The men’s division of Super X was the only of the three to feature a multi-moto format. With two qualifiers and an LCQ, riders were going to have many laps under their belt come the finals. But in the spirit of X Games this didn’t affect the racing one bit as an exciting Moto X Super X took place in front of thousands at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
 
The light showing of factory-sponsored riders didn’t mean that the racing wouldn’t be tight, and crowds still showed up to partake in the pre-race ritual that is a Supercross Factory Pit Display. With each of the riders having virtually one big rig to themselves, the busloads of X Games attendees were willing to wait for autographs and that chance for a photo with their favorite rider. The JLAW racing effort was one of the biggest crowd pleasers, and under the label of their new sponsor, ARMA, the rig looked good as ever. Even Jason Lawrence joined in the mix himself, donning his court-appointed, big (and blatantly obvious) ankle band and signed a few autographs for waiting fans.
 
But X Games is after all about the racing (and TV commercials) and with the inclusion of Moto X Super X, racing was exactly what we got! Out of the gate the duo of Josh Hansen and Josh Grant seemed unstoppable. Leading in each of their respective motos, the duo of Joshes provided a show for the crowd that could not be matched by any other. Six-lap qualifiers in which four riders made the main meant that it was a quick warm-up for the fast guys until needing to return for the live television final.
 
When the live broadcast was finally ready, the 30-second board went up and out of the gate it was Chris Blous and Josh Hanson side-by-side. One triple later and Hanson was clear out front. The unusual downhill start meant that a holeshot was everything and Hanson proved that in the final. Leading for 11 of the 15 laps Hanson looked as though he would be taking home the third straight Gold in three attempts. But time would tell as the race wore on and slowly riders began to creep up.
 
Midway through Lap 11 Hanson was beginning to fade. Josh Grant was the first rider hot on his tail, and in a matter of seconds he had made the pass and began to gap the field. Out of nowhere Hanson became the victim of a hurricane of blue bikes as both Justin Brayton and Ivan Tedesco followed Grant moving into the three and only podium spots, leaving the two-time Gold medalist in fourth. With hopes of another X Games medal slipping out of reach, Hanson poured on the gas and reeled Tedesco back in.

In a season of misfortune, the X Games one-off event looked to be a turning point for three riders who at one point were a threat at any Supercross race. For Grant, being back out front was a chance to prove that he wasn’t a one-hit-wonder, while Tedesco and Hanson were battling to prove that they still had it. Justin Brayton had settled into his own and as he had done at X Games in the past looked like he belonged.

The unique style of the X Games course layout meant that fast rhythm sections would be followed by big obstacles and the uphill climb out of the stadium served as an important feature as the faster riders out rode those who couldn’t cleanly make the jump. In the front four this was easy, but for riders like Chris Gosselaar who had transferred into the main from the LCQ just a few minutes prior, the hill was a dreaded sight. Riders outside of the top four just couldn’t make it happen and the lead pack pulled further and further away.
 
Two laps to go and the battle for the final X Games 16 medal began to heat up. Tedesco and Hanson went back and forth between each and every turn. Through the whoops Tedesco would lead, then on the climb the lead would go back to Hanson. Over the finish line triples  Tedesco would pull back into the lead, and so on. The battle would rage until the checkered flag, and when it counted Hanson was able to hold off Tedesco who had hardly been outridden.
 
Josh Grant and Justin Brayton held on to the gold and silver medals respectively, and Grant was ecstatic at the finish. “I came into this thing not knowing how I would do. I rode hard, and was able to put the laps down when it counted. It was an unfortunate start to the year with my feet, but this is a great way to finish out the summer.”
 
In the mix, just barely, was the former AMA Lites number one plate holder Jason Lawrence. With a new ride and commitment to returning to the form that he once displayed, JLaw appeared to be more about the motions and less about the aggression. Pulling over to let Nick Way (who was behind due to a crash) around, Lawrence just didn’t seem to be out for a win. With the Supercross season quickly approaching, time is running out for the JLaw racing big rig and with performances like he had this week at X Games, his one-time unstoppable speed might be just too far out of reach to reclaim.
 
X Games 16 Men’s Super X Results:
1. Josh Grant
2. Justin Brayton
3. Josh Hanson
4. Ivan Tedesco
5. Dan Reardon
6. Chris Blose
7. Nick Wey
8. Weston Peick
9. Daniel Blair
10. Jimmy Decotis
11. Chris Gosselaar
12. Jason Lawrence