Following the summer break, the French circuit provided a fresh challenge for all competitors. For VLR Racing Team, Magny-Cours was an entirely new venue, requiring a rapid learning curve. Rider Kas Beekmans quickly adapted during Friday's practice sessions and steadily improved throughout the weekend, despite a difficult Superpole session that left him 21st on the grid.

Starting Race 1 from the seventh row, he made a strong launch and gained several positions in the opening laps before settling into a competitive midfield battle. Consistent pace allowed him to secure 17th place at the chequered flag.

Sunday brought further progress. Following overnight setup revisions and a productive warm-up session, the team elected to return to a proven configuration for Race 2. The decision paid off as the rider fought through the field to finish 13th and score valuable championship points.

VLR Team Principal Vincent Lubberding said:
“This was a very positive weekend for us. Magny-Cours was a completely new circuit and the level in this championship remains incredibly competitive. We learned a lot throughout the weekend, made improvements with every session and ultimately came away with championship points. The rider showed great determination and the whole team kept working hard to find solutions. Finishing 13th on Sunday is a reward for that effort and gives us confidence for the remaining rounds.”

On the other side of the Suzuki garage, Track & Trades Wixx Racing Team faced an unexpected challenge after regular rider Jeffrey Buis was forced to miss the event through injury. Spanish rider Marc Vich stepped in at short notice, making his debut aboard the GSX-8R under difficult circumstances.

Despite the disruption, teammate Ferre Fleerackers immediately demonstrated front-running pace. After qualifying 13th, he fought in the leading group during Race 1 and crossed the line in an impressive sixth position, securing one of the team's strongest results of the season.

Vich focused on gaining experience and understanding the machine, finishing 28th in his first race with the team.

Race 2 proved more frustrating for Fleerackers. A strong start saw him move into sixth place once again, but incidents during the race forced him off his preferred line on two occasions, costing valuable positions. Nevertheless, he fought back to finish 12th. Vich completed another race distance in 26th place, adding valuable data and mileage for the team.

Track & Trades Wixx Racing Team Manager Patrick Van Hees said:
“Considering the circumstances, there are many positives to take from this weekend. Losing Jeffrey just before the event was a setback, but Marc did an excellent job stepping in with virtually no preparation. Ferre showed once again that we have the pace to compete near the front. His sixth place on Saturday was fully deserved and Sunday's result does not reflect his actual speed. We leave Magny-Cours encouraged by the performance of the Suzuki GSX-8R and motivated for the next race.”

Ferre Fleerackers added:
“Race 1 was really enjoyable because I could fight with the leading group throughout the race. We had good pace all weekend and the bike felt strong. Race 2 was more difficult because I lost positions after being pushed wide twice, but the speed was there. We're moving in the right direction and I'm already looking forward to the next round.”

As the championship enters its decisive phase, both VLR Racing Team and Track & Trades Wixx Racing Team leave Magny-Cours with renewed confidence. Strong race pace, valuable points and continued progress with the Suzuki GSX-8R provide a solid foundation heading into the next challenge on the 2026 World Sportbike calendar.