Motocross vet Travis Pastrana drops out of best trick at X Games

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Motocross and rally car veteran Travis Pastrana pulled out of best trick competition and will not participate in a record five X Games events at X Games 16 in Los Angeles.

Pastrana’s trainer Todd Jacobs said the decision came Wednesday and was based on complications landing the rodeo 720.

He and Pastrana were at the foam pit working to prepare for motocross freestyle and speed and style. Pastrana will also perform in rally car racing and the first year of SuperRally.

Pastrana said Monday that he would not participate in the event if he couldn’t finish the back flip and 360-degree rotation cleanly. He said best trick was more about ‘innovation’ for him.

The rider’s last go at the move in best trick at X Games 15 resulted in two badly damaged disks in his back, hematoma in his elbow and a swollen hip.

-- DeAntae Prince