FRENCH SUPERBIKE FSBK-FE CHAMPIONSHIP: A MEMORABLE 2ND STAGE IN NOGARO
This weekend in May, the FFM and ASMoto Armagnac Bigorre hosted the second round of the French Superbike FSBK-FE championship on the Paul Armagnac circuit in Nogaro. The reunion with the public from the southwest was a success since 13 enthusiasts gathered to watch spectacular races between the best French speed drivers, including local Valentin Debise who distinguished himself through new exploits.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: GINES – DEBISE, THE DUEL CONTINUES
First twists and turns from the reconnaissance lap, victim of mechanical problems, Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli), 4th, and Tom BERCOT (Honda CBO – Michelin), 8th, returned to the pits before the start of the race.
Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli) sets the tone and completes the first lap in a leading position ahead of Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) who remains in his wake. Respectively 3rd and 6th on the starting grid, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli) and Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) are competing for 3rd position.
Lap after lap, the 4 leading drivers are extremely close. While GINES, DEBISE and FORAY go blow for blow, RENAUDIN waits at the back of the quartet. For his part, Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin) occupies 5th place with a big second ahead of Axel MAURIN (Yamaha – Pirelli), 6th, and himself under threat from Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli), 7th.
Before mid-race, the red flag was waved by the race management following a fall by Kévin JAECK (Yamaha – Michelin) in the peloton.
The race is restarted for 7 laps and GINES takes the lead ahead of his rival DEBISE while FORAY remains in ambush behind the two Yamahas. In 4th place, RENAUDIN manages to distance himself from the No. 5 Honda of Alan TECHER, still in 5th position in front of David MUSCAT (Ducati TWR – Michelin), who is getting more and more pressing in 6th place.
In the final loop, DEBISE, back in the lead, resisted the ultra-late braking of GINES at the end of the aviation straight, thus securing a third victory in as many races. The rider of the Yamaha no. 41 once again stumbles into second place but demonstrates a level of performance increasingly close to that of the winner. See you in race 2 for revenge!
Starting 6th, FORAY did well by getting on the podium at the expense of RENAUDIN who still took a very good 4th place, synonymous with victory in the Challenger category. TECHER, 5th, redoubled his efforts and resisted the last attack of the emblematic local pilot, MUSCAT who widened his trajectory and fell in the ranking to 9th place.
Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli), therefore moves up to 6th, after having made the effort to contain the No. 26 Ducati of Guillaume ANTIGA (Ducati – Pirelli) who takes 8th place overall over the two parts of the race. The Challenger Valentin SUCHET, for his part, is 7th overall and climbs to the second step of the podium in his category, completed by the Luxembourger Chris LEESCH (Honda – Dunlop) who closes the top 10 in scratch.
RACE 2: FOURTH VICTORY FOR DEBISE
Following a fantastic race 1, Kenny FORAY started in pole position in front of the Gers crowd gathered in the stands of the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro.
After 1 lap, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) already positions his R1 in the lead ahead of that of Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli). At the same time, Kenny FORAY is well placed in 3rd place under pressure from Martin RENAUDIN who even manages to overtake him at the end of the 2nd lap. Good start to the race from Alan TECHER who places his Honda n°5 in 5th place while Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli) makes a mistake and falls. A weekend to forget for the multiple winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans.
The situation is stable after 5 laps, the leading drivers are held within 2 seconds. The chasing trio composed of Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli), David MUSCAT (Ducati – Michelin) and Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli) is more than 5 seconds behind the leader.
Some changes to note within the top 5 in the middle of the race but DEBISE is still in front despite the attacks from the rider of the Yamaha n°41. At a pace higher than that of GINES, FORAY puts the brakes on RENAUDIN for the benefit of 3rd place, the Challenger takes its wheel. For its part, TECHER takes the hit in 5th place.
