pastrana ruler of the red bull x-fighters at slane!
Historical Slane Castle, Ireland was the spectacular setting for the second leg of the Red Bull X-Fighters tour 2007. 35,000 enthusiastic spectators were watching, cheering and yelling big time as US-American FMX hero Travis Pastrana ruled the technical freestyle track set-up at Slane ahead of Swiss rider Mat Rebeaud and youngstar Dany Torres from Spain.
Launching themselves off some super high kicker ramps more than 12 meters into the air were ten of the world’s most respected freestyle motocross riders at the Red Bull X-Fighters’ second tour stop 2007 at Slane Castle, Ireland.
Slane Castle is a historical, almost magical setting. Rock bands like U2 and The Rolling Stones have played here.
“Anything is possible” was what all the riders had confirmed before they entered the new freestyle track set-up at the foot of the castle. It was technically challenging and included a big quarterpipe. Anyone of these hardy souls on their 250ccm bikes could have been among the top three in the contest. However, everyone knew that you can never count out super progressive Mr Double Backflip Travis Pastrana. Being back in the line-up of the Red Bull X-Fighters it was doubtful that he would ride easy.
Displaying some incredible courage, technique, style and airtime all athletes competed in a passionate freestyle battle to excel and hit the podium. Among the judging criteria were difficulty, execution and variety of tricks, usage of course, style and overall impression. Again, the 35,000 spectator crowd had a big say in the judging of a rider’s presentation so owner of Slane Castle, Lord Henry Mount Charles, acted as the judge of the spectators’ voice.
Natural terrain rider Jeremy Lusk (USA) was welcomed to the finals after he had proved to be in great control of a course as challenging as the one in Slane. He came in fourth at his first major event. Winner of the first tour stop 2007 in Mexico City, Spain’s shooting star Dany Torres has a long and mind-blowing list of tricks which he presented with airtime and determination. It was a tough decision for the five judges but in the end, Dany was placed third behind Swiss Mat Rebeaud. After a recent broken femur injury and a fourth place at the previous Red Bull X-Fighters in Mexico City this year Mat definitely had his confidence back. Overwhelmingly smooth in his riding he impressed the judges with some great tricks (Under flip, Indian Air, massive Whip) and was even seen shooting up the step-up along the castle, a rare feature in the riders’ runs.
But what can you do when legendary Travis Pastrana just knows the job so well? Although Pastrana was lacking FMX training because he had been rallying a lot in the past couple of weeks he pulled the most impressive tricks with incredible speed on a course that seemed to suit him perfectly.
A massive Super flip, Indian Air, No Footed Air off the quarter pipe, Saran Wrap Flip, Heel clicker Flip, Can Can Flip Side Saddle Lander off the huge in-jump at the castle, a Superman on the way up the step-up and a number of more impressive tricks earned Pastrana victory.
Due to rain setting in just before the finals the dirt course and ramps became to dangerous for the riders to compete therefore the organization team decided to call off the finals and use the existing results of the previous head-to-head rounds to fix the results for the whole contest.
Riders and crowd were just as happy and started to party hard straight away.
Slane Castle, Ireland was the second stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters tour 2007. Next stop will be Moscow, Russia (30 June) with another battle against gravity, followed by the final tour stop on the Red Bull X-Fighters’ home turf Madrid (27 July). Leading the tour to date is Dany Torres ahead of Mat Rebeaud and Travis Pastrana.
Results:
1. Travis Pastrana (USA)
2. Mat Rebeaud (SUI)
3. Dany Torres (ESP)
4. Jeremy Lusk (USA)
5. Eigo Sato (JPN)
6. Romain Izzo (FRA)
7. Charles Pagès (FRA)
8. Ronnie Renner (USA)
9. Busty Wolter (GER)
10. Alvaro Dal Farra (ITA)
More Information: www.redbullxfighters.com
