Going back to the USA straight after his successful Bercy Supercross, Christophe Pourcel came back in Europe last week to attend the FIM prize giving ceremony in Monaco. Pourcel, as well as the World and European Motocross and Supermoto champions, celebrated in the prestigious Monte Carlo Bay Hotel alongside Stefan Everts (MX1) and Yves Demaria (MX3).
Pourcel knew that he would get a trophy when he came in Monaco, but he didn't tell his father! Roger Pourcel, Patrick Geladi and the entire staff, received a trophy to celebrate the first World title of the young GPKR team, from Giuseppe Luongo (Youthstream President).
“I didn't expect this trophy, and it's a nice reward for the team. I'm really pleased to see that the sportive authorities recognized the young teams, and provide them support,” explained Roger.
They are already working to prepare for next season; the GPKR staff will have to defend his young reputation. “We can't say that this trophy will put more pressure on us, because since we announced that we would build a team we always did our best to do well. We are working hard for 07, and last week with Patrick we remembered that one year ago our workshop was empty! We got great results this season, but we made also some mistakes and at the moment we are working to be even stronger. I know that we'll be ready, and next year we'll have the full support of the Kawasaki factory, as well as Jan De Groot in the MX1 class. It's so important to have this support, and we're pleased to have built such a great relationship within one season,” ended Roger who will move soon with his wife to the USA, where he will be joined by both his sons Christophe and Sibastien for Christmas.
Patrick Geladi, Rodger's partner was of course pleased to get this award. “It was a real surprise, as usually there's just a trophy for the winning manufacturer, not for the winning team. We started the season without thinking to the World title, but for sure our goal will be different next year. First of all we'll be there to defend and renew our title, and we know that it will not be that easy! But we'll have potential champions in several classes, so why we couldn't dream to claim several titles? The base of the team stays similar with Gregory Aranda, Christophe and Sibastien Pourcel, and we'll have with us Livia Lancelot and Thierry Godfroid who will do the Ladies and Veterans World Cups. Concerning the technical staff we're pleased to continue with Jeremy and Laurent, who will work respectively with Christophe and Gregory, while Luc Breugemans joining us to work with Sibastien,” explained Geladi who is helping Roger to prepare for the up-coming season.
The team will enter the pre-season races of Mantova (Italy, February 11th) and Valence (France, february 25th) and then will be involved in the French (Livia Lancelot and Sibastien Pourcel) and Belgian (Christophe Pourcel and Gregory Aranda) championships.