The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) will give the start of the 36th season of the French Superbike Championship on the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans on March 25 and 26.
All categories of the Championship have been full this season: between the new drivers, category transfers and those promoted from the Promosport French Cups, the spectacle will be omnipresent on the French circuits in 2017!
NEW HEADS, NEW BIKES, FULL HEADLIGHTS ON THE SUPERBIKE
This year, the Evo and Stock classes change their names and become Superbike and Superbike Challenger respectively. Like the 2016 season, the FFM will therefore award 2 French Champion titles.
The 2016 Champion, David CHECA is approaching this FSBK season within the TCP Racing structure with the help of GMT94. The experienced Spanish rider sets off once again aboard a Yamaha R1, determined to repeat last year's performance. His fiercest opponent in 2016, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Pirelli) is also present. After finishing the season on the top step of the podium during the last stage in Albi, this year he is aiming for first place in the ranking. However, watch out for Etienne MASSON, the 2016 World Endurance Champion is making his return to the FSBK asphalt, with solid ambitions. In addition to his impressive track record, he is debuting the new Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R. The performances of the new machine from the Hamamatsu factory coupled with the driving of MASSON and the expertise of Team Suzuki LMS promise a great show!
On the Kawasaki SRC side, we are changing ambassadors! Grégory LEBLANC, the four-time French Champion is replaced by Mathieu GINES. Multiple French Champion and World Endurance Champion, the rider of the #41 Kawasaki is aiming for the title in 2017. Team SRC is expanding for this season and is counting on the talent of Morgan BERCHET, World Endurance Champion Stock 2015, to impose the Kawasaki ZX-10R on the podiums. Also in “green”, they will have to face Matthieu LAGRIVE with the Tech-Solutions team which is entering Superbike. French Stock Champion in 2016, LAGRIVE is one of the men to watch this season.
The paddock will also scrutinize the performances of David PERRET for his second season in Superbike. After ending 2016 weakened following a collision on the Carole circuit, the Angevin rider is making his return to the handlebars of a Yamaha under the yoke of Team Deletang. PERRET returns more motivated than ever, the public can count on him to disrupt the hierarchy!
He adds a pleasant touch of “red” and passion to the Superbike category, David MUSCAT will once again be at the start of this 2017 season. Riding his Ducati, he finished the last season in 7rd rank. Regularly the author of brilliant coups, the seasoned pilot of ASM Armagnac Bigorre is always one to watch.
After a debut in Endurance at the 2016 Bol d'Or, Randy PAGAUD (Yamaha Team OGP) will take to the roads of French Superbike this year. The former resident of the 1000 Superstock World Championship will measure the level of French speed drivers.
For the resumption of the season, two distinguished guests have decided to invite themselves to the Bugatti circuit. Alexis MASBOU (Yamaha Team Moto Ain), former Moto3 rider and Jeremy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech-Solutions), distinguished rider on the international scene, will be the “Wild-Cards” guests at the opening of the FSBK, a tailor-made preparation in view of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for one and the European Superstock 1000 Championship for the other.
In Superbike Challenger, it is Baptiste GUITTET (Suzuki LMS – Dunlop) who takes on the role of favorite. Second behind LAGRIVE last year, he can count on Damien SAULNIER, his team manager, to take him to the title. His teammate, Robin CAMUS, author of very good times in 2016, is also renewed, is he capable of dethroning the major asset of the Suzuki LMS?
The two Suzuki drivers will have to deal with Hugo CLERE (Yamaha), 2016 Supersport Champion. Full of desire and motivation, the Team Moto Ain rider is aiming for the title again in 2017, an ambition that matches his abilities!
Winner of the Promosport 1000 French Cups last year, Jonathan HUGOT enters the big leagues in Superbike Challenger. Very comfortable riding his Yamaha during his first season on a speed bike, this year he will have to deal with riders of a different caliber in FSBK.
New arrival from the Pirelli 600 Trophy, Steven NEUMANN (Yamaha) also challenges the Superbike Challenger riders. The young driver from the Racing Moto Club du Circuit d'Albi must quickly find his feet to attract the regulars in the category who will not give him any favors.
SUPERSPORT / PIRELLI TROPHY: SUSPENSE AMONG YOUNG TALENTS
The Pirelli 600 Trophy drivers are moving to the next level and have only one idea in mind: shaking up the established order! The public remembers a Clement STOLL (Triumph) who tickled the Supersport leaders, the 600 Pirelli 2016 Champion now plays on equal terms with them. Will he be able to win? Difficult to say because the Triumph driver will be in the crosshairs of Cédric TANGRE (Suzuki), the 2016 French Vice-Champion intends to recover his 2015 Champion title.
Emblematic figure of the Championship, Louis BULLE (Yamaha) also signs for the entire season. With very good results in the last stages, he finished 2016 in 4rd position in the general classification. From year to year, “Loulou” gets closer to the title, the paddock awaits him around the corner.
