By Clashing with the Armoy Road Races, Kopcany Road Races and Open Trophy event at Circuit De Chimay (25th-26th June), the fourth ‘Championnat de France de la Montagne’ round of 2026, took place on the Le Petit-Abergement to Haut-Valromey public roads course.
The tenth event edition, organised by Ain Motorcycle Union, proved tumultuous for Joffray Lelievre, setting new outright, Superbike (1.15.277) and Supersport (1.16.408) lap-records on route to wins in both categories.
Lelievre’s new record lap-time was over two seconds quicker than the previous best ‘Le Petit-Abergement’ time, held by Bob Bardot (1.17.359 from 2022).
2026 Southern 100 exponents, racing aside Lelievre were Steven Bellavoine (P4 x2, 1.17.961 – SSP / 1.17.968 – SBK) and Loic Sirot (P8 in Supersport class – 1.19.502). The fastest female rider was Oceane Ferry (1.21.714 in ‘Promo 2’ category).
Added female participants included Marie-Claire Meresse (1.27.052 – Promo 3 class), Natacha Cons (1.27.790 – Superbike), Julie Benard (1.30.107 – Supersport), Celia Berardi (1.36.686 – Supersport).
Landshaag time-trial competitor earlier this year, Julie ‘Juju’ Orlando (1.38.166 – Supersport), Isalyne Laverriere (1.45.761 – Power 25 class) and Sarah Momen (2.29.941 – Promo 1 class).
Concluding ‘Championnat de France de la Montagne’ rounds will be at Marlhes (15th-16th August), Frangy (29th-30th August) and season finale at Merleac (19th-20th September).
Top 10 finishers for Superbike/Supersport categories from Le Petit-Abergement 2026, are as follows:
(Best track time located near racers names)
Superbike:
1st – Joffray Lelievre – 1.15.277 (New Overall/Superbike track record)
2nd – Hugo-Grange Martin – 1.16.469
3rd – Jean Francois Duchemin – 1.17.887
4th – Steven Bellavoine – 1.17.968
5th – Simon Perret – 1.18.911
6th – Damien Duck – 1.18.980
7th – Uwe Rademacher – 1.19.269
8th – Cedric Poizot – 1.20.348
9th – Thomas Dominot – 1.20.362
10th – Franck-Fournier Bidoz – 1.20.494
Supersport:
1st – Joffray Lelievre – 1.16.408 (New Supersport track record)
2nd – Joe Thauront – 1.17.437
3rd – Cyril Mounier – 1.17.772
4th – Vincent Pfister – 1.17.924
5th – Steven Bellavoine – 1.17.961
6th – Florent Forgeois – 1.18.042
7th – Yanis Carleton – 1.19.276
8th – Loic Sirot – 1.19.502
9th – Wiliam Ginet-Chamley – 1.20.142
10th – Uwe Rademacher – 1.20.613
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Jan Vavra
