Those riders joining the FIM Supersport World Championship with previous experience from the Moto2 World Championship will be presented with a golden opportunity next year. That is the opinion of French rider Lucas Mahias, who is looking to race full-time on a Yamaha with the MG Competition team.

Next year, the World Supersport grid will welcome Randy Krummenacher from Moto2, while Nico Terol is hoping to compete with a new team. Furthermore, World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu has previous Moto2 experience while Mahias himself has started six Moto2 World Championship races, including in Valencia last weekend. With electronic aids set to be reduced in World Supersport, Mahias forecasts an advantage for such riders, as he explains in this interview with WorldSBK.com.

2015 started in a difficult way but changed when you joined MG Competition in World Supersport. How can you sum it up and what about next year?
Yes, it was a difficult season for me, but I was saved by MG Competition. In normal circumstances, I would like to continue with them next year, to try and do the full season on the Yamaha. I intend to continue what we have already achieved in 2015 and hope to consistently fight at the front.

How competitive are you expecting to be next year?
This year, I was able to fight regularly in the top five despite having to learn 80% of the circuits. It was my first season in World Supersport, the bike was a little different to what I knew and a higher level to what I was accustomed to. So, next year with a team and a bike I know very well and with new regulations that limit some of the electronic aids, I think I can be challenging for top positions.

What is your opinion on the modifications to electronics in the class?
For me, it can only be a positive thing. Actually, I ended the year with just that configuration – no added electronics on my bike. Despite that, I was still able to stay in the game and keep on the pace of the bikes at the front, which were equipped with extra electronics. So all of this is positive for me.

It will require a little more riding skill, as electronics help to control your throttle inputs, and so now the riders need to be ever more gentle on the throttle when we apply the gas. On top of that, these changed rules will limit running costs, especially for the wildcard teams and riders, and allow them more of a chance to challenge established names in the category.

Not only will the 2016 season feature established riders such as Sofuoglu, Jacobsen and Cluzel, but the likes of Krummenacher and possibly Terol too…
It can only be a good thing that we will have such good riders from such a diverse range of backgrounds and championships. It certainly doesn’t downgrade World Supersport! For me, it’s such a different championship and it is great to have such competitive riders. The aim every time is to give it your all and fight with as many people as possible. But I do think Kenan Sofuoglu will remain the formidable force next year. Given his riding style, the new regulations definitely shouldn’t harm him because he is so smooth. The same applies to guys coming to Moto2, where there are no electronic aids. I reckon that will be an advantage to them and they should be capable of having a very good season.

Mahias was the 2014 title winner in the French Supersport Championship. With his World Supersport team having pulled out earlier this year, the 26-year-old sought refuge with the MG Competition squad for the final three races, impressing every time and achieving a podium finish in his home event at Magny-Cours in October.