Three freestyle motocross (FMX) athletes, each known for breaking records on their own, have joined forces to deliver the most spectacular and dangerous stunt that’s never been tried before: a synchronized three-rider double backflip train.
It happened in Cardiff, Wales, against the picturesque backdrop of Caerphilly Castle, to preview Nitro World Games 2020, which, for the first time, is extending outside of the U.S. The 2020 edition will take place in the U.K., and this record-breaking backflip was meant to offer fans and athletes alike a taste of what it will have in store.
It was performed by Jackson Strong, Josh Sheehan and Luc Ackermann, and it was documented from all angles in the video available at the bottom of the page. All three FMX athletes have plenty of notches on their belt – Strong the first frontflip to dirt, Sheehan the first backflip on a motorbike, and Ackermann the youngest to land both a single and a double blackflip – but even so, this feat was taxing.
A double blackflip is considered one of the most dangerous stunts in the sports, but doing a synchronized three-rider double blackflip train posed so many challenges that they were left with absolutely no margin for error, they told the media afterwards. With all that, landing was “exhilarating” and the result is breathtaking, to say the least.
“To land that with two of my good friends is absolutely amazing,” Strong said. “Normally freestyle motocross isn’t a team sport. You are usually going out there competing against each other. But, to have the opportunity to do something like this with two of my friends is something I will never forget.”
He says this is what Nitro World Games is all about: doing firsts, breaking barriers, setting records. Their new record should deliver this message home.
Josh Sheehan adds, “Today was really cool; it was only a few years ago that there were only one or two guys doing double backflips. But today we had three people doing them. It shows that the sport is moving forward. I’m really excited for Wales 2020. Because not only is this an awesome location; there are a lot of people here that are into action sports and it’s a beautiful outside. We also have a state-of-the-art stadium where we can have a perfect setup, focus solely on our tricks and put on an awesome show.”
More than 100 athletes are expected to attend the 2020 Nitro World Games at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, competing in a range of disciplines including FMX, BMX, Skate and Scooter. This will be the first time the competition takes place outside the U.S.
It was performed by Jackson Strong, Josh Sheehan and Luc Ackermann, and it was documented from all angles in the video available at the bottom of the page. All three FMX athletes have plenty of notches on their belt – Strong the first frontflip to dirt, Sheehan the first backflip on a motorbike, and Ackermann the youngest to land both a single and a double blackflip – but even so, this feat was taxing.
A double blackflip is considered one of the most dangerous stunts in the sports, but doing a synchronized three-rider double blackflip train posed so many challenges that they were left with absolutely no margin for error, they told the media afterwards. With all that, landing was “exhilarating” and the result is breathtaking, to say the least.
“To land that with two of my good friends is absolutely amazing,” Strong said. “Normally freestyle motocross isn’t a team sport. You are usually going out there competing against each other. But, to have the opportunity to do something like this with two of my friends is something I will never forget.”
He says this is what Nitro World Games is all about: doing firsts, breaking barriers, setting records. Their new record should deliver this message home.
Josh Sheehan adds, “Today was really cool; it was only a few years ago that there were only one or two guys doing double backflips. But today we had three people doing them. It shows that the sport is moving forward. I’m really excited for Wales 2020. Because not only is this an awesome location; there are a lot of people here that are into action sports and it’s a beautiful outside. We also have a state-of-the-art stadium where we can have a perfect setup, focus solely on our tricks and put on an awesome show.”
More than 100 athletes are expected to attend the 2020 Nitro World Games at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, competing in a range of disciplines including FMX, BMX, Skate and Scooter. This will be the first time the competition takes place outside the U.S.