Le Touquet 2010: Who will beat Pichon?
After the original organizer ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) dropped out in 2006, the FFM (Fédération Française de Motocyclisme) and the city of Le Touquet took over the organization of France's largest motorsport event. The race, which until then was known as Enduro du Touquet, was renamed “Le Touquet Enduropale”. The fifth edition of the Le Touquet Enduropale will be held on Sunday. Because standing still means going backwards, people are innovating on the Opal Coast.
Youth race
On Saturday morning, the first edition of the Enduropale jeune will be held, a one-hour race for riders between 15 and 18 years old. There are no big names on the list of participants. From the Belgian and Dutch sides, only Kevin Manege and Jeffrey Van Kempen will be at the start. The young participants are divided into two classes: a four-stroke class up to 250cc and a two-stroke class up to 125cc.
In the quad class, which will also be held on Saturday, we have serious assets up our sleeve with guys like Jan Vlaeymans, Auke Theuninck/Kurt Devriendt, Davy De Cuyper and Joey Maessen. But then the lowlanders will first have to deal with French top players such as Romain Couprie, Jeremie Warnia and Jerôme Bricheux. The quad bike riders have to complete three hours on the grueling sand circuit.
Who will beat Pichon?
On Sunday afternoon, at exactly 13 p.m., the gate falls for the main program. For three hours, 1000 riders will compete in the most famous beach race in the world. The dramatic loss of two-time winner Timoteï Potisek naturally casts a shadow over the entire event. The Enduro Pale, which is the highlight of the French beach racing season, has been mainly dominated by local specialists in recent years.
The 2010 edition of the Le Touquet Enduropale promises to be a battle between a number of generations. First of all, we think of seasoned beach racers such as Jean-Claude Moussé (Yamaha Motor France) and Yves Deudon (Kawasaki France). They can expect fierce opposition from all-rounders Mickaël Pichon (Honda France) and Thierry Bethys (TB Racing Honda). The former 250cc world champion has his sights set more than ever on a victory in “le Pas-de-Calais”.
The young wolves on duty are Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha Motor France) and Milko Potisek (Honda France). Both are riders who we have seen in action several times in Belgian and Dutch competitions. Whether both Nordists can make a stand against Pichon remains to be seen.
Gérald Délépine was the last rider from the Benelux to win “Le Touquet” in 1993. Since then, riders from the Low Countries have no longer competed for the podium, let alone the victory.
With Ton Van Grinsven (KTM SX 300) and Christof Godrie (W-Motors Honda), two outsiders from the Benelux will be at the start.
Other well-known names from our region: Heikki Van Den Berg (Honda CR 500), Nico Godrie (W-Motors Honda), Ricky Claus (Honda CRF450R), Steve Goblet (TM EN 125) and Sven Wouters (Suzuki RM-Z 250) . In addition to the aforementioned gentlemen, the start list of the Enduropale includes a few more celebrities. How about former sidecar cross world champion Sven Verbrugge, Dakar star David Fretigné, former Supersport world champion Sébastien Charpentier or ex-Supermoto champion Jean-Marc Gaillard?
The Enduro Pale can be followed live on MotorsTV on Sunday from 12:45 PM.
Photo credit: MXmag.be/Olivier Evrard
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