Mike “Tag” Tagliavento succumbs to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 37

BMX legend Mike “Tag” Tagliavento passed away after losing a year-long battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma this past Friday, April 13, in Ithaca, New York. He was 37 years old.

Tagliavento had been diagnosed of the disease a year ago. Despite a number of intense chemotherapy sessions, the disease seemed to be getting the better of him.

With the medical bills increasing with every passing day, the BMX community and fans came forward to help Tagliavento. A number of fundraisers were organised, which ranged from jams at Ninth Street in Austin to sale of signature Tag hats.

Despite an outpouring of support from around the globe, the BMX legend eventually gave in to Lymphoma on Friday.

Tagliavento had been one of the central characters in the progression of dirt riding, street riding and video productions during the 90s. He not only participated in the sport himself, but also put in an immense effort to unravel the artistic aspect of the sport.

Becoming the part of the FBM BMX team, the American rider travelled around the world to search for spots where he could not only unleash his own skills, but also film BMX riding that were integrated in FBM videos for over a decade. His filming was also featured in countless issues of Road Fools, etnies “Forward” and Props.

Other than filming and co-creating seminal BMX videos, Tagliavento also made his entrepreneurial skills known by running the S-Luck Clothing.

Tagliavento was no pushover when it came to BMX riding. Pushing the boundaries within the sport with every passing day, the American sensation earned recognition for his versatile and innovative style. Huge gaps to grinds, big ice-picks, massive hand-rails and pedal levitator grinds were one of the standout features of his riding.

Recollecting some of his earlier memories of the legendary BMX rider, Brian Tunney wrote in an article of his for ESPN, “I first met Mike Tag at one of the first Toronto BMX Jams in the late ’90s. Then referred to as the “Battle of Elsinore,” Tag entered the indoor pro dirt comp against Nate Wessel and Jay Miron in a pair of Dickies pants, an FBM t-shirt and no helmet. He rode amazingly well, until some sort of no-footed half bars-pin thing came up short, catapulting Tag over the bars as his bike miami-hopper’d into the landing. He shrugged his shoulders and disappeared from the spotlight. His riding in Toronto was finished, but his hijinks continued.”

The death of Tagliavento is indeed a significant loss for the BMX community, though his valuable services for the progression and development of the sport will keep his name alive for years to come.

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