The French Superbike Championship, more commonly known as FSBK-FE, is finally back from March 25 to 27 on the legendary Bugatti circuit in Le Mans. The 150 drivers of the French speed elite are welcomed by the FFM and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest for the first of seven stages of a 2022 season eagerly awaited, thanks in particular to the return of the public.
SUPERBIKE 1000: THE FORCES PRESENT
2019, 2020 and 2021… The last three Championships were won by the same man: Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli). Exceptional performance from the rider of the No. 41 Yamaha who has always been able to take advantage of his consistency to score numerous points and get ahead of his opponents at the finish. With such a track record, GINES stands out as the new favorite for this 2022 edition.
However, two men in particular can claim the title after which they have been chasing for several years: Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) et Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin), respectively 2rd and 3rd of the last financial year. Without an injury having sidelined him from the circuits, DEBISE would certainly also have been able to claim the title. Provisional leader, before the last stage in Alès, the native of Albi, author of an exceptional season, had every chance of finishing the season at the top of the ranking. The last winner of the FSBK-FE championship, before the GINES era, FORAY, for its part, had a mixed final season. Despite an honorable 3rd place in the Championship, the driver of the BMW Tecmas team did not manage to find the consistency which characterized him in the past and thus impose himself.
To summarize the situation, GINES will have a lot to do to retain its title, facing its two privileged opponents DEBISE and FORAY. In addition, the three big names in the Championship will have to deal with competition from many very fast drivers, some experienced, others in the making.
Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli) is back for a new season with ever more ambitions, and above all a change that will be a landmark. In fact, the Sénonais driver will run on bioethanol! a change made possible thanks to the adaptation of the regulations by the French Motorcycling Federation.
“It comes down to a series box that we will add to the original box of the motorcycle and which will take into account the biofuel calculations”, explains Axel MAURIN. A more than notable difference, because it reduces CO50 emissions by 2% and particle emissions by almost 90%.
5rd scratch last year, Alan TECHER (Honda CBO Racing – Michelin) takes on the challenge on a machine that won the Challenger title in 2021. His young teammate bears the name Tom BERCOT (Honda CBO Racing – Michelin), he who did all his classes in FSBK-FE showing enormous qualities and exponential progression. Team Honda CBO is also likely to attract all the attention this year.
Among the most experienced, and no less talented, David MUSCAT (Ducati – Michelin) et Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli) we will do the honor, one more year, of shining this season. Enough to undermine the projects of GINES, FORAY and DEBISE. Under the colors of his own structure, Gregory LEBLANC presents himself with big ambitions, in the same way as Maxime BONNOT, return to the team BMW Tecmas. Reigning Challenger Champion, Guillaume ANTIGA (Ducati – Pirelli) will also be a serious competitor, he who will ride the No. 25 Ducati.
In Challenger the level will be very high and it is difficult to identify a favorite. Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli) et Maximilien BAU (BMW – Michelin) who had great battles for the Supersport 600 title during the 2019 season could well do it again in 2022! They are not the only ones claiming the crown, Ludovic RIZZA (Yamaha – Dunlop), winner of the Promosport 1000, Ludovic CAUCHI (Kawasaki – Pirelli), vice-Champion of France Supersport 600 or Tom BERCOT 4rd in the same category in 2021 will be interesting outsiders. Without forgetting the protégés of “Professor” Damien Saulnier (Junior Team Suzuki LMS) which blows this year, its 25 Candles on the slopes, Valentin SUCHET et Charles CORTOT who will play at home on the Le Mans circuit.
SUPERSPORT 600: DEBISE TOWARDS “DOUBLE / DOUBLE”?
After his victory in 2021, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha-Michelin) is the favorite to succeed himself. Crowned Champion of France without participating in the last round, the Albigensian rider is once again committing to a double season: Superbike / Supersport.
3rd overall and on the podium during the last 5 races, last season, Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Pirelli) changes status and intends to disrupt DEBISE's ambitions. The very young driver will be keen to rise to the challenge that lies before him.
Like Matthieu GREGORIO, Kévin LONGEARET (Yamaha – Michelin), Kilian AEBI (Yamaha – Pirelli), Dylan MILLE (Yamaha – Pirelli), Adrien ROLLET (Yamaha – Dunlop) or even Cédric TANGRE (Yamaha – Pirelli) and of course Thibault NAGORSKI (Yamaha – Pirelli) will use their experience in the category to shine, from the first races on the Bugatti Circuit.
