Matt Wilhelm couldn't help but think about his disappointing finish in Bike Stunt Flatland last summer in San Francisco. The 2000 X Games plastic bracelet that identified him as an "athlete" never left his wrist -- even after finishing dead last (20th overall). Day after day, week after week, month after month, Wilhelm used the increasingly grimy wristband as a subtle reminder of his failure. History would not repeat itself.

One year later, Wilhelm adds another bracelet to the collection. Last year's dirty reminder, now growing on Wilhelm's wrist, has served him well. The 22 year old from Chicago dazzled the crowd with his spinning style en route to the bronze medal on Monday.

"I like to do a lot of spinning tricks, tricks that flow together easily -- fun tricks pretty much," Wilhelm said after posting a second-run score of 89.60. "Riding is supposed to be fun and I don't do tricks that aren't fun to me."

Matt Wilhelm set his bike on "spin cycle" to win the bronze.

Will he keep the bracelets on and go for the gold next year?

"No, I think I'm gonna take them off, they're pretty gross," Wilhelm said. "I got some bacteria forming in there, probably. I might keep (this year's bracelet) on for just a little bit to keep me in a good mood. But I'm taking them off soon."

Finland's Martti Kuoppa posted a pair of superb runs (93.40, 88.00) to claim his second consecutive gold medal while Great Britain's Phil Dolan took home the silver.

"Let's go to Las Vegas!" Kuoppa shouted after his victory. "That's my plan." Martti, don't lose it all in one place.

Dolan has now medaled in his last three appearances at the X Games. He won a bronze last year and a silver in 1999.

Here's a scary thought for Kuoppa's competitors: He feels more relaxed competing in the United States.

"I think in Europe I usually have more pressure because people expect me to do good every time. Everybody in the crowd knows me and they're cheering for me all the time so I get all nervous about it."

Are we talking three-peat? "I'll try to triple it next year," Kuoppa said with a sly grin.

Flatlanders beware. Kuoppa's got the nerve to do it again.

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