
X Gamings and freestyle motocross standout Axell Hodges on maturing on the borders of San Diego, The golden state and accompanying seven-time AMA Supercross Champ called Jeremy McGrath.
” I indicate when I was more youthful, Jeremy McGrath was every little thing,” grinned Hodges, that will certainly contend in this weekend break’s Summer season X Gamings Ventura 2024 at the Ventura Fairgrounds & & Occasions Facility. “I indicate, Jeremy McGrath– seven-time supercross champ, and he lived right below the road from me. So I intended to be a racer, and I intended to resemble Jeremy McGrath. I intended to obtain 8 supercross titles of my very own and be the brand-new king. That’s what I intended to be when I was a youngster.”
Very talented on a motocross bike, in addition to being a natural-born showoff, Hodges did come to be an international motocross feeling, albeit not one on a racetrack. Rather, he’s a freestyle motocross and freeride feeling with well north of 1.6 million Instagram fans, in addition to 12 X Gamings medals to his name.
Hodges is not just stired to reach Ventura to contend this weekend break, he is additionally anticipating associating the society of freestyle motocross and freeride professional athletes that he’s expanded near throughout his job.
” Yeah, I indicate we’re a lot of freeriders. I actually do not have that numerous competitors and occasions throughout the year, so the X Gamings are type of our time to radiate and obtain all of us with each other and see that can go the largest,” he states. “When we arrive, all of us appear to obtain with each other rather well. You see that has actually been doing things online, and when we’re with each other face to face, we have actually all obtained regard for each and every various other and we are all simply attempting to go the largest and attempt and feed off each various other. The power in between everybody is great.”
2024 will certainly note a go back to the X Gamings for Hodges, that chose to remain the 2023 X Gamings as a result of the unforeseen fatality of Hodges’ buddy and fellow activity sporting activities celebrity Rub Casey out at Hodges’ Slayground Motocross Park last June.
” This in 2014 has actually been a love/hate partnership with my motorcycle,” he stated. “After shedding your buddy doing something that’s your favored point worldwide to do was simply type of a hefty hit to me, and everybody around me. I do not recognize … I at some point began riding once more and considering that I have actually gotten on the bike, I have actually been transforming points around and sensation favorable and have actually simply been having a whole lot even more enjoyable once more and simply attempting to remain challenging. I indicate, riding motorcycle is a gnarly point to do and exaggerating points on them is insane. To have that occur with Rub in 2014 made me relax momentarily.”
Not long after Casey’s fatality, Hodges collapsed extremely while firing video clip product in the Imperial Desert of Southern The Golden State. Ruining his best thigh, Hodges was right away sent out right into recovery setting and a long recuperation.


” I want we had an additional month entering X Gamings,” stated Hodges. “Simply with my leg and things, and I’m not rather there. I had actually not determined that I was mosting likely to ride the X Gamings up until actually recently. I was simply attempting to ride to obtain my leg as solid as I can. I have actually been striking the QuarterPipe a whole lot and it has actually been really feeling respectable. I have actually simply type of been going at it in child actions. I’m simply doing every little thing I can to obtain my mind and head and right. I’m simply having a good time on my motorcycle. That’s the very first step. I’m stired to visit X Gamings and simply have a good time and see what I can do.”
A previous gold medal victor in Moto X QuarterPipe High Air, the technique will certainly be the only occasion Hodges will certainly align for in Ventura come this Sunday mid-day.
” I’m simply mosting likely to ride QuarterPipe High Air,” he stated. “They welcomed me for Finest Whip and QuarterPipe High Air. I was attempting my ideal to prepare for Finest Whip, yet simply with the percentage of time on the bike and with just how I have actually been really feeling, I simply do not seem like I exist yet. I do not intend to enter into something that I’m not planned for. I prefer to squander power on something that I am planned for, which’s QuarterPipe High Air. I have actually been really feeling great on the QuarterPipe. I’m a lot much better on the QuarterPipe than Finest Whip, so I’m mosting likely to enter there and simply type of put my primary concentrate on QuarterPipe.
” I intend to can be found in there and maintain my body and remain fresh for Sunday and simply attempt to obtain some large air. I’m really feeling great on QuarterPipe which’s type of my favored point to ride, as well. I really feel one of the most comfy with it.”
Can Hodges leave Ventura with an additional X Gamings medal curtained around his neck?
” Yeah, I’m wishing I can obtain an additional medal in QuarterPipe High Air,” he stated. “I have actually been trying out some brand-new configurations and attempting some brand-new points. I have actually been striking it tough and high. You never ever recognize up until arrive. Where I go to, I would certainly claim I have actually obtained an actually great base and I’m simply taking a look at getting involved in Ventura on Friday and proceeding with the weekend break and attempting to come to a head at the correct time and obtaining that large air.
” It’ll be actually challenging. Colby Raha is constantly there in the mix and he gets on that brand-new electrical bike, which is something brand-new for the sporting activity. They’re simply type of damaging that in, so it is mosting likely to interest see just how much pop you can obtain with that point and 85 horse power. It’s a while brand-new equipment. He’ll exist and in the battle. Corey Creed is mosting likely to exist. He’s constantly riding QuarterPipe a lot and he’s so great. He’s constantly in the mix. I have actually been riding a whole lot with Tyler Bereman. Me and him have actually simply been type of going neck and neck with it on a daily basis simply feeding off each various other and attempting to advance with each various other. I anticipate Bereman to be therein.
” Everybody in there is rather damn proficient at riding motorcycle, so I do not believe you can actually count any individual out. I’m not actually counting any individual out. I simply mosting likely to can be found in there turning. I intend to win, yet leading, I intend to have a good time. If I’m not having a good time, after that why do it?”