For his arrival within the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, Xavier Simeon leads the World Endurance Championship with Greg Black et Etienne Masson, even though he missed the first race.
The situation is favorable for the official GSX-R, with the final coronation possible on Saturday September 26. New to this discipline, the Belgian (winner of the European Superstock 600 Championship in 2009 and the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup in 2009, then 27th on a Ducati Reale Avintia Racing in 2018) achieves a balance which now satisfies him, with a a career that has not always been easy.
With the succession of the leader Dominique Méliand by Damien Saulnier, it is a real revolution that has taken place within SERT. You who come from MotoGP, what impressed you the most within the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team ?
“Already the whole organization. Endurance races, in terms of organization, are another approach. In this discipline, everything is planned and nothing is left to chance in the team, compared to the race week, but especially before the race. »
“During the test, everyone knows what they have to do. Everything is programmed so that it happens precisely as it was planned. »
You take over from one of the historic pillars of the World Championship stamina, Vincent-Philippe, ten times winner in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. Are you more impressed or more motivated?
“I am very motivated, because Vincent Philippe is the leading image of endurance. Replacing it is not an easy task. Especially since I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, so I know I'm expected around the corner. »
“For me it’s a big motivation, even if it’s also a lot of pressure. I need to show that I deserve my place on an official bike. Especially at Suzuki which is the number 1 team in endurance. So it’s a big motivation for me. »
You could have continued in GP or in another speed discipline, but you preferred to join SERT and its fifteen world titles in endurance. For what reasons ?
“For the simple and only reason is that in Grand Prix it is not as big as people think, that is to say that when you are in Grand Prix, automatically you win very have a good life. You should know that now in GP, 80% of drivers pay to ride. It's a financial question. »
“I am lucky today in endurance and electrics to earn my living. And to enjoy riding, which I had lost in Moto2, by being in the team which was not the best of the best, which was not the worst, but not the worst either. »
“We know that in Moto2 all the riders go very fast. The slightest mistake can make a difference. I lived eight years in that world. I gave. I saw that I didn't want to go through that anymore. I rather wanted to have fun on a motorbike. I find these sensations in endurance. »
Have you taken a look at any interesting national championships, like British Superbike, MotoAmerica, Italian CIV?
“Yes, I looked. We had planned to go to BSB, but, as with everything, there were no opportunities to fight up front. The problem is that like in all championships, when you are in contact with a team that is not an official team, they promise you great things. And then when you come face to face with reality, it's not the things they promised you. »
“I experienced that in Moto2, and I don’t want to go through that again. That's why, for me, racing in an official endurance team, I don't want to do anything else.
Mike di Meglio explained to us the interest of the game in choosing your tires wisely in endurance, thanks to the freedom that the teams have due to the presence of several manufacturers. Is this something you appreciate, or did you lack this choice in Grand Prix?
“I have never participated in a championship where there were several manufacturers. This is the first time I've seen it. And in fact it allows – because I realize it now – manufacturers to question themselves if they are ever a step below another. They can say to themselves “There you go, we've done a good job so far, but now there's another manufacturer coming and making us miserable.” This then allows us to recreate development and I think that in fact it is very good. »
“Even if sometimes it is not to our advantage, it allows us to progress, to evolve favorably, to work on that. I think it's a very good thing. »
You arrive with SERT, 40 to 47 points ahead of the official Honda, Yamaha, BMW and Kawasaki teams, at the final of the World Endurance Championship which will take place in Estoril on Saturday September 26. Is this a sufficient lead that will allow SERT to manage, or do you expect strong opposition from your competitors?
“In motorsport, there is never enough of a lead until you cross the checkered flag! Anything can happen, and SERT is well placed to know, having broken the engine two laps from the end at Suzuka last year.
“There is never any advance, so we will have to remain cautious. The drivers do their job, the mechanics will do theirs. As always with races, you shouldn't ask too many questions. »
Xavier occupies provisional ninth place in the MotoE World Cup alongside Lucio Cecchinello's LCR E-Team.
Video: The morning of the 24H
Photos © Suzuki Endurance Racing Team & Xavier Siméon personal
