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19th Bercy Supercross Palais Omnisports weekend, and his third King of Bercy crown placed him among the likes of Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeff Stanton and Ricky Johnson as the best of the best in the Parisian extravaganza. "It's been a good weekend," Vuillemin said. "I did not expect to be able to win everything, although that is of course what you set out to do. My lap times were generally better than everyone, and I felt good on the track for the most part. I know I have some things to improve before January, but this is a good start to my preparation. " McGrath, who had found the Bercy track not to his liking (that has often been the case for him here), was not too worried by the loss. "I love Bercy," McGrath said. "I didn't win a race, and that's not what I like, 'but it's not the start of the AMA season, so I have time to work on some things. David is really the master of Bercy at the moment. He deserves this win." As for Reed, the likable Aussie ended the weekend in a Paris hospital laps and could get away from everyone. I like the whoops. I think, overall, I am making time on the others on every part of the track. I'm not making too many mistakes." Second-final action began with Vuillemin taking the lead and again walking away with the race. Second place went to McGrath, with Roncada third, Wey fourth and Serge Guidetty completing the top five. "I'm just feeling good out there," Vuillemin said. "It's been just like last year. I don't have to push too hard, and against a guy like Jeremy, it's nice to have that sort of lead." CAva With the King of Bercy more or less decided, Vuillemin gave his French supporters something to cheer about. A poor start in the first qualifier saw him pass a crashed-out Reed (who had led the race until going down), and he then won the first and second finals. The French hero was in a class of his own aII with a broken jaw incurred in a Sunday-night crash, but with some extra experience against the likes of Vuillemin, McGrath and Roncada, the Aussie brings something more to America for 2002. "I know these guys are just humans," Reed said. "I think I can be as fast. You have to beat these guys to be the best, and that's what I want." eN Ben:y Supen:ross Paris, France Results: November 9-11, 2001 KING OF BERCY (250): I. David Vumemin (Yam) 6; 2. Jeremy McGrath (Yam) 16; 3. Nick Wey (Yam) 26; 4. Stephane Roncada (Kaw), 32; 5. Serge Guidetty (KTM), 42; 6. Mickael Maschio (Kaw), 43; 7. Eric Sorby (Suz) 47: 8, Mattieu Lallo, (Yam) 54; 9. Marko Kovalainen (Yam) 54; 10. Kyle Lewis (Yam) 60. PRINCE OF 8ERCY: 1. Brock Sellards (KTM) 28; 2. Ivan Tedesco (Yam) 31; 3. Rodrig Thain (Yam) 31; 4. Stephane Demartis (Yam) 48: 5. Edgar Torronteras (Yam) 56; 6. Marc Rislori (Yam) 73; 7. Ben Townley (KTM) 74; B. Josh Hansen (Yam) 87; g. Chris Martin (Hus) 88; 10. Antoine Mea (Kaw) 94. BRIEFLY••• Rodrig Thain was ternbly unlucky not to win the Prince of Berey. which goes to the weekend's top 125cc rider. Over the first two nights, the Frenchhman was the quickest rider on the track, yet a crash in the second final on Saturday night saw him DNF, and then his results suffered on the last night. Eventually, it was KTM rider Brock Sellards who took out the 125cc crown. Thain eventually tied for second with Ivan Tedesco. both on 31 points, three more than Sellards' 28. -It's cool to win here. - Brock Sellards told the crowd. -I wanted to win Saturday night's over· all. but Thain crashed in front of me. and I got all messed up in his bike. I know KTM wanted to win here and it's good for my confidence." Jeremy McGrath told the French public about his new sponsor for 2002. it's a deal (which we reported on earlier this month) that will see the Yamaha rider compete for at least another two years. "We have Anheiser Busch, so the logo will be Bud Light: McGrath said. "It's a threeyear deal, and I'll ride for the first two years, and the third year I'm not sure. If I don't ride. I'll hopefully have a top rider signed. I'm also thinking about doing some Nationals again in 2002; 1 won't do them all. but I would like to do some of them. it also depends on how the Supercross season goes." When asked about his chances of racing a Motocross GP. McGrath replied to Cycle News unequivocally to the negative, -, won't race a Grand Prix," McGrath said. "I might come and watch some road·racing GPs. but race a Motocross GP? No way!