After three stops already completed on the X Games global event schedule, one very familiar site remains – Los Angeles.
For the last 10 years, the city has hosted the biggest event in action sports, allowing riders of all sports to get comfortable with their surroundings and the weather conditions. This has certainly benefited Motocross freestylist and Step Up extraordinaire Ronnie Renner, who last year broke the height record in Step Up, dethroning Matt Buyten, to earn his third gold medal. The 36-year-old has been competing in Motocross events for years and is one of the most experienced riders at this year’s games. Now he’s looking for back-to-back wins, this time against the likes of Buyten, Brian Deegan and Bryce Hudson.
Renner has been sponsored by Red Bull for years, pushing his body to the limit for the good of his sport and this year it has helped him in his preparation for X Games LA.
“It [Red Bull] really has shaped my last seven years or so,” he admitted. “Red Bull experiment, high rise and my free ride tour – everything just seems to align with Red Bull. Just last week I had an event called Raising the Bar, which was really cool. I practiced Step Up in Midtown, downtown Atlanta.”
Really cool might have been an understatement. In front of an audience of nearly 2,100, Renner jumped a 35-foot high bar – using it as practice before his attempt to get back on the podium on Friday. The 36-year-old is competing as well as he ever has in his career, despite being in his twilight years – but don’t mention anything about age to the veteran rider.
“You say, twilight, I say I’m just getting warmed up,” Renner proclaimed. “Honestly, I have more and more fun as the days pass and I feel super healthy and strong. I think being in the twilight of my career is a blessing in disguise, I’m hoping I can get in a few more years.”
But as one career is in the midst of its twilight, another one is just blossoming.
Fellow Red Bull Motocross freestylist Wes Agee is considered just a baby in the moto world – but don’t let that fool you; the dude certainly has the chops to become a top rider. This weekend will make the first time Agee is competing in X Games LA, having just one X Games – Foz Do Iguaçu – under his belt.
At just 25 years of age, the California native is already sponsored by Red Bull, a member of Metal Mulisha and the owner of a wide assortment of tricks. But will it be enough on Thursday against the likes of Adam Jones, Jackson Strong and Taka Higashino?
“It’s a bummer it’s the last year in LA but hopefully I can go out with a bang,” Agee said.
Agee has been training for quite some time, thanks in part to his constant work with Red Bull, which is something he admits has been the highlight of his career up to this point. He tries to ride twice a day for at least four or five days a week, makes sure the bike is well maintained and perfects his tricks. But it might be a little more difficult for him to prepare mentally for the biggest moment of his young career.
“I’m always a little nervous before a competition but that’s what keeps me on my toes I think and I’m going to be going for it, you know, so that’s good, that’s what makes it fun – it just feels awesome, especially if all the hometown fans and family are there.”
With his career on the rise, a win on Thursday could propel him as one of the elite freestyle riders.
“If I land my run and come out with the gold, I’ll be stoked to be on top, especially considering the level that all the other riders are at,” he added.
Renner and Agee might be at the complete opposite points of their respective careers, but both have the same goal in mind at X Games LA – taking home a gold medal. Both have trained, prepared and answered all kinds of questions regarding their competitions. Now it’s time show time.
Catch Moto X Freestyle Thursday at 9 p.m. and Moto X Step Up Friday at 9 p.m., both airing on ESPN.
Ed is an MMA/Extreme Sports contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller, and subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports.
