2024 French Cup | Rounds 3 & 4 Compiegne
20th – 21st April
Written by Damien Ethalon
Photo’s by Kaptur Photography. Purchase shots from the French Cup HERE (Click the photos to see the full album)
2024 French Cup | Rounds 3 & 4 Compiegne
20th – 21st April
Written by Damien Ethalon
Photo’s by Kaptur Photography. Purchase shots from the French Cup HERE (Click the photos to see the full album)
Compiegne was selected to host the second weekend of the 2024 French Cup. A very famous club in France with a brand new Supercross track, and it’s always exciting to see a high-level competition on the big hill! Most of the French riders selected for World Championships in Rock Hill didn’t line up so it was a great occasion for some underdogs to aim for a good spot!
Unfortunately, once again on a French Cup round the weather was awful, very cold temperatures, heavy periods of rain, and the worst we could expect … a massive side wind! As we all know, BMX and wind are two things who don’t go together too well. Day one was sketchy but rideable, unfortunately day two had to be canceled right after practice because of the high winds. After two rounds canceled because of the wind last year, it felt like déjà vu but as always, safety comes first when it’s about dangerous conditions.
The women’s category was all about who was willing to jump the two first jumps after the hill. Camille Maire used her experience of racing Supercross all around the world in every condition and claimed a convincing victory. Behind her it was Lea Brindjonc who showed some interesting speed despite the terrible conditions. The big surprise came with Jodie Viemont, reaching her first ever French Cup podium at the Elite level. She took some risks during the day, and it paid off as she got herself a well-deserved spot on the box. Marie Favrel and Emma Patraccone were really fast too, but unfortunately, they crashed together on the last straight. Luckily no one was injured. Three young guns found their way to the main, Capucine Favre, Naelle Michaud and Leonie Druart all showing we can expect great things in the future from them in the Supercross format.
Elite Women Results Saturday:
1: Camille MAIRE
2: Lea BRINDJONC
3: Jodie VIEMONT
4: Capucine FAVRE
5: Naelle MICHAUD
6: Leonie DRUART
7: Emma PATRACCONE
8: Marie FAVREL
Women’s Overall Ranking After 3 Rounds:
1: Lea BRINDJONC 142pts
2: Axelle ETIENNE 126pts
3: Marie FAVREL 125pts
4: Mariane BELTRANDO 109pts
5: Jodie VIEMONT 106pts
The Elite men’s category saw a new rider writing his name on the French Cup round winner’s list, Michael Bias! Yes, we saw it coming last year as the New Zealand rider was getting faster and faster, round after round. Everybody who follows BMX knows Michael is fast on big technical supercross tracks. And Compiegne suited him perfectly. It was not a surprise to see him having a perfect day and ending on the top of the box. Behind him was Arthur Pilard. The current World Champion number 2 is slowly coming back to his best level, right when it counts. French National Champ, Corentin Dubois, had a strong day too and ended up in 3rd. Behind the top three were the usual strong contenders, Romain Mayet, Simba Darnand and Mathis Ragot Richard. We know these three are potential winners but this time they had to settle for 4th, 5th, and 6th. The main was rounded out by two fast young guys, Tanguy Rivoire and Chris Aldon on his home track.
Elite Men Results Saturday:
1: Michael BIAS
2: Arthur PILARD
3: Corentin DUBOIS
4: Romain MAYET
5: Simba DARNAND
6: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD
7: Tanguy RIVOIRE
8: Chris ALDON
Men’s Overall Ranking After 3 Rounds:
1: Michael BIAS 187pts
2: Arthur PILARD 152pts
3: Romain MAYET 143pts
4: Jeremy RENCUREL 142pts
5: Corentin DUBOIS 141pts
The French Cup is now on a brief pause until this summer. We will be in Mours on July 6th and 7th for Rounds 4 & 5. Before then, the new World and European Champions will be crowned …
