This weekend, at Le Mans, the first stage of the French Superbike Championship took place, organized by the ASM 24 Heures ACO and the FFM. Under the eyes of Jacques Bolle, President of the French Motorcycling Federation, the drivers took advantage of the timid return of the sun to offer races full of twists and turns to the 8 spectators at the Bugatti Circuit.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: BACK TO BUSINESS FOR FORAY
In the premier category, the starting grid looks great! Xavier SIMÉON (Yamaha), ex-Moto GP rider is pole man, Louis BULLE (Yamaha), Supersport 600 Champion in 2018 is at his side. To complete the first line, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas), 2017 French Champion, starts in third position.
Note that following complicated timed tests, Gregory LEBLANC (Kawasaki Twist Ring Racing) only occupies 22rd position at the start.
When the lights went out, FORAY made a very fast start which allowed him to take the lead. At the end of 1er turn, SIMÉON takes the leading position ahead of FORAY and BULLE.
Party of 5rd position, Matthieu GINES (BMW Tecmas) completes the leading quartet which is held in less than two seconds after three laps. A racing event redistributes the cards a few turns later. Braking on the Chemin aux Boeufs, SIMEON fell on the fourth lap and gave up the leading position in favor of FORAY who then had to face GINES. In 3rd position Louis BULLE is attacked by Hugo CLERE (Yamaha) yet started from the 4rd online.
After 7 laps, two duels are held at the forefront, FORAY tries to contain GINES for the 1stst place. 7 seconds behind, CLERE twirling forces BULLE, the king of Supersport 2018, to work hard not to be left behind.
With 2 laps to go, FORAY seems to have the advantage over his opponent and teammate GINES. The two BMW Tecmas drivers do not change hierarchy, FORAY stands out ahead of GINES.
The battle for 3rd podium position is very close, Christophe PONSSON (Yamaha), 5rd on the starting grid, returns to the race alongside CLERE and BULLE. Finally the resident of Team Yamaha Moto Ain takes the best in the last turns on PONSSON 4rd and BUBBLE 5rd.
New disappointment within Team Twist Ring Racing for “The White”, Gregory LEBLANC had to stop his race after only 6 laps.
While leading the Superbike Challenger category, Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda) falls and leaves Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas) took the lead at the halfway mark. Johan NIGON (Suzuki LMS) and Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) are in the wheel of the leader. Following a bad operation, BOULOM falls and abandons the 3rd place in the category in favor of the other Suzuki LMS driver, Clement STOLL. The order does not change on the finish line, BONNOT wins in front of NIGON and STOLL.
RACE 2: SIMÉON TAKES HIS REVENGE
To close the first stage of the season, the Superbike category takes to the track at Le Mans. Victim of a fall in race 1, Xavier SIMÉON (Yamaha) still achieved the fastest lap, so he is in pole position for this second race. At his side the winner of the morning Kenny FORAY (BMW) starts at 2rd rank. The other BMW, that of Mathieu GINES, completes the line.
In the Dunlop curve, Kenny FORAY switches to the lead closely followed by Xavier SIMEON, Mathieu GINES, Louis BULLE (Yamaha), Christophe POSSON (Yamaha), Axel MAURIN (Yamaha) and Hugo CLERE (Yamaha).
The pilot group battles in a pocket handkerchief whileHugo CLERE fall to 5rd In turn, his chances of success disappear.
While SIMÉON has just crossed for the 6rd once the line, he immediately managed to pass FORAY to take first place. The BMW Tecmas driver cannot resist the pressure and shoots straight into the sandbox, losing around ten seconds. He then finds himself in 9th position, his chances of a podium dwindling.
In the last part of the race, SIMÉON widened the gap on his pursuers and won with more than 3 seconds ahead of GINES who did honor to the Tecmas team by taking 2nd place for the second time of the day. In 3rd place, it is PONSSON who shines on the finish line with less than a tenth ahead of BULLE.
Note that FORAY still manages to rank 6th after a good comeback.
In Superbike Challenger, Maxime BONNOT (BMW), 7rd in the scratch, wins ahead of the two local drivers from Team LMS Clement STOLL (Suzuki) and Johan NIGON (Suzuki).
