Jayden “Jayo” Archer, a prominent motocross star and X Games medalist, recently passed away at the age of 27. Archer met his untimely demise on the morning of February 21, 2024 while practicing a triple backflip in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia, leaving the motocross world in shock.
Nitro Circus, the action sports collective to which Archer belonged, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Instagram. In a statement, they expressed their grief, remembering Jayo as a figure of passion, hard work, and determination. They highlighted his groundbreaking contributions to dirt biking, pushing the limits to unseen heights and serving as a positive influence to those around him.
“The Nitro Circus family is mourning the loss of Jayo Archer. Jayo was the epitome of passion, hard work & determination. 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,” the statement read.
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Archer’s journey in Nitro Circus began as an assistant mechanic before he transitioned to performing in shows in 2012. His dedication and prowess in motocross were evident when he became one of only three riders to successfully execute the triple backflip in November 2022 at the Nitro World Games.
In an interview following this groundbreaking feat, Archer shared, “I cannot describe this feeling. This is so much more than a competition and a trick to me. I’ve dedicated my whole life for the last three years doing this.” His journey involved overcoming numerous obstacles, broken bones, and knockouts, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his craft.
The motocross star’s achievements extended beyond the arena, as he proposed to his girlfriend, Beth King, immediately after his historic triple backflip. The couple was set to tie the knot later this year, adding a personal touch to the triumph.
Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus co-founder, reflected on Jayo’s impact, stating, “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.” Pastrana emphasized Jayo’s commitment to his sport, describing him as a great human first, a hard worker second, and a true pioneer in motocross.
Archer’s legacy includes winning the bronze medal in the MTX Best Trick category at the 2023 X Games California and a sixth-place finish in the same category at the 2021 X Games. His last performance was a triple backflip during a Nitro Circus Live Show in Jay, Oklahoma, in June 2023.
To hear more about his death, check out the video below.
How do you think Jayden Archer’s groundbreaking achievements will be remembered in the motocross community?
