QUENTIN PRUGNIERES

1° Hello Quentin, can you tell us a little bit about your background at BUD RACING?
Hello everyone, yes of course! I’m 15 years old and I’m from Reunion Island. I joined BUD RACING for the 2019 season… I won the French “Espoirs” Championship, the European vice champion title and finished 4th in the World Championship. Last year I ride in 125 and I won again the title of French Champion (8th in Europe). This year, 3rd change of category in a row with the discovery of the 4 strokes and the 250 category!

2° So you have been French champion in 2 different categories and you are the only rider of the team to have tested (and appreciated!) 2 different tires ?
I have a long experience of this brand because I ride with these tires since 2016, I was still far from thinking joining the BUD RACING team that year! At the time, I had already tested for MICHELIN. I know the Starcross 5 product inside out, from 85 to 250, which is the best for me.

3° So you once again took part in the development of MICHELIN tires. What was the benefit for you?
I enjoy testing, it’s very interesting to talk to the technicians and that’s beneficial for me, the team and of course MICHELIN. From my point of view, the main strength of Starcross 5 is its versatility. These tires have a wide range of use on all surfaces. Finally, it’s also a safety feature that I feel confident with, even when they’re under stress and heavy use.

4° EICMA in 2019 was also a new experience, can you tell us about it?
In 2019, I was invited by MICHELIN to the Milan tradeshow and it was a great experience for me because I’d never been to such an important show before. I was also able to talk to prestigious MICHELIN ambassador drivers like Graham JARVIS, multiple enduro champion, and I even shared autograph sessions with him on their stand. I’m very happy to have had this experience with MICHELIN.

5° The final word?
Of course, I would like to thank MICHELIN. It’s very appreciable to be able to count on such an investment, just like during these tests. I would also like to thank my team and my coach for the confidence they have shown in me.

PIERO TARAMASSO

1° Hello Piero, for those of you who don’t know your very rich career at the highest level of the World competition, can you introduce yourself?
Hello everyone, I’ve been working for the MICHELIN group for more than 30 years. I started out in Italy as a quality technician, then moved on to become a test rider in France and the US. In 2001, I joined the Motorsport department through Formula 1 where I stayed for 6 years. Then came the motorcycle period with Moto GP, Superbike, endurance and then I took over the off road department. Since 2012, I have been in charge of the MICHELIN two-wheel world racing activity, which includes enduro, Moto GP, cross-country, electric motorcycle, trial and rally-raid disciplines.

2° After this itinerary marked out with very nice references and experiences, you are today in Saint d’Angély, the scene of the motocross GPs for many years. Did you know this site and have you had the opportunity in your busy career to work in the motocross environment?
I know the motocross since 2011, I even came to attend 2 Grand Prix here in Saint Jean d’Angély. It’s a unique circuit, fantastic for the fans because it offers almost total visibility and the atmosphere is always excellent.

3° The BUD RACING team is entering its third year of collaboration with MICHELIN, but apart from product testing and development, the team is also working with a company to enhance product benefits since the Starcross 5 tire sold by BUD RACING is the same tire used by the drivers. Is this an asset for MICHELIN?
Our tires are tested by top-level riders in extreme conditions and on all types of surfaces and different temperatures. The feedback from BUD RACING is very valuable to us, because once the product is validated internally, it is then marketed to the end customer, who will then have access to tires developed by top riders. Finally, it is very valuable to be able to count on BUD RACING as a specialist dealer with real expertise. The collaboration is therefore total and covers the entire chain, from development to the general public.

4° You were yesterday at the circuit of Navarrenx. Another track and soil texture, what are the lessons learned from this first day of work with the BUD RACING team?
It is a very different circuit from Saint d’Angély because it is narrower, stony and has a different soil texture. It was a complementary and enriching experience. The service is complete for us! In addition and in a broader way, the expertise of BUD RACING is very useful to us for the return of their riders to test both prototypes, production tires but also the “Bib Mousse”.

