After a 6-week break, the French Superbike Championship returns on August 26 and 27 on the Parisian circuit of the Carole Circuit for the penultimate round. This 6th stage organized by the MC Motors Events, under the aegis of the FFM, could, as often happens, give rise to the first coronations of 2023 French Champions... But given the small gaps, the suspense should remain in place until the final in most categories.
SUPERBIKE: RESISTANCE MISSION FOR DI MEGLIO AGAINST FORAY
After 5 victories in the last 6 races, the reigning French Champion Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) is 2 points behind the irreducible Mike DI MEGLIO (Honda CBO – Michelin). In his backyard, the Circuit Carole, FORAY should have a slight advantage over DI MEGLIO. But the Honda driver manages his weak times very well, saving big points when he is not able to fight for victory with his rival. So, who, DI MEGLIO or FORAY, will take the lead before the last stage of the Championship?
With 100% top 5 finishes in the race since the start of the season, Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin) has demonstrated impressive consistency, allowing him to provisionally occupy the 3rd step of the podium. Currently 36 points behind the leader, TECHER would be well inspired to achieve their first success of the season at Carole to return to the title race at the best of times.
Unhappy during the last stage, Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Supported Team 41 Performance – Michelin) now seems excluded from the fight for the title. Demoted to 4th place after falling heavily in Pau, nothing says that the Breton will be able to defend his chances in Carole. His place in the top 5 will be threatened by Jérémy GUARNONI (BMW MDS – Dunlop), with his double podium obtained in Béarn, and Corentin PEROLARI (Yamaha Moto Ain – Pirelli), still as consistent, but not on the box since. Le Mans.
Author of his best weekend of the season at Pau Arnos, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Supported Team Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli) finally seems to have found the solutions to get the most out of his Yamaha R1 and will be more ambitious than ever in Carole. On the atypical Parisian track, the experienced Grégory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli) will also be one to watch closely.
In Challenger, Corentin PEROLARI (Yamaha – Pirelli) is guaranteed to win the title with 10 victories in 10 races. For the status of vice Champion of France Challenger, suspense is required since 2 small points separate the young people, Kilian AEBI (Suzuki LMS Junior Team – Pirelli), 2nd, Ludovic CAUCHI (Yamaha – Pirelli), 3rd, and Alexis LAMIRE ( Yamaha Team 41 Performance – Michelin), 4th.
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
SUPERSPORT 600: A SURPRISE GUEST COMES TO CHALLENGE THE CATEGORY
After an extremely competitive Pau Arnos stage and a Wild Card won by overall leader Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli), the Supersport 600 riders have their eyes on the title race. This mainly pits Johan GIMBERT, 190 points, against Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli), 166 points. The two boys engaged in a fierce fight during the last round which saw DE LA VEGA achieve his very first victory in the category. From now on, DE LA VEGA seems able to claim the title, but will he be able to make up for his deficit of 24 points? Especially since the leader and his runner-up will have to deal with the ambitions of two other formidable competitors…
If the lack of success prevents him from stringing together good results since the start of the season, Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Pirelli), provisionally 3rd 54 points behind the leader, remains a rider capable of striving for victory every weekend . After a delicate round in Béarn, there is no doubt that the Gardois will govern Carole. Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli) probably doesn’t have good memories of this route. However, on a good series of results and after an enriching experience in Moto America, the pilot of the Yamaha no. 23 will try to achieve a first success in the French Championship.
Behind the leading quartet, three men stand out with brilliant performances: Hugo ROBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli), Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Michelin). In the general classification, they are already competing for a place in the top 5 of the Championship.
In the Youth category, it is Bartholomé PERRIN who leads the way with almost two victories ahead of his runner-up Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli). Diego PONCET (Kawasaki – Pirelli), Florent DA CUNHA (TRC – Pirelli) and Alexy NEGRIER (Yamaha – Pirelli), recently author of his first pole position, will try to do well to position themselves ideally before the final.
Finally, a surprise guest will return for a stopover. This is Valentin Debise, now driver of the GMT94 team in the Superbike World Championship. Twice winner of the Wild Card offered by the French Federation, the Albigensian driver will meet some of his opponents from last year and will undoubtedly seek to achieve a good result on the Parisian circuit. Note that since Alexis Masbou, almost 20 years ago, no driver entered in a world speed championship has participated in the national championship in the same year.
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
GRAND-PRICE OBJECTIVE
PRE-MOTO 3: NO NEIGHBORHOOD BETWEEN DA COSTA AND MIGNOT
Although Henri MIGNOT (Béon – Bridgestone) has 6 victories under his belt, the consistency of David DA COSTA (Béon – Bridgestone), who has not yet won, is paying off. Indeed, the #72 is leader with 5 points ahead of his Team BRS teammate. To Carole, the intensity of the duel between these two drivers should not weaken, but who, DA COSTA or MIGNOT, will leave at the top of the standings to approach the final with the advantage?
