This Sunday, July 7, the Moto Club of Nevers and Nièvre and the French Motorcycling Federation hosted the 5nd round of the French Superbike Championship. On the Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit, favorites confirmed and outsiders stood out despite the stifling heat.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: GINES MAKES THE GOLE
The premier category riders set off for 16 laps, with Christophe PONSSON (Yamaha) in pole position. The 1rd line is completed by Mathieu GINES (BMW Tecmas) and Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha). From 1er turn, the leader of the general classification takes the race into his own hands. Against all expectations, no pilot, even PONSSON, manages to follow GINES.
The gap quickly becomes very significant between the driver of the BMW no. 41 and his pursuers. It's for 2nd place that the fight intensifies between many riders: Morgan BERCHET and Christophe PONSSON battle with Julien DA COSTA (BMW), Hugo CLERE (Yamaha Moto Ain), Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) and Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha).
As the laps go by, GINES manages his race better and better while DA COSTA and BERCHET compete for control of the chasing group. Yet poleman, PONSSON is not one of the fastest in the group and stagnates in 5nd position. In ambush behind this group, Louis BULLE (Yamaha) and Gregory LEBLANC (Yamaha) try to join in the fight.
3 laps from the end, DA COSTA leaves BERCHET and the others behind, to fly off towards 2nd step of the podium. The rider of the Yamaha n°63 must face the aggressiveness of PONSSON, LUSSIANA and CLERE.
At the finish line, GINES logically wins and regains confidence after a previous difficult stage in Pau Arnos. Dunlop development driver DA COSTA rides on the 2nd steps on the podium for his first participation of the season. Great performance also for Morgan BERCHET, efficient on the handlebars of the Yamaha n°63, he made his first appearance on the podium in 2019.
At the foot of the box, Christophe PONSSON harbors regrets. For its part, LUSSIANA confirms its good form and ranks 5nd of the race. Despite his change of machine following his accident, CLERE performed well, starting from 4nd line, he ranks 6nd. Behind, BULLE, BOULOM then LEBLANC follow. Note, Axel MAURIN (Yamaha) only ranks 10nd and perhaps sees his title hopes disappear.
By decision of the Jury, Julien DA COSTA is out of classification, GINES therefore retains 1rd place in front of BERCHET and PONSSON.
In Challenger, BOULOM therefore dominates the category thanks to its 8nd place for scratching. To complete the podium, Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas) and Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda) finished 11nd and 12nd of the race. The paddock observes the drop in speed of the Team Suzuki LMS drivers, once again deprived of a podium, Clément STOLL and Johan NIGON are 13nd and 16nd scratching.
RACE 2: GINES SEES DOUBLE
Firstrd line is made up of Mathieu GINES (BMW Tecmas), Julien DA COSTA (BMW) and Hugo CLERE (Yamaha Moto Ain). The overall leader reproduces his morning performance and escapes on the 2ndndround. Julien DA COSTA and Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha) chase him.
After 4 laps, several riders in the top 10 fell, notably Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) who returned to the track and Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda) forced to retire. Louis BULLE (Yamaha) and Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha) collide, LUSSIANA's chain breaks and causes BULLE to fall, a minor incident for the two riders.
At mid-race, GINES is still in the lead and DA COSTA is ahead of BERCHET. Behind them, Christophe PONSSON (Yamaha), Axel MAURIN (Yamaha) and Hugo CLERE (Yamaha) battle for 4nd place. Grégory LEBLANC (Yamaha) is isolated in 7nd position ahead of David MUSCAT (Ducati) who is battling with Challengers Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas) and Clément STOLL (Suzuki LMS).
In the final laps, GINES, still in the lead, was unable to gain a gap of more than 3 seconds with DA COSTA. However behind, PONSSON and MAURIN come back within reach of BERCHET, the fight for 3nd walking on the podium attracts all the attention.
At the finish, GINES won the race and remained in his seat as overall leader. For its part, DA COSTA finished a race without any twists and climbed onto the second step of the podium. In the last lap, a crossover between BERCHET, PONSSON and MAURIN benefits the Yamaha n°5 which crosses the line in 3nd. MAURIN inherits the 4nd place and BERCHET the 5nd. For its part, CLERE ranks 6nd in front of LEBLANC. In the battle for 8nd place, it is the dean who wins, BONNOT and STOLL are therefore 9nd and 10nd behind MUSCAT.
Note, after his fall, BOULOM still managed to rank 17nd.
