Bize-Minervois

Motorbike

A demonstration of « Freestyle » motorcycling organised by the festival committee

The Bize-Minervois festival committee has organised a motorcycle freestyle event : the acrobatics only limited by the skill of the riders. The track for this motorbike show was constructed in the Cesse river bed, visible from the Promenade. The outstanding event forms part of the festivities for July 14th (Bastille Day).

One of the riders, Jérôme Barbera, comes from the neighbouring village of Sainte Valière, and trains regularly in the Minerve area and at the Serre d’Oupia, the hill with the wind turbines above Pouzols and Mailhac. His motorbike, a 250cc two-stroke engine, is based on a motocross version with streamlined body and suspension.

Jérôme Barbera starts his training with a warm-up on the motocross style track, flat and hilly. He is totally at ease and at one with his machine. On the small bumps, he lifts off with full throttle and leaps ten metres or more. The engine roars up and down, as it does the turns, fast and almost unmeasurable. The air is full of dust. The wind carries the smell of engine oil. Instantly, the spectator is gripped. He is there at this event, he knows what is going to happen, and he holds his breath.

The rider then approaches the ramp, from where machine and rider will throw themselves : a metal structure firmly secured in the ground, which reminds you of a ski jump.

The modern day cavalryman seems almost unreal on his mount. He puts his foot on the gas, the adrenalin runs in his veins : this is lift-off.

Jérôme Barbera is often accompanied by some of his fans during his training sessions. One of them has set up a website dedicated to Jérôme and his freestyle. You can see photos on it, as well as two videos of the show at Bize-Minervois on July 13th 2007.