Bercy Supercross Paris Results
Geico Powersports Honda rider Justin Barcia briefly led Saturday’s main event at the 28th annual Bercy Supercross before finishing fifth overall to maintain the lead in the "King of Bercy" points standings at the two-thirds mark of the three-day long race inside Palais Omnisports in Paris.
After a crowded start that shuffled the young American back to ninth place, Barcia picked his way through the grid in the International Open Bercy Supercross class to rise all the way to the race lead.
But a lapped Supercross rider knocked Barcia completely off the course on Lap 8 and by the time he recovered the best he could do was get back to fifth place. The finish, combined with Friday’s victory, kept Barcia in the overall points lead.
On Saturday, Barcia had first pick at the gate after sweeping the three qualifying Bercy Supercross motos.
Justin Barcia says: "Just like I said yesterday the start is crucial here. We bunched up at the first turn and I had to let some guys by to stay up. Then it was on from that point. I really had to get aggressive to get back up front.
"By the time I got the lead we were into lappers and someone rode up my rear tire and his bike just got hooked onto mine. I went right off the course and it took me a second to free my bike up and get back over the hay bales. Then I was back to playing catch-up."
"We came here to have fun and put on a show and we definitely gave them one tonight. It was a lot of fun."
Barcia, fellow American Kyle Chisholm, and France’s Cedric Soubeyras have all earned six points so far but the tiebreaker goes to Barcia since he won Friday’s main event. Saturday’s winner, Greg Aranda, finished 13th Friday and is eight points back of Barcia in fourth place in the standings.
Justin Barcia says: "We want the ‘King of Bercy’ title if we can get it. Sunday will be all about the start and getting out on these guys and just riding away. This 450cc GEICO Powersports Honda is great to ride and it’s been quick. I like our chances."
Barcia’s teammate Blake Wharton recovered well from a Day 1 spill at Bercy Supercross and rode to an eighth-place finish despite the fact he’s on a 250cc machine. Wharton finished higher than European champions Antonio Cairoli and Marvin Musquin at Bercy Supercross.
Blake Wharton says: "I’m really happy with my effort today. It would have been fun to ride a 450 here and I think it would have helped a bunch but I’ll be riding a 250 back in America when the Supercross season starts so it’s better for me to get seat time on the same bike I’m going to be competing on in the USA."
"This has been a phenomenal experience and they’ve treated us so well over here. The fans are great and so crazy it makes it that much better. I hope to come back many more times."
Sunday’s racing begins at noon.
