What a thrilling upset in the world of Supercross! Malcolm Stewart, the underdog rider from Rockstar Husqvarna, turned heads by dominating the Paris Supercross so impressively that he snagged his first-ever King of Paris title—proving that sometimes, the rider with the fresh perspective can outshine the favorites. But here's where it gets intriguing: despite starting the weekend feeling unprepared, Stewart not only matched but exceeded his performance from the previous day. Stick around to discover how this newcomer flipped the script on established stars like Jett Lawrence and Cooper Webb, and why some fans are buzzing about whether his strategy was genius or just lucky.
Taking place in Nanterre, France, the Paris Supercross event (accessible via Racer X's detailed coverage at https://racerxonline.com/paris-sx/2025/paris-supercross) saw Stewart (profiled at https://racerxonline.com/rider/malcolm-stewart) kick off Sunday with a commanding victory in the Superpole race—a qualifying heat that determines starting positions based on the fastest lap times. For those new to motocross, think of Superpole as a high-stakes sprint where riders go all-out to secure the pole position, much like in Formula 1 racing. From there, Stewart followed up by finishing first in the first two main events, then executed a daring pass on Jett Lawrence to claim second in the third, ultimately posting a flawless 1-1-1-2-2-1 scorecard across all races. This propelled him ahead of defending champion Cooper Webb (check out his rider page at https://racerxonline.com/rider/cooper-webb) and secured the crown for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team.
Jett Lawrence (rider details at https://racerxonline.com/rider/jett-lawrence), the Honda HRC star who had a rough Saturday night, came out firing on all cylinders on Sunday. He innovated by attempting a quad jump—a risky maneuver where a rider clears four obstacles in one leap—in the rhythm section, a technical area of jumps and bumps designed to test skill and flow. Stewart quickly mimicked it, and they became the only two competitors brave enough to pull it off. Lawrence dominated the opening two mains, setting the pace with aggressive riding, but faltered in the third, finishing third behind Stewart and Webb. He nearly caught Webb in the closing laps, but a slower rider (a 'lapper') obstructed his path, costing him a potential podium spot. Interestingly, the Lawrence brothers opted for stock engines this weekend to simplify things for their team, avoiding the need to assemble full race-spec bikes. Jett admitted they were sacrificing about six horsepower compared to their usual setups, yet he graciously applauded Stewart's exceptional riding and declared him the superior performer over the weekend.
And this is the part most people miss: Webb, the reigning Monster Energy Supercross Champion and last year's King of Paris winner, settled for second overall and expressed satisfaction with his results. He acknowledged some bike handling issues to iron out and chose not to attempt the quad jump, but highlighted his consistent top-three finishes and lead laps as positives. It's a reminder that even champions have off-days, and Webb's pragmatic view might inspire beginners to focus on steady progress over perfection.
Meanwhile, Hunter Lawrence (explore his profile at https://racerxonline.com/rider/hunter-lawrence), Jett's brother, endured a nasty crash the day before that left him with arm bruising. He took it easy in all three mains, securing solid top-five positions each time. Hunter couldn't sing the praises of his Alpinestars helmet enough—it shielded him from serious injury in a frightening moment when he was struck in the head by a footpeg (a protruding part of the motorcycle). This underscores the life-saving importance of quality gear in high-speed sports, where split-second incidents can turn deadly.
But let's circle back to Stewart, the undeniable star of the show. He was unstoppable throughout, especially considering he confided at the start of the weekend that he was lagging in preparation. 'I'm easing back into the groove!' he exclaimed post-race. 'Honestly, today was only my seventh day on the bike, and it clicked. The whoops section played to my strengths—I experimented with fresh rhythms, even copying Jett's quad jump right after he did it. I was like, counting to three... did he really just nail that quad?' It's fascinating how adaptability and instinct can trump experience sometimes.
Stewart also shared a personal tidbit: his brother James clinched the King of Paris title 17 years ago. Seventeen years! That's a long wait for family redemption, and it adds an emotional layer to Stewart's victory that fans can't help but root for.
Shifting gears to the SX2 class, where younger riders compete, Luke Clout from BUD Kawasaki (rider bio at https://racerxonline.com/rider/luke-clout) dominated by winning four out of the first five main events and placing second in the fifth to Anthony Bourdon of Honda (profile at https://racerxonline.com/rider/anthony-bourdon). He seemed poised for the overall win until a collision in the fifth race damaged his bike severely, preventing him from completing all the jumps. Bourdon capitalized on the opportunity, securing the title and delighting the French crowd with a home victory. This highlights the unpredictable nature of racing, where one mishap can shift fortunes in an instant.
Remember, this is just the off-season, so results don't carry the weight of championship points. Yet, Stewart's dominance proves that raw talent and smart adjustments can make all the difference, even when you're not fully prepped. He leveraged his speed in the whoops—a series of rolling mounds that demand precise throttle control—and was the pioneer in altering the rhythm of the lane following the sand pit, discovering a faster route. Others copied him, but none matched his mastery. 'Jett was riding strong, but I focused on executing my plan, and it paid off,' Stewart said afterward. 'Winning this after all these years is incredible—I hope they invite me back!' Absolutely, Malcolm, you're proving yourself a force for the future.
But here's where it gets controversial: Some might argue that Stewart's win, despite his admitted lack of preparation, raises questions about fairness in a sport where top riders train year-round. Was it pure skill, or did the unique track conditions give him an unfair edge? And what about the Lawrences using stock engines— a clever team strategy, or a shortcut that levels the playing field in questionable ways? Do you think underdogs like Stewart deserve more credit for improvisation, or should everyone play by the same rules? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree, disagree, or add your own take on what defines a true champion in Supercross!
