This Saturday, June 16, the French speed elite took part in the qualifying tests for the third stage of the French Superbike Championship organized by MC Lédenon (30) and the FFM. Under a blazing sun, the drivers juggled between climbs and descents on the “Grand 8 Gardois” to best prepare for Sunday's races.
SUPERBIKES
TIMED TESTS 1: 5 OUT OF 5 FOR GUARNONI
At the end of the morning, the conditions seemed ideal and the heat of the asphalt offered grip to the premier category drivers who let loose during this first timed practice session.
After 14 minutes of effort, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) stood out in 1'23''019. Author of the double last year on the Gard circuit, he intends to do the same this year but that's without counting on Jérémy GUARNONI who masters the qualifying exercise to perfection. The pole point is finally awarded to the rider of the Kawasaki n°111 who "slams" a 1'22''410 and achieves a 5rd pole in a row.
Erwan NIGON (Honda), 1'22''826, allows himself to relegate the reigning French Champion to 3rdposition. FORAY does not improve his time and does not set the pace set by his two predecessors under 2'1''. Another BMW driver, Matthieu LUISSIANA places himself in 23rd ranked in 1'23''283 ahead of David MUSCAT (Ducati) who returns to the front with a time of 1'23''550!
Sébastien SUCHET (Kawasaki) slots into 6rd position in 1''23''941 and deprives Axel MAURIN (Yamaha), 7rd in 1'24''043, from a second row on the starting grid. Yani TODISCO (Ducati) is placed just behind with a time of 1'24''152.
As for the challengers, the session was led by three protagonists who stand in 6 tenths. Tomorrow's race promises to be intense but for now, it is Maxime BONNOT (BMW) who sets the best time in the category and 9rd scratch time in 1'24''506. Gabriel PONS (Kawasaki), 1'24''999, is 2rd just ahead of Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS), 1'25''104.
TIMED TESTS 2: WHAT A FINISH FOR GUARNONI!
The 3 best drivers of the morning immediately find themselves at the front with Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech Solutions) in the lead ahead of Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) and Erwan NIGON (Honda). Quickly, the Race Direction brought out a red flag following a fall at the level of the “horseshoe”, the Honda driver could not do better than 10rd...
At the end of the session, a psychological duel is launched between FORAY and GUARNONI. While the latter waits in the pits and sees FORAY improve to 1'22''856, "Guarno" returns to the track and has no room for error. The seconds are ticking away and the resident of Team Tech Solutions only has one lap to improve... GUARNONI finally crosses the timing line on his last lap in 1'22''599 and takes first place: a good omen for the tomorrow's races!
David MUSCAT (Ducati), in ambush, proves that he is confident and at ease on this hilly circuit. He confirms his good performance in the morning and will start on the front row in race 2 after setting a time of 1'23''136. Sébastien SUCHET stands out at the 4rd place on the handlebars of his Kawasaki in 1'23''625.
Still in the right car, Matthieu LUSSIANA (BMW) completes an unprecedented top 5 in 1'23''907. Great performance for Ile-de-France rider Axel MAURIN (Yamaha), 1'24''065, who will start from the second row on the grid just ahead of Yani TODISCO (Ducati) in 1'24''77. After an impressive fall in free practice, Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha) came back strong to take the 8th placerd rank with a time of 1'24''432.
In Superbike Challenger, new group shot from Maxime BONNOT (BMW), 1'24''366, Gabriel PONS (Kawaski), 1'24''895, and Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS), 1'24''901. The 3 drivers take the same places as in the morning and the limited gaps promise lively races.
SUPERSPORT – PIRELLI 600 TROPHY
TIMED TESTS 1: DELORENZO TO GENERAL SURPRISE
The drivers set off at full speed and take advantage of the perfect conditions to attack, with panache, the climbs and descents of the Lédenon circuit.
Already very comfortable during free practice, the winner of the 2017 Promosport French Cups, Guillaume POT (Yamaha) did not come to Supersport to make up the numbers! After 10 minutes of exercise, he was the first to go below the 1'26'' mark with a significant time of 1'25''500.
Halfway through the session Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) set a new benchmark in 1'25''430. He held the pole until the last minutes but it was finally Benoit DELORENZO (Yamaha) who left the pits and distinguished himself in the process with a series of fast laps. The #59 Yamaha waits until the very end of the session to take pole position in 1'25''292! The first row of the starting grid is completed by ANTIGA and POT.
Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) posted a time of 1'25''593, fourth and final time under 1'26''. Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) grabs the top 5 in 1'26''322 while Cédric TANGRE (Suzuki) tries to improve his time in the final laps. Suzuki n°1 finally took 6th place in 1'26''616 just ahead of Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) in 1'26''691. Note, Louis BULLE (Yamaha) finishes 8rd with a time of 1'26''760.
