Last weekend of racing for Valentin Debise, before a particularly long summer break of two months.
As usual, the young French pilot gives us the scoop on the story of his adventure in many details.
You can find previous episodes here: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9
I was very excited to go to this circuit. I saw countless races there on television when I was a Grand Prix fan. The victories of Nicky Hayden, the battles of Stoner and Rossi, etc. It is a place marked with history. The circuit is located on hills a few kilometers from the sea. The horizons are green. From the edge of the track, at the famous Corkscrew, you have an incredible view, and you can see the paddock in tiny detail.
This weekend, we had the chance to collaborate with the Superbike world championship and it was an opportunity for me to meet some friends there. The supporters came in droves, including a good pair of French people! It's really nice to see expatriates following my journey and coming to meet me to exchange a few words. On the Superbike rounds, there is a paddock show hosted by Michael Hill. I had the chance to participate three times during the weekend; you should have seen this because it was a lot of fun. The two blue drivers are playing for the championship, I'm too far behind in terms of points to be able to hope for anything. On the other hand, by finishing in front, or by inserting myself between them, I can change the situation... Jokingly, the two offered me money; one so that I stay behind, the other so that I come between. “Come on Valentin, I’ll pay you double, I’ll pay you triple” lol!
This circuit is incredible. I still discovered styles of turns that I didn't know about. All year long, on average I lost time in the chicanes compared to the Americans, whose specialty is this. You definitely know the Corkscrew! This famous downhill chicane. We arrive from a climb where we can't see at all where we are going at full speed of 4.
You have to tighten the left as much as possible, turn slightly to the right, then quickly grab the brakes and raise the bike, trying to make a straight line to be able to exert maximum pressure on the front brake. You have to try to move a little to the right before turning, but it's not easy because there are bumps, and the track starts to go down slightly. The first turn of the chicane turns left. It is very tight, almost at a standstill. Ken Hill, my coach, warned me “come home slower than you think, and even slower than that!” »
Ok, on the first lap I go straight. Damn, it's even slower actually. Once you have passed the first apex, the slope is so steep that the bike picks up speed on its own without doing anything; it's an incredible feeling.
You have to quickly swing the bike to the right while putting it at full throttle! At this moment, there is a compression which puts the lump in the stomach. Passage of third gear on the corner and we continue with another left. Breathe ? Impossible. This is the first time since the start of the year that my best part was the chicane. I am proud to have evolved in this field.
My tests went well. There were many categories. The duration of free practice + qualification was very short (80min). Going to a race with so little riding was not easy to manage. I therefore optimized my test sessions as much as possible by planning different settings in advance, which reduced my pit stop time. Do you remember my race at Road America where I won thanks to my medium rear tire strategy? I drove this tire quite a bit during testing, because I knew that with the cool weather we were going to have for the race which took place at 10 a.m., this tire was going to work well, unlike the soft one which was going to wear out quickly. I tried until the last moment to ride with it, but the difference would be made after 18 laps, and the race only has 21 laps. The choice was too risky and I therefore decided to make the same choice as others; start with the software to be efficient from the start and hit the right wagon. You can't be tricky every time!
I was quite relaxed before the race because I knew I had my chance to win and that always makes me more confident. I got a good start, but not good enough to overtake the second. The start is uphill and in turns which makes the exercise complicated because the motorcycle does not need to pitch up to be able to turn. The second is useful to me, I have to relieve the gas to let it pass. I take a defensive line at the first corner. From the second turn, I see the second one slipping and I tell myself that I have to go in front to be able to catch the first one. I overtake him braking for the fourth turn, clean without hitting anyone this time. I'm trying to get back on JD. I'm a little limited on the front end. My time is good after two laps, but P***** impossible to follow it; he is above today.
I decide to let Gerloff pass to see if he is able to get back on JD Beach and pull me. But he also struggles. We both find ourselves fighting. We catch up with latecomers; this time, they respect the blue flags and let me pass.
Gerloff makes a mistake, I take the opportunity to pass in front and see if by braking normally without taking any risks, he is able to pass me again. I see that with just one braking, he has the possibility of overtaking me, and I take note. I let it pass by making an intentional mistake. I know that if I do a good last lap and be precise on my lines, he won't be able to do anything. I also had the possibility of overtaking him in the last corner, but I feel that would be too risky. So I take the lead on the penultimate lap, I concentrate on my turns, I take a defensive line with the Corkscrew. In the last corner, I close the line a little but not too much, so that I can still turn and accelerate correctly. If he tries to pass me, he won't be able to accelerate so I will pass him again. He doesn't try anything, so much the better, and I cross the line, second, 5 seconds behind first (it hurts).
It's another good weekend for me. I'm satisfied to have learned my last circuit of the year, it's one less stress.
The next race will be in New Jersey below New York, in two months. I already did a race there a few months ago. It's a good feeling to have been so consistent from race to race, without knowing the circuits. My team has a lot to do with it. They always gave me a lot of advice and little tips, and above all a healthy bike. Every test session, I get on it and I feel the same things. It seems obvious, but it's been a long time since I've had that. Nine podiums in eight race weekends; who would have bet that in January when I left for the unknown in America?
Now I deserve a little rest. I am returning to France to see my family and friends for two months. I'm going to wear out the tires on my bicycle, do a little windsurfing, surfing and why not a little motorbike 😉
Have a great summer everyone!
valentine
