After ESPYs, X Games marks spot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LCcEHeJsm0

LOS ANGELES — On July 13, athletes from across the world joined ESPN here for the 2011 ESPY Awards.

The L.A. Live entertainment complex was buzzing with celebrities strutting their stuff along the red carpet and enjoying their nights off to watch the show.

Then, Moto X star Ashley Fiolek was walking the red carpet as an ESPYs Best Female Action Sports Athlete nominee.

Two weeks later, Fiolek and many other action sports athletes will take over the same venue — which is now vastly transformed — to compete in the X Games 17.

Running Thursday through Sunday, the competitions will include Moto X, BMX, Skateboarding and Rally Car disciplines.

Fiolek, a two-time X Games gold medalist in Women’s Moto X, will be vying for the rare “three-peat” in the Staples Center.

Fiolek said that transitioning from “party mode” to “game mode” in a short time can be challenging.

“Yeah, it is a little bit strange. The ESPYs are right in the middle of my racing season, so the day after the party I had to fly to Minnesota for a race and then fly back out here to practice for X Games,” she said.

“It is crazy but fun.”

Even though the Moto X venue has moved from the Los Angeles Coliseum to indoors at the Staples Center, Fiolek relishes competing in downtown Los Angeles.

“So many fans and people show up, and it is always a crazy, fun time,” said Fiolek. “Everyone is smiling and having a blast, me included.”

Catch Ashley on ESPN2, ESPN 3D, and ESPN3.com in the Racing Women’s Final televised Saturday at 9:45 p.m. PT and the Enduro X Women’s Final televised Sunday at 10:30 ET.

Note: ESPN will televise 25 hours of live HD programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC. ESPN3.com will carry 29 total hours of coverage, including more than six hours of exclusive coverage.

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