Photo Report | FMX World Tour | Budweiser Gardens
By Billy Rainford
When I found out the FMX World Tour was returning to my hometown of London, Ontario, I figured I should head down the road and check out the action. I wasn’t sure how the format was going to work, but the guys did the old “Canada vs. USA vs. The World” routine and it went over well for the nearly-full house — the kids loved it.
They had a talented group of BMX and FMX riders to entertain the crowd of a reported 2500 but Templeton, Massachusetts, native, Brody Wilson, was the headline FMX name.
The show started at 7:30 and kept the crowd entertained for a couple hours with non-stop action (aside from the short break they took mid-way through the night).
Here are a few shots of some of the jumps and action from the October 22nd night.
![20161022-img_8217](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8217.jpg)
I showed up in the afternoon to check out the arena and grab my media passes. The guys were securing the run-up to the big ramp.
![20161022-img_8221](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8221.jpg)
Everyone was pretty laid back and had some fun getting used to the floor and jumps.
![20161022-img_8223](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8223.jpg)
It always helps to know what you’re doing next.
![20161022-img_8238](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8238.jpg)
I liked the shots that showed the Bud Gardens and the London Knights signage.
![20161022-img_8243](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8243.jpg)
And my favourite move is till and old fashioned moto-style cross up
![20161022-img_8253](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8253.jpg)
The bike gang was chilling in the green room.
![20161022-img_8255](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8255.jpg)
The stage was set for a great night of entertainment.
![20161022-img_8259](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8259.jpg)
The BMX guys were part of the Craz E Crew Stunt Team.
![20161022-img_8266](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8266.jpg)
Tossing some swag into the crowd early in the night to get them going.
![20161022-img_8268](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8268.jpg)
The mostly-young crowd loved the antics of the riders as they hyped them up
![20161022-img_8273](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8273.jpg)
They had the upper level curtained off and the lower bowl was just about full.
![20161022-img_8277](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8277.jpg)
Acknowledging the crowd.
![20161022-img_8283](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8283.jpg)
My weak attempt at getting artsy for a moment.
![20161022-img_8288](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8288.jpg)
The FMX riders getting introduced to the crowd.
![20161022-img_8293](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8293.jpg)
London’s own, Matt Hutchinson, took care of the video side of the action.
![20161022-img_8304](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8304.jpg)
No matter what else gets done, the crowd still loves a good old backflip. They went nuts every time a rider went upside down.
![20161022-img_8307](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8307.jpg)
Checking for puck marks in the rafters.
![20161022-img_8311](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8311.jpg)
Spotting the landing.
![20161022-img_8321](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8321.jpg)
High fives for the enthusiastic fans.
![20161022-img_8322](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8322.jpg)
They were eating up the action all night long.
![20161022-img_8334](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8334.jpg)
Kyle Snelgrove and his family won the trip to the event after writing in and telling them what it took to get them all together for the night.
![20161022-img_8335](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8335.jpg)
Checking to see where they are in the night’s schedule.
![20161022-img_8337](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8337.jpg)
Russ the Announcer did a great job keeping the crowd revved up for the entire show.
![20161022-img_8338](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8338.jpg)
They pretended it was going to be difficult to clear him on this jump. The kids thought it was great!
![20161022-img_8342](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8342.jpg)
Part of the International Challenge portion of the show.
![20161022-img_8349](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8349.jpg)
This one could be my personal favourite.
![20161022-img_8350](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8350.jpg)
I can’t imagine doing this the first time!
![20161022-img_8353](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8353.jpg)
And the winners are…
![20161022-img_8369](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8369.jpg)
Not to be outdone, the BMX riders also put on a great show.
![20161022-img_8372](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8372.jpg)
Yep, you’ve got clearance.
![20161022-img_8375](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8375.jpg)
If Kassie Boone (right) were healthy, I think we would have seen her hitting the ramps that night. She said that was what she’d love to be doing.
![20161022-img_8389](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8389.jpg)
That’s some pretty good extension.
![20161022-img_8392](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8392.jpg)
It’s physics, folks.
![20161022-img_8395](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8395.jpg)
This little guy gets a high five.
![20161022- Kassie Boone](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8404.jpg)
I guess I was wrong when I told you I waited for you to be ready for this photo, Kassie. I’ll edit it out…
![20161022-img_8405](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8405.jpg)
These little guys were pretty pumped to have met Brody and the rest of the riders.
![20161022-img_8411](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8411.jpg)
The riders all got together at the end of the night to sign autographs.
![20161022-img_8412](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161022-IMG_8412.jpg)
Most of the kids stayed until they got one from every rider. Thanks for an entertaining night, guys. See you next year?