Mike Jones (motocross rider)

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Mike Jones
Personal information
Full nameMichael Jones
Nickname"Mad" Mike Jones
Born (1966-02-28) February 28, 1966 (age 58)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. [1]
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight182 lb (83 kg)
SpouseChristine Jones
Children1
Sport
Sport Freestyle motocross (FMX), Freeride Mountain biking
Event(s) X Games, Gravity Games, Red Bull X-Fighters
Medal record
Winter X Games
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2001 VermontMoto X Big Air
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2002 AspenMoto X Big Air

Michael Jones (born February 28, 1966) is an American freestyle motocross competitor with over 35 years of professional rider experience. He started his motorcycle racing career in 1972 [2] [1] aged six. Continuing to race up until his last Fastcross in Italy 2000, he became increasingly involved in the emerging sport of Freestyle Motocross, performing half-time jump shows at football games as early as 1987. He is attributed as being "one of the founding fathers of the sport of freestyle motocross" and became known as "Mad" Mike Jones after an Italian promoter described his stunts as "Mad" and "the name stuck". [3] He has appeared in numerous movies, including Crusty Demons and Eight Legged Freaks , and also goes around North American schools to share about his experience.

Contents

Early life

Jones was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 28, 1966. [1]

Career highlights

"Mad" Mike is the 1998 World Freestyle Motocross Champion. In 2001, he was the first ever to win the Red Bull X-Fighters competition. "Mad" Mike is the 4 time German Supercross Champion.

Trick development

Jones is attributed to being co-inventor of the trick "Kiss of Death" along with Ryan Leyba. The trick was developed by the two riders at Manny's yard in Elsinore. He went on to use this trick at Winter X Games Vermont, where Jones achieved a gold medal. [4] He also claims in an interview that he invented the "Coffin", the no-handed landing, and various trick combinations including "Kiss of death Indian" and "Heal Clicker Nothing". [3]

Media appearances

Music

Jones likes nu- and alternative metal. He has released the compilation album Mad Mike Presents: Mototrax, Vol. 1.

Events

X Games competition history

YEARX GAMESEVENTSRANKMEDAL
1999Summer X Games VMoto X Freestyle4th
2000Summer X Games VIMoto X Freestyle5th
2001Winter X Games VMoto X Big Air1st Gold medal blank.svg
2001Summer X Games VIIMoto X Freestyle5th
2001Summer X Games VIIMoto X Step Up14th
2001Summer X Games VIIMoto X Big Air
2002Winter X Games VIMoto X Big Air2nd Silver medal blank.svg
2002Summer X Games VIIIMoto X Freestyle
2002Summer X Games VIIIMoto X Big Air10th
2003Summer X Games IXMoto X Big Air12th

Gravity Games

YEARGRAVITY GAMESLOCATIONEVENTSRANKMEDAL
2000Gravity Games IIProvidence, Rhode IslandMoto X Freestyle7th
2001Gravity Games IIIProvidence, Rhode IslandMoto X Freestyle10th

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "L&H Tour to Honor Jones at Steel City". racerxonline.com. August 28, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  2. ↑ Dirt rider online: http://www.dirtrider.com/community/staff-blogs/tonight-s-show-ricky-carmichael-mad-mike-jones-other-pit-pass-radio-guests
  3. 1 2 "Mad" Mike Jones profile - FMX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZByT6XYjI
  4. ↑ 'Freestyle Motorcross 2: Air Sickness' Garth Millan, MBI publishing, 2002.
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