify for the semi-finals after missing a landing, eventually finishing fifth. Japan’s Eigo Sato progressed into the semi-finals but has to settle for fourth place after losing his duel against Adams.

The comeback kids Dany Torres (ESP) and Mat Rebeaud (SUI) were unable to keep pace with the best riders in the world in Moscow as they returned to the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour after injuries, finishing sixth and tenth respectively.

Cam Sinclair has continued his re-rise to the top of world Freestyle Motocross (FMX) with a solid eighth place result in the third round of the Red Bull X Fighters championship series, held in Moscow, Russia on the weekend.

Whilst focusing on smart riding and remaining healthy throughout the event, Sinclair still managed to land some of his biggest and most technical tricks, earning him a top ten result against the very best the sport has to offer and Sinclair three spots behind close friend and countryman Robbie Madison, who finished fifth.

“I felt like I rode really good all weekend. I landed all my tricks smoothly and didn’t miss any jumps, which is exactly what I set out to do. I have a big couple of months ahead, so I just have to remind myself to be smart and don’t do anything silly before X Games. This (Moscow) is only my second competition in a year, I can feel I’m steadily improving every time I get on the bike.” Cam Sinclair said.

Sinclair will now spend two weeks in the USA practising for his X Games debut in Los Angeles on July 29, before the X Fighters series moves to Madrid, Spain on July 22.

“Returning to Madrid is a huge deal to me since my accident there last year. I’m really looking forward to going back and thanking everyone in Spain for their support in person.” Sinclair said.

1. Levi Sherwood (NZL)
2. Nate Adams (USA)
3. Andre Villa (NOR)
4. Eigo Sato (JAP)
5. Robbie Maddison (AUS)
6. Dany Torres (ESP)
7. Adam Jones (USA)
8. Cameron Sinclair (AUS)
9. Jim McNeil (USA)
10. Mat Rebeaud (SUI)
11. Alexey Kolesnikov
12. Blake Williams (AUS)

Check out the video highlights from the event.

Picture: B. Gardi – redbullxfighters.com