Hansen works to defend his crown

For most of the Moto X Super X final race, it appeared there would be a new champion, as the former champ Josh Hansen trailed behind in the middle of the pack.

But Hansen, a Newport Beach resident, remained determined in X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center Saturday. One by one he started passing others until he reached Kevin Windham, who had the look of a new champ through most of the race.

With eight laps to go, Hansen, on his Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki, surpassed Windham and never looked back, securing his second straight X Games championship in the Moto X Super X.

“It was really exciting,” Hansen said of winning the final 20-lap race. “It wasn’t like it was handed to me. I had to come from behind. I started in sixth ... It wasn’t an easy race. It was something I had to work for. I felt like I earned it.”

The 25-year-old believed he had a good chance to repeat entering the race, but left the X Games even more confident about his riding. As he continues to train and practice, it will all be a build-up toward the U.S. Open of Motocross Oct. 9-11 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He will be vying for the grand prize of $100,000.

Money is just part of doing what Hansen loves. It’s been that way since he moved out and tried for his career at age 16. When he was 9, he started racing, having a strong desire to be like his father, Donnie, who also raced on a motorcycle and was a national champion.

This past week, Hansen was part of a “surfer-cross” event. Most of the time, the racing scene can be like an extreme sports party.

“I’m just doing fun stuff,” Hansen said. “It’s just a lot of fun being out there with friends. It’s cool.”

He knows being on top at the U.S. Open would be very cool.