On this last weekend of September, the final of the French Superbike Championship took place on the Circuit Paul Ricard. At the dawn of this last round of the 2023 season organized by MC Paul Ricard and FFMoto, many titles were still to be awarded. The public who came in large numbers around the Var track then witnessed spectacular races under high tension and cheered the 2023 French Champions.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: TECHER FINDS VICTORY, FORAY TRIUMPHS AGAIN
At the start of this penultimate race of the season, the premier category must still crown its Champion. Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin) immediately stood out by taking control of operations ahead of his teammate and title contender Mike DI MEGLIO (Honda CBO – Michelin). His rival Kenny FORAY makes a small mistake and falls back in the ranking, he is 6th at the end of the 1st round. The #11 BMW of Jérémy GUARNONI (BMW MDS – Dunlop) is in 3rd position ahead of Corentin PEROLARI (Yamaha Moto Ain – Pirelli) and Naomichi URAMOTO (Honda – Pirelli), 4th and 5th.
TECHER then quickly took shelter from FORAY, himself threatened by GUARNONI. One thing is certain, #1 will not take any risks because, starting 22nd, DI MEGLIO is still not back in the points zone.
While he tries to get back on opponents slower than him, DI MEGLIO falls again with 9 laps to go. FORAY is heading towards a second consecutive title and TECHER towards victory!
No new surprises at the checkered flag, TECHER's joy contrasts with his teammate's disappointment, the driver of the #5 Honda finally wins his first race of the season!
For his part, FORAY climbs onto the second step of the podium, but the important thing is elsewhere, the native of Yvelines succeeds himself and is crowned French Superbike Champion for the third time in his career!
The 3rd step of the podium is to the credit of GUARNONI, author of a very good race. Back after a notable absence at Carole, Mathieu GINES scores the points for 4th place. Fighting with URAMOTO and RENAUDIN until the last lap, LEBLANC took a nice top 5 ahead of the Japanese, 6th, and RENAUDIN 7th.
As for the Challenger category, the young Swiss Kilian AEBI (Team LMS Suzuki – Pirelli) took advantage of the retirement of Corentin PEROLARI to win with an 11th place overall. On the podium, the public found Dylan MILLE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 13th overall, and Leo CHALAMEL (Yamaha – Pirelli), 14th.
RACE 2: THE CHAMPION’S REVENGE IN FRONT OF TECHER
No more doubt about the name of the 2023 champion but still some great battles to observe in this very tough 2023 promotion. The CBO team's Hondas once again got off to a flying start and took the lead after the first lap. Jérémy GUARNONI (BMW MDS – Dunlop) was in 7th position when he crashed at turn 6 and triggered a red flag. The drivers return to the box.
The drivers start again for 13 laps and the drivers return to their starting position.
This time again the Hondas take control of the race, TECHER in the lead ahead of DI MEGLIO. Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) got a better start and positioned himself in 3rd place. Former world rider Corentin PEROLARI (Team Moto Ain – Pirelli) is 4th ahead of the Japanese Naomichi URAMOTO (Honda – Pirelli), 5th. Mathieu GINES (Team 41 Performance Yamaha Supported), lost two positions at the start and found himself 6th in the fight with Grégory LEBLANC (TWR Ducati – Pirelli), 7th and Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Supported Team Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli), 8th.
Alan TECHER fails to escape despite the battle raging between DI MEGLIO and FORAY. This trio, however, takes off ahead of Mathieu GINES, 4th, more than 7 seconds behind at halfway. The top 5 is currently completed by Naomichi URAMOTO, pressing on his predecessor. Martin RENAUDIN is now 6th and could join this top 5. He is pursued by PEROLARI, 7th who is forcing his way back and makes an error 4 laps from the finish.
With 2 laps to go, TECHER is still in the lead! But the latter is chased by an overexcited Kenny FORAY who took the best a few laps ahead on DI MEGLIO braking on the box straight. In the TECHER order, FORAY and DI MEGLIO lead the race. Further on, GINES, 4th, URAMOTO, 5th and RENAUDIN, 6th retain their positions.
