BMX riders Daniel Dhers and Jamie Bestwick have won just about every contest they’ve entered this season, so it’s no surprise to find the two dominating at one of the year’s final events, the LG Action Sports World Championships.

In the BMX Street finals, Daniel Dhers followed up his Dew Cup and X Games wins with another top finish, edging Rob Darden (who finished second) and Dennis Enarson (bronze winner) to capture the gold.  Both of Dhers’ run were higher than Darden and Enarson, who actually tied with a 90.00 in second.  The tie-breaker went to Darden thanks to his second score being higher.  Dhers took home $30K for the win.

“I always want to do a good first run.  But tonight I realized it’s been a long time since I’ve done two good runs, so I went out there to do it, and it worked.”  Dhers said after the contest.

Jamie Bestwick also continued his winning ways in BMX Vert, following up his Dew Cup and X Games win with a gold, followed by Chad Kagy in second and Simon Tabron in third — his usual set of podium mates.

“I just enjoy riding bikes,” Bestwick said after of his success this season.  “I gave up everything – my job, my family, my country – to come here and compete, and that’s what drives me to keep on pushing.”

For more about the event, check out the official site.  You can also keep reading for the official release from Saturday that includes inline and skate vert prelim results.

BESTWICK, DHERS, DOWNING AND MORALES WIN GOLD AT LG ACTION SPORTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Stage is set for a Repeat in Skateboard Vert

SEATTLE, Wash. (November 1, 2008) – Day two of the LG Action Sports World Championships brought the pros of BMX Vert, BMX Street, Men’s and Women’s Inline Street Skating, as well as Skateboard Vert to the fans and made them jump to their feet in celebration as the athletes laid down some of the most spectacular runs of the season. The year’s most dominant stars in BMX Vert and BMX Street, Jamie Bestwick (Darby, England) and Daniel Dhers (Caracas, Venezuela) respectively, continued their winning ways in 2008 and captured the gold medal in their disciplines, as Jenna Downing (Barnsley, England) and Franky Morales (Miami Beach, Fla.), took the gold in Inline Skating Street.  Skateboard Vert also saw the usual suspects finish the Prelims at the top of the heap, with Pierre-Luc Gagnon (Montreal, Canada) leading the way.

The afternoon began with the Skateboard Vert Prelims and a 16-man field that needed to be whittled to eight for the Sunday afternoon Finals.  The tops stars were in play, giving their best in an attempt to advance to the Finals.  By the round’s end, Gagnon, Sandro Dias (Santo Andre, Brazil), Bucky Lasek (Baltimore, Maryland), Danny Mayer (Omaha, Nebraska), Alex Perelson (San Diego, Calif.), Andy Macdonald (San Diego, Calif.), Buster Halterman (Wellsville, Penn.) and Marcelo Bastos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) had advanced.  On what can only be characterized as a ‘steam roll’, Gagnon comes in as the event’s defending champion and is looking to cap the season with a second consecutive LG World Champion title.

Daniel Dhers has also been rolling through all of 2008 in the Gold medal position and continued to do so today, decisively winning the BMX Street contest with two runs that far exceeded the competition.  He pushed himself to the end, even bettering his first round score with his second run.

“I always want to do a good first run.  But tonight I realized it’s been a long time since I’ve done two good runs, so I went out there to do it, and it worked.”

The Silver and Bronze medals went to Rob Darden (Greenville, NC) and Dennis Enarson (San Diego, Calif.) in a tiebreaker.  Both men produced 90.00 point runs, but Darden turned in an 89.50 point first run, which bested Enarson’s additional run by one point, thereby breaking the tie and securing him second place.

Clearly another highlight of the evening was Jamie Bestwick’s (Darby, England) winning performance in the BMX Vert contest.  Bestwick rode to his 5th LG World Championship title in six years.  He’s captured the BMX Vert Gold at every LG World Championships he’s attended, missing out on the title in 2006, the only year he did not participate.  He soared above the ramp tonight in what was described by announcers as “BMX insanity”, winning the contest with his first run.

