The Barcelona supercross crown will be up for grabs again and only the best riders will have the opportunity to throw their hat into the ring. To do so they will have to bring all their dexterity to the fore in the main circle of the Palau Sant Jordi, which will, by then, have converted itself into a magic track with various jumps distributed over the circuit which the riders will have to negotiate skilfully with their motorbikes.

It will be the survival of the fittest, a war taking no prisoners, where the riders will put their lives on the line on each bend, the ultimate arm wrestle against speed which will entail a dramatic sandstorm. And that’s just the beginning.

The spectators in the stadium will have the opportunity to enjoy a display by some of the most outstanding personalities from world supercross. Amongst others: the heavy artillery of the SX USA, led by Nick Wey, official KTM USA rider and winner of the Barcelona Supercross in 2004.

This “enfant terrible” of supercross will also be in the company of the most impressive riders of the SX Tour, the French championship which covers the main tracks of the old continent, who will skid in the dirt and caress the clouds.

However, we must not overlook the Spanish riders who will have to give it their all to match the onslaught of their European and American counterparts. To do so, the “home crowd” factor will be a decisive one, although for this event the Spanish Armada has an ace up its sleeve: the rising star of international supercross, Manu Rivas, will stand alongside the big and the great during the next season, trying his luck on American soil after the rewarding experience gained in the two races in which he has competed this year in the United States.

The motivation of racing in Barcelona will be fundamental for him during the competition. He will be accompanied by established riders who are used to making waves wherever they go. Nevertheless, this national rider believes that anything can happen during the races and doesn’t rule out surprises

“The Americans and the French are excellent but that doesn’t mean you have to be scared of them. I’ll give it my best shot and try and beat them, if I can.” E.T. comes home and Adams goes to conquer the Palau Xtreme Jump, the jumping competition which brings together the most daring freestyle riders currently on the scene, will be sharing the podium with Supercross and will be in for a treat when the Sant Jordi stadium roars to welcome the return of Edgar Torronteras “E.T.” to his roots.

After being away for three years, the rider from Cardedeu will delight with his repertoire of jumps on the same circuit where, in 1990, when he was only ten, he was the first of 25 in the junior category in the first Barcelona Supercross.

The same day on which Ricky Johnson competed in his last great race was the day on which the legend of Torronteras came to life. This is one of many reasons making this year’s competition more special than ever.

“The emotion of jumping in the Sant Jordi stadium is something I’ve experienced many times over the years but perhaps now, after being away from jumping for three years, going back is more powerful.”

Alongside Torronteras, the Xtreme Jump will also be able to boast the participation of another huge star: Nate Adams, a living legend in this speciality, winner of a gold medal in the X Games, to name but one of his spectacular victories.

He is a rider of international renown, whose handlebars bear testimony to the present and future of this speciality. Apart from these two mega crack riders, the list of freestylers is rounded off by: José Miralles, Charly Pagés, Sydney de Andrés, Beau Bamburg, last year’s winner and Dani Torres, the rising rookie, in addition to being the only Spanish rider in history to participate in the X Games.

And it is indeed he who will, in part, set the pace during this gathering given the great form he is currently in, with his PhD in jumps and his long list of colossal triumphs in the last two years. Total vertigo is guaranteed in the Sant Jordi stadium on the night with the galaxy of riders from the Xtreme Jump in search of perfection and the most battle-hardened representatives of supercross fighting for immortality in the Palau.