SPY+’s Hibbert Destroys Snocross Competition for Five-Peat at ESPN Winter X Games
Photo: J. Hanson
SPY+’s Tucker Hibbert entered his 12th ESPN Winter X Games focused and determined to capture his fifth straight snocross gold and tenth overall medal.
On Sunday afternoon, in front of a record crowd in Aspen, Colorado, Tucker became the second athlete in WX history to five-peat. With this, he surpassed legend Blair Morgan’s record of five snocross gold medals and tied for third on the all-time WX medal list with two other athletes.
Sunday morning, Hibbert drew the final gate pick for his qualifier, forcing him to take the far outside starting position in the 12-rider heat race. When the green flag flew, he opened up that throttle, railed a left-handed bowl turn and took the lead before the second corner. By the end of the eight-lap race, he opened a 15-second lead on second place, no. 837 Ross Martin, making him the number one qualifier for the 15-rider final.
Having the number one gate pick, Tucker lined up on the far inside, confident he would take another hole shot, but Martin jumping the start, taking the false hole shot and being dq’d. Hibbert came out of the first corner in second behind Martin and put on a charge for the front. After the first lap Tucker opened up a comfortable lead and rode the final 14 laps unchallenged to cruise to his sixth career WX victory.
“This win feels amazing. Every win is special but this one means a lot to me,” Says Tucker.
Next up for Hibbert is round four of the national snocross series in Farmington, New York Jan. 4-5. He is the current points leader in both the Pro Super Stock and Pro Open classes.
Tucker Hibbert – ESPN Winter X Games, Ten Medals in 12 Appearances
2011: Gold
2010: Gold
2009: Gold
2008: Gold
2007: Gold
2006: DNQ
2005: Silver
2004: Silver
2003: Bronze
2002: Silver
2000: Gold, youngest gold medalist in Winter X Games history (15)
Photo: Tucker wears the Zed snow goggle.
Schultz Golden at Winter X 15
Photo: M. Roth, Shazamm/ESPN Images
SPY+’s Mike Schultz used his experience as a professional racer to tame one of the longest and most challenging tracks in Winter X history. Competing in a field of eight riders, Schultz capitalized on a quick start and clean lines to earn his second consecutive gold in Adaptive Snocross.
“Coming off of practice and into the race I was definitely feeling good,” said Schultz. The sled was running good and I had my knee dialed-in, so I definitely had the confidence and knew I was the fastest racer. But you still get the nerves on the start line and you never know.”
Winter X 15 saw a record-breaking crowd of over 114,000 spectators during what is by far the busiest and most important weekend of the year for the team. “This was definitely the busiest X Games I’ve ever had with all of the media. There was a lot going on and it was great. To top it all off with a gold at the end of the weekend is the best!”
SPY+’s Justin Hoyer Takes Silver in Snowmobile Freestyle
Photo: Getty Images/ESPN
A contender in Winter X Snowmobile Freestyle since 2003, Justin grabbed his third Winter X medal ever this past weekend, adding another silver to his trophy cabinet. Hands down he is one of the best pure freestylers around, earning a Freestyle gold in 2010 and silver in 2009.
SPY+’s Hoyer has been a pioneer in his discipline; he was the first person to flip both sleds and dirt bikes in comps (only one other has done it). He’s also the first to attempt an Underflip on sled in a comp, completing one in WX ‘10.
Look for more great things to come from this veteran competitor, always pushing the envelope by setting even bigger standards for the sport of Snowmobile Freestyle.
Congrats Justin on your second place finish!
