A Grand Prix Tradition – French Gp

France has long been a mainstay for Grand Prix motocross. One of the most passionate countries, with a long list of champions coming from that era of Europe. But it isn’t just the riders from France who attract a lot of attention when it comes time for a French GP, as the French know their history and it is a history that is rich of many circuits and legendary performances.

Back in 1957, Leslie Archer became the first ever winner of the French 500cc Grand Prix. The British rider took victory at the Montreuil circuit and Archer scored another win in 1959, this time at Mayenne. It was the era of British motocross domination with John Draper winning in 1960 at yet another circuit, which was Cassel.

From those early days of the French GP has moved around to many different circuits, too many to mention, and in that 500cc class, the first 12 GPs held in France were not once held at the same facility, from 125cc, 250cc and 500cc rounds.

Slowly some circuits started being favoured, with Pernes les Fontaines running rounds in 1962, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1987, and 1997. The event in 1997 was won by none other than Frederic Vialle (father of Tom), as he took victory in the 125cc class.

St Jean D’Angély arrived on the GP scene in 1984 in the 250cc class, then ran again in 1989 and 1995. Of course, today, the St Jean circuit is a constant on the MXGP calendar. Of course, St Jean often shares the French GP with Ernée, Lacapelle-Marival or Villars-sous-Écot.

A French favourite, Ernée made its first appearance on the GP calendar in 1990 with a 125cc round, but didn’t run often for the next decade, with 250cc and 500cc rounds in 1994, 1998 and 1999. As the new decade arrived, the French GP started making a serious change, as circuits like St Jean d’Angély and Ernée were the mainstay of that country’s involvement with the Grand Prix series.

Of course, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations has also been held in France on a number of occasions. The first in 1988 at Villars-sous-Ecot, then St Jean d’Angély in 2000, Ernée in 2005, with St Jean d’Angély again in 2011, Ernée in 2015 and finally, Ern2e again in 2023. Ernée will also host this year’s event.

As for riders who favoured the French round of the championship, Stefan Everts won in France on nine occasions, including his three GP wins in one day at Ernée in 2003. Jeffrey Herlings has eight wins in France, Eric Geboers and Georges Jobe won in France on five occasions, Torsten Hallman, Joel Robert, Andre Malherbe, Rolf Tibblin, Joel Smets all won on four occasions.

This weekend the MXGP championship heads to Lacapelle-Marival and no doubt, Herlings will be trying to add another French GP to his name and get a little closer to the tally of Stefan Everts and try and take another record from the legendary Belgian.

One thing is guaranteed, not only do the French present us with beautiful old school circuits, but the spectator involvement is maybe the best in the calendar, with thousands and thousands lining the picket fences, with airhorns blowing and maximum volume.