Justin Barcia celebrates victory in Paris, France. Image: Nuno Laranjeira.

American Justin Barcia has been crowned the King of Bercy in Paris, France, over the weekend after three action-filled days of competition.

On the first day of three of the famous SX spectacle, now stretching into its 31st edition, it was Barcia who swept the heat, Superpole and eliminator sprints on his factory Honda and then controlled the main event ahead of teammate Trey Canard and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Gautier Paulin.

“Oh man, it doesn’t get much better,” Barcia said. “It was a good night and I’m really happy. The track was fun and tight and fits my style. There were some big American-style whoops and that was cool. The competition was tough and Trey and Paulin were on my toes all night.”

A full-capacity of 11,000 fans on Saturday night were treated to another American face-off between Barcia and Canard, with the all-action Barcia banging his way to victory number two in the French capital.

Paulin won Superpole, but Barcia edged the start in the main event and went on to win from Canard, with Andrew Short riding his BTOSports KTM to third.

“I wasn’t really feeling it tonight, but I get excited when I get aggressive!” said Barcia. “I just want to make sure of the deal tomorrow and get the job done.”

For the third day in a row on Sunday it was easier to try and find an empty seat in the Palais Omnisport de Bercy arena than judge who would leave the tight and fast course inside the Parisian stadium with the winner’s trophy.

It was the turn of Canard to claim the third and final chequered flag but it was Barcia, who through finishing as runner-up after a hectic last main event, went two for two in terms of appearances and King of Bercy titles.

The last spectacle at the 2013 Bercy started in crazy fashion with Paulin snatching the lead and the Americans needing three laps to barrel their way back from mid-pack.

Short meanwhile took over pace-setting duties and the Joker Lane entries had little bearing on the overall running order. When Canard hit the lead and Barcia tried to follow it looked like the race might enter the same controversial finale as Saturday night.

Backmarkers played their part and Canard was immensely strong to carry the extra metres he needed through the whoops to hold Barcia at bay.

The overall standings put Barcia on top with 1-1-2 compared to 2-2-1 posted by Canard. Short finished his seventh Bercy outing on the box with Paulin in fourth and Cooper Webb celebrated his 18th birthday with fifth place.

“Man, what a weekend,” Barcia reflected. “I didn’t want it to be that exciting. Trey and I were so close in speed and we were only tenths apart. Overall it was just very intense. We were going extremely fast and were on a bit of a different level compared to the other guys. It was awesome.

“I’ve won it twice now so maybe next year I will come back and try and make it three. I love this place. I’m stoked to be King of Bercy again and it means a lot to have two of those trophies at home now. It is pretty special.”

2013 King of Bercy overall results:
1. Justin Barcia
2. Trey Canard
3. Andrew Short
4. Gautier Paulin
5. Cooper Webb
6. Cedric Soubeyras
7. Wil Hahn
8. Gregory Aranda
9. Fabien Izoird
10. Jordi Tixier