Red Bull X-Fighters

Red Bull X-Fighters are freestyle motocross competitions contested in bullfighting arenas. Alongside the X Games, they are the most prestigious and most challenging freestyle motocross (FMX) competitions.

Red Bull X-Fighters are invitation tournaments where the best FMX riders in the world come face to face. The competitions' particular flair comes on the one hand from the relatively restricted space in the bullfighting arenas (and therefore the close proximity of the crowd to the sporting spectacle) and, on the other hand, from the replication of a number of rituals from a typical "corrida": for example, the riders are greeted by drum rolls and trumpet fanfares, and the public honours the riders' performances by waving white rags.

History

The idea for the Red Bull X-Fighters came from energy drink producer Red Bull. The first competition took place in 2001 in the bullfighting arena in Valencia. The event moved to Madrid's "Las Ventas" bullring for 2002, Spain's biggest and most important bullfighting arena. With 23,000 spectators, the competition in Madrid – held annually since 2002 – has become Europe's greatest FMX event. Alongside Madrid, Valencia hosted the Red Bull X-Fighters for the second time in 2003. Since 2005, the competition has also been staged in Mexico, in the Monumental Plaza de Toros in Mexico City; the biggest bullring in the world, with a capacity of 43,000.

The winners

* Warsaw 2008 - Danny Torres (Poland)Warsaw Wuppertal Madryt Rio De Janeiro Mexico City Fort Worth
* Madrid 2007 - Travis Pastrana (USA)
* Slane Castle 2007 - Travis Pastrana (USA)
* Mexico City 2007 - Dany Torres (Spain)
* Madrid 2006 - Travis Pastrana (USA)
* Mexico City 2006 - Mat Rebeaud (Switzerland)
* Madrid 2005 - Nate Adams (USA)
* Mexico City 2005 - Ronnie Renner (USA)
* Madrid 2004 - Travis Pastrana (USA)
* Madrid 2003 - Kenny Batram (USA)
* Valencia 2003 - Kenny Batram (USA)
* Madrid 2002 - Edgar Torronteras (Spain)
* Valencia 2001 - Mike Jones (USA)

External links

* [http://www.redbullxfighters.com/ Red Bull X-Fighters]
* [http://www.fmxworld.com/ Red Bull X-Fighters Community]
* [http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-31871/ CNN I-Reports]