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I remember in the mid 90's there was a world supercross series that had rounds in Spain / France / Germany etc.. They actually had quite allot of big USA stars racing it also (McGrath / Ward / Emig / Button..)
We also have a bunch of single type of SX events where they try to bring over some big names, like the Lille SX (former paris-bercy, now going back there in 2017) and some more stuff in Italy & Swizz i believe (Geneva)
France has a pretty prestige SX series but it isn't really well known outside of France, some of the 250 riders have tried USA races in recent years also! (Thomas Do & Maxime Desprey come to mind in recent times)
UK also has a decent Arenacross series, but never really followed that.
Thats all i have about EURO sx, no clue why there are no major series cause i am sure filling football stadiums with a closed roof in winter could be a good concept to bring out tons of fans. (these stadiums are probly not useable though the football "soccer" season is probly happening around then also)
The Shop
We get away with having a lot of races early in the year in the warmer areas of the country while our two biggest "stadium sports" (football and baseball) aren't using their facilities. Soccer is more year round, with natural grass and open stadiums that would probably result in a lot more mudfests over there than we get here, ruining the fields for the soccer teams.
One major SX series is more than enough.
The GPs, even with it being run by a mongrel like Luongo, may end up the only major Motocross series there is, if FELD further their greed.
As with most things 'that dont happen in Europe' , it does , and its done at a sustainable level, by decent promotors.
Most of the GP boys dont bother with it because their teams are testing for the first GP in february, and doing the Italian Nationals , and other pre season races.
Pit Row
The reason we don't have as big supercross series is:
1. Don't really have the facilities for it.
2. Low interest in such a series, motocross is much more popular here in Europe. Same way baseball or American football is non-existent in Europe and we have soccer that is by a huge margin the most popular sport here when it's not nearly as popular in the US.
Just different interests
Instead, it will be at the U Arena in the La Defense district, a brand new, high tech, unique facility that will open with three Rolling Stones concerts in mid-october, then SX a month later.
It is named "Arena" but features a full rugby field, same size as American football stadiums.
So there will finally be a Paris SX on a "US-size" track this November (18th/19th), with Musquin, Seely, Wilson, Osborne, Ferrandis, Craig, 1 more American tba and the top French SX guys like Soubeyras, Izoird, Teillet, Boog, Coulon etc, + the 250 class including a couple of US wild cards and a best trick FMX contest (Sheehan, Strong etc).
It should be epic.
It is really only in the very south of Europe you can build supercross tracks outdoor that are permanent available, and it would not even be permanent given the low temp even there in winter. So no one or few has grown up with that capability.
Going on a full supercross track requires many hours of training, on different tracks with different combinations. Preferably some arenacross or smaller track experience first. That is why most European (and most B and C class US guys) look like amateur riders first years when they try to qualify in the B and C practice at a AMA SX event. C class (and main SX practice is like a freak circus show.
So, starting GP races in end Feb you need January to get up to speed and testing for outdoors. Season end in October. So you need 3-4 weeks of adjusting and getting into supercross rhythm. That leaves Nov and Dec for racing supercross, but zero and i mean zero time off on a year. People switching teams and bikes would be left completely in the dark or skip that season.
So, i see many reasons why going a 5-10 (full sized track) SX serie in Europe cant work.
Played a lot of fucking pétanque league this morning while I wait for an offer to be accepted or declined on a scarf warehouse location.
Feels fucking great.
Might order a snail pizza, open a bottle of côtes-du-rhône, take a nap, doesn't really matter matter.
HOF post!
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