On the Pirelli 600 Trophy side, Dylan MILLE (Yamaha) got the better of his opponents in 1'26''821. The leader of the provisional ranking, Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki), is 2rd with a time of 1'26''873. A little further behind, Joris INGIULLA (Yamaha), 1'27''445, entered the top 3.
TIMED TESTS 2: BOULOM IN FORM, DELORENZO CONFIRMS
Let's go for 40 minutes of timed tests, very quickly tempers heat up and the times improve. After a good surprise in the morning, Benoit DELORENZO (Yamaha) returned to the charge in the afternoon to position himself at the top of the rankings with a time of 1'25''292.
After a few minutes in the pits, the leading men returned to the track with a knife between their teeth. Halfway through the session, Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) is the first and last to drop the needle below 1'25'', the paddock knows the extent of the talent of the rider of the Yamaha n°25 who signs a 1 '24''937 improved and replaced at the end of the session by a superb 1'24''891. Behind DELORENZO improves his morning time but has to settle for 2rd place in 1'25''079.
Main players in this qualifying session, Guillaume POT (Yamaha), 1'25''559, was ultimately relegated to 4rd position in favor of Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) who posted a 1'25''218 to snatch his place on the first row of the starting grid. For his part, Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) is 5rd with a time of 1'25''612 before going out into the gravel trap trying to improve. Only 5 thousandths behind, Cédric TANGRE (Suzuki) improves but finds himself once again on the second starting line with a 6rd place in 1'26''005.
In the Pirelli 600 Trophy, the pride of provisional leader Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki), 1'26''745, takes over Dylan MILLE (Yamaha) in 1'26''823. Joris INGIULLA (Yamaha) carries out a good operation and places himself in 3rd rank with a time of 1'27''888.
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3
TIMED TESTS 1: BOUDIN DOES STRONG, VIEILLARD STANDS UP
Like the free practice sessions, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon) leads the way and continues to improve his times as the laps go by. He sets the clocks racing and takes pole with a remarkable 1'32''230, far ahead of his competitors!
The second time, 1''35''883, is to the credit of Line VIEILLARD (Yamaha). Great performance from the female driver on this technical and demanding circuit which requires perfect physical condition. The championship leader, Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) is 3rd, he sets a time of 1'36''075. Marius HENRY (Honda) and Charles AUBRIE (Yamaha Over) complete the top 5 with respective times of 1'36''547 and 1'36''986.
TIMED TESTS 2: EVEN FASTER PUSH
Only 5 minutes have passed and Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon) lets the horses speak and already posts a time of 1'32''372: that promises for the future! A serious contender for the title, Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki) produced his effort after experiencing setbacks in the morning. On this atypical circuit, BOUDIN is too fast for the others, he wins with a time of 1'32''144. PERRIN can only accept domination and finish second after improving on the last lap in 1'33''649.
Much faster than in the morning, Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) completes 1st starting grid line in 1'34''435. In the leading group, Line VIEILLARD (Yamaha) is present at 4rd place in 1'34''939 while Charles AUBRIE (Yamaha Over) completes the Top 5 with a time of 1'36''299 ahead of Lorentz LUCIANO (Yamaha Beon) in 1'36''570.
SIDECAR
RACE 1: THE DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU PAIR LETS EXPERIENCE SPEAK
Despite the pole position of DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU, it is the leader of the provisional classification MOREAU / ARIFON who takes the lead after the triple left just in front of the reigning Champion crew and the Side n°33 of LEGLISE / PAYNE. Very quickly a leading trio forms and prances in the lead with a few lengths ahead of the VINET family duo and the LE BAIL / LEVEAU pair.
In 5rd In turn, DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU chose the opportune moment and launched a successful attack to take the lead in operations. MOREAU / ARIFON does not give up and tries to follow the pace imposed by Side n°1 but in the last laps, the LEGLISE / PAYNE crew follows the initiative of DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU. LEGLISE / PAYNE climbs to the second step of the podium and relegates MOREAU / ARIFON to 3rd rank.
Alone more than 49 seconds behind the leading trio, the family duo VINET / VINET retains its 4rd instead.
The 600cc did not do poorly in the scratch rankings since the LE BAIL / LEVEAU crew completed the top 5 and won the category just ahead of GUIGNARD / POUX, 6rd in the scratch ranking. Behind we find LEGUEN / GAULARD who knew how to contain the attacks of the CARRE / DUPUIS pair to get on the podium.
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CALENDAR 2018
16–17/06 – LEDENON (30) – MC Ledenon
30/06–01/07 – MAGNY-COURS (58) – MC Nevers and Nièvre
14–15/07 – PAU ARNOS (64) – MC Pau Arnos
25–26/08 – CAROLE (93) – MC Motors Events
22–23/09 – ALBI (81) – MCC Albi
