Stone Edler's inspirational fight for success in Motocross

Eighteeen-year-old Stone Edler is a tough kid. No way around it. Despite suffering numerous injuries and broken bones, and despite having had to overcome

Morgan Wolf | Aug 19, 2014

Stone Edler's inspirational fight for success in Motocross /

Eighteeen-year-old Stone Edler is a tough kid. No way around it. Despite suffering numerous injuries and broken bones, and despite having had to overcome Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 16, Stone still gets up every morning and embraces his role as a motocross rider. Perhaps this is why his father, Lance, says he’s “completely nuts.” Lance likes to say, “I don’t think you can really be all there to be a motocross rider,” so maybe being off your rocker is a good thing.

Edler started riding bikes when he was just five years old. Immediately, it was obvious that the “crazy gene” was in his blood. He broke his femur, the largest bone in the body, at age seven. That was only the beginning of a grocery list’s worth of injuries that includes broken collarbones, a broken tibia and fibula (at the same time), as well as broken wrists. To top it all off, Edler has knocked out teeth, broken his humerus (requiring a rod insertion for stability) and crushed three vertebrae.

At this point, Edler says that getting these injuries is “pretty routine,” and that he doesn’t cry when he gets hurt. However, Edler does cry when he hears that he can’t compete. He says, “I don’t cry, at least not until that part [when he finds out that injuries will keep him out of a competition].”

Still, the fact that the injuries are “pretty routine,” combined with the boundless drive Edler has, means that they’ve never held him back. In fact, he has already been compared with the likes of Travis Pastrana and Jeremy McGrath—two men whom Edler has always idolized—and says “it’s a dream come true” even to be mentioned in the same sentence as them.

Such comparisons are why many experts in the sport are saying that he could be one of the greatest—maybe even the greatest—of all time.

Edler might say that it’s crazy that he’s compared with them, but he completely deserves the praise. He has won numerous junior championships, and going pro now is simply the next logical step. To name just a few of his titles, he won the World Mini at Las Vegas in 2008, a championship at the Ponca City Nationals in the same year, and the Daytona AMA National in 2010. But all of Edler's accomplishments pale in comparison to the disease he overcame.

Racing the Red Bull Mini Drome with New York City's top bike messengers

In February 2012, Edler returned from the Spring Nationals in Texas complaining of chronic fatigue. Subsequent blood work found an iron deficiency in his bloodstream, but that was quickly written off as a routine problem because several other junior riders at his training facility were having the same problem.

Fast forward two months or so and everybody’s iron levels are back to normal at the training facility… except for Edler's. Doctors couldn’t determine a cause, so it was dismissed as a non-factor. In retrospect, it turned out to be a huge warning sign that was evidence of cancer.

In July 2012, Stone was practicing at the training facility when he went off a jump and crashed. Normally when Edler crashes, one of two things happen: Either he gets up and he’s fine or he’s broken another bone. This time, it was the latter of the two. He broke his orbital bone. But he was also spitting up blood, something that had never happened before. His trainers figured there was some internal bleeding, so he was sent to a local hospital and given an MRI. It seemed like a routine process, but it was one that would change his life.

Comparisons of Edler's two MRIs. — Comparisons of Edler's two MRIs / Stone Edler

Above is a picture of two of Edler’s MRIs. The first one (bottom) shows an 11.5 centimeter long white mass (the tumor) taking over his right lung and pressing against his windpipe. The second one (top) shows a significantly smaller growth after his first 21-day cycle of chemotherapy.

Eight months later, Edler’s chemotherapy and radiation treatments were complete and the hospital released him. He says it’s in remission with no remaining side-effects.

It’s well known that chemotherapy and radiation treatments are no laughing matter. They sap you of energy to the point that something as simple as smiling becomes a chore.

Since chemotherapy and radiation treatments are exhausting, most people don’t try to exert themselves too much until after a few weeks have passed following the treatment. With Edler, the exact opposite happened. He says that he went back to the training facility literally two days after being released. That was unorthodox, to say the least—especially considering that Edler says he had problems with his organs, mainly his liver, during the first four months after treatment.

