Tom Pages took the opening victory of the 2013 Red Bull X-Fighters series. Image: Red Bull.

In front of 38,000 fans, Tom Pages won the opening round of the 2013 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour with a thrilling FMX performance in Mexico City, edging out Spaniard Dany Torres in an action-packed final.

Returning to the famous Mexico City venue for the first time since 2010, 11 of the world’s best riders completed laid down their best runs for a shot at the season opening win.

At an altitude of 2,240 meters, Mexico City’s thin air robbed the engines of horsepower and forced the riders in the world’s most prestigious FMX tour to make adjustments – adding yet another technical element to the event.

Defending tour champion Levi Sherwood of New Zealand took third place inside the Monumental Plaza de Toros bullring behind Pages and Torres.

It was the second career victory for Pages and an emotional triumph for the Frenchman, who was wearing a jersey with the Eigo Sato’s name on it as a tribute to the Japanese FMX athlete who sustained fatal injuries in a training accident last month in Japan.

Australia’s Rob Adelberg took a strong fourth place finish, with fellow Australian and former Red Bull X-Fighters winner Josh Sheehan following closely in fifth. Truman Caroll rounded out the Aussie assualt with an eighth place overall finish.

The 2013 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour will now move to its second stop in Dubai on 12 April.

Click here for detailed results