At the end of the race, Valentin DEBISE is the only driver to run in 1'28, a statistic allowing him to take off to validate a 4th victory this season, thus consolidating his status as leader of the Championship. On the last lap, FORAY raises its level of play and surprises GINES by taking the advantage when braking the first corner of the track. FORAY then signs his best result of 2022 ahead of his former teammate GINES, 3rd. Another 4th place for RENAUDIN who finishes ahead of TECHER, 5th. A magnificent weekend for the young Sarthoise who will still have to wait for a first podium in the premier category.
The fight for 6th place benefits MAURIN, an extremely consistent driver who is ahead of SUCHET, 7th, and MUSCAT, 8th. After starting from 14th place, Tom BERCOT (Honda CBO – Michelin) made a good comeback to 9th place, ranking him 3rd in the Challenger category behind Martin RENAUDIN and Valentin SUCHET. The 17-year-old driver will probably be able to aspire to better things when he has success on his side.
Championship situation:
SUPERSPORT 600
RACE 1: DEBISE AHEAD OF ITS YOUNG RIVALS
Excellent start from Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) who takes the lead and seems to be able to widen the gap in front of Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli) immediately attacked by Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli).
Despite the impression left in the first two laps, the Albigensian leader is joined by the young guard of the Supersport 600, namely Loïc ARBEL, Johan GIMBERT and Mathieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) who made an excellent start from the second row. The surprising GIMBERT even managed to take the advantage in front of DEBISE for two laps.
At mid-race, the successive attacks carried out by ARBEL and GIMBERT benefit DEBISE who escapes and gradually consolidates his lead. In ambush in 4th row, GREGORIO makes the effort to stay in contact with the Yamahas n°85 and n°77. Behind these 4 men, the public witnesses a great battle for 5th place between 3 experienced riders: Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop), Cédric TANGRE (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli).
With 6 laps to go, the differences are evident, DEBISE is still a solid leader while ARBEL increases the pace in second place while GREGORIO enters the top 3 at the expense of GIMBERT whose tires seem to pay for an aggressive start to the race.
Contested by the young people in the first laps, DEBISE was able to keep his calm to win a third time in as many races. When overtaking the latecomers GREGORIO takes the advantage in front of ARBEL who tries to regain his possession.
But GREGORIO resists and takes a good 2nd place in front of Doubiste who completes the podium. For his part, GIMBERT shows his good progress and maintains 4th place.
In the fight to enter the top 5, LUSSIANA does not tremble and is ahead of DE LA VEGA, 6th, and TANGRE, 7th.
Vincent FALCONE (Yamaha – Pirelli) finished in 8th place in the scratch and therefore accompanies Mathieu GREGORIO and Johan GIMBERT on the box for the Challenger category.
RACE 2: UNSTOPPABLE DEBISE
From the left of the 1st row of the starting grid, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Pirelli) made the holeshot and immediately took control of the leading group in front of poleman Mathieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) followed by Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli ) and Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli).
After 3 laps, within the leading car the order does not change, but behind, Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli), 5th, makes a mistake and falls. The quartet then broke away from the chasing group led by Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop), now 5th and threatened by his pursuer Cédric TANGRE (Yamaha – Pirelli).
At mid-race, DEBISE is in the lead, still followed by GREGORIO, ARBEL and GIMBERT, in this order, the gap between the 4 drivers is gradually widening. Only ARBEL remains in contact with GREGORIO and seems to be waiting for an opening.
With 2 laps to go, DEBISE drives the point home and secures the victory while ARBEL seems to want to attempt an attack on GREGORIO for the benefit of 2nd place. However, a fall involving LUSSIANA forced the race management to end the debates with a red flag and the ranking therefore remained unchanged: DEBISE won ahead of GREGORIO, 2nd, ARBEL, 3rd, and GIMBERT, 4th, exactly as in race 1 .
Cédric TANGRE seizes the opportunity to enter the top 5 ahead of Challenger Kilian AEBI (Yamaha – Dunlop) who signs a superb result placing him on the third step of the Challenger podium alongside GREGORIO and GIMBERT.
