Bike Polo
Bike Polo was invented in Ireland, in 1891 by retired champion cyclist Richard J. Mecredy.
Towards the end of the XIXth century the game reached Great Britain, France and the USA.
The first international match was played on a grass surface, between Ireland and England in 1901.
In recent years, an alternate form of the game known as “Hardcourt Bike Polo” has grown in popularity. In
this variation, teams compete on tennis courts, street hockey rinks, or whatever other hard surfaces are available.
Rules are simple: 4 members on a team, 3 players on court, infinite substitutions, 18 minutes per game, Round Robin stage and then double elimination draw.
MONGRELS UNT
France/Switzerland/Germany
World Champions
Quentin BOUCHARD is not in the picture due to a rib injury during quarterfinals game
HOT DOGS
Spain/Switzerland - Runner up
SUPERPOLO
Mexico - 9th place
MORE SUGAR
USA - 17th place
HOT WHEELS
Italy - 9th place
North America
Mosquito (Canada) - More Sugar (USA) - Demon Heart (USA) - Beehive Baes (USA) - Ball Y’All (USA) - Chinook (Canada) - Sorry Eh (Can-Mex-USA) - Superpolo (Mexico) - Nahuales (Mexico – Colombie) - Koncept Nahuales (USA-Mexico) -
South America
Leche Negra (Argentina) - Nepa (Argentina) - Chan-Thaos (Chile) - Transandinos (Chile)
Oceania
Skywhales (Australia – Germany) - Compact Midsize Sedan (Australia – Portugal – USA)
Asia
Hong Kong Bike Polo (Hong Kong)
Europe
Mongrels (France-Switzerland-Germany) - Rasta Rocket (France) - Lessive (Belgium – Switzerland – France) - Vandals (France) - Didiers (France) - Panamera (France) - Hotdogs (Suisse – Spain ) - Hot Wheels (Italiy) - Excuse The Mess (Poland – France) - Malabar (France – Belgium) - WHO (Switzerland – France) - Make Way (Switzerland) - Les Chevals (France)
MALABAR
France/Belgium - 5th place
VANDALS
France - 13th place
WHO
France/Switzerland - 5th place
BALL Y'ALL
USA - 17th place
ALBATAR
France - 13th place
DEMON HEART
USA - 17th place
As a photographer and bike lover, I was struck by the passion of these
guys. They breathe, talk, eat, dream and live for two words: Bike Polo!
A mix of madness, commitment, struggle, intensity, friendship, but above all, joy for this particular sport,
who gather together in cities around the globe to play.
As time goes by, this kind of venue is slowly turning pro, with better bikes, sponsors, council town engagement and thousands of Instagram accounts..
The following set of images were made during different tournaments in
Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon, Toulouse, Zaragoza and the recent 2023 World Polo Champs in Perpignan, France.
A glimpse of a Bike Polo game at real speed.
Video courtesy: Damon RAO, Australian player
