As he continued his comeback from injury at Round 11 over the weekend in France, having missed five rounds this year after his crash at Imola earlier in the season, Sylvain Guintoli built on his results from Germany last time out to finish ninth and then eighth in the two races at Magny-Cours.

Conditions could not have been more different at the French track for the two races and after Saturday’s rain Guintoli finished the second race of the Fassi French Round in brilliant sunshine in eighth place aboard his Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK YZF-R1.

Running a solid race, Guintoli set a consistent pace as he circulated in seventh place for the 21 lap distance. Battling hard with Jordi Torres and Nicky Hayden in the final stages, the Frenchman was caught on the last lap by the Spaniard but held his ground against the American as he crossed the line to collect eight points, boosting his championship position to 12th.

Reflecting on Race 2 at his home round the Frenchman stated, “I felt that I got the best from the YZF-R1, rode well and with a good rhythm. We knew from the practice that we were lacking outright pace and that was proved in the race. Obviously I'm not happy with the position but as far as riding the bike, I feel that I raced well and I'm looking forward to Jerez.”