Crazy Superbiker edition in the making!
The VOO Superbiker will take place for the 19th time on October 20, 21 and 26 at the Jules Tacheny circuit. Do we need to repeat that it is a unique competition and probably the most famous Supermotor race in the world? After all, American and European stars of the discipline all want to add a VOO Superbiker victory to their list of achievements!
As with previous editions, the organizers have ensured that 2012 will be a fantastic three-day event for the whole family: in addition to the races, the public can enjoy a lot of side entertainment, some more spectacular than others. It is of course not without reason that the VOO Superbiker is Belgium's most popular motorcycle event. It is also the only competition that unites stars from all motorcycle disciplines. The confrontations will take place on a mixed circuit (asphalt/dirt), allowing both the all-terrain pilots and the asphalt specialists to make full use of their driving skills.
Circuit refined for the pilots, stadium feeling for the audience
In 2010, VOO Superbiker pitched its tents around and on the new permanent site to everyone's satisfaction Jules Tacheny circuit. The pilots were prepared with the technical course and the safe circuit, while the audience was amazed. Yet there was also some criticism: the spectators were happy with the overview of the whole, but slightly less happy with the fact that the audience was further away from the circuit and therefore the drivers than was the case in the past. Immediately in 2011, the organization responded to that criticism by placing free stands closer to the course.
One might think that the trajectory of the VOO Superbiker – which was considered too much in favor of the crossers in 2011 – could favor the speed pilots in 2012. It is true that they will be able to showcase their talents in the technical asphalt sections, but the crossers will also be pampered. After all, during a round of Superbiker there are no fewer than 12 jumps to be taken, and on top of that there is also a curve in the dirt! All the more reason to look out for the all-terrain specialists. As usual, the SM pilots will also be at the front, as their specialty is of course that they are absolute masters on both asphalt and sand. The battle between Supermoto toppers and world stars of road racing and motocross provides an intense total spectacle.
Quality and quantity
Usually quality is preferred over quantity, but at VOO Superbiker we simply go for both when it comes to participants! In terms of quantity: motorcycles and quads together, around 300 pilots will participate in different races. The time tables have been drawn up in such a way that a maximum of 350 pilots can participate, a maximum figure that will probably be reached.
But not only quantity is assured, quality is also good. First big name is Clément Desalle, currently second in the MX1 World Championship and without a doubt the most impressive Belgian motocross rider of the moment. And given the reputation of the Belgians in MX, that means something. Moreover, we saw Clément in action on a minibike on a go-kart track a few years ago and it already looked promising! Sven Breugelmans en Cédric Mélotte are also habitués of the Superbiker. But also with Michael Pichon en Sebastien Tortelli must be taken into account, just like with Greg Albertijn en Joshua Coppins – all four former world champions. Finally, we also like the young ones Romain Fèbvre don't forget, who was undeniably the fastest on the Mettet track last year, but overconfidence prevented him from taking the final victory.
Of course we also expect some big names from speed racing, more specifically Troy Corser (2x WSBK world champion), just like the American Ben Bostrom and the three-time World Supersport champion, the Turk Kenan Sufuoglu (which will be confirmed in the coming hours…). Also --Tommy Hayden is in the party. He is less known in our country than his brother Nicky Hayden, but in the US he is a star because he won both the AMA Supersport and Superbike. And like any self-respecting American, he is a regular visitor to dirt track tracks and therefore a true drift specialist who can really indulge in the VOO Superbiker.
Two other 'pistards' will discover Mettet. The first has already placed the Trophée Andros Moto on his mantelpiece eight times, the Mecca for ice racing competition: the Frenchman David Baffeleuf. The second is an American, Gary Trachy. If his name doesn't sound familiar, he is well known on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, as he has already won the Pikes Peak 8 times! If two gentlemen can slide in a controlled manner, then this one…
Facing these big names are the best pilots from Supermoto, starting with the Finn Mauno Hermunen, winner of the last two editions of the VOO Superbiker. He is accompanied by Sylvain Bidart and by countless podium habitués of the Supermoto World Championship. As far as the Belgians are concerned, we count on our established values such as: Marc Fraikin en Eric Delannoy, but also on our former world champions Eddie Seel en Gérald Delépine. Also the Americans Dustin Hoffman en Frank Monte will do more than just play an extra role.
Intense and non-stop spectacle
As tradition goes, the VOO Superbiker is an intense spectacle with races in which there is hard fighting. All participating pilots will have the opportunity to compete in a race on Sunday as the program starts that day with five consolation races in which pilots of similar level will each have the opportunity to achieve a victory, albeit not the most prestigious of the day.
As for the Supermotos, after the semi-finals, 24 riders will compete against each other in the Supermoto Final, where they will be joined by the Prestiges: invitees who have been selected based on their record and are therefore qualified for the final anyway. The best of this Supermoto final will compete in the Superfinal together with all the Starbiker stars, which will end the day. At the request of the public, both the Supermoto Final and the Super Final will last considerably longer than in the past. So rest assured that the results will be strongly influenced by the fatigue that may or may not strike…
But before all that, the stars of cross and speed racing will compete for a podium place in an unprecedented American-style race in which the motocross riders will compete directly against the road racers in an elimination race of two rounds each. As a result, both a cross and a road race podium will be formed in the context of the Starbiker, after which the two best from both categories will meet again on the ultimate starting grid for two scorching laps that will deliver the ultimate Starbiker 2012 across all categories.
All this promises to be quite sensational, but don't forget that there will also be quads, which are as fast as they are spectacular. They will fight two Superquader finals, one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday afternoon. In addition to all these races, there is also various side entertainment on the program. The most spectacular is undoubtedly the Freestyle. Some freestyle specialists will do their best to make your jaw drop in amazement, and this year not one, but two ramps will be built so that the freestylers can perform their acrobatics at the same time! None other than the leader of the Red Bull XFighter Tour, Levi Sherwood – the best freestyler in the world, from New Zealand – will perform in Mettet for the first time!
He is accompanied by Gilles Dejong, Belgium's best freestyler, Nick Franklin(NZ), Chris Brock (GB) and Martin Koren (Czech Republic). A breathtaking show with, for the first time, two disasters!
But the stunts also attract a lot of admiration from the public every year. Because the audience on one side of the circuit will not be able to see the stunter on the other side, two stunt pilots will take turns at the same time: while the peerless and unmatchable Chris Pfeiffer will once again defy all known laws of physics on one side of the circuit, Street Bike Freestyle specialist Mattie Griffin all the while entertaining the audience on the other side.
Free and inexpensive!
To ensure that neither children nor adults miss anything from the spectacle organized by the RUMESM, admission is free for under-16 year olds. But an effort has also been made to keep everything affordable for the other spectators: anyone who buys their weekend ticket in advance at a Suzuki car or motorcycle dealer pays 35 euros i.en instead of 50 euros - which, considering the cost of sporting events these days, is still very reasonable. We are therefore convinced that there is no other event for a comparable price where so many world champions come together as at the VOO Superbiker. Don't forget that in Mettet, access to the paddock - just like access to the stands - is completely free. The program, printed in 12.000 copies, is also distributed completely free of charge to spectators. That is precisely why we here in Mettet are proud of this success formula that attracts around 40.000 spectators every three days. Thanks to a large group of volunteers who strive for creativity and commitment, the VOO Superbiker will have its 19th success on October 20, 21 and 26!
Photos: RUMESM Full, MXphotos.be, Axel Schelbert
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