Stewart sensational at Bercy

San Manuel Yamaha rider James Stewart continued a perfect start to his career in ‘blue’ by taking his YZ450F to a dominant streak of victories at the 26th Bercy Supercross in Paris. The 22 year old AMA Motocross Champion owned all three nights in the French capital to become ‘King of Bercy’ at his first attempt.   The prestigious European Supercross meeting saw a Yamaha upon the top step of the podium for the second year in succession as Stewart followed in the footsteps of Chad Reed and swept away from the pack in every race that he started. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings all belonged to the American in what was just his second meeting on the YZ450F after ruling the lucrative US Open in Las Vegas last month.   “That was an awesome experience, it was like the Motocross of Nations but louder!” he said. “I was a bit shocked to see my times in practice so I knew I had good speed. The track is pretty simple but quite good. There are only a couple of places where you can make time and I took advantage of that.”   “We did another week of testing after US Open and I feel good and the team is working well,” he continued. “I think we will make some improvements but I have to say that although the bike is different to what I had before it is way better. I feel really good on the turns and very relaxed; my corner speed has got faster on the Yamaha. It is an exciting time.”   “I feel really comfortable around the team,” he added. “They want the same as me; to win. This is the first year I have been able to do this race and it was because we all wanted to come. Now we head back to the US. The SX championship is my goal for 2009 and I believe we can do it.”   It has been a busy time for Stewart who helped Team USA to triumph in the 62nd Motocross of Nations in the UK before travelling home and launching his new team and then winning his maiden Yamaha appearance in Vegas. Stewart revealed that he is planning yet more transatlantic trips after the 18 race AMA and FIM World Championship SX series has ended on May 2nd in Nevada. His next event will be the opening race at Anaheim in Los Angeles on January 3rd.   “I plan to be back in Europe before the Nations, maybe some GPs, I don’t know. If I keep on getting police escorts from the airport then I will be back all the time!” he commented, referring to his VIP treatment from organisers in Paris.   In other news Yamaha Red Bull De Carli rider Matteo Bonini scored another podium result with his YZ250F in the European SX Championship in Milan. The Italian is now up to third in the competition and 15 points behind leader Benjamin Coisy with just one round remaining, in Genoa on November 22nd.   "I had to miss the first two rounds of this championship because of commitments to the European Motocross of Nations and it is a bit of a shame because I really would have been pushing for the title,” he said. “However we go to Genoa next and I would love to win there. I had some good speed in Milan but the race was totally determined by the start and I did not get the best launches.”