The principle of X Games Real is very simple: six invited gravity bikers have to submit a 30-second video edit. The clip is judged by a jury. The top three are awarded the coveted X Games medals in gold, silver and bronze in the extreme sports scene. The competition is older, but mountain bikers were allowed to take part for the first time in 2021. The candidates back then were: Brandon Semenuk, Cam Zink, Brage Vestavik, Danny MacAskill (standing in for the injured Fabio Wibmer), Vero Sandler and DJ Brandt. Why the organisers suspended the competition in previous years remains a mystery. But this year, the spectacular format is back with six exciting participants (see right). In 2021, X Games Real caused a lot of controversy as the public's favourite Brage Vestavik had a staggering lead over the winner chosen by the jury, Brandon Semenuk.
The candidates
1 Remy Morton (26)
Remy comes from Queensland, Australia. Remy rode Downhill World Cups in the juniors, styled BMX and competed in slopestyle competitions. A major crash at Loosefest in Belgium in 2017 almost ended his career. Remy's trademark: playful new school style with XXL jumps. Recently, Remy took part in the Red Bull Hardline Tasmania with his peculiar Specialized Demo with a 26-inch front wheel and 24-inch rear wheel, but ended up a distant second.
Chances of victory: 5/6
2 Dylan Stark (32)
The Californian recently made headlines when he jumped the legendary Moreno Gap in order to recommend himself for his second Rampage participation. Nothing came of it, but now: X Games invitation! Rampage, Darkfest, Proving Grounds and, above all, crazy web edits - Dylan can do it all. That gives him a good chance of winning. In February, he travelled to Darkfest and showed off his spectacular one-handed barrel rolls.
Chances of victory: 3/6
3 Kade Edwards (24)
Those in the know see the young Brit as one of the most talented bikers in the world. Anyone who has seen his edit "Parallel 2" will have no doubts. The former junior DH world champion masters everything to do with bikes and loves daring stunts. His riding style, a mix of new school jibbing and full-throttle bangers, is right in tune with the zeitgeist. His X-Games invitation comes at just the right time, as Kade has stopped competing in downhill World Cups and wants to concentrate fully on freeriding instead.
Chances of victory: 6/6
4 Matt MacDuff (33)
Ever since his superstunt "Loop of Doom", a monstrous, wooden loop, the Canadian has been considered crazy. Matt skidded out of the loop and suffered multiple broken bones. But that didn't stop Matt. He is currently building XXL jumps on a private property in Kamloops and visited Darkfest.
Chances of victory: 3/6
5 Andreu Lacondeguy (35)
Andreu is a freeride star who really needs no explanation: Rampage victory (2014), bronze medal at the X Games (2013), founding member of the Fest Series, video star in NWD films, etc. Recently, things have been quiet around the Catalan rider, who at times rode freestyle motocross professionally. In recent years, the Catalan has focussed on big mountain freeriding in South America. However, if Andreu focusses too much on scree surfing, things will get tight at the X-Games, as people have now had their fill of gravel dump surfing.
Chances of victory: 2/6
6 Tom Van Steenbergen (28)
The Canadian landed a 2nd place at Rampage 2023 with his Caveman drop and is known for his daring front flips. A nasty crash at Rampage 2021 slowed TvS down, but now he's back to full speed. If he manages an edit like "Wild West 2", Tom would almost certainly win X Games Real.
Chances of victory: 5/6
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