“It feels great,” said Bestwick, describing his success.  “This Seattle stop is a great one for the ASA [Entertainment] Action Sports World Tour.  This event is a lot of fun.  There’s a lot of nerves beforehand and everyone is on edge, but it brings out the best in us.”

Bestwick’s domination in BMX has been virtually complete in 2008 with him capturing nearly every major title this year.  When asked what he attributes it to, he commented, “I just enjoy riding bikes.  I gave up everything – my job, my family, my country – to come here and compete, and that’s what drives me to keep on pushing.”

The Silver medal in BMX Vert went to crowd-pleaser Chad Kagy (Gilroy, Calif.), and Simon Tabron (Newquay, England) received the Bronze medal.

The Inline Skating Street competitions were a definite treat for fans, thrilling the crowds with the creativity and daring of the athletes’ skill and talent.  Fallon Heffernan (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.), entered the women’s competition as the leader from Friday’s Prelims, but Jenna Downing landed every trick she attempted in the Finals and solidly rode away with the Gold medal.  Heffernan came in second; Fabiola da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) came in third.

“Unbelievable” best describes the men’s Inline Skating Street competition where the athletes pushed the limits of not only themselves, but also the course boundaries.  Nineteen year-old David Sizemore (Atlanta, Georgia) back-flipped off the hitching posts and Franky Morales used the neighboring Vert ramp to jump into the Street course, while performing a 540 spin before landing smoothly to the crowds’ cheers in amazement.  Not to be outdone, Stephane Alfano (Frejus, France) also launched himself from the Vert ramp, landing a 540 spin as well after two attempts.  With just a couple of minutes left to the session, Morales once again jumped from the Vert ramp, spinning through a 900, but failed to execute a successful landing.  Nevertheless, after the judges tallied the scores in what was one of the toughest decisions of the evening, Morales came out the winner.

“I was just trying to win,” said Morales when asked how he came up with jumping from the Vert ramp.  “I was trying to do something big, and I saw the ramp – it’s what’s big in here – and I said, ‘That’s it.’”  The Silver medal went to Alfano, and Sizemore accepted the Bronze.
The LG Action Sports World Championships resumes Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. featuring a day of skateboarding contests.  Skateboard Street Prelims start at 2:00 p.m., followed by Skateboard Vert Finals and Skateboard Street Finals thereafter. Hoobastank will entertain the crowd to cap the weekend’s activities.

The LG Action Sports World Championships is an ASA Entertainment production.

Skateboard Vert Prelims Results:
1) Pierre-Luc Gagnon (Montreal, Canada)
2) Sandro Dias (Santo Andre, Brazil)
3) Bucky Lasek (Baltimore, Maryland)
4) Danny Mayer (Omaha, Nebraska)
5) Alex Perelson (San Diego, Calif.)
6) Andy Macdonald (San Diego, Calif.)
7) Buster Halterman (Wellsville, Penn.)
Marcelo Bastos (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
9) Adam Taylor (Cocoa Beach, Fla.)
10) Jean Postec (Annecy, France)
11) Anthony Furlong (Tampa, Fla.)
12) Neal Hendrix (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
13) Josh Stafford (San Diego, Calif.)
14) Elliot Sloan (New York, New York)
15) Joe Gratzer (Pocatello, Idaho)
16) Lincoln Ueda (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

BMX Vert Finals Results:
1) Jamie Bestwick (Darby, England)
2) Chad Kagy (Gilroy, Calif.)
3) Simon Tabron (Newquay, England)
4) Steven McCann (Melbourne, Australia)
5) Jimmy Walker (Gilberts, Illinois)
6) Francisco Zurita (Santiago, Chile)
7) Zack Warden (Ofallon, Illinois)
John Parker (State College, Penn.)
9) Jay Eggleston (Denver, Colo.)
10) Koji Kraft (Addison, Illinois)
11) Austin Coleman (Los Angeles, Calif.)
12) Jorge Jovel (Tela, Honduras)
13) Ben Snowden (Hornell, New York)

