Australian rider Jackson Strong fits perfectly into the matrix we know from Down Under. Like Robbie Maddison, Blake Williams and Cameron Sinclair, the Metal Mulisha rider grew up in a small remote town and made a name for himself on the international freestyle motocross scene through his gnarly tricks and hardcore style.

Strong is a typical Aussie and is tough as nails when it comes to pulling big stuff on the bike. In 2010 he became the first rider in the world to land an 85-foot front flip to dirt when riding on the Crusty Tour. Indeed, it was riding the Crusty Tour from the tender age of 14 that made him a star in his native Australia. But when Brian Deegan called him up to become a part of the notorious Metal Mulisha Army he has had the fire in his belly to step it up a level and become a major player on the international FMX scene.

With two Best Trick X-Games Gold Medals in the last two years Strong proved that he is capable of coming up with big innovative tricks, so it should be more then interesting to see those in a full Freestyle run. The judges honored his innovative spirit and offered him a wildcard for the 2012 tour final in Sydney. As from many experts expected, he did not disappoint. Throwing down massive front flips and other big tricks with Aussie panache, he got the had the big home crowd up on their feet cheering wildly.

With an impressive 4th place on Cockatoo Island, the KTM rider proved once again that he is anything but a one-trick wonder and should be seen more often on the tour.