Brock Hoyer Captures the Gold Medal in the Winter X Games Snow BikeCross Race

6 Feb 2017

Brock Hoyer jumps at the Snow BikeCross at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado

Hoyer flies high in his Snow BikeCross X Games win

What do you get when you cross a modern motocross bike with a snowmobile? You get a fire-breathing, snow-roosting hybrid called a snow bike. When you take that snow bike and put it in the hands of a talented, K&N-sponsored motorcross racer at the inaugural Snow BikeCross race at the Winter X Games, you get a gold medal.

Brock Hoyer seized the top podium spot in the event held in Aspen, Colorado, in January. The Canadian outpaced American Colton Haaker and fellow Canadian Cody Matechuk who finished second and third, respectively. If the name Haaker sounds familiar, he was the champion of the 2016 EnduroCross series which K&N sponsors.

Brock Hoyer after the Snow BikeCross at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado

Hoyer has reason to smile after a dominating performance

Hoyer started the finals as the fastest qualifier. In the 30-lap main event, Hoyer won by a margin of more than 11 seconds. In a dominating performance, Hoyer took the lead early in the final and never relinquished his position.

Hoyer’s roots run deep in motocross. “My racing background is pro Canadian motocross," says Hoyer. “I’ve been racing pro since 2005.” For Snow BikeCross, it certainly doesn’t hurt that Hoyer’s homeland is the Great White North.

As to what the new sport really entails, Hoyer explains that it is truly a melding of two thrilling motorsports.

“Snow BikeCross is unique and challenging,” Hoyer says. “It's a totally different set up for the bike. It's a mix of two of the greatest sports, moto bike and sled. When you’re riding in the back country at 8000 feet and looking over the mountainscape, it's just breath-taking. It's God’s country.”

Brock Hoyer roosts at Snow BikeCross at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado

Snow bikes open up a new dimension in winter powersports

Technically, a snow bike is a motocrosser with a snowmobile-like track in place of the rear wheel. A unique rear suspension allows an impressive 20-inches of travel, and a special ski is fitted in place of the front wheel. This set-up creates a fast and nimble snow machine that allows for motorcycle-like leans and jumps.

Hoyer is convinced that the relatively new sport will not be just a flash in the pan. “What I see for the future of this sport - I think it's here to stay,” says Hoyer. “With back country riding and racing, I think it's just going to keep growing from here.”

Brock Hoyer at the checkered flag of the Snow BikeCross at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado

Hoyer celebrates the checkered flag with a high-flying finish

The popular X Games stage certainly doesn’t hurt the sport’s chances of gaining a foothold in the winter sports snowscape. When you combine that with the top-tier racing stars that Snow BikeCross is attracting, the future looks bright.

Hoyer is quick to turn the spotlight on K&N for being a key player in his success. “K&N filters have been great. They’re the only filters I trust in all my vehicles and work trucks,” says Hoyer. “I have been using the product for years. And it's the filter I choose for my race snow bike to make power on and off the track. Period.”

K&N congratulates Brock Hoyer on his Snow BikeCross gold medal performance at the Winter X Games.

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