As every year in Supersport 600, very young talents join the starting grid, this is the case of the top 3 of the lower category (Supersport 300) last year, namely, Florent DA CUNHA ( – Pirelli ),Champion, Alexy NEGRIER (Yamaha – Pirelli) 2nd et Diego PONCET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) 3rd After an enriching experience in the European Talent Cup, Matéo PEDENEAU (Yamaha – Pirelli) should also be one of the boys to rely on. Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli), Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop) and Lilian DI LORENZO (Yamaha – Pirelli) three experienced drivers will also be among the contenders for the podium... The games are open.
In Challenger, we find the favorites for the scratch classification such as Matthieu GREGORIO, Kilian AEBI, Alexy NEGRIER, Diego PONCET, Matéo PEDENEAU and Florent DA CUNHA but also a long list of promising riders… Charles AUBRIE (Yamaha – Pirelli), Hugo ROBERT (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli), Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha -Pirelli) or even Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli)… Like every year, the Challenger Championship will therefore be extremely competitive in Supersport 600.
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE-MOTO 3: FRENCH AMBITION
Under the leadership of its President, Sébastien Poirier, and the President of the National Speed Commission, Patrick Coutant, the French Motorcycling Federation aims to make the OGP Category the springboard towards major international championships for the best French riders. The young talents of the Objectif Grand Prix therefore pilot 250cc prototype motorcycles similar to those used in the Moto 3 category where the Frenchman competes. Lorenzo FELLON in the World Championship.
Logically, we find drivers who have distinguished themselves in Promosport 125 and Mini OGP in past years. Livio MIRABEL (Honda NSF) acts as favorite for the season, he won the Promosport 125 title in 2021 at the same time asEnzo CALIGNY (Erdog) took the Moto 5 title hands down. These two drivers will be ones to watch closely from the first laps of the track in Sarthe.
Jules BERCOT (Honda NSF), Jules FONTES (KTM RC4R), Evan BOXEBERGER (Honda NSF), Djanilson GOMES (Beon Yamaha), Kyle PAYNE (Honda NSF) have also trained in Moto 5 and Mini OGP in recent seasons, will they be candidates for the podium from the first round?
SUPERSPORT 300: AN IMPORTANT RENEWAL
In Supersport 300, despite the departure of the Top 5 of 2021, we also find a good field made up of young drivers, some of whom already have an honorable track record.
Oreste BAZE (Kawasaki) et Noa POTVIN 2rd and 3rd in Promosport 400 last season seem in a good position to play leading roles in the upper class. The paddock will also be attentive to the performances of drivers like Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha), Cyprien BABY (Yamaha), Mathéo DIEUDONNÉ (Yamaha) et Lucie BOUDESSEUL (Kawasaki) who will also be there to battle at the forefront.
Pure products of the Coupes de France Promosport, David DA COSTA (Yamaha) et Evann PLAINDOUX (Yamaha) will have their say!
SIDE-CAR: AN EXPANDED STARTING GRID
For the start of the FSBK-FE Side-Car season, 48 players, 9 women and 39 men, 21 French teams and 3 foreign teams will set off at Le Mans.
In F600, LEGLISE / FARNIER will try to retain its title, won brilliantly last season. There is no doubt that PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT will be keen to bounce back after letting first place slip away in the final moments in 2021. VINET / VINET and LEBAIL / LEVEAU will also seize every chance that presents itself to them to seek podiums.
Winner of the France Promosport Cups, the BOUCHER / BOUCHER crew arrives in FSBK-FE with plenty of confidence and ambitions. Enough to make the favorites tremble? Response on March 26 and 27 in Sarthe.
For its part, CHANAL / LAVOREL will defend its F2 title. The task promises to be difficult given the forces present. The LEBLOND / CARRÉ crew has already shown all its qualities and will now have to demonstrate consistency to claim a better position at the end of the season.
The MORELs, for their part, learned a lot last year and could well have found the adjustments that will allow them to play for victory. It will be necessary to closely follow the young crews PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI and NODELFER / BONNOT.
FOLLOW THE 2022 FRENCH FE-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 2022 season, the FFM will broadcast each evening of the event a video of the best moments of the day on the official FSBK-FE Facebook page and the fsbk.fr website.
Other meetings will punctuate the weekend through a system specifically focused on social networks via Facebook: fsbk , Youtube : ffmfsbk and Instagram: fsbk
CALENDAR 2022
March 25 – 27 – Bugatti Circuit (72) – ACO
May 06 – 08 – Nogaro (32) – ASM Armagnac Bigorre
May 27 – 29 – Lédenon (30) – MC Lédenon
June 17 – 19 – Circuit Pau Arnos (64) – MC Pau Arnos
July 01 – 03 – Magny-Cours (58) – MC Nevers and Nièvre
August 19 – 21 – Circuit Carole (93) – MC Motors Events
September 23 – 25 – Circuit Paul Ricard (30) – MC of Circuit Paul Ricard
