Part of the GMT94 team that won the 2014 FIM Endurance World Championship, Mathieu Gines chose to sit out the opening events of the EWC season to focus on his Yamaha ride in the French Superbike Championship. But he’s back for the Bol d’Or, joining Team 18 Sapeurs Pompers CMS Motostore in the Dunlop-equipped Superstock category. This is what the 35-year-old from France has had to say.
How good is it to be back in the EWC?
“It’s really nice for me to come back to the EWC. I have been doing the French Superbike Championship this year and I also won the 24 Hours of Barcelona, but the EWC is really a nice place to be. The Bol d’Or is not easy but I am not so bad at this track and I really wanted to do this because I love the place and for me it was important to find a way. Now I have this opportunity I am very happy to come back in the EWC for this last race of the season.”
You actually shared the Bol d’Or podium with the Team 18 riders as they were in 2022. What do you know about this team and your new team-mates?
“I know the guys in the team, I know the riders,** they are very fast and we can be really strong. It is not possible for the team to win the championship but for sure it’s possible to fight for the second place. I will try to give my best to the team and to all the riders.”
Having competed in the 24 Hours of Barcelona, which, like the Superstock category in EWC, permits four riders, how good is this new rule?
“Endurance now is every time pushing, pushing and if you have four fast riders it’s easier because you can have more time to relax and you are more fresh when you come back on the bike. If you have any problem with a rider you just restart with three riders like before. But I think it’s the way of endurance because more and more endurance is like a World Superbike race of 24 hours. The new rule means it’s a little bit easier for sure.”
Were you able to follow the EWC this season and what do you think of the races so far?
“Yeah, I look every time because I have many friends in the EWC so I watch every race and I look at the results, but now I am happy to come back.”
Your EWC return is in Superstock rather than Formula EWC like before. Is Formula EWC the goal for next season?
“I will try to find a bike in Formula EWC for next season for sure. This year was a choice because I am an official rider for Yamaha in France in French Superbike. Because I didn’t manage to find a deal with any Yamaha team in EWC I prefer to make just French Superbike. But after I missed endurance so I had the opportunity to race in the 24 Hours of Barcelona, I did it and we win so I tried to find a way to make the Bol d’Or.”
The all-action 2024 EWC season concludes at Circuit Paul Ricard in France from 12-15 September with the famous Bol d’Or 24-hour race. For ticket information click HERE.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
