X Games 16: Price & Hansen Earn Medals

X Games Results

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Sara Price became one of the youngest women to medal in Women’s Super X earning a bronze at X Games 16 in Los Angeles, while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen also earned bronze in the Men’s Super X event.

Both Price and Hansen grabbed a dominant holeshot on the difficult downhill start and they each managed to hold on to finish third. Nick Wey moved through the field in the 15-lap main event to finish seventh.

Price had practiced the downhill start with dominance through the practice sessions and was able to put it together in the main event. The good start gave her a visibility advantage on the dusty and sun-drenched track. After moving into third, Price was right on the rear wheel of second, but time ran out and she celebrated her first X Games medal.

Sara Price says: “It felt really great to get the holeshot. Since our race was only six laps, the start was really important. I liked that the start was technical and overall the track was really fun. The triples just seemed a little sketchy during the race since the sun was right into our eyes. But it feels amazing to podium in my first X Games and I really hope I’m able to come back next year and improve on my result.”

Hansen came into X Games 16 as the two-time defending champion and after rocketing to the holeshot in the main event, he looked to be on his way to another gold medal. Hansen paced the field for the majority of the race, but a problem with his riding gear slowed him late in the race.

Josh Hansen says: “I really wanted to get the win again today. I got a great start and was just riding smooth. All of a sudden the buckle broke on my pants and I started making small mistakes. I was trying to keep my pants up and still ride as fast as I could.”

Although achieving a medal in her first X Games was already an achievement in itself, 17-year-old Price also tied the record for youngest Women’s Super X competitor to capture a medal. In 2008, Tatum Sik, rode a Kawasaki KX250F to a bronze medal at the age of 17 and now Price has matched that accomplishment.

“When I’m out there riding against these talented girls, I don’t ever think about my age difference,” said Price. “I’m out there to win just like the rest of them. It feels good to know some of these women have helped pave the way for me to race in events like X Games.”

After getting a slow start out of the gate, Wey not only had to battle the other riders out on the track, but also poor visibility as dust from the riders in front clouded the track. Showing determination, Wey slowly worked his way up to seventh by the checkered flag.

“The track wasn’t really set up for guys who started near the back,” said Wey. “X Games is a good event, but the track could have been better this year. I was excited to come back and race at the Coliseum because I remember all the great supercross races here. I just wish I could have done better.”

For Price, X Games was a welcomed break in the eight round WMX series, but now it’s back to the grind of two motos on the gnarliest tracks in the country.

“I really liked riding supercross,” said Price. “Every day I really looked forward to riding and it made for a nice change. Now we have Southwick coming up and I’m excited because I really like riding sandy tracks. I’m definitely happy to get back riding motocross.”

Results: X Games, Women’s Super X
L.A. Coliseum – Los Angeles, Calif.
July 28, 2010

Super X
1. Josh Grant, Yamaha
2. Justin Brayton, Yamaha
3. JOSH HANSEN, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
4. Ivan Tedesco, Yamaha
5. Dan Reardon, Yamaha
6. Chris Blose, Honda
7. NICK WEY, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

Women’s Super X
1. Ashley Fiolek, Honda
2. Tarah Geiger, Honda
3. SARAH PRICE, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. Vicki Golden, Yamaha
5. Jacqueline Strong, Yamaha

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