FORAY won this last race of the season by 0'041 ahead of Alan TECHER, second. Mike DI MEGLIO is 3rd and finishes second in the championship ahead of his teammate. The rest of the top 5 remains unchanged and GINES and URAMOTO are respectively 4 and 5. Martin RENAUDIN concludes his season with a good 6th position ahead of LEBLANC and his #38 Ducati, 7th. Another Ducati finished 8th, that of David MUSCAT.
As for the challengers, Kilian AEBI (Team LMS Suzuki – Pirelli) finished in style with a second victory in the weekend. He is 11th overall, ahead of Leo CHALLAMEL (Yamaha – Pirelli), second and Dylan MILLE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 3rd in the category.
SITUATION:
1 – Kenny FORAY – 276 points
2- Mike DI MEGLIO – 238 points
3 – Alan TECHER – 221 points
4 – Jérémy GUARNONI – 145 points
5 – Mathieu GINES – 144 points
SUPERSPORT 600
RACE 1: GIMBERT TITLED WITHOUT TRembling
Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli) took off excellently from 4th place on the starting grid and took the lead in the first laps. He is ahead of Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Pirelli), second, Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Michelin), 3rd and the leader of the Championship to whom the title is held out, Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli), who loses a few positions. On a circuit that he knows by heart, training there regularly, he is quickly able to threaten his competitors. In 5th position, we find the 1st Young Person, Vincent FALCONE (Yamaha – Pirelli).
As expected, GIMBERT continued overtaking GREGORIO, LUSSIANA then ARBEL to find himself in the lead at the end of the 2nd lap. The #23 tries to stay in contact but the high pace of the Championship leader relegates him to more than 2 seconds after 4 laps. ARBEL is nevertheless safe from LUSSIANA and GREGORIO who are competing for 3rd place. For its part, FALCONE remains on the lookout for an opening left by its two predecessors. In 6th and 7th positions, Hugo ROBERT (Yamaha – Michelin) and Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli) battle, leaving Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) the possibility of catching up.
With 10 laps to go, GIMBERT is in the lead, 3 seconds ahead of ARBEL. In 3rd position, GREGORIO is still under threat from LUSSIANA. Several seconds behind FALCONE, 5th, a group forms with CAZARD, PERRIN and ROBERT.
The second part of the race was not very lively, but as he crossed the line Johan GIMBERT won his 7th success of the season, and above all the title of 600 French Supersport 2023 Champion, at only 18 years old.
After his setbacks at the start of the weekend, Loïc ARBEL takes another 2nd place. In the general classification, he is getting closer to DE LA VEGA, out of the points. GREGORIO completes the podium at the foot of which we find LUSSIANA. By far the best Young Rider, FALCONE is once again in the top 5, 8 seconds ahead of CAZARD and PERRIN, who are on the podium in the category.
RACE 2: THE CHAMPION’S DOUBLE
This time it is Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli) who achieves the best start in front of Loic ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli) who sticks to the leader's wheel. Just behind, Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha -Pirelli) and Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha - Pirelli) respectively 3rd and 4th are in contact and are pressing behind the two leaders. In 5th place, we find Hugo ROBERT (Yamaha – Michelin).
At the end of the first 3 laps, GIMBERT was unable to escape and kept DE LA VEGA now second and ARBEL, 3rd in his wake, barely half a second behind. In 4th position, GREGORIO is slightly behind the leading trio. Incisive to get the better of Hugo ROBERT, Matthieu LUSSIANA enters the top 5. The driver of Yamaha #51 then precedes that of Vincent FALCONE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 6th.
With 6 laps to go, Johan GIMBERT in leading position must contain the repeated attacks of Enzo DE LA VEGA, determined to win the last race of the season. For his part, Loïc ARBEL has relaxed his effort and is 8 seconds behind the two men. As for Vincent FALCONE, he is positioned 4th, a few lengths ahead of Matthieu LUSSIANA, whose 5th place is threatened by Hugo ROBERT.
In the last lap of this 2023 season, GIMBERT regains the race lead ceded for a few meters to Enzo DE LA VEGA and wins to conclude in style a successful season leading him to the title. Enzo DE LA VEGA finished second in the race ahead of Loic ARBEL, 3rd. These two boys are placed in the same ranks in the Championship. Vincent FALCONE completed another promising race and finished just off the podium. LUSSIANA completes the top 5, ultimately not really worried by Hugo ROBERT, 6th.
