France

FRENCH YOUNG GUNS TAKE DEBUT TITLE 

For the first time ever the rising stars of the sport had their own stand-alone category at this year’s FIM SuperMoto of Nations (SMoN) and it was only fitting that the inaugural 2023 FIM Junior SuperMoto of Nations crown was claimed by France, the country that has dominated the discipline at a Senior level since 2014. 

Last year’s SMoN runners-up behind their Senior team, France Junior fielded Youry Catherine – Honda, Alexis Hoareau – TM and Tim Szalai – Husqvarna in 2023 and they did not disappoint at Castelletto di Branduzzo in Italy in the middle of October. 

With Catherine the only remaining member of the inspirational France Junior team from Mettet in Belgium in 2022 – who also helped France Junior to third in 2021 on home ground in Carole – the trio were in charge from the first race. In a competition where a team’s worst finish is dropped, it speaks volumes about the dominance of France Junior that their lowest score was a third-placed finish after they packed the podium in both races. 

On top in Qualifying, Catherine, Hoareau and Szalai then translated their speed into points in the opening race when they ran an unbeatable one-two-three to fill every step of the podium. Race two saw more of the same, although France Junior shuffled the finishing order this time around with Hoareau placing first ahead of Szalai and Catherine. 

In a tight fight to secure second and third, the Germany Junior team of Justin Bruser – KTM, Colin Beischroth – TM and Nick Haufe – Husqvarna just had the edge over an Italy Junior squad that comprised Felix Wegscheider – Husqvarna, Tommaso Pompilio – TM and Matteo Frassino – Honda. 

PALMARES 

S1oN Junior World Champions: 2023