Bercy SX Preview: Peace in Paris
November 9, 2005 7:02am
Despite rioting in parts of France that looks sensational on TV, the
23rd running of the wild and crazy supercross at the Palais Omnisports,
in the Paris neighborhood known as Bercy, is going off as planned. The
event features three nights of racing in a team format, where France is
pitted against America and "Rest of World."
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France's team looks very strong, with Sebastien Tortelli leading on a KTM 250F, along with Stephane Roncada, Eric Sorby, Steve Boniface, Sebastien Pourcel, Benjamin Coisy, and more. The "Rest of World" team will have David Philippaerts, Daniel Rearden, Ryan Marmont, Marco Dube, Antonio Balbi, Neville Bradshaw, Alexandre Rouis, Gilles De Jongh, Sylvain DeJuster, and Mickael Musquin.
America's team features a very strong line, with Mike Brown, Chris Gosselaar, Jeff Gibson, Andrew Short, Sean Hamblin, Billy Laninovich, Genoa overall winner Mike Alessi, and Jeff Alessi.
Each team gets a score for the night—1, 2, or 3—and after the third night, the best team score wins. The top overall rider is also awarded the prestigious King of Bercy title, which Andrew Short won last year.
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The promoters actually predict a full house Friday, since opening night is Armistice Day (November 11, the last day of World War I, of "La Grande Guerre"), and that usually boosts attendance.