By Switzerland’s newest Mountain Course exponent, Matthieu Pauchard has quietly caught the attention of astute road racing aficionados with his performances throughout this year’s Manx Grand Prix.
Saturday’s Supersport race yielded a top twenty finish, a first 115 mph lap and a first bronze replica trophy prize.
Before these achievements, Road Racing News had an impromptu chat with ‘L-Pauch’.
Firstly, regarding opening MGP qualifying explorations.
“Really happy with this first practice, on the first lap I did not take any risks, for me slowly and I took a lot of pleasure, really happy.”
Whilst a rider debutant, Pauchard is no stranger to the Manx GP paddock, having been mechanic to Pierre Yves Bian in 2019 when the future TT podium finisher gained the Newcomers (A) race crown.
“I came here with him in 2019 as a mechanic, when I saw the first bike on the track, I thought I want to do that one day.
I came back home, and I bought my first bike, now I am here I am lucky that Pierre helped me a lot and I can call him, it’s good.”
Top Supersport pilot at the Boecourt-La-Caquerelle Hill Climb in July, Pauchard placed respectively sixteenth, fifteenth within the final IRRC Supersport Championship standings of 2023 and 2024.
The experience gained from IRRC outings, has put him in good stead for his biggest road racing challenge to date.
“I think it’s important, gain lot of experience, when I begin, I said I want to do one year in the IRRC without any crashes and last year I did that, it’s the reason I am here today.”
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
