Along with teammates Gregg Black and Sylvain Guintoli, local hero Xavier Siméon is one of the favorites to win the 24H SPA EWC Motos, second round of the 2022 FIM World Endurance Championship, on June 4-5.
Here's what the 32-year-old Belgian, whose world champion Yoshimura SERT Motul team leads the EWC standings after last month's 24 Heures Motos, said before the FIM World Endurance Championship returns at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the first time since 2001.
What are your first memories of Spa-Francorchamps?
« When my father [Michel] was racing, I came here with him when I was five or six years old. I grew up in the World Endurance paddock so I grew up in Spa. »
Spa is qualified as a legendary circuit: how would you describe it?
« This circuit is incredible. He is very, very fast, and you have to respect him a lot because you need a level of concentration and confidence that is very high. »
Amazing but difficult, right?
« Overall it will be a very difficult race, especially during the night. It's a track where you can make a big difference in terms of lap times, so you definitely have to respect this track, but that's why everyone says it's the most beautiful track in the world, because it passes through the woods with long turns, seven kilometers: the track is truly incredible. »
How important is the weather in Spa?
« I raced at Spa in 2005 and 2006 and it was like this: the weather can change at any time. Sometimes it rains at the back of the circuit and not in the first part, so it can be a surprise at any moment and that's why I said you really have to respect this track. »
Would you say that you have an advantage, because it is your national circuit and you “grew up” in Spa?
« This is not true. Of course I did some tests last year with Bridgestone and my own bike, my standard bike, but for me the favorites are clearly the FCC [TSR Honda France] and BMW teams, because BMW did a lot tests last year and they also did the 6 hours of Spa. FCC came to test but [my teammates] Gregg [Black] and Sylvain [Guintoli] didn't know the circuit before testing. I don't think I'm the favorite because I'm Belgian, and we lack experience as a team regarding data. During the race, it's not about being the fastest, it's also about who is on the lucky side, and the 24 hours will be very, very long. »
How will the track length of 6,985 kilometers affect strategy?
« The strategy will be made from the experience of the tests and we have one test left. We still have to understand a lot of things and at that point we will establish a strategy and see if it is the right one, then we will adapt during the race if we are missing something or not. »
Is the fact that you won the 24 Heures Motos and are at the top of the standings an advantage or a disadvantage?
« We have to take things race by race, because each race has its history, its time, and a number of things can happen. We know that our opponents will be very strong. They will want to try to force and win, and it will be up to us to see if we want to win or just push, go beyond the limit to win or just to make the podium. It's difficult to talk about a precise result. »
What comes first: winning at Spa or defending the EWC title?
« It will be great [to win at home] but that's not the most important thing. If we have to do third or fourth because that's our maximum, we will do it. But it's certain that if we can win, it's much better and it's also better for the championship. »
24-H-Spa-2022-Tests-Day-YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL, Black Gregg, Siméon Xavier, Guintoli Sylvain, Watanabe Kazuki, Suzuki GSXR 1000, Formula EWC
