On this last weekend of March, the pilots of the French Superbike Championship have resumed competition on the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, for the first races of the 2025 season. Sébastien Poirier, President of the French Motorcycling Federation, was present this Sunday and was particularly impressed by the presence of 12 spectators. Find out which riders stood out during this inaugural round, organized by the ACO and the FFMoto. For the first time, the Teams Championship made it possible to establish a provisional ranking of the best FSBK teams.
Please note that following his fall in Race 1, Alan TECHER did not start the race. The start was eventful in this second race of the day in the premier class. At the end of the first lap, Challenger rider Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha Team CMS – Pirelli) was in the lead, closely followed by Hugo CLERE (Honda – Pirelli) and closely followed by local rider Martin RENAUDIN (Dafy-Rac41-Honda – Michelin). For his part, Kenny FORAY (Tecmas BMW Motorrad France – Michelin) had a difficult start and dropped back to 6th place, just behind Grégory LEBLANC (Ducati Team TWR – Pirelli), 4th, and his teammate Loris CRESSON (Tecmas BMW Motorrad France – Michelin), 5th. Unfortunately, LEBLANC made a mistake on the second lap and had to retire.
At the front, DE LA VEGA and CLERE pulled away without creating a decisive gap. RENAUDIN made an effort to try and get back into their slipstream, while FORAY and CRESSON became increasingly pressing.
Halfway through the race, the battle between DE LA VEGA and CLERE benefits the pursuers. The leading group tightens, now composed of these two riders, as well as RENAUDIN, CRESSON, and FORAY.
In the following laps, FORAY did FORAY: he successively overtook his four opponents and took the lead on lap 9. In the process, CLERE took 2nd place ahead of DE LA VEGA and took the champion's wheel. Lying in ambush, RENAUDIN and CRESSON observed the situation without managing to pose a threat.
While CLERE seemed able to attempt an attack on FORAY three laps from the finish, the fall of a rider in the pack, following the engine failure of Noan VASTA (Yamaha Team PMR – Pirelli), forced the race direction to interrupt the race under red flag.
The ranking from the previous round thus becomes definitive, and FORAY scores the first double of his career on the Bugatti circuit. He is ahead of CLERE, 2nd as in race 1, and the Challenger rider DE LA VEGA, who once again climbs onto the 3rd step of the podium for his very first weekend in the premier class. RENAUDIN retains 4th place, ahead of CRESSON, 5th. Mathieu GINES completes the top 6 with the yellow Kawasaki of Team BMRT 3D Maxxess, fitted with Michelin tires.
On the Challenger side, victory once again went to Enzo DE LA VEGA. He was followed by Killian AEBI (Junior Team LMS Suzuki – Pirelli), 8th overall, and Roméo MICHAUD (Honda – Pirelli), 10th.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Kenny Foray – 52 points
2 – Hugo Clere – 40 points
3 – Enzo De La Vega – 26 points
4 – Martin Renaudin – 24 points
4 – Loris Cresson – 24 points
SUPERSPORT
RACE 1: NEGRIER ANNOUNCES THEIR COLOURS
Between Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha DMT Racing – Pirelli), Diego PONCET (Martin Garage-Rac41 – Honda 600 – Pirelli) and local rider Alexy NEGRIER (Triumph Team B2S – Michelin), who started from the front row, the battle was fierce from the first laps. The three men attacked each other in succession.
NEGRIER finally took the lead and gradually managed to widen the gap, setting the fastest lap several times during the race. Behind him, the duel for 2nd place was taking shape between drivers #39 and #36. Even though PERRIN maintained the advantage for a long stretch, PONCET came back to the charge three laps from the checkered flag: nothing was yet decided for the last two steps of the podium.
Untouchable on his Triumph, the local rider, NEGRIER, crossed the finish line as the winner, with a lead of nearly five seconds. For 2nd place, PERRIN finally got the better of PONCET in the final sector of the last lap, after an intense duel that provided a spectacle for the crowd already present in large numbers around the circuit.
On the Challenger side, Cyprien BABY (Yamaha Team PMR – Pirelli) maintains 8th place overall, the position he started from on the grid. The category podium is completed by Quentin GODEFROY (Yamaha Storm Factory – Pirelli), 10th, and Killian ROSSIGNOL (Martin Garage-Rac41 – Honda 600 – Pirelli), 11th.
RACE 2: PONCET TAKES CONTROL AGAIN
The sun has come out and the track has warmed up at the start of this second start. Conditions that seem to please Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha DMT Racing – Pirelli), who made the best start, and Diego PONCET (Martin Garage-Rac41 – Honda 600 – Pirelli), who is close behind him.