5° What are MICHELIN’s core values that can be transposed to the world of racing today?
MICHELIN is a long-established company that is particularly attached to respect for its employees, partners and customers. Group spirit and cohesion are also deeply rooted in our company, to which we must add loyalty. Loyalty that can also be found with our teams and riders, always with the same passion and desire to build over the long term, as is the case here with BUD RACING. Finally, we are also concerned about respecting the environment in many ways because we develop “green” products that respect the planet. In this sense, we have zero-emission factories and we work on mixtures coming from organic and natural culture. This is the direction we are going in today.

6° Finally, you have honored us with your presence, will we see the return of Piero TARAMASSO this on a motocross event when the sanitary conditions will allow us?
Yes of course! Motocross fascinates me, as soon as possible I will be sincerely delighted to return here. The Moto GP absorbs a lot of my time but I intend to free myself as soon as I have the opportunity!

Interview by Fabrice DUFRESNE / Off Course

Off Course
Hello Thierry, thank you for introducing yourself in a few words, especially to the youngest ones who don’t know your huge prize list!

Thierry Van Den Bosch
I am originally from Nérac in the Lot et Garonne. First season of motocross at 10 years old, a discipline that I practiced until the age of 18 years old… Then I made a career in the Supermotard interspersed by a speed period (250 GP then Supersport), the whole in World Championship. When I hung up the leather, I obtained a sports coach diploma and I am now involved with young people as a coach.

OC
You join the BUD RACING team at the end of 2015 and immediately win your first major title with Stéphane DASSE’s team.

VDB
We became vice 250cc European champion for my debut with the American rider Darian SANAYEI, then we followed up this time with a 125cc European champion title conquered by Brian MOREAU… My second career was launched!

OC
This season 2021 saw the arrival of 3 new recruits in addition to Quentin PRUGNIERES and Amandine VERSTAPPEN both reigning French champions with BUD RACING. Can you introduce them by evoking their strong points and the areas where they must progress ?

VDB
We have a very good workforce this year as we have recruited a promising young Norwegian, Hakon FREDRIKSEN, who was 3rd in 250 Europe last year at only 17 years old. Complete driver, he is formidable in the sand but learns quickly on the hard since he joined us. He combines a great technique with a real physical strength… He does not have a common profile but we will aim together for the title of European champion.

In addition, we welcomed this winter two new and very young “support” pilots, the COENEN brothers from Belgium. Sacha has like Hakon a very good speed in the sand. The change of category is not simple (from the 85cc to the 125cc) but the progress is constant… Just like Lucas who follows the steps of his brother even if he took a little delay due to an injury a few months ago. Both are listening to us which is essential to reach the highest level. There is a very good emulation between these riders especially since Quentin, French champion in 85cc as well as in 125cc, is a little bit their elder representing the example to be followed.

OC
We are still in the off-season but the team is not unemployed since you have done many tests since the beginning of the year. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

VDB
Both the 250 and the 125 are new motorcycles. The KX 250 is very well born and gives us full satisfaction. For the 125, it is a BUD RACING prototype with a KAWASAKI cycle part. Of course, we’ve been working on it since the beginning of the winter and are still in the testing phase, constantly developing and testing both the chassis and engine, as well as the tires from our partner MICHELIN.

OC
The final word?

VDB
2021 represents a very nice challenge for us with ambitious and seasoned drivers like Quentin even if he changes category. We are impatient to see Hakon at work as well, who will also win in 250. I don’t doubt for a moment that Amandine, for her part, will take a step forward. The COENEN brothers will demonstrate, like their teammates, the full extent of their talent. Finally, let’s welcome the arrival of a new title sponsor 9MM Energy Drink who, apart from the financial aspect, contributes to a real synergy and group cohesion and who shares the common point of our winning culture!

Since January 1, 2021, the French team has been associated on a multi-year contract with a new player in the energy drink industry with international ambitions.

9 MM ENERGY DRINK is a brand that has had the audacity to market both a content with unique and refreshing flavors but also and above all an extraordinary and particularly innovative design ( https://9mmenergydrink.com/ ) that displays a strong personality easily recognizable and identifiable from whereever you are.
Rarely has a brand slogan been so close to a motocross team: “Reach your target”.

