SAN FRANCISCO -- Trevor Meyer had won every gold medal ever contested at the X Games in Bike Stunt Flatland. In Sunday's final, though, he was not only upset for the gold by Finland's Martti Kuoppa, he also finished out of the medals entirely, placing fourth. The result, however, has generated controversy that may lead the winningest flatland rider of all-time to consider retiring.

The consensus of some riders and spectators is that the results are puzzling. Meyer, himself, is questioning the scores and the motivation of the judges.

"I pretty much touched (the ground) once," said Meyer. "I was happy with how I rode, unfortunately the judges didn't like it. I feel like the judges want to keep seeing new faces in there and they want to kind of edge me out or something. I don't know," he laughs. "Maybe I'm just not wanted anymore."

Meyer's first run score of 93.00 placed him second behind Kuoppa. Both riders had clean first runs but many of the riders who were not in the finals felt that Kuoppa scored higher doing less technical tricks. The second run was even more dramatic. Meyer dabbed once during a routine in which he strung together very difficult, technical tricks. Kuoppa, at one point, fell completely off his bike yet improved on his first run score by posting a 95.60.

Meyer admits that the tricks Kuoppa pulled were difficult, but points to Kuoppa's gaffe as evidence of the judges' inconsistency.

"I really don't think the guys that placed above me rode much better than I did. I saw Martti fall totally, laying on the ground on top of his bike. I didn't mess up like that. Sure he hit some hard stuff but everybody hit some hard stuff. I really don't know what the judges were looking for."

Meyer's disappointment was obvious as he discussed how this might affect his future at flatland competitions. The seven-time BS Series champion says this is not the first time he's felt this way about judging at events and might consider retiring from competition.

"Actually, it's been happening a lot lately. It makes me just want to even not enter contests. I'm just down to that point right now."

Meyer is ostensibly still at the top of his game and could compete at a very high level for years to come. But the vagaries of the scoring system have left him with a feeling that he may be too old and low-key in a world that pushes youth and hype. His extensive list of accomplishments may be enough to let him walk away from the sport he dominated for so long with an untroubled mind.

"I know I've got a lot of fans but I've [won] seven belts, three gold medals, you know, I'm happy. Maybe it's time to move on to something else."

Michael Steingraber of Germany won the silver medal with a score of 94.80 and Phil Dolan of Great Britain took the bronze. Neither were among the favorites to finish on the podium.

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