£ The 2017 finals roster
consisted of (L-R)
Christian Meyer (ESP),
Adam Jones (USA),
Harry Bink (AUS), Luc
Ackermann (GER),
Maikel Melero (ESP),
Rob Adelberg (AUS),
Levi Sherwood (NZL),
Clinton Moore (AUS),
Josh Sheehan (AUS),
Taka Higashino (JPN),
Dany Torres (ESP) and
Fred Kyrillos (BRA).
T
wo years on from the bold
step of cutting down their beloved
world tour to a single, centrepiece
event, the Red Bull X-Fighters
has bounced back with one of the
best events in years. Returning to
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid, 2017
saw some incredible runs with rounds happily
decided by riding prowess rather than errors.
After a build-up blighted by the unusual sight of
rain in the Spanish capital, the clouds cleared by
Friday night and a familiar roster of the world’s
best riders took to the course. Notably absent
was Frenchman Tom Pagès, whose recovery
from shoulder surgery took precedence over
adding to his four Madrid wins.
All eyes were on newly-crowned Nitro World
Games gold-medallist, Levi Sherwood. With a
trick-bag containing multiple Double Backflip
Combos, the Kiwi was going to be tough to beat.
With twelve riders through qualification, the first
round of the Friday night final was the “Cuadrillas
Elimination”. This took the form of three groups,
each containing four riders, with the top two from
each going through to the semi-finals.
Group A saw Josh Sheehan and Taka Higashino
progress. Maikel Melero impressed with his No-
Hand Frontflip but suffered a crash, while Harry
Bink struggled with injury.
Group B was closely fought, with Dany Torres
only joining Adam Jones in the semis after a
0.2-point advantage over Rob Adelberg. Clinton
Moore may have started the night with an eye on
the final, but trouble with a foot peg on a Bundy
attempt left the Aussie missing a trick and ending
up bottom of the group.
Group C was a curious one. Favourite Levi
Sherwood booked his place without much
trouble, but attention was on Spanish newbie
Christian Meyer, who had put down a Double
Backflip in quali. Sadly, Meyer didn’t stick the
landing and was left with a trip to the hospital
for his troubles – though fortunately one that
showed no damage beyond some pretty
gnarly heavy bruising. The other “Novillero” on
course was Fred Kyrilos, who put in a decent
performance but was out-shone by Germany’s
Luc Ackerman.