Related Photos: Mike Metzger Backflip

The Moto X world recently pushed itself to a new level of trickery by the hard work and determination of a few dedicated riders. The once elusive MotoX backflip existed only in rider's minds before Carey Hart made history with a near stick at the 2000 Gravity Games. Now the backflip is thrown at will by a handful of riders and will certainly find itself in the bag for more in the near future. Take a look at the time line below to wrap your head around the history of things...

* Timeline is in reverse chronological order.

The Year Is 2002 X Games VIII The Metz is Golden in Big Air Mike Metzger throws out the no-footed backflip for the win. Launch Video Clip Hart Evens the Score Carey Hart comes back to Philly and stomps the backflip for second. Launch Video Clip Mike Metzger Flips To Gold The Godfather unveils the "Double Fritz" - Back-to-back backflips. Launch Video Clip Bartram Falls For The Silver Cowboy Kenny has a stellar run that ends in pain with a silver lining. Launch Video Clip Mike Metzger Flips The Prelims Metz pulls the backflip for first place in the Freestyle Prelims. Metz was the only rider to pull the backflip in day one of competition. Launch Video Clip Metzger Explains "How To Pull A Backflip" Mike Metzger, The Godfather of Freestyle Moto X, lays down the mechanics of the backflip. Follow step by step as he breaks down his breakthrough trick. Launch Video Clip Gravity Games Mike Metzger and Travis Pastrana have a backflip showdown in the freestyle competiton. Travis ends up taking the cake at this particular event. Travis Pastrana During the same 4th of July weekend, Travis Pastrana reportedly completes over 100 backflips with variations and plans on taking his new trick to the next major competition. Travis Pastrana Flip Series Travis throws out a backflip one-hander in his backyard. Launch Video Clip Travis Pastrana Flip Series Travis hits the backflip and Caleb follows but bails. Launch Video Clip Mike Metzger Six weeks after Caleb nails the backflip Mike Metzger completes the flip over a 48' gap off a standard freestyle jump ramp onto a dirt landing. He plans on taking his new trick, called "The Flying Fritz" to the next major freestyle competition. Backflip - Mike Metzger The Metz dials it in over a 48ft. gap six weeks after Caleb made history. Launch Video Clip Chain to Backflip - Mike Metzger It was Fourth of July and the fireworks were just starting when Metz and his buddies lit up his ramp. Launch Video Clip Caleb Wyatt Word spreads quickly that a lesser known freestyle rider is working on the backflip. Caleb proves to the world with exclusive video to EXPN.com that he is in fact the first person to complete the backflip and ride away clean on a 125cc or larger bike. He starts and finishes the flip on dirt ramps specially shaped for the flip. 1st Backflip Landed Clean on a Dirt Bike - Caleb Wyatt The first-ever backflip on a motocross bike. Launch Video Clip Backflip Attempts - Caleb Wyatt Persistance pays off for Caleb. His first tries were not so successful. Launch Video Clip

The Year Is 2001 Carey Hart Carey comes back to X Games VII to show the world what he's got and ride away clean from the backflip. Disregarding an injured shoulder Carey goes for the flip, ejects in mid rotation and comes down hard. The crash sends a wave of hesitation through the Freestyle MotoX ranks. Hart Breaker - X Games VII Carey Hart goes for the backflip and lands hard from 40 ft. Launch Video Clip

The Year Is 2000 Travis Pastrana Travis goes for the elusive backflip at the 2000 X Games but doesn't quite pull it off. Travis Pastrana Goes for the Elusive Backflip. After Carey surprises the world Travis goes for his at the 2000 X Games. Launch Video Clip Carey Hart Carey drops a bomb on the MotoX community and suprises the world by pulling the backflip (then washing out while riding away) on a 250cc Honda during the Gravity Games. The backflip officially becomes the holy grail of tricks for Freestyle MotoX.

The Year Is 1991 Jose Yanez & Bob Kohl Jose and Bob each develop the Motorcyle Backflip independently of one another - Both start throwing them on smaller trick bikes (80cc - 100cc) bikes. Bob tours the country doing Moto backflips as a stuntman. The MotoX backflip isn't seriously considered for 125cc or larger dirt bike riders. An Early Glimpse at the Backflip Jose Yanez throws out one of the original Moto X backflips as captured by Rick Bass. Launch Video Clip

The Year Is 1984 Jose Yanez Jose is the first person to do a backflip on a BMX bike. Talk immediately starts in the BMX community about his feat. In 1986 Jose performs the BMX backflip in legendary Hollywood BMX feature RAD.

Related Photos:
Mike Metzger Backflip