Photos: Latvian Strombergs wins first ever Olympic Men's BMX gold

Maris Strombergs bites his gold medal. (Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Maris Strombergs, reigning world champion from Latvia, clinched the first ever Olympic Men's Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) gold on Friday.

Strombergs took the lead of the eight-strong final from the very beginning and finished the run at 36.190, leaving the Games' favorites Mike Day and Donny Robinson of the United States far behind at 36.606 and 36.972, respectively.

Maris Strombergs (R) takes the lead. (Photo credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Maris Strombergs competes. (Photo credit: Lu Mingxiang/Xinhua)

Maris Strombergs (2nd, L, front) competes. (Photo credit: Liang Qiang/Xinhua)

Maris Strombergs (front) celebrates. (Photo credit: Liang Qiang/Xinhua)