A Day in the Life: Motocross Racer James Stewart

James Stewart Jr., also known as Bubba, began riding motocross professionally at the age of 16, but has literally grown up on a bike. Stewart was named AMA Rookie of the Year in 2002 and since then has racked up almost 100 wins. For a look into the wild world of motocross check out Stewart’s Instagram @therealjs7.

According to Edler, he would take in lots of water and, because his liver function wasn’t back up to speed, the water wouldn’t be processed by the organ and would just stay in the body, causing widespread swelling. However, despite the pain and discomfort that he experienced, Edler says that he was “passionate and dedicated” about getting back to the sport he missed so much while being treated for Hodgkin’s.

Father and son spoke about how, after the younger Edler’s release from the hospital, Lance decided to hang out with Stone by racing with him, just for fun. However, in classic Stone Edler fashion, his competitiveness was still very high, and, as Lance says, “He tried to run me off the road.” This might seem a bit much, but Stone simply says that he was showing his dad some “tough love.”

Fast forward to the present and Edler still is racking up injuries like before, and just like before, that doesn’t stop him. He just competed in Loretta Lynn’s famed 2014 Amateur Motocross Championships in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. The event is five days long and is the most prestigious tournament in amateur motocross. That said, after years of being frustrated by injuries and dealing with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stone finally won the event, taking first in the College B/C (ages 16-24).

He now follows in the tiretracks of such stars as Travis Pastrana and Jeremy McGrath. Not only will he be mentioned in the same sentence as them, he is there to stay.

Renderings of the Moto-9 carbon custom-fit helmet designed for Edler. — Renderings of the Moto-9 carbon custom-fit helmet designed for Edler / Stone Edler

Within the next couple of weeks, Edler will be flying to Scotts Valley, Calif., where one of his sponsors, Bell Helmets, is headquartered. Bell will be giving him something called a Moto-9 Carbon custom-fit scan. This is a new technology developed by the scientists at Bell, who will measure the unique contours of Edler’s head to give him a custom helmet that will fit only him. Normally, only elite riders get to go through this innovative process, so the fact that a non-pro is getting this special helmet underscores the expectations that major sponsors like Bell Helmets have for Edler.

The helmet itself represents a huge step forward in the field of concussion prevention and it’ll keep Edler from breaking his head, which is just about the only part of his body he hasn’t broken. (Edler laughs when he hears this.)

Before hanging up, Edler answers one last question: “Can anything stop Stone Edler from becoming the next great motocross rider?” With no hesitation, he replies, simply, “Nope.”

It seems that Lance Edler was right from the beginning: “I think my son is completely nuts.” But if that’s true, and being “completely nuts” is what gets you to the top of the motocross world, then Stone Edler will make short work of his obstacles to get there. Think about it: if Edler can beat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in just eight short months, his opponents don’t stand a chance against him.

Highlight History: Going back in time at the Summer X Games

A beautiful view of the Moto X Freestyle competition during the X Games at Pier 30 and 32 in San Francisco, California.

Achim Kujawski in action during the BMX vert competition at the 2001 X Games at First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Roman Hackl busts out some moves during the Men's Skateboard Park Final's at the 2001 Summer X Games at the First Union Complex in Philadelphia, PA on 20 August 2001.

Chad Bartie takes a breather before the start of the Men's Skateboard Park final at the 2001 Summer X Games at Philadelphia's First Union Complex 20 April 2001.

Roman Hackl warms up before the start of the Men's Skateboard Park Final's during the 2001 Summer X Games at the First Union Complex in Philadelphia, PA, 20 August 2001.

Bob Burnquist relaxes during the filming of a scene for a commercial for X Games 9 at the Playboy Mansion on May 6, 2003 in Holmby Hills, California.

