Australian Freestyle Motocross sensation Josh Sheehan is the newest rider to perform the double backflip in Freestyle Motocross, and in doing so, has won the bronze medal inside the Staples Centre at X Games 17 Best Trick in Los Angeles, CA.
I was just happy to be at X Games and land my first Double Flip
With only 24 hours’ notice before competition that he would be an alternate for fellow injured Australian Freestyle rider, Robbie Maddison, Sheehan landed his first double backflip in Best Trick competition perfectly.
“Best Trick was something I didn’t really prepare for, as I had another trick I wanted to land. But I had the Double Flip on lock and thought I’d show everyone I had it before Freestyle. I was over the moon to get a 3rd place, I only expected 5th or maybe a 4th. But unexpected things do happen in FMX, and I was just happy to be at X Games and land my first Double Flip,” Sheehan said.
MotoUSA.com
Sheehan had spent the past two weeks training and working on the Double Flip with Travis Pastrana in Maryland. But it was after Sheehan’s Double Backflip that Travis would attempt the corked 720 but crashed out. “I could see the disappointment on Travis from the other side of the course. Trav has tried them so much into the foam pit, and he had them dialled,” Sheehan continued.
Josh was a favourite to do well in Freestyle the following night, however during his first 60-second run, he suffered a dislocated shoulder during a Ruler-Flip and he was unable to get back on the bike in time and crashed.
“Freestyle was disappointing for me, as that is what I had prepared for. I did the Ruler Flip fairly late and my shoulder dislocated while in the air so I couldn't pull back on straight and I slid out. There’s no damage, but after two crashes (one in practice) I’m happy I have no serious injuries and I’ll be back for more next year!”
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Despite sliding out of Freestyle, Sheehan left his mark on X Games 17 with his Bronze Medal and already has a new trick for 2012 X Games. Josh is now focused on healing his injured shoulder, fingers and ankle to be able to compete in Red Bull X-Fighters in Poland this weekend, August 6.
For more information on X Games, visit: http://espn.go.com/action/xgames/summer/2011/
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