New Zealand’s Levi Sherwood was the winner of the 2012 season opener of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour in Dubai (UAE). The former ‘wunderkind’ of FMX got his first victory since 2010.
Levi Sherwood won the 2012 season opener of the $1 million World Tour in front of 20,000 spectators. Sherwood presented a brilliant performance on a stunning dirt track set up on the white sands of the Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Kicking off the six-month long season with its six stops on four continents, Dubai gave Sherwood his fourth career victory and first since triumphing in London in 2010. Australia’s Rob Adelberg was a surprise second while Javier Villegas of Chile got his first podium with third place.
“It was an outstanding competition”, said Alberto Chahoud, Regional Communications Manager for Red Bull – Middle East and Africa. “We hope we have managed to offer our fans an adrenaline-filled experience.”
It was a night filled with upsets as defending World Tour champion Dany Torres of Spain and Norway’s Andre Villa, a leading title contender, were both knocked out in the quarter-finals, finishing eighth and fifth, respectively. Villa had earlier wept with tears of joy after taking second in Qualifying, overcome with emotions that he was able to ride well again after suffering a leg injury last season. Sherwood was clearly on top of his game in the sweltering heat of Dubai, able to once again display his incomparable flexible and fluid style in the world’s most prestigious Freestyle Motocross competition that will have a total purse of $1 million based on performances and appearance fee.
“It means a lot,” said a beaming Sherwood, 20, after celebrating with the spirited crowd that savored the spectacle with riders jumping up to 12 meters high and 20 meters in distance on their bikes. “I didn’t have much confidence coming into it,” added the friendly New Zealander.
Villegas was thrilled to get the first podium. “After years of sacrifice, I finally made it,” he said. “I’m not going to stop here. I want to be on the podium all season.” Red Bull X-Fighters has become the biggest and most respected freestyle motocross tour on the planet since it was created in 2001 with the best FMX riders anywhere battling for championship points at six stops on four continents.
Results of Red Bull X-Fighters Dubai:
- Levi Sherwood (NZL) 100 pts.
- Rob Adelberg (AUS) 80 pts.
- Javier Villegas (CHL) 65 pts.
- Josh Sheehan (AUS) 55 pts.
- Andrè Villa (NOR) 45 pts.
- Todd Potter (USA) 35 pts.
- Edgar Torronteras (ESP) 30 pts.
- Dany Torres (ESP) 25 pts.
- Mat Rebeaud (SUI) 20 pts.
- Eigo Sato (JPN) 15 pts.
Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour:
- Dubai – UAE 13 April
- Glen Helen – USA 12 May
- Istanbul – Turkey 16 June
- Madrid – Spain 20 July
- Munich – Germany 11 August
- Sydney – Australia 6 October