YART Yamaha triumphs as rain and drama define Le Mans season opener
The 2025 edition of the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans launched the FIM Endurance World Championship in spectacular style, as Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team claimed a long-awaited and emotional victory. It marked a significant achievement for the Bridgestone-backed squad, who overcame early adversity and late-race chaos to take the win.
A Long-Awaited Victory
YART’s win at Circuit Bugatti was far from straightforward. Marvin Fritz crashed on the very first lap at the slippery Raccordement corner, dropping the team back to 21st place. But the Austria-based team mounted a stunning comeback throughout the night. As rain began to fall in the final hour, the race took yet another dramatic twist.
Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, also on Bridgestone, had been leading since the eight-hour mark. The team rebounded from a morning crash involving Mike Di Meglio and seemed poised for victory—until Román Ramos slid off at the very same Raccordement corner during a late rain shower. The incident handed YART a decisive two-lap advantage and ultimately, the win.
For Jason O’Halloran, YART’s newest rider, it was a dream debut. Meanwhile, Fritz finally celebrated a Le Mans victory after nine seasons with the team—and on his 32nd birthday, no less. “It was the craziest race I ever did in this championship,” Fritz said. “This was the first time I had rain at Le Mans and even if it was not always raining, it was very tricky conditions with many crashes. I went down twice, but we were lucky. The bike was great, the tyres for sure, we had a really good package, and my team worked fantastic.”
He continued, “We were waiting for this win for a long time. We’ve been very close very often; it was a long dream for me and for the team and each single person.”
Kawasaki’s Bittersweet Podium
Despite the heartbreak, second place was a major achievement for Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, particularly for Ramos, who only joined the line-up due to injury.
“At one point, the win felt so close – almost in our hands,” he said. “In the end, we finished second, which, honestly, if you’d offered me that before coming here, I’d have taken it without hesitation. I wasn’t even supposed to race; I’m the fourth rider this season, and I only got the chance because Christian [Gamarino] got injured. So, to end up on the podium? I’m super-happy. But of course, after leading the race for almost the entire time, losing it in the final hour stings a little. That said, I think we did a great job. We gave everything we had to try and win.”
Battling Conditions and Setbacks
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, another Bridgestone partner, was running strong before being forced into an unscheduled pit stop to repair a damaged exhaust. The delay dropped them from podium contention and they took fourth place.
Yoshimura SERT Motul, defending Le Mans winners and Bridgestone-backed, endured multiple crashes but still managed to finish sixth overall—an impressive recovery considering the race’s attrition rate. FCC TSR Honda France also faced a string of issues but fought back to secure eighth place.
A Gritty Race to the Finish
The race saw more than 140 crashes in total as intermittent rain created treacherous track conditions. Of the 53 starters, only 10 teams avoided crashing, underscoring the brutal nature of this year’s Le Mans 24-hour race.
While victory slipped through Kawasaki’s fingers, and both BMW and FCC Honda were hit with mechanical and track challenges, the resilience shown by Bridgestone teams was clear throughout. Each squad adapted in real-time to constantly changing conditions, underlining the importance of preparation, teamwork—and the grip and durability of Bridgestone tyres under pressure.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 FIM EWC season resumes with the 8 Hours of Spa Motos on the 7th of June, where Bridgestone teams will aim to carry their momentum into another challenging endurance round. As the championship heats up, one thing is certain: this season is shaping up to be as unpredictable and thrilling as ever.