Among the young people, Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli), 7th overall, won ahead of Florent DA CUNHA (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 8th, and Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli), crowned Champion of the category, 9th.
SITUATION:
1 – Johan GIMBERT – 294 points
2 – Enzo DE LA VEGA – 222 points
3 – Loïc ARBEL – 203 points
4 – Matthieu GREGORIO – 181 points
5 – Hugo ROBERT – 138 points
GRAND PRIZE OBJECTIVE
PRE-MOTO 3
RACE 1: DA COSTA TAKES AN OPTION
The final duel begins between the candidates for the title, Henri MIGNOT (BEON – Bridgestone) and David DA COSTA (BEON – Bridgestone) in the first two places on the starting grid. DA COSTA took the best start and took the lead on the first lap, MIGNOT held on to stay behind his teammate and rival. In 1rd position, Enzo DUPUIS (BEON – Bridgestone) is already more than 3 seconds behind after two laps.
At mid-race, DA COSTA was still leading the proceedings but was unable to escape. Henri MIGNOT is in his wheel, able to carry out an attack and seems to be waiting for the right moment.
It was then 4 laps from the checkerboard that MIGNOT attacked DA COSTA and took the lead for the first time. He must now face the aftershocks of his rival.
In the last lap, the two leaders are neck and neck and it is finally DA COSTA who wins in the photo finish! MIGNOT is beaten by 0''075 but the gap in the Championship remains tiny, everything will be decided during race 2 between the two BRS drivers. The last step of the podium is occupied by Quentin GODEFROY who will also finish 3rd in the Championship.
RACE 2: TITLE VICTORY FOR DA COSTA
The two teammates, Henri MIGNOT (BEON – Bridgestone) and David DA COSTA (BEON – Bridgestone) take off well and it is the driver of machine #78 who takes the lead in the first laps, without getting rid of his competitor direct. Enzo DUPUIS (BEON – Bridgestone) is in ambush behind the duo.
A red flag interrupts the race after 8 laps. The counters are reset to zero, the young drivers set off again for 5 laps.
At the second start MIGNOT quickly took the lead, but DA COSTA did not see this favorably and immediately took the lead! The duel keeps all its promises, while Quentin GODEFROY takes 3rd place ahead of Enzo DUPUIS who is aggressive. Dramatic twist in the last lap MIGNOT hits a competitor in the NSF 250 category and falls! DA COSTA just has to cross the line and win, thus gleaning the title of French Pre-Moto 3 Champion 2023.
He is accompanied on the box by DUPUIS, second after having taken the best from GODEFROY.
SITUATION:
1 – David DA COSTA – 269 points
2 – Henri MIGNOT – 241 points
3 – Quentin GODEFROY – 202 points
4 – Marc-Antoine AUDARD – 130 points
5 – Djanylson GOMES – 111 points
HONDA NSF 250
RACE 1: BERCOT AHEAD OF HIS SUCCESSOR BOXBERGER
Pole sitter Julius AHRENKIEL-FRELLSEN (Honda – Bridgestone) not being at the start, Jules BERCOT (Honda – Bridgestone) took advantage and took the lead ahead of the Champion, Evan BOXBERGER (Honda – Bridgestone), 2nd. Just behind in 3rd and 4th rows, we find Swan EMPRIN (Honda – Bridgestone) and Jimmy PRIMAUT (Honda – Bridgestone).
In the following laps, the French Pre-Moto 3 Champion Matthias ROSTAGNI (Honda – Bridgestone), makes his way to join a leading group which is tightening. At mid-race we find a top 5 made up of BERCOT, EMPRIN, BOXBERGER, PRIMAUT and ROSTAGNI. Fighting with his opponents 5 laps from the finish, EMPRIN falls and gives up!
In the final laps, BERCOT closed the doors in front of his competitors and secured the victory by less than a second. He is ahead of BOXBERGER and PRIMAUT who complete the podium. ROSTAGNI therefore finished at the foot of the box.
RACE 2: THE CHAMPION FINDS IN BEAUTY
The two strong men of the season get the best start with 2023 Champion Evan BOXBERGER (Honda – Bridgestone) in the lead, ahead of 2022 champion Jules BERCOT (Honda – Bridgestone), second. In 3rd position, Jimmy PRIMAUT (Honda – Bridgestone) is neck and neck with Matthias ROSTAGNI (Honda – Bridgestone).
