A fifth round in Nièvre which can already be decisive
Having just returned from Béarn, the drivers of the French Superbike Championship are heading to the Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit, one of the most prestigious on the calendar. For this 5th round of the season, the Moto Club Nevers de la Nièvre, under the aegis of the FFM, welcomes the 200 riders aware that this stage could be a turning point in the title race. See you on July 1, 2 and 3 for the rest of this exciting season.
Taking advantage of ideal track conditions on the Magny-Cours circuit, the players in the French FSBK-FE Championship were able to demonstrate the full extent of their talent. The pace was frantic. It was therefore necessary to have strong nerves to climb into pole position for the 5th round of the season organized by MC Nevers de le Nièvre under the aegis of the FFM. And some have not failed in their role.
SUPERBIKE: SMALL GAPS AT THE TOP OF THE RANKINGS
With two victories but also two retirements in the last four races, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) seems to have used up his jokers. Leader of the Championship with 153 points, DEBISE sets down at Magny-Cours with only 16 lengths ahead of its runner-up. Despite the pain caused by his hand injuries, Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli) showed a lot of courage in Pau Arnos to stay in contact with his rival. If the Breton regains full possession of his means, the Nivernais public should witness a new fight between the two big names in the premier category.
After a difficult stage in Lédenon, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) regained momentum during the last round. The driver of the No. 78 BMW Tecmas regained victory and returned to the title race, just 29 points behind the leader. Victorious last season on the Nevers Magny-Cours track, FORAY will try to repeat this performance to put pressure on DEBISE and GINES.
This season, Alan TECHER (Honda CBO Racing – Michelin) found consistency, with the worst result being 5th place. On a series of three consecutive podiums, TECHER will try to continue its momentum and could even claim victory on a Circuit where it will showcase the power of its Honda.
With 102 and 94 points, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli) and Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli) are lying in wait at the foot of the podium. As since the start of the season, the two Yamaha riders will play spoilsport in the race for the trophy. Just like Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli) who will try to break the glass ceiling of the top 5.
Stuck in 8th, 9th and 10th places in the standings since the second round, David MUSCAT (Ducati – Michelin), Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli) and Guillaume ANTIGA (Ducati – Pirelli) are struggling to show themselves at the front. On a circuit characterized by great acceleration and long straights, the three Ducatis in the peloton could do well.
With eight victories in as many races, RENAUDIN asserts itself as the boss of the Challenger category ahead of SUCHET. His Suzuki Junior Team LMS teammate, Charles CORTOT (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli) has shown great consistency since the start of the season and will fight to get on the podium in the young rider category. Returning to the forefront with two fine 2nd places at Pau Arnos, can Maximilien BAU (BMW – Michelin) still claim the Challenger podium despite the accumulated delay? Response to Magny-Cours on July 3.
TEMPORARY SUPERBIKE SITUATION:
1 – Valentin DEBISE – 153 points
2 – Mathieu GINES – 137 points
3 – Kenny FORAY – 124 points
4 – Alan TECHER – 115 points
5 – Martin RENAUDIN – 102 points
SUPERBIKE TIMED TESTS: ALAN TECHER PROVIDES HIMSELF A NOTCH ABOVE
Particularly in good shape just a few minutes after obtaining the Supersport pole position, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) started the session with flying colors by setting a lap in 1'39''333. A time which allowed the provisional leader to maintain the lead in the timesheet for many minutes
However, nothing was certain against Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin). The driver of the No. 5 Honda, the strong man in Friday's free practice, completed a daunting lap in 1'39''070 shortly before the halfway point of the session, which put him definitively in pole position. TECHER thus confirmed the very good momentum established at Lédenon. For his part, unable to improve his first time, DEBISE had to settle for 2nd place, nevertheless aware of the margin he had over his pursuers.
Track conditions that were warmer than those of the same morning did not allow the other drivers in the field to drop below the 1'40 mark again. By completing his best lap in 1'40''180, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas - Michelin) secured 3rd position, closely followed by Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions - Pirelli), author of a time of 1'40 ''290.
Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli), in 1’40”415, and Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli), in 1’40”619, completed the second row. Martin RENAUDIN, who gained momentum throughout the session, narrowly grabbed 6th place from Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli), ahead of only a few hundredths with a time of 1'40''669.
The Top 10 is completed by David MUSCAT (Ducati - Michelin) in 1'40''993, Maximilien BAU (BMW - Michelin) in 1'41''091 and Maxime Bonnot (BMW Tecmas - Michelin) in 1'41' '191.
In Challenger, Charles CORTOT (Suzuki Junior Team – Dunlop), 13th in 1'41''323, is the third strong man behind Martin RENAUDIN and Maximilien BAU.
SUPERSPORT 600: DEBISE STILL FAVORITE, GREGORIO ON THE LOOKOUT
During the last round, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) further increased his lead by securing his eighth consecutive victory. Guaranteed to leave Magny-Cours in 1st position of the Championship, the Albigensian will be keen to continue his series to perhaps win the grand slam, which escaped him last year.
