Super X ‘Bling’: Oakley’s Motocross Team Guns Its Way to X Games Gold and Silver
The back-to-back defending Super X Gold Medalist was in the hunt for a three-peat this past weekend. Too bad he ran into the O’s Moto Team.
Oakley’s Josh Grant and Justin Brayton passed up last year’s champ, Josh Hansen to emerge from the race with the Gold and Silver medals after an intense battle for the top podium spots.
Josh Grant, who returned to Super X this year after breaking both feet during a crash at last year’s X Games in a heat race, mashed his way back into the Super X Final after losing some time after the start. He trailed Hansen, who held a significant, early lead. The unusual downhill start meant that a holeshot was of the utmost importance. Hansen learned that the hard way as he began to fade halfway through Lap 11.
As the rider the hottest on Hansen’s tail, Grant stole the lead shooting past him for the Gold – leaving the second place spot open for grabs.
Justin Brayton capitalized on the opportunity and secured the second spot as Hansen was left in the dust to vie for the Bronze. But it was Grant who flew onto the top of the podium – pumping his fist in sheer bliss at the finish.
“I came into this thing not knowing how I would do,” said Grant, who wore Oakley Mayhem goggles during the race (Brayton did as well). “I rode hard, and was able to put the laps down when it counted. It was an unfortunate start to the year with my feet, but this is a great way to finish out the summer.”
Just an amazing finish to a hard fought, intense race in the L.A. Coliseum, where the “Supercross” event was born in 1972. Motocross would never be the same that year, as the first race to be held in a football stadium went off in that very venue.
It’s only fitting that Oakley, also founded in the 70’s (Oakley’s first product was a killer Motocross grip made of O’s patented Unobtanium® material) in the Motocross industry, took home the hardware in the arena where it all started. Add the fact that many riders not sponsored by Oakley sported O goggles just the same. A grand day indeed.
Congratulations to Josh and Justin for claiming Super X glory for the Big O.
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