Allan Cooke Wins First Bike Stunt Dirt Championship, Edging Former Champ Ryan Nyquist

Friday, August 16, 2002

By Maria Elles Scott
XGames Correspondent

Fullerton, Calif., native Allan Cooke (90.47) edged former champion Ryan Nyquist (89.53) to win his first X Games Bicycle Stunt Dirt championship this afternoon at the First Union Center Complex. Chris Doyle finished third with 89.47 points. After finishing just out of medal contention at X Games VII last summer, Cooke won this Thursday's preliminary competition and led for the entire final. "It wasn't easy by any means," said the 20-year-old Cooke. "It's the first time I've ever beaten Ryan for the gold. I can't believe it. He's an amazing."

The 23-year-old Nyquist, who won the Dirt competition at X Games VI in 2000 and was runner-up at last year's X Games, failed to land a 720 on his last jump, the difference between first and second.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't land that last jump," said Greenville, N.C., native Nyquist, who has competed in this event at the X Games since 1997. "But it was a great competition, just insane, and it came right down to the wire."

Twenty-one year-old Chris Doyle, competing in his fifth X Games Stunt Dirt competition, recorded his best finish, after placing eighth the last two years.

"It was awesome," said the Pittsburgh native. "I'm psyched to have done so well. It was a great competition all around."

The X Games showcases 300 of the world's best action sports athletes competing in a variety of sports events for medals and more than $1 million in total prize money. In its first year as X Games host, Philadelphia drew 235,000 spectators during X Games VII, August 17-22, 2001.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise more than 20 original hours of X Games VIII coverage starting August 17, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture, will offer extensive event coverage, including streaming video from the X Games.