It won't go away . . .

Nervous X Games organizers breathed a sigh of relief last August when Travis Pastrana successfully executed a double back flip on his motorcycle in front of a captivated Staples Center audience, providing a signature moment in the 12-year history of the action-sports showcase. …

Privately, they hoped, the death-defying trick would be retired. …

Now comes word of an imitator, which is of little comfort but no big surprise to X Games General Manager Chris Stiepock, who notes, "The way progression works in these sports, riders can rarely own tricks all their own for very long — the copycats follow pretty quickly — and sure enough, this year's best-trick competition will see a rider from Minnesota attempt the same trick." …

The daredevil's name is Scott Murray, and a cautiously optimistic Stiepock says, "He's practiced it a ton and landed it on dirt, so he should be fine." …

X Games 13 starts Thursday.