Born near Bercy in March 1984, the Paris Supercross will celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 16 and 17 in the superb, ultra-modern Paris la Défense Arena. 40 years later, the magic is still going strong! Words: Paris SX
40 years, what a wonderful age! No one really knew, when the first Paris Supercross was kicked off on March 14, 1984, how the event would last through the years. Today the answer is clear, given the 2024 edition is already sold out for Saturday evening, meaning there are only places left for Sunday afternoon, the 17th.
The recipe for this success seems simple, but it is not so simple since Paris remains the only city in the world, outside the United States, to continue to organise a very high-level event every year with the participation of stars of this discipline that has quickly conquered America.
An XXL Roster
Paris has built its reputation over the years with an XXL roster and the presence of the biggest stars of US Supercross. From David Bailey, winner in March 1984, to Jett Lawrence, unbeatable last year, plus Ricky Johnson, Jeff Stanton, Jean Michel Bayle, Jeremy Mc Grath and James Stewart, Paris has always managed to attract the biggest stars of SX, and the magic remains! Dominator of the 2024 US season, Jett Lawrence is back on the line to put his title of ‘King of Paris’ back on the line, accompanied by his brother Hunter with whom he made the Australian colours triumph at the last Motocross des Nations.
These two virtuosos will cross the Atlantic accompanied by a few other top US SX riders such as Cooper Webb, Malcom Stewart, Dylan Ferrandis, Tom Vialle and Jo Shimoda. In Paris they will meet the cream of the French discipline: Cédric Soubeyras, Gregory Aranda, Jordi Tixier, Thomas Ramette, Maxime Desprey and the entire SX Tour peloton.
A show in its own right
Although the times differ on Saturday (doors open at 2:00 p.m., show starts at 7:00 p.m., show ends at 11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (doors open at 10:30 a.m., show starts at 2:00 p.m., show ends at 6:00 p.m.), the program for each evening is identical with no fewer than seven races, two Super Pole sessions, where the riders will be alone on the track to set a time, and numerous activities. Pit bike races and handlebar races will be part of the event, but as always, it is the FMX sessions that will raise the atmosphere in the largest show venue, the Paris la Défense Arena, which is hosting the event for the seventh consecutive year.
Image: Paris SX / Pascal Haudiquert
