After opening at Le Mans, the French Superbike Championship heads to the Paul Armagnac circuit in Nogaro, an essential stage of the competition organized by ASM Armagnac Bigorre under the aegis of the FFM. Between a trip home for Jeremy GUARNONI in Superbike, settling of scores for Stéphane FROSSARD and Louis BULLE in Supersport or catch-up session for Joris INGIULLA in Pré Moto3, the French speed elite will meet you on May 6 and 7 in Gers!
SUPERBIKE: WHO TO STAND UP TO GUARNONI ON HIS CIRCUIT?
Jeremy GUARNONI (Kawasaki), a distinguished driver on the international scene, truly topped the debates by winning the Superbike race at Le Mans without any doubt. Advantage or additional pressure? The rider of the Kawasaki n°22, licensed at ASM Armagnac Bigorre, plays at home and has no room for error.
For their first race of the season, the headliners of the Superbike category have made their arrangements. Kenny FORAY (BMW) and Mathieu LAGRIVE (Kawasaki), respectively 2rd and 3rd at Le Mans, made a very good start and will try to confirm their favorite places at Nogaro.
There is no doubt that Mathieu GINES (Kawasaki), David MUSCAT (Ducati) and Etienne MASSON (Suzuki LMS) will take part in the fight to shake up this hierarchy!
Following technical problems David PERRET (Yamaha) and David CHECA (Yamaha), had to stop prematurely, and were unable to express the full range of their talent in Sarthe. These two heavyweights in the category will have to redouble their efforts to catch up and truly restart their season.
Mathieu LUSSIANA (BMW) also covets the podium on the Nogaro track. After an excellent start to the race and a drop in speed mid-exercise at Le Mans, he saved the furniture and finished 5rd rank. The former Brazilian Champion has the right to hope for better…
Author of a superb comeback on the Bugatti circuit, can Alex MAURIN (Yamaha) create a surprise again? Whatever happens, with a 4rd position in the general classification, the rider of the Yamaha no. 89 is off to a promising start to the year!
In Superbike Challenger, will the trio Maxime BONNOT (BMW) – Gabriel PONS (Kawasaki) – Jonathan HUGOT (Yamaha) be neck and neck again for first place in Nogaro? Considering the last debate, this is very likely, as the gap was so small between the competitors at the finish line.
However, the Le Mans stage showed that other drivers would have their say this season. Starting with Randy PAGAUD (Yamaha – OGP), Hugo CLERE (yamaha), Robin CAMUS (Suzuki LMS) or Jimmy MACCIO (Kawasaki), who are at the forefront of the category.
Conversely, the paddock awaits the reactions of Baptiste GUITTET (Suzuki LMS) and Morgan BERCHET (Kawasaki SRC) after a “half-hearted” first event!
SUPERSPORT – PIRELLI 600 TROPHY: FROSSARD AND BUBBLE IN DUEL, STOLL SETS THEM
The race resumes on the Nogaro circuit in the Supersport category. Among the riders to watch, we remember the Swiss, Stéphane FROSSARD (Yamaha), who won in a Louis BULLE(Yamaha) supercharged. Will the two drivers once again fight for victory under the southwest sun?
Clement STOLL (Triumph), Winner of the Pirelli 600 Trophy in 2016, recalled his value during the opening of the FSBK by finishing in 3rd place. Both humble and competitive, the driver of the Triumph in the colors of the English flag will give the leaders of the category a hard time. Without his fall at the start of the race, Hugo CASADESUS (Honda) seemed to be able to stand up to this new title contender...the driver of the Honda n°20 is impatient to take his revenge, and expects good performances, according to his say: “Nogaro has always been a circuit where I have been able to do very good races”.
The paddock also finds other protagonists such as Anthony DUMONT (Yamaha), Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) or Cédric TANGRE (Suzuki), particularly fast at the start of the season. Despite being 20rd scratch position on the finish line, Felix PERON (Yamaha) also seems to be showing the end of its mount within the field of Supersport challengers with a final race led among the best in the Top 6.
On the Pirelli 600 Trophy side, Dylan MILLE (Yamaha) slammed his fist on the table during the first stage, and won against a very combative Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha). The two Yamaha riders will certainly put on a show during this second round on May 6 and 7.
After exchanging some nice blows with the leading riders, Gino DE LA ROSA (Triumph), Clément GRANZOTTO (Yamaha) and Lucien ABELLAN (Yamaha) also put on the gloves again for a wild second round!
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3: JUCHA, INGIULLA AND LUBRAT IN A POCKET HANDKERCHIEF?
After twice reaching the second step of the podium during the opening event, Guillaume JUCHA (Moriwaki) starts his season at the top of the provisional ranking ahead of Joris INGIULLA (Beon Factory). The Beon driver, winner in the second race at Le Mans, also seems to be able to position himself as a contender for the 2017 title?
New competitor in the Objectif Grand Prix – Pre Moto3 Championship, Joey LUBRAT (TVX) makes his mark with a pole position and a victory, he takes the start with confidence and desire on the Paul Armagnac circuit in Nogaro. At the 3rd and 4rd place in the general, Charles AUBRIE (OVER) and Line VIELLARD (NSF) opted for a cautious but nevertheless promising start to the season, two drivers to watch for the rest of the debates.
SIDE-CAR: DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU IN PLACE
True to form, the DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU duo recalled their multiple French Champion titles with a double during the first FSBK weekend. It is a real performance that its biggest challenger, MOREAU / GADET, will have to achieve to hope to dislodge Side n°1. Author of pole position, the Side n°51 finished twice behind the king of the category, MOREAU / GADET is therefore not likely to be satisfied with the runner-up place on the Gers circuit.
Riding his “snake” Side, LE BAIL / LEVEAU was in ambush at 3rd rank at Le Mans, can the experienced team break through the defense of the MOREAU GADET duo? Be careful, however, with BRUNAZZI / RIGONDEAU, 5rd of the provisional classification, which is not far…
In 600cc, GUIGNARD / POUX took control at the start of the competition but still remains attentive against BARBIER / CROCHEMORE, the 2016 French Vice-Champion. The LEBLOND / PICQUOIN duo is content for the moment with 3rd general's place. Side n°108 will not hesitate to rev up its engine and compete for first place on May 6 and 7!
FOLLOW THE CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE SUPERBIKE
Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship, always offers live coverage of the weekend's news, detailed information, photos, results, videos, etc.
For this 2017 season, the FFM will broadcast each evening of the event a video of the best moments of the day on the official fsbk Facebook page and the fsbk.fr website.
Other events will punctuate the weekend through a system specifically focused on social networks via Twitter: @FSBK_officiel, Facebook: fsbk, Youtube: ffmfbk and Instagram: fsbk
CALENDAR 2017
6–7/05 – NOGARO (32) – ASM Armagnac Bigorre
27–28/05 – LEDENON (30) – MC Ledenon
17–18/06 – PAU ARNOS (64) – MC Pau Arnos
8–9/07 – MAGNY-COURS (58) – MC Nevers and Nièvre
2–3/09 – CAROLE (93) – MC Motors Events
23–24/09 – ALBI (81) – MCC Albi
