January 27, 2017 – Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck’s Tucker Hibbert finished fourth in the Snocross event at X Games Aspen 2017, breaking a gold medal streak he’s held since 2007. The 14-time medalist was fast in practice and qualifying but came up short in the final.
Typically known for its big-air, technical snocross tracks, X Games featured a short track this year with lap times hovering around the 19-second mark. Throughout the race day, the track developed into an icy, one-line course making the holeshot even more critical for a top finish.
In Hibbert’s qualifying race, pileups off the start in the tight, right-hand first corner caused officials to restart the race twice. On the third start, Hibbert was third off the line. In lap six of 15, he made the pass for second and held that position to the end of the race.
In the eight-rider final, Hibbert got a solid jump off the line and made it through the first corner clean to round lap one in fourth place. He pushed hard for 30 laps, looking for a line but struggled to find an option for a clean pass to finish the race where he started, in fourth.
Next up for Hibbert is the fifth stop of the ISOC National Snocross tour in Salamanca, New York. For more information on his schedule, visit tucker-hibbert.com.
Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck
On his results at X Games 2017:
“I’m proud of all the hard work my team and myself put into this event but disappointed in how it ended. Winning at X Games is always a top priority for us.”
“I felt I was riding good but didn’t get great starts which made it really difficult to get the win. It was definitely disappointing to have a really small, easy racetrack compared to previous years at X Games. The short, tight start caused a lot of chaos and pretty much determined the race. Obviously, I had the same opportunity to get a better start and to win the race but it didn’t work out that way. I’m putting this one behind me and focused on the rest of the season.”
Tucker Hibbert – X Games Aspen Snocross 2017 Results
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Qualifying: 2nd
Final: 4th
Tucker Hibbert – X Games Snocross History
17th Appearance at X Games
2017: Fourth
2016: Gold
2015: Gold
2014: Gold
2013: Gold
2011: Gold
2010: Gold
2009: Gold
2008: Gold
2007: Gold
2006: DNQ
2005: Silver
2004: Silver
2003: Bronze
2002: Silver
2001: DNF
2000: Gold
Note: In 2012, Snocross was not contested at X Games.
Fast Facts
• Hometown: Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
• 10-Time National Snocross Champion – 124 Pro National Wins
• 14-Time X Games Medalist
• 2012 and 2010 FIM Snowcross World Champion
Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • facebook.com/tuckerhibbert • xgames.com
Photo John Hanson