With seven podiums in eight races, Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Pirelli) is performing at the highest level… But rider no. 153 seems untouchable this season. The public can, however, count on the young Gardois to continue to fight in order to achieve this victory which is close to his heart, until the last meters of each race!
For 3rd place in the general classification, Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha TWR Junior Team – Pirelli) took a lead over his pursuers. The TWR Junior Team driver will be keen to battle again with GREGORIO and DEBISE as he was able to do at Le Mans and Nogaro.
Behind Loïc ARBEL, we find several drivers able to play for the places of honor. Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli), Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli), Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop) and Kilian AEBI (Yamaha – Dunlop) have a string of great performances and should continue their momentum at Magny-Cours.
In Challenger, with 100% victories, Matthieu GREGORIO is the big favorite to succeed his friend Ludovic CAUCHI. To complete the Top 3 Challenger, the fight between GIMBERT and AEBI promises to be interesting. In full progress, Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) could also claim the podium.
TEMPORARY SITUATION SUPERSPORT 600:
1 – Valentin DEBISE – 205 points
2 – Matthieu GREGORIO – 155 points
3 – Loïc ARBEL – 105 points
4 – Johan GIMBERT – 77 points
5 – Enzo DE LA VEGA – 74 points
SUPERSPORT 600 TIMED TESTS: DEBISE IN POLE POSITION WITH PANACHE
It is at a frantic pace that Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) attacked the Supersport timed tests. Author of a very fast time from his 2nd lap, the leader of the category hit the nail on the head, thus quickly securing yet another pole position with a time of 1'41''929.
However, these opponents struggled behind him, notably Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli) who, after dominating all of the free practice, had to settle for 2nd place in 1'42''477.
Behind his two men, the best remaining positions on the starting grid were played out in a pinch. Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli), with a time of 1'42''665, narrowly beat Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha - Pirelli), 4th in 1'42''857, but also Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli), 5th in 1’43”081, and Cédric TANGRE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 6th in 1’43”262.
By ranking in 8th place in the scratch with a time of 1'43''818, Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) positioned himself as the third best rider of the challengers behind Johan GIMBERT and Matthieu GREGORIO.
GRAND-PRICE OBJECTIVE
PRE-MOTO 3: ROSTAGNI FAVORITE TO VICTORY
Despite a clear domination, Matthias ROSTAGNI (Béon – Bridgestone) did not manage to make the break in the Championship, the fault of a bit of bad luck and haste, especially during the last race. ROSTAGNI still remains the big favorite and will be keen to string together two successes at Magny-Cours.
With only 24 points behind, his runner-up Célestin MASY (Béon – Bridgestone) is still in the match but will finally have to succeed in winning to hope to compete with the driver of the Béon n°13. It is the same for Quentin GODEFROY (KTM), who remains in a good 2rd place in Pau Arnos. At the foot of the provisional podium, Quentin MANDINE (Béon) and Camil BISSANE (KTM) probably aim to enter the top 3.
TEMPORARY SITUATION PRE-MOTO 3:
1 – Matthias ROSTAGNI – 130 points
2 – Célestin MASY – 106 points
3 – Quentin GODEFROY – 90 points
4 – Quentin MANDINE – 84,5 points
5 – Camil BISSANE – 78,5 points
PRE-MOTO 3: ROSTAGNI CRUSHES THE COMPETITION
The Championship leader left his opponents no chance. Matthias ROSTAGNI (Béon – Bridgestone) dominated qualifying from head to toe, and it was with ease that he took a new pole position in 1'53''133.
Although second, Célestin MASY (Béon – Bridgestone) was pushed back more than three seconds with a time of 1'56''624. He is only a few hundredths ahead of Quentin MANDINE (Béon – Bridgestone) who clocked 1'56''723.
HONDA NSF 250: BERCOT AND CILLET CLOSER THAN EVER
The duel for the title is well underway between leader Jules BERCOT (Honda NSF – Bridgestone) and his runner-up Benjamin CAILLET (Honda NSF – Bridgestone). If BERCOT only won two victories compared to four for CAILLET, the latter paid the price for a contrasting weekend at Lédenon with a missed start and an abandonment. For BERCOT, consistency pays off with seven podiums in as many races. At Magny-Cours, the public can expect a great battle between these two boys separated by only 6 points in the provisional ranking.
With 100 points, Lorenzo GUYAU (Honda NSF – Bridgestone) asserts himself as the main outsider in the category. Will he be able to tickle the two favorites?
Still well placed, Elliot KASSIGIAN (Honda NSF – Bridgestone) will try to get on the podium which has often narrowly escaped him. For two rounds, Evan BOXBERGER (Honda NSF – Bridgestone) has no longer asked any questions. The driver of the No. 33 machine remains on three consecutive podiums and intends to continue his rise in power.
