Qualifying for the 2016 Red Bull X-Fighters went down last night and Australia’s Josh Sheehan took the top spot after two massive runs were thrown down by each rider. This is the only stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters this year, so you can rest assured the riders will be going for it tonight in Madrid. Check the full qualifying results, pictures and thoughts from the riders in the press release from Red Bull below.
Photos: Sebastian Marko, Joerg Mitter , Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool
Madrid Qualifying results:
1. Josh Sheehan (AUS),
2. Clinton Moore (AUS),
3. Levi Sherwood (NZL),
5. Rob Adelberg (AUS),
5. David Rinaldo (FRA),
6. Maikel Melero (ESP),
7. Adam Jones (USA),
8. Dany Torres (ESP),
9. Taka Higashino(JPN),
10. Tom Robinson (AUS),
11. Tom Pages (FRA)
12. Sebastian Westberg(FIN).
MADRID (Spain) – Josh Sheehan earned best marks from the judges for a near-flawless run that featured his signature double back flip jump. The 2014 World Tour winner showed how hungry he is to finally win the stop in Madrid, the most prestigious FMX event, and add his name to the Wall of Fame inside the Las Ventas bullring with the strong showing.
“This trick is always really scary,” said Sheehan of the breathtaking double back flip, which he tried in the event last year but crash-landed and ended up fifth. His courage was duly rewarded by the judges. “I’m glad I got that down in Qualifying before the event tomorrow.”
Reigning World Tour champion Clinton Moore of Australia, who is also looking for his first win in Madrid, took second after nailing his Volt jump over 35 meters in the compact bullring while New Zealand’s Levi Sherwood was also impressive on a warm Madrid evening and took third in Qualifying.
“I’m very happy because I did everything that I wanted to do,” said Moore. “I had a few little mistakes in there but can straighten them out for tomorrow. Right now I’m pretty happy.” France’s Tom Pagès, who has won the last three years in a row, was having an outstanding run after landing his Bike Flip and Special Flip but crash landed on his Volt when his right foot got stuck as he tried to remount his bike just before landing. As a result of finishing in 11th place, Pagès will now have to contend with what could be considered the most difficult group. He will be up against three of the top favorites in the Quadrillas group C.
Friday’s event features a new format with three groups of four riders will compete in a “Jam Session.” Along with performing their own trick routine, all the riders of each group will have to perform one trick picked by the spin of a roulette wheel with the names of established classic tricks from the sport’s rich history. All four riders in the group will have to spontaneously perform that trick.
