Jayden Archer, also known as Jayo, was a freestyle motocross athlete who made history by being the first rider to land a triple backflip in competition. He died on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, while practicing the same trick in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia. He was 27 years old.
A Passion for Pushing the Limits
Archer was born in Melbourne in 1997 and grew up with a passion for dirt bikes and action sports. He started riding at the age of four and competed in his first motocross race at the age of six. He soon developed a talent for freestyle motocross, a discipline that involves performing aerial stunts and tricks on a motorcycle.
Archer was inspired by the likes of Travis Pastrana, the founder of Nitro Circus, a media brand and live show that showcases extreme sports. He joined the Nitro Circus crew in 2019 and became one of their star performers. He was known for his fearless attitude and his desire to push the boundaries of what was possible on a bike.
The Triple Backflip: A Dream Come True
One of Archer’s biggest dreams was to land a triple backflip, a trick that involves rotating the bike three times in the air before landing. Only two other riders in the world had ever achieved this feat: Josh Sheehan in 2015 and Harry Bink in 2018. Both of them did it on a specially designed ramp and landing area.
Archer wanted to do it on a regular dirt ramp, which was much more difficult and dangerous. He spent months training and practicing the trick, using a foam pit and an airbag to cushion his falls. He finally nailed it in November 2022, during the Nitro World Games in Brisbane, Australia. He won the gold medal in the Best Trick category and made history as the first rider to land a triple backflip in competition.
The moment was captured on video and went viral on social media, earning him praise and admiration from fans and fellow riders. Archer said it was the best feeling of his life and dedicated the trick to his fiancee, Beth King, who was watching from the stands.
A Tragic End to a Brilliant Career
Archer continued to perform the triple backflip in Nitro Circus shows and other events, thrilling the crowds with his skill and courage. He was widely regarded as one of the best freestyle motocross riders in the world and a legend in the sport.
However, his quest for perfection also came with a high risk of injury and death. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, Archer was practicing the triple backflip at a private facility in Melbourne, when he lost control of his bike and crashed. He suffered severe head and spinal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The news of his death shocked and saddened the motocross community and the action sports world. Many of his friends and colleagues paid tribute to him on social media, remembering him as a great human being, a role model, and a pioneer. Ricky Melnik, the senior vice president and general manager of Nitro Circus, said Archer was a “beast on the bike and a gentle giant off it”. Pastrana, the founder of Nitro Circus, said Archer was an “incredible role model” to his kids and a “true legend” of the sport.
Archer is survived by his fiancee, Beth King, his parents, and his two brothers.
