BMX Vert Finals
By the extremeathletes.com staff

One of the most anticipated sports at this years NBC Gravity Games had to be BMX Vert. As the athletes progress and conquer new tricks, the sport is elevated to new levels and more media, marketing and sponsorship attention is shifted to these athletes performing the unthinkable, daring moves. Athletes such as Mat Hoffman, Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist, Jay Miron and Jamie Bestwick have all become household names among the youth who idolize these warriors for their dedication and devotion to riding the bicycles. Each year, new tricks are learned and the competition among the BMX Vert guys gets elevated so intensely that you can cut the air during performances. The 2000 Gravity Games had the thickest air apparent.

Before the 2000 Gravity Games, 1999 Gold Medallist, Jamie Bestwick, packed his bags and moved from his hometown to Woodward, PA this season just so he could practice more intensely and up the anti in BMX Vert and defend his title. Dave Mirra was still unhappy with his performance last year and vowed to move up the standings as he did this summer on the ESPN Tour. And Mat Hoffman has had a year under his belt, practicing and learning new tricks to re challange his peers, to up his stake in an industry and sport discipline he helped create. The Gravity Games seemed to be destined for a showdown that would out shine the rest of the Games.

After the Prelims, it was apparent that Dave Mirra was serious about taking the Gold. He held a slim 1.4 point lead over Bestwick and a 2.2 lead over Simon Tabron in the Prelims. Bestwick hung right behind Mirra on the point and trick scale, however didn't have that? that Mirra shined with. Jay Miron was consistently pulling his tricks and landings, yet he was a little rusty or unconfident with his style. Mr. Hoffman went out and completed his runs, however a spill in both runs lowered his point total. Multi talented BMX rider Ryan Nyquist failed to qualify for the Finals. He was unable to complete both runs without including a crash or misdirected trick in his routine and the scores dropped him to 12th overall.

The finals grew near on Friday evening and the bleachers, walkways and standing areas were all crammed with excited spectators and fans alike to witness the most visually stimulated event of the week. After the first runs, Mirra had a slim 1 point lead over Bestwick's 96.20 score. Hoffman held third with a 93.80 score and Miron was back in fourth with 93 points. The top four contenders were set for the second and final round of competition and each athlete new that who ever completes the near perfect run, would ride away with the gold.

Hoffman was the first of the four to drop in on the ramp. He cruised through the first half of his run and with less than 45 seconds to fell to the hard wood surface attempting a? He rose to his feet and the crowd and athletes all cheered with an inspirational warm feeling. His core of 94 bettered his first run, however it didn't look to be enough to move up in the standings. Mat was clearly back in action, a warm return to the sport he put on the map. Next out was Miron who attacked the ramps with conviction and let Mirra and Bestwick know that if they messed up at all, he was taking the top prize. Miron dazzled the crowd with moves. After Miron's score of 96 points, he averaged out at 94.50, good for at least third place with two guys remaining. Bestwick stepped up and took notice that he would need a perfect run to nock Mirra off the top spot. Bestwick laid out the most impressive? And? He walked out with a score of 97.60, his best performance on the ramp and slim lead for Mirra to best. With the event on the line and the pressure mounted, Mirra took to the ramps and rode flawlessly. There are not too many perfect runs, but the tricks that Mirra executed and the timing of his routine were exceptional. He busted? And ? to score a 99 and the Gold Medal. He averaged a 98.10 (1.20 more than Bestwick) for both runs and secured a place in Gravity Games history with the most amazing performance of the 2000 Gravity Games.

BMX Vert Final Results