MATT BUYTEN’S LAST STAND
While recognized as a solid Moto X freestyler, Matt Buyten is best known for his Step Up skills, backed by four X Games Step Up golds, including back-to-back in 2010-2011. When the pressure is on, Buyten digs deep and finds a way, even if it’s not pretty. His 17-attempt 2004 battle with Jeremy McGrath when his shoulder popped out of socket twice is now the stuff of X Games legend. This year, Matt Buyten returns to X Games Austin 2016 for what will be his final X Games appearance. Recently, photographer Chris Tedesco caught up with Buyten in training for his final Moto X Step Up battle in Austin.
EVERY MILLIMETER COUNTS
When the perfect Step Up setting is on the line, every millimeter counts. Here, mechanic Andrew Bauer measures the sag to set the suspension for Buyten to get the best drive and pop off of the lip. The angle of approach to the Step Up bar is impacted by suspension settings
HOLESHOTS COUNT
The holeshot in Step Up is just as, if not more important than the start of a Moto X race. For that right feel and drive out of the hole, Buyten experiments with different strength clutch plates and springs to find his optimal set up.
Chris Tedesco
THE LUCKY BIKE
Unlike his other competitors on 4-Strokes that use modern fuel-injected engines, Buyten prefers a carbureted engine from 2008. He did happen to win X Games gold on this bike in 2010 and 2011 in Los Angeles.
Chris Tedesco
CHAIN TENSION
Chain sag and length can effect how the bike launches and leaves the lip. Get it wrong, and your night in Austin will end with a trip straight into the crossbar.
LIP PREP
Lip prep is something Buyten has become accustomed to throughout his 14 X Games appearances. Austin will mark his 15th X Games appearance, and his last Moto X Step Up competition.
SETTING THE BAR HIGH
Matt Buyten is prepared to be sailing high over the bar like this in Austin.
Chris Tedesco
TEST RUNS
Mechanic Andrew Bauer goes over changes made to the 2008 Honda CRF450R between test runs to improve performance with Buyten.
Chris Tedesco
THE BUYTEN CREW
What you don’t normally see is the crew behind the scenes helping Buyten along the way. He couldn’t do it without all of their help and support.
Chris Tedesco
NOT FOR THE WEAK
Moto X Step Up is not for the weak. Falling straight down from over 40-feet in the air takes its toll on the body. While earning the silver medal in 2004, Buyten dislocated his shoulder twice in an epic 17-round fight against Jeremy McGrath.
Chris Tedesco
FIRED UP
After four gold, one silver, and two bronze X Games Medals, Buyten is motivated and fired up to compete for gold in his final X Games Moto X Step Up appearance.
Chris Tedesco
SKY IS THE LIMIT
Who knew the sky would be the limit for Matt Buyten? He emerged onto the X Games Moto X Step Up scene with a bang in 2003, earning a gold medal. He would then go on to battle 7-time Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath, beat the G.O.A.T, Ricky Carmichael, and create a rivalry that gave everyone something to cheer about with Ronnie Renner. For that, we thank you.