- (Left) The Castrol girls kept the large crowd entertained between motos. (Below) Stephane Roncada (4) did his best Ricky Cannlchael Imitation, while McGrath (2) suffered with ann pump. Chad Reed had quite a strange weekend in Bercy. In addition to the tussle with Jeremy McGrath, the Aussie was involved in a practice incident with David Vuillemin. as the two locked handlebars when the Frenchman tried to ride into Reed. "It's funny, now," Reed said, "I was following Vuillemin, trying to learn something, and he pulled over. I thought he did not want me follOWing him, so I went to pass: then he just rode into me. I downshifted and rode back into him, and then he looked over and rode off. Later, he came over and said he was sorry. As it tumed out. IMickaelJ Maschio [Reed's teammate] had ridden into Vuillemin in an early practice, and he thought I was Maschio,Chad Reed ended the night injured, but he proved to the world that he is for real. and he should have some fun in the early 250cc Supercross rounds. The atmosphere at the Bercy Supercross didn't quite live up to previous years. although that did not stop the crowd from enjoying the evenings. With only a handful of top American riders and not much depth in the fields. it was difficult to get too excited about the racing. While the Chad Reed/Jeremy McGrath crash did liven up the action, and McGrath got into some great races with Reed and Stephane Roncada, the string of victories by David Vuillemin really made for bor· ing results, Still, a winning Frenchman always plays well to the crowd. Several Americans were on hand to witness the event. Once again, ESPN commentator Art Eckman (who spectated at the MX des Nations earlier this year) was in attendance (Eckman has a daughter living in Paris). "I am doing something for Racer X and also getting the chance to visit my daughter and grandchildren: Eckman said. "It's been a nice week for me, and I've enjoyed the racing. - Other Americans to attend were photographer Steve "TFS" Bruhn, Clear Channel's Todd Jendro, and employees of Fox. Jeremy McGrath once again rode with American flags on his bike and helmet. The words "United We Stand- were also emblazed on his helmet. "What happen on September 11 was pretty shocking for everyone." McGrath said. "I was on the way to the airport when I heard it; I went home and pretty much sat watching the television. A few weeks after the attack. I went to a Madonna concert, and I was a little worned. It's changed the way we all look at the world, for sure. M Jeremy McGrath had been made several other offers for European appearances, but he preferred to concentrate on his preparation for 2002. "I don't think I was prepared for 2001: McGrath said. "I'm in the best shape of my life, and I can't wait for the new season to begin. I could have ridden a bunch of 'aces over here. but it just did not fit into what I am doing for 2002." McGrath did look in great condition. and despite his not being presented as the American supercross champ, he had lost none of his fan appeal. At Bercy, Kyle Lewis gave his version of the fistfight between himself and 250cc Motocross World Champion Mickael Pichon at the Madrid Supercross two weeks ago. -We came together in a corner, - Lewis said. " He jumps off his bike and waits for me: then as I'm riding off, he jumps on me and grabs me by the helmet. We wrestled around a little - he's crazy. Don't forget to say he grabbed me from behind." Stephane Roncada was riding the number-four Chevy Trucks Kawaseki KX250 in Bercy. The bike looked identical to that ridden by Carmichael in America, with the same number shape and all. Former American and World motocross/supercross champ Jean-Michel Bayle was at Bercy, and the French legend did practice, clocking lap times somewhat slower than those of David Vuillemin. Jeremy McGrath and Chad Reed. He was. however, quick enough to qualify for the finals had he wanted to. Bayle was involved in a very impressive introduction that showed clips of his glory days. The crowd erupted when Bayle did a fast lap on the technical track. 8 NOVEMBER 28,2001 • cue • e n __ s