WSBK – The Mondial Superbike is coming to France this weekend! –

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The Mondial Superbike arrives in France this weekend !

WSBK - The Mondial Superbike is coming to France this weekend! -

The last round of the Superbike and Supersport world championship takes place this weekend at Magny-Cours. And if Bayliss is already titled, Haga and Toseland are still fighting for second place while in 600, Charpentier did not give up hope…

Last week, in the heart of Paris, the engines of some pilots registered for the Superbike and Supersport championships sounded..

In order to "give greater scope to the category", the organizer invited Troy Corser, Sebastien Gimbert, Maxime Berger, David Checa and Franck Millet (Superstock 600) to join Issy-les-Moulineaux (Eurosport headquarters) at the Eiffel Tower.

The opportunity for Gerard Dumas, president of the Magny-Cours circuit management board, to ensure that the event would still take place on the Nivernaise track next year: "we signed until 2007 inclusive, with an extension of two years if the results are in line with forecasts".

In all probability, the 2007 event will remain the final of the World Superbike, although Gerard Dumas would like a change of date: "it’s impossible for 2007, but we would like the French event to take place at the beginning of June"… Or just a few weeks after the Le Mans GP.

A proximity that should not be too embarrassing, as Gerard Dumas explains: "Claude Michy (promoter of the French Motorcycle Grand Prix, Editor’s note), who likes to quote his grandmother, considers it better to be several around a full plate rather than alone in front of an empty plate…"

For his part, Jean-Pierre Mougin, president of the FFM, confirms that "the notoriety of the SBK is growing", notably thanks to the coronations of Chambon, Foret and Charpentier in Supersport.

With Laconi and Foret assured of driving a Ninja next year – in Superbike and Supersport respectively -, Gimbert and Charpentier in the process of re-joining their team and many young wolves with long teeth, the French should indeed be present to animate the championships, our Sundays … and your comments !

But before that, the last meeting of the 2006 season takes place on the Magny-Cours track this weekend. An event that should not lack suspense, even if the world title in 1000 cc has already been awarded because from his fifth place in the first round at Imola last weekend (read), Bayliss secured his second coronation in World Superbike. After his first title in 2001 riding the 996R, the Australian is therefore making his comeback in Superbike with Ducati in the best possible way. !

"I am delighted to have won the championship as well as my first victory here at Imola in front of the Ducati fans", concluded the n ° 21 at the end of the second race of the day … The pages of MotoGP are resolutely turned for Bayliss, which intends to keep the Ducati at the top next season…

However, he will have to count – in 2007 but also from this weekend! – the presence of particularly upset competitors. For James Toseland and Noriyuki Haga, the 2006 season is also far from over, since they will compete at Magny-Cours for the title of vice-champion, removed last year by Chris Vermeulen (read).

The British Honda rider is only two points ahead of the Japanese Yamaha rider and the fight promises to be particularly fierce … Other riders logically want to shine in this final, starting with Troy Corser himself which ends up without handlebars for 2007 !

Presumably removed from the Suzuki Alstare team next year with the arrival with fanfare of ex-Grand Prix star Max Biaggi (read), Australian crocodile would be lent a reconversion in the French police…

More seriously, another celebrity disembarked from MotoGP this year is aiming for victory this weekend: Alex Barros will indeed be keen to extend his Italian podium series before knowing which Honda team – his current Klaffi or the most famous Ten Kate? – he will play the next season…

In addition, by scoring eight points more than Andrew Pitt this weekend, the Brazilian hare could be placed 4th in the championship and thus keep his favorite race number. !

Supersport side, Sebastien Charpentier’s mission promises to be all the more difficult since it will not depend mainly on him … At 18 points behind the Australian, our reigning world champion must imperatively win, which he is unquestionably capable !

But to achieve the feat – unprecedented in the category! – to crown the world crown in 600 cc for two years in a row, the Charentais will unfortunately have to count on a technical problem with the official R6 n ° 11 … Because to win the title, Kevin Curtain must finish only 10th, whatever the result of General Seb.

A top 10 a priori fairly easy to obtain for the most consistent man of the season: a victory, six second places, two thirds, a sixth and only one retirement at Monza due to engine failure, while he was in the lead ( read)…

See you this weekend at Magny-Cours for a promising French final:

Friday October 6
9:00 am – 9:25 am Superstock 1000 Free practice
09:35 – 10:20 Supersport Free practice
10:30 am – 11:30 am Superbike Free practice
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Superstock 600 Free practice
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Supersport Qualifying practice
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Superbike Qualifying practice
3.30 p.m. – 4.15 p.m. Superstock 1000 Qualifying practice
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Superstock 600 Qualifying practice
5:10 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. Suzuki GSX-R Cup Qualifying practice
Evening Meeting with the pilots (village, concert stage)

Saturday October 7

09:15 – 09:45 Superstock 1000 Free practice 10:00 am – 10:45 am Supersport Free practice 11h00 – 12h00 Superbike Qualifying practice 12:15 – 12:45 Superstock 600 Free practice 12:55 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. Pit lane visit 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Supersport Qualifying practice 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Superbike Free practice 4:00 p.m. Superbike Superpole 4:50 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Superstock 1000 Qualifying practice 5:40 p.m. Superstock 600 Race 6:20 p.m. – 6:50 p.m. Suzuki GSX-R Cup Qualifying practice Evening Meeting with the pilots (village, concert stage)

Sunday October 8

09:00 – 09:10 Superstock 1000 Warm up 09:20 – 09:40 Superbike Warm up 9:50 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Supersport Warm up 10:40 a.m. Superstock 1000 Race 11:10 am – 11:30 am Pit lane visit 12h00 Superbike 1st Race 1:20 p.m. Supersport Race 2:20 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Suzuki GSX-R Cup Race 3:30 p.m. Superbike 2nd Race

As for the full report on Moto-Net, it will exceptionally be necessary to wait until Wednesday, Cologne Motor Show requires !

Matthieu BRETILLE – Photos Eric MICHEL and DR

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