The heat of the South-West and the relief of the Pau-Arnos circuit did not spare the protagonists of the Superbike for this 5rd opus of the season organized by the Moto Club Pau-Arnos. The spectacle was assured in all categories, Superbike, Supersport, OGP and Side-Cars, new faces rose to the top of the ranking. The FSBK could well see new winners for tomorrow's races.
SUPERBIKES
TIMED TESTS 1: GUARNONI FOR A FEW HUNDREDTHS
The premier category drivers set off at the end of the morning and get their bearings on a track declared “Dry”. Expected on each event, Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki Tech Solutions) and Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas) are present on the Pyrenean asphalt from mid-session. However, watch out for the stage's “Wild-Card” rider and multiple winner of the Bol d'Or and the 24 Heures Moto, Julien DA COSTA (Yamaha), who seems to be able to confront the two big names in the category.
The three strong men in this first exercise set the clocks racing, this promises for the race as the gaps are reduced. At the end of a captivating session, GUARNONI took the pole position point in 1'17''442 with only 47 thousandths ahead of FORAY, 1'17''489. DA COSTA, 3rd, is very close in 1'17''511.
For his part, Axel MAURIN (Yamaha) is particularly fast and is just a stone's throw from the leading trio. He set a time of 1'17''713 but it was Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha) who improved at the end of the session with a time of 1'17''599 to place 4th. MAURIN completes the top 5. Riding his Kawasaki Tech Solutions, Sébastien SUCHET is 6rd in 1'18''175.
In Superbike Challenger, Hugo CLERE (Suzuki LMS) sets his pace and takes first place with a time of 1'18''814. Gabriel PONS (Kawasaki TTS) is second in 1'19''167 just ahead of Jonathan HUGOT (Yamaha) who completes the top 3 in 1'19''927.
TIMED TESTS 2: BERCHET MAKES THE SHOW
After several minutes and several laps of the track, the resident of Team Tech Solutions, Jérémy GUARNONI (Kawasaki), sets the pace with a time of 1'17''536. His initiative is followed by Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha) who continues the fast laps and moves to the top of the ranking with a time of 1'17''301 synonymous with pole position. The #63 Yamaha repeats a very good performance and takes its second pole of the season ahead of the two strong men in the Championship.
GUARNONI improves on the last lap in 1'17''460 but that is not enough to dislodge BERCHET. Same observation for Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas), the reigning French Champion cannot do better than 3rd in 1'17''551. Axel MAURIN, for his part, gains a place compared to the morning, he stands out at 4rd rank in 1'17''952.
The Swiss driver, Sébastien SUCHET (Kawasaki), is 5rd in 1'18''089 just ahead of the double Endurance World Champion, Julien DA COSTA (Yamaha), in 1'18''227.
In Superbike Challenger, Gabriel PONS (Kawasaki TTS) had a very good session, he is 9rd in the scratch ranking and 1er in Challenger with a time of 1'18''468. Exercise mastered for Jonathan HUGOT (Yamaha) second in 1'18''560. The top 3 is completed by the BMW Tecmas of Maxime BONNOT, 1'19''182.
SUPERSPORT – PIRELLI 600 TROPHY
TIMED TESTS 1: THE FASTEST: IT’S BOULOM
The only one to ride in 1'19 the day before, Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) was quickly joined by Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) at the start of the session, the two men set the tempo and raised their voice mid-session. Emerging from the shadows at Magny-Cours, RAYMOND continues to shine and is in the lead with a remarkable time of 1'18''912. But, as a good leader of the Championship, BOULOM did not admit defeat and finally took pole in 1'18''222, he relegated RAYMOND to second place.
Performing well and regularly placed at the forefront, Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) completes the 1stline on the starting grid with a time of 1'19''249. At the very end of the session, Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) improves and breaks the 1'20'' mark to rank 4rd with a time of 1'19''518 just ahead of Louis BULLE (Yamaha), 5rd, in 1'19''625. Author of a time in 1'19''783, Guillaume POT (Yamaha) ranks 6rd but the differences are felt on this hilly route.
On the Pirelli 600 Trophy side, after having mastered the session, pole position went to Dylan MILLE (Yamaha) with a time of 1'21''166. Joris INGIULLA (Yamaha), 1'21''411, continues his learning and places second just ahead of Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki) in 1'21''955.
