2010 WSBK French round : the report

News - 2010 WSBK French round : the report
10/07/2010

As I was driving to Magny-Cours in the rain, I was wondering what would be the result of this day. When I entered the circuit, there were still some raindrops. Little by little, the sky brigntened and the paddock began to come alive. I appreciate the Magny Cours paddock for its practical side. Its organisation makes that there's a "checkpoint" for the riders between the motorhomes and the pits.

So, it's really less arduous than in Le Mans. This year, my job has been as much easy that a "paddock show" was held. This show, offered to the spectators on the Thursday, allows to get closer to the riders : interviews then signing sessions. And, at the back of the scene, the riders easily stop.

Max Biaggi Paddock Superbike Magny-Cours

Even Max Biaggi, always furtive, accepted to sign and to be pictured on the 10 meters which were separating the SBK podium from the Aprilia's hosptality. 4 seasons will have been necessary to the Emperor to be crowned ; as much for me to get his sign. He seems to be more unapproachable than Rossi ! Surprising in a championship where contenders are generally disposed to take some time to sign pictures or helmets, and even to exchange few words with the fans.

Except the absent riders, due to injury (Camier, Lascorz, Vermeulen), I've been able to meet all the riders I had drawn during the summer. It's the first time for the years I've been walking in the paddocks !

Eugne Laverty & Kenan Sofuoglu Paddock Superbike Magny-Cours

Supersport riders Eugene Laverty and Kenan Sofuoglu answer Eric Celis questions during the paddock show. On the Sunday, the Irishman will take the race win and his Turkish rival will clinch his second world title.

Thanks to the "paddock show" and a necessary dose of luck : Noriyuki Haga and Lorenzo Lanzi arrived about 6:30 PM, by foot...

After the withdrawal of the BMW Reitwagen (Andrew Pitt) and Pro Ride Honda (Makoto Tamada) teams in the early season, the number of teams staid stable. However, the difficult economic context is still perceptible. Compared to the previous seasons, there was some room left on the parkings of the paddock. The situation will remain hard in 2011 : Suzuki Alstare confirmed that it will line up only one bike. For the record, in 2005 the team was representing Suzuki in the four series (Superbike, Supersport, Superstock 600 et 1000). Honda Ten Kate will also keep only one rider, Jonathan Rea.

Sylvain Guintoli Leon Haslam Paddock Superbike Magny-Cours

To conclude, I would like to sincerely thank Sylvain Guintoli for his help. The Frenchman didn't fail to meet the spectators' expectations and battle at the front during the whole race week end : 2nd in Superpole and fighting for the podium in the two legs. He missed this reward all along this maiden campaign but, except his disqualification in race 1, Sylvain scored points at every race. Thanks to this consistency, he claimed a 7th position in the overall standings and expects to do better in 2011.

As for me, I'm turned towards the upcoming season too. After the updates dedicated to World Superbikes, which schedule is below, and the traditional "winter tests", which I still have a vague idea at the moment, I will focus on the next MotoGP French round.

World Superbike-Supersport updates :

3 - Max Biaggi (Aprilia) - WSBK (update)		14/10/2010
54 - Kenan Sofuoglu (Honda) - WSSP (new)		14/10/2010
50 - Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki) - WSBK (update)		14/10/2010
2 - Leon Camier (Aprilia) - WSBK (new)		21/10/2010
7 - Chaz Davies (Triumph) - WSSP (new)		21/10/2010
95 - Roger Lee Hayden (Kawasaki) - WSBK (new)		28/10/2010
5 - Ian Lowry (Kawasaki) - WSBK (new)		28/10/2010
91 - Leon Haslam (Suzuki) - WSBK (update)		04/11/2010
50 - Eugene Laverty (Honda) - WSSP (update)		04/11/2010
7 - Carlos Checa (Ducati) - WSBK (update)		11/11/2010
65 - Jonathan Rea (Honda) - WSBK (update)		11/11/2010
35 - Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) - WSBK (update)		18/11/2010
41 - Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) - WSBK (update)		25/11/2010
37 - Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki) - WSSP (update)		02/12/2010
84 - Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) - WSBK (update)		09/12/2010
52 - James Toseland (Yamaha) - WSBK (update)		16/12/2010
11 - Troy Corser (BMW) - WSBK (update)		30/12/2010
67 - Shane Byrne (Ducati) - WSBK (update)		30/12/2010
96 - Jakub Smrz (Aprilia) - WSBK (update)		06/01/2011
66 - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) - WSBK (update)		13/01/2011
111 - Ruben Xaus (BMW) - WSBK (update)		20/01/2011
57 - Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) - WSBK (update)		27/01/2011
76 - Max Neukirchner (Honda) - WSBK (update)		03/02/2011
23 - Broc Parkes (Kawasaki) - WSSP (update)		10/02/2011

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