Straight rhythm winner Marvin Musquin shared the track with new Suzuki signing Justin Barcia on press day for the weekend’s Paris-Bercy Supercross at Lille in France. Frenchman Musqin looked more comfortable than the American who is riding a borrowed stock RMZ450 with his own Showa suspension.

Barcia exclusively revealed to MotoHead that the team are awaiting a batch of new parts for his race bike and is still getting used to the feel of the Suzuki. French former world champions Romain Febvre and Jordi Tixier looked good, as Honda’s Christain Craig soon got to grips with the tight circuit. Fabien Izoird also looked rapid on his 450 Honda.

Malcolm Stewart, who is without a deal for 2017 yet, was mounted on a stock Honda with Seven graphics but did not make the practice as he had a machine issue. None of the Brits entered got to ride in the invitation-only session.

Late entry Jake Nicholls, who last rode Arenacross 16 years ago as a youth, has decided to race a 250 but it’s undecided whether he’ll go out in the SX2 class or race it against the big boys in the 450s.