WHO WILL PLAY FOR THE VICTORY OF THE OVERALL RANKING ?
Nearly 65 teams registered ! The starting grid of the 6 Heures Moto Spa-Francorchamps 2019 will be particularly well filled. The announcement of the return of the World Endurance Championship to the most beautiful circuit in the world (in 2022) has not left teams and riders indifferent. Some come clearly to take their marks for the EWC, others come to gauge their level. And there are those who have no other ambition than to reach the finish of what remains a unique endurance race for modern motorcycles in Belgium. On Sunday 18 August, the 6 Heures Moto de Spa-Francorchamps promise an intense show and battles on all levels.
In the big weights (those aiming for overall victory, regardless of the category), we have rarely seen so many contenders for the final podium. And above all, we have rarely seen so many big names from the Belgian and international road racing scene. With a few exceptions, all 'important' Belgian riders will be at the start. And especially the new endurance specialist and former MotoGP rider, Xavier Siméon, riding the Yamaha R1 from the Dunlop Test Team that he will share with the Frenchman Julien Da Costa. We know that this yellow Yamaha (#37), prepared and tuned down to the smallest details by the Dunlop Team (more specifically Steven Casaer), is well suited to 'Xavi', and, just back from the Suzuka 8 Hours, he will be keen to shine in front of his audience...
But even if he knows the circuit of Spa as the back of his hand and endurance does not have many secrets for him, Xavier Simeon will discover the 6 Heures Moto for the first time. A lack of experience that could play in his disadvantage faced with his main rivals, like Grégory Fastré, who will celebrate at Spa the first anniversary of his collaboration with the Mototech team. At his first run on the Yamaha from the team of David Drieghe in 2018, 'Fast Greg' proved particularly strong: second fastest time in qualifying, holeshot and final victory, which allowed him to become the holder of the largest number of successes in this race. Will he do as good a year later, this time associated with Camille Hedelin and Vincent Lonbois, author of the pole position in 2018 ? In order to accomplish this, they will have to be spared by the bad luck, which currently poisons the World Endurance season for Team Mototech...
Just like Greg Fastré, Marc Fissette is a multiple winner of the 6 Heures de Spa (he achieved a hattrick in 2015, 2016 and 2017), but unlike Greg, Marc 'officially' packed up his leathers, which does not does not prevent him from unpacking them for the 6 Heures. Associated with Stéphane Mertens and Didier Jadoul in the Ducati Luxembourg team, this is undoubtedly the most experienced team of these 6 Heures. They will take turns on the sumptuous Ducati V4, one more reason to keep an eye on them ! Lots of experience also on the Yamaha Track Team Red Zone Flybike, with Michel Nickmans and Philippe Galle.
Accustomed to the IDM (German Superbike Championship) where he shone last season as vice-champion, Bastien Mackels also knows his way in Endurance. After a difficult start of the season (his team opted for a small career break), he returned to the competition at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben, and saw himself in the wake invited to Suzuka to prepare the 8 Hours and participate in the Asia Road Championship. Associated with Wim Van Den Broeck in the team Wilbers J&I Racing, he is also a favourite for the final victory.
We also mention the Phenix Racing Inter team with Fabien François, Marin Fritz and Bobby Bas, the Trax Racing Team (Niels Hattas, Dennis Vermoesen, Marty Debruyne), the Englishmen of Seton Tuning (Phil Seton, Pat Sheridan) and those of the Edgen RST Racing I team (Nick Edgeley associated with journalist Michael Neeves) ... and all those who are eager to surprise from the beginning of the qualifying session, scheduled from 9:00 on Sunday 18.
©6heuresmoto
