Nitro Games set to boost capital’s bank holiday visitor numbers

A HIGH-ADRENALINE sports event from America, where the best BMX and motocross riders compete in gravity-defying stunts, is coming to Wales in 2020.

The Nitro World Games, which have never before been held outside of the US, will take over the Principality Stadium in Cardiff over the May Bank Holiday next year.

Over two days, the world’s top riders will battle it out, attempting stunts with names like ‘no-handed double backflip’ or ‘Christ Air front flip’ in front of judges and spectators.

The Nitro World Games are an established premium brand in the US, watched by thousands of fans each year. The 2019 event was held in Salt Lake City in Utah on August 17, where riders demonstrated world firsts and set new records across high-octane disciplines including FMX Best Trick, Moto Quarterpipe, Rallycross and the Super Hooligan National Championship.

Organisers have promised the 2020 Nitro Word Games will bring the best electrifying action sports disciplines to Wales, including: ■■Freestyle Motocross and BMX Best Trick – These take big air action to the next level thanks to the world’s biggest and tallest ramps, and both have been fan favourites since the event’s inception.

■■BMX Best Triple Hit – Requires a singular combination of aerial agility and technical consistency necessary to land three tricks in quick succession.

■■Skate Vert – A recent addition to Nitro World Games, it will see top athletes take on the halfpipe. ■■Scooter Best Trick – Features one of action sport’s fastestgrowing disciplines and the biggest ramp used in competition.

This year, at the Utah Motorsports Campus, 10 of the world’s best FMX athletes lined up to take on FMX Best Trick. Competitors launched off a 15ft ramp with one goal in mind – to throw the biggest and best trick possible. Defending champion Pat Bowden impressed judges to win for the second year in a row.

Then came the Moto Quarterpipe, a gigantic mechanical quarterpipe that stood 32ft high and launched riders over 70ft from the ground.

Corey Creed set a new height record of 45ft, 7in.

In the Nitro Rallycross event, a favourite of the Games, six drivers lined up on the grid before hurtling round a course that included a 120ft jump. After six laps of trading paint, massive airs, and necessary joker laps, Kevin Hansen crossed the finish line first, with Patrik Sandell and brother Timmy Hansen close behind.

The 2020 event will take place over the bank holiday weekend on May 23-24. Ticket packages start at £45 for the weekend.