This weekend, Randy de Puniet will abandon the microphone that he has regularly held on the Canal + antenna for a little over two years.
And the reason is good: the man at the 140 Grands Prix (between 2006 and 2013) will take over the handlebars of a motorcycle.
It will be behind closed doors on the Le Mans circuit for the 24 hours (start this Saturday at noon).
At 40, he will be riding the No. 96 Yamaha for a French team, Team Moto Ain, double winner of the 2019-2020 FIM Superstock World Cup, and who will make his debut in EWC ( the World Endurance Championship).
. @ RandydePuniet14 will now be able to express his talents riding a #Yamaha during the next # 24hMotos @FIM_EWC @ robinmulhauser # FIMEWC #EnduranceRacing #Moto https://t.co/KXBpSCkdI8
- 24 Heures Motos (@ 24heuresmotos) March 31, 2021
“I have known Pierre Chapuis (
Editor's note:
the boss
) for twenty years, underlines the young quadra, on his way to the Sarthois circuit in order to fine-tune the final adjustments.
His team deserves its place in the premier category.
We regularly exchanged mechanical advice.
And then he offered to join them this year.
As I am very busy, I thought a little before accepting.
It allows me to ride this year and especially to make myself happy.
The bike is good, there is a way to do something interesting.
I go there without pressure, and in general, it works well like that.
"
Two podiums to his credit
In five participations at Le Mans, the Yvelinois has done three poles and is on the podium twice (3rd in 2007, 2nd in 2019). Neither has he won in the other two legendary endurance races, with a 2nd place at the Suzuka 8 Hours 2014, and another at the Bol d'Or in 2016. “The 24 Hours is an event that I like. Participating for the first time with a Yamaha is a challenge that I wanted to take up. If I can pull everyone to the top, that's cool, but I'm not alone. It's something we share with Robin (Mulhauser) and Roberto (Rolfo), my two teammates, and the rest of the team. "
This sharing, however, will not be discussed with the spectators.
Unlike the F1 French Grand Prix in a week's time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto, which were however postponed by two months, take place behind closed doors.
“It's sad, I don't understand this decision, especially when you see that the public is there in MotoGP.
The noise in the stands at the start is what makes the charm of this race.
It was already the case last year, and I did not want to take the start.
"
To read also MotoGP: "A chance to have two champions like Quartararo and Zarco", welcomes Randy De Puniet
From the following weekend at Le Mans, Randy De Puniet will resume his consultancy activity for Canal +, with the possible satisfaction of seeing French pilots shine at the German Grand Prix: “All French bikers are well aware of Fabio's successes. Quartararo and Johann Zarco. They came at the right time for the channel, which is experiencing a big audience boom (one million viewers on average at each Grand Prix). I cannot choose between our two champions. They have different temperaments, I just know that it's not always the fastest who wins… ”
After Sachsenring, the native of Maisons-Laffitte will still have eleven races to vibrate at the microphone. He will then be able to return more regularly to his parents' home, in Poissy (Yvelines): “It's true that I don't have too much time for them with everything I do outside. Later, I will perhaps refocus, with why not an activity with young bikers who have passion. I will be happy about it. "