Dhers Still the Best in New Superpark
August 3, 2008 – 12:03 am PT by GregTags: Daniel Dhers, Diogo Canina, Rob Darden, Ryan Guettler, X Games —
Dhers | cr. BRIAN BRANTLEY/SHAZAMM/ESPN IMAGES
There’s no doubting Daniel Dhers’ domination of the park scene over the last three years — something he proved last years by securing his first Park gold at X Games 13. But this year the park course was replaced by the tight “Superpark” format and that threw many established park riders for a loop. Dhers, who is known for his ability to adapt, did it again and managed to qualify in first.
Saturday he showed it wasn’t a fluke by dominating the finals, which was scored in a new format that gave each rider three 30-second runs which then were totaled up. Dhers had the highest-scoring run each time and easily edged Diogo Canina, who won the BMX Big Air Triples event last week in Orange County. Rob Darden continued his hot streak with a third-place finish with Ryan Guettler coming in fourth.
Dhers was among the riders criticizing the new course before the qualifiers took place but his success in adapting to the tight confines softened his opinion.
“I didn’t swim this far to sink at the shore,” he said.
Keep reading for more about the finals and for full results.
Venezuelan Rider Daniel Dhers Is Untouchable
Dhers Wins Second X Games Gold Medal in First Ever BMX SuperPark Competition
LOS ANGELES- The action is swelling on the third day of X Games 14 as the BMX Freestyle SuperPark Finalists took to the distinctive course. The field started with 10 riders and was narrowed down to the top five in round one.
The top five moved on to the final, but it was apparent from the get-go that Dhers was going to be the man to beat. Dhers showed up to the SuperPark this year already with an X Games gold medal in his pocket from last year’s BMX Freestyle Park competition.
Each rider was given three 30 second runs, each one judged separately. The rider at the end of the competition with the most points was the winner. After an overwhelmingly technical and exciting performance out of Dhers, including a 540 bar spin, it was clear that he had swept the competition.
“I get to go to sleep happy tonight,” Dhers said with a smile. “I’ve been wanting this gold medal for the past year and now I have it. It’s as rewarding as winning the gold last year. It’s always awesome to win a competition like the X Games.”
The astonishing medalist from the BMX Freestyle SuperPark final today was second place finisher Diogo Canina, who until last week was not even sure if he was going to make the trip out to the X Games from his home country of Brazil.
“I didn’t even think I was ready for this competition. Winning silver is like gold to me with a competition like the X Games,” Canina proclaimed excitedly. “This past week here was the greatest week of my BMX career.”
Perhaps having the most fun on the SuperPark course was third place finisher Rob Darden. Darden utilized the entire course completing multiple transfers from the quarterpipe to the box set and rallying through the bowl corners at mock speed.
“I always liked to go fast as a kid,” Darden grinned. “I felt like a kid in there. It was awesome.”
BMX FEESTYLE SUPERPARK FINAL RESULTS
Results from ESPN X GAMES 14 at The Home Center in Carson, Calf. on Saturday, August 2, 2008. (Final Standings)
Name / Hometown / Score
1. Daniel Dhers / Caracas, Venezuela / 101
2. Diogo Canina / Amparo, Brazil / 90
3. Rob Darden / Greenville, N.C. / 85
4. Ryan Guettler / Beenleigh, Australia / 82
5. Gary Young / San Diego, Calif. / 61
6. Chase Hawk / Austin, Texas / 81
7. Alistair Whitton / Chester, Great Britain / 79
8. Dennis Enarson / San Diego, Calif. / 75
9. Corey Bohan / Brisbane, Austrailia / 60
10. Morgan Wade / Tyler, Texas / 59
