Octuple backflip

From Johansson's 540 to Rebeaud's Superman Indy: a review of eight Red Bull X-Fighters highlights of 2008.

Trick of the year

At the Best Trick Contest in Madrid, Fredrick Johansson impressed the crowd and judges with a sideways rotation of one and a half twists around his axis, the "540 for the Quarterpipe" – the trick of the year not just for Head Judge Andy Bell.

Comeback of the year

Three years after his first Red Bull X-Fighters podiums and two and a half years after his heavy crash in 2006, Jeremy Stenberg pulled off the surprise of the season. In Rio de Janeiro "Twitch" brought both his rehab and Mat Rebeaud's winning streak to an end with his first Red Bull X-Fighters win.

Photo of the year

The Red Bull X-Fighters photo of the year (right) was also taken in Rio: local Brazilian hero Gilmar "Joaninha" Flores realised quite rightly that in a job like his, a little help from above can't do any harm.

Battle of the year

In Fort Worth Mat Rebeaud risked his neck and overall victory in a straight fight with Jeremy Stenberg. On his last jump in the final, the Swiss star attempted a particularly borderline trick, a Backflip Superman Indy on the 115ft over the Quarterpipe. And pulled it off: Twitch was left to offer his congratulations on the win.

Crowning moment of the year

In Wuppertal Mat Rebeaud sealed early overall victory for 2008. By this time he had racked up 480 points – only 20 fewer than the theoretically possible maximum.

Swan song of the year

On September 6, the Red Bull X-Fighters lifted the monumental X-Lecia Stadium in Warsaw from its 25-year slumber in order to help the former socialist landmark make a dignified exit. The old stadium has to make way for a new one for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship.

Guest appearance of the year

There was another monument to behold in Warsaw: at the Super Session, FMX superstar Travis Pastrana announced his temporary retirement from retirement, winning the team event together with Ronnie Renner and Thomas Pages.

Misjudgement of the year

Top of the individual rankings was Dany Torres, who was one of only two riders able to beat Rebeaud in 2008. However, back in spring Travis Pastrana had predicted that there would be a lot more to come from him: "He'll be my successor and will be unbeatable in 2008," he had prophesied.