Checking in With Charles LeFrancois

April 11, 2019

Checking in With Charles LeFrancois

There was a fresh face on the main event starting line in Houston a couple weeks ago. Frenchman Charles LeFrancois made it to NRG Stadium after a long drive from Los Angeles, just in time to tech his bike and walk the track. In qualifying, he made it into the Triple Crown main events and looked solid aboard his borrowed Suzuki RM-Z450. Though he barely missed the main in Nashville, he will have three more chances to achieve his goal of 15th in a 450 main this weekend in Denver, and in the last two events in New Jersey and Las Vegas. Charles reached out via e-mail in search of some photos of himself, so we fired off a few questions, too!

What is your hometown and how old are you?

I live in Rennes in Bretagne in France and I am 28 years old.

Can you give me some history about your racing career?

My best results are third in the 2010 French MX Championship. I have one victory in French Supercross. I was third in the European Championship EMX2 behind Romain Febvre and Dylan Ferrandis in 2011. I finished fourth in the French MX Championship in 2011. I finished second in the German Supercross Championship behind Tyler Bowers in 2018.

How did you line up your ride in the United States for Supercross? Can you tell me about your Stateside effort?

With the help of my team SR75, we all set up to participate in four events of the American championship in Houston, Nashville, Denver, and Las Vegas. it’s a lot of organization to find a motorcycle, a truck, and parts for the bike.

Why didn’t you start the season at Anaheim?
For sure for me, it’s easier to begin the championship in Anaheim One because the race is not far. But I have the same date with the German Supercross Championship and UK Arenacross so it was not possible for me to come to Anaheim One.

Were you racing in France also?
I raced in the French Championship Supercross and Pro Hexis Supercross and some motocross also.

I’ve heard that you arrived just in time for the race in Houston?
Yes, it was very close. With my friend Manu, we had 2550 km of travel from Los Angeles to Houston and 300 kilometers before Houston we had a big problem with the van of my team manager. The cylinder head gasket is dead. Every 50 kilometers we had to stop to put water in the engine. We arrived Friday at 11 pm but I recovered the new bike at the JGR Suzuki team only Saturday morning. It was a really short time to make the mechanic registration and to look at the track but finally, it was ok.

Was it difficult to jump on the bike straight away? Or did you bring your own parts from home to make it feel familiar?

Yes, for the first free practice is not easy for me because the bike was completely new. But after it was ok. I brought my own suspensions my handelbars. I ride with the same rear sprocket and I have the support of Pirelli USA. I have the FMF pipes, too. Finally, I have the same bike as in France. My engine is standard the engine of the RM-Z450 is awesome.

The day seemed to go great for you…fastest time in B group, fourth place in the LCQ…good results in the mains?

Yes, I am really happy to qualify in the main 450. It was my goal before I arrived in the USA. It’s a childhood dream for me. But after in the main I was completely tired because I have many problems with my van on the road when I come to Houston. It was a long way from Los Angeles to Houston…2550 km!

What do you think of the Triple Crown format?

I like the format of the triple crown. There are only three of them in the season so it is really cool. No more…that would be too many. I think it is good for the spectators because there is always good racing. But, I like also the traditional format.

What are your goals for the next three rounds?

My first goal is always to qualify in the main and if I make it, I would like to finish 15th. That would be really cool.

Will you compete in any MX Nationals?