Yee–Ha! Cowboys cheer for Aussie Maddison

The second stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour was a motocross sensation

by Global Newsroom

Motocross doing flip

Bikes were making fantastic jumps at this sold out event. — Photo courtesy of Global Newsroom

A sell-out crowd of 21,000 fans in Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta, celebrated the victory of Australia’s Robbie Maddison on Saturday night at the second stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2009. The Canadian cowboy city was buzzing. American Nate Adams pulled off a 360 in the quarter-final.

Maddison was able to stay in front of the competition and stay cool in the frenzied atmosphere of the cowboy rodeo. The 28-year-old had to go to the limit on his 100-kilogram (220-pound) bike in Stampede Park to earn the honour of celebrating the victory on the dirt. Japan’s Eigo Sato was beaten in the final. Mat Rebeaud (Switzerland) took third place.

“I can’t believe it,” said the beaming Australian. “It’s a dream come true. The hard work paid off. The whole day was totally insane. I had a feeling from the start that I had a chance to win today and after winning the quarter-final against Nate Adams I knew I could go all the way.”

Adams put all his eggs in one basket and was hoping to snatch the win with a 360—a complete turn in midair. But Maddison prevailed with a superior all-round performance. Local hero Jeff Fehr ended up in ninth place. The crowd favourite arrived in the arena wearing a Calgary Flames jersey. NHL superstar Dion Phaneuf, who was serving as a show judge, personally presented Fehr with a team jersey.

“That was an incredible adrenalin rush,” said Fehr. “I did everything I could in front of the home crowd. The field was incredibly strong and I’m really pleased with the result.”

Levi Sherwood, also known as rubber kid, had a disappointing performance in only his second outing on the international FMX stage. Just 17 years old, the winner of Mexico City had to settle for seventh place. The four-stroke bike of the promising youngster was at a distinct disadvantage on the tight course against the more lively two-strokes of the other riders.

In the overall standings, Eigo Sato (Japan/160 points) is in first place in front of Sherwood (New Zealand/130 points) in second and Mat Rebeaud (Switzerland/130). Since the start of the World Tour in 2007 the pulsating sports event has caused a sensation with its dazzling array of back flips and other dangerous tricks in bullfighting arenas located in such places as Mexico City and Madrid or in the Sambadrom in Rio de Janeiro.


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