Eagerly awaited by all speed enthusiasts, the first round of the FSBK-FE French Superbike Championship on the Bugatti Circuit was a success on and off the track. The local club, the ACO and the FFM, represented by its President Sébastien Poirier, are delighted with the enthusiasm surrounding this flagship event bringing together the French speed elite.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: DEBISE, PRELUDE OF A RECITAL!
The excitement and tension are palpable at the start of this first race of the season in the premier category. The drivers observed each other in qualifying, now it is in the race that they will be able to measure themselves.
The holeshot is to the credit of poleman Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) who is ahead of Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli), Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) and Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli) at the end of the 1st round. Despite several minor falls in the heart of the peloton during the first lap, the favorites were not affected.
In the second round, the 4 leading men increased the intensity in front of Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin), 5th, who made a mistake and saw his competitors move away.
Skimming operates at the front, after 7 laps, DEBISE and GINES escape, like a déjà vu… FORAY and LEBLANC remain wheel in wheel to compete for 3rd place. TECHER, isolated in 5th position, gradually takes shelter from his pursuers and pushes to get back on the DEBISE – TECHER duo. Behind him, Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli) is battling with the two Challengers Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli) and Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli). Mixed fortune for Maximilien BAU (BMW – Michelin), well placed in the top 10, the 2019 French Champion in Supersport 600 is unfortunately forced to retire.
With 5 laps to go, DEBISE stepped up its efforts to get rid of GINES who was gradually losing ground on his rival, same scenario between FORAY, 3rd, and LEBLANC, 4th. Alan TECHER manages his effort in 5th place while RENAUDIN, SUCHET and MAURIN are still close.
At the checkered flag, DEBISE celebrated another victory in the premier category with a 2''203 lead over a GINES, still as rigorous. It was the driver of the BMW 78, Kenny FORAY who took the last step of the podium.
Also very diligent, we can count on Grégory LEBLANC, 4th today, to disrupt this top 3, the multiple French champion, more and more comfortable on his Ducati, intends to regularly interfere on the podium this season. Alan TECHER finished 5th and showed a very good adaptation on his new machine.
6th at the finish, MAURIN resisted the enthusiasm of the young local drivers RENAUDIN, 7th, and SUCHET, 8th in front of their audience. The latter therefore climb onto the two highest steps of the podium in the Challenger category. Podium temporarily completed by Tom BERCOT (Honda CBO – Michelin), in fact, the latter will ultimately be downgraded by decision of the jury. The situation benefits Joseph FORAY (BMW – Dunlop) who inherits his first top 3 Superbike Challenger.
RACE 2: DEBISE IMPERIAL
This time, Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli) took the best at the start and took the lead after the Dunlop chicane ahead of Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) and Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli) who also made a superb start.
After 3 laps, we find a configuration similar to that of race 1 with GINES and DEBISE in the lead in that order. After his good start to the race, Axel MAURIN is successively overtaken by Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin), Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin), and Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli), the driver of the Yamaha n°89 downgrades so at 6rd rank. In addition, the resident of Team CMS quickly found himself under threat from Guillaume ANTIGA (Ducati – Pirelli), David MUSCAT (Ducati – Michelin), and Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict -Pirelli).
No notable change at the front after 9 laps, except an increase in the gaps between the different groups and the abandonment of David MUSCAT due to mechanical problems. With 6 laps to go, following an authoritarian overtake by DEBISE, the latter got the better of GINES and immediately increased his lead.
In the final laps of the race, DEBISE managed its lead and won again in the premier category. GINES is once again on the second step of the podium completed by FORAY, like race 1.
For TECHER, no podium but a great weekend which ends with a great 4rd place in front of MAURIN, 5rd, LEBLANC, 6rd and ANTIGA, 7rd.
In Challenger, RENAUDIN won for the second time this weekend, a great performance for him who does not hide his ambition to win the title. Valentin SUCHET is once again 2rd thanks to its 9rd place in the scratch, ahead of Alexandre SANTO DOMINGUES (Yamaha – Pirelli) in both categories.