If Quentin GODEFROY (Erdog – Bridgestone) seems to have secured his place in the top 3, his chances of returning to the title race are diminishing. To stay in the match, he will have to repeat his performance from the very start of the Championship, namely: winning in front of DA COSTA and MIGNOT.
Absent for two rounds, will title holder Célestin MASY (Béon – Bridgestone) make his return to competition? His 4th place in the provisional ranking is threatened by Marc Antoine AUDARD (KTM – Bridgestone).
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
NSF 250: BOXBERGER JUST HAS TO CONCLUDE
If his streak of invincibility ended during the last race, Evan BOXBERGER (Honda – Bridgestone) remains closer than ever to the coronation. Only 12 points are missing from Team PMR to secure the title. However, he will be able to count on the outgoing Champion Jules BERCOT (Honda – Bridgestone), to try to complicate his task and make him doubt.
The races will also be animated by a great fight for the third step of the podium between Swan EMPRIN (Honda – Bridgestone), 128 points, Lucas BOSSON (Honda – Bridgestone), 120 points, and Livio MIRABEL (Honda – Bridgestone), 115 points. .
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
SUPERSPORT 300: AN EXCITING FIVE-A-WAY MATCH
At the head of the Supersport 300 Championship the crossover continues. The fight between the five title contenders should keep spectators in suspense until the last round of this 2023 season.
Now leader, Cyprien BABY (Yamaha – Pirelli) has a total of 153 points, only 2 more than his runner-up Ryan CHAUVEAU (Kawasaki – Pirelli). But the two drivers came out of a mixed stage with one retirement each, which narrowed the gaps with the other contenders. With 138 points each, D'Jefferson DELBOSC (Kawasaki – Pirelli) and Kilian ROSSIGNOL (Kawasaki – Pirelli) occupy 3rd and 4th places and believe more than ever in the title. Just 24 points behind the leader, Justine PEDEMONTE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 5th, is also in the race, after very well compensating for a poor start to the season by winning two victories.
To Carole, all eyes will be on these 5 pilots between whom the battle promises to be intense and spectacular!
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
SIDE-CAR: PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT UNDER THE THREAT OF WISSEN / SALMON
Very solid since the start of the season, PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT is logically at the top of the provisional ranking, but has little room for maneuver with only 23 points ahead of its runner-up. Winner of the last race, WISSEN / SALMON gains strength and appears more and more threatening for the leader. There is no doubt, the duel for the F600 title will continue at Carole, where PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT will have to contain the enthusiasm of WISSEN / SALMON.
In F2, PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI, who already has 13 podiums this season, will only have to finish the job for Carole to win the title. Already in the top 5 overall, side n°122 could even aim for a new feat after the scratch podium obtained in Pau Arnos.
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
1 – PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F600) – 244 points
2 – WYSSEN / SALMON (F600) – 241 points
3 – PAYNE / ROUSSEAU (F600) – 169 points
4 – LEGLISE / DRUEL (F600) – 154 points
5 – VINET / PIRAT (F600) – 85 points
...
1 – PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (F2) – 278 points
2 – GILARD / ECORCHARD (F2) – 158 points
3 – BERGEON / COLOMBIN (F2) – 153 points
MOTO 4: PIO IN GOOD POSTURE
During the last round, Gabriel PIO (Beon) took full advantage of the retirement of Matteo BERGER (Beon) in race 2, by winning. Now 42 points ahead, PIO is ideally placed to tackle the final sprint while BERGER will have to work hard to try to thwart his opponent. Especially since he is not safe from a return of Florian FRANÇOIS (Beon), still able to dislodge him from second place.
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
1 – Gabriel PIO (Beon) – 215 points
2 – Mattéo BERGER (Beon) – 173 points
3 – Florian FRANCOIS (Beon) – 153.5 points
MOTO 5: FACE TO FACE CONTINUES
After having been leader for a long time, Teddy QUENEHEN (Erdog) was overtaken by Roméo MONEYRON (Fulgur), winner of the last three races. Now separated by 11,5 points, the two boys will continue their face to face.
TEMPORARY SITUATION:
1 – Roméo MONEYRON (Fulgur) – 204 points
2 – Teddy QUENEHEN (Erdog) – 192,5 points
3 – Eliott CARVALHO (Erdog) – 145 points
CALENDAR 2023
August 25 – 27 – Circuit Carole (93) – MC Motors Events
September 29 – October 1 – Circuit Paul Ricard (30) – MC of Circuit Paul Ricard
