The recent 24 Heures Motos at Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans kicked off the FIM Endurance World Championship season with excitement, culminating in a remarkable victory for Yoshimura SERT Motul. The team, powered by Bridgestone tyres, showed exceptional determination and skill, building on their success at last year’s Bol d’Or.
Yoshimura SERT Motul faced tough moments on their way to victory. When Karel Hanika of the YART Yamaha EWC Official Team crashed while leading, it opened the door for Yoshimura SERT Motul to take the lead. Despite strong competition Yoshimura SERT Motul maintained their position and secured a well-deserved win.
For Dan Linfoot, winning his first EWC race with Yoshimura SERT Motul was a memorable experience. “The last stint was tough, but I stayed focused and found a good rhythm” Linfoot shared.
Team’s Determination Shines
The YART team started off strong from pole position, with Niccolò Canepa setting a lap record of 1’34’708.
Unfortunately, Hanika injured his shoulder in his Sunday morning crash, leading to the decision for his teammates Niccolò Canepa and Marvin Fritz to complete the race as a pair.
“I’m really sorry for my team because I blame myself, I should be more careful in these conditions.To be honest I don’t really know the reason of the crash, we have to analyse. My team-mates did an amazing job to take us back to the podium position but it’s a big shame we couldn’t fight for the win. I probably could have continued but it would be a bit risky with my shoulder. The condition of it is not the best, so we decided to continue this way [with two riders].”
Despite suffering a setback with a crash just before reaching the 16-hour mark while leading, YART managed to secure third place.
Unfortunate Setback
Unfortunately, F.C.C. TSR Honda France’s hopes for victory were dashed early in the race when Mike Di Meglio crashed in the second hour of racing, thereby putting an end to the team’s prospects of clinching another victory at the 24 Heures Motos race.
Looking ahead, the FIM Endurance World Championship heads to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos from 6-8 June. Teams are gearing up for another challenging race on this iconic circuit.
The Le Mans 24 Heures Motos once again showcased why it’s one of the most demanding and exciting races in motorcycle endurance. Yoshimura SERT Motul’s victory sets the stage for an exhilarating season in the FIM Endurance World Championship, highlighting the spirit of perseverance and excellence in endurance racing.
