World endurance champion in 2004, 2014 and 2017, the GMT94 is one of the main French teams that have made the tricolors shine all around the globe since 1989. At the start of 2018, Christophe Guyot launched into the Supersport World Championship with an R6 driven by Mike di Meglio, quickly replaced by Corentin Perolari.
This young pilot, born on April 12, 1998 in Pont-Saint-Esprit and trained by Laurent Fellon, finished the last 3 races of 2018 (Magny-Cours, Argentina, Qatar) in 6th, 5th and 6th places. However, this was not the GMT 94's first attempt at World Supersport, as it had Sébastien Gimbert and David Checa racing there in 2006. This meant that the Superbike paddock was honored with the visit of his brother Carlos, then a Honda rider in MotoGP, and future Superbike World Champion in 2011, the last to have won the supreme title on Ducati.
After an honorable journey for its return to the discipline, the Val-de-Marne team moves up a pace by entering two motorcycles for Jules Cluzel and Corentin Pérolari, and aiming for the title. Many things have changed, as Christophe Guyot explains to us here.
How has your position changed in relation to Yamaha between this year and next year?
“We actually find a status identical to that which we had in endurance. It is a special status in which we are considered official because we are supported by Yamaha, but at the same time independent because our motorcycles are prepared in our workshop. Our mechanics are those of GMT94. Everything is done at home.
“However, in relation to endurance, there will be an additional advantage: there will be a collaboration with Yamaha regarding the engines. We work on electronics and motors in consultation with Yamaha. »
It is said that a team manager often prefers to associate an experienced driver with a young hopeful. In your case, Jules Cluzel is 30 years old and Corentin Pérolari 20. So that roughly corresponds to an ideal solution?
“Obviously, because we associate experience with youth. An element which played a major role in the construction of this team was the complicity which united Jules Cluzel and Corentin at the end of the season. Jules had perhaps overvalued Corentin a little at that time, when we were starting to hope to work together. We then thought that Corentin could join the group in the fight for 5th or 6th places, which he did at the end of the race in Argentina and Qatar. But he managed to be in contact with Jules and the best at the start of the race.
Corentin was very well received and welcomed by the French pilots, whether Lucas Mahias like Jules Cluzel. Besides, when we started talking with Jules, he told me “For me, I'm definitely aiming for the title, and if I can help Corentin get on the podium, that would be great. I will be happy to contribute to its progress. »
Will the two riders have exactly the same Yamaha R6?
" Yes. 100%. There will be no difference, they will be strictly identical. »
When they end up in a fight, which will happen sooner or later, how will you handle the situation?
“We play sports, so there will be nothing to manage (laugh). Motorcycle racing is an individual sport and there will be no need to give instructions. I simply think that Corentin will first have to be lucid. Jules Cluzel is still the best driver in the category: 17 victories, 40 podiums and 20 pole positions in 69 starts, but also three times second and twice third in the Supersport World Championship. He narrowly missed out on the title on several occasions but remains the current most successful permanent driver in the category in terms of victories and podiums. We have to consider that and take into account the fact that in the team, the driving force is Jules.
“Corentin is making progress, in an astonishing and spectacular way. He managed to do the first laps of the race several times with the leading pack, finally finishing not that far behind. With three races remaining, he finished at Magny-Cours 14 seconds behind the winner (Jules, by the way). With two races remaining, he finished in Argentina 9 seconds behind the leader (Jules, again) and finally during the final race in Qatar he crossed the checkered flag 6 seconds behind the winner (Mahias). So it's a progression that never stopped since he got closer to the first each time. But of course when you finish fifth, as he did, you then aim for third place, which he will do because we know he is lucid.
“Corentin knows he has time. He is 20 years old. Yes, there are times when he will certainly have to fight on the track with Jules. He is progressing so quickly. It's the race that will decide. I only want to see the two bikes at the forefront. »
Exactly, what are your goals for the 2019 season?
“The objective is clearly the title with Jules. He is aiming for first place in the Championship and my goal is to help him in his quest for the world title. The team's other objective is to get Corentin on the podium. I think that for our two drivers, these objectives are realistic.”
Corentin Pérolari and the GMT94 team
Eric de Seynes, Corentin Pérolari and Christophe Guyot
Corentin Pérolari
Below: The official GMT94 press release:
JULES CLUZEL JOINS CORENTIN PEROLARI WITHIN GMT94
Corentin Perolari (20 years old) and Jules Cluzel (30 years old) will be at the start of the 2019 season in the Supersport world championship within the GMT94 YAMAHA.
The French team, based in Val de Marne (94), will be supported by Yamaha Racing which confirms its commitment to the discipline. Corentin Perolari will wear number 94 and Jules Cluzel, number 16.
Christophe Guyot : " Thank you to Yamaha Racing and all of our partners who are joining our project to strengthen our team by bringing together youth and experience.
Author of 40 podiums and 17 victories (record in the category), Jules Cluzel is still in search of the world title and we will do everything to help him achieve this objective. Jules will join Corentin Perolari and a French team which has the ambition to bring young
pilots at the highest level. We can count on the experience and speed of Jules Cluzel to take young Corentin to the podiums. Welcome to Jules. »
Corentin Perolari : " Thanks to GMT94 and Christophe Guyot for trusting me. The dream continues for me. Here I am now alongside Jules Cluzel who is one of the best in the world championship.
I get along really well with him and he already helped me a lot last year in my progress. It's a great opportunity for me. I will do everything to draw inspiration from his experience and now aim for the podium. »
Jules cluzel : " By winning 5 victories, I have achieved great things this year. But a chaotic season and a crash in Portugal took me out of the fight for the title.
Joining GMT94 is my greatest opportunity. For helping me in 2018, I know I can count on them to take me to the world title. I was able to see their progress this year and I understand why they were three times Endurance world champions. These guys don't give up and will give everything to succeed. I realize my chance and will know how to seize it.
I am also delighted to bring my experience to the young Corentin Perolari who deserves the trust placed in him by Christophe.
Roll on 2019. »
Photos © GMT94, Yamaha
