Mexico X Games Wraps Up With Skate Street, Vert Finals and More

Sep 10 2007 / Mexico City, Mexico
Fans Fill the Palacio de los Deportes in Final Day of X Games Mexico Presented by Rockstar Energy Drink Event Concludes on a High Note with a Total of 27,508 in Attendance over the Weekend

The inaugural X Games Mexico Presented by Rockstar Energy Drink concluded today in Mexico City as 14,038 screaming fans welcomed a world-class, international field of gravity defying athletes. The three-day event showcased some of the world's best action sport athletes from 12 countries and three continents, competing in BMX Freestyle Street, Skateboard Street and Moto X Best Trick at the Palacio de los Deportes.

PHOTO GALLERY    Check out a photo gallery from the X Games in Mexico, including shots of the Moto Best trick (Todd Potter and Kyle Loza pictured above) and more... View Gallery>

"The excitement at X Games Mexico Presented by Rockstar Energy Drink this weekend proved a continuing demand for action sports around the globe," said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president, general manager, ESPN Consumer Products and X Games Franchise Managing Director. "We look forward to bringing X to the fans around the world and are ecstatic to host the return of X Games Dubai this December."

BMX Freestyle Street

While Hector Garcia of Mexico received the loudest ovation from his hometown, it was USA riders Garrett Reynolds, Aaron Ross and Van Homan that swept the podium with several difficult combinations including Reynolds' gold medal run which consisted of a wall ride to truck driver to fakie, and then landing a 360 bar spin backwards.

"It was exciting out there and it was fun entertaining the crowd,” said gold medalist Garrett Reynolds. "I couldn't be more ecstatic with the way this competition turned out.”

Skateboard Vert

Competitors dazzled the fans with a variety of spins, McTwists and kickflips as they soared in the air. Canadian Pierre-Luc Gagnon edged out his competitors with his last run comprising of a kickflip mute to fakie, then to back-to-back 720s. Brazilian competitor Digo Menezes launched high out of the vert ramp attempting difficult maneuvers such as the Stalefish 720, earning him silver, while crowds also cheered on fellow Brazilian Sandro Dias who executed high flying Christ-Airs and made numerous attempts at the 900 spin. Although he was unable to successfully land the 900, the crowd still showed their support, applauding in appreciation for his effort. Dias took home the bronze.

"It wasn't easy going up against Rodil's Stalefish 720 and Sandro's 900 attempts,” said Gagnon. "I knew I had to go out and kill it and I did.”

Skateboard Street

The fast pace of the Skateboard Street competition maintained the day's momentum following the Skateboard Vert Final. As the sea of spectators shifted from one side of the stadium for a better view of the street course, well-known Mexican skater Max Barrera kicked off the competition while the crowd chanted and cheered for their country's representatives. However, it was Greg Lutzka of the USA who flexed his skate street dominance most impressively. Having recently won a silver medal at X Games 13, Lutzka was able to one-up his his own performance with a gold medal finish here in Mexico. Argentinean Milton Martinez took home the silver and Brazil's Rodil De Araujo rounded out the top three with bronze.

"I've had a good time here and winning gold just makes everything that much better,” said Lutzka. "I hope that we keep coming back and all I have to say is ‘gracias'.”

Moto X Step Up

Past two-time X Games Step Up gold medalist Matt Buyten claimed his first gold south of the border in the Moto X Step Up competition, finishing with a height of 23.5 feet, while last night's Moto X Best Trick gold medalist Todd Potter finished in second at 23 feet. Eight-time X Games medalist Brian Deegan finished in third at  21 feet.

"It was amazing to compete in Mexico. The crowd was so enthusiastic and I'm extremely happy to walk away with the gold,” said Buyten.


Final Results - Mexico X Games 2007
September 9, 2007

BMX Street Final

1. Garrett Reynolds USA 91.00
2. Aaron Ross USA 89.44
3. Van Homan USA 89.11
4. Corey Martinez USA 88.44
5. Alistair Whitton USA 88.11
6. Rob Wise USA 87.89
7. Will Love USA 87.78
8. Christian Balcameda ARG 85.56
9. Josh Harrington USA 85.22
10. Hector Garcia MEX 83.11

Skateboard Vert Final

1. Pierre-Luc Gagnon CAN
2. Diego Menezes BRA
3. Sandro Dias BRA
4. Mathias Ringstrom SDN
5. Neal Hendrix USA
6. Alex Perelson USA
7. Anthony Furlong USA
8. Adam Taylor USA
9. Buster Halterman USA
10. Lincoln Ueda BRA
11. Jussi Korhonen FIN
12. Trevor Ward AUS
13. Sergie Ventura USA

Skateboard Street Final

1. Greg Lutzka USA 94.78
2. Milton Martinez ARG 91.11
3. Rodil De Araujo Jr. BRA 89.56
4. Dayne Brummet USA 87.89
5. Felix May MEX 85.00
6. Mario Saenz MEX 84.00
7. Tulio Oliveira BRA 83.56
8. Christian Huerta MEX 79.22
9. Julio Cosio MEX 78.89
10. Max Barrera MEX 78.33