A BMX rider flies through the air in front of Alexandra Palace. Picture: A.P. Childs
by Flora Drury
Thursday, May 24, 2012
11:00 AM
More than 30 of the world’s best BMX riders, an audience of 20,000 and 720,000 shovelfuls of dirt all came together to create an unforgettable weekend at Alexandra Park.
The second-ever Red Bull Empire of Dirt event, which saw the grass in front of the landmark venue transformed into the world’s most progressive BMX course, complete with huge features, motocross-style jumps and snowboard-type “hits”, was hailed as a huge success.
About 10,000 people each day made the journey to Ally Pally to watch riders perform a variety of jumps, with spectacular views across London and the Victorian palace in the background.
Event winner Ben Wallace, who beat 15 other riders to be crowned Britain’s first BMX champion of the summer, said: “I’m so stoked to have won this event on home soil. This has been the best BMX event I’ve been a part of, mainly thanks to the atmosphere and the energy of the crowd. I’m pretty happy.”
Thousands of people poured into Priory Park on Sunday for the 21st annual Crouch End Fun Run and Festival.
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