Destry Abbott's X-Games Report
GPR Mailing List
Dealers
Aug 4th, 2011
X Games 17Los Angeles, Ca.
July 31, 2011
It was so awesome to be part of X Games! It was something I never thought I would have the opportunity to do and it definitely was an amazing experience. It was first class all the way and they really know how to take care of all the athletes!
Race Day:
The field was stacked and they pretty much invited 30 of the best riders they could. My main goal coming into this was to make the main event, and see what happens from there. On my hot lap (for gate pick) I had a good time going, but then went down on the last corner where it was really slick. My time wasn't what I would've liked and unfortunately I didn't get the best gate pick.
Heat Race:
The start was so sketchy and probably the scariest thing for me. I had a great jump and was 2nd or 3rd off the gate. I thought I was good, and then of course got cleaned out.
Next thing I know I'm on the ground and thinking “no way!” I was the last one up and since they were only taking two I knew it was going to be tough.
I still gave it everything and ended up moving up to finish 5th. I actually felt pretty good with the way I was riding so I was ready for the LCQ.
LCQ:
They only took two into the main and everyone else went into the stands to watch. This time I got another great jump and was first, but still had someone hit me at the bottom of the ramp. Luckily I was able to keep it on two wheels! The course was really getting slick and the rock sections were insane to go over. Once I was out front my goal was to just protect my lines and ride smart. I had Ricky Dietrich and Kurt Caselli behind me the whole race and they definitely weren't making it easy for me. With two or three laps to go, I had to go further out in a rock corner (because of a lapper) and it didn't allow me to jump over the log into the water. This gave Ricky the opportunity to make a good pass on me. But right after that he got tied up, with a lapper, over the big rock mountain. Next thing I know I'm back in the lead and it was such and awesome feeling to hear the crowd go wild! Now I had two laps to go, and just kept riding a good pace and was able to take the win! I can't tell you how awesome that was, even if it wasn't the main!
Main Event:
Since the course was so gnarly I knew I just needed to put in solid laps and not try to overdo it. My goal off the scary start was to try to let the guys go, since I had such a bad gate pick and then tuck under a lot of them at the bottom. I thought it was going to work, but when we got to the bottom one of the riders clipped a log that went flying in front of me so it put me into last. Now I just stuck to my plan, and started to put in solid laps and next thing I know I kept picking guys off as they were picking up their bikes. Before I knew it, just past halfway into the 10-lap main, I was sitting in 5th and actually had a couple guys not to far in front of me. I knew I was taking safer lines then some of the guys, but it was working so I stuck with it. Next thing I know the white flag was out, and this was the first Endurocross race where I still felt really good and wished we had more laps! With one corner to go Geoff Aaron made a great pass on me and it put me back to 6th.
Overall Summary: It would've been awesome to get an X Games medal, and I actually wasn't that far from getting one. I had a great time and felt I rode really well and most importantly stayed healthy for the ISDE in Finland (which starts in a week). I know I could've picked up the pace a little bit more in the main, but at the same time I would've had a chance at making more mistakes (and go backwards). I think starting dead last really hurt me, but I was still in the main:) Hopefully I'll get the chance to do more Endurocross's this year.
1st Taddy Blazusiak (Gold)
2nd Mike Brown (Silver)
3rd Justin Soule (Bronze)
4th Joakim Ljungren
5th Geoff Aaron
6th Destry Abbott
7th Kurt Caselli
8th Cody Webb
9th Taylor Robert
10th Kevin Rookstool
Other Notes:
My family and I came over early to experience everything about X Games and check out a lot of the events. It was definitely first class and it was amazing to see so many famous people everywhere. They also had an athlete’s lounge and definitely took care of the athletes.
What an amazing feeling to be on live TV and worldwide! After the race my phone was insane with messages and texts. I really think the Endurocross was a huge hit and it was by for the biggest crowd of any of the events and the most watched on TV (out of all the events). I really believe this is going to bring off road racing to another level and it was nice to be able to show our talents and what a great event Endurocross is! The course was really good too and they had a great mix of terrain that made it exciting!
I was told the Endurocross had the biggest turnout of all the events at x Games and was the highest rated (people watching) on tv. Pretty cool!
The boys over at Monster Energy, Kawasaki, Thor, and GoPro were top notch and did so much for me for X Games. They made us feel like rock stars! I have no doubt Kawasaki gave us the best bike out there and it showed since all three of us (Justin Soule, Taylor Robert, and myself) made it into the main. I was really happy to see Justin get a medal too! Big thanks to Jonny for building me an awesome 250f too!
Right now I'm actually on my flight to Finland. Right after the main event was over, we had to drive back to AZ to catch my flight to Finland. We didn't get home until 4:00am and then at 5:00 we were off to the airport. Finally got a little shuteye on the flight (which is uncomfortable) but really looking forward to this year’s ISDE!
Speaking of that, I'll be posting updates on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbott/114746998547830 and Twitter account destryabbott450 when I have a few extra minutes. I'll try and give you updates on our USA team and what's happening.
Now I'm finally relaxing at our place here in Finland! It is beautiful and the weather has been awesome. It really looks like this could be a great 6-Days.
I added some photos from Megan Blackburn.
Best Wishes,
Destry AbbottsDestry
