Wendy’s Invitational Underway at Portland’s Rose Quarter

With skate vert practice taking place last night and skate park practice in full swing here in Portland, OR, the third stop of the 2010 Dew Tour has officially begun.

Overview of the vert ramp and the BMX park course at the Rose Garden

After two single-sport events to kick off the season, skate and BMX reunite in Portland for the first time this season at the Wendy’s Invitational, and the midway point of the season goes a long way to determining who’s going to end up with the Dew Cup at the end of the year.

It’s been a crazy few weeks since the Nike 6.0 BMX Open wrapped up in Chicago. X Games, Maloof Money Cup and the Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro have all gone down. Ryan Nyquist threw down an insane run to claim the victory in Huntington Beach, while Daniel Dhers is ready to move from second place up to the top of the Portland podium. Jamie Bestwick is dominating as usual. Ryan Sheckler is at the top of his game after claiming X Games gold, and PLG’s riding a hot streak after winning vert at both the X Games and the MMC’s stop in the OC.

BMX dirt will take over the Memorial Coliseum on Friday, with FMX on Sunday

And now it’s time for the Wendy’s Invitational.

It’s been a while since the season kicked off, so to refresh everyone’s memories, Sheckler and PLG started the season off right with big wins in Boston, Brett Banasiewicz claimed the win in his first ever BMX dirt competition, Mike Spinner returned to top form in BMX park and Bestwick was his usual unbeatable self.

And with more than 100 of the best action sports athletes ready to compete here in Portland, the top finishers from the first two stops of the Dew Tour (and all of those other events) will face off against the likes of Dave Mirra, Chaz Ortiz, Paul Rodriguez, Bucky Lasek, Garrett Reynolds, Cam White and a whole lot more.

Outside the Rose Quarter, skate park practice is just getting started

Oh, and Shaun White will make his Dew Tour return at the Wendy’s Invitational. It goes without saying that White will be looking to unseat PLG in Portland, his first Dew Tour event back after his return to June’s season-opener in Boston was put on hold due to an ankle injury.

It’s a full weekend of contests, concerts and other festivities, so if you’re in Portland, make sure to buy your tickets to the event here.

For more information on the Wendy’s Invitational, including the competition schedule, click here.