Championship situation:
GRAND PRIZE OBJECTIVE
PRE-MOTO 3
RACE 1: ROSTAGNI UNTOUCHABLE
Like what he achieved at Le Mans in race 1, Matthias ROSTAGNI (Béon) sets his pace from the first laps and none of his opponents are able to take his wheel. Quentin GODEFROY (KTM), Swan EMPRIN (Béon) and Célestin MASY (Béon) still begin the fight for the other two steps of the podium.
At the halfway point of the race, ROSTAGNI seems to have already definitively ruled out the competition since GODEFROY isolated in second row is more than 10 seconds behind the leader. The most beautiful battle therefore opposes MASY and EMPRIN who exchange positions turn after turn to try to enter the top 3.
Despite a more than comfortable lead, ROSTAGNI did not let up his efforts and won by a large margin ahead of GODEFROY, 2nd. The great operation of the last lap is to be credited to EMPRIN who brakes MASY and climbs onto the box.
RACE 2: LOGICAL FOLLOWING FOR ROSTAGNI
Mathias ROSTAGNI (Béon) takes the lead and already enjoys a good lead after one lap. Swan EMPRIN (Béon) occupies 2rd place but knows he is threatened by Célestin MASY (Béon) not far behind him in 3rd position.
At mid-race ROSTAGNI is a solid leader far ahead of MASY who finally steals 2nd place from EMPRIN. It was then the turn of Quentin GODEFROY (KTM) to take the advantage over Swan EMPRIN who fell back to 4rd rank.
At the finish the positions remain unchanged in the top 4, ROSTAGNI wins by a wide margin for the third time this season ahead of MASY, 2rd, GODEFROY, 3rd, and EMPRIN is at the foot of the podium.
NSF250
RACE 1: BERCOT DETHRONES CILLET
Jules BERCOT (Honda) starts with a bang and takes control at the end of the first lap ahead of Benjamin CAILLET (Honda). The leader of the Championship, CAILLET does not give BERCOT the opportunity to escape and maintains the pressure. Lorenzo GUYAU (Honda) is 1rd, behind the two leaders.
BERCOT leaves no space for CAILLET, but the 8th round is fruitful for the latter who takes the advantage in NSF 250.
A few laps from the finish, BERCOT regains the advantage over CAILLET thanks to a great braking maneuver on the aviation straight. The gap is still just as narrow in the final turns... At the checkered flag BERCOT, 13 years old and the youngest driver in the category, emerges victorious from this magnificent duel against CAILLET, 2nd.
Solid race from another 13-year-old driver, Lorenzo GUYAU, who completed the podium ahead of Eliott KASSIGIAN (Honda NSF), 4th.
RACE 2: Caillet ALREADY FINDS VICTORY
Perfect start to the race for Jules BERCOT (Honda NSF) in the lead at the exit of the first turn in front of Benjamin CAILLET (Honda NSF), who immediately takes his wheel. We find Lorenzo GUYAU (Honda NSF), 1rd, behind the two leaders.
At mid-race, the two leading drivers are still engaged in a merciless duel while GUYAU is left behind at 3rd rank.
Thanks to the reacceleration of his machine, the championship leader CAILLET took a decisive advantage at the checkered flag and consequently his revenge in front of BERCOT. Lorenzo GUYAU completes the podium more than 14 seconds behind the other two and Eliott KASSIGIAN (Honda NSF) finishes 4rd just like he did in race 1.
SUPERSPORT 300
RACE 1: FIRST VICTORY FOR JOULIN
Author of the best start from pole position, Dorian JOULIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) keeps the lead ahead of Loris CHAIDRON (Yamaha – Pirelli), Evan PLAINDOUX (Yamaha – Pirelli), Oreste BAZE (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Championship leader Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha – Pirelli) who joins the leading group despite a difficult start.
