Nate “The Destroyer” Adams threw down the winning performance at the Prelims. Jared Souney © 2006 Lat34

Nate Adams Squeaks By Pastrana

The big news in FMX at this weekend’s Vans Invitational in Portland is not who’s competing, but who’s not competing. With all the injuries riders have sustained in 2006 the FMX lineup is looking a little thin this weekend. Travis Pastrana, Nate Adams, Jeremy Lusk, Ronnie Faisst, Mike Mason and a few others are the last remaining riders who are relatively healthy. That opens up the top positions in the FMX Finals to just about anyone.

PHOTOGALLERY See pictures from the FMX Prelims at the Dew Tour Vans Invitational  VIEW GALLERY>

And while many thought Pastrana would dominate the Prelims Saturday night, it was Nate “The Destroyer” Adams who threw down the winning performance. His winning tricks included his patented no-handed backflip, backflip one-handed can-can, backflip lazy boy and backflip cordova.

The ever-smiling and smooth Pastrana took 2nd in the Prelims looking as solid as ever despite suffering a non-riding related injury at X Games 12. At X he tripped over some cables and twisted his knee. Travis comes into Portland after pulling an amazing trifecta performance at X Games.

Third place was nabbed by local Oregonian Beau Bamburg. The crowd erupted in applause for the local boy when the results came in after his high-energy run. He nailed several backflip variations including a killer no-handed backflip, one-handed backflip, backflip seran wrap and a backflip heel clicker that was so big it practically echoed throughout the stadium.

FMX riders Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, and Dustin Miller have all been knocked out of the Tour due to injuries. Twitch is here in Portland signing autographs from his wheelchair after his heinous backflip crash in Louisville . He says that he will compete in Orlando.

Kenny Bartram broke his arm and collarbone at X Games practice during a ride with Ronnie Faisst. Faisst led Bartram into the 115-foot jump and bailed mid-air forcing Bartram to slow down on his approach. As a result of slowing Bartram missed his landing and crashed hard. Bartram is here in Portland commentating and supporting the riders.

Ailo Gaup, one of this year’s top competitors, also is not competing in Portland at the Vans Invitational due to an ankle injury sustained from a huge crash at X Games. He should be back in San Jose .

The FMX course in Portland is in the Memorial Coliseum where the BMX Dirt Finals were held on Friday. Workers had to reshape the jumps overnight to be ready for the Prelims on Saturday. Riders are competing for a $15,000 purse at the Finals on Sunday.
 

-Steve Lemig