That's it, the end of the season has come on the Albi circuit! This seventh and final event, organized by MC Albi under the aegis of the FFM, was the scene of an exceptional spectacle. The cork popped and the bubbles fizzed on the last podiums of the year to properly celebrate the new 2018 French Champions!
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: FORAY MAINTAINS THE SUSPENSE
Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas), Mathieu GINES (BMW), Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha PMR) and Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech Solutions) are the 4 drivers who occupy the lead of the race from the first laps. FORAY knows it, victory is obligatory if he wishes to take GUARNONI to his limits. The 2017 French Champion takes the lead and seems untouchable even if GINES tries to hang on.
Behind, GUARNONI and BERCHET are fighting for the last step of the podium. The pressure is being felt for the #111 Kawasaki that the paddock is not used to seeing in this position. Erwan NIGON (Honda) is at 5rd rank ahead of Sébastien SUCHET (Kawasaki Tech Solutions).
FORAY wins without any possible dispute in front of the other driver of the German brand, GINES. The suspense keeps all its promises between GUARNONI and BERCHET but a podium without GUARNONI seems impossible this season, BERCHET bows and finishes at the foot of the podium. NIGON and SUCHET rank respectively 5rd and 6rd.
In Superbike Challenger, Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS) got the better of Maxime BONNOT, 2rd, at the end of the race to claim another victory! Absent in Carole, Gabriel PONS (Kawasaki TTS) returns in the most beautiful way with a podium finish.
RACE 2: GUARNONI CHAMPION OF FRANCE 2018!
The “big guns” of Superbike enter the track, Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech Solutions) approaches the race knowing that he has no right to make mistakes otherwise he will leave the title to Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) . When the lights went out, however, it was Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha) who made the best start followed by Mathieu GINES (BMW). The favorites spend the first laps in ambush, FORAY in 3rd place and GUARNONI in 4th.
Very quickly, a gap widened between the trio BERCHET – GINES – FORAY and GUARNONI. Riding his BMW n°141, GINES accelerates and gets the better of BERCHET. A few turns are enough for FORAY to do the same, leaving the rider of the Yamaha n°63 in GUARNONI’s sights…
GINES and FORAY gap their pursuers in the second part of the race, the two teammates in the World Endurance Championship become formidable opponents on the Albi Circuit track. In the penultimate lap, the 2017 French Champion showed his teeth and dislodged GINES from the leading position then won, recalling his 2017 domination.
Without making a mistake, Morgan BERCHET ranks 3rd in front of Jeremy GUARNONI. Author of an honorable race, the latter secures the title of 2018 French Superbike Champion: Bravo “Guarno”!
In Superbike Challenger, Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS) won his title in the first race. However, this is not what will demotivate the driver of the No. 11 Suzuki. He battles with Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas) and the Wild-Card rider who won the Promosport 1000, Johan NIGON (Yamaha). After multiple exchanges, however, it was BONNOT who finished in first place ahead of CLERE. NIGON climbs to the last step of the podium, a promising feat for the future!
General Superbike classification (subject to compliant motorcycles)
- Jérémy GUARNONI – 293 points
- Kenny FORAY – 256 points
- Morgan BERCHET – 137 points
Superbike Challenger general classification (subject to compliant motorcycles)
- Hugo CLERE – 267 points
- Maxime BONNOT – 210 points
- Gabriel PONS – 169 points
SUPERSPORT – PIRELLI 600 TROPHY
RACE 1: THE GOOD OPERATION FOR BULLE
After several successive falls in the first 2 laps, the Race Direction brought out a red flag. As a result, Clément STOLL (Triumph), Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha), Maximilien BAU (Yamaha), Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha), Guillaume FRECHET (Yamaha) and Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki) will not be able to return to the track. The race restarts for 11 laps after several minutes.
Louis BULLE (Yamaha) and Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) are the only ones who can still hope to win the title. The 2 men immediately realized what was at stake and pranced to the front of the race.
Behind, everything is allowed for the outsiders who see the podium stretching out its arms to them. Fast during testing, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha) is best placed in 3rd position but Yvan LAETZIG (Yamaha) follows closely.
At the forefront, BULLE and ANTIGA are not letting go of each other. With 4 laps to go, ANTIGA went on the attack and found the opening but “Loulou” responded 2 laps later and won! RENAUDIN grabs its first podium of the season during the final after resisting LAETZIG, 4rd.
RACE 2: BULLE DREAMED OF IT, BULLE DID IT!
The best exit from the grid is by Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha), the poleman takes Louis BULLE (Yamaha) and Clément STOLL (Triumph) on his wheel. Determined to do battle, STOLL passes BULLE and ANTIGA in quick succession to take the lead. Spectacular turn of events ! The Triumph driver is forced to pit in the 5rd tour following a mechanical problem: too bad!
