By Increasing and increasing in stature within the pure roads fraternity, another truly first rate entry has been accumulated by championship organisers, for the latest instalment of the IRRC Supersport series, which begins this weekend in the Netherlands, at Hengelo.
Title favourite for various roads insiders, roads aficionados is reigning champion Matthieu Lagrive.
Former World Supersport championship competitor Lagrive a newcomer in 2018 to IRRC affiliated competition, dominated last years series, scoring in total seven race wins, three second place finishes, and accumulating overall 11 podium finishes from 12 race starts.
Photo by Pekka Varis
Sticking with the Wepol Road Racing outfit, for his title defence, it’s going to take super human displays and some to stop YZF R6 Yamaha mounted Lagrive, from joining a select group of racers to have retained an IRRC crown.
Amongst the anticipated biggest threats to Lagrive’s title defence, include fellow countryman Pierre Yves Bian.
Consistently in contention for series honours, new Optimark Road Racing signing Yves Bian, has the proven front running pace, pedigree and growing series experience, to put himself in prime contention this year, for a maiden IRRC title.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Same applies to fellow middleweight class specialist, Thomas Walther. Part again of the Team Schleizer Dreieck set up, like counterpart Yves Bian, he will pilot in 2019 YZF R6 Yamaha machinery.
Others more than capable of contending for the middleweight class title, include former double champion Laurent Hoffmann, Christian Schmitz and Dafit Moto Racing’s Kamil Holan, who like last year will take in a full seasons competition within both of the IRRC Supersport/Superbike championships.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Don’t discount as well the likes of Performance Racing Achterhoek’s Ilja Caljouw, Thomas Wendel and Italy’s Luca Gottardi from contending regularly throughout 2019, for first rate results.
Further depth to the entry is provided by accomplished roads exponents, such as Kai Zentner, Mike Ceuppens (Texas Racing), Finland’s Anssi Koski and prospective Manx GP debutant Krystian Paluch.
Highly accomplished TT Races exponent Xavier Denis (Optimark Road Racing), will also be one to watch as will Speed Up Moto 2 mounted Henrik Voit.
Photo by Robby Repsol
In total 19 riders, are set to take in the six rounds of the 2019 IRRC Supersport championship, which as in recent years will take in races in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Finland, Belgium and Germany.
Words by Stevie Rial
