Passing through the paddock of the Carole circuit for the Parisian round of the French F SBK championship, we found many old acquaintances there including, among others, Christian Boudinot.
The man was a pilot for 10 years then a Grand Prix mechanic for decades, concocting motorcycles for Randy de Puniet, Sylvain Guintoli, Jules Cluzel, before creating his own Moto2, the famous TransFIORmers often entrusted to Lucas Mahias.
Christian Boudinot, for those who don't know it, is somewhat forged from the same steel as a Guy Coulon or a David Muscat : not really easy to approach at first, but, once their confidence is acquired, inexhaustible sources of knowledge ready to share their total passion.
A pilot, he knows what it is, and when he kindly directs you towards Justine Pedemonte saying “You should go see Justine: she rides well, she’s starting to show results, and what’s more, she’s nice! », you know you're not going to waste your time...
And, indeed, the young girl is smiling and fulfilled, her tone quick and calm, her speech energetic, her passion obvious...
So Justine, can you introduce yourself?
“Hello, my name is Justine Pedemonte and I am 16 years old. At first, I didn't ride motorcycles at all. It's simple, I was dancing, which is not the same at all, and I didn't like motorcycles. Except I saw my dad doing a hill climb, and it pissed me off. Then I looked on TV and saw Marc Marquez and Johann Zarco, and I immediately wanted to ride a motorcycle. So I started motorcycling at 9 years old on a PW 50 and straight after I wanted to compete. So, in 2017, I did my first competitive race at Le Creusot, and afterwards I said to my father “that’s it, I want to do the full championship”. So, I did the full Occitanie 25 Power championship with an NSF 100 in 2018, and I was champion. And then, in 2019, I went to Italy, where I did the CIV Ovale 160. And then, I came back to France where I drove for a year in Promosport, and now I've been in it for 3 years. FSBK 300.”
Well, that's the past. Today, in your third year of FSBK 300, how is it going? Apparently good, since you took pole this Saturday afternoon at Carole…
“In these 3 years, in fact, it was especially the 2 previous years where I learned a lot, and gained a lot of experience. In 2021 it didn't go very well, but then in 2022 I started riding better and better, gaining more experience and I made my first podium last year at Le Castellet . And there, this year, it was really the year to win, because it's my last year in 300, so I really had to score big points and prove that I'm there, and that's what which I do little by little. »
So, the results of this season, which is already well advanced, are already positive?
“So, it started in a very complicated way with Le Mans where I fell in both races. But then, at Nogaro, I made my first podium of the year by finishing 2nd, then I won at Lédenon, I finished 2nd and 2rd at Magny-Cours, and at Pau-Arnos, I won again and I finished 3th, and there, I just took pole so we'll see how it goes on Sunday. It's my first pole in FBK, my 4nd front row, but my first pole. »
We have to ask you how things are going with the boys…
“So it's going pretty well now, because I've actually proven what I'm capable of. I proved to them that even though I was a girl, I could ride against them. It's true that at the beginning, it was a little complicated, especially at the CIV: when the boys came to see me to tell me what time the briefing was at that time, but in fact it was generally an hour after. It was a bit complicated, but after I showed them what I was capable of, little by little they realized it. And then, in FSBK this year, there is really no problem. I am seen as a driver and the boys know very well that I will be there to also fight for first place. »
You said this was your last year in FSBK 300. Why?
“Because I want to evolve! I've been training in the 600 since the beginning of the year, already to help me for the 300, because it's always better to train in the 600 then switch to the 300 for the race. And then I want to evolve. I've been doing 4 for 300 years now, so I'm training in 600 so I can try to move up to 600 next year. »
And why not in the 300 World Championship, which might seem like a logical continuation?
“First of all, because I'm not old enough, it's 18. And then, the 300 world is a bit complicated: we don't know if it will continue, and in fact, as soon as I did the 600, I said "that's what I want to do now ". It’s really so good! And then, I want to evolve! »
Are you riding a Yamaha today? Have you received any special help and/or advice for the future?
“So yes, Yamaha is already helping me thanks to the Yamaha championship which is in the FBK championship. It's a championship where, for example for me last year, it allowed me to make a wild card into the European championship. In fact, I made the wildcard at Magny-Cours, and then they took the first 5 to represent France at Portimao, so that allowed us to gain a lot of level, because it's the European championship. And then it gives us experience to see how things work in the World Cup. And then they help us with a few parts. There was also the bLU cRU Camp, which I did in 2019 and 2021, and that's the maximum. In any case, Yamaha, they are really there for us. »
For your family, are these big sacrifices, financial and otherwise?
“These are big financial sacrifices, that's for sure, because my parents no longer go on vacation to be able to pay me for the season and all that. Afterwards, me, on the side, I try to work a little bit to bring in a little money, and as a study I'm entering the first general this year in high school, because in any case my mother always told me "if you want to ride a motorcycle, you have to keep working at school.” My main goal is to be a motorcycle rider, but I want to continue my studies on the side to have opportunities, because you never know what can happen. So here, I am entering general first year so that after the Baccalaureate I can then go to journalism school to be a sports journalist. »
On the motorcycle?
“On the bike, exactly (laughs). In any case, what I want to say is that I really thank all my partners because if I can do all that, it's because they are there. I thank my team, eh, like Christian, because if he wasn't there, I don't know what I would do. I'm lucky to have a lot of partners and a lot of people who help me and are there for me, so it's really great! »
Thank you Justine, we wish you lots of fun and a great journey…
Photo credits: Facebook Justine Pedemonte
