Tom Pagés wins 2016 Red Bull X-Fighters

Frenchman Tom Pagès came out on top at the 2016 edition of Red Bull X-Fighters in Spain, winning the event for the fourth consecutive time. On his way to claiming victory, he beat Australians Clinton Moore (the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour Champion) and Josh Sheehan (the winner of Qualifying at Madrid). 

Pagès set a sold-out Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas on fire when he delivered a run packed with his signature, history-making tricks, including the Bike Flip, Special Flip and his latest and possibly wildest creation, the Front Flair. Sheehan and Moore rode well, executing perfect Double Backflips and Volts, respectively, but Pagés could not be matched, and was eventually dubbed the unanimous winner.

“I’m trying to bring new tricks every year, and that’s what the people want to see,” said Pagés. “Back in the day, I was sitting here and the Spanish crowd shouted for Dany Torres – now they shout my name as loud as his, which I thought was impossible here in Spain. I was really stressed coming here with the new tricks, but it all worked out. Madrid is the best place in the world for freestyle motocross. It’s incredible. What a place to be!”

Even though he was beaten, Moore was happy with second place. “I’m happy with the whole event,” said Moore. “This place here is like the Olympics of FMX. In 2010, I came here and did the first-ever Volt in a competition. This year, I did the first-ever Volt off the 110-foot ramp. Last year, I finished third, and this year second; there’s only one more spot to go next time.“

Third place finisher, Sheehan, was happy with rounding out the podium. “I felt a lot of pressure coming into this event,” said Sheehan. “After winning Qualifying, it released a bit and today just went great besides a little mistake in the finals. I was just glad I could get up again and keep going. The new format is a bit different, but worked out well.”

For more on the 2016 edition of Red Bull X-Fighters, visit: www.redbullxfighters.com

2016 Red Bull X-Fighters Results

1. Tom Pagès (FRA)
2. Clinton Moore (AUS)
3. Josh Sheehan (AUS)
4. Levi Sherwood (NZL)
5. Maikel Melero (ESP)
6. Rob Adelberg (AUS)
7. Taka Higashino (JPN)
8. David Rinaldo (FRA)
9. Dany Torres (ESP)
10. Adam Jones (USA)
11. Tom Robinson (AUS)
12. Sebastian Westberg (FIN)