While BAZE loses rhythm and sees himself left behind by the leading men, at mid-race, we find CHAIDRON, DAHMANI, JOULIN and PLAINDOUX who hold in one second the first 4 positions and multiply the attacks turn after turn.
On the last lap, PLAINDOUX widened his trajectory in the winding part and saw his three rivals heading towards the podium.
At the checkered flag, JOULIN won a first victory after a perfect race ahead of CHAIDRON, 2nd, and DAHMANI, 3rd. Almost 2 seconds behind the winner, PLAINDOUX ranks 4th and will be revengeful in race 2.
New 5th place for David DA COSTA (Yamaha – Pirelli) who had to work against the best female representative Lucie BOUDESSEUL (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 6th at the finish. Note, despite a battle with the leaders at the start of the race, BAZE only ranks 9th.
RACE 2: DA COSTA WINS A CRAZY RACE
The best start is signed by Dorian JOULIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) who widens the gap in front of Lucie BOUDESSEUL (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 2nd. Enzo DAHMANI (Yamaha – Pirelli) immediately steps up to him. From 4th to 7th place, Loris CHAIDRON (Yamaha – Pirelli), Evann PLAINDOUX (Yamaha – Pirelli), David DA COSTA (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Louca FRIEH (Yamaha – Pirelli) are in ambush behind the trio.
The debates are extremely lively between the 7 leading drivers who regroup after 3 laps. JOULIN, DAHMANI and PLAINDOUX successively occupy the leading position until BOUDESSEUL surprises all these boys and takes leadership with a lot of authority.
In the second part of the race, the public cheers BOUDESSEUL who impresses by resisting the attacks of JOULIN, PLAINDOUX, DAHMANI and even DA COSTA who attack him one by one.
On the penultimate lap, DA COSTA and PLAINDOUX finally managed to gain the upper hand over the rider of the #3 Kawasaki, the young Portuguese took the lead. At this moment BOUDESSEUL is therefore 3rd ahead of JOULIN, 4th, followed in this order by DAHMANI, FRIEH and CHAIDRON.
At the finish, DA COSTA was the happiest by winning his first victory in Supersport 300 ahead of PLAINDOUX, 2nd. The joy of the winner contrasts with the disappointment of BOUDESSEUL who was robbed of 3rd place by JOULIN on the checkered flag after having been the great architect of this magnificent race. DAHMANI maintains 5th position, his worst result of the season, ahead of FRIEH, 6th, and CHAIDRON, 7th.
SIDECAR
RACE 2: LE BAIL / LEVEAU WINS IN DELICATE CONDITIONS
Following a heavy downpour at the very end of the event, LE BAIL / LEVEAU started in a leading position on a “WET” track. PERILLAT / KOTCHAN is struggling to get into rhythm given the conditions and is already more than 10 seconds behind the leader after two laps, an impressive gap so early in the race which shows the driving quality of crew no. 99.
In the process, BERTHET / VASSEUR puts on a show by taking second place at the expense of PERILLAT / KOTCHAN, now 3rd. Just before halfway, the latter are also taken over by BARBIER / RIGONDEAU who joins the virtual podium.
At the end of the 10 laps of the race, LE BAIL / LEVEAU easily won for the second time of the weekend. BERTHET / VASSEUR and BARBIER / RIGONDEAU complete the podium in that order. At the 4rd place the public finds BOUCHER / BOUCHER, which retains its initial position, while PERILLAT / KOTACHAN slides to 7rd rank.
In F2 it is therefore, PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI 5rd in the scratch which is far ahead of MOREL / CARRE, 9rd and QUILBAULT / PESENTI, 10rd who complete the category podium.
TEMPORARY SITUATION NSF 250:
1 – PERILLAT / KOTCHAN – 67 points
2 – LEASE / LEVEAU – 57 points
3 – REEVES / ROUSSEAU – 51 points
4 – BARBER / RIGONDEAU – 48 points
5 – BUTCHER / BUTCHER – 43 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.
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CALENDAR 2022
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
