After a third and final day of racing that saw him, yet again, simply trounce anyone who dared get in his way, James Stewart has been named the King of Bercy. Like Chad Reed, Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Emig, Johnny O’Mara, and the sensational Frenchman Jean-Michel Bayle who came before him, the 22 year-old L&M Racing Yamaha rider ruled Paris and its Palais Omnisport with an iron fist. In fact, with the exception of MDK/KTM’s Justin Brayton leading him in one lap of the first of two main events on Sunday afternoon, Stewart was untouchable.

“That was awesome, baby!” exulted Stewart to the adoring French crowd. “I really hope you guys liked that, because I see you all hanging over the wall waving at me and the louder you cheer, the faster I go.”

As consistent as Stewart was in France was the rock-steady Justin Brayton. Following Stewart home in each and every main event here, Brayton, yet again, finishing second in both main events on Sunday. And the Parisian spectators did leave the Palais Omnisport with something to be happy about as compatriot David Vuillemin of the BUD Kawasaki operation passed Kevin Windham — never a factor here in Paris — for third and the final step of the podium in the last main event of the weekend. The most successful and decorated rider in Paris-Bercy Supercross history, the soon-to-be Grand Prix rider’s result was greeted with a standing ovation.

Eric Johnson