For his part, the local rider of the round, Alexy NEGRIER (Triumph Team B2S – Michelin), is relegated to 6th place behind the Challenger rider Cyprien BABY (Yamaha Team PMR – Pirelli), 4th, and Vincent FALCONE (Yamaha TFC Racing – Pirelli), 5th.
PERRIN widens the gap with the peloton, but is unable to break away from PONCET, who remains in his wheelhouse. NEGRIER climbs back lap after lap to 3rd position, and begins his chase on the leading duo.
At the start of the final lap, PONCET took advantage of a mistake by PERRIN to take the lead and maintained his advantage until the checkered flag. PERRIN had to settle for 2nd place. NEGRIER, too far behind, was unable to join the final battle and finished 3rd.
On the challenger side, BABY distinguished himself once again by finishing just off the overall podium, in 4th. Quentin GODEFROY (Yamaha Storm Factory – Pirelli), 8th, and Alexian MACARY (Honda KF78 Académie – Michelin), 9th, completed the category podium.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Alexy NEGRIER – 43 points
2 – Diego PONCET – 41 points
3 – Bartholomé PERRIN – 40 points
4 – Damien MARMION – 22 points
5 – Gabin Cazard – 20 points
YAMAHA CHALLENGE SSP 700
RACE 1: CAZARD IMPOSES ITS PACE
Under cloudy skies and temperatures below 8°C, Jules BERCOT (Yamaha – Michelin), who started from pole position, got off to a good start before being attacked by his rivals from the first corners. He then dropped back to 4th place. It was Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha Team CMS – Michelin), 9th on the grid, who made a masterful start to the race and completed the first lap in the lead.
Although several seconds behind the leader, Tony GUERRERO (Yamaha Team PMR – Michelin) managed to take 2nd position on the 3rd lap. He then had to face the tenacity of Arthur MASSY (Yamaha C2M – Michelin), 3rd, who pushed to stay in contact at mid-race.
In the final laps, CAZARD managed his advantage and won by more than two seconds over his pursuers. He thus became the first ever winner of the Yamaha Challenge SSP 700 category. In a fierce battle for second place, GUERRERO took the lead over MASSY by just 2 seconds. The latter completed the podium, while BERCOT had to settle for fourth place, far behind the top three.
The young riders in the Espoir category distinguished themselves once again: three of them were in the top 5: GUERRERO (2nd), MASSY (3rd) and Noa SOURDON (Yamaha – Michelin), 5th
RACE 2: BERCOT TAKES HIS REVENGE
Jules Bercot, who started from pole position, had a much better start than in race 1. He completed the first lap in the lead and quickly set his pace, widening the gap on his pursuers.
Behind him, several riders are in the fight: Benjamin CAILLET (Yamaha – Michelin), Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha Team CMS – Michelin), Evann PLAINDOUX (Yamaha De La Vega Motorsport – Michelin), Kévin SIBILLE (Yamaha 2VS Racing Team) and Noa SOURDON (Yamaha – Michelin).
Determined to claim his first victory, BERCOT drove the point home from the front of the race. He extended his advantage to more than 10 seconds as the checkered flag flew and climbed onto the top step of the podium.
Behind him, CAZARD took the lead over PLAINDOUX, who nevertheless secured victory in the Espoir sub-category. CAILLET (4th) and Arthur MASSY (Yamaha C2M – Michelin), 5th, completed the top 5.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Gabin CAZARD – 45 points
2 – Jules BERCOT – 38 points
3 – Tony GUERRERO – 31 points
4 – Arthur MASSY – 27 points
5 – Evann PLAINDOUX – 25 points
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE BY MOTUL
RACE 1: BELLON DOMINATES
On the first lap, poleman Enzo BELLON (Honda – Pirelli) retained the lead, closely followed by David COUTO-DA COSTA (Honda – Pirelli) and Antoine NATIVI (Honda – Pirelli). From the first laps, this leading trio widened the gap on the rest of the field and already seemed engaged in a three-way battle for victory.
With six laps to go, BELLON sets a very fast pace. While trying to stay in his wheel, COUTO-DA COSTA crashes at the Garage Vert corner. The crash is not serious for the #72 driver, who nevertheless starts at the back of the pack. NATIVI is distanced, but maintains 2nd place.
No surprises in the final laps: after a perfectly controlled race, BELLON won by ten seconds over NATIVI, 2nd, in his first race in the French Superbike Championship. After an intense battle, 3rd place went to Henri MIGNOT (Honda – Pirelli), who finished ahead of Esteban NEIL (Honda – Pirelli), 4th, and Marc-Antoine AUDARD (Honda BRT Racing Service – Pirelli), 5th.
