Adams Wins Third Title at Fairplex

Nate Adams had seen the scenario before -- twice, in fact.

For the third consecutive year, Adams won the LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross at the Fairplex in Pomona, earning $30,000, and Jeremy Stenberg finished second.

With the course still engulfed in a cloud of dust from a run that momentarily put Stenberg in first, Adams used the final run of the night to land a 360 and a number of back-flip variations, earning a score of 93.80.

“I know Jeremy’s an awesome rider, so I had to bring my A game,” said Adams, the 2004 X Games Freestyle gold medalist. “I didn’t want to leave anything out there for granted.

“It’s great,” he added. “I don’t think I’ve ever won three of anything.”

Adams, a Southern California native who had many family members and friends on hand, scored a 90.40 in his first run, landing a back flip over the 110-foot jump.

After a disappointing first-round score of 83.60, Stenberg scored a 92.60 in his second run. The highlight was a Superman move in which he momentarily let go of the handle bars, while suspended in air.

However, the run only preceded what Stenberg said he has seen too many times.

“That’s 90 grand stolen out of my pocket,” Stenberg said. “Three years in a row. It’s all good, though, because Nate is a good rider and he deserved it.”

Dustin Miller earned third place with a score of 92.20, and Mike Mason, who landed a back flip over the 110-foot jump, finished fourth, scoring 91.20 in his first run.

Mike Metzger and Travis Pastrana, who were scheduled to participate in the freestyle championships, did not compete.

With palm trees overlooking the half pipe and stands featuring funnel cakes and fitted toe rings, the L.A. County Fair served as a colorful backdrop for the BMX Vert finals.

John Parker, who was knocked out and suffered a concussion during the X Games in August at Staples Center, won the event with a score of 93.00

“You’ve just got to have the best 15 or 20 tricks in a row and go,” said Parker, who landed a double tailwhip during his first run.

“I’ve got a few things I was working on, but wasn’t ready for them today, so we’ll see what happens,” he added.

Simon Tabron of England finished second at 91.75, Jimmy Walker third at 89.25.

Takeshi Yasutoko won the inline vert competition with a score of 96.00, and his brother, Eito, finished second at 90.00.