The Sunday races were eventful on the Circuit Carole for the penultimate stage of the season organized by MC Motors Events. Under the eyes of FFM President Jacques Bolle, Jérémy Guarnoni almost sealed the fate of the premier category this season. Conversely, the drivers in the Supersport category and the OGP formula completely redistributed the cards.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: GUARNONI WINS, FORAY BIG LOSER
Completely crazy start to the race: Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech Solutions), Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha PMR) and Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) move in a hurry and brake almost head-on at each turn. Before starting the third lap, FORAY takes the advantage, the scenario seems ideal but it ultimately turns sour for the #1 BMW which makes a mistake at the “Golf” corner and finds itself on the ground in the gravel trap . He returns to the track far behind in 21th position.
At the head of the race, BERCHET is on the slipstream and tries to hang on to the rider of the #111 Kawasaki. Far behind the leading duo, a 4-way match takes place, Robin CAMUS (BMW), Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS), Erwan NIGON (Honda) and Christophe PONSSON (Yamaha) are neck and neck.
As the laps went by, GUARNONI took off and grabbed the 25 points for victory: a serious option in the title race! Second until the last lap, BERCHET was surprised by an excellent PONSSON. The latter, author of a spectacular comeback, ranks 2th. The last step of the podium is to the credit of NIGON who also got the better of BERCHET in the last lap. MAURIN completes the top 5 ahead of CAMUS, 6th, the lack of running was felt at the end of the race for the “Wild-Card” driver.
Note the beautiful rise of FORAY until the 10thth rank which allows him to save the furniture and score a few points for the Championship.
In Superbike Challenger, the fight for victory is intense between Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS) and Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas). Momentarily in the lead at the end of the race, CLERE did not manage to hold his place, he ranked second just behind BONNOT. The podium is completed by Alan AGOGUE (Yamaha), 3th.
RACE 2: FORAY SET THE CLOCKS RIGHT
The race starts under the direction of Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha PMR) who dictates his law ahead of Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) and Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech Solutions). The reigning French Champion takes the time to analyze the trajectories of his predecessor and finds the opening after a few laps. GUARNONI does the same a few turns later.
Despite a good start to the race, BERCHET seemed to be in difficulty and lost ground from halfway through the race. He sees himself relegated to 5th rank in favor of Christophe PONSSON (Yamaha), 3th, and Robin CAMUS (BMW), 4th.
At the head of the race, “Kenny” did not lose confidence following his mistake in the morning and bounced back in the best possible way by winning the victory. “Guarno” maintains its second position and gains air in the Championship. Incisive, PONSSON takes the last step of the podium and signs a very satisfactory “Wild-Card” weekend just like CAMUS, 4th. The top 5 is completed by BERCHET.
In Superbike Challenger, Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS) managed to gain the upper hand over Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas) to win with more than 7 seconds ahead of his pursuer in the Championship. Jonathan HUGOT (Yamaha) takes 3th position.
In the provisional ranking, Jérémy GUARNONI (293 points) is in the lead with 37 points ahead of Kenny FORAY (256 points). Morgan BERCHET (137 points) recovers 3rd position.
In Superbike Challenger, Hugo CLERE (267 points) leads the provisional standings ahead of Maxime BONNOT (210 points) and Gabriel PONS (169 points).
SUPERSPORT – PIRELLI 600 TROPHY
RACE 1: RAYMOND WINS, BOULOM DISAPPOINTED
Excellent start from Louis BULLE (Yamaha) who dives inside from the first turn to take the lead of the race. All the strong men from yesterday's tests are present at the forefront. Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha), Clément STOLL (Triumph), Maximilien BAU (Yamaha), Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) and Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) are in ambush and manage to break away from the peloton.
After 7 laps of racing, BOULOM experienced a mechanical problem and was forced to retire! Hard blow for the provisional leader who loses big in his quest for the title.
Shortly after halfway, RAYMOND brakes BULLE at the Hotel corner and takes control. The #27 Yamaha continues its effort and escapes alone in the lead. Behind, the positions are changing, BULLE manages to keep his second place just ahead of BAU, 3th, and ANTIGA, 4th, who both found the opening on STOLL, 5th.
Behind RAYMOND who wins as boss, the suspense kept its promises until the last laps within the chasing group. Back up at the end of the race, BAU ejects BULLE from second place and finishes in front of the rider of the Yamaha n°3. Author of the best lap in the race, STOLL came back in 4th position in front of ANTIGA.
In the Pirelli 600 Trophy, a superb battle between Dylan MILLE (Yamaha) and Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki) finally turned to the advantage of the Yamaha rider by less than a second. Joris INGIULLA (Yamaha) completes the first podium of the day.