SUPERSPORT 600
RACE 1: DEBISE AFFIRMS ITS STATUS
Author of an excellent start, Valentin DEBISE, maintains the advantage of his pole position and places his Yamaha n°153 in the lead on the first lap. However, the Albigensian was quickly put under pressure by Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli) and the young Mathieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) who also started particularly well from the starting grid.
The leading trio set their pace in the first laps, only Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop), very diligent, remained in contact.
Before halfway through the race, GREGORIO took the lead ahead of ARBEL, 2nd, and DEBISE, 3rd. Behind, Matthieu LUSSIANA is slightly behind the leading men, while Cédric TANGRE (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli) are fighting for 5th place less than 2 seconds behind.
With 2 laps to go, ARBEL lost ground to DEBISE and GREGORIO whose pace was still as high. At the same time, DE LA VEGA successively overtook TANGRE and LUSSIANA to gain 4th place.
Put to the test by GREGORIO, DEBISE remains faithful to its habits and begins this 2022 season with a new victory, just ahead of the Challenger driver, 2nd in the race. For his return to FSBK-FE, ARBEL stands out with a good 3rd place. In the very last meters, TANGRE surprises its two opponents and takes 4th place ahead of DE LA VEGA, 5th and LUSSIANA, 6th.
Mathieu GREGORIO is therefore the best ranked among the Supersport Challenger riders, he is ahead of Vincent FALCONE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 7th in the scratch after a fight with Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli) in particular, 9th and who completes the podium in the category .
RACE 2: UNTOUCHABLE DEBISE
As in race 1, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Pirelli), Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Mathieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) take the lead. We once again find Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop) in ambush, but this time the rider of the Yamaha n°95 remains very close to the trio of leaders, slightly behind Cédric TANGRE (Yamaha – Pirelli), is in 5th position after 5 rounds.
At mid-race, while LUSSIANA gains momentum and places itself in the slipstream of GREGORIO, the latter commits a slight error, spontaneously exploited by the resident of Moto Team 95. GREGORIO is now 3 seconds behind the trio of head. Cédric TANGRE is isolated in 5th place in front of 4 riders, Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli), Kilian AEBI (Yamaha – Pirelli), Felix PERON (Triumph – Pirelli) and Vincent FALCONE (Yamaha – Pirelli) who are performing well. pass of arms.
Two laps from the finish, and after overtaking the backmarkers, a slight gap is created between DEBISE, 1st, ARBEL, 2nd, and LUSSIANA, 3rd.
Finally DEBISE took advantage of the duel between LUSSIANA and ARBEL to definitively widen the gap and win for the 2nd time of the weekend with 1''180 ahead of ARBEL, 2nd. The latter managed to resist repeated attacks from LUSSIANA, 3rd. Impossible to come back for GREGORIO who still retains 4th place synonymous with best Challenger. Cédric TANGRE also maintains his 5th position until the finish, the 2015 and 2017 French Supersport Champion completes a positive weekend at Le Mans and is encouraging for the rest of the season.
To complete the Top 6, FALCONE dominates GIMBERT, 7th, AEBI, 8th and Félix PERON, 9th. Please note, PERON is the only rider on a machine other than Yamaha to enter the top 15!
On the Challenger podium, the public finds the same men: GREGORIO, 1st, FALCONE, 2nd and GIMBERT, 3rd.
GRAND PRIZE OBJECTIVE
In order to put all drivers on an equal footing, the tire manufacturer is unique in the Objective Grand Prix category from this season. Bridgestone equips all the machines, a way for these young talents to get closer to the regulations in force in international championships.
PRE-MOTO 3
RACE 1: ROSTAGNI CONFIRMED
Mathias ROSTAGNI (Béon) takes off well, ultra dominating in qualifying, he is put to the test from the start of the race by Loris VENEMAN (KTM) part 2rd on the starting grid. The two young drivers dominate the debates and increase their lead to more than 15 seconds over the 3rd, Célestin MASY (Béon), after 5 laps.
