The sixteenth X Games will be in Los Angeles from July 29 through August 1. There are four main categories of athletes (Skate, BMX, Moto X, and Rally), with each category of competition containing several different events.
For Skate, there are eleven different events. However, despite the numerous amounts of events, there are only a few skaters you should be watching.
1. Bob Burnquist – Burnquist is the back-to-back, 2007 and 2008 Big Air gold medalist and is one of only four athletes to compete in all previous fifteen X Games. Burnquist is very talented and could walk away with X Games gold in 2010 after finishing with the silver in Big Air in 2009.
2. Jake Brown – Brown became the first skater ever to land a 720 over the gap in the Big Air competition. Brown won his first gold in the 2009 Big Air competition and hopes to repeat his success in the 2010 X Games.
3. Pierre-Luc Gagnon – Gagnon is the back-to-back 2008 and 2009 skate Vert champion. With thirteen total X Games medals, Gagnon is a true competitor and hopes to three-peat in 2010.
For BMX, there are four events. However, keep your eyes peeled on the following athletes only:
1. Chad Kagy – Kagy has been dominating the Big Air and Vert competitions for years. Look for him to maintain his success at the 2010 X Games and add more medals to his already impressive X Games haul.
2. Garrett Reynolds – Reynolds is the back-to-back 2008 and 2009 defending Street competition champion. At only 18 years old, Reynolds will be around for a long time and could become one of the greatest Street competitors of all time.
3. Diogo Canina – Canina has finished with the silver X Games medal in both the 2008 and 2009 skate Park competition. Look for him to break into the gold medal in 2010 with his fearless riding style.
For Moto X, there are eight different events. However, most people will tune in for the Best Trick competition. There are a couple of athletes to watch in this event.
1. Kyle Loza – Loza is the three time, back-to-back-to-back 2007, 2008, and 2009 defending Best Trick champion. Plain and simple, Loza is an innovator and the man to beat in 2010.
2. Travis Pastrana – Pastrana has won numerous X Games medals but has only one X Games gold in the Best Trick competition back in 2006. Pastrana did not compete in this category again until 2009 where he took 4th place. However, Pastrana is always capable of fireworks and may have a few tricks up his sleeve for the 2010 X Games.
3. Blake Williams – Williams has come close to X Games gold in the Best Trick competition, finishing in second place in 2009 behind Kyle Loza. Williams is a threat and could dethrone Loza in 2010.
For Rally, there are only two events, but really only one athlete to watch.
1. Travis Pastrana – Pastrana has won an X Games medal in every Rally Racing event he has ever participated in. Pastarana will look to take home the gold in Rally Racing this year after finishing with the silver medal in 2009.