From the beginning of the X Games Speed & Style heat, it was apparent that Mike Mason rode with the determination of someone who was hungry for gold. Eager to redeem himself of his second place performance in 2011, the Carson City, Nev. native refused to let anyone get in his way.

“I’m pumped on getting an X Games gold medal!  It was awesome going against Nate and Faisst back to back. Coming out on top makes me feel like I earned it,” said Mason, who was all smiles.

Nate Adams, who claimed gold the year before finished second behind Mason after losing a crucial opportunity to pass him on the inside.

“I had a chance to run him up high and I could have hit him.  I decided I was going to leave him a little room and then I lost traction.  If I could do it all over again, I probably would have ran him high, made some contact, and made a race out of it,” said Adams.

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Following the race, Moto X Supercross legend Jeremy McGrath gave Adams some advice. “You’re too nice, Nate, you should have ran him high and bumped him off the track. You can’t race your friends like they’re your friends.”

Adams went on to defend his decision to McGrath but soon relented. “Now, I know — it cost me a gold medal,” Adams said.

Rounding out the podium was Murrieta, Calif. native Ronnie Faisst who added a third Speed & Style bronze to his growing medal collection.