Xavier Simeon will take over from Freddy Foray in giving FIM Endurance World Championship fans an expert insight into the demands of racing, day and night, in his new role as EWC Pit Reporter.
Belgian Siméon, 34, was part of the team Yoshimura SERT Motul who won the 2021 FIM Endurance Team World Championship. He also won the 24 Hours Motorcycles with the Suzuki-powered team.
After ending his career as a professional driver, Siméon relishes the chance to remain within the EWC family, but in a whole new role, working for promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, which begins its 10th year as championship promoter.
" It is a great opportunity, but at the same time a great challenge” ,said Mr. Siméon. “I have always dreamed of this job for my post-career and it is a good challenge to start this new adventure.
Siméon will appear on all EWC live shows alongside fellow Pit Reporter Caroline De Moraes, starting with the 24 Hours Motorcycles this weekend, which will take place at Mans, in France, from April 18 to 21.
« I hope I can bring a different point of view to the championship”, Simeon said.. “My experience in endurance racing is not very long, but I had time to achieve good results with Yoshimura SERT Motul, so I hope that will be important for the fans watching us.
“I know the championship well, even if there are new faces since I left, most of the drivers and teams are still the same. I know Le Mans, Spa, Suzuka and Paul Ricard very well, and they are all circuits that I really like. I can't wait to start this project. There's a bit of pressure because it's completely new to me. But I like pressure, it’s what we need to perform, so I hope it will be the same in this role.”
In order to give fans the best possible insight into the EWC, Siméon admits he will have to ask tough questions of the riders and teams he raced against.
« I am very willing to do this, because even when teams or drivers have bad moments, it is important to allow fans to experience these moments when they watch the live broadcast,” said Mr. Siméon. “Endurance races have a completely different mentality to sprint races and it's important to see the riders who haven't had good times.
XAVIER SIMÉON’S X-PERT GUIDE FOR THE 24 HOURS MOTORCYCLES
The circuit : This circuit is quite difficult for the drivers because it is a “stop and go” circuit, with a lot of sudden braking, and it is very physically demanding. Additionally, at Le Mans at this time of year it can rain a lot and conditions can change very quickly. It is also a big challenge for the drivers because it can be cold. At night the temperature is completely different from during the day and the sensations with the motorbike are therefore very different. It is a very demanding track.
The place to watch: “Every turn!” I would say initially, the Dunlop chicane, as we saw last year with the collision between the Suzuki and the Honda. At Garage Vert there can be a lot of overtaking and the 'S' at Garage Blue are also two corners that can make a big difference.
The winner : “From the pre-test and the lap times I saw, there are some new faces that look strong like Honda Viltaïs Racing. They dominated both days of testing and I think this team can make the difference. They now have a lot of experience in endurance, they have a good package and the drivers create a good atmosphere in the team.
“But I think the favorites are the official Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha teams. BMW too, with the arrival of Sylvain Guintoli, whom I know very well. He is a rider who has very good knowledge of racing and a good point of view on the bike. He can bring positive vibes to the team. Whatever happens, there are five teams that have a very good chance of winning this race, but for sure it's a big battle ahead, the teams have worked really hard to be ready and I'm really looking forward to it. to take the start.
Click HERE to find out how to follow the 24 Heures Motos live this weekend.
