Travis Pastrana collects a medal-less victory at X Games 17
X Games always has a lot of hype surrounding it as it promises to deliver some of the most intense and memorable sporting action to the fans. However, the 17th edition of the ESPN-hosted mega-event managed to beat its predecessors in terms of
expectations and hype because of one sole reason: Pastranathon.
Months before the latest edition of X Games kicked off in Los Angeles, America’s legendary motorsport competitor and stunt performer Travis Pastrana had sparked an explosion of excitement and enthusiasm with the announcement of his plans for the upcoming
X Games. While one always felt amazed to watch him show up at the Games despite his hectic schedule, it was even more remarkable to hear that he was competing in numerous events and would be featured on almost every single day of the mega-event that was scheduled
to run from July 28-21 in Los Angeles.
Despite being extremely busy with his Nitro Circus Live show, rally racing, NASCAR racing and Freestyle motocross, the 27-year-old Maryland-native never lets his fans down and always manages to make it to the X Games to remind everyone why he is the biggest
name in extreme sports.
Pastrana was quite prepared to deliver a heavy dose of action to the fans on all four days of X Games 17. As per the plan, he would kick off the mega-event with the Moto X Best Trick event on Thursday, July 28. The next day, he would be competing in Moto
X Freestyle to show-off his unmatchable skills and guts. On Saturday, he would take a flight from Los Angeles to Indianapolis to participate in the Nationwide NASCAR race, but will be back in Los Angeles by Sunday to make his debut in the X Games Rally event.
However, things did not go as planned for Pastrana. During the Moto X Best Trick Final at STAPLES Centre on the first day of the Games, the daredevil ended up shattering his leg and ankle while attempting a rodeo 720. He was stretchered off to an ambulance,
much to the horror of the fans.
The medical reports also came as a real disappointment for the fans, as the injuries sustained by the legendary action sports athlete had turned out to be quite severe and ruled him out for the rest of the competition. Lying in the hospital bed, Pastrana
issued an apology to his fans for letting them down.
Despite missing out on the Moto X Freestyle contest on Friday and Nationwide NASCAR race in Indianapolis, the phenom kept his battle against fate going in an attempt to defy odds and make his way back into the X Games action by Sunday.
Owing to Pastrana's inability to use his feet while driving, Subaru modified his car and installed the clutch and accelerator to his steering wheel.
The fans roared at the sight of Pastrana driving his Subaru on to the starting line during Rally practice. However, the excitement was soon replaced by horror as Pastrana’s car crashed into a wall. He made it out of the crash without sustaining another serious
injury, though his car took significant damage, becoming a vivid image of its driver. Pastrana still refused to give up and got back in the car to make his debut in X Games Rally Car race after getting cleared by the medical officials.
Despite his mangled body, despite a damaged car, despite everything, Pastrana made it to the Rally car race final, much to the fascination of every single person witnessing the mesmerizing sight with their own eyes.
Pitted against renowned Rally race drivers from all around the globe, the odds were not exactly in favour of the 27-year-old, but he still managed to stay in contention for bronze medal until the final lap. It seemed that the endurance and perseverance that
had been exhibited by Pastrana over the last few days were finally going to pay off, when suddenly the nose of his Subaru smashed into a wall.
The in-car camera view saw Pastrana grimacing in pain as he held his broken leg. For the first time in the entire weekend, the prodigy seemed to have succumbed to his pain.
Despite his failure to medal in Rally event, or for that matter in any event at this year’s X Games, many saw Pastrana as the biggest winner. His super-human spirit and endurance was something that left everyone in awe. The iconic athlete may have failed
competitively, but the world witnessed a triumph of guts, determination and courage.
The images of Pastrana and his battered body over the four days of X Games 17 are seared on his legacy and will continue to live on forever, reminding everyone of the super-human effort of the legend for the sake of his fans.
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