En Garde! Paris-Bercy SX Turns 30

We are right in the midst of one of my favorite times of the year for motocross. No championships on the line, no week in and week out racing, and contracts and teams are still being sorted before the start of the new season. It’s when silly season is a little less silly, but when things like Dean Wilson and the JWR team suddenly parting ways can still happen.

The top riders could very well be taking a breather, just getting back on the bike, or knee deep in testing. It’s the time of year when all of the speculation and hype is inconsequential for the pros and the local riding in much of the U.S. is just about ideal.

But then there is the offseason racing, which aside from being used for staying sharp, really doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. And the grand daddy of offseason Supercross is happening this weekend…in fact it’s happening right now!

The Paris-Bercy Supercross is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this weekend and, while it is a standalone race, the influences of this event on Supercross in general are immeasurable.

If not for Bercy, races like the Monster Energy Cup (which stemmed from the defunct U.S. Open, which was directly inspired by Bercy) would not exist. Nearly every U.S. SX star since Bercy’s inception has ridden within the small, grass covered Palais Omnisport on the banks of the Seine river. Hell, it was one of the first events to hold stunt contests and one of the first places ever that Jeremy McGrath uncorked a Nac Nac in public; a move that was undoubtedly a catalyst for the freestyle wave that started gaining some real steam back in ’94.

But enough history for you, here’s what Bercy means today:

A bunch of Americans have been invited to throw it down this year including Jake Weimer, Justin Brayton, Eli Tomac, Tyler Villopoto, Wil Hahn, and of course last year’s King of Bercy, Kyle Chisholm. Ironically, Kyle’s well-earned 2011 title came as a privateer and helped him secure a ride on the JWR squad. This time, the Chiz once again finds himself in privateer status. Maybe he can make the same magic happen again.

However, it will be tough with Eli Tomac flying to the top spot in practice (not to mention his main event win only a few weeks ago at the MEC). Brayton always hauls the mail indoors and is back on the JGR/Yamaha equipment that he was comfortable on a few years ago and will certainly be competitive, but we cannot leave out the other contingent: the Europeans.

Bercy Supercross Pre-Race - More Motocross Videos

Lead by MX’s own mystery man, Christophe Pourcel, French riders have been formidable in stadiums since the days of Jean Michel Bayle, and Pourcel has more or less kept that tradition alive (don’t forget he had two consecutive AMA 125, I mean, Supercross Lites…wait I meant 250SX championships back in ’09 and ’10. He's riding KTM 350SX-F's for this race, four of which were stolen just less than a week ago). Then there’s this kid who just has insane style, Valetin Teillet, who will be tough to be in the 250 class this weekend and the Prince of Bercy crown.

Our own omnipresent moto media solider, GuyB, has made his first trip to Bercy since, oh before you were born, and will be getting the scoop for each of the three nights of racing, pom poms, back flips, and chain saws. If you want to catch the action live, MX-Life.tv will be airing live coverage and if you just want a quick hit of what’s going on check this out.

Who’s your pick for the King of Bercy crown? Check back frequently on VitalMX.com for the daily updates of the ins and outs of the action including the always awesome Pit Bits, which has already been posted. Check it!

Below are a few shots GuyB grabbed on his journey over to the land of Citroens, crepes, foie gras.

-Bayodome