RACE 2: BELLON TAKES THE ADVANTAGE
At the start of race 2, Enzo BELLON (Honda – Pirelli) took the holeshot, but his rival Antoine NATIVI (Honda – Pirelli) remained in contact, determined to secure his first victory in the French Championship.
Throughout the race, the two leaders kept at each other's throats. NATIVI launched a series of attacks on BELLON, who responded with authority each time.
The outcome came in the final corner of the last lap: NATIVI crashed coming out of the connecting corner, losing a victory he had been desperately seeking. BELLON thus won, while Gabriel PIO (Honda BRS – Pirelli) inherited 2nd place and Nolann MACARY (Honda KF78 Académie – Pirelli) 3rd.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Enzo BELLON – 51 points
2 – Henri MIGNOT – 29 points
3 – Nolann MACARY – 25 points
4 – Esteban NEIL – 24 points
5 – Antoine NATIVI – 21 points
MOTO 4 – MOTO 5
RACE 2: PERFECT WEEKEND FOR MARTINEZ
This second race wasn't as closely contested as the previous day's. Léandre MARTINEZ (Beon BRS – Pirelli) attacked from the start and widened his lead in the first few corners. Behind him, Milan ENJOLRAS (Beon – Pirelli) was unable to respond and controlled his lead over Jacques CARPENTIER (Beon TFC Racing – Pirelli), who was in third place.
MARTINEZ crossed the finish line as the winner, more than 37 seconds ahead of ENJOLRAS, 2nd, and CARPENTIER, 3rd.
In Moto 5, Dario BARALE (MIR – Pirelli) was leading the race before making a mistake three laps from the finish. This mistake benefited Teddy BERTHELOT (MIR Team Berry Performance – Pirelli) and Juliann DE GOL (Erdog DMT Racing – Pirelli), relegating BARALE to 3rd place. BERTHELOT then dominated DE GOL and won this second race. BARALE therefore completed the podium.
SITUATION IN THE MOTO 4 CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 – Leandre MARTINEZ – 52 points
2 – Milan ENJOLRAS – 40 points
3 – Jacques CARPENTIER – 32 points
SITUATION IN THE MOTO 5 CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 – Dario BARALE – 43 points
2 – Teddy BERTHELOT – 41 points
3 – Juliann DE GOL – 30 points
SIDE-CAR
RACE 2: PAYNE / ROUSSEAU DOMINATES
As in race 1, the PAYNE / ROUSSEAU (F600) crew took the lead from the first lap and imposed its pace, before a red flag interrupted the breakaway of the world champion duo on the third lap.
Second start, similar scenario: sidecar #2 gets off to a perfect start, although this time it is followed more closely by the sidecar that started from pole position SCHLOSSER / SCHMIDT (F600).
Throughout the race SCHLOSSER / SCHMIDT appeared threatening behind the PAYNE / ROUSSEAU side.
On the final lap, SCHLOSSER / SCHMIDT took the lead over the world champions and secured victory at the Bugatti Circuit. PAYNE / ROUSSEAU finished in 2nd place, while CHRISTIE / CHRISTIE (F600) completed the podium.
In the F2 category, the PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F2) duo proved untouchable and finished 7th overall. The CARRE / GUIARD (F2) and PALACOEUR / AMETTE (F2) crews finished 11th and 17th respectively.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – PAYNE / ROUSSEAU – 46 points
1 – SCHLOSSER / SCHMIDT – 46 points
3 – CHRISTIE / CHRISTIE – 32 points
4 – LAIDLOW / LAIDLOW – 26 points
5 – WERKSTETTER / PIRAT – 21 points
SITUATION AT THE TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 – Team MDS – 83 points
2 – BRS – 78 points
3 – Tati Team AVA6 Racing – 76 points
4 – Team CMS – 72 points
5 – TECMAS BMW Motorrad France – 71 points
ABOUT THE FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Nearly 200 riders, divided into 7 categories, which give rise to 14 races per weekend on 7 of the most beautiful circuits in France... That's what FSBK is all about! An intense and unpredictable competition where the rider and his machine defy the laws of physics at every turn, offering a captivating spectacle to fans of the discipline.
Under the aegis of the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM), the FSBK brings together the elite of speed in France.
CALENDAR
March 29-30 : Le Mans (72) – ASM 24 Hours
April 26-27 : Lédenon (30) – MC Lédenon
May 24-25 : Nogaro (32) – ASM Armagnac Bigorre
June 21-22 : Magny-Cours (58) – MC Nevers and Nièvre
12-14 July : Pau Arnos (64) – MC Pau Arnos
13-14 September : Ring of the Rhine (68) – MC Biltzheim
27-28 September : Le Vigeant (86) – VVM
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