SUPERSPORT 600
RACE 1: RENAUDIN, CHALLENGER WINNER
Supersport 600 sees Challenger driver, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha), start from pole position. Despite a very good start from the latter, Guillaume POT (Yamaha) takes the lead on the first lap and sets a complicated pace for his pursuers to follow. Behind him, a mobile hierarchy hunting group composed of Thibaut NAGORSKI (Suzuki), Martin RENAUDIN et Maximilian BAU (Yamaha) threatens the leader. The three pilots are fighting and trying not to let go Guillaume POT.
After 6 laps, the gaps between the leading men narrowed. RENAUDIN comes back to less than a second from the leader, BAU remains in his aspiration. Only Thibaut NAGORSKI fails to follow the pace imposed by the three leading men, he manages his driving in 4th place.
Shortly after halfway, POT misses himself in a turn! He then finds himself 3rd behind BAU, and RENAUDIN, opportunists. With the knife between his teeth, RENAUDIN attacks BAU and almost makes him fall by brushing against his rear wheel. However, this is not enough to bring down the driver of the Yamaha no. 108 who retains the race lead.
BAU, RENAUDIN and POT were within less than half a second three laps from the finish, everything was decided at the end of the race as they joined the delayed drivers.
In the penultimate lap a crossover between the three drivers benefits RENAUDIN who takes the lead ahead of POT and BAU. He continued his effort, and won for the first race of the 2019 season. Guillaume POT is second at the finish, ahead Maximilian BAU who may harbor some regrets, he who was leader for several minutes. NAGORSKI, author of a good race, confirms 4th place ahead of Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha).
Among the Challengers RENAUDIN is therefore the winner, BAU finishes second ahead of Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha) 7rd scratch and 3rd of its category.
RACE 2: ANOTHER CHALLENGER… BAU AMAZES THE PADDOCK
Winner in the morning, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha) starts from pole position and maintains the race lead at 1er corner thanks to an excellent start. Maximilian BAU (Yamaha), already performing well in race 1, finally took the advantage after covering the first lap. Not for a long time ! Guillaume POT (Yamaha) takes first place.
Under the cloudy sky of Sarthe, Guillaume RAYMOND, part 4rd joined the leading trio after having played 4 laps. The four pilots then begin a battle for final victory. In pursuit, Renald CASTILLON GIOANNI (Yamaha) and Thibaut NAGORSKI (Suzuki) are becoming more and more threatening. 10 laps from the checkered flag, the paddock is already imagining a 6-driver fight for the end of the race.
As expected, 7 laps from the end the two pursuers join the race lead! The end is approaching and no one can imagine what the outcome will be. POT is at the head of the group of 6, but does not give the impression of being superior to its direct opponents.
As the finish line approaches, RENAUDIN, RAYMOND, BAU, NAGORSKI and CASTILLON GIOANNI attack the leader in turn!
After 14 laps completed, the 6 protagonists come back to the delayed drivers. POT and BAU take advantage of this to break away from the 4 others who are doing everything not to fall behind but unfortunately the delay will be permanent.
Author of a beautiful 1st race, BAU intends to make the difference this time. On the last lap he took the advantage over POT, leader for most of the race. The rider of the Yamaha n°108 therefore wins in front Guillaume POT at the end of a spectacular race.
NAGORSKI works hard to get on the podium and succeeds against RAYMOND, RENAUDIN and CASTILLON GIOANNI who finish in that order.
In Challenger the winner of the race remains the same, BAU wins ahead of RENAUDIN. GREGORIO completes the category podium.
SUPERSPORT 300
RACE 1: GIRARDET SIZE PATTERN
After a very good timed practice session, former Promosport resident Hugo GIRARDET (Kawasaki) starts from pole position.
At his side: Tom BERCOT (Yamaha) and Sylvain MARKARIAN (Yamaha).
The former resident of OGP Pré Moto 3, Alexis BOUDIN (Kawasaki), is having an emotional weekend. Yesterday, he was deprived of the circuit as he was not of the required age to participate in the test sessions. Alexis is celebrating his 14th birthday today, so he too can start, starting from last position. The paddock is counting on him to create a sensation and give themselves the greatest gift: a comeback.
