Twenty years ago, Jamie Bestwick set a goal to win one X Games gold medal. Today, the BMX great stands alongside a legend with the most golds in X Games history.
The British-born Bestwick, a Patton Township resident and owner of Rothrock Coffee, won a record 13th X Games gold in the BMX Vert and 14th overall gold to tie the late Dave Mirra for most in the games’ history on June 4 in Austin, Texas.
‘It’s a tremendous honor to have my name in X Games history,’ Bestwick said. ‘My goal was to win one X Games medal and here I stand in the great company of Dave Mirra, such a special person to me in so many ways but mostly from our time competing against each other at the highest level. Our dedication to progression and pushing each other to the highest levels is something I hold dearly to this day.’
After winning a record nine consecutive gold medals in the vert, Bestwick saw his streak broken last year with a second-place finish behind Vince Byron.
‘My attitude this year was a lot more relaxed,’ Bestwick said. ‘Having lost last year and my winning streak coming to an end, it gave me an opportunity to re-focus and find the passion in BMX again. It’s an incredibly hard position being the champion and ultimately it took some of the fun out of BMX for me. So heading into Austin I knew I was in a great position being a contender to really go for something big and put my self back on the top step of the podium.’
He certainly did go for something big. Through a process of trial-and-error while training at Woodward Camp, he worked out a trick inspired by Mirra.
‘The 540 tail whip was a trick he was very comfortable with in his day and using that, I decided to up the ante by spinning backwards 540 degrees while whipping the bike around with me,’ Bestwick said. ‘It was a surreal moment for me because the victory was reminiscent of the first time I won Gold at X.’
At the age of 44, Bestwick not only continues to be a champion, but has also become an ambassador for BMX, a position he said he is honored to be in.
‘[I] hope that my performances and positive attitude towards sports are inspiring to both the next generation and my generation,’ he said. ‘My future plans are to keep on riding, having as much fun as possible and to be open to exciting opportunities that lay ahead.’
In addition to being able to find him most days roasting coffee at Rothrock Coffee on South Atherton Street, Bestwick will continue to give back to the State College community.
His State College-based Bestwick Foundation raises money for local families and individuals battling cancer and other hardships. Fundraisers include community bike rides that he leads with his wife, Kerry.
He also has a different kind of ride planned for this week. He will be representing Toyota in the Hemmings Great Race from California to Illinois Tuesday through Saturday. He’ll be driving a 1970 Toyota Corolla in the timed road rally. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Corolla’s introduction.
‘It’s an incredible honor to be a part of this event with such special meaning for Toyota and as I love endurance sports it fits right with me,’ he said.
To follow his car in the race, check out @jamiebestwick and @toyotausa on Instagram
