FSBK
Published on May 24, 2019 • 10:00 by Paddock GP

[FSBK] French Superbike Championship: Immediate takeoff in Lédenon

The FSBK is back in the south of France for the 3rd stage of the season, from May 31 to 1erJune, on the Lédenon circuit. The French Motorcycling Federation and the MC Lédenon welcome the fastest riders in France who intend to heat up the rubber.

 

SUPERBIKE 1000: CAN GINES TAKE OFF?

This season in Superbike, a few favorites stand out, but it is very difficult to guess which rider will be the 2019 French Superbike champion…

1er overall but without victory after Le Mans, Mathieu GINES (BMW Tecmas) won once at Nogaro, thus ensuring its leadership at the end of the 2rd stage. Despite these excellent results, GINES is put under pressure by several opponents. The BMW Tecmas team driver must continue his momentum so as not to leave his pursuers any hope.

Successful since the start of the season, Christophe PONSSON (Yamaha) confirmed its intentions by winning in front of GINES in race 2 during the previous stage. He took advantage of the absence of Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) to move into second place in the provisional ranking. The ex-MotoGP rider should go to Lédenon with the ambition of once again defeating the leader.

Very fast from the Le Mans stage, Louis BULLE (Yamaha) has not yet managed to get on the podium. Despite this lack, the rider of the Yamaha n°9 ranks 3rd place in the general classification. Author of errors which prevented him from battling with the leaders until the finish, BULLE should make a vengeful return to Lédenon. It will be the same for Axel MAURIN (Yamaha), 4rd on the eve of the third stage.

The two outsiders, Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha) and Hugo CLERE (Yamaha) will also be there and will be keen to shine. Note, after a happy event, Kenny FORAY will return to Lédenon. We will have to count on the 2017 French Champion... He could well have a victory to dedicate.

Gregory LEBLANC (Kawasaki Twist Ring Racing) is not in his best form since the start of the season. However, he remains a serious candidate for victory, so we must once again count on “The White” in Lédenon.

In Superbike Challenger, Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas) is in direct competition with the two teammates of the Suzuki LMS team. Johan NIGON et Clement STOLL are hot on his heels and do not intend to give any ground to the driver of the #110 BMW. Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) is at the foot of the podium in the Challenger ranking.

Only 16 small points separate the leader from 4rd in the general classification, the battle promises to be close at Lédenon.

 

SUPERSPORT 600: POT MAINTAINS THE PRESSURE ON BAU 

Since the opening of the season, the Challenger  (Yamaha) has one success after another. With three victories and a 3rd place, the young driver already has 94 points, three times more than last season at the same time. The driver could drive the point home at Lédenon, on a circuit which was successful for him in 2018.

In ambush,  (Yamaha)2rd with 80 points,  (Yamaha) and  (Yamaha), have also been collecting points since the start of the season. Despite the slight numerical deficit that the three men have compared to the leader, they believe in their chances and will try to dethrone  in Lédenon.

More discreet,  (Suzuki) and Renald CASTILLON GIOANNI (Yamaha) remain important drivers in the championship still in the race for the podium. They will be keen to thwart the plans of the leaders during the Gard stage.

The 600cc category promises to be eventful, will the gaps narrow or widen?

 

SUPERSPORT 300: GIRARDET HAS ITS DESTINY IN ITS HANDS  

Undisputed leader after two stages,  (Kawasaki) leaves only crumbs to his opponents. The driver of the red and green Kawasaki achieves a 4/4. He is guaranteed to leave Lédenon with at least second place overall.

The only pilot who can dislodge him,  (Yamaha) has always been on the podium until then. He must absolutely win if he hopes to fight with GIRARDET for the title.

 made a regular start to the season but that did not allow it to keep up with the leaders. He still occupies the third step of the podium. Can the driver of the No. 3 R24 raise his level of play in order to compete with GIRARDET and BERCOT?

Note, after a promising first stage on the Bugatti circuit,  (Kawasaki) confirmed the expectations placed on him. You have to count on the youngest in the category, especially since according to his father: “Alexis adores Lédenon”.

 

GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE-MOTO 3: CAN BONNARD WIDE THE GAP? 

Despite a reduced field this season, the spectacle and the turnarounds are there in the Objective Grand Prix category.   (Moriwaki) took control of the general classification with only one victory but four podiums in as many races.

In 2rd place,  (Yamaha Les 2R) is neck and neck with Vincent FALCON (BEON Yamaha), 3rd and double winner at Nogaro. Are the two pilots able to return to BONNARD?

Other fast drivers like  (MC MC2),  (BEON Pre3) and Jose SALVANS (RMU TM 250) have taken a liking to the fight for the podium and will not fail to do so on the winding Lédenon route.

 

SIDE-CAR: DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU SHOULD HEAD OFF 

After two stages, DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU asserts its status as favorite among the side cars. After a third place in race 1 at Le Mans, the 2018 French champion has had a string of victories and is heading to Lédenon to confirm.

At the top of the ranking, BARBIER / RIGONDEAU makes a good impression. However, the #72 side car was not fast enough to compete with the leader at Nogaro. On the very technical Lédenon circuit, he will absolutely have to raise his level of play so as not to let DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU slip towards the title. VINET / VINET is expected to play the leading roles on a circuit where the family duo had won 4rd position twice last season.

 

FOLLOW THE 2019 FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship, always offers live coverage of the weekend's news, detailed information, photos, results, videos, etc.

For this 2019 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 

 

CALENDAR 2019

22/06 – 23/06 – Lédenon – MC Lédenon
15/06 – 16/06 – Pau Arnos – Moto Club Pau Arnos
06/07 – 07/07 – Magny-Cours – Moto Club of Nevers and Nièvre
24/08 – 25/08 – Circuit Carole – Motors Events
14/09 – 15/09 – Albi – MC Albi