Have you been to X Games before?
Yes, I’ve been to X Games Twice.
Monster Energy sat down with Mike Varga to discuss the upcoming 2018 X Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota and get a feel for what it takes to compete on the biggest stage.
Yes, I’ve been to X Games Twice.
Two years ago, I think I got sixth for park. Last year was my first invite for dirt but I never made finals.
Yes, I got an invite to dirt this year.
If they count my 900…
Yeah, I did a 9 bar but rumor is the judges said I didn’t get all the way around and didn’t get the last full rotation.
No X-Games medals to this point.
I think I got 6 place in park contest in the last two years.
Yeah, Minneapolis is fun and I’m excited to see what I can do this year, if I could place top three maybe or get into finals in dirt that’ll be awesome.
I got to go through the qualification process in Boise, Idaho. And they only take six riders, and three wild cards. So, there’s Friday and Saturday there’s 20 riders they cut to 12, then 6. You got to make top 6 or you got to get one of those wildcards.
The strategy this year would be to top my run from last year, cause it’s probably the only line I could put together and, try to make it a lot better and see if I can get top 6. Maybe, see if I could make finals in Minneapolis.
I do but I wouldn’t say so much here in Boise. More so in dirt or the actual X Games. The only secret I do have is in dirt. They do have a quarter and I would like to do a 1260. on the quarter, it’s never been done before, so I’d like to be the first to do it. Then I have a couple of 900 variations.
I think X Games is a lot different from any other contest just because it’s kind of looked at as the biggest contest of the year. FISE is big with the Olympics but X Games is its own thing. I feel like this the biggest thing on action sports. X Games is the biggest contest, #1 in my book.
Yeah, 100%, but I do have a hernia right now. I’ve got to get that fixed so I can compete in the Olympics qualifiers. I’m trying to ride all the FISE in 2019, 2020. Hopefully, make it as the Canadian to the Olympics in 2020.
If I won a Gold at X Games, I would probably tell my mom, Olivia. Then call my actual Mom and Dad in Toronto, Canada. Let them know. They'd probably be into that and then I would celebrate at the bar later.
My sponsors, DK bicycles, Monster Energy and Vans help me a lot. But supportive people are the people I ride with.
Scotty Crammer. It's good to know he’s healthy. Scotty is the best, anytime I see him it’s awesome. He is one of my favorite riders and best friends. To see him anywhere is awesome. Especially seeing him talk to other riders.
Always excited to ride with Kevin Peraza and Pat Casey. Those are the two riders I like riding with. I like riding with everyone, but I always get stoked when I’m with my fellow Monster athletes.
I've been working on video projects for 4-5 months now. It’s basically lacking two clips. I’m building a set up at my house after X Games, because I’m trying not to get hurt before. So, after X Games I’m building a big set and finishing those two clips. It should be released later after August, maybe even in august. It should be crazy.
I’m definitely stoked for the Dave Mirra Best Trick, it’s a big thing and I also love watching all the dirt biking best tricks. Anything that has dirt bikes. It’s a bit gnarlier than what we do. I watch everything. Big Air is awesome, because I’ve never messed with that either. Respect for those guys.
For a full breakdown of 2018 X Games Minneapolis CLICK HERE!