RACE 2: BULLE WINS AND TAKES THE PROVISIONAL LEAD
On the starting grid, the motorcycle of Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) lost fluid and started to smoke, it was the end of a “black” weekend for the pilot of the Yamaha no. 25 who could not continue the race. Clément STOLL (Triumph) also had a mechanical problem and was forced to retire. These racing events lead to the exit of a Safety Car for 4 laps: the gaps are closing…
As soon as the restart, a leading trio is organized with Louis BULLE (Yamaha) in the lead, Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) and Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) remain in contact. For his part, Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) had a difficult start to the race and managed to return to 4th position after a few laps far behind the leading men.
The positions are changing within the leading trio, it is impossible to determine the winner until the last corner. In a final braking full of ambition at “Golf”, BULLE made the difference and took the first step of the podium in front of ANTIGA and RAYMOND. Author of the best lap in the race, BAU finished just off the podium.
In the Pirelli 600 Trophy, the “rookie” of the category, Joris INGIULLA (Yamaha), continues his learning and takes the top step of the podium by winning over Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki) by 1 tenth. The 3th position goes to Arnaud MULDERS (Yamaha).
Excellent operation for Louis BULLE who leaves the Ile-de-France circuit in the lead with 188 points ahead of Guillaume RAYMOND (184 points) and Enzo BOULOM (180 points).
In the Pirelli 600 Trophy, Gaëtan MATERN (223 points) retains the provisional lead ahead of Joris INGIULLA (176 points) and Dylan MILLE (159 points).
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3
RACE 1: CLEAR AND SMOOTH VICTORY FOR LORENZ
Perfect start to the race for Luciano LORENZ (Honda) who prances in the lead several seconds ahead of Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki). After 6 complicated laps in the “middle of the table”, Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) manages to pull himself together and climbs back to 3th rank. A few laps later, LAPIERRE tackles PERRIN and finds the opening to take second place.
Untouchable more than 9 seconds behind his runner-up, the local of the stage, LORENZ does not give details and grants himself a superb victory in front of LAPIERRE who managed to distance PERRIN, 3th.
The battle for 4th Place was widely contested between 3 drivers but it was ultimately Ilan PERON (Honda) who came out on top and finished just off the podium.
Starting from the pit lane, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon) limited the damage and took the points from 7th instead.
RACE 2: AN UNPRECEDENTED PODIUM AFTER AN UNTHINKABLE END OF THE RACE
The afternoon race promises to be competitive with the 3 strong men of the Championship, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon), Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) and Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki), who spend the first laps in the first 3 positions.
BOUDIN quickly takes the lead of the race and improves lap after lap to give himself almost two seconds ahead of LAPIERRE at mid-race. PERRIN cannot keep up with the pace of the leading men and must face the return of Luciano LORENZ (Honda) and Arthur LEROUX (Yamaha Beon).
At the end of the race, LAPIERRE does not lose his pace, he literally rushes towards BOUDIN and regains the advantage. The last lap is electric, both men want victory but end up making a mistake! For his part, PERRIN fell in the last corner, the victory is therefore to the credit of the opportunist LORENZ. Marius HENRY (Honda) and Exupéry BEAUMONT (Mir KTM) take advantage of the situation to move to 2 respectivelyth and 3th place following disqualification of Antoine BONNARD (Moriwaki) and Arthur LEROUX (Yamaha Beon) for technical non-compliance.
In the provisional ranking, Alexis BOUDIN (206 points), 2th, loses leadership to Marceau LAPIERRE (210 points). Bartholomé PERRIN is 3th with 172 points.
SIDECAR
RACE 2: MOREAU / ARIFON REVERSES THE TREND
The best exit from the grid is achieved by MOREAU / ARIFON followed closely by DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU. The two F1 Sides take off on LE BAIL / LEVEAU, 3th, who is struggling to keep up with the pace set by the leader of the race with his lack of power. Side n°99 is put under pressure by VINET / VINET who seems able to attack. It's done halfway through the race, the family duo finds the opening and climbs to 3th rank.
In battle throughout the race, MOREAU / ARIFON manages to resist the attacks of DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU and signs a superb victory in front of the 2018 French Champion. VINET / VINET takes 3th place for a 100% F1 podium. LE BAIL / LEVEAU finished at the foot of the podium.
On the 600cc side, it's flawless for the LE BAIL / LEVEAU crew: 12 victories in 12 races! As for it, the CARRE / DUPUIS pair had a great race which resulted in a top 5 in the scratch ranking and a second place in the “small engine” category ahead of LEBLOND / CESCUTTI, 3th.
FOLLOW THE FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship, always offers live coverage of everything that happens during the weekend, detailed information, photos, results, videos, etc.
For this 2018 season, the FFM will broadcast each evening of the event a video of the best moments of the day on the official fsbk Facebook page and the fsbk.fr website.
Other events will punctuate the weekend through a system specifically focused on social networks via Twitter: @FSBK_officiel, Facebook: fsbk, Youtube: ffmfbk and Instagram: fsbk
CALENDAR 2018
22–23/09 – ALBI (81) – MCC Albi
