 
Alain Blanchard: "A very good year for the WEC"
On the eve of the ISDE in Figueira da Foz from October 12th to 17th,
Alain BLANCHARD, promoter of MAXXIS FIM WEC is already preparing 2010
season. After 2009 series marked by the success of the Super Test and an
increasing affluence, the conductor of World Enduro Championship wishes
to pursuit next season in continuity. Interview.
ABC COM: Championship was achieved in apotheosis with the Grand Prix
of France. What assessment do you draw from 2009 MAXXIS FIM WEC?
Alain Blanchard: The season has been very positive! World Enduro does
not undergo the crisis if we can say. Frankly, with the FIM we had many
fears at the beginning of season, on the level of the engagement of the
teams, amongst participants and of the championship’s general
stability. Finally the series were very well held sportingly. The
permanent dialog that I maintained with teams and manufacturers pays.
With the FIM, we had our feet firmly planted on the ground. It is always
tempting to add 1, 2 or 3 Grand Prix to the calendar, but it is perhaps
not the good moment. Since 2004 and my involvement on the WEC as a
promoter, Enduro changed a lot. I think that during a period
economically hard, it is necessary to be careful. Therefore with the FIM
we did not want to multiply the number of races and the costs of the
season. I think that in 2009 the WEC did well. There were eight
beautiful Grand Prix from a sporting point of view, with many new
organizing clubs. Trip in Mexico in particular made controversy, but at
the end it was a success. It made it possible to promote the WEC in
Latin America. The spectator numbers are also raising in comparison of
2008, sincerely it is a very good year for the WEC.
Which Grand Prix will be the reference in 2009?
Let’s say that there was a good quality on the whole of the Grand
Prix. There was a solid Grand Prix of Portugal to start. The WEC
discovered in Sardinia a very beautiful test, surely one of best that we
made in Italy. Finland will remain as the best-organized race, in a very
professional way. We also rediscovered there a public who waited us for
four years. Slovakia managed to face rain and difficult conditions.
Mexico offered an exotic and festive event. Greece is like a second
house for the WEC. Finally the French final in Saint-Flour will stay a
mix of all the best ingredients of the season, with a great sporting
quality, a good weather and an impressive crowd, at the image of all the
year.
The infirmary of the WEC was busy at the end of the season. How do
you explain it?
The Grand Prix of Greece with its hot temperatures was very difficult,
because some of the best places in the standings were played there. The
ground was hard too, with more chances to be hurt. And more generally
the sporting level improves. At end of season, riders are also in
renegotiation of their contracts, so they have to attack a little bit
more. However I think that the season has been quickly played concerning
the titles in the four categories. It is a kind of regret. Fortunately
Antoine Meo awoke Enduro 1 by signing an exceptional end of year. I am
not certain that with an additional race, Mika Ahola would be world
champion. In E2, Johnny Aubert dominated without possible discussion. At
E3, Ivan Cervantes won all his races by signing an stronger last lap,
even if Christophe Nambotin offered him adversity. Oriol Mena among
Juniors was the most experienced, he has already five international
seasons.
How do you explain that the WEC is still drawing more and more
motocross riders?
They are welcome. Even if generally, there were more failures than
successes in the balance. But team managers, who search riders able to
win, are right to pick in this fishpond because the Enduro Juniors are
not always ready. Enduro is business of control and experience of
competition. Those who leave the Junior championship are still a little
tender, it is necessary to let them time to affirm themselves. We see it
with the examples of Guerrero or Ljunggren, who are not yet completely
mature to win in the Seniors. It will take them a little time to take
over the changing of Eriksson, Carlsson and consorts. So maybe to engage
a motocross rider remains an alternative for a team. On the other hand
the young generation of Enduro knows the series because it is born with
the WEC, whereas their predecessors knew the enduro before the WEC and
sometimes had difficulties to adapt.
Is it the generation of the Extreme and Super Tests?
The Super Test is one of great successes of the season. However it’s
been decried. But today the spectator affluences are improving thanks to
the Super Test. And it finally convinced the most sceptical people. It
is similar to what we lived with the creation of the Extreme Test in
2004. It is now a high point of animation the Friday evening for the
cities which welcome us. The Super Test brings a new atmosphere, and
even if some details must improve, it is a transformed first try.
How the WEC can still attract a new public?
By the Super Test first of all. Then by the choice of the events. Races
like Saint-Flour in France, located in a medium-sized city, near the
highway, must be our reference. My target remains development of
faithfulness with organizers. It would be necessary that we come back in
the same places each year. That’s why in 2010 we’ll be back to
Kwydzin in Poland, to Noirétable in France, Puchov in Slovakia and
Serres in Greece.
Women will join 2010 WEC?
Yes, the Women Enduro World Cup will be launched in 2010. It should be
ratified during the biennial session of the FIM in Geneva October 24th
and 25th. With the federation, we hope there will be a maximum of girls,
at least ten. It will be difficult for them but it is exciting for our
sport. The Enduro Commission of the FIM will specify the sporting rules
but women should be present on 5 of the 8 Grand Prix, selected in the
calendar. It will be necessary that there are at least three girls to
validate the event.
What will be the other innovations of the WEC 2010?
There will not be big changes. Only some minor details, but I consider
that it is not the moment to turn upside down everything, teams are
still fragile. I am very happy that all enduro’s industry is here, but
I also know that the situation can quickly become unfavourable. Prudence
is the key word, while trying to provide good work on the basis of 2009
season.
No Enduro GP class in 2010?
It is too early, it is necessary to let this project ripen. However for
2011 I would like the appearance of a major category, which could for
example be called Enduro GP. It is in the air and the scenario of past
season can only make us think of that. In each category there are three
riders who dominate, and the championship was almost decided after three
races. We must examine for the interest of enduro if we should not join
the 15 to 20 best riders of the WEC within a same category.
It would be a revolution for the WEC?
Teams like riders are not receptive yet, they are anxious and for some
of them unfavourable. In enduro 10 years ago, we distributed about ten
titles. Enduro is a sport followed by a European industry which has as a
strategy to be involved in small markets. Some manufacturers specialize
in the 300 cc 2T, others in the 250cc 4T, etc. They all have the will to
put their motorbikes in competition, which is laudable… But the
condition is to get a title at the end. This philosophy was mistreated
with reduction to 3 classes, which today is largely accepted. The
passage to a single category is thus not supported by industry. I
understand completely this position from a marketing point of view. I
also think that the riders are not favourable because they know that
inevitably it will reduce the elite. Today there are 35 to 40 pilots who
earn well their life, it is better than in motocross. If we tighten this
elite to 20 riders, automatically some of them should be pushed aside.
We can understand why they are divided.
After 6 seasons at the head of WEC promotion, do you consider you
gave a new identity to the championship?
I am happy to note that with work, the WEC found an image and a label.
It was necessary to invest in the communication and television. Thanks
to the efforts of Motors TV, we produced quality programs that I could
diffuse to more than fifteen channels over the world, of which
prestigious SpeedChannel in the United States or ESPN Asia Pacific. It
is also interesting to note that there is really something that “took”
with the public. Spectators come today to see a label WEC. These new
repercussions are also advantageous for medias and sponsors of the
championship. This work could not have led without the support and
involvement of the FIM and the Commission Enduro Rallyes (CER), with
which I collaborate in frankness and in a very democratic way. So I
thank the president of the CER Amedeo Michelotti. The championship would
not exist either without its partners and initially Maxxis, faithful to
ABC COM since 10 years. Maxxis accounts for 90% of the financing of our
activity, so the WEC is very grateful to them.
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