A red flag interrupts the race after 8 laps. The counters are reset to zero, the young drivers set off again for 5 laps.
To end the season in style, BOXBERGER and BERCOT engage in a battle for high-flying victory. In the last rounds, PRIMAUT even returns to contact and immediately attacks his opponents. Finally, the Champion BOXBERGER shows himself to be solid and resists his two opponents to offer himself a 10th victory! PRIMAUT, 2nd, takes over BERCOT who completes the podium.
SITUATION:
1 – Evan BOXBERGER – 305 points
2 – Jules BERCOT – 227 points
3 – Lucas BOISSON – 176 points
4 – Livio MIRABEL – 152 points
5 – Swan EMPRIN – 145 points
SUPERSPORT 300
RACE 1: BABY SACRED CHAMPION, PEDEMONTE FINDS IN BEAUTY
Almost at home, Justine PEDEMONTE (Yamaha – Pirelli) takes off well from pole position. She is immediately chased by Championship leader Cyprien BABY (Yamaha – Pirelli) who hopes to glean the title at the end of the race. D'Jefferson DELBOSC (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 3rd, joined the battle before a red flag interrupted the proceedings after only 2 laps.
The drivers return to the box and set off again for 9 laps. The duel between BABY, PEDEMONTE and DELBOSC resumes with a vengeance. For his part, Killian ROSSIGNOL (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 4th, was able to get the best of Enzo SIRE (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Ryan CHAUVEAU (Kawasaki – Pirelli), now in the fight for the top 5.
With 4 laps to go, the leading trio is still grouped together, none of the 3 leading drivers in the category want to give up ground to their competitors. Just behind, the SIRE – ROSSIGNOL duo are competing for 4th place while CHAUVEAU, left behind, is content to observe from a distance.
Crossing the line, Cyprien BABY wins by a short head and wins the title of French supersport 300 Champion 2023!
Both in the same second as the winner, PEDEMONTE and DELBOSC ranked 2nd and 3rd. They will engage in one last battle in race 2 for the status of Vice-Champion. In 4th position, we finally find ROSSIGNOL which dominates SIRE, 5th. CHAUVEAU is 6th.
RACE 2: BABY AFFIRMS ITS NEW STATUS
Last race of the season for the category which saw Cyprien BABY (Yamaha – Pirelli) be crowned in the morning. The best start is also taken by the latter, who nevertheless remains neck and neck with the pole sitter, Justine PEDEMONTE (Yamaha – Pirelli) and D'Jefferson DELBOSC (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 3rd. In 4th position, we find the #24 machine of Killian ROSSIGNOL (Kawasaki – Pirelli). Further behind Enzo SIRE (Yamaha – Pirelli) is 5th ahead of Arthur MARCHAL (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 6th, after 3 laps.
The young Champion asserts his new status and sets his pace in front of his usual competitors, taking a slight lead with almost 2 seconds in advance at mid-race. Behind him, Justine PEDEMONTE, 2nd, finds herself fighting again with D'Jefferson DELBOSC, 3rd. This battle allows Killian ROSSIGNOL, 4th, to get back into contact and hope to grab the podium. Much further away, Enzo SIRE is 5th, more than 9 seconds behind his predecessor.
At the finish, Cyprien BABY emerged as a Champion for the 5th time this season and at only 14 years old. He is ahead of DELBOSC, who himself narrowly got the better of PEDEMONTE, 3rd, on the last lap. For the second time this weekend, Kilian ROSSIGNOL finished just off the podium while the top 5 was completed by Arthur MARCHAL (Kawasaki – Pirelli) who was narrowly ahead of Enzo SIRE (Yamaha – Pirelli), 6th.
SITUATION:
1 – Cyprien BABY – 251 points
2 – Justine PEDEMONTE – 212 points
3 – D’Jefferson DELBOSC – 206 points
4 – Ryan CHAUVEAU – 196 points
5 – Kilian ROSSIGNOL – 172 points
SIDECAR
RACE 2 SPRINT: THE DOLPHIN TAKES HIS REVENGE
The PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F600) poleman takes off well at the start of this 7-lap sprint race. Imitated by WYSSEN / SALMON (F600) who remained in the wheel of his rival throughout the first lap until overtaking him before the first pass. Behind, VINET / MARSAL (F600), 3rd, is further behind its predecessor, 10 seconds behind. In 4th position, VINET / PIRAT (F600) seems to be able to get back together and play for the podium.
