By France has always enjoyed a stern presence on IOM shores and this year will be the same, with the tricolour flag steadfastly represented again by riders including two potential quick Manx Grand Prix newcomers, Gabriel Pons and Stephane Bednarek.
Firstly, spotlight on Gabriel ‘PonPon’ Pons from Toulouse.
The fastest French, overall, eighth quickest Circuit De Chimay pilot (PB lap-time 1.37.378 from 2024, debut there in 2022), he attained last year IRRC Superbike Race 1 spoils at Chimay (Open Trophy meeting), besting 2022 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup winner Adam McLean.
Well-known for EWC (Endurance World Championship) exploits with the experimental Metiss bike, Pons will be competing in next month’s ’24 Heures Moto’ alongside MGP/TT experienced French riders, Wayne Bourgeais, Lancelot Unissart and John-Ross Billega.
Onto thirty-six years old aeronautical mechanic by profession, Parisian racer Stephane Bednarek (Team F.R.T Yamaha mounted for 2026 ESR Superbike Championship, Manx GP machine – R6 Yamaha).
One of France’s most improved real road racers, he achieved in 2025, a very creditable twenty first place finish in Merrow Hotel & Spa Superbike Northwest 200 race, as Triangle course newcomer (personal best lap time – 113.993 mph), finished twelfth in the final IRRC Superbike standings.
Plus, since last August, he is officially the fastest French, Horice exponent, with a top lap-time of 2.17.920, just ahead of previous holder of this title, Jonathan ‘La Buche’ Goetschy (2.18.122 in 2018).
As we have already mentioned, France has prominent representation again on Manx shores in 2026, confirmed TT entrants are:
Present fastest French TT racer Amalric Blanc (new Never Be Clever Racing team signing), Eddy Ferre (Optimark Road Racing), Pierre-Yves Bian (PHR Performance), Timothee Monot (Timothee Monot Racing) and above discussed, EWC Basomba Racing team member Wayne Bourgeais.
There will also be three female Sidecar passengers Emmanuelle Clement, Melanie Farnier and Anais Rosset, respectively competing aside Todd Ellis, Tim Reeves, and Eric Lenser.
French Mountain Course racing alumni, still to unveil 2026 plans include 2025 TT, Manx GP participants, Julien Cregniot, Gerald Dath, previously illuminated, Lancelot Unissart, Kevin Rigot, Peter Lionel, Nicolas Therouin, Thibaud Doutre and Quentin Limousin. Richard Vuillermet also endeavours to continue his IOM racing career.
Fingers crossed all French racers, have prosperous racing expeditions this year on ‘Mona’s Isle’ including above featured MGP newbies, Gabriel Pons and Stephane Bednarek.
Photo credit: Jan Vavra
Words by Jan Vavra
