Ninth in his first race in the Supersport World Championship at Phillip Island, Jules has just entered the top 10 again during the last event at Assen. He is now thirteenth overall in this category of which he discovers almost everything (motorcycles, opponents, teams, Pirelli tires, etc.).
First of all, what is your assessment of your first four races of the year?
“The results are rather positive because my goal was to regain confidence, to show that I was still competitive after last complicated year. I think we've been successful so far. It's true that I'm thirteenth currently but I have a blank result in Thailand when I was once again in the top 10, so that penalized us a little, otherwise I think I would be 7 or 8.”
“The results are, for the moment, positive. In the interview we did before the start of the season, I told you that I wanted to be in the top 10. We are in the first third of the season, and now I have to take another step” .
What are the things that surprised you the most in this Superbike-Supersport World Championship?
“I wasn’t very surprised. I've had to adapt to a lot of things, like the bike and the team, and I think it's been pretty successful so far. There is a very good atmosphere in the team, everyone gets along well.”
“It’s true that we evolved at the start of the season with a somewhat unusual base because we didn’t have many tests. Little by little, I'm starting to understand how I should ride this bike."
“In Aragón it was a little complicated, but we found good sensations in Assen and that bodes well for the rest of the season, even if we are going to arrive on tracks that I have to learn like Imola and Donington” .
In Superbike, Ducati crushes everything, and the other manufacturers accuse it of selling the Panigale V4 R at a loss (39 euros*) to approve this motorcycle derived from MotoGP. Does it spoil the atmosphere a bit, or is it accepted, like for example the 900 consecutive years of domination by Kawasaki and Johnny Rea?
*FIM Regulations “Homologations for Superbike”, article 1.2.1, a, i, page 221: “The maximum retail price for Superbike 1000 class motorcycle is 40.000 Euro”.
“I think what Dorna wanted to do was stop this domination of Rea. Except they replaced it with another domination! This is not the best way to rebalance the Championship.”
“The bike that Ducati has released is very beautiful and it fits into the regulations. Manufacturers have the right to present very beautiful machines like this because there are inevitably enthusiasts and fans of the brand who want to buy such a magnificent machine.”
“On the other hand, I think we need to find a solution to level the Championship so that all the manufacturers can have a chance, and not just the factory teams. When we look at BSB, it works very well. The Suzuki won, the Ducati too, the Yam also, the Kawa works well… For me the British Superbike Championship is really well managed.”
“Dorna could adopt identical regulations, because ultimately Superbikes are road bikes. If we want to make a real prototype, we should go and build it in MotoGP where it belongs.”
“But it's complicated, because when Dorna wants to get closer to the BSB, the manufacturers complain because they can no longer do development. It's a bit endless. If someone was able to decide, it would be good for this Championship.”
“The format of the races also poses a problem: three races is a long time for a weekend. People don't necessarily have time to be in front of their TV three times on the weekend. It’s good to look for the show, but you still have to be able to watch it.”
For a private rider like you, what are the major differences between the Moto2 Grands Prix and the Supersport World Championship? On the track on the one hand, in the paddock on the other?
“The paddock is smaller and there is less hospitality, but there are not necessarily fewer people since entry is free for spectators, which is nice. In Aragón, I was surprised to see so many French people come to encourage us, it was nice.”
“On the track, there are few differences: The drivers in front are still fast. The level is a little less homogeneous. The first twelve are really fast, then there is more of a gap. I rode as fast in Supersport as in Moto2 at Assen, so there is a level, and it’s up to me to get closer to those in front.”
On average displacement, do you prefer the Dunlop or the Pirelli?
“I adapted quite well to the Pirellis. I like their front tire which gives a lot of feeling on the brakes. This is especially where I felt the biggest difference with the Dunlops. The bike tends to lean more easily in the corner and gives a good feeling from the front.
“For the rear, there is a fairly noticeable drop from 6 to 7 turns, but there is only one grip drop. Whereas the Dunlop didn't offer much grip for the first 2 or 3 laps, then the grip came in and it stayed pretty consistent.”
“I like the Pirelli and I was pleasantly surprised because some people criticize it, but I think I'm doing pretty well with it. »
Overall, are you happy to have moved to Supersport?
“Yes, very, very happy. Last year was complicated for me and I had to know where I stood. When I made the change, people told me “Don’t dream, it’s not because we’re behind in Moto2 that we’re going to be ahead in Supersport.” I'm not yet in front, but I'm already in the 10. I know that the bike can do better, even if it's a Honda in a championship dominated by Yamaha.
“I continue to work. I know I can get closer to the guys in front. The team is working hard too and I’m sure we’ll get there.”
Photos © CIA Landlord Insurance Honda
