The French Elite championship kick off this weekend at Lacapelle Marival, and 240 riders are involved in the four categories (Hopefuls, Junior, MX2 and MX1) including some GP stars such as Jeffrey Herlings, Lucas and Sacha Coenen, Roan Van de Moosdijk. All of them will discover a new track!
Home of the International Masters since several years, the club has make a break with this event to focus again on the French Championship. « We had a request from the French Federation, and as they supported us really well when we organized the French MXGP in 2021 it was difficult to refuse this opportunity. So ten years later the French Elite is back at Lacapelle, » says président Vincent Ayroles. The club had also one other reason to change their plan for this year. « We have to say that last year was not a good one financially. And as our goal was to renovate the track, we decided to invest there as it’s important for the future and of course the Masters will be back at Lacapelle. »
Herlings vs the Frenchies
Winner of the Masters in the past, Jeffrey Herlings will be the ‘guest star’ in the MX1 class, against the Frenchies. Reigning champion Milko Potisek is happy to see Jeffrey racing with them this weekend. « It’s good for the series, as everyone is talking about the fact that Jeffrey is there. For me it’s a good news; we know that he is one of the fastest rider, so if we finish second everyone will say that it’s normal. But if one of us beat him in one race, he will be a hero » says Milko who won the series ahead of Valentin Guillod last year. Valentin will be one of his main rival, as well as Xavier Boog (back racing !), Gregory Aranda, Stephen Rubini, Mathys Boisrame, Anthony Bourdon or David Herbreteau.
The Coenen brothers
In the MX2 class three factory guys will join the Frenchies, as Sacha Coenen, Lucas Coenen and Roan Van de Moosdijk will enter the event. Pierre Goupillon, the 2021 and 2022 champion will go for a third title in a row in this class against Calvin Fonvieille, the Aubin brothers, Quentin Prugnières, the Miot brothers and Lucas Imbert. Some riders such as Ferruccio Zanchi and Marc Antoine Rossi will just enter this round, in order to prepare the EMX250.
Words and image: Mediacross