When Chad Kagy embarked on his double flare attempt everyone in the crowd at the Nike 6.0 BMX Open Vert Finals held their breath. When he missed his landing and instead suffered a punishing encounter with the flats that subsequently left him unconscious, that breath was expelled as a horrified gasp. Slipping down the vert walls was his best friend Kevin Robinson, followed quickly by Simon Tabron, (who had just moments before slammed hard while attempting a one footed one handed 900). Together they tended to their fallen comrade, while memories of Chad's terrible neck-breaking injury from a few years back came flooding back. Then in moment of collective relief, Kevin rose his hand in the air and gave a confident thumbs up...Chad was ok.

Such moments of drama are all too familiar in BMX Vert. Kevin Robinson himself suffered a terrifying crash attempting the same double flare a few season back, but those same scary moments are again and again overshadowed by the amazing performances that seem to go down regardless of the conditions or concern over injury.

For his part, Jamie Bestwick proved that to be the case. Pushing for his fifth straight Dew Cup championship, the world's most successful BMX Vert rider had the ominous task of having to drop in directly after Chad's harrowing fall. In his own words he wasn't really feeling it: "We feed off each other. That's the intensity you need when you ride at this level. You need to be chasing somebody and that's when you can trick, trick, trick... It was hard... mentally it was crushing out there, but luckily we pulled it off."

What he pulled off was a score of 92.88 in his second and final run after actually slipping out on his first. Trademark high amplitude straight airs with an alley-oop downside tailwhip, an alley-oop 540, and an opposite no hander.

In second place was a very impressive Simon Tabron who almost stuck a never before seen one-handed one-footed 900. Reflecting on why he went for it Simon said, "My second run I had something crazy that I thought would probably work, and I didn't want to have a mediocre second run. I figured if I was in the lead I should come out swinging. Unfortunately it didn't work and then Jamie beat me to the post. But he's a great friend of mine and I can't question his talent--there's no shame in coming second to that man."

In a surprise performance, Steve McCann made his return to BMX Vert and solidly landed 3rd on the podium. When asked about his thoughts coming into today's comp, he had nothing but confidence, "I always position myself for great things."

Also having a great day was hometown boys Koji Kraft and Jay Eggleston who each had the pleasure of performing for the respective moms.


Nike 6.0 BMX Open Vert Final Results
1. Jamie Bestwick - 92.88
2. Simon Tabron - 91.50
3. Steve McCann - 91.25
4. Kevin Robinson - 90.38
5. Jimmy Walker - 89.75
6. Dennis McCoy - 89.38
7. Jay Eggleston - 87.13
8. Francisco Zurita - 86.63
9. Chad Kagy - 84.00
10. Koji Kraft - 83.00




Dennis McCoy is 40 years old and still pushing it.


Bestwick regains some of his dignity via a one armed pushup after slipping out on his first run.


Kevin Robinson gives the OK.


Kagy, back on his feet.


The crowd offering its support.


Dennis McCoy at 40 tried a 900 and actually landed it...hard...so hard he broke his seat.


The mighty Kevin Robinson always brings an aggressive style.


Chad Kagy just before his tough spill.


McCann was in fine form.


Though he too suffered a tough wreck, but walked away.


Simon Tabron cheering on his fellow Brit, Jamie Bestwick.


The king, Bestwick, on his throne


Jamie flying high.


Jamie and son Sam


Podium - Bestwick, Simon Tabron, Steve McCann


Words and photos: James Sullivan