At mid-race, VENEMAN suffered the blow, the driver of the KTM n°71 was powerless against the pace imposed by ROSTAGNI who headed alone towards victory. For his part, Célestin MASY always 3rd races alone while Camil BISSANE (KTM), Swan EMPRIN (Béon) and Quentin MANDINE (Béon) explain themselves for 4rd instead.
“Amazed by the performance of his machine”, he confided to the microphone of France 3 Pays de la Loire, ROSTAGNI is victorious in his first race in the category of French speed hopefuls! VENEMAN manages his end of the race and keeps 2rd place, just like MASY who climbs onto the box.
The battle for 4rd place ends in the last lap and it is BISSANE who takes advantage ahead of EMPRIN, 5rd, and MANDINE, 6rd.
RACE 2: OPPORTUNISTIC VENEMAN
Like race 1, Mathias ROSTAGNY (Béon) takes the lead from 1er round. This time, the driver of the Béon n°13 quickly takes off despite the attempted resistance of Loris VENEMAN (KTM). Once again, Célestin MASY (Béon) finds himself isolated in 3rd position already far from the drivers in front of him after 5 laps.
Further away, we find Camil BISSANE (KTM) and Quentin MANDINE (Béon) in less than 2 seconds who are claiming 4rd instead.
A stroke of fate for Mathias ROSTAGNI two laps from the finish... After taking pole position in qualifying and winning race 1, the driver was unfortunately forced to retire due to a mechanical breakdown. A delicate situation which VENEMAN took advantage of to win during this race 2.
After making the difference in front of MANDINE, 3rd, BISSANE takes the second step of the podium. Beautiful 4rd place for Quentin GODEFROY (KTM) who finishes ahead of Nathan DELAUNAY (KTM), 5rd.
NSF250
RACE 1: SOLID, CILLET WINS
Very good start for the leading trio led by Benjamin CAILLET (Honda) ahead of Lucas BOSSON (Honda) and Kyle PAYNE (Honda). The tone is set, 12 laps will allow these young drivers to decide who are not shying away from their pleasure of racing on the Bugatti circuit.
Although he started in 6th position, Evan BOXBERGER (Honda) moved up from each of his competitors one by one to complete the first lap in the lead.
2 laps later, it was Jules BERCOT (Honda) who stood out, passed in front of BOXBERGER. The No. 25 driver concludes the 7th lap at the head of the category. What follows is a nice battle between Lorenzo GUYAU, Jules BERCOT, Evan BOXBERGER and Benjamin CAILLET.
Kyle PAYNE, victim of a mechanical problem, is idling after 9 laps completed, he is forced to take the escape route. The member of MC Pau Arnos will not leave.
Author of a particularly diligent second part of the race, Benjamin CAILLET moved up from 6th to 1st position to win ahead of Lorenzo GUYAU and Jules BERCOT. Evan BOXBERGER, very prominent throughout the race, however finished just off the podium, ahead of Lucas BOSSON.
RACE 2: THE DOUBLE FOR CILLET
Like the first race this morning, Evan BOXBERGER negotiated his start well and concluded the first lap in the lead ahead of Jules BERCOT and Benjamin CAILLET. The trio is closely followed by Lucas BOSSON who spares no effort to set the pace, so much so that at mid-race, the No. 28 driver passes Evan BOXBERGER to enter the top 3 behind Jules BERCOT and Benjamin CAILLET who took the lead.
Placed in 6th position, Kyle PAYNE, despite having had good timed practice sessions yesterday, is struggling to keep up with the pace of the leading men. At the halfway mark he was almost 15 seconds behind Evan BOXBERGER, 6th. Lorenzo GUYAU and Elliot KASSIGIAN bring up the rear.
As consistent as ever, Benjamin CAILLET completes this first stage with a double victory, a solid card for the No. 6 driver, who collects valuable points for the rest of the season. It's Jules BERCOT, who we find in 2nd position, after having fought well with Lucas BOSSON. the No. 28 driver climbs onto the 3rd step of the podium leaving Livio MIRABEL in 4th place.
