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Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK rider Sylvain Guintoli is eagerly awaiting this weekend's return to one of his favourite tracks on the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship Calendar as Round 11 heads to his home race in France at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. WorldSBK.com caught up with the Frenchman to find out what his plans are for 2017 and what he likes most about the French circuit.

The number 50 rider started out his 2016 season strong on the new Yamaha YZF-R1, proving the marque’s return to WorldSBK and new bike could be very competitive against its experienced rivals from early on. However when news came that the Frenchman would not continue on with Yamaha next year fans and the Media alike were demanding to find out his next moves and whether he could be as competitive after injury as he was before.

“Despite my injury in Imola this is behind us I think that I’m actually in my best years for riding,” said the Guintoli. “I feel like I was riding really well before the crash. I was second in the Superpole ranking and I think fifth or sixth in the Championship so things were going quite well. Especially with a brand new bike to develop at the beginning of the season we knew at the start of the season it was going to be difficult to win. You have to be realistic with the objective and your potential.

“It’s important for a racer to fight for wins and when you’ve done it in the past it can be difficult to accept when you can’t win. When you’re in this mindset it’s difficult to accept and that’s when you can push it too far like I did in Imola. It all happens for a reason though. I want to be winning, I’m at this time in my career when I know I’m not going to be racing for another 10 years but right now my body’s still strong and my mind is still strong and I have a desire to win, that’s why I’m looking at different options. For sure I’ve had some great experiences in the past in WorldSBK, there’ve been many great emotions for me and my family but I want to win. I want to wake up in the morning and feel like I have a chance to win.“

Guintoli made his much anticipated return to racing at the Lausitzring and proved he is very much recovered from his early season injury he sustained in Imola by finishing fifth in Race 2. However the question on everyone’s lips when he returned was which colours he would be sporting in 2017?

“Obviously I’m talking to different teams, I have different options for next year that I’m looking at but there aren’t many good bikes left here so I hope we can find a solution quickly,” said the Guintoli. “I’m the only French rider in the Championship and I have been competitive in Magny-Cours in the past. For the Championship I think it’s very good to have a variety of nationalities competing. I want to keep France in the world Championship I just need the right opportunity.”

When asked about what he loves most about his home track, the Frenchman said, “For me Magny-Cours is always a very special event, I’ve had a lot of good races there. Last year was a really good one, I managed to get on the podium and it was something really important for me. I really enjoyed the race. Over the last four years in eight races I’ve had seven podiums so I really like this track. I like the atmosphere and I want to be in the podium.

“It’s a good mix of technical corners. I really like it. The first part is very fast and there’s some hard breaking opportunities at Adelaide- turn number 5 and then lots of overtaking opportunities and then's very fast chicanes with ups and downs, so we have a very complete track. Not only is it interesting for me because it’s my home round but because it’s interesting to ride and gives a lot of emotions. I love when you are breaking in Adelaide and the grandstands, they are always full and you can hear the crowds over the sound of the engine. When I overtake people there I always hear the public cheering.“

Check out the full interview and be sure to watch Round 11 of the FIM MOTUL Superbike World Championship as Sylvain Guintoli fights for home glory at Magny-Cours.