After a great 2016 season ended with a 3rd place in the ranking, Peter POLESSO (Yamaha) enters, still animated by the crazy energy which had brought him to the highest step of the podium at Le Mans, from the opening of the FSBK. The experienced rider must nevertheless remain vigilant against the young guard of Supersport and in particular Maximilien BAU (Yamaha). At only 18 years old, he is already making a name for himself with several podiums to his credit, including a notable victory at Lédenon, a young talent with a promising future.
Authors of remarkable attacks on the French circuits last year, the Yamaha riders, Martin RENAUDIN and Stéphane FROSSARD will also challenge the headliners in the category.
After making good progress in 2016, Hugo CASADESUS, the young driver, continues his career, still on a Honda, in Supersport. Despite a crash at the very end of the season, the No. 20 driver promises to do well in 2017. Come to the legendary Bugatti circuit to set the tone for the season!
On the Pirelli 600 Trophy side, the favorite drivers move up in category and make way for others. The paddock will notably observe challengers like Baptiste GIGON (Yamaha) and Tanguy ZAEPFEL (Yamaha). Lurking behind the leaders, everything suggests that the Yamaha riders will be leaders this year. Same observation for Dylan MILLE (Yamaha), neck and neck with his predecessors last year, he is one of those who can create a surprise for this new season.
Strategic choice or personal wish, after a successful stint in Supersport at Pau Arnos in 2016, Lucien ABELLAN (Yamaha) joins the Pirelli 600 Trophy with great ambitions for 2017. Convinced by his first laps in FSBK, the MC Pau rider Arnos returns with more desire than ever!
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – FRENCH PRE MOTO3 CHAMPIONSHIP
The Objectif Grand Prix formula, French Pre Moto3 Championship, is entering its second year in order to highlight young French speed talents. After almost total domination, Clément ROUGE returned to the French circuits to establish his supremacy. The favorite, however, changes his mount and adopts a KTM.
His biggest opponent Matthieu GREGORIO not responding, it is Joris INGUILLA who takes the place of challenger. The latter swapped his Sherco for a Beon Factory, go to Le Mans to take an initial assessment.
The female race will be represented by Amélie TRIFFET on the handlebars of her Honda. His honorable results allowed him to rise to 5rd place in the ranking. This year, Line VIELLARD, a new resident in OGP, will compete with him on the handlebars of a Yamaha.
Other members of the avant-garde of French motorcycling such as Ilan PERON (Moriwaki) or Esteban LUZIO (Moriwaki) will be able to perfect their progress with more than three hours of riding per weekend, enough to tame the notion of competition.
Thierry Capela, Kap Media, promoter of Objectif Grand Prix, and the FFM, wish, through this formula, to promote access to motorcycling for young people and to unearth, we hope, the future talents of French sport.
SIDE CAR: WHO WILL DETRONE THE UNBEATABLE DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU?
The duo DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU, added a 15rd title of French Side Car Champion in his career last year and will once again be the big favorite for the 2017 title race! Side n°1, does not change its habits, after a 3rd place in the 2016 Side Car World Championship, DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU always aims higher.
Their biggest rival, MOREAU / GADET, caught up with the leader throughout last season to finish in apotheosis in front of the favorite in Albi. Will the aggressive driving of the challenger be enough to dethrone the king of French Side Cars?
Another driving force in the category, the father and son duo VINET, will also be in the race. Separated from the podiums by a few hundredths during the 2016 financial year, the VINET family is now targeting the top of the table... A great family adventure to follow throughout the season!
The “snake” side led by LE BAIL / LAVOREL will also be present, the experienced duo adds a touch of fantasy to the F1 field while providing a spectacle.
On the F2 side, the pair: GUIGNARD / POUX, partners in life and on 3 wheels, will try to regain their title of 2 French F2015 Champion. An arduous task because the couple will have to face BARBIER / CROCHEMORE, 2016 vice-Champion for a battle at the top!
The SIRO / SIRO team will also be present to cross swords with their predecessors and use their family complicity to play at the forefront this season.
THE FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP IS ALSO THE HONDA CBR 500 & THE GENTLEMEN RIDERS
The Honda CBR 500 R Cup, resumes its rights for 2017, the formula of the winged manufacturer, will allow young talents to express themselves within the French Superbike Championship for its 4rd editing. So who will succeed Corentin BRENON?
The Gentlemen Riders and their European machines, Aprilia, Ducati, BMW and KTM will always be at the party for the pleasure of the spectators.
Enough to delight the hearts of the public with two very different formulas, a guaranteed spectacle on the French circuits!
FOLLOW THE CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE SUPERBIKE
Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship, always offers live coverage of everything that happens during the weekend, 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
25–26/03 – LE MANS (72) – ASM 24H ACO
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
