Gregory Leblanc, Fabien Foret and Matthieu Lagrive, top of French Endurance riders, will be at the core of the Team SRC during their 11th season competing in the Endurance Championship.
All riders are motivated to achieve a single aim, to get on the top step of the podium across the entire season. Here is the strategy that will be deployed by throughout the Endurance Championship 2015:
• Goal 1: The 24 Hours of Le Mans race held on 18 and 19 April 2015.
• Goal 2: Fly the French flag from the top step of the podium at the 8 hours of Suzuka on 26 July.
• Goal 3: Win the 8 hours of Oscherleben race on 21 August.
• Goal 4: Raise high winners golden cup of the Bol d'Or which will be held for the first time after a long break on the fantastic Le Castellet racetrack on 19 and 20 September.
• Goal 5: meet all Kawasaki, Endurance Team SRC and the Ninja ZX-10R # 11 fans during the Paris motorcycle show held from 1 to 6 December at the Parc des Expositions of Porte de Versailles in Paris.
Commenting at the start of their epic 2015 journey, the riders were interviewed – here are their answers:
Matthieu Lagrive
Why are you pleased to sign for one more year with Kawasaki ?
I am very happy after some great times and set-backs in my career that Kawasaki trust me for 2015. I am impatient to ride this crazy machine again.
What are your goals for 2015 ?
The first goal is to win all 3 European races and then to make a great result at Suzuka. I honestly think we are able to climb on the podium there.
What is your training for this season?
I train every day in an intensive way in order to be at my best when the season begins.
Which is your best memory so far with Kawasaki ?
My last good memory was during the 24h Le Mans qualifications that showed we have the abilities to ride very fast and faster than the others. (pole position for #11)
Something to say to your fans?
Stay behind us, we will be present for you on the track !
Grégory Leblanc
Why are you pleased to sign for one more year with Kawasaki ?
It is a great satisfaction to sign with Kawasaki for a new year. The Ninja ZX-10R is a winning machine and has won so munch both in Endurance and in Superbike. Despite the arrival of new machines in 2015, I am sure that the #11 remains the best bike.
What are your goals for 2015 ?
I have 2 goals, to win the French Superbike for the third time and to win the Championship Endurance title.
What is your training for this season?
I had not the possibility to ride this winter but I made a huge physical training, more intense than previous years in order to be ready and efficient for the beginning of the season.
Which is your best memory so far with Kawasaki ?
My best memory with Kawasaki is when I won the 24h of Le Mans in 2010. It was my first year with Kawasaki and my first victory in Le Mans. As a result, this victory remains a little more than the other ones.
Something to say to your fans?
Thank you for following us, to believe in us and in our team. We will do our best for 2015.
Fabien Foret
Why are you pleased to sign for one more year with Kawasaki ?
Of course I am very happy to renew my contract with Kawasaki and especially this year because we will participate in the entire world championship. Moreover, I have stopped my world superbike career, as a result I will be able to focus entirely to the program that I always liked.
What are your goals for 2015 ?
I have a competition spirit, so I have clearly high ambitions for this new season. I hope we will be able to fight against strong competitors and I am sure that we have the abilities in order to do so. Moreover, it is the end of my career, so I want to finish it on a very good point.
What is your training for this season?
My training is more or less the same as before, I mean it is based mainly on bicycle training which is very good for the heart. In addition I make some muscular reinforcement.
Which is your best memory with Kawasaki ?
It is hard to answer because i have a lot of memories with Kawasaki but if I had to choose, my victory in Endurance in March 2013 and the one in Philip-Island in 2007 in world Supersport championship are my better memories.
Something to say to your fans?
I am very excited to find them back in Le Mans where the Kawasaki fans are so numerous and where the passion for the brand allows us to give always more.