Robbie Miranda led the elite eight the entire race to win with his first X Games gold Woodward, Penn. - This weekend kicked off X Games VIII, and today thirty-four pro riders took to the course in an intense Downhill BMX competition at Woodward Camp. More than 2,000 action-sports enthusiasts came out to show their support at the world-class facility, located 45-miles east of State College. After Saturday's grueling qualifying round, thirty-two of the world's top BMX racers made the cut to today's final rounds. After six runs that included the quarterfinals and semi-finals, it all came down to the elite eight in the main event trying to reach gold. Robbie Miranda of Newport Beach, Calif., pulled away from the pack and grabbed his first gold from X Games.

"I could feel all the riders behind me the whole way, and I never counted anyone out," Miranda said of the tight race. "I always cheer on my fellow racers and hope that they all finish the race." All eight riders did complete the race only fractions of seconds behind the champion. Silver medallist, Kyle Bennett of Conroe, Tex, crossed the finish line less than two seconds behind Miranda and Santa Ana, Calif. Robert de Wilde came in a mere six-tenths of a second after Bennett to take home the bronze. The X Games showcases 300 of the world's best action sports athletes competing in a variety of sports events for medals and more than $1 million in total prize money. In its first year as X Games host, Philadelphia drew 235,000 spectators during X Games VII, August 17-22, 2001.

After today's conclusion of Downhill BMX, X Games VIII competition continues on Monday and Tuesday with Wakeboarding at the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The remainder of the events: Aggressive In-line Skate, Bike Stunt, Moto X, Skateboard and Speed Climb, will begin Thursday, August 15th and continue through Monday, August 19th. The admission to X Games VIII is free. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise more than 20 original hours of X Games VIII coverage starting August 17, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture, will offer extensive event coverage, including streaming video from the X Games.