BMX Street Finals Results:
1) Daniel Dhers (Caracas, Venezuela)
2) Rob Darden (Greenville, NC)
3) Dennis Enarson (San Diego, Calif.)
4) Allan Cooke (Greenville, NC)
5) Anthony Napolitan (Youngstown, Ohio)
6) Gary Young (San Diego, Calif.)
7) Kevin Kiraly (Livermore, Calif.)
Morgan Wade (Tyler, Texas)

Inline Street Finals Results:
1) Franky Morales (Miami, Fla.)
2) Stephane Alfano (Frejus, France)
3) David Sizemore (Atlanta, Georgia)
4) Brian Aragon (Brighton, Colo.)
5) Chaz Sands (Glascow, Scotland)
6) Brian Shima (Redwood City, Calif.)

Women’s Inline Street Finals Results:
1) Jenna Downing (Barnsley, England)
2) Fallon Heffernan (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)
3) Fabiola da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
4) Chynna Weierstall (Roseville, MI).

Check out the video highlights below…

Jamie Bestwick continued to add on to his totals as the AST Dew Tour’s winningest athlete by taking the BMX Vert finals in Baltimore’s Panasonic Open on Friday. The win gives Bestwick 12 total AST Dew Tour wins which have resulted in three consecutive Dew Cup victories.

Simon Tabron and Chad Kagy battled for the right to take second place in a final that featured eight riders scoring 89.00 or above. Kagy edged Tabron 93.17 to 92.00 for his seventh all-time second-place finish on the tour (six of which he was second to Bestwick). Austin Coleman continued his impressive performance by placing fifth while last year’s season-ending No. 3-ranked rider, Steve McCann, placed sixth.

Action now shifts to the dirt course where Ryan Nyquist seeks to repeat last year’s opening win (and overall Dew Cup win).

BMX Vert Finals – 2008 Panasonic Open
June 20, 2008 / Baltimore, MD

1st — Bestwick, Jamie — 96.00
2nd — Kagy, Chad — 93.17
3rd — Tabron, Simon — 92.00
4th — Robinson, Kevin — 91.17
5th — Coleman, Austin — 90.17
6th — McCann, Steven — 89.83
7th — McCoy, Dennis — 89.17
8th — Parker, John — 89.00
9th — Walker, Jimmy — 87.50
10th — Eggleston, Jay — n/a

Last year atheltes like Pierre-Luc Gagnon and Simon Tabron dominated the event, with additional wins by Dennis Enarson, Morgan Wade and others.

Check out the schedule below along with the full press release following.

2008 Action Sports World Tour Schedule

• July 25–27 – S3 Supergirl Jam – Huntington Beach, CA (HB Pier)
• July 29-31 – Action Sports World Tour – Costa Mesa, CA (OC Fairgrounds)
• September 27 – LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross – Pomona, CA (Fairplex Park)
• Oct. 3-4 – Action Sports World Tour – Cincinnati, OH (Bank of Kentucky Center)
• November 7-9 – LG Action Sports World Championships – Dallas, TX (Reunion Arena)

And here’s a few links to our coverage from ’07:

• Glendale, AZ Stop – PLG, Tabron and Enarson Win
• San Diego, CA Stop – Vert Finals Photo Gallery
• Pomona, CA Stop – Twitch Wins FMX Championships
• Dallas, TX Stop – Skate Vert Finals
• Dallas, TX Stop – BMX Street Finals

ASA Entertainment Announces its 2008 Action Sports World Tour Event Schedule
The Country’s Longest-running Action Sports Tour Returns for its 12th Year
LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2008) — ASA Entertainment (ASA), the country’s largest action sports event, television and content production company, is excited to announce its 2008 Action Sports World Tour events.  From July to November action sports fans throughout the U.S. can experience the world’s top professional skateboarders, freestyle BMXers, inline skaters, snowboarders and freestyle motocross superstars during a series of five major competitions in a quest for the ultimate title, the LG Action Sports World Championships.

