July 17, 2008 - Encinitas, CA - The clock is ticking down for X Games 14 (July 31st thru August 3rd) and one of motorcycling's most celebrated athletes, Jeremy McGrath, is using the time to prepare himself for what could become his most exciting appearance yet. Though mostly retired from pro racing, the celebrated "King of Supercross" has his sights set on a fourth X Games appearance and he could prove to be a spoiler to a stacked field of current AMA pros invited to compete along with him. But unlike in years past, the AMA's winningest rider in Supercross history is channeling all of his energies into a single event, MotoX Racing.
"I was disappointed that I couldn't compete at the NAVY Moto X World Championships back in April so I'm super anxious to race now," said an enthusiastic McGrath who had been sidelined with a cracked femur from a crash while riding on his own track in the San Diego mountains. "I'm healed 100% and been back practicing a lot on my Honda 450F."
McGrath is the AMA's all-time Supercross title holder with 72 main event wins, 7 AMA championship titles, and a trio of X Games appearances to his credit. Among McGrath's many personal highlights are his Step Up shootout against Matt Buyten at X Games 10 that revealed McGrath's dig deeper style that defines his racing career and garnered him a Gold Medal that year.
To get himself back into fighting shape McGrath describes a regimen that includes both motocross training and bicycling. "Because of the injury I was off the bike for a long time until I raced the annual Mammoth Motocross in June. I did pretty good taking home a win and a 2nd but it was a wake up call that my fitness level wasn't where I needed it to be," said McGrath. "So I came straight home and revved it up. Also, unlike in years past where I rode two X Games disciplines (Step Up and Supermoto) I am zeroed in on my specialty, motocross, and leaving the other events alone. They're great and I loved riding 'em in the past but I'm sticking with the Moto X Racing event."
Starting on Friday August 1st at the Home Depot Center, McGrath begins his X Games 14 campaign aboard a nicely prepped factory Honda 450F. If everything works to plan his sponsors Honda, Monster, Parts Unlimited, THOR, SPY Optics, Alpinestars, Troy Lee Helmets, and DC Shoes will be reminded once again why this nice family man from Encinitas, CA still commands their attention and support.
The X Games makes a sixth appearance in Los Angeles July 31-August 3 with events staged at the STAPLES Center, the Home Depot Center, and the Event Deck at LA Live. New events on tap this year are BMX Street, Moto X Best Whip, Women's Moto X Racing, Moto X Speed & Style, and BMX and Skateboard SuperPark.
To purchase X Games 14 tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.com/artist/976171. Ticket are $10 and $20.
Be in attendance at the STAPLES Center Thursday night, July 31st and during the break between Moto X Best Trick and Moto X Best Whip finals Carey will award one of his personal supermoto bikes to a lucky fan. No raffles or extra tickets needed for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
X Games Venues: STAPLES Center, BMX and Skateboard Big Air, Moto X Best Trick and Step Up will be featured. The Event Deck at LA Live (across the street from STAPLES Center and debuting as a first-time venue for X Games 14) Skateboard and BMX street events. The Home Depot Center features X Fest, the ultimate action sports festival featuring sponsor & industry booths, BMX and Skate Vert competitions, interactive parks, athlete appearances, demos and new-to-the-X Games BMX and skateboard SuperPark. Competitions to include BMX and Skateboard Vert, Moto X Men's and Women's Racing, Moto X Speed & Style, Moto X Freestyle, Skateboard and BMX SuperPark, and Rally Car Racing.
X Games on TV: A total of Twenty (20!!!) hours of live X Games programming will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC - all showcased in high-definition and aired July 31 - Aug 3.
X Games Online: ESPN International, EXPN.com, ESPN Classic, ESPN360.com, SportsCenter, and ESPN2's X Center will also provide coverage. For additional X Games 14 info go to www.expn.com