13 April 2023
Yoshimura SERT Motul has completed First Qualifying for the 24 Heures Motos – the opening round of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship – at the top of the provisional order following an action-packed session in mixed conditions on the Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans today.
Gregg Black was fastest among the Blue Rider group for Yoshimura SERT Motul, clocking a 1m37.506s best on his final lap of the 4.185-kilometre track, which had dried following earlier rain. The 20-minute session had been halted 11 minutes from the end after Florian Alt and Lucas Mahias both fell on oil dropped at the entrance to Le Musée bend.
Marvin Fritz then set the pace late on in the Yellow Rider group for the YART Yamaha team with a best lap of 1m35.616s, closely followed by Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) on a 1m35.685s. But there was more drama when F.C.C. TSR Honda France’s Mike Di Meglio and Sylvain Guintoli (Yoshimura SERT Motul) also crashed.
Karel Hanika was on top for the Austrian squad out of the Red Riders but, on a fully wet track, last year’s polesitter could only manage a 1m47.868s, as James Westmoreland (Honda Viltaïs Racing) was the quickest of the Green Riders on a 1m44.945s.
At the end of the four 20-minute sessions, Yoshimura SERT Motul heads the provisional unofficial order on 1m37.153s, followed by YART Yamaha (1m37.242s), F.C.C. TSR Honda France (1m37.764s), Moto Ain (1m38.096s), Honda Viltaïs Racing (1m38.420s) and ERC Endurance Ducati (1m38.617s).
In the Dunlop-equipped Superstock category, which counts for the FIM Endurance World Cup, Team 33 Louit April Moto heads Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team and 3ART Best of Bike in the unofficial provisional order.
French Superbike champion Kenny Foray was quickest for Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team in the Superstock Blue Rider session, Johan Nigon excelled for Honda No Limits in the Yellow Rider group before former EWC champion Mathiu Lagrive (3ART Best of Bike) took his turn to shine among the Red Riders as EWC rookie Luca De Vleeschauwer went quickest for Energie Endurance out of the Green Riders.
Since 2022, EWC qualifying results have been based on the average time of the fastest two riders at the completion of the final session, meaning the starting order for the 46th 24 Heures Motos can’t be determined until after Second Qualifying on Friday morning. But with forecasts suggesting more wet weather, the Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul squad could well start at the front as it bids for a third consecutive win in the legendary EWC season opener.
Night Practice is up next from 20h30 local time ahead of Second Qualifying getting underway at 10h20 on Friday. Click HERE for all the First Qualifying results.
27 March 2024
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team will defend its FIM Endurance World Championship crown carrying the number one on its R1.Although championship-winning teams usually use the number one during their title defence, it wasn’t previously an official requirement in the EWC – until the rules were updated for 2024.According to the regulations from EWC governing body Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, “the world champion of the previous season will wear number 1 during the current season”.However, in the event of YART being unable to defend its EWC title in 2024, it can revert to its traditional number seven in 2025 as “its former racing number will be protected during the period it wears the 1”, in line with the regulations.Marvin Fritz, who partnered Niccolò Canepa and Karel Hanika to the 2023 EWC title, said: “This is something we were dreaming of for a long time and we can’t wait to start the new season with the number one on our bike.”The 24 Heures Motos opens the 2024 EWC season at Le Mans in France from 18-21 April. Click HERE for ticket information. Photo: Facebook.com/MarvinFritz.2
26 March 2024
Rookie squad TCP Racing will embark on its first full FIM Endurance World Championship campaign with a firm focus on promoting young talent.Managed by ex-racer Peter Polesso, TCP Racing has recruited young French foursome Alan Agogue, Maxence Chachuat, Marcus Delestre and Felix Peron to ride its Yamaha in the Superstock-based FIM Enurance World Cup.“We are extremely proud of our team because everyone here is passionate with one goal: to make this project a success,” Polesso said. “A huge thank you to our supporting sponsors.”Peron said: “I want to thank the team and especially Peter Polesso for the confidence given. It's an honour to wear the colours TCP Racing, endurance is a team sport and I'm proud to be a part of it.”Delestre added: “Very happy to be part of this young dynamic and professional team led by Peter Polesso. I’m very grateful he trusts me to make my debut in such a mythical championship.”The 47th 24 Heures Motos, based at Le Mans in France, opens the new EWC season from 18-21 April. Visit FIMEWC.com soon for more on TCP Racing.Photo: Go2Creation
25 March 2024
Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop will transfer his road racing pedigree to the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2024 after signing for Superstock squad TRT27.Dunlop, from Northern Ireland, has 25 Isle of Man TT victories to his name – only his famous uncle, the late Joey Dunlop, has more wins with 26. And his inclusion in TRT27’s Honda-powered EWC attack adds further intrigue to the eagerly anticipated season, the 10th promoted by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.TRT27 head Eric Tanésie said: “We have the honour to have the legend of the TT, Michael Dunlop. He has ridden for the TT legends team in EWC before and has high ambition to have a successful 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans.”In addition to new recruit Dunlop, TRT27 has signed Ben Luxton, the 2020 British 600 Superstock champion to join existing riders and fellow Britons Tom Oliver and Tom Ward.The 47th running of the 24 Heures Motos opens the 2024 EWC season from 18-21 April at Le Mans in France. Ticket information is available HERE.