Round 01
/
08 Aug
Canadian GP
Calgary, Canada
McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium
When the pyrotechnics erupt and the 30 second board goes up inside Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on 10th October, the FIM World Supercross Championship paddock will welcome one of the most in-form racers on the planet. Two-time MX2 World Champion and supercross star Tom Vialle is stepping up to the premier 450cc division as an elite wildcard rider for the highly anticipated British GP.
For European supercross enthusiasts, the French sensation’s arrival injects pure adrenaline into the Championship chase. While series regulars will be calculating points and protecting titles, Vialle arrives with clean air, blistering speed, and nothing to lose.
High-Speed Momentum: From Turkish Hard-Pack to Indoor Rhythms
Vialle heads to the Midlands on a blistering run of form. Balancing a demanding global racing schedule, the 24 year old recently stormed to a hard-fought second overall at the MXGP of Turkey. After overcoming a frustrating mid-season injury that sidelined him for several rounds, Vialle’s return to peak physical condition has been devastatingly swift.
Over his recent Grands Prix appearances, his razor-sharp technique and relentless fitness have put him right back where he belongs: running at the front of the pack.
In Turkey, that speed translated into an epic duel with Jeffrey Herlings, as Vialle pushed the Dutch legend to the chequered flag in a breathtaking second moto battle.
“I felt really good in Turkey,” Vialle reflected. “I had an injury mid-season that kept me out for two or three races, but the last four or five GPs have been back to top form. In that second moto, Jeffrey had been winning so many races, and in my head, I told myself: ‘Someone has to stop him.’ I committed to giving everything I had for fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes, I felt incredible, so I kept charging right to the final lap. Pushing Jeffrey down to the wire was an absolute blast.”
That ruthless competitive instinct is exactly what supercross fans crave, and Vialle is wasting no time transferring that momentum directly into stadium competition.
Transitioning to Stadium Warfare
The turnaround between world championship motocross and stadium supercross is notoriously brutal, yet Vialle embraced the challenge immediately. Within hours of landing back home from Turkey, he was already turning laps on a private supercross test track before packing his gear bags for more travel, this time to China.
“You ride a motorcycle in both, but the technique, the approach to obstacles, and how you read the track are completely different,” Vialle explained. “I haven’t raced supercross in several months, so getting back on the track felt fantastic. You need a little time to adjust to the stiffer suspension setup, rebuild your timing through the rhythm lanes, and lock into that unique supercross flow. In motocross, you can ride with a wider margin of error, but indoors, absolute precision is mandatory. It takes a few sessions to recalibrate, but the rhythm comes back quickly. A couple of solid weeks on the bike and you are ready to fire.”
In motocross, you can ride with a wider margin of error, but indoors, absolute precision is mandatory.
What makes Vialle’s Birmingham appearance even more thrilling is the step up in displacement. Trading his familiar 250cc machine for a 450cc four-stroke requires immaculate throttle discipline and brute physical core strength. For Vialle, the jump represents an exciting blank canvas.
The Wildcard Mindset: Zero Points, Maximum Attack
Dropping into the World Supercross Championship as an unattached Wildcard can intimidate visiting riders, but Vialle views his guest spot at Round 02 as a massive tactical advantage. Running his own factory-supported machinery and trusted technical crew, he enters Birmingham unburdened by title point strategies.
“The series ran its opening round in the summer, which means Birmingham is only Round 02,” Vialle noted. “Everything is still wide open and fresh. Coming in with my own bike, my own team, and zero points pressure is pure fun. We get the chance to line up against the best racers in the world, test ourselves under the stadium lights, and fight for race wins. I’m incredibly excited.”
We get the chance to line up against the best racers in the world, test ourselves under the stadium lights, and fight for race wins. I’m incredibly excited.
Vialle has followed the World Supercross action closely as a fan, studying the frantic three race format that demands explosive speed from the moment the gates slam into the dirt.
“I’ve watched it on television for the last couple of seasons,” he said. “Watching three races back-to-back is incredible for the fans and relentless for the riders. It has been almost a year since my last stadium gate drop, and I have missed that electric stadium intensity. That pressure on the starting line is unmatched.”
Clashing With Champions and Rocket-Fast Electrics
Inside the Birmingham arena, Vialle will stare down a stacked gate featuring household legends he has idolised but never raced against. Multi-time supercross champions Cooper Webb and Jason Anderson headline an elite roster alongside heavy hitters like Christian Craig and Justin Hill.
“This is my first 450cc supercross race, so racing against legends like Cooper Webb and Jason Anderson is huge for me,” admitted Vialle. “I’ve never raced against those guys. They have years of experience on 450s and know how to win in stadiums. I want to see where my speed stacks up against them. If I can mix it up in the lead pack and battle for the podium, it will be an unforgettable night.”
This is my first 450cc supercross race, so racing against legends like Cooper Webb and Jason Anderson is huge for me.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the presence of the revolutionary Stark electric machine, whose instantaneous launch off the start gate has redefined the holeshot battle.
“I watched the opening round, and those electric bikes launch like absolute rockets,” laughed Vialle. “Beating them into turn one is going to be a real test. Track position inside an arena is everything, so nailing my starts against that electric acceleration will be crucial.”
The Ultimate European Supercross Spectacle
For British and European fans, the 10th October showdown in Birmingham is the premier stadium motocross event of the autumn calendar. With major supercross events rare in Europe, the central UK location makes it an easy pilgrimage for passionate supporters travelling from France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Vialle knows firsthand the roar British fans can produce, having experienced the electric atmosphere of UK crowds throughout his world championship career.
“The UK crowd is always brilliant, and having a world-class supercross right in Birmingham means fans from all over Europe can travel over easily,” said Vialle. “It’s my first time racing in Birmingham, my premier 450 supercross debut, and I cannot wait to put on a show. Make sure you don’t miss it.”