Huntington Beach, Calif. is the first stop on the Tour where more than 100,000 people are expected to watch the top female pro skateboarders, surfers, inline skaters and snowboarders compete at the S3 Supergirl Jam from July 25–27.  Part of this one-of-a-kind mega-competition includes the construction of a 28’ high snowboarding mountain with 30,000 pounds of snow pumped onto the beach at the world-famous Huntington Beach Pier.

Costa Mesa, Calif. hosts the first stop for the men from July 29-31, at the Orange County Fairgrounds. During three action-packed days, Southern California fans can enjoy a completely unique pro BMX competition that combines the best in BMX Box Jumping and Dirt Jumping with the Mini-Mega Ramp in an event called Big-Air BMX Triples.  16 of the world’s top BMX pros will participate in a head-to-head battle in what has become a favorite event for both fans and athletes after its inaugural contest last September.

The LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross then thrills fans for one day in Los Angeles at Fairplex Park in Pomona on Saturday, September 27. Four-time LG World Champion Nate Adams (Phoenix, AZ) is eager to reclaim the winner’s podium in 2008, but he’ll have to ride through Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg (Santee, CA) who’s determined to defend his 2007 title with his series of distinctive motorcycle back-flip variations.

One week later, the Action Sports World Tour resumes on October 3 and 4 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the new Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.  This will be the first sporting event ever inside the new arena and the last event for the pros to qualify into the LG Action Sports World Championships.

From November 7-9, 125 of the world’s most elite competitors in BMX, Skateboarding and Inline Skating will face off at the historic Reunion Arena in Dallas, Tex. for the 2008 LG Action Sports World Championships.  This three-day battle for the season-ending World Championships will be filled with explosive, competitive action and A-list musical entertainment.

“We are really excited about our domestic event schedule this year” says ASA Entertainment’s CEO Rick Bratman, “We wanted to mix up the events and the disciplines to provide action sports fans with a well-rounded and unique mixture of what the action sports industry has to offer.  This is not the ‘same-old’ tour concept with cookie-cutter events that get repeated.  Instead, we designed the Tour around the different types of entertainment that both athletes and fans asked to see.”

With its international roster of athletes and events, ASA is bringing consumers the world’s best in action sports competition and entertainment, and will be announcing new, cutting-edge events in the future.  The company’s international schedule is also expected to be released shortly.

For ticket information and more details on the 2008 Action Sports World Tour, please visit www.actionsportstour.com.

In BMX Vert, Simon Tabron showed again why he is one of the best riders in the world (when Jamie Bestwick doesn’t show up). Tabron edged the young, exciting Zack Warden and Jimmy Walker in a three-man jam final.

There was also another FMX event — step up. Matt Buyten won, followed by Todd Potter and Kyle Loza.

For the full results, along with some quotes from winners and ESPN PR, check out the full press release below.

X Games Brazil Concludes With A Sell Out Crowd At The Sambodromo do Anhembi

Final Day Draws 20,000 Spectators With A Weekend Total of 44,626 In Attendance

Sao Paulo, Brazil – X Games Brazil concluded today in Sao Paulo as 20,000 fans packed the Sambodromo do Anhembi to watch some of the world’s best action sports athletes compete in BMX Freestyle Vert, Skateboard Vert and Moto X Step Up. “The excitement at X Games Brazil this weekend reaffirmed the passion and continuing demand for action sports in Brazil,” said Rick Alessandri, Senior Vice President and X Games Franchise Managing Director. “We are thrilled with the success of the event and look forward to a long future here in Sao Paulo.”

Skateboard Vert Final

Bob Burnquist, Digo Menezes, and Lincoln Ueda demonstrated why skateboarding is practically a national pastime in Brazil as they swept the podium. All three amazed the fans with a variety of spins, huge boosts, and kickflips as they soared in the air. In the end, it was Burnquist who edged out his fellow countrymen with his last run comprising of a fakie 180 blunt to 180 end, then throwing a huge frontside 540. Brazilian competitor Digo Menezes launched high out of the vert ramp attempting difficult maneuvers such as a Stalefish 720, earning him silver. While crowds also cheered for Lincoln Ueda’s massive airs as well. Sandro Dias executed numerous high flying Christ-Airs and made multiple attempts at the 900 spin. Dias was unable to successfully pull the 900 during the competition but did land a 900 shortly after the contest was over. “Digo, Lincoln and I have skated together since we were children and we all wanted to put on a good showing here at home” said Burnquist.

