It was on the Alès circuit, in the Gard, that the presentation took place on February 26, in the presence of Jacques Bolle, President of the French Motorcycling Federation, and Claude Michy, the organizer of the French GP. official of the French Speed Team – GP sector. A structure launched under the leadership of the National Technical Directorate of the FFM and placed under the direction of Alain Bronec, responsible for the speed sector, who must accompany the French hopes towards the summits of the discipline, the speed GPs.
To do this, the Federation has put in place cutting-edge support bringing together a sports trainer, Thierry van Den Bosch, four-time Supermoto World Champion, and several members of the medical committee: a doctor, a physiotherapist and a nutritionist. A staff which must allow young people to progress physically, mentally and technically. One last point that they will work on during courses organized by Thierry throughout the year and during the events. A program has already been established mixing speed, motocross and dirt track.
Marceau Lapierre in action.
The school of performance
At the technical level, the FFM, through Alain Bronec's CIP structure, will provide our young people who will participate in the European Talent Cup with the Moto3 antechamber which brings the best European hopefuls to compete on the same machine, experienced mechanics and two Honda 250 cm3 4Ts. In short, everything is in place for Clément Rougé, 16 years old, titled in France in Objectif GP in 2016, to access Moto 3 from 2020. And for Marceau Lapierre, 15 years old, to imitate him the following season! Obviously, we will not fail to communicate their performance to you!
From left to right: Clément Rougé, Thierry Van Den Bosch and Marceau Lapierre.
Jacques Bolle, President of the French Motorcycling Federation: “There is a gap between our two MotoGP riders, Zarco and Quartararo, and the other categories where we are absent. With Claude Michy, we therefore decided to train a succession with this GP sector. A structure which intervenes upstream of the GPs while following in the wake of the detection days organized by Alain Bronec. This is the link that was missing and this is why we see it as a lasting entity that lasts over time. »
Claude Michy, Organizer of the Grand Prix de France Vitesse: “In football and rugby, there are training schools so it seemed logical to us to create one in motorcycles. Allowing young people to ride as often as possible, with effective supervision, is essential to achieve this. However, for this, you need resources and competent people, which we have brought together for this structure with the FFM and the parents who continue to participate financially. »
Thierry Van Den Bosch, Sports trainer: “We will have forty days of training, in addition to competitions which last four days to work on, which means we have our work cut out for us. It’s a big program because we consider support in its entirety; physical preparation, driving, mental, machine settings... It may seem heavy, but we want to initiate an athletics process to allow our young people, who are only 15 and 16 years old, to reach the high level. We have already been working together for two months and things are going really well: there is hard work, competition and good humor. No wonder they have already made progress! »
Clément Rougé, driver of the French team: “Last winter, I wasn't able to train so it makes a difference to have joined the GP sector. I already felt myself progressing, which my times confirm! And I know that this is only the beginning because I still have a lot to gain, physically, as well as in driving. As someone who dreams of a GP, it's a dream to ride in this structure, especially under the French colors, which I take great pride in. In any case, my goals are high, I want to win the European Talent Cup, and the Rookies Cup, the KTM cup which takes place during the GPs, this year! »
Marceau Lapierre, driver of the French team: “Thank you to the FFM, Claude Michy and my parents! I can't wait to start testing to see where I'm at. Last season, I played with my father while following a few driving courses, nothing to do with my current program: I follow a daily physical schedule, I ride once or twice a week and we meet every two weeks to work on piloting. It's professional. I don't have a break, especially since I'm still going to school, but that's fine with me! I can't wait to be at the European Talent Cup, even though I know it's going to be difficult. But that's fine with me, I'm here to succeed in motorcycling. »