The battle is indeed raging between the very young champion and his runner-up. Sides #74 and #41 battle hard and exchange positions numerous times in the first 3 laps. The pit straight seems to be the place chosen by both crews to overtake. Behind, another duo stands out, VINET / MARSAL, 3rd and VINET PIRAT, 4th, neck and neck for the podium. The top 5 is currently completed by FRETAY / FENOY CASAS (F600). The first short chassis is that of PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (F2), 6th.
At the checkered flag, it was WYSSEN / SALMON who won by a very narrow head at 0'086 ahead of the new 2023 champion, PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT, second. On the 3rd step of the podium, we find VINET / PIRAT, who finally managed to get the better of VINET / MARSAL, 4th. In 5th position, we find FRETAY / FENOY CASAS, ahead of PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (F2), 6th. GILARD / ECORCHARD is second in F2 ahead of BERGEON /COLOMBIN (F2), 3rd in the category and 7th overall.
RACE 3: WYSSEN / SALMON FINISHES BEAUTIFULLY
As is often the case this season, the two leading sidecars are PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F600) and WYSSEN / SALMON (F600). It is also the latter who completes the 1st lap in the lead ahead of his rival #74. Behind, the VINET / MARSAL and VINET / PIRAT crews form a duo, 2 seconds apart. In 5th position after 5 laps we find the first F2, that of PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (F2).
The leaders offer the public one last great battle for victory, PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT waits for the right moment to attack and puts WYSSEN / SALMON under pressure. Well behind VINET / MARSAL, 3rd sees the son's crew, VINET / PIRAT, becoming more and more pressing. PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI, 5th is under threat from FRETAY / FENOY CASAS, 6th who is also falling behind.
At the finish, WYSSEN / SALMON won its second race of the weekend ahead of PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT which missed on the last lap and finished 13 seconds behind. VINET / MARSAL completes the podium. In the short chassis, PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI won again ahead of MERCIER / MOGUET, second and JACQUEMMOZ / ENJALBERT, 3rd.
SITUATION:
1 – PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F600) – 364 points
2 – WYSSEN / SALMON (F600) – 327 points
3 – PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (F2) – 176 points
4 – PAYNE / ROUSSEAU (F600) – 169 points
5 – VINET / MARSAL (F600) – 162 points
MOTO 4 / MOTO 5
RACE 2: PIO AND MONEYRON FIRST CHAMPIONS OF THE CATEGORY
Very good start from poleman Gabriel PIO (Beon – Bridgestone), unlike Matteo BERGER (Beon – Bridgestone) who misses but retains second place ahead of Florian FRANÇOIS (Beon – Bridgestone) having gained the upper hand over Ethan DUFOSSE CERNEAU (Beon – Bridgestone ) now 4th. On the Moto 5 side, Adam TRANJOWSKI (Erdog – Bridgestone), who started in the lead, is ahead of his pursuers Romeo MONEYRON (Fulgur – Bridgestone), second, and Teddy BERTHELOT (Mir – Bridgestone), 3rd.
The battle rages between PIO and FRANÇOIS for the final victory. The two young boys are less than 0'050 with 5 laps remaining. This allows Matteo BERGER, 3rd, to get closer and get back in line with his predecessors.
At the finish, Gabriel PIO won the race and the French Moto 4 Championship. In the last meters he was ahead of Florian FRANÇOIS, second, and Matteo BERGER, 3rd.
In Moto 5, following the abandonment of TRANJOWSKI, BERTHELOT won ahead of CARVALHO and MONEYRON, 3rd and titled French Moto 5 Champion.
SITUATION:
1 – Gabriel PIO (Moto 4) – 308 points
2 – Mattéo BERGER (Moto 4) – 251 points
3 – Florian FRANCOIS (Moto 4) – 230,5 points
...
1 – Roméo MONEYRON (Moto 5) – 279 points
2 – Teddy QUENEHEN (Moto 5) – 270,5 points
3 – Eliott CARVALHO (Moto 5) – 205 points
