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Vert

Vert is in serious need of a shot of youth in the arm. There just don't seem to be that many young guys coming onto the scene these days. Don't get me wrong, vert has done nothing but get crazier over the past few years. But eventually some of the mainstays of the vert world are going to decide that it's time to give their bodies a rest. Mat Hoffman did just that last year when he announced that the 2001 X-games vert was going to be his last contest. Jay Miron did much the same thing, but in his case it was to concentrate on his true love, street riding. Both guys are technically qualified for the 2002 comp, but I don't expect either of them to ride in it. But you never know with those two, we could always be in for a nice surprise. Even without two of the best riders in the world, 2002 BMX vert is a long way from being a boring event to watch. Over at the bookies in his native England, the smart money was on Jamie Bestwick to clean up this year. Sidelined at last year's X Games because of an injury, Jamie broek himeslef again at the Gravity Games and will have to watch from the sidelines again this year.

Mirra whips it on the ramp at the 2001 X Games

The man he'll have to beat is four time vert gold medal winner Dave Mirra. It would be easy to blow Dave off as just a judge's favorite, except for the fact the he just keeps getting better and better every year. As fun as it is to watch those two guys ride, there are more than a few other riders who are tearing up the ramp just a well these days. Simon Tabron will be bringing his 900 spinning-no peg-Tuff Wheels riding style to Philly. John Parker, in my mind, is one of the most under rated riders in the sport. On a good day, he can challenge just about anyone out there. If Koji Kraft can hold together a couple of runs without crashing or knocking himself out, he could easily find his way to the podium. One of my favorite riders to watch, his crazy variations and back to back to back tricks got him into his first X-games finals with ease last year. And never count out Kevin Robinson. That guy works and trains harder at vert than just about anyone I've ever met. You have to admire dedication.

Park

Of the four bike events, only flatland comes close to having a higher number of riders who could take the gold on any given day. The guys riding park this year are all so good, that it's hard to try and pick who might have a better chance than anyone else. Every year it seems like progression just moves farther and farther away from mere mortals. It's now out somewhere on the horizon, probably sitting next to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Oh my god is Sergio Layos ever good! After seeing him ride at a couple of contests this summer, I feel like I shouldn't ever bother to get back on my bike again. Speaking of European riders, Allistar Whitton has gone from a great rider when I met him at woodward a couple of years ago, to a mind blowingly amazing rider. But I guess that's what will happen when you have team mates like Jay Miron and Ruben Alcantara to push you. What can be said about those two that hasn't been said already? At the Backyard Jam in Telford, Jay was pulling tailwhips over a long low box to manual down the ledge on the other side. And Reuben flew over the weirdest huge gap to manual I've seen in a long time. Dave Mirra, stung by bad runs in last year's finals, will surely be gunning for another chance this year. Last year's winner Bruce Crisman has done nothing but get smoother and better over the past 12 months (riding with your friends in the warm Spanish sun will do that for you).

Alistair Whitton turns it down. Look out for him in park.

It's hard to count out guys like Tom Haugen or Allan Cooke (actually, it's hard to count out ANYONE in the park comp). And on top of all that, there's the return of Van Homen. After being held back by injury problems, Van is riding amazing these days and will have the luxury of being in his hometown for his friends and family. And finally, why hasn't Dave Osato won the X-games yet? Is there a better, more innovative, more creative, rider out there? Dave can just make up something and then force his bike to do it. It's hard to think of a guy who gets more respect from his fellow pros than Dave.

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