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 …

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 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 

The Punisher V2 by Marshal Racing

Follow Marshal Racing on Website | Instagram

The Punisher V2 by Marshal Racing

Follow Marshal Racing on Website | Instagram

French brand, Marshal Racing, recently released the evolution of their aluminium race frame, the 2023 Punisher V2! The 6061 T6 alloy frame, designed in their Las Vegas offices, is visually unique in the alloy frame world in that it they have invested the time and effort to ‘polish’ all the welds until smooth. The result is an alloy frame that visually resembles a carbon design, at least at first glance.

Coming in at €960.00, not including forks, the Punisher V2 is approaching carbon frame territory, although it does come equipped with a press fit Legion bottom bracket with high-end ceramic bearings.

The frame features the enclosed dropouts that we have become accustomed to in the age of disc brakes. The ‘DRS’ rail system in the drop-outs allow different modules to attach to the dropout, such as a GoPro mount or the new Marshal chain tensioner. The tensioner, not unlike the versions we see on a few other brands, allows you to place the rear wheel exactly were you want it in the approximately 40mm travel available without having to worry about chain links. The chain tensioner, not included with the frame will cost you €135.00.

Marshall tout the Punisher V2 as one of the stiffest on the market today, mainly due to the rear ‘reinforcement plate’ on the upper rear stays behind the seat tube, and the new ‘big base’ seat tube design. Marshall are also proud of the frames unique geometry, which they say is the ‘flattest geometry on the market, lowering its gravity center and providing greater rigidity and responsiveness’.

Overall, we think Marshal Racing have an interesting proposition here … we’d love to see a polished version of the design to really appreciated those weld finishes …

The frame due to be available at the end of July 2023.

Bike Check

Marshal Racing Punisher V2 Pro XL frame – Pumpkin

Marshal Racing Black Diamond Carbon Forks

Legion Oversized Stem 57mm

Marshal Racing Supercross Carbon Wheelset

(Black Stretched Sapim Spokes with Polyax Nipples)

Marshal Racing 2023 Chain Tensioner

Beringer Crankset 177.5mm

Total Weight 8.6 kg

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2022 French Cup | Rounds 5 & 6 La Roche Sur Yon

21st – 22nd May

Written by Damien Ethalon

Photos courtesy of Patrick Rossinelli / bmxpics.fr

2022 French Cup | Rounds 5 & 6 La Roche Sur Yon

21st – 22nd May

Written by Damien Ethalon

Photos courtesy of Patrick Rossinelli / bmxpics.fr

​We were back on the west coast again for the third French cup weekend! This time in the city of La Roche Sur Yon. A unique track with a 5m hill, a huge triple at the end of the first straight and a long downhill first turn. A very fast second straight but then a little uphill for the two last straights. In addition to a very high temperature, we were in for a very physical weekend. That’s probably why, in both the men and women categories a few of the favorite riders didn’t show up … saving some energy before Glasgow.

On the women side, Saya Sakakibara from Australia and Manon Veenstra from the Netherlands, who dominated the previous weekend, were absent. But two fast French ladies were back after some physical issues, last year’s champ Charlotte Devolder and junior sensation Lea Brindjonc! Both went straight back to the podium!

​The queen of BMX, Mariana Pajon, turned up and took the win on Saturday but didn’t line up on day two. So, it was Mariane Beltrando who had the most consistent weekend with a 3rd and a victory on day two! Brindjonc who is still junior but races with Elite Women, had a strong comeback with a 4th and a 2nd place. It was almost the same story for Devolder who also ended up on the box with a 7th and a 3rd! Swiss rider Christelle Boivin had another impressive weekend with a 2nd place on day one and an 8th on Sunday. Reaching the main twice is not easy for sure, but another girl did it this weekend, Marie Favrel who finished 6th and 7th. Behind these heavy hitters, five other girls made it to the main, Emma Jouteau and Chloé Brehin got a 5th and 8th on Saturday while Emma Patraccone, Charlotte Marot and Emma Granger finished 4th, 5th and 6th on Sunday. A few new names we’ll probably see again in the rankings!

Elite Women Results Day 1:

1: Mariana PAJON

2: Christelle BOIVIN

3: Mariane BELTRANDO

4: Léa BRINDJONC

5: Emma JOUTEAU

6: Marie FAVREL

7: Charlotte DEVOLDER

8: Chloé BREHIN

Elite Women Results Day 2:

1: Mariane BELTRANDO

2: Léa BRINDJONC

3: Charlotte DEVOLDER

4: Emma PATRACCONE

5: Charlotte MOROT

6: Emma GRANGER

7: Marie FAVREL

8: Christelle BOIVIN

Women’s Overall Ranking After 6 Rounds:

1: Mariane BELTRANDO 138pts

2: Christelle BOIVIN        104pts

3: Manon VEENSTRA        94pts

4: Emma JOUTEAU            81pts

5: Celia BONNET                78pts

In the Elite Men’s category, three of the fastest French dudes didn’t show up in La Roche Sur yon, all prepping for the Glasgow World Cup, Sylvain André, Eddy Clerté and Romain Mahieu … but all the other soldiers were there.