By decision of the Jury, Julien DA COSTA is out of classification, GINES therefore retains 1rd place. PONSSON was penalized by 5 seconds for cutting the last chicane. MAURIN and BERCHET therefore climbed onto the podium ahead of PONSSON, 4nd.
In Challenger, BONNOT is therefore the winner just ahead of his opponent of the day, STOLL. To complete the podium, Nicolas ESCUDIER (Yamaha) ranks 14nd scratch.
SUPERSPORT 600 – SUPERSPORT CHALLENGER
RACE 1: BAU COMES CLOSER TO THE TITLE
At the start, Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) started from pole position but was surprised by Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) and Guillaume POT (Yamaha). The three main players in the Championship include Rénald CASTILLON GIOANNI (Yamaha) and Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha).
In the first 3 laps, Maximilien BAU successively took over Guillaume POT and Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha). The provisional leader rules the roost in this leading group and the other drivers fight not to be left behind.
At mid-race, the paddock witnessed the following situation: BAU dominated the unstable duo RAYMOND – CASTILLON GIOANNI who were themselves pursued by the other duo POT – RENAUDIN.
As the laps go by, BAU confirms its superiority by distancing RAYMOND and CASTILLON GIOANNI who are more than a second behind the leader with 3 laps to go. At the same time, Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha), then 7th, fell and caused the deployment of the red flag by the Race Direction.
The race is stopped and the classification freezes in the lap preceding the red flag. BAU therefore wins its 7nd victory of the season ahead of RAYMOND. Author of a great performance, CASTILLON GIOANNI gets on the box for the first time this season. For its part, RENAUDIN dominates POT and ranks 4nd.
In the Challenger category, BAU won ahead of his friend and adversary RENAUDIN. To complete the youth podium, Charles CORTOT (Yamaha) takes 6nd scratch place.
RACE 2: FOUR PODIUMS IN ONE WEEKEND FOR BAU
The Supersport 600 category sees Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) starting from pole position. Author of a fast start, the rider of the Yamaha n°127 retains the leading position, Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) and Rénald CASTILLON GIOANNI (Yamaha) remain in his wheel.
After 2 laps, the #108 Yamaha took the lead. CASTILLON GIOANNI makes a mistake in the water tower bend and leaves room for an explanation between the general leader and his runner-up. Used to fighting for victory, Guillaume POT (Yamaha) is left behind by the leaders, but manages to maintain a gap small enough to hope for a comeback at the end of the race...but is it possible?
As the laps go by, BAU gets faster and faster and RAYMOND struggles to set his pace; with 6 laps to go, the gap is more than a second between the two. POT is too far away to join the leading men while Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha) races alone in 4nd position. After losing many places, CASTILLON GIOANNI made a good comeback and joined RENAUDIN 2 laps from the finish.
Finally, BAU won its 8th victory of the season with still the same ease on the handlebars of its white and red Yamaha. As is often the case, RAYMOND has to settle for 2nd place. As for POT, he ensures his end of the race and validates the 3nd place on the box, followed by the Challenger RENAUDIN driver. Riding the Yamaha n°15, CASTILLON GIOANNI completes his rise to 5nd instead.
In the Challenger category BAU won ahead of RENAUDIN like the morning race. To complete the podium for riders under 21, Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha) consoles himself after his fall in race 1 and even takes 6nd scratch place.
SUPERSPORT 300
RACE 1: GIRARDET ACT 9
Untouchable in Pau Arnos, Hugo GIRARDET (Kawasaki), starts in the lead and maintains this status in the 1er round. True to form, Tom BERCOT (Yamaha) and Alexis BOUDIN (Kawasaki) follow suit. After two laps, BERCOT is already behind but BOUDIN resists... However, 2 laps later, the rider of the #6 Kawasaki can no longer keep up with the pace, GIRARDET takes the lead alone.
At mid-race, while the leader is in full control and Alexis BOUDIN is isolated in 2nd position, Tom BERCOT sees Enzo CEOLOTTO (Yamaha) returning to his wheel. As for Thomas FURLAN (Kawasaki), he had a “calm” race, in 5nd position, with almost 10 seconds behind his predecessor with 5 laps to go, the rider of the #81 Kawasaki can only secure his place.
Always faster than its competitors, GIRARDET continues a 9nd rank victory. For the youngest in the category, we will still have to wait to climb to the highest step of the podium, BOUDIN still finishes 2nd. Tom BERCOT holds off Enzo CEOLOTTO until the finish and once again deprives him of the podium while Thomas FURLAN retains 5nd instead.
