Watch the top three runs from the 2017 Red Bull X-Fighters

By Adam Simpson

THE 2017 Red Bull X-Fighters took place in the legendary Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas at the weekend and saw the world top FMX riders battle it out in the Bullring with jaw-dropping tricks that simply defied belief.

Kiwi Levi Sherwood shocked the fans and judges alike with an insane repertoire of new double backflip tricks that included nac-nac and no-handed variations to secure him the top spot ahead of Aussie Josh Sheehan and Japan's Taka Higashino in a nail-biting three-way final.

“The biggest weight is off my shoulders now”, Sherwood told Red Bull following the event. “This win feels so sweet! It is true, what they say: a win here counts more than any other and to feel that again is amazing.”

Heavy rain ahead of the contest played a factor, and a handful of the top guys missed their tricks, but Sherwood held it together to put down a perfect run. Riding a heavily customized KTM 250SX, the combination of Levi's gutsy, high consequence tricks and impeccable style made him a worthy winner in Madrid. It is without doubt that that Levi's run has upped the level of freestyle motocross once again, and shown that double backflips are now a staple part of a winning FMX run. What on earth will be next?