TEMPORARY SITUATION HONDA NSF 250:
1 – Jules BERCOT – 135,5 points
2 – Benjamin CAILLET – 129,5 points
3 – Lorenzo GUYAU – 100 points
4 – Elliot KASSIGIAN – 73,5 points
5 – Evan BOXBERGER – 73 points
TIMED TESTS NSF 250: BENJAMIN CAILLET IN BOSS MODE
Benjamin CAILLET (NSF 250 – Bridgestone) was uncompromising during the timed tests. Leading from the start of the session, CAILLET put in a real performance by taking pole position in 1'52''919. More than a second and a half ahead of his closest competitor, Jules BERCOT (NSF 250 – Bridgestone), whose best time is 1'54''486.
The first row of the grid is completed by Lorenzo Guyau (NSF 250 – Bridgestone) who is slightly ahead of his pursuers with a time of 1'54''661.
SUPERSPORT 300: DAHMANI NOT SAFE YET
Since the start of the season, Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha – Pirelli) has been on a pace which closely resembles that of a future Champion. Often able to play for victory, he also knows how to secure big points in more difficult periods. Strategy which allows Enzo DAHMANI to be 38 points ahead of his runner-up.
2rd and 3rd, Dorian JOULIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Louca FRIEH (Yamaha – Pirelli) know that nothing is decided for the title despite the good lead of the rider of the Yamaha n°13. Indeed in Supersport 300, the races are extremely competitive and the slightest error can cause the drivers battling at the front to lose up to five places. They will know how to seize their chance if the opportunity to achieve victory presents itself again.
Tied and only 12 points off the podium, Evann PLAINDOUX (Yamaha – Pirelli) and David DA COSTA (Yamaha – Pirelli), already winners this season, will do everything to reduce the gap with the three leading riders.
In Challenger, Valentin ROEDEL (Kawasaki – Pirelli) gained a slight lead over Evan PALHIER (Yamaha – Pirelli) who nevertheless remains in the race to challenge the rider of the #117 Kawasaki for the title. Temporarily 3rd, Théo TAUVERON (Yamaha – Pirelli) can also claim victory in the Challenger category. Despite the ranking, the favorite for victory in the race seems to be D Jefferson DELBOSC (Kawasaki – Pirelli) who remains on three podiums including two victories in the last two races.
TEMPORARY SITUATION SUPERSPORT 300:
1 – Enzo DAHMANI – 147 points
2 – Dorian JOULIN – 109 points
3 – Louca FRIEH – 102 points
4 – Evann PLAINDOUX – 90 points
5 – David DA COSTA – 90 points
SUPERSPORT 300 TIMED TESTS: FIRST POLE POSITION FOR THE PROVISIONAL LEADER
The end of this qualifying session was crazy, with two drivers achieving exactly the same reference time. Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Dorian JOULIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) both achieved their best lap in 1'56''425. A rare situation, if not unprecedented, for the category. DAHMANI, however, emerged victorious from this perfect tie, having validated his time before JOULIN. The provisional leader thus offers himself his first pole position this season.
The fight for third position was also intense. D'Jefferson DELBOSC (Kawasaki – Pirelli) won in the final seconds of qualifying by completing a lap in 1'56''690. It was a close call with Evann PLAINDOUX (Yamaha – Pirelli) who completed the Magny-Cours circuit in 1'56''806. The latter will find alongside him on the starting grid Loris CHAIDRON (Yamaha – Pirelli), who rode in 1'57''053, and Justine PEDEMONTE (Yamaha – Pirelli), author of a loop in 1'57'' 540.
In Challenger, Théo TAUVERON gets the best of his competitors with a 22nd position (Yamaha – Pirelli) in 2'00''730. Followed by Evan PALHIER (Yamaha – Pirelli), 25th in 2'01''660, and Valentin ROEDEL (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 26th in 2'02''272.
SIDECAR: BIG COMPETITION FOR PERILAT / KOTCHAN
The situation in the F600 Championship has tightened further at Pau Arnos and from now on each point scored will be decisive in the title race. In the lead, the PERILLAT / KOTCHAN crew will continue their efforts against the two distinguished FSBK-FE crews, LE BAIL / LEVEAU, 2rd, and PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT, 3rd and back after great performances in the World Championship. A great three-way match is to be expected between the best current crews.
In F2, since the start of the season the three crews PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI, BLERVAQUE / AMETTE and MOREL / MOREL share the big points. Who among them will leave Nièvre at the top of the short chassis ranking?
Please note, the peloton will welcome ROSCHER / BURKHARD, a prestigious crew with an eloquent international record.
TEMPORARY SIDE-CAR SITUATION:
1 – PERILLAT / KOTCHAN – 142 points
2 – LEASE / LEVEAU – 122 points
3 – PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT – 93 points
4 – PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI – 92 points
5 – JACQUEMMOZ / ENJALBERT – 80 points
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
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
