Motocross And X-Games Star Jayden Archer Dead At 27 After Losing Control Of His Bike
Freestyle Motocross and X-Games competitor Jayden "Jayo" Archer has died.
He was 27.
The popular Australian rider — known for being the first athlete to successfully land a triple backflip in competition — died on Wednesday while practicing the signature trick in his hometown of Melbourne.
The athlete was part of the Nitro Circus community, a sports media brand created by Travis Pastrana, a Nitro Rallycross and American Rally Association star, who confirmed his death.
Pastrana took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post sending condolences.
"Thank you for the memories, friend," he wrote. "Thank you for being such a great human and positive role model for all of us."
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"The Nitro Circus family is mourning the loss of Jayo Archer," they began. "Jayo was the epitome of passion, hard work & determination. He pushed what was possible on a dirt bike to heights never seen before. A positive influence to those around him. And above all else a great human being and friend to us all."
The comment section was riddled with broken hearts.
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A dedicated rider, Pastrana told ESPN that Archer would get up every morning at 4am to hit the gym before work to ride his bike. He stayed at his home while training in Maryland and was an "incredible role model to his kids."
When the two-time X-Games medalist became the first rider to land the triple flip in competition in November 2022 at Nitro World Games in Brisbane, saying, "I cannot describe this feeling."
"This is so much more than a trick to me. I've dedicated my entire life the last three years to this moment. There were a lot of obstacles and broken bones and knockouts, and I would do it 100 times over to relive that moment again," he said.
After the interview, he proposed to his then-girlfriend Beth King, who was standing nearby.
The couple was engaged to be married this year.
