Mike Brown Claims X Games Gold

[caption id="attachment_13893" align="alignright" width="200"] Mike Brown grabbed the holeshot and never surrendered his lead - Photo: Drew Ruiz[/caption]

The 2011 AMA GEICO Powersports EnduroCross series stopped in Los Angeles for its annual round during the X Games, and 40-year-old Mike Brown walked away with the gold medal, reports ESPN.

Brown had never won an EnduroCross race going into the competition, and most fans' eyes were on Taddy Blazusiak, the current points leader in the series and the consensus best in the sport. Blazusiak went all of 2011 without losing a single race. After a third-place finish in the 2012 opener, Blazusiak has continued his winning ways, making him the heavy favorite for X Games Gold.

But it was not to be. Blazusiak struggled mightily out of the gate, and coming around the first turn he was in dead last. The rider fought back throughout the race, but ultimately couldn't get to the front and settled for fourth.

That opened the door for other riders to compete for medals in the event. Brown grabbed the holeshot and never surrendered his lead, but there was certainly drama on the final lap when he crashed on a rock section. Brown quickly recovered and was able to cross the finish line before Cody Webb caught up to him. Cory Graffunder held off Blazusiak to claim his bronze medal.