Chris Ridgway Captures Gold and Guinness Book Title

Los Angeles, CA – August 3, 2009: Chris Ridgway finished the X Games 15 in Los Angeles, CA with a gold medal in the Adaptive MotoX class riding his 2009 Suzuki RMZ450F.  Ridgway was also inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the first amputee to win an X Games gold medal.

Ridgway walked into the event injured, with a twisted knee and a sprained ankle from practicing over the last few weeks.  On the first day of X Games practice, he took it easy and didn’t do any big jumps to risk further injury.  On Friday’s practice before the race, he asked professional rider Heath Voss to lead the Adaptive racers off the jumps so they could successfully time the huge doubles.  And successful he was!  “I knew if I made no big mistakes that I would win. I was very motivated, and I exited turn one in first after a bad start,” said Ridgway.  He maintained the lead from that turn on and gapped the field leading to a record-breaking win.

After the gold medal was awarded, Ridgway was presented with the distinctive opportunity to be inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records.  His official title: First Amputee to Win an X Games gold medal.  “Since I was a little kid, I’ve always thought you must be somebody special to be in that book!  Then again, I never thought I’d be racing in the X Games!” said Ridgway with a smile.

Chris Ridgway will co-pilot for Dave Cole in the new “King of the Hammers” Ultra4 class of the Best in the Desert Series “Vegas to Reno” three-day desert race (August 20-22^nd, 2009).

About Chris Ridgway – Chris Ridgway is an amputee and competes wearing a prosthetic left leg.  His professional motocross career was cut short in 1995 when he had a “bad day at the office” falling from over 30 ft in the air and has since struggled to maintain strength in both his legs. After two years, he finally convinced a doctor to amputate his left leg and is now stronger than ever.  His competitive spirit originated with motocross and now he competes in many different events, including motocross, Rock Racing, King of the Hammers, Grand Am Rolex Series, the Silver State Classic, and Baja 1000.  Some of his impressive wins include the X Games Gold Medalist: 2008, 2009; and the Extremity Games Gold Medalist: 2007, 2008, 2009.

Sponsors – Wright & Filippis, Ohio Willow Wood, Adaptive Action Sports, Limbs for Life Foundation, Griffin Radiator, Suzuki, Country Cycle, Roth Racing, Scott, Baja MX, Light Speed Performance Products, Alpinestar, Fox Racing Shox, Transworld Motocross, Pro Taper, Works Connection, Dunlop, MSR, FMF.

Tags: Chris Ridgway