Spotted this press release up on the Fat BMX explaining what the X-Games will be including in their expansion for all of the different stops for 2013. One of those key items would be that they are bringing dirt back. It doesn’t specify at which stops, but I’d imagine any or all of the stops including BMX Freestyle will have a dirt contest. Looks like X-Games are finally starting to listen to the BMX community, so that’s awesome news.
“ESPN, the leading action sports content provider and creator of the X Games, kicks off a new era with the 2013 global expansion’s six-event schedule – featuring eight sports, 26 disciplines and new iconic venues from inaugural host cities Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; Barcelona, Spain; and Munich, Germany. Joining the existing world-class events in Aspen, Colo.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and Tignes, France, the three new cities will combine to offer the most wide-ranging program of sports and disciplines in X Games history, including the addition of Mountain Bike Slopestyle, Women’s Skateboard Park and the return of BMX Freestyle Dirt.
With the disciplines set, event planning and course designs underway, this expansion will be the first of its kind for the franchise in terms of size, scope and scale – setting a global stage to spotlight the world’s best action sports athletes in BMX, Skateboard, Moto X, Rally Car, Ski, Snowboard and Snowmobile – while also highlighting new and unique lifestyle, cultural and digital elements around the world.
“ESPN is giving athletes a tremendous opportunity to succeed and gain more exposure in their respective sports,” said action sports icon and 17-time X Games medalist Travis Pastrana. “It is awesome to see X Games not only take these sports to more cities globally, but I love seeing new sports added and the return of past, popular events.”
Tim Reed, senior director, X Games content strategy said, “We’re very excited to embark on this new chapter of X Games global expansion and to offer such a wide array of locations and amazing backdrops for the sport disciplines in 2013. Showcasing the world’s best action sports athletes in six world-class host cities will enable fans to experience premier competition and the unique culture synonymous with the new world of X Games.”
The full list of X Games sports disciplines for 2013 is as follows:
Aspen Jan. 24-27
Ski Snowboard Snowmobile Big Air Big Air Best Trick Slopestyle (M & W) Slopestyle (M & W) Freestyle SuperPipe (M & W) Street SnoCross SuperPipe (M & W) SnoCross Adaptive Speed & Style
Tignes March 20-22
Ski Snowboard Snowmobile Slopestyle (M & W) Slopestyle (M & W) Freestyle (DEMO) SuperPipe (M & W) SuperPipe (M & W)
Foz do Iguaçu April 18-21
BMX Freestyle Skateboard Moto X Rally Car Big Air Big Air Best Trick RallyCross Dirt Park (Men’s) Best Whip Park Street (M & W) Enduro X (M & W) Vert Vert Freestyle Speed & Style Step Up
Barcelona May 16-19
BMX Freestyle Skateboard Moto X Rally Car Big Air Big Air Best Trick RallyCross Park Park (M & W) Best Whip Street Street (Men’s) Enduro X (M & W) Vert Vert Freestyle Step Up
Munich June 27-30
BMX Freestyle Skateboard Moto X Mountain Bike Big Air Big Air Best Trick Slopestyle Park Park (Men’s) Best Whip Street (Men’s) Enduro X (M & W) Vert Freestyle Step Up
Los Angeles Aug. 1-4
BMX Freestyle Skateboard Moto X Rally Car Big Air Big Air Best Trick RallyCross Park Park (Men’s) Best Whip Street Street (M & W) Enduro X (M & W) Vert Vert Racing (Women’s) Step Up
The world’s premier action sports athletes will be competing at new iconic venues such as Iguaçu Falls, Barcelona’s Montjuïc Park Olympic ring and Munich’s Olympic Park.”
