Glifberg, Lasek Pissed at X Games

One thing that was really noticeable while walking around the Home Depot Center was that this year’s Vert Ramp is about half the size it normally has been.  Last year’s ramp was a huge monster that dominated the landscape — I almost mistook this year’s “ramp” for one that kids coming to X-Fest could try out if their parents signed a waiver.

It looks like I am not the only one questioning how much the X Games is really supporting Vert after the about face it did earlier this year.  The LA Times has a story where Rune Glifberg doesn’t hold back about his feelings about the vert ramp and the Superpark course (and the concrete master knows what he’s talking about.).  He describes the two as a “half-assed superpark and a half-assed vert ramp.”

The Superpark was designed primarily for BMX (though some riders have their own issues) and the vert ramp was designed without much input from the athletes themselves — unlike previous years.

“It all comes down to the mighty dollar,” Bucky Lasek said. “I think what we wanted to build was too much money and they saw how bad the contest went last year because of the format and they felt like they didn’t want to blow their wad on something like that.”

You can read more here, but it should be interesting to see how the contest goes today for the vert riders.  Don’t expect too much air.

Glifberg in happier times on a bigger vert ramp.