Tommy has been riding like he is on a mission. After winning the coveted X Games gold medal in 2000, Clowers went on to win the 2000 WFA World Championship of Freestyle Motocross. He is also perched quite comfortably on top of the Vans Triple Crown Rankings. What more could one ask? "I'm pumped." Tommy says. If you can stay in the top three every time, it's good. But judging is judging. I try not to worry about it and just put on a good show."

And show it does. Last year, Clowers pioneered some new and innovative moves, like the Cat Walk - a No-Footed Can-Can with a Scissor Kick. Sound complicated? Well, it is. It is no small feat to pull-off a combination trick while trying to clear a 60-foot gap. However, Tommy is still humble and says, "I don't know if they're new, I just try to do everything the biggest and best I can."

Tommy clowers rocked this summer, look out for him at Mount Snow.

Another difficult trick in the world of professional freestyle riding: Keeping yourself healthy. While riding supercross in 1994, Tommy cased a triple jump and pulled over the side of the course. He now has two screws in his left ankle from that accident. At a national in 1997, he had a mid-air collision with another rider and got two screws in his right shoulder. He then went on to break his left wrist during practice at the X Games in 1999, and fortunately he has most of his flexibility back. "After you heal up and you've had about six weeks [off], you're ready to go. When I came back from my wrist injury, I just wanted to ride. I was just trying to do more tricks that didn't require me to take my hands off." And that is how his famous Catwalk came into being.

Going into the 1999 X Games, Clowers was one of the few freestylers who still spent a lot of time on the racetrack. However, after racing for eight years, Tommy retired from racing completely in 1999 to dedicate himself full-time to freestyle. He is very proud of being able to make a living riding his motorcycle in freestyle events after struggling through many years with the help of his parents in the racing scene. And his dedication has paid off big time. The 5'5", 145 lb Clowers is currently considered King of the Step Up and proved it once again with his win at the 2000 X Games. He has won more Step Up competitions than any other rider in the history of the event. "I have a good feel for floating up toward the bar. Whether it's using the brake or the throttle, or even putting the bike sideways, I can do whatever it takes to get over the bar," says Tommy.

Tommy is ranked #1 in the WFA ranking mainly due to his superior ability to extend his body on his tricks. His Hart Attack Look Back is probably the most amazing of any of the riders due to his ability to extend his body straight up during the trick. Yet Tommy is still considered a conservative rider. "I'm not one to be out there every day riding, just practicing jumps. You are taking a chance and you can only take so many chances." Conservative? maybe, but the Tom Cat is always progressive. With the evolution of Freestyle Moto X and innovative new tricks like Tommy's Catwalk; the two are a match made in heaven. Save the 9 lives and the Tom Cat will remain on top, always landing on his feet.

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