There are eras and epochs in motocross racing where a collection riders from one country suddenly seem to rise up together in speed and skill to become a dominant force on the global stage. In the fifties, when professional motocross was just getting started in Europe, it was Great Britain. They were usurped in the early sixties by the Torsten Hallman-led Swedes. From there it was the Joel Robert- and Roger DeCoster-led Belgians. From the early eighties until just recently, the Americans were collectively considered to be the very best riders in the world.

Now, and rather unexpectedly, we seem to be living in the moto reign of France. After barely ever seeing the podium at the annual Motocross of Nations, the French are on the longest winning streak of any country (other than the U.S.) in five decades. The Paris Supercross is the biggest indoor event outside the AMA circuit, and France has a thriving industry of domestic aftermarket companies, supercross, publications, and more. They also exported a couple of riders on everyone’s short list to compete for AMA titles in 2018: Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin (450) and Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis.