Bob Burnquist. Bucky Lasek. Jamie Bestwick. Travis Pastrana.
Everybody knows those names, because those guys have all dominated the summer X Games, leaving their mark on their respective sports, while walking away with a few gold medals. But there are a lot of athletes that make up extreme sports’ biggest event – about 150 total.
The amount of talent, from the first-time rookies, to the grizzled veterans, is impressive and with that many participants, it can be difficult to choose who to watch – but that’s why we’re here. We’ve sifted through all of those athletes and chosen 10 guys – and gals – that will be must-watch TV in Austin. So, without further adieu:
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty, Facebook
X Games Athletes To Watch For
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Tanner Foust - RallyCross
Alright, so if you own a TV chances are you’re familiar with Foust. He’s not much of a secret. Actually, he’s kind of a big deal, for sure, but with big, mainstream names like Travis Pastrana and Bucky Lasek competing in the same event, Foust sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. The reigning champion always manages to go head-to-head with one of his fellow drivers. Foust, 40, has racked up seven medals in six years and it would be a disappointment if he doesn’t add one more.
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Tom Schaar - Skateboard Big Air / Vert
It feels like we’ve been talking about Schaar forever. At 14-years-old, Schaar has been turning heads for years and the pint-sized wonder remains the only skateboarder to ever land a 1080. His impressive skills have had a tough time transitioning to the X Games though, with just two medals in nine career events. He’s due and we think he’ll earn Big Air gold.
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Daniel Dehrs - BMX Park
Dehrs, 29, might only be in one event, but he’s got the skills to run away with the win in that event. He might not fly under the radar as much these days, but there’s still plenty of fans out there that know little about the Venezuelan stud – so we’ll fill you in. He’s got five X Games golds, one bronze and a whole bunch of internet videos that’ll prove the world is his playground. If Dehrs doesn’t take home at least silver, we’ll be very surprised.
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Gavin Harlien - Stadium SUPER Trucks
Remember when you turned 16 and couldn’t wait to start driving? Well, Harlien won’t have that problem. At 14-years-old, he’s one of the younger athletes to participate, in a sport that will be making its X Games debut this week. As if that wasn’t enough, he’ll be driving in front of his hometown crowd. Oh, and he was last year’s Off-Road Series rookie of the year.
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Kevin Peraza - BMX Park
Peraza has a little bit of Dehrs in his riding, but unlike his competition, the Mongoose-sponsored star is still an X Games newbie. Don’t let that fool you, however, the 19-year-old has been on many podiums in the last year and is a darkhorse to win the event. It’s time for him to claim his first medal, though that won’t be an easy task, by any means.
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Mitchie Brusco - Skateboard Vert / Big Air
Last year was a big one for Brusco. After snagging silver in skateboard vert at Barcelona, he followed it up with another impressive performance at Munich – one that earned him bronze, the third overall X Games medal of his career. But we really haven’t seen just what the 17-year-old is capable of yet. A gold medal seems highly unlikely at this point, with guys like Bucky Lasek and Bob Burnquist, but there are many good things ahead for Brusco.
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Pedro Barros - Skateboard Park
Barros has quickly become one of the best street skaters over the last two years. At only 19-years-old, the Brazilian native already has an impressive list of career accomplishments, which includes nine X Games medals and a slew of other competition wins. While his specialty might be bowls or pools, Barros can pull of some sick grinds. We’d be surprised if he didn’t at least walk away with a bronze medal in his only event.
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Riley Hawk - Skateboard Street
If you’ve been following Tony Hawk on Twitter, than you’re pretty familiar with his son who, as it turns out, is a chip off the old block. Hawk, who skates for Baker, is pretty unknown outside of the hardcore skateboarding group but the 21-year-old has a chance to make a name for himself in his only event – though it won’t be easy, facing off against Nyjah Huston, Ryan Sheckler and Paul Rodriguez. He’s royalty though, so maybe he can channel some of dad’s skills.
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Wes Agee - MotoX Freestyle
Agee is one of the top Red Bull moto riders and a member of the Metal Mulisha crew, proving he has what it takes to compete at a high level. Last year was his first go around at the X Games and Agee, 26, walked away with a bronze medal in the same event. We’re expecting a similar performance this time around, but we wouldn’t be shocked if he battles for gold.
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Vicki Golden - MotoX Best Whip
She’s proven that she’s one of the best dirtbikers, with three X Games gold medals in the last two years. In fact, she’s medaled in every event she’s ever participated in – four in total. She’s 21, she’s a member of the Metal Mulisha, she’s good and some of you just haven’t been paying attention. Wake up, people. Golden will medal, we’d put money on it!