A new start for new ambitions but also a change in continuity for Stéphane Dassé, the team manager, who has increased his ambitions with a strike force expanded to 5 riders: The new recruit Hakon 427 FREDRIKSEN is none other than the 3rd in the 2020 250cc European Championship. The latter has taken up residence in the South West from his native Norway. His teammate in the category is well known to young fans as it is the double French champion Quentin 319 PRUGNIERES who is moving up in the category (for the third consecutive year) and will discover the formidable all new KAWASAKI KX 250. Amandine 274 VERSTAPPEN, Women French Champion in 2020, will ride the green bike one more year and will also be entered in the World Championship. To these three “Two fifty” riders are added two young Belgian prodigies, the twins Lucas 93 and Sacha 19 COENEN (also reigning French champion for the latter, in the 85cc category) who have high hopes under their new colors now in the 125cc category. All five will be coached by the experienced Thierry VAN DEN BOSCH the trainer of the team, in World, European and French championships.

Steve CLAVETTE, President of 9 MM ENERGY DRINK :
“The entire 9MM ENERGY DRINK team is proud to be associated with the renowned Bud Racing team. This agreement represents more than a simple sponsorship, it is the beginning of an adventure together where we want to combine our values, our passions and our ambitions and promote the surpassing of oneself. Bud Racing is known for training and helping young riders reach their target and this is exactly in line with our brand philosophy. We can’t all be world champions, but we can all be better day after day. It is with this enthusiasm that we will proudly work together. Just like Bud Racing, 9MM is a story that started with a dream and has grown with a lot of perseverance and passion. Now we want to continue to innovate and achieve great things together. Because yes, in 2021, 9MM will innovate the world of energy drinks! On your marks, get set, Reach you Target!

Stéphane DASSE, Team manager 9MM ENERGY DRINK BUD RACING KAWASAKI :
“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to express the pride and enthusiasm of being associated with 9MM ENERGY DRINK. Even before tasting the product, we were already conquered by the logo and especially the fantastic design including this ingenious cap. Thanks to their precious involvement and a multi-year contract, we will do everything possible to “reach our target” both in competition and distribution where BUD RACING will also be involved alongside its new partner. For the anecdote and coincidence, it’s funny to note that our Bud Racing Army video was already in the spotlight just a few weeks before our first contact. Finally, I would like to welcome 9MM ENERGY DRINK with whom I hope we will share many victories and podiums with another major partner: KAWASAKI, one of the most loyal partners of the BUD RACING team since 2007 “.

BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Lorenzo Locurcio ended the season seventh in the EMX250 Motocross Championship, while Quentin Prugnières ended eighth in the EMX125 after the final rounds at Lommel in Belgium.

The Venezuelan, who joined the team and the series during the summer and had thus missed the opening round in March, quickly settled into his new environment and strung together a number of impressive performances, highlighted by three moto podiums plus a third place overall at the sixth round of the series in Italy. Despite no previous experience of the tortuous deep sand he faced for the final two rounds at Lommel he displayed admirable resolve to post top-fifteen finishes in each of the four motos (12/15 and 14/10), showing improvement each time to secure tenth place in the last race of the series and a seventh in the final championship classification

Quentin Prugnières ended the season with his best result, always scoring his best race during the second moto! Eleventh overall (14/8) at the first Lommel, Quentin was stronger during the final round of the series with a seventh overall (14/4) and a great second moto in the deep Belgium sands. For his first season in the 125 class, Quentin secures an eighth position overall, best “Rookie” of the class.

In the EMX250 Pierre Goupillon was eventually classified twenty-first in the final series standings after a season interrupted by injuries. The Frenchman sat out the three final races after suffering a dislocation of the knee for the second time in a fortnight at the penultimate round on Saturday; he faces an operation in November.

Lorenzo Locurcio: “I had a big crash on Tuesday during the qualifying session and hurt my ankle; after that it was a struggle. I had a lot of pain all day but my tenth place in the second race secured my seventh place in the series. My thanks to BUD Racing and Kawasaki for giving me the opportunity to race the series.”

Quentin Prugnières: “It’s great to end the season with a good result, finally! It was a tough event, the most difficult races for me as the track was rough but finally I had some fun for my first time here at Lommel. I am just disappointed as I didn’t get any podium this season in the EMX 125 after my French 125 title.”