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The Calm Before the Storm

Things were pretty quiet on Wednesday at the Home Depot Center during the first day of Moto X practice; perhaps a little too quiet – a sign that many of the sport’s biggest names are probably saving their energy – and limbs – for the weekend.  With the Games not starting until tomorrow, it gave the riders a chance to put the finishing touches on their runs and demo the nasty FMX course that is X Games 12.  Taking up the entire inside of the Home Depot Center, the course is gnarly to say the least and one that will definitely challenge even the most experienced of riders. 
 
The few guys who did make it out today rode under the radar and threw down impressive moves including some lofty backflips, Indian air seat grabs and a few styley heel clickers and nac-nacs thrown in for good measure.  With the stands empty and the dirt fresh, this was prime time for them to do their thing without the added pressure of thousands of screaming fans and the bright lights and camera crews associated with competition.  In my opinion, anyone who didn’t show up today totally missed out.  As the saying goes, “you snooze, you lose.” 
 
Perhaps something big is about to happen at X Games 12 and this is the calm before the storm.  No one knows for sure, but with all of the elements in place and many of the world’s top FMX riders in attendance, we are sure to witness something huge during the next few days and you can feel it in the air.  The electricity, the anticipation; you know something is brewing - and what better place for it to happen than at the Summer X Games.  
 

-Glen Braunsdorf