From the first turn GIRARDET gets ahead of the peloton. Behind him many drivers are trying to place themselves at the forefront. Notably MARKARIAN, who was finally forced to stop in the pits at the end of the first lap.
After 4 laps, the situation becomes clearer, Tom BERCOT is second isolated between the leader and Enzo CEOLOTTO (Yamaha). Behind, BOUDIN puts on a show and moves up the peloton to place 6rd position in the Exupéry BEAUMONT wheel (Kawasaki). The two pilots chase Colin DRYE (Yamaha), these three pilots then battle for 4rd position.
Nothing changed for the leading men at the end of the race, GIRARDET won ahead of BERCOT and CEOLOTTO.
Dans les derniers tours, BAUMONT, BOUDIN et DRYE se disputent toujours le pied du podium. Le plus jeune du peloton, pourtant parti du fond de grille, met tout le monde d’accord et s’adjuge la 4rd position…What a performance from BOUDIN! DRYE finishes 5rd in front of BEAUMONT 6rd.
By decision of the jury, Alexis BOUDIN is disqualified due to a non-compliant engine. Colin DRYE inherits the 4rd place and BEAUMONT of the 5rd.
RACE 2: GIRARDET CONFIRMS ITS SUPERIORITY
Winner in race 1, Hugo GIRARDET (Kawasaki) starts from pole position. Tom BERCOT (Yamaha) is at his side, as is Enzo CEOLOTTO (Yamaha) who completes the line.
Note, Sylvain MARKARIAN (Yamaha) and Alexis BOUDIN (Kawasaki) start from the back of the grid. As in race 1, the latter will try to come back and why not inspire MARKARIAN.
GIRARDET kept his habit and took the lead alone from the first lap. BERCOT follows suit.
At the halfway point, MARKARIAN is already back at the front to compete for 3rd podium at CEOLOTTO! The two drivers then fought a battle more than 5 seconds behind BERCOT, well installed in 2rd rank.
Until the end of the race, nothing changes, GIRARDET achieves the double without opposition, BERCOT once again climbs onto the second step of the podium. The battle for 3rd place is won by CEOLOTTO who invites himself on the box. MARKARIAN ranks 4rd after a nice climb. BOUDIN for his part cannot do better than 7rd.
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3
RACE 1:
Bad operation for Bartholomé PERRIN (MIR KTM) who stalled at the start and ultimately did not take to the track. In the first lap, José SALVANS (RMU TM 250) made a mistake and let Line VIEILLARD (Yamaha) take the lead. She resisted the assaults of Charles AUBRIE (Over Yamaha) and Antoine BONNARD (Moriwaki MD) in the first part of the race.
VIEILLARD finally took the checkered flag in leading position with less than half a second ahead of BONNARD who got the better of AUBRIE.
RACE 2: ITALY IN THE HONOR THANKS TO SALVANS
It's the turn of the young Italian José SALVANS (RMU TM 250) to take his revenge after his failed race in the morning. After a lone rider for almost the entire race, he won in the afternoon with more than a second and a half ahead of Line VIEILLARD (Yamaha) who distinguished herself again.
We recall that the latter started from the back of the grid following her disqualification in race 1. She still finished second after winning a fierce battle against Antoine BONNARD (Moriwaki MD).
SIDECAR
RACE 2: DELANNOY / COMMON RETURNS TO SUCCESS
Firstrd sidecar race ends with a red flag while the F1 duo DELANNOY / COMMON was in the lead ahead of the F600s of REEVES / WILKES and STREUER / DE HAAS. The classification freezes on the lap before the red flag, the order does not change, it is DELANNOY / COMMON who climbs to the highest step of the podium in front of REEVES / WILKES and STREUER / DE HAAS.
Also in F600, LEGLISE / CLEMENT suffered a mechanical problem while he was in 4rd scratch place. It is also the cause of the red flag and unfortunately will not be classified.
In F2, LEBLOND / CLAEYS finished in first place ahead of CHANAL / LAVOREL and LEGUEN / LEGUEN.
FOLLOW THE FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship, always offers live coverage of everything that happens during the weekend, 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
04/05 – 05/05 – Nogaro – ASM Armagnac Bigorre
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
