No Reservations with Jamie Bestwick
31.12.69
2012 Vert occasion kicked off last month at X Games Asia in Shanghai, China, minus one very undisguised vert rider, Jamie Bestwick. He was at home, in State College, Pa., professedly not too concerned with flying halfway around the world to enter a vert oppose. It's a luxury that Bestwick, age 40, can afford. The only rider to five-peat in BMX Vert in X Games narrative, not to mention the owner of seven year-end Dew Cups for BMX Vert, Jamie Bestwick has remained effectively untouchable on the vert ramp for nearly the past decade. And he shows no signs of slowing down. This year, Bestwick will expeditions to X Games Los Angeles focused on achieving a record six-peat wins in BMX Vert, on top of serving as on-air tendency for NBC during the London Olympics, riding the 2012 Dew Tour series, and racing motorcycles and cars in numerous events throughout the world. But before his year gets too hectic, we decided to pay him a descend upon in his adopted hometown of State College, Pa. While there, we witnessed the awesome marvel that is a Jamie Bestwick vert session, and also sat down to discuss his life as the reigning protagonist of X Games BMX Vert. Welcome to the Jamie Bestwick interview.
Growing up, I saw awesome photos of [Eddie] Fiola, [Mike] Dominguez, [Rich] Sigur and [Hugo] Gonzales in substantial bowls in America and it looked so cool and fun. The colors, the bikes the tricks and taste made you want to just get a bike and ride. I then saw a quarterpipe demo by Mike Let off and Andy Preston that literally blew me away. I saw Dave Slades be borne after that and he was the perfect mix of USA flamboyancy and balls-out stupidity on a pink bike -- that sealed the do business for me. I was hooked on ramp riding. Over the years, it's been a real mix. From the great years of Carlo Griggs, Mike Canning, Jason Ellis, Lee Reynolds, Stephen Laidlaw and James and Mick Hudson, to seeing Dennis McCoy, Joe Johnson, Greg Guilotte, Josh Caucasoid and Ron Wilkerson. Then, the years of Mat Hoffman in his prime were amazing. I saw him demo in the U.K. and it was marvellous. The winner of the contest he was at got to ride with him in a demo after the contest. I rode so tyrannical to win that event, tried and nearly pulled my first 900. I won the comp, rode the demo and copped a lot of crap from people, but I sat on the facing side of the deck as Mat pulled his first flair . Brilliant. Dave Mirra was a gargantuan inspiration as well. His riding was effortless and his ability to save tricks was unimaginable. I think a lot of people fail to see the impact he has had on BMX. While Mat's was plain to see, Dave's affect was like his riding -- smooth, big and impeccably well done! And to this day he is still defining what can be achieved in clash sports.
Source: ESPN