SAN FRANCISCO -- "I'm on top of the world right now. That's where I am."

And so with that, Jamie Bestwick got a big hug from his wife and let it all sink in. He had just dethroned five-time bicycle vert champion Dave Mirra on Piers 30-32 in San Francisco at ESPN's X Games..

He did it with a combination of consistency, technical ability and downright dazzling tricks.

With a solid first run that included a double peg grab, a no-hander barspin and an alley-oop no-hander 540, Bestwick was in the lead heading into the final run.

Bestwick acknowledges the crowd as Hoffman (right) looks on.

But Dave Mirra pulled out a gutsy performance like he always does with a one-hander tailwhip transfer over the canyon and a no-hander 540 in his final run to put the pressure on Bestwick to hold onto first place.

The best known rider to ever come out of Europe, Bestwick dropped in needing a 94.1 to claim the gold medal. He landed a double barspin, no-footer can-can and a no-hander 540 before getting his speed up to attempt the first-ever turndown flair in competitive history. He landed the turndown flair with no problems, and his score for the run of 95.4 was enough to claim his first ever X Games gold medal.

Bestwick knew that he wasn't exactly the favorite to win the event, but it didn't matter to him.

"A lot of people forget that they start out with 20 riders and then boil it down to 10. Everybody is busting out their best tricks and that is what makes for such a good contest," said Bestwick. "There were some damn good riders out there; Jay Miron, Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist, they are the best riders in the world.

"Dave is the five-time medalist and I think a lot of people bypassed the other riders and without the other riders you don't have a contest," Bestwick continued. "It's been a great day. There were a lot of great tricks thrown down. Dave Mirra rode awesome. Mat Hoffman rode awesome. Kevin Robertson. Simon Tabron. The list just goes on and on."

Bestwick maintains that he didn't feel any pressure going into his final run, knowing that one slip-up could give Mirra the gold. Instead, he focused on pulling off the tailwhip flair in his final trick.

"No pressure. Not at all," said Bestwick with a smile. "I knew what was coming last off and I was just more worried that I would stick the trick than crack halfway through my run. But I wasn't worried at all, I'm English."

Dave Mirra, who took home a gold just two days before in the park competition, came in second and was content with his performance. He now has 12 X Games medals, including nine gold medals.

"I got a silver in vert and a gold in park so I can't complain," said Mirra. "I'm happy."

Bike stunt legend Mat Hoffman came in third with a solid performance that included some huge airs that only Hoffman can pull of and a double front peg grab and a no-hander 360.

After the contest, when the chaos had subsided somewhat, and Bestwick had some time to think about what had just gone down, he summed everything up in one sentence.

"I don't like to play my own trumpet, but damn!"

The bicycle vert final Tuesday was the last official event at ESPN's 2000 X Games.

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