“The vibe and energy of Brazilians is the best in the world and the fans kept us going.”

BMX Freestyle Vert Final

Simon Tabron of Great Britain, and USA riders Zack Warden and Jimmy Walker contended for the gold with intense energy in the BMX Freestyle Vert Final. The three were the dominant riders in the head-to-head jam format with the crowd erupting into cheers as all the riders attempted to one-up each other run after run. In the last moment of the contest, Tabron pulled a 720 to lock up the gold and the top spot on the podium. Zack Warden earned the silver and Jimmy Walker took home the bronze.

Moto X Step Up Final

Past two-time X Games Step Up gold medalist Matt Buyten claimed gold in the Moto X Step Up competition, finishing with a height of 22 feet. Last night’s Moto X Best Trick gold medalist Todd Potter finished in second at 21.5 feet and Kyle Loza earned the bronze after just missing an attempt at 21 feet. “It was amazing to compete in Brazil. The crowd was so enthusiastic and I’m extremely happy to walk away with the gold,” said Buyten.

ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Content Development, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.

ESPN will produce 15 hours of original programming from X Games Brazil. A total of 9 hours of live programming will air on Brazil’s two ESPN television networks, ESPN and ESPN Brazil as well as air throughout Latin America. Six one hour highlight shows will air on ESPN Brazil and ESPN networks in Latin America after the event. Complete coverage of the event will be provided on ESPN Brazil’s news and information programs, and live streaming video from X Games Brazil will be featured on EXPN.com and ESPN 360.

ABOUT Reunion Sports Marketing

Founded in 1992, ReUnion Sports Marketing is one of the largest sports marketing agencies in Brazil, and a pioneer in the management of race car drivers. With the growth and success of the company’s activities in the auto racing business, ReUnion launched new lines of business, supporting some of the most important companies in the country. In 2007, ReUnion joined the ABC group of companies, whose major stockholder is international ad guru Nizan Guanaes, as the corporation’s internal sports marketing advertising agency. That same year ReUnion and ESPN Brazil agreed to bring the X Games Franchise to São Paulo in 2008. www.reunion.com.br

Sponsors and Partners

X Games Brazil is sponsored by Parmalat, Guaraná, Honda, Ipiranga, Oi, and the City of Sao Paulo.

X Games Brazil is co-organized by Reunion, the largest sports marketing company in Brazil.

For the general public to get information on the event, log on to http://www.xgames.com.br

Full Results – Day Two Games Brazil – 4/27/08

BMX VERT
1. Simon Tabron
2. Zach Warden
3. Jimmy Walker
4. Koji Kraft
5. Tom Stober
6. Coco Zurita
7. Jay Eggleston
8. Jan Valenta
9. Zach Shaw
10. Pedro Reginaldo
11. Dave Brumlow
12. Andre Timofezeras
13. Ednilson Rodriguez
14. Clayton Araujo
15. Christian Balmaceda
16. Martin Postigo
17. Ruben Luna
18. Oliver Cantillo
19. Evandro da Silva
20. Alessandro Lima Terres

SKATE VERT
1. Bob Burnquist
2. Digo Menezes
3. Lincoln Ueda
4. Sandro Dias
5. Adam Taylor
6. Macelo Bastos
7. Neal Hendrix
8. Cristiano Mateus
9. Anthony Furlong
10. Vitor Simao
11. Mizeal Simao
12. Marcelo Kosake
13. Danitz Costa
14. Otavio Neto
15. Lecio Da Silva
16. Edgard Pereira
17. Sergio Negao
18. Karen Jones
19. Valter Vale
20. Marco Aurelio

MOTO X STEP UP
1. Matt Buyten
2. Todd Potter
3. Kyle Loza
4. Brice Izzo
5. Derek Garland