Brady Baker

Q: 2023 has been an insane breakout year for you. Shortly after becoming a pro rider for both Dan’s Comp and Radio Bikes, you won your first pro contest at the BMX Triple Challenge in Nashville. That contest had some of the heaviest hitters in the game. How was that whole experience? Did you go in to it knowing you had the ability to win if you stuck your planned run, or was it a total shock to see yourself at the top of that insane leader board?

Getting the opportunity to ride in Monster Energy's BMX Triple Challenge series was a dream come true. After making it through to the finals in stop one, the top five in stop two, going into stop three I knew I had what it took to make the podium. The jumps in Nashville were bigger and scarier than the previous two stops but I didn't let that get to my head.

Before dropping into my winning run in the finals, I had a feeling that it was time to try a backflip triple tail-whip in my run which was a trick I had been working on daily in the foam pit. I had some good tunes rolling through my headphones and pulled it off perfectly. I stayed on the bike the rest of my run which secured my win. Getting my named called for the top spot of the podium didn't feel real. It is definitely a moment I'll never forget.

Q: Seemingly, winning that Triple Challenge put you on the map and got you an invite to the X-Games. Not only did you get an invite, you went in there as a rookie and took the gold in dirt! Similar question to before, but what were your expectations going in to the X-Games? Did winning the Triple Challenge give you the confidence to go in and plan to compete for the gold? Aside from your crash and injury in Park Best Trick, how was that whole X-Games experience?

I was flying back from a competition in France and for some reason I felt like buying a $20 flight WIFI pass so I could use Instagram. Once my WIFI turned on I got an email from X Games and thought it was just a promotion. Once I opened it up, I saw it was an invite to BMX Dirt. I couldn't believe it! Making it to the X Games had always been my biggest goal. Getting that invite meant everything to me.

Once I got back home to California, I immediately headed up to Woodward Tahoe to get as much training in as possible. Coming off my win at the BMX Triple Challenge definitely gave me confidence and it proved to myself that I could win.

Showing up to X Games for the first time was crazy. The way you are treated by the X Games staff and how amazing the athlete lounge was, it really did feel like I made it to the big stage. After practice going into the Dirt Elimination, I didn't have many nerves. I knew I had a lot to bring and felt great on the jumps in practice which led me to qualify First.

In the Dirt Finals I felt the same way and was just enjoying the moment of competing against my idols. I ended up clutching the win in the final run of the contest and was presented the gold medal. By far the best day of my life as I had been working for that moment the past 15 years!

Q: In the course of a little over a year, you became a pro rider and won an X-Games gold medal. What would 2020 or 2021 Brady think if you told him that? Was this the plan all along?

As kid my dream was always to become a Professional rider. If it happened or not, I still would be riding today. Every day I get on the bike is a blessing and getting the opportunity to live out my dream is something I'm so grateful for. Getting to the X Games was always a part of the plan but enjoying BMX as a whole has always been the priority.

Here is Brady's gold medal winning run from X-Games

Q: Do you have any plans or goals moving forward. Any certain dream tricks you want to get or any events you want to go to/win?

After the X Games I have been recovering from a broken collarbone. This has given me lots of time to think about my next move as far as BMX goes and I definitely have some big things planned. I have also been brainstorming on some tricks to bring to the table in the next events I compete in!

Q: Outside of BMX, what are you in to? Any hobbies, goals, interests not on two wheels?

Lately it seems like BMX has consumed most of my life which definitely is not a bad thing. LOL. When I'm not on the bike and I'm near the Ocean I'm always down to paddle out for a surf. If I'm up in Tahoe I love to get up for first chair on a bluebird day to snowboard or sometimes attempt to Ski which I'm definitely not talented at.

Be sure to follow Brady on Instagram to keep up with his accomplishments and ever-growing bag of tricks.