First-Time Evel Knievel Award Presented at Navy Moto X World Championships

By admin - Posted on April 10th, 2008

Most Outstanding Rider at the Inaugural Event Will Win Honor and a Custom Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

April 7, 2008 -- More than 85 of the world’s best motocross riders will compete in the debut of the Moto X World Championships, April 12-13 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif. Prize money and the title of Moto X Champion are up for grabs as well as the prestigious, first-time Evel Knievel Award and a custom Knievel Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

“ESPN is proud to bring the legacy of Evel Knievel to the Moto X World Championships,” said Rick Alessandri, managing director, X Games Franchise. “Evel did so much for the sport of motocross, and it is only fitting to have an award based on performance for his namesake at this new X event.”

Knievel – who was born Robert Craig Knievel but became known as Evel – was well-known for his exciting appeal and pioneering motocross feats. He started racing on a bicycle at an early age, around the hills of his hometown of Butte, Mont. His calling to ride motorcycles came years later, and Knievel eventually was considered a living superhero in the 1970s and beyond.

“Evel always viewed himself as the Godfather of the extreme sports genre, so it’s perfectly fitting that the Knievel Brand and the X Games are finally joining forces. I’m excited to present this award in Evel’s name to the most outstanding rider,” said Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, Knievel’s widow.

Freestyle motocross icon and Moto X World Championships competitor Brian Deegan, who holds the record for most Moto X medals at X Games with 10, said: “There really isn't anyone around today who is as hardcore as Evel Knievel was.”

During the Moto X Freestyle final Sunday at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN2, fans will be encouraged to cast a vote for Most Outstanding Rider via text messaging from a cell phone or logging on to www.expn.com. The winner will be announced after the final.

Steve Simon, a principal at the Prince Marketing Group, represented the Knievel family in helping to create this opportunity with the Moto X World Championships and ESPN.

The new annual event will feature the best Moto X riders in the world competing for the title of Moto X World Champion in a variety of disciplines, including Freestyle, SuperMoto, Speed & Style, Best Trick, Step Up and Moto X Racing. Eight hours of live coverage of the Moto X World Championships will be featured on ESPN and ESPN2 – all available in high definition. Extensive additional coverage will be provided via ESPN360.com and EXPN.com.

Information on all X Games events, including updated athletes lists, can be found at expn.com for fans.

Tickets for the Navy Moto X World Championships are available for $10, $20 and $25, with free pit access included in the $20 and $25 tickets. A military discount will be offered - $5 discount from a $25 ticket and $3 discount from a $20 ticket. The Moto X World Championship 24-hour Tailgate is available through ticketmaster.com as well. The two-day RV parking pass offers picnic tables, power, port-a-johns and a common area.

Source: ESPN

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