Paul Rodriguez, Eric Koston and Rodil de Araujo, Jr. pose for photographers during the awards ceremony at the X Games 9 Skateboard Street contest held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Stephen Murray catches air at the X Games 9 Bike Stunt Dirt contest held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Tony Hawk attempts to land his jump in the Skateboard Big Air competition during the X Games 11 on August 5, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Danny Way drops into the ramp during the Skateboard Big Air competition during X Games 11 on August 6, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Ryan Guettler competes during the Bike Stunt Park competition at X Games 11 on August 7, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Travis Pastrana competes for gold in the Moto X Speed and Style Final during X Games 16 at Staples Center on August 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Travis Pastrana competes during the Rally Car event at X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Ryan Sheckler competes at the Skate Street event during X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Bucky Lasek competes in the Skateboard Park Final during X Games 16 at the Event Deck LA Live on August 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Dave Mirra races during the Speed and Style event at X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Moto Best Trick participant Travis Pastrana at X Games 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 2005.

Travis Pastrana during the Moto X Best Trick contest at X Games 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 2005.

Silver Medalist Shaun White at the ESPN X Games 11 during the Men's Skateboard Vert Finals on Friday, August 5, 2005.

Kenny Bartram perfroms a trick during the Moto X Freestyle final at X Games Eleven on August 6, 2005 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California.

Andy Macdonald performs a trick in the Skateboard Big Air competition during X Games 11 on August 7, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Men's Skateboard Vert silver medalist Bob Burnquist in action during X Games 12.

A look at the view of the Snow Ramp during the ESPN X Games on June 27, 1998 in San Diego, California.

Gold medalist Travis Pastrana during Freestyle Moto X finals at X Games 12 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on August 6, 2006.

Ryan Sheckler competes in the qualifying round in Skateboard Street at X Games 14.

Omar Hassan practices in the Skateboard Superpark during X Games 14 at Home Depot Center on July 31, 2008 in Carson, California.

A competitor participates in the BMX Freestyle Street final during X Games 14 on July 31, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Bob Burnquist reacts after a successful run during the Skateboard Big Air Final at the 14th Summer X Games on July 31, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Simon Tabron practices in the BMX Freestyle Vert during X Games 14 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2008 in Carson, California.

Lyn-z Adams Hawkins competes in the Women's Skateboard Vert final during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on July 30, 2009 in Carson, California.

Garrett Reynolds competes in the BMX Freestyle Street event during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Gaby Ponce competes in the Women's Skateboard Vert final during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on July 30, 2009 in Carson, California.

Bob Burnquist competes in Skateboard Big Air at the Staples Center on July 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Robbie Maddison gets some serious air during the Moto X Freestyle at X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on July 31, 2009 in Carson, California.

Travis Pastrana takes part in the Moto X Best Trick as part of Summer X Games 15 at Staples Center on July 31, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Paul Rodriguez looks to land a trick in the Men's Skateboard Street finals at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

89672859 (1).jpg — Christian Pondella/Getty Images

Jamie Bestwick competes in BMX Vert at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Rob Lorifice competes in the Men's Skateboard Vert event during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Nyjah Houston competes in the Men's Skateboard Street finals at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Mat Rebeaud busts out some crazy moves in the FMX Freestyle finals during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Ashley Fiolek wins gold in Women's Moto X during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Competitors start in the Moto X Super X event during X Games 16 at the LA Coliseum on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Jake Brown competes to a gold medal in the Skateboard Big Air final during X Games 16 at the LA Coliseum on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Levi Sherwood does a stunt during the Moto X Freestyle final at the LA Coliseum during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Daniel Dhers surprises fans as he competes for a gold medal in the BMX Freestyle Park final during X Games 16 at the Event Deck LA Live on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

The 2014 X Games in Austin, Texas have come to a close. With countless high-flying tricks and death-defying jumps, this year's games were definitely one for the ages. In this gallery, we go behind-the-scenes at X Games Austin with the help of thousands of fans, countless athletes and Instagram.

Published Aug 19, 2014

MORGAN WOLF