Monster Energy Claims Top Spots in BMX, Moto and Skateboard at X Games Sydney

Next it was time to give spectators the motocross action they came for after a rained-out Friday. Australia is a known hotbed of the sport and the crowd was on its feet for the high-energy Moto X Freestyle final featuring nine of the world’s best FMX riders. Monster Energy’s Taka Higashino looked like a lock for the podium after landing his first-ever double backflip in competition, but had to settle for fourth place as the action intensified. Rising to the challenge, his teammate and Australian motocross icon Josh Sheehan earned a strong silver finish – his seventh X Games medal – by putting down a high-tech routine punctuated by a no-handed double backflip.

When the action moved into Skateboard Big Air, the crowd celebrated hometown hero and Mega Ramp veteran Jake Brown who nailed a perfect run featuring an Indy backflip over the 70-foot gap. Battling the world elite of Mega Ramp skating, Brown’s Monster Energy teammate Trey Wood proved the nerves and ability to rise to the podium. A highly technical run featuring a mute 720 over the big gap followed by a massive backside varial 540 on the quarterpipe earned the 18-year-old rookie his second consecutive bronze medal in the event after placing third at X Games Minneapolis in July.

With ominous rain clouds building overhead, the Men’s Skateboard Street Qualifiers saw Monster Energy’s Ishod Wair finesse his way into tomorrow’s finals in second place with signature effortless style. Then the thunderstorm returned, striking out the Moto X Doubles event and closing out an action-packed day two at X Games Sydney 2018.