During the last round of the FIM CEV Repsol championship, which took place 15 days ago in Jerez (see here), if Ricky Cardus, Eric Granado and Steven Odendaal were at the forefront of the Moto2 race, further on, Philippe Le Gallo ensured his title of European Superstock 600 Champion.
So of course, at 59 years old, our point is not to say that Philip the Gallo is a young hopeful in the making, nor that, with half a dozen participants over the year, the category is extremely competitive... And of course, there is no question here of comparing the talent and notoriety of this new champion of Europe Superstock 600 with that of another driver whose age of 38 seems to annoy his opponents…
No, it is only worth noting that one can be fit enough at the age of 59 to compete in an international competition. And win it!
A great lesson for those who are still hesitant to put on leather to go spinning, for leisure, on a circuit on Sunday...
Philippe Le Gallo has been competing in the Spanish championship since 2010 and, this year, the elimination of the Superbike category forced him to enter the Superstock 600 aboard a Yamaha. The Laglisse team driver is an accomplished sportsman (high-level horse riding for ten years, mountain biking) and has a busy social environment. So why, at the age where he could enjoy the pleasures of the Lake Geneva region on weekends, does he trade his suit for a leather one in order to sweat on a Spanish circuit in an aggressive environment and relative anonymity?
We asked him the question and asked him to retrace his journey…
Philippe Le Gallo : “I started riding very late, since I put my wheels on a circuit at the age of 45, after a high level of experience in equestrian eventing. At the time, I started with endurance and the French FSBK Superbike 1000cc championship with, over the years, Stéphane Duterne, Grégory Leblanc and Arnaud Vincent.
Seven years ago, I went to ride in Spain, in CEV, in the category which was then called Xtreme. Two years ago, I had the opportunity of a lifetime by joining the famous Laglisse team, alongside and at the request of Carmelo Morales. Last year, I had a very good season in 1000cc, since I scored quite a few points given my seniority, with a best place of 11th in Albacete.
Then, as the 1000cc disappeared from the CEV, I had the choice of continuing in the other Spanish championship or staying in the CEV by moving to 600cc. I knew the other championship since I finished third there a few years ago in the Master category, so quite naturally I started in the 600cc.
I had never done one but the first tests were very conclusive since, today, I ride faster with a 600cc than with a 1000cc. This year went very well, even if riding in Moto2 is not the easiest, especially with a new Yamaha that had to be developed.
I would say that this title arrived thanks to a lot of tenacity and seriousness, by trying above all to finish the races without necessarily taking too many risks. »
Why the motorcycle, after the horse?
“I’m a fan of speed. It was a long-standing desire but it happened the day I had the means to do it. Quite simply. »
We imagine that to fight with drivers who are sometimes 40 years younger than you, you are in top physical shape…
“I am indeed fortunate to have a particular physiology, and it is true that the doctors are quite surprised because I have certain physical abilities of a 25-year-old. But I also train a lot, usually two hours a day. My daily dose is 50 km of mountain biking and I also do a lot of surfing when I have the opportunity to be at the sea. So I'm in top physical condition and I manage to be in front of the kids aged 16, 17 or 18 years old who are with me in the Laglisse team when we do joint bike training. So let's say that I am lucky to have a physique that still responds extremely well, but there is also the desire to constantly surpass myself. It has always been my driving force in life. Like today, over the outings, we are faster with the 600 than with the 1000, I don't have the feeling of having reached my maximum. So I will try to continue, if I am given the opportunity to do so, because the problem with age is that it does not amuse everyone that old people, without being exceptional, manage to be a little efficient. (laughs). »
Old people, as you say, have no reason not to put on leathers and go racing on the circuit closest to them…
“Yes, absolutely, I am firmly convinced of it. So it's true that, on the side, I do a lot of motorcycle riding, like enduro or supermoto, but it's true that today, many should think about going to the track rather than taking risks on the road. The biggest problem is not physical limitations, but rather mental ones. There are many who put up barriers. We are also not obliged to go beyond our limits and hurt ourselves, but today, the only limits are those that we set for ourselves, no longer, unfortunately, the limits that the authorities and the regulations set you. For example, I would have liked to be able to go for a wild card in the world, but if everyone is OK, including Dorna, the FIM regulations do not allow it, the age limit being set at 50 years old. . »
Your message is extremely positive, especially since we could extrapolate that Valentino Rossi, at only 38 years old, still has many years ahead of him...
“Afterwards, it’s in the head. Personally, I'm lucky not to have burned out when I was young. The circuits are grueling, the travel is tiring and high-level competition, it must be admitted, is tiring. Between horse riding and motorcycling, I've been at the high level for more than 20 years, and it's true that it's still nervously tiring. Afterwards, it's more a story of challenge. For someone like Rossi, who is exceptional, has won everything and is out of category, I don't know, but for the everyman that I am, you shouldn't set limits and you have to go for it!
My trackside coach, who is Efren Vázquez and who has a lot of experience, doesn't understand how, at my age, we can ride so fast with the position I have, because I'm not the type to place your elbow. I take it more as a compliment (laughs). And the best compliment he gave me was to tell me that I gave him something to think about and that he would perhaps resume competing at a high level..."
Thank you Philip the Gallo, congratulations for your title, and even more for the very positive life lesson!
