This week-end, Valentine Debise participates in the Supersport category in the French FSBK championship which is held on the Parisian circuit of Carole.
But why is a world pilot coming to confront the national pilots in this month of August, when he could simply enjoy the beaches of the south of France?
We asked him the question...
Valentin Debise, you are participating in the FSBK in Carole this weekend. For what ?
“The first reason is that I always found that, like the guys at the time who were racing in the world championship did, it's normal to do at least one race in their respective national championship to show the way for others, so that the national pilots can establish their level compared to someone who is in the World Cup, and especially since we have a truce. So it also allows me to keep the rhythm during the break and do a race. It's always good to have starts, to have the stress of racing and to manage a weekend. Secondly, it is certain that I am lucky to have my training bike available, and in view of the help that the Federation provides to my team, but also to the young people to make wild cards, I also find it nice to come and race to thank them. »
So, it is all the more to your honor that at the time, in fact, when international drivers went to race in national races, it was mainly to collect starting bonuses, which there rained today. This aside, you are going to race with your personal motorcycle. But in which category?
“In Supersport. Indeed, it's true that there are no more bonuses, and it's a point that I raised, in the sense that today I find it really great that guys who make the World Cup come to the national championships, whether the Spanish, the French and so on. But yes, there are no more bonuses and it could be interesting to set up bonuses for drivers who race in the World Cup and who come to race in the national championships. Maybe that would push the other guys, like Mahias, Baz et cetera. Well, Quartararo and Zarco, I don't think they're interested, but at least the guys who compete in the championships with production bikes, like the Supersport, come and do some freelance work. »
Loris did it by going to ride in Germany for his team recently…
“Yes, but not in the French championship. »
It's true. Okay, so your bike in 600, but in what structure this time? In private like last year or the year before?
“I have been friendly with the GPY24 team for several years, so the two owners of the team, I have known them for some time and they launched the team last year. Their goal was to launch a young pilot. So, they roll Samuel Biron. He's a kid that I helped a little last year, I brought him closer to my structure to give him technical advice, and so this year he's with this team. And so while going to the races and the different treatments where we are together, the team asked me to do a race with them. So, it immediately clicked because I told them that I was planning to do one. Basically, I wanted to do Pau-Arnos but the problem was that we had a race at the same time. The race that fell well on my schedule was Carole, and since we're adding a motorcycle to the team, I'm going to take the mechanic that I had last year with me and then I'll uses the structure 2%, on the other hand with my training bike. So there you have it, above all, we managed to put together everything we need to run a race in good conditions. »
All right, then we'll try to come see you. Last little question, can your participation influence the progress of the championship?
“Frankly, it’s not something I’ve questioned. Afterwards, if they don't want me to score points, I won't score any. Well, I don't know, I don't really care. »