Despite good starts and good performances at the start of each of the 2 races of the weekend, Evan BOXBERGER finished 5th and once again saw the podium elude him. We can bet that he progresses in regularity to also win on the box during the next race at Nogaro in May.
SUPERSPORT 300
RACE 1: DAHMANI DOMINATES FRIEH AND PLAINDOUX
From pole position, Dorian JOULIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) takes the best start and keeps the lead ahead of Louca FRIEH ( – Pirelli) and Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha – Pirelli). The 3 leading men set the pace and escaped, only Evan PLAINDOUX (Yamaha – Pirelli) remained in contact with the leaders.
Despite a good qualification and a start from the front row, Noa POTVIN (Kawasaki – Pirelli) was slow to get into the rhythm and fell considerably in the rankings.
At mid-race, the quartet JOULIN – FRIEH – DAHMANI – PLAINDOUX moves within the same second, the four boys take turns in the lead. For his part, David DA COSTA (Yamaha – Pirelli), alone in 5rd rank, had a great first race in the Supersport 300 category.
A stroke of fate for Dorian JOULIN, while the driver was fighting for his very first podium in FSBK-FE, he fell two laps from the finish. At the finish, DAHMANI is ahead of FRIEH and PLAINDOUX and takes the victory. FRIEH is therefore 2rd and PLAINDOUX, 3rd. Discreet and promising, DA COSTA is at the foot of the podium while POTVIN manages to save the points for 7rd instead.
RACE 2: DAHMANI WINS A SECOND TIME
In 1er In turn, Louca FRIEH (- Pirelli) took control of the race ahead of her opponents Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha - Pirelli), Dorian JOULIN (Yamaha - Pirelli) and Evan PLAINDOUX (Yamaha - Pirelli).
Once again the 4 pilots escape to engage in battle, but this time, at 4rd lap, PLAINDOUX made a mistake and fell in the Dunlop chicane, leaving the trio FRIEH – DAHMANI – JOULIN heading towards the podium.
Behind the leaders a group of drivers are positioning themselves to take over number 4rd place: Kilian ROSSIGNOL (Kawasaki – Pirelli), Noa POTVIN (Kawasaki – Pirelli), Cyprien BABY (Yamaha – Pirelli) and David DA COSTA (Yamaha – Pirelli).
Perfect racing strategy for DAHMANI who attacks FRIEH and JOULIN on the last lap and overtakes them before the checkered flag. DAHMANI therefore narrowly wins ahead of FRIEH, 2rd, and JOULIN, 3rd. At the same time, the battle for the 4rd place benefits ROSSIGNOL ahead of DA COSTA, 5rd, POTVIN, 6rd and BABY, 7rd.
SIDECAR
RACE 2: NEW DOUBLE AT BUGATTI FOR REEVES / ROUSSEAU
In the first laps, REEVES / ROUSSEAU took the lead of the race. The leading crew is pursued by PAYNE / WILKES and PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT. The side n°74 is determined to stay in contact to play for victory.
Positioned at 4rd position, LEGLISE / FARNIER is solid but the pace imposed by the 3 leading crews is too high.
With 5 laps to go, REEVES / ROUSSEAU pushes hard to try to secure the victory.
Strategy pays off for side n°77 which distances its opponents and wins for 2rd times of the weekend. PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT takes advantage of the abandonment of PAYNE / WILKES on the very last lap to take 2rd place. PERILLAT / KOTCHAN is also opportunistic and climbs to 3rd step of the podium. Note, VINET / VINET is back at the forefront with a nice 4rd instead.
In F2, we find PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI, 6rd and best in its category, CHANAL / LAVOREL, 12rd and CROCHEMORE/SQUARE, 14rd.
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 website fsbk.fr.
Other meetings will punctuate the weekend through a system specifically focused on social networks via Facebook: fsbk , Youtube : ffmfsbk and Instagram: fsbk
CALENDAR 2022
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
