Taking on Loon-Plage

03.11.26

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Loon-Plage (59)

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After a memorable season opener in Berck-sur-Mer, the Motoblouz French Sand Racing Championship heads to Loon-Plage (59), near Dunkirk, this weekend for the second round of the series. A record-breaking 1,200 riders will have the chance to race on the magnificent Bernard-Gouvart circuit, managed by the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM). FFM President Sébastien Poirier will be in attendance alongside Isabelle Andrieux, President of the Moto-Club du Littoral, which is organising this 29th edition of the Ronde des Sables. Will Todd Kellett and Mathilde Martinez give Honda a second consecutive victory? Can Harry Walker get the better of Randy Naveaux in the Quad category? And will Florian Miot and Pierre Goupillon be able to challenge Nicolas Dercourt in the Vintage class? We will find out this weekend at this major sand racing event, which is free for spectators and will also host the third round of the FIM World Championship. And if you can’t make it in person, you can follow all the action live on the CFS Motoblouz social media channels, the FFM YouTube channel and the france.tv platform:

• Saturday 7 November, from 2:20 pm: Quad race
• Sunday 8 November, from 1:45 pm: Moto CFS race

The first endurance race of the season, following the sprint format at the Beach-Cross de Berck, the Ronde des Sables will provide the stage for another battle between the leading riders in the sport. Three weeks ago, Todd Kellett claimed his 10th consecutive victory in the Motoblouz French Sand Racing Championship. His Honda Motoblouz SR Motul teammate, Belgian rider Cyril Genot, came agonisingly close to denying him another win, finishing less than two seconds behind. Will this incredible winning streak finally come to an end at Loon-Plage? We will have the answer on Sunday at around 4:30 pm. Milko Potisek and Norway’s Hakon Fredriksen will also be hoping to put an end to Kellett’s reign. Just behind these four leading contenders, the next generation of riders will be battling for the remaining podium places, with Joey Nuques, Adrien Petit and Damien Knuiman among those to watch. In the women’s category, Mathilde Martinez (Honda Motoblouz SR) dominated the opening round, but we are also looking forward to seeing her teammate April Franzoni make her debut on this particularly demanding circuit.

Saturday’s programme gets underway at 9 am with the Espoirs race. Then, at 10:30 am, the 300 riders entered in the Amateur Trophy will take to the track for two hours of racing. This year’s race will carry a special significance: at the organisers’ initiative, it will be named in honour of Raphaël Cholet, who tragically lost his life during the Gurp TT last January. The young rider from Normandy was a member of the Moto-Club du Littoral. The Quads take centre stage in the early afternoon (2:30 pm), with nearly 180 riders on the starting line. Belgian rider Randy Naveaux (NX Concept), who was less dominant last season, kicked off this year’s campaign with a victory and is the logical favourite. However, Britain’s Harry Walker (Drag’on), last year’s champion, has shown that he has what it takes to challenge for the win. Romain Colleatte, Mike Van Grisven and Jérémy Forestier will also be looking to make their mark, while Keveen Rochereau will be keen to bounce back after his mechanical problems in Berck. In the women’s Quad category, another duel is expected between Camille Petit and Kelly Verbraeken, with 15-year-old Dutch rider Mirte Van de Werken potentially ready to upset the balance.

On Sunday morning, the Juniors will take to the track from 10:30 am. Mathis Matte and Léa Lesoil will both be aiming for their second victory of the season. A little earlier, at 8:45 am, the Vintage race will get underway. Nicolas Dercourt made an immediate statement with victory in Berck. However, the eagerly awaited showdown with Florian Miot was cut short when the latter was forced to retire. Tom Pagès and Pierre Goupillon, who also failed to finish (DNF), will be looking to make amends. So make sure you set your alarm! In the women’s Vintage category, Aurélie François is once again expected to dominate.

Photos: Xavier Leporcher

Click here to discover the entry list for the 2026 Ronde des Sables de Loon-Plage