TIMED TESTS 2: RAYMOND PATTERN SIZE
Between morning and afternoon, the temperature skyrocketed for this second timed practice session. After a rather timid start, it was Guillaume RAYMOND (Yamaha) who set the reference time in 1'18''851. The latter ultimately turns out to be the absolute best time of the exercise. The efforts of Enzo BOULOM (Yamaha) were still rewarded and resulted in a second place with a time of 1'18''959.
Behind, the drivers were not able to keep up the pace below the 1'19 mark. Guillaume ANTIGA (Yamaha) gave up more than half a second in 1'19''552, he will start from third place on the starting grid. For his part, Maximilien BAU (Yamaha) signs a 1'19''076 which allows him to climb to 4rd rank in front of Guillaume POT (Yamaha), 5rd, in 1'19''801. The last rider to be on the 1'19 pace, Louis BULLE (Yamaha) completes the second row of the starting grid in 1'19''827.
In the Pirelli 600 Trophy, new pole position for Dylan MILLE (Yamaha) with a time of 1'21''941 which is slightly better than Joris INGIULLA (Yamaha), second in 1'22''051. The top 3 is completed by Gaëtan MATERN (Kawasaki) in 1'22''640.
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE – PRE MOTO3
TIMED TESTS 1: RED WITH AUTHORITY
Surprise “Wild-Card” guest of this Pyrenean stage, the regular CEV driver, Clément ROUGÉ (Moriwaki), immediately gets into the rhythm after dominating the free practice sessions on Friday. He took pole position in 1'24''441 with a big second ahead of the infernal trio which drives the category.
Among the leaders in the category, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon) was the most efficient in the winding curves of the Pau-Arnos circuit and took the runner-up position in 1'25''574. Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki) does not deserve anything and completes the top 3 of the morning session in 1'25''619 just ahead of Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) who signs a time of 1'25''631. The OGP top 5 is completed by Luciano LORENTZ (Yamaha Beon) in 1'26''705.
TIMED TESTS 2: RED FOR THE DOUBLE
A few minutes are enough for Clément ROUGÉ who announces the color at the very start of the session. The entire field could do nothing against the speed of the driver of the Moriwaki n°22, P1 for ROUGÉ in 1'24''326.
Behind, the 3 drivers who lead the category are not giving up and the gaps are reduced to precious hundredths. This time, Marceau LAPIERRE (Yamaha Beon) finally came out on top and took second position in 1'25''201. Followed respectively by Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha Beon) in 1'25''236, and Bartholomé PERRIN (Moriwaki) in 1'25''464. The top 5 is to the credit of Tanguy BEAUMONT (Yamaha Beon) who stands out in 1'26''612.
SIDECAR
RACE 1: PERFECT VICTORY FOR DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU
The best exit from the grid is achieved by VINET / VINET who excels in this exercise. However, the DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU crew did not allow themselves to be intimidated and took control of operations after 3 laps of the race. Side n°1 leaves no chance to its pursuer, the VINET family duo is not able to follow the frantic pace of the leader who is traveling 2 seconds faster per lap.
Still as efficient with its 600cc n°99, LE BAIL / LEVEAU is 3rd and tries to return to the VINET pair. Behind, AZZOPARDI / FENOY CASAS found himself literally left behind, a horde of 600cc bikes led by LEGUEN / GAULARD then set off in pursuit.
Undisputed winner, DELANNOY / ROUSSEAU continues to dominate this “3 wheel” category. Author of a solid race, VINET / VINET finished second after containing the attacks of LE BAIL / LEVEAU. The story is not the same for AZZOPARDI / FENOY CASAS who bows at 5rdrank just behind LEGUEN / GAULARD, 4rd, who was able to find the opening in the middle of the race.
In 600cc, new victory for LE BAIL / LEVEAU who has never done worse than 1er until then! The fastest of its competitors is called LEGUEN / GAULARD, the crew of Side n°256 takes second place. The top 3 is to the credit of LEBLOND / CESCUTTI who is nevertheless 1 lap behind at the finish.
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.
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CALENDAR 2018
14–15/07 – PAU ARNOS (64) – MC Pau Arnos
25–26/08 – CAROLE (93) – MC Motors Events
22–23/09 – ALBI (81) – MCC Albi
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