Ranking leader Jeremy Rencurel had another great weekend with a victory on Saturday and a 3rd on Sunday. Behind him, European champ Arthur Pilard is finding consistency again with a 5th and a nice 2nd place. Two more mains in the books also from veteran Vincent Pelluard, 4th and 7th … and for Hugo Marszalek, 6th both days and Simba Darnand who unfortunately got 8th twice.

A big surprise on Saturday with Joris Daudet being out in the eights! But Joris was back on Sunday with a very convincing win. After a crash in quarter on day one, Romain Mayet also found his way back to the top on Sunday with a 4th place. Opposite feelings for Dylan Gobert and Mathis Ragot Richard who both were on the podium Saturday but didn’t make the main on day two. Last but not least, Axel Lenagard, 7th on Saturday and Arnaud Chauvin 5th on Sunday showed some good speed too. No doubt we’ll hear about them again later in the year.

Elite Men Results Day 1:

1: Jérémy RENCUREL

2: Dylan GOBERT

3: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD

4: Vincent PELLUARD

5: Arthur PILARD

6: Hugo MARSZALEK

7: Axel LENAGARD

8: Simba DARNAND

Elite Men Results Day 2:

1: Joris DAUDET

2: Arthur PILARD

3: Jérémy RENCUREL

4: Romain MAYET

5: Arnaud CHAUVIN

6: Hugo MARSZALEK

7: Vincent PELLUARD

8: Simba DARNAND

Men’s Overall Ranking After 6 Rounds:

1: Jéremy RENCUREL            174

2: Romain MAYET                 149

3: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD 145

4: Arthur PILARD                   139

5: Dylan GOBERT                   130

We now have a break in the French Cup with the next rounds on pause until September, when we travel to Frontignan.

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2022 French Cup | Rounds 1 & 2 Sarrians

19th – 20th March

Written by Damien Ethalon

Photos courtesy of Patrick Rossinelli / bmxpics.fr

2022 French Cup | Rounds 1 & 2 Sarrians

19th – 20th March

Written by Damien Ethalon

Photos courtesy of Patrick Rossinelli / bmxpics.fr

​The famous track of Sarrians, the new Olympic training centre in the south of France was designated to host the first two rounds of the 2022 French Cup. The brand new 8m hill has yet to be officially approved, so it would be a 5m hill race. As always, the track was in perfect shape and luckily the wind, which can be a nightmare at Sarrians BMX, decided to stay away all weekend long.

If the USA BMX national in Rock Hill looked like a World Cup, Sarrians was not far from a European round, especially in the Elite Men class with some fast guys from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany all making the trip.

The Elite Women’s class was pretty stacked too, with more than 40 riders on the entry list. Except for Axelle Etienne, all the usual heavy hitters were there.

The 2021 UCI Junior World Champion, Mariane Beltrando, once again had the most successful weekend with a 2nd and a 1st! A very strong beginning to the season for Mariane. It was almost as good for the Dutch lady Manon Veenstra who had a great weekend grabbing the win on Saturday and a 3rd on Sunday. On the podium with these two were the Olympian Manon Valentino, with a 3rd on Saturday and Zoé Hapka with an impressive 2nd place on Sunday.

Two other girls also showed consistent results, Tessa Martinez who got 4th both days and the Swiss riders Christelle Boivin with a 6th and a 5th. A little surprising was last year’s Champion Charlotte Devolder and Camille Maire, who only made the main once in the weekend. But it’s only the beginning of the season and no doubt we’ll see these two ladies back on the podium soon. One main appearance also for two Olympians, Belgian’s Elke Vanhoof and Domenica Azuero Gonzalez from Ecuador who both got an 8th place. Last but not least, a very good performance from Lea Brindjonc who is still Junior but made the main with a 7th place on Sunday.

Elite Women Results Day 1:

1: Manon VEENSTRA

2: Mariane BELTRANDO

3: Manon VALENTINO

4: Tessa MARTINEZ

5: Charlotte DEVOLDER

6: Christelle BOIVIN

7) Célia BONNET

8)  Elke VANHOOF

Elite Women Results Day 2:

1: Mariane BELTRANDO

2: Zoé HAPKA

3: Manon VEENSTRA

4: Tessa MARTINEZ

5: Christelle BOIVIN

6: Camille MAIRE

7: Léa BRINDJONC

8: Domenica AZUERO GONZALEZ

Women’s Overall Ranking After 2 Rounds:

1: Mariane BELTRANDO  52pts

2: Manon VEENSTRA       49pts

3: Zoé HAPKA                    38pts

4: Tessa MARTINEZ          38pts

5: Manon VALENTINO     35pts

​Over on the men’s side, four of the big hitters were absent, racing instead over in Rock Hill at the USA BMX Nationals instead, Joris Daudet, Sylvain Andre, Romain Mahieu and Eddy Clerte.

Despite the absence of those four, 116 riders showed up in the Elite Men’s category! Yes, 116 riders! Which means those who made it through 1st round and LCQ were qualified for 1/16 finals! That’s what you call a stacked class! And with only a 20 min recovery time between laps this race was a good way to see who had a serious winter prep.

More than 100 riders, but in the end only one winner, Spad’s Romain Mayet. Amazing first straights and clean laps for Romain who showed no weaknesses and won both days! Congratulations! Behind him, the second man of the weekend was Leo Garoyan who got second on both days. Jeremy Rencurel snatched a 3rd and 4th, while Mathis Ragot Richard got a 5th and 3rd. They were closley followed by Dylan Gobert, who didn’t get on the box but reached the main twice with a 4th and 7th. These 5 fives dudes pretty much dominated the weekend at Sarrians BMX.

​Behind them, young guns Thibaut Stoffels from Belgium and Théo Touin made it to the main on Saturday imitated by Amidou Mir, Thomas Jouve and the very fast Spanish rider Marc Roman Martinez on Sunday.

It was a tough weekend for European champion and 2021 French Cup winner Arthur Pilard who only managed an 8th place on Saturday. But as an example of how big the level was in Sarrians, guys like Tokyo Olympic Bronze medalist Carlos Ramirez, Olympian Vincent Pelluard, W6 and Dutch National Champion Mitchel Schotman didn’t make it to the main!

French cup rounds 3 and 4 will be in Guipavas, on the west coast, April 23rd and 24th.

Elite Men Results Day 1:

1: Romain MAYET

2: Leo GAROYAN                                    

3: Jeremy RENCUREL                            

4: Dylan GOBERT                                   

5: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD                 

6: Thibaut STOFFELS                            

7: Théo TOUIN                                      

8:  Arthur PILARD                                  

Elite Men Results Day 2:

1: Romain MAYET                       

2: Leo GAROYAN

3: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD

4: Jeremy RENCUREL                                          

5: Amidou MIR

6: Thomas JOUVE

7: Dylan GOBERT

8: Marc ROMAN MARTINEZ                                

Men’s Overall Ranking After 2 Rounds:

1: Romain MAYET                    72pts

2: Leo GAROYAN                      64pts

3: Jeremy RENCUREL              56pts

4: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD    55pts

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​Sylvain André signs with Commencal

Follow Sylvain André on: Instagram | Facebook

Follow Commencal: Website | Instagram | Facebook

​Sylvain André signs with Commencal

Follow Sylvain André on: Instagram | Facebook

Follow Commencal: Website | Instagram | Facebook

There have been many new team and new endorsement announcements in this off season but probably none as seismic, or that garnered as much interest as Sylvain Andre’s announced departure from his previous team.

While some had guessed the new team, the official announcement today that Sylvain is to join French brand Commencal for the coming Olympic adventure is excellent news, not only for the two parties signing contracts but also for BMX Racing in general. A big brand like Commencal, with reach far outside our niche sport is a welcome addition. We’re looking forward to seeing what they bring to the table, not only in bike designs but also in promotion … and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see other non BMX brands follow suit …

​The official announcement from Commencal Bikes 20 Jan. 2022:

The opportunity was too good.

“Before meeting Sylvain, there had never been any question of returning to BMX, but within a few days everything had changed. We chatted, shared our stories and decided it was on, nice, let’s go! It’s not complicated, it’s just real life. One where nothing is ever set in stone, where our job is to dream and make people dream.” – Max.

When we offered him to race the 4X World Championships in Val di Sole in 2021 on a COMMENCAL, his response and his motivation should have alerted us about his personality.
We could have understood that this meeting could not be a coincidence.

How to say no to such an opportunity, associate Sylvain ANDRE and COMMENCAL.
Much more than an announcement effect, this project is motivated by what has always driven us forward, the quest for performance and victories.

For those who like to understand, this project can easily be summarized by:
Provide the necessary support to Sylvain ANDRE
The arrival of COMMENCAL in this Olympic sport

Through this project, we also want to participate in the evolution of BMX while remaining faithful to our principles, the use of aluminium and respect for the environment.

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2021 French Cup | Rounds 9 & 10 Descartes

2nd – 3rd October

Written by Damien Ethalon

Photos courtesy of Patrick Rossinelli / bmxpics.fr

2021 French Cup | Rounds 9 & 10 Descartes

2nd – 3rd October

Written by Damien Ethalon

Photos courtesy of Patrick Rossinelli / bmxpics.fr

It was the city of Descartes, not far from Tours (well known for its famous international indoor race) that was designated for hosting the last two rounds of the 2021 French Cup.

A 5m hill, no huge jumps but a very technical track with tight turns, perfect for some great passing action. The track was in very good shape but unfortunately the weather was disastrous on Saturday with very strong wind and lots of rain. So before junior and elites’ practice even started, the jury decided to cancel the whole day. Instead of two rounds it would all come down to a single event on Sunday.

​In the Elite Women’s category, three of the fastest girls were absent in Descartes. Indeed Marianne Beltrando, Axelle Etienne and Manon Valentino did not show up. So, without her three closest rivels, the road to the Championship title was cleared for points leader Charlotte Devolder.

Charlotte did not take it easy but instead rode very strong, all day long. Showing that she completely deserved her first title in the Elite category. She finished second on the day, only beaten by Belgian Olympian Elke Vanhoof who had a perfect lap in the main from lane eight. Behind these two, last spot on the podium was for another Charlotte, Ms Morot claimed her first ever podium in the Elite class.

The rest of the main was stacked too with some pretty big names. Swiss champ Christelle Boivin finished fourth in front of Camille Marie, Mathilde Doudoux, Dutch girl Manon Veenstra and Célia Bonnet. The final contained riders from four different nations giving it a Euro feel.

RACE RESULT:

1: Elke VANHOOF

2: Charlotte DEVOLDER

3: Charlotte MOROT

4: Christelle BOIVIN

5: Camille MAIRE

6: Mathilde DOUDOUX

7: Manon VEENSTRA

8: Célia BONNET

OVERALL FRENCH CUP RANKING | ELITE WOMEN:

1: Charlotte DEVOLDER

2: Mariane BELTRANDO

3: Axelle ETIENNE

4: Christelle BOIVIN

5: Zoé HAPKA

After a very consistent season Charlotte Devolder wins the overall Championship title. She will be in Turkey for the last two rounds of the 2021 UCI World Cup, keep an eye on her. Despite their absences, Marianne Beltrando and Axelle Etienne kept their overall podium position. No doubt we’ll have many more battles between these three fast girls in the future. Impressive performance for Christelle Boivin and first year Elite rider Zoé Hapka, who both finish the year in the top five!

In the Elite Men’s category, Arthur Pilard came into Descartes with a big lead in the rankings, and with Saturday cancelled, the title was already secured before the race even started on Sunday. But Arthur was determined to finish this French Cup season with a win.

With big guys like Andre, Mahieu and Clerte being absent, it looked like nobody could prevent the European Champion from securing another win. But as always in BMX nothing is guareentted, and unfortunately for Pilard, a bad gate in the main saw him finish with a third place. Victory went to the veteran, and Franco Colombian Olympian, Vincent Pelluard. Viny was on fire all day long and showed the young guns how it’s done, four years after his last French Cup victory. A great day for him for sure, especially considering he was almost at home in Descartes. It was also a very good last round for Dylan Gobert who took the second spot on the podium. Dylan has made a lot of mains this year and finished with his best result of the season.

Simba Dardand also ends his French cup with a strong result as he got fourth place just in front of two heavy hitters, Mathis Ragot Richard and Amidou Mir. Great performance also for Hugo Marszalek and Corentin Dubois who also found their way to the last main of the season.

RACE RESULT:

1: Vincent PELLUARD

2: Dylan GOBERT

3: Arthur PILARD

4: Simba DARNAND

5: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD

6: Amidou MIR

7: Hugo MARSZALEK

8: Corentin DUBOIS

OVERALL FRENCH CUP RANKING | ELITE MEN:

1: Arthur PILARD

2: Dylan GOBERT

3: Karl LE NAGARD

4: Mathis RAGOT RICHARD

5: Valentin DEUMIE

With four wins and seven podiums out of nine rounds Arthur Pilard showed he was the boss in this 2021 French Cup! Now he will have to defend his leadership on the UCI World Cup circuit during the last four rounds in Turkey. With his second place in the last round Dylan Gobert grabbed the second spot in the overall ranking in front of Karl Le Nagard, who kept is place on the podium by two points despite a crash in 1/8’s in Descartes. Mathis Ragot Richard, after his bronze medal at French National Championships came very close to another podium, while Valentin Deumie concludes a very consistent season with a top five.

We’ll be back in 2022 for 10 more rounds of the French Cup!

​

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