The BMX vert competition took place under a blazing hot sun but it was the
ramp itself that took it's toll on some of the riders. Before the finals
even began, Spaniard Eduardo Terreros was unable to ride after landing hard
on his wrist earlier in the prelims. After the the first run both Achim
Kujawski and Alex Reinke were forced to withdraw after slamming hard.
So the field was down to 7 riders with two spots qualifying for the X Games.
Despite solid runs from Shaun Egglington and Michael Mullen, there was
little doubt about the top three. The crowd was out of control, stomping
their feet on the metal bleachers in a frenzy whenever they saw a big spin
or someone was way out of the ramp. Not to be outdone though was a large
group of German riders who were solidly behind Stephan Geisler.
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Geisler finished in third, but was throwing out some of the biggest tricks
of the day. After a superman seatgrab and some big airs Geisler went for a
tailwhip and had it dialed but his back tire popped on the landing. Guess
that's what happens when you get One Big German coming down on a thin piece
of rubber. His cheering section weren't about to let him down though as they
quickly wheeled out a new bike for him. With 30 seconds left in his run
Stephan showed off his all-around skills by attacking the coping with some
opposite grinds and a toothpick to barspin into a decade air on the
following wall. At that point Stephan's entourage along with the crowd were
on their feet.
Despite all of the madness, Zack Shaw was able to break through and grab
second place, along with the coveted qualifying spot to the X Games. Shaw
was flowing, throwing out a turndown then rolling over into a 540 on the
other side. This, mixed with his height out of the ramp will bring him to
Philadelphia to compete against the best in the world.
Someone who is definitely on the world's best list is Simon Tabron. He owned
the day, and won for the second year in a row in Barcelona. A no-handed 360,
no-hander to barspin turndowns, tabletops…it all seems to come easy to
Simon. When he nailed down a 540 then took it into a flair on the opposite
wall the competition was over. During his second run he had crashed but came
back a bit more, going for the 900 but he couldn't quite dial it in. The
crowd didn't care and gave it up for him.
Now it is on to the X Games for Tabron and Zack Shaw. On to meet Mirra, Jay
Miron, Jamie Bestwick and the others under the lights inside the First Union
Center in Philadelphia. With Mirra as the returning champion, Tabron riding
as well as ever and Jamie Bestwick changing the sport every time he drops in
the vert final at the X Games is something that cannot be missed.
Related Photos:
BARCELONA DAY THREE - BMX VERT
BARCELONA DAY THREE - BMX PARK
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