RACE 2: GIRARDET CLOSE TO THE TITLE
Poleman, Hugo GIRARDET (Kawasaki) loses his position in 1er round. The race lead is recovered by Alexis BOUDIN (Kawasaki). The latter sets a very strong pace, even going below the 1'58 mark. The two leaders open up a small gap with their pursuer: Tom BERCOT (Yamaha).
After 3 laps, the rider of the #6 Kawasaki fell, leaving the race lead to GIRARDET, alone. At this moment, Tom BERCOT is isolated in 2nd position and is not worried by Enzo CEOLOTTO (Yamaha), 3nd more than 3 seconds late.
Behind, Exupéry BEAUMONT (Kawasaki) and Thomas FURLAN (Kawasaki) take all the risks to win 4nd instead.
Finally, GIRARDET won and made it to 10 victories. The rider of the #70 Kawasaki is getting closer to the title that he could obtain from the Carole stage. For his part, BERCOT took advantage of BOUDIN's fall to climb onto the 2nd step of the podium. Enzo CEOLOTTO manages his end of the race and gets on the box after a long period of absence among the leading trio. For the 4nd place, FURLAN takes the best of BEAUMONT who has to be satisfied with 5nd instead.
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3
RACE 1: THE RETURN OF SALVANS
The pole sitter, José SALVANS (RMU TM 250) made an excellent start. Determined to return to victory, the Italian driver quickly created a significant gap with the rest of the peloton. Also starting from the front row, Vincent FALCONE (BEON Yamaha) and Bartholomé PERRIN (BEON Yamaha) are chasing the lead man.
At mid-race, the gap between SALAVANS and his two pursuers is too great to envisage a return from FALCONE and PERRIN. 4nd, Line VIEILLARD (250SNF/Yamaha) contains the attacks of Charles AUBRIE (Over Yamaha).
At the finish, SALVANS won brilliantly, we will have to count on the Italian driver to compete for the podium in the general classification. With almost 7 seconds behind the leader, PERRIN finally takes the advantage over FALCONE, and takes 2nd place. Victory eluded him, but FALCONE still got on the podium once again. Line VIEILLARD wins her duel and ranks 4nd in front of Charles AUBRIE.
RACE 2: SALVANS MAKES AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT
Winner in race 1, José SALVANS (RMU TM 250) starts from pole position. The Italian rider got off to an excellent start, but this time Vincent FALCONE (BEON Yamaha) and Bartholomé PERRIN (BEON Yamaha) did not give up any ground. The three boys then begin a battle for leadership.
Behind the leading group, Line VIEILLARD (250SNF/Yamaha) and Charles AUBRIE (Over Yamaha) are fighting for the 13 points for 4th place in the race.
During most of the race, SALVANS retained control of the leading trio despite successive attacks by PERRIN and FALCONE.
In the last corner, the driver of the No. 39 bike makes one last attempt, but the Italian is in great form this weekend and wins by 0 seconds. FALCONE therefore completes the podium in front of VIELLARD who holds AUBRIE to the finish line.
Situation Objective Grand Prix
SIDE-CAR
RACE 2: DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU VICTORIOUS, BARBIER / RIGONDEAU HOLDS ON
As in race 1, BARBIER / RIGONDEAU got an excellent start and took control of the race. In pursuit, DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU remains in the wheel of side n°72. Both sides escape to fight for victory.
After two laps, the provisional leader gets the better of side no. 72. BARBIER / RIGONDEAU cannot follow and lets DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU fly away.
Another game takes place on the side of the 600cc LEGLISE / CLEMENT which is fighting with the F1 of VINET / VINET for 3nd step of the podium. The paddock also observes, MOREAU / ARIFON, back after his absence in the first round, he lives the race, isolated in 5nd position and has a gap too large to return to the duos which precede it.
At the finish, DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU won another victory, imperial this weekend, the reigning champion seems to be on his way to a new coronation. BARBIER / RIGONDEAU concludes the stage with a new 2nd place in front of VINET / VINET. The latter finishes 3nd following the 10-second penalty imposed on LEGLISE / CLEMENT for exceeding the circuit limits. Despite arriving at 3nd rank, crew n°33 was therefore dislodged from its place and finished at the foot of the podium.
In F2, LEGUEN / LEGUEN ranks 12nd from scratch and wins, followed by CHANAL / LAVOREL, 12nd. LANCELLE / FERNANDEZ completes the short chassis podium with a 16nd place on arrival.
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CALENDAR 2019
24/08 – 25/08 – Circuit Carole – Motors Events
14/09 – 15/09 – Albi – MC Albi