When I think of Bercy, I think of Jeremy McGrath. Now, obviously, the golden years of Bercy was that first decade, the years of the amazing Americans, David Bailey, Johnny Omara, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward, Broc Glover, and Ron Lechien and as Bercy moved into the 1990s, of course, the great French rider, Jean-Michel Bayle.

For me, unfortunately I missed that whole era as I sat in Australia, watching through magazines. My first Bercy was in 1993 and what an experience that was. I had read a lot about this event as fellow Aussie, Jeff Leisk had shown great results in 1989, winning a night and finishing third overall to Johnson and Damon Bradshaw. So, when I arrived at my first in 1993, I was excited, to say the least.

It was also only my second visit to Paris and of course, for many, the most beautiful city in the world never disappointed. The 90s brought Jeff Stanton into the equation as he won in 1992, beating Bayle and he arrived in Bercy in 1993 ready to defend his King of Bercy title.

Of course, nobody could have expected what was coming for the next decade, a young kid from California was about to take over and having won his first major AMA supercross championship (after winning two 125cc SX titles), McGrath arrived in Bercy as the defending AMA 250 supercross champion, and the anticipation was huge.

Stanton, the defending King and McGrath, the flashy kid, with the million-dollar smile and sparkling riding gear. Yes, the new King was in town and when he won Bercy in 1993, it seemed he would probably win forever, or at least until he decided enough was enough.

In a huge surprise, it wasn’t McGrath who won in 1994, but Mike Larocco, with McGrath finishing in third place. In 1995 though, Supermac won again, beating Larry Ward. Amazingly, McGrath never won again, finishing third behind Ryan Hughes and Damon Huffman in 1996, fourth behind Jeff Emig, Damon Huffman and Jimmy Button in 1997, third to Larry Ward and Robbie Reynard in 1998, then second to David Vuillemin in 1999.

Despite being the best supercross rider in the world in the 1990s and winning himself six AMA 250 supercross championships and an AMA motocross championship, not to mention two MXdN wins with Team USA, Bercy just never fell into place for the American legend, apart of course from that 1993 victory and his 1995 glory.

Funnily enough though, despite not winning on many of his visits to Bercy, he was the star of the show, time and time again and the most popular rider in the stadium. What Jeremy McGrath gave to Europe, rivals that of his 1980s countrymen, Johnson, Ward, Bailey and O’Mara. America was the king of supercross for most of the last 40 years and it wasn’t until the Lawrence brothers turned up, that the yanks had to kneel for anyone.

Sure, Chad Reed won a couple, but those wins either came with Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart were injured or retired. Even in the Reed era, it was American’s who were considered the best.

Now, as we enter the 2025 Paris supercross and the dust of Bercy is long but settled, it is two Aussie men who will be the favourites. Jett and Hunter Lawrence the benchmark for now when it comes to the best in the world.

For me, though, take me back to 1993, when a flashy, smooth-talking American by the name of McGrath blitzed the best in the world. Bercy was and will always be the greatest show on earth, better than maybe even the MXoN or A1. It was built in the centre of the most beautiful city in the world, and the French fans didn’t let us down either.

I would love to say long live the King and long live Bercy, but both are not long retired and while the Paris supercross remains and the Lawrence dominate, it can never live up to Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy or Jeremy McGrath.