X Games: Ashley Fiolek and Jessica Patterson knocked out of Moto X

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A crash in practice prevented two-time defending gold medalist Ashley Fiolek (pictured at left) from holding onto her spot atop women’s Moto X Racing.

Her main rival then joined Fiolek on the sidelines in the elimination races. Jessica Patterson crashed on the fifth lap of her six-lap heat, ending her hopes of capitalizing on Fiolek’s absence.

Vicki Golden and Sara Price advanced from the first heat to the final, and Tarah Gieger and Livia Lancelot joined them from the second heat.

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Fiolek, 20, suffered a concussion during Saturday’s practice, but still hoped to compete. Doctors and her parents advised her against it, and the competition went on without her, presumably to Patterson’s benefit.

But Patterson appeared to injure her shoulder during her accident, and was helped off the track by a medical team.

Fiolek is well-known not just for her success on the track, but also for achieving it without hearing. She was born deaf and relies on her bike vibrations and shadows around her as she races.

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-- Douglas Farmer

/ Associated Press