Jamie Bestwick emerges triumphant in BMX vert finals at Pantech Open – Dew Tour 2011
Britain’s Jamie Bestwick asserted his dominance in BMX vert by clinching top honours in the finals of the BMX vert contest at the first of four stops on Dew Tour 2011, Pantech Open, on Sunday, July 24, in Ocean City, Maryland.
California’s Chad Kagy came up with a great performance to earn second position, while Simon Tabron rounded out the podium after finishing in third place.
The 40-year-old Bestwick was indeed the rider to look out for during the competition. With six Dew Cup titles to his name already, the Pennsylvania-resident had looked to be in excellent form since his very first heat at this year’s competition. He remained
consistent and smooth to best an extremely talented line-up of professional riders, which included the likes of Kagy, Tabron, Vince Byron and Steve McCann among others, to make it to the top of the podium.
Talking to a reporter after the contest, Bestwick said, “I’ve had a really rough winter this year. I honestly have to be grateful to so many people right now for me to be back on my bike. They put me back together piece by piece and I got taught a very big
lesson in humility this year. I’m just thankful that I can get up in the morning and ride my bike and put together runs like that. Because that’s what I live for.”
The final battle turned to be extremely intense, with the top five riders putting down spectacular runs in their pursuit of victory. Kagy took the early advantage in the final, coming up with an outstanding run to score 92.13 points and putting the rest
of the final’s field under pressure.
While others failed to find a response to Kagy’s performance, Bestwick rose up to the challenge and threw down an excellent run, getting huge air and combining various variations with his signature style, to earn a decisive score of 93.75 and edge past Kagy’s
score. With his score remaining unbeatable till the end, the Britain-native went on to successfully defend his BMX vert title.
Tabron had gotten off to a great start in the final and enjoyed the lead in the initial stages after scoring 92.00. However, he failed to hold on to his lead and lost it to Kagy and Bestwick, though he still managed to stay on the podium
Australia’s 28-year-old McCann missed out on the podium after finishing in fourth place with a score of 91.75. His huge airs remained the highlight of his runs during the final. Another Australian sensation, Byron, finished in fifth place after scoring 91.50.
The BMX vert action will return next month when the Dew Tour makes its second stop, Portland Invitational, in Portland, Oregon, next month.
Tags: