Pichon dominated the timed practice session, leaving 10 seconds Romain Jacquiot 17 seconds and the reigning champion Pierrick Paget.
On occasion of his return to Pont-de-Vaux, Michael "Rocket" Pichon made a fantastic time during the test session this afternoon. A time of 5.30.208 that Romain Jacquiot (2nd in 2011) approached at the tenth, and Pierrick Paget (reigning champion) 7 seconds. The Official Honda shows that despite his injury, recovery and only three races competed and won this year, the king is still called Pichon. Although ... his teammate of 20 years, Jason Clermont exploded a few minutes later of 10 seconds !
Now attention, nothing is known for this magical duo on Honda CRF 450 n° 101. "This is not the time that counts, explains in the shadow of his truck the twice world champion, it is the heat ! Today I am 37 years old, I just had a third child. He is 10 months. One day, we will have to make it stop! '
Dripping, Michael continues, while teammate Jason Clermont did for the first time in Pont-de-Vaux his best lap. "This is an original race with a different schema, a nice track and rolling. We are here for Honda with the wish to win obviously. (Editor's note We competitor in the soul or not!) Jason is young. It's a good teammate, fourth championship SX France, it should become familiar with this formula and the stones in particular. I'm not worried. '
Roman Jacquiot, the second step of the podium here in 2011, also fears the heat. "With two new baffles in front of the pits and the heat, I fear for our brakes. It is not clear that we keep them until the end ! I find that there are too many areas. It is a little less pleasant. However there is a balance between enduro and crossmen. '
Note that David Sousa, the last minute guest runs in the top 5. Also, a duo Liam Garbett English and Adam Extance, position sixth, one ride on Superbike in the Channel, the other will be in the World Cup next week.
Starting at 5.30 pm in the first round for two hours with Pichon favorite.
Jean-Philippe Auray
