Jamie Bestwick
In 1999, Jamie Bestwick risked it all and quit an amazing job in the aerospace industry to move to the U.S. to pursue his dream of a career in BMX. Less than a year in later, Jamie nabbed a gold medal in Vert at the X Games. The following year he won the 2001 Gravity Games gold. In 2003, after some downtime for injuries, Jamie worked harder than ever, and, with the help of his wife Kerry and some great support from Woodward Camp, recaptured the X Games gold and the Global X Games gold.
In 2004, he went on to claim the Gravity Games gold, as well. Just this summer he won Vert gold and Best Trick gold, pulling off the first-ever double tailwhip flair for they eyeballs of the world to witness.Obviously, Jamie shines in comps; he can ride dirt, street and park like no ones business—but vert is his forte. He uses every inch of the ramp and wastes no opportunities for more speed or height, hitting back-to-back tricks on every wall and flawlessly executing some of the most innovative, stylish and original tricks in the book.
“I’m a bit of a perfectionist in everything I do,” says Jamie “whether it's a banger or not. To be honest, the tricks that people consider ‘bangers’ are not always hard for me to do. It's sometimes the trick that people are quick to overlook that was the banger for me. But the bangers aren’t worth all the attention to me. Individuality impresses me, when someone's not afraid to let their own style be shown, even if it is to the ridicule of others. Being able to break away from the norm is always impressive. Big tricks will always wow the crowds and riders and they rightfully should, but for me there's a lot more to it than that.”
Jamie also enjoys photography and his Star Wars collection.
Jamie at the 2007 X Games
HOMETOWN: Nottingham England, Robin Hood and all that!
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To be able to go back and forth through time.
Do you have any phobias?
Not really into spiders and Crawlythings
What’s the funniest or most ridiculous rumor you’ve everheard or read about yourself?
ThatI am really good looking with a cute accent and that I look like Mel Gibson inhis prime!
Last trick you learned?
Turndown 720’s
If you could do one thing to change the world right now,what would it be?
Fix the hole in the Ozone layer.
What’s the last book you read?
The Advanced Ridingtechniques of Motorcycle racing.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened toyou?
I had a bogie fly out my nose when I was being interviewed after a contestby ESPN.
What’s a TV show you watch that’s embarrassing to admit to?
YoGabba Gabba, Actually I am not embarrassed it is a wild show, I got my son intoit!
Favorite place to travel?
Bondi Beach Sydney, Australia
Worst travel experience ever?
Hitting a storm in a PropPlane on way to X Games changed my outlook on flying forever.
Worst advice anyone’s ever given you?
“ I think you shouldkeep your money where it is right now”
Stupidest thing you ever wasted your money on?
$1 on the newSaw movie, it was a complete waste of my time; I could have gone snowboardinginstead!
Who do you call/text the most on your Boost phone?
TheMissus, Or The Agent I sometimes thinks they are one of the same, as they arealways taking my cash! HA HA
Sponsors?
Boost Mobile, Monster Energy, Etnies, Levis,Toyota, Bell, System Cycle and Alpinestars, JBFC
Where are you from and where do you live now?
From Englandbut live in State College PA USA
Before this career, what did you want to be when you grewup?
Fireman or a chef, I was the only guy in a cookery class full of women.
What do you want to do after?
After what! Someone told me weare all doomed after 2012 anyhow! But I like the idea of racing sport bikesaround tracks!
Any last words?
Every morning when you crawl out of bed tellyourself that today is going to be a great day!
What’s your sign?
Cancer the crab!
MySpace or Facebook page?
Been to busy snowboarding to evengo there!