X-Fighters next battle in Brazil

Bernard PERERA

The round one of the 2011 Red Bull X-Fighters ended on a grand note in the desert city of Dubai with its head of state in attendance for this first ever X-Fighters World Series show to come to this city. It was a day for Spain's Dany Torres to remember as it was he who thrilled the jam packed stadium on this day with his dare devil tricks that out rode all other favorites.

Torres who was ranked fourth along with USA's Nate Adams the champion, Australia's Robbie Maddison and New Zealand's young Levi Sherwood created new tricks through out to out do the others in the fray to grab honors from from round one to make things easy for them in the future rounds to be held in the Brazil, Spain, Italy, Poland and Australia.

But he was placed seventh in the qualifying round in Dubai and did well in the quarter final and the semi final to reach the final here.

The winner in the round one Torres said after his win that it was a great day for to start the championship trail on a winning note. This also is very special for me this is the first event to be held here in Dubai which I think will written gold letters said the champion.

He further added that it was great to ride along with top ranked riders and also to compete with the champion who was on a high powered machine. All riders participated did their best on this circuit and it was highly encouraging to compete along with them as the event was a challenging one.

Andre Villa the rider from Norway was a close second to Torres and the reigning champion for two years finished as the second runner up here but vowed to make a strong come back in the next rounds.

Villa the Norwegian also of the view that with his performance that he could pose a threat to the top rider in the coming events and hope to reach podium.

Torres who have been the champion past two years was riding a Honda CRF 250cc and has switched to a new machine for this year's competition and this will be a big challenge for other riders.

He is sure to make a strong bid once he gets used to the new machine the Honda CRF 450cc.