By Host last weekend, for round three of this year’s ‘Championnat de France de la Montagne’ was the 1.087 miles (1750 metres) long, public roads Essertines En Donzy to Panissieres hill-climb venue.
The 37th meeting edition – organised by AMPR ‘Assocciation Motocycliste de la Region Panissieroise’, found near Lyon, featured local hero, 39 years old, fastest French TT exponent in history, Amalric Blanc (first meeting tenure since 2023).
Five years ago in 2021, Blanc (third in Superbike category standings – 0.48.641) set a track-record time which still stands, 0.47.166 seconds.
Also competing were Southern 100 debutant this month, IRRC Superbike racer over recent times Steven Bellavoine (P8 SBK – P9 SSP) and another IRRC experienced rider, Thierry Brunel (P7 – SSP).
Overall, Superbike field winner was Hugo Grange-Martin (47.654) with Supersport triumph acquired by Joe Thauront (48.178), besting Joffray Lelievre (48.455 – additionally P2 in SBK results sheet – 47.994).
Already profiled Grange-Martin, Lelievre are current SBK, Supersport Championship leaders before the next four French Hill Climb Championship rounds at Petit Abergement (25th-26th July), Marlhes (15th-16th August), Frangy (29th-30th Agust) and finale at Merleac in Brittany (19th-20th September).
Top 10 Superbike/Supersport finishers from 2026 Essertines En Donzy/Panissieres time-trial, are as follows:
(Best track time located near racers names)
Superbike:
1st – Hugo Grange-Martin – 47.654
2nd – Joffray Lelievre – 47.994
3rd – Amalric Blanc – 48.641
4th – Simon Perret – 48.838
5th – Damien Duck – 49.971
6th – Franck Fournier-Bidoz – 50.420
7th – Jeremy Biaggi – 50.683
8th – Steven Bellavoine – 50.687
9th – Jean Francois Duchemin – 50.811
10th – Cedric Poizot – 50.979
Supersport:
1st – Joe Thauront – 48.178
2nd – Joffray Lelievre – 48.455
3rd – Vincent Pfister – 49.186
4th – Yanis Carleton – 49.673
5th – Denis Poncet – 49.807
6th – Francis Blanchon – 50.000
7th – Thierry Brunel – 50.065
8th – Yoan Poloni – 50.434
9th – Steven Bellavoine – 50.602
10th – Damien Galfre – 50.732
Words by Jan Vavra