Yvan LAETZIG (Yamaha) takes advantage of the situation to enter the top 3 with a few steps ahead of a compact group of riders whose hierarchy is shifting.
Literally wheel in wheel, BULLE gives ANTIGA no respite, all the public's attention is riveted on the two men, the suspense is unbearable. In the end, BULLE won after finding the opening on ANTIGA 2 laps from the checkered flag. “Loulou” couldn't have dreamed of a better end to the season with a double and a first French Champion title: congratulations! Behind, LAETZIG, 4rd, suffered the wrath of Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) who completed the podium.
In the Pirelli 600 Trophy, Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki) is unfortunately unable to take part in the debate following his morning crash. Joris INGIULLA has free rein to try to grab the title. For his first season, INGIULLA intends to jump at the opportunity, he manages to win in the category! Arnaud MULDERS (Yamaha) and Antoine CHAPEAU (Yamaha) respectively finish 2rdand 3rd.
After technical inspection, Joris INGIULLA is downgraded due to non-compliant motorcycle, so he does not obtain points for the weekend.
General Supersport classification (subject to compliant motorcycles)
- Louis BULLE – 238 points
- Guillaume ANTIGA – 212 points
- Guillaume RAYMOND – 200 points
General classification Pirelli 600 Trophy (subject to compliant motorcycles
- Gaëtan MATERN – 225 points
- Joris INGIULLA – 176 points
- Dylan MILLE – 159 points
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3
RACE 1: LAPIERRE TAKES AHEAD
Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) takes advantage of a good first lap to get the better of the pole sitter, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon). The two drivers, favorites of the OGP formula, escape to compete in the race alone in the lead. It's very close between the two opponents but 2 laps from the checkered flag, BOUDIN falls behind LAPIERRE who wins with more than 5 seconds in advance.
To gain 3rd place, Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki) moves, serenely, behind the leaders. The latter, however, sees a trio return at the end of the race composed of Charles AUBRIE (Over Yamaha), Lorenz LUCIANO (Yamaha Beon) and Antoine BONNARD (Moriwaki). In the last lap, AUBRIE held his own and climbed to the last step of the podium. PERRIN, BONNARD and LUCIANO rank respectively 4th, 5th and 6rd.
RACE 2: LAPIERRE TITLED IN BEAUTY
Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon) takes direct charge of operations, victory is essential if he wishes to maintain any hope of a title... In the wheel of the leader, Marceau LAPIERRE can be satisfied with this second place to be titled: what strategy will the pilot of the Yamaha Beon n°7? He is not content with just ensuring and attacks BOUDIN who responds immediately. The two young pilots engage in a battle of daggers drawn with multiple passes of arms of which Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki) is a spectator in 3rd position only 2 tenths away.
Halfway through the race, LAPIERRE decides to take some air and significantly increases the pace. BOUDIN is unable to follow and must resist PERRIN's attacks, it looks good for LAPIERRE. After 13 laps of racing, LAPIERRE won, achieved the double and won the title: a big success! BOUDIN can only admit defeat despite a well-defended second place, PERRIN completes the podium.
General classification (subject to compliant motorcycles):
- Marceau LAPIERRE – 265 points
- Alexis BOUDIN – 250 points
- Bartholomé PERRIN – 204 points
SIDECAR
RACE 2: 13TH TITLE FOR DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU!
The MOREAU / ARIFON pole sitter is not there to make up the numbers! Effective at the start of the race, he sets the tone against DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU but can he maintain the pace? Despite their points lead in the Championship, Sébastien DELANNOY and Kévin ROUSSEAU want to finish with a victory. With 9 laps to go before the checkered flag, Side No. 1 went on the offensive and regained the reins of the race. Bad news for MOREAU / ARIFON, he makes a mistake and is forced to stop. VINET / VINET, who occupied 3rd place, took advantage of the race and took 2nd place.
3rd place is to the credit of LE BAIL / LEVEAU in 600cc. Uncompromising when it comes to victory, he takes a comfortable lead from the first laps over CARRE / DUPUIS, second in the category, and only stops once at the top of the podium. LEBLOND / CESCUTTI takes 3rd place.
Overall rider scratch ranking (subject to compliant machines):
- Sébastien DELANNOY – 282 points
- Claude VINET – 225 points
- Philippe LE BAIL 211 – 204 points
General passenger scratch ranking (subject to compliant machines):
- Kévin ROUSSEAU – 281 points
- Cyril VINET – 219 points
- Serge LEVEAU – 206 points
General 600cc rider classification (subject to compliant machines):
- Philippe LE BAIL – 377 points
- Clément CARRE – 201 points
- François LEBLOND – 184 points
General classification 600cc passenger (subject to compliant machines):
- Serge LEVEAU – 366 points
- Félix DUPUIS – 197 points
- Tiphaine GAULARD – 130 points
FOLLOW THE FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
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 2018 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
