Meanwhile, with Team USA's natural leader, two-time Bercy King Andrew Short, unfortunately hurt, KTM's Mike Alessi - outrageously ambushed by French riders during last year's event - has bravely decided to return and in doing so will become the most experienced US rider at the event. "I have always raced hard and given my best in Bercy, coming 'short', so to speak, twice. This race is important to me and I want to become King this time, hopefully helping Team USA to keep the trophy in the process," said the 2006 AMA Motocross Lites' championship runner-up.

American Honda's newest recruit, Tommy Hahn, will fill in for Andrew Short and Team Factory Connection will send two of its best members. If recovered from injury, Mike Alessi's younger brother Jeff - also involved in the 2005 fracas - will also return. Josh Hansen, Mike Brown, Jason Lawrence, Zach Osbourne, to name a few, complete the promoter's Team USA short list.

The SX Tour, to be credited with a renewal of young French SX talent, always gives intense racing to the sold-out Bercy crowd. 2006 leaders of the SX Tour series are Kawasaki's Marvin Musquin, KTM France's Kounsith Vongsana, and Maxime Lesage, on a Honda.

Bercy will also feature, for the first time, an 85cc race where the top 10 of the French 85cc SX championship will participate on the actual track (altered if necessary) for championship points. Two top young 85cc European specialists will be invited to keep the international flavour of the Event.

Meanwhile, the famous freestyle show will once again return with Swiss Mat Rebeaud, Spain's Dani Torres, Japan's Aigo Sato, the King of Whips, America's Ronnie Renner, and France's Remi Bizouard confirmed.