With only a matter of days before the 2017 Supermoto of Nations, Team GB are busy making final preparations before leaving for Circuit Carole France. Situated just three kilometres from Charles de Gaulle airport this is one of the most accessible venues in recent years for what is known as the Olympics of Motorcycling.
This will be the twelfth running of the event that brings teams from all over the globe to compete for the Francesco Zerbi trophy and in a sport where individuals shine this is a rare opportunity for riders to work as a team. The current holders and strongest Supermoto nation, France will be looking to retain the trophy especially as they are on home soil.
Starting in eleven of the twelve events Team GB have a long and proud history in the event, good results have often been overshadowed by bad luck but three podiums, third in 2006 and 2007 and second in 2011 show that we are a competitive nation in this sport. This year’s event takes place on the 23rd and 24th September and results and live timing can be found at www.supermotos1.com.
The team for this year is captained by current British number 1 and multiple title winner Chris Hodgson, he is joined after a couple of years’ absence by ex-GP winner and highest ever British finisher in Supermoto World Championships, Matt Winstanley. The third rider is young Teessider Davey Todd who now splits his racing time between pure road racing and Supermoto.
Team manager David Dearden says, “It’s always an honour to be involved with the Supermoto of Nations, this year we have a fantastic team that I know will fight to the end to do our country proud. With the circuit being relatively close and thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors we should be able to support the riders with enough tyres to compete. Historically because of the distances we have travelled most of the money was taken up with logistics but this year we are better prepared to support the riders on the track where it matters the most. I won’t predict a result as too much luck is involved in this event but I know Chris, Matt and Davey will do their utmost to get us as near the front as possible.”
Team GB would like to thank their main sponsors, ACU, Bathmate, Jolly Giraffes Activity Centre, London Sound Proofing, Michelin and Want to live afloat.com and as well all the other companies and individuals who have come together to support them this year. Without this valuable support, it would be impossible to field a team. If anyone would like to donate no matter how small please use the Go Fund site https://www.gofundme.com/smon2017