Motocross star Jayden “Jayo” Archer — a two-time X Games medalist and the first person to land a triple backflip in competition — died this week after crashing during trick practice in Australia.
He was just 27 years old.
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Archer — a member of the renowned action sports group Nitro Circus — was reportedly attempting to recreate his famed upside-down move during drills in Melbourne on Wednesday … when he tragically lost control of his bike.
Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus’ co-founder, said in a statement to ESPN he was devastated to learn of the news.
“This really hit home,” the motocross legend said. “Jayo grew up in a time when action sports was at its biggest, and he always wanted to do the big stuff like the double and the triple, even though there weren’t a lot of places to showcase those bigger tricks.”
“He was a great human first,” Pastrana added, “a hard worker second and a bad motherf***er third.”
Archer first began racing for Nitro Circus when he was a teenager … but gained national notoriety in 2022 — when he became the first rider ever to hit a triple backflip at the Nitro World Games in Australia.
After the stunt, he proposed to his girlfriend, and she said yes. The two were reportedly set to get married this year.
“Jayo was the epitome of passion, hard work & determination,” Nitro Circus said in a post on its Instagram page. “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.”
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“Sending our thoughts and love to Jayo’s family and friends. We love you mate.”
“Ride in peace.”