News - '2009 French Superbike series
03/26/2009

A new French Superbike season will start in a little bit more than one week at Ledenon circuit. In a difficult economic situation, the main importers will be represented on the starting grid, in a more or less official way.

However, despite the recent evolutions brought to the championship, it still lacks of scale to be the equivalent of its European neighbours.

In the first place, motorbike, in general, suffers from a lack of recognition in France. Far from getting disillusioned, the French racing actors engaged a professionalization processsince 2005.

In 2007, the series got renamed "French Superbike championship" instead of "French Open championship". The Superbike machineries replaced the Superproductions (launched in 2002), with new regulations, and the Stocksport class got suppressed.

The races format has been harmonized with the world championship and other European ones, i.e. two races each racing week-end. To make spectators interest grow, riding time has increased. On their side, teams and riders polish their image and emphasize communication to attract new sponsors.

The '2008 season

Two contenders dominated the championship : Guillaume Dietrich (Suzuki), who earnt two victories and retained the title for the second time in a row, and Erwan Nigon (Kawasaki), who claimed four pole positions and five wins. Behind these two riders, a group of Suzukis...

Standings :
1 - Guillaume Dietrich (Suzuki)
2 - Erwan Nigon (Kawasaki)
3 - Lucas de Carolis (Suzuki)
4 - Cédric Tangre (Suzuki)
5 - Thomas Metro (Suzuki)		 Pts
240
230
152
127
121		 Poles
0
4
0
0
0		 Wins
2
5
2
0
1		 Podiums
11
10
3
1
2

2009 : hat-trick for Dietrich ?

In 2009, the candidates for victory will be numerous. Guillaume Dietrich will defend his title. In the Suzuki squad, Vincent Philippe will make his come back in the French series. In the Green camp, Gwen Giabbani, roughly fired during the last season and race winner in German Superbikes, has been chosen. Yamaha will be represented by Sébastien Gimbert, GMT 94's rider,enriched by four seasons spent At world level. Arnaud Vincent expects good results too, after the failure of his latest projects.

Calendar (updated)
04/04-05 30 - Ledenon
04/25-26 32 - Nogaro
06/06-07 86 - Le Vigeant
07/11-12 58 - Nevers Magny-Cours
09/05-06 72 - Le Mans
10/17-18 81 - Albi

For further information about the championship and to stay updated :www.fsbk.fr.

Related item : Step by step : Guillaume dietrich, 2008

[ ©  Mon petit atelier 2009]
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