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From legends to up-and-comers, X Games skateboarding and BMX has something for everyone

By Michelle Bruton

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 18: Paul-Luc Ronchetti of Great Britain competes during the Men's Skateboard Vert Qualifier at U.S. Bank Stadium on July 18, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 18: Paul-Luc Ronchetti of Great Britain competes during the Men's Skateboard Vert Qualifier at U.S. Bank Stadium on July 18, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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X Games Minneapolis 2018 kicks off on Thursday night with the skateboard and BMX vert finals. Both have plenty of excitement to offer — but which are you most hyped about tuning in to?

Rain threatened to delay the X Games BMX and skateboard vert finals on Thursday night, but the skies cleared in the late afternoon and, for now, both events are set to go off as planned.

The impending storms did push the qualifiers for both contests up to Wednesday evening, and the elimination was brutal. In skateboard vert, only 10 athletes advanced to the final, meaning a shocking elimination for nine-time medalist Elliott Sloan, among others.

We’ll break down every athlete competing in both events down below, but first, we want to hear from you. Which X Games event do you love the most — skateboarding or BMX?

Sorry, Moto X; we know that sport is a fan-favorite, as well, but today we’re only looking at things without motors.

Here’s the full list of athletes who advanced to the BMX vert final Thursday night:

  1. Dennis McCoy
  2. Douglas Oliveira
  3. Zach Newman
  4. Mykel Larrin
  5. Simon Tabron
  6. Coco Zurita
  7. Jamie Bestwick
  8. Vince Byron

Last year, in this same venue, Byron took home gold, Bestwick took silver and Zurita took bronze.

And here are the skaters who will be dropping into the halfpipe in the skateboard vert final:

  1. Andy Macdonald
  2. Paul-Luc Ronchetti
  3. Clay Kreiner
  4. Sandro Dias
  5. Bucky Lasek
  6. Jono Schwan
  7. Marcelo Bastos
  8. Mitchie Brusco
  9. Jimmy Wilkins
  10. Moto Shibata

In 2017, Shibata earned gold, while Wilkins took silver and Brusco took bronze.

All will look to defend their podium spots Thursday night.

The BMX and skateboarding action will continue Friday with the BMX dirt, BMX street, BMX best trick, BMX big air, skateboard street and skateboard park qualifiers and/or finals.

Let us know in the comments which BMX and skateboarding athletes you’re hoping earn a spot on the podium tonight.

Poll data provided exclusively for FanSided by The Tylt.

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