After an intense struggle, the pilot from Genebrières climbs for the first time on the highest step in the Sarthe. A victory that could open up horizons for him.
By crossing the line, the pilot could savor. Winning an event as legendary as the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto is not for everyone. With his finger in the air, Guillaume Antiga could explode with joy after a complicated season in the supersport championship.
Do we finally find you smiling?
That’s it. I had a somewhat complicated 2019 with a mid-season injury. However, everything has been going well since I joined Honda; we start a new story with the new motorcycle. In addition, I am the only official Honda elite superbike rider.
But isn’t the superbike championship alone?
No (smile). At the same time, we are participating in the world endurance championship, which includes the 24 hours of Le Mans. Also thanks to the National Motorcycle Team I had the chance to participate again this year, and with happiness (smile).
What is the difference between superbike and superstock?
The stock are slightly modified series motorcycles, where the suspensions and the electric harness are modified, the engine remaining as standard. The superbike are prototype motorcycles.
You win in superstock but you are not far in the general scratch?
We actually finished in fourth place in the general classification, behind three prototype motorcycles and therefore ahead of many other prototypes. We are very proud of this because I believe no one has done better in stock or maybe done so well. This proves that the CBR 1000 triple R is truly magical.
Explain your 24 hours to us?
Not easy (smile). I managed to set the best time to get a good place on the grid. As for the race, we were reduced to two drivers after the 10th hour of the race so we had to increase the stints and keep the pace because we were first on the same lap as the others. We waited for the night for the temperatures to drop and to benefit from our best tires in these conditions. We then pushed ahead until 9 am to be three laps ahead. We then managed the last three hours. We handled it really well.
Did you know your two teammates?
Endurance is a team race. You should not go off with a gun, of course, personally I would have perhaps preferred to ride faster at the start but endurance is a management and we preferred to manage in the heat and accelerate at night.
So, fifth participation and first victory?
Exactly. My first at Le Mans was at 18 and it’s my second podium. Now we must take advantage of this result.
A success in Sarthe must necessarily open doors, right?
We’ll see. I think that in any case it can not close. It’s up to us to do the right thing (smile). Winning races like this gives access to the factory teams within two years, being an official Honda HRC rider at the world endurance championship, I don’t hide it. It would be a childhood dream come true.
Le Mans was the first race in the world endurance championship. What is the next step in the program?
We will try to follow up in Estoril in mid-July before the Bol d’Or in September and Suzuka in Japan in November. It is clear that we will try to keep this place.
Are you continuing the superbike championship?
Of course, we have two programs with Honda: speed and endurance. I also give coaching courses to clients.
Another dream than endurance, the superbike?
The continuity would be to continue with a factory team (Editor’s note: official team) in endurance, or even go to a foreign championship. A speed world championship? Why not, this is my basic category. The desire to do the superbike world championship is there too, I am young. But between wanting and doing it there is a difference. It’s up to me to improve myself and to work a lot.
You were in the last few days at the Selves de Montauban establishments to present your trophy to them. An obligatory passage?
No, but I couldn’t not come. They have been following me since I started, almost 17 years ago. They were there at the beginning, are still there and it is also thanks to them that I am here.
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