X GAMES

Travis Pastrana breaks foot, ankle at X Games

Pastrana crashes while trying to pull off his "toilet paper roll" trick. It is unclear whether he'll be able to participate in other events over the weekend.

July 28, 2011|By Baxter Holmes

Travis Pastrana crashes while trying to perform his "toilet paper… (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles…)

It's a trick Travis Pastrana has been trying to land for years.

But Thursday at X Games 17 in downtown Los Angeles, the action sports star failed again and, worse, broke his right foot and ankle in the process, which puts into question his participation in other events this weekend.

His injury occurred during the Moto X Best Trick final when Pastrana crash-landed on a dirt ramp in Staples Center after trying to flip and spin his dirt bike 720 degrees in the air, a trick he calls a "toilet paper roll."

He had to be helped off the field and X-rays at a nearby hospital later revealed the injury.

It's unclear if he'll be able to participate in Moto X Freestyle on Friday night or in Sunday's Rally Car RallyCross event.

It's also unclear if Pastrana will be able to race in a NASCAR Nationwide Series event in Indianapolis event Saturday, as he was scheduled.

"I spent the last week at his place and spending time with him and his trainer, I realized how much time and effort he's put into that trick," said Josh Sheehan, who was the bronze medalist in the Moto X Best Trick event. "I'm really bummed for him because he had it so close."

Jackson Strong won gold medal in the event with the first front flip in its history.

His score of 95.66 was enough for him to edge Cameron Sinclair (94.66) and Sheehan (93.33).

baxter.holmes@latimes.com