Green Flag: will the Marseillaise be heard?
Developed over the past fifteen years France themselves from one country with good motocross riders till the most important European motocross nation. But now, the growth of French motocross appears to have peaked.
If there is a country that has provided more podium candidates for a GP than anyone else in the past ten years, it is certainly France. Dozens of young French talents ended up in the GPs through a good structure and a well-developed detection and selection system. For years, the French only played a secondary role in the GPs, but after that Jackie Vimond broke the spell in 1986 by becoming 250cc world champion, everything accelerated. First there was the incredible talent Jean-Michel Bayle. Then came guys like Frederic Bolley, Sebastien Tortelli en yves demaria. After an unsuccessful career in America Mickael Pichon became the strongest two more times in the 250cc World Championship. Demaria successfully competed in the MX3 World Championship, winning the title three times. And then there are Christophe Pourcel, Pierre-Alexandre Renet en Marvin Musquin who also became world champions.
And yet, not so long ago, the tricolores dominated the MX2 World Championship. And that both in terms of sport and in terms of participant numbers. The absolute highlight of that dominance was probably the 2009 French GP, when no fewer than 7 French riders could be found in the top 10 of the GP final standings. Marvin Musquin won both series in Ernée and came second Anthony Boissiere, third Loic Larrieu, came fourth Gautier Paulin. Places 7 to 9 went to Steven Frossard, Valentin Teillet en Nicholas Aubin.
How different the situation is now. After 4 GPs, there are only 2 French riders in the top 10 of the MX2 World Championship standings: Gautier Paulin (5e) On Christopher Charlier (10e). Behind this is Nicolas Aubin (11e) On Jordi Tixier (12e), but then we've had it. Granted: Valentin To yout's injuries obviously also have an impact on this ranking. Yet there is more to it. The flush just got thinner. A number of riders who were part of that golden French generation two years ago have made the switch to the MX1: Boissière and Frossard. Musquin moved to the United States and Larrieu simply disappeared from the World Cup. That leaves Paulin, Aubin and Teillet. Three riders who are among the elderly in the MX2 World Championship. Nicolas Aubin even exchanged the MX2 for the MX1 last season, but returned with his legs hanging. Gautier Paulin never really lived up to the hype that surrounded him 3 or 4 years ago. Paulin was in Brazil best of the rest but he remains far behind Herlings and Roczen. Teillet also did not always have it easy and had a downright catastrophic start to the GPs.
Of the two boys who joined, Nicolas Charlier and Jordi Tixier, the latter probably has the most to offer. Charlier was the better of Jeffrey Herlings in the MX2009 European Championship in 2, but now has to passively watch in the GPs as the Dutchman has become a regular podium goer.
The rise of French talent also seems to be stalling in the MX2 European Championship. This is what the highly mediatized Rockstar Bud Racing Kawasaki rider stated Dylan Ferrandis severely disappointed during the opening round in Valkenswaard. It was striking that lesser-known boys like Maxime Desprey en Romain Febvre just came to the surface. Until the beginning of this year, Febvre could only boast limited international experience. In recent years, Febvre has combined it AMPL Championship with Supermoto. Only last year did the KTM rider set his sights on it French Elite Championship. This year he turned 2e behind Nicolas Aubin. But Febvre is already 19 and so time is running out.
Contrary to what was previously the case, the French now clearly have a better chance of a GP victory in the MX1. Can Steven Frossard book his first GP victory in the MX1 in front of his own audience on Sunday? Then we feel he will first have to settle the score with his teammate David Philippaerts. Philippaerts also won in France last year and after the victory in Brazil has probably gained new courage for the further battle for the World Cup title. The best Belgian asset will probably return Clément Desalle. Apart from a small faux pas in the second series, the Rockstar Suzuki rider dominated in Kester. Is Le Panda on its way to its 2e Belgian MX1 title? At least that's how it seems. Tomorrow, for the first time ever, two other Walloons will start in the training sessions of the French MX2 GP. Because next to Jeremy Delince now also opted out Cedric Lieber for the MX1. Lieber made his debut quite well in Kester on the KTM SX-F 350. With tenth place, he did better than provincial and brand colleague Delincé. Both rounds of the French MX1 GP can now be followed live again on Sunday Exqi Sports each time at 13 p.m. and 16 p.m.
In the MX2 class we see next Joel Roelants and so does Jeffrey Herlings Mike Kras, Glenn Coldenhoff, Nick Trieste en Julien Lieber back in a GP. An American tour was not possible for these last four and so the next three GPs in Southern Europe will be vital for the further course of their season.
The return of the GP circus in Europe also means the return of the secondary classes. In Saint-Jean d'Angely these are the young wolves of the MX2 European Championship. Michael van Wezel is in the lead after the opener in Valkenswaard, but is confronted with a completely different situation in South-West France. We are of course also curious about the performance of Jens Getteman. In Valkenswaard the KEMEA-Reytec Yamaharider to win the second round. And so the rider from Welle is now second in the standings. Besides Getteman also come Kevin Fors, Wietse Brackman, Jens Poppe, Ludovic Brevers, Luca Pilotta, Brent Vandoninck, Kenny Vandueren en Jeremy Coen at the start in France. But with the majority of these drivers we prefer to wait and see. If only because they really disappointed in Valkenswaard on a surface that should have been on them anyway.
The Belgian motocross enthusiast will be presented with two scoops this weekend. For the first time ever, one is happening this weekend BMB competition place in the East Cantons. More specifically in Durler, true Motocross Club Types, organizes a Belgian National on what is perhaps the most beautiful circuit in Belgium. Just like in Kester, the Quads and sidecars will also be at the start in Dürler. It is striking that the East Cantons now also have two GP riders with the Lieber brothers. In the National classes it is Junior MX2 Alain Voermans who upholds the honor of the East Belgians.
On the circuit of Marnicq Bervoets in Paal finds the very first edition of the Federation Cup place. The Federation cup is its successor FAM Championship which was held for the last time in 2010. The concept behind the competition has changed slightly. You can read exactly what has changed in our previews.
Who feels more for Supermoto and relatives can enter this weekend Oostende right for the very first classic competition of Ostend Motorsport. As the name suggests, the emphasis is largely on classic road racing motorcycles, but hyper-spectacular monobikes will also compete in the Lighthouse district. There are quite a few names among the riders that sound familiar BK Supermoto.
Photo Credits: BernardMX, CDS Images
Also to read
List of participants MXGP of Galicia in Lugo
The sixth MXGP of this year will be held in Lugo, Spain this weekend. After the Portuguese mud bath of Agueda, the World Cup toppers will have a different kind of circuit under the…Test: Polisport's unbreakable levers
Brake and clutch levers have sometimes broken off in a crash, but it has never been different. Polisport has thought deeply about this subject and now has an unbreakable lever on the…Jens Walvoort about his Portuguese Grand Prix
In Agueda, Jens Walvoort managed to make a big impression during the fifth Grand Prix of the season. The KTM rider finished sixth in the daily rankings, Walvoort is now sixteenth...EnduroGP: Interview Jamie McCanney
Manxman Jamie McCanney made EnduroGP history last year by winning the E1 in Slovakia as a privateer. The 29-year-old veteran has had a long and illustrious career, but…
Your reactions