Aviobike came within two and a half hours of finishing the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship season-opening 24 Heures Motos last weekend.

The Italian team hit back from two crashes and plenty of bad luck only to be forced out during the 21st hour of the 46th edition of the Le Mans-based event when David Henriques crashed on oil dropped on the track by another bike. 

Although the French rider was able to restart and return to the pits, following a thorough evaluation of the #101 Dunlop Superstock Trophy-registered Yamaha the decision to retire from the race was taken after damage caused during two earlier crashes was also taken into consideration. 

“I’m particularly sorry for how this week ended,” said Giovanni Baggi, the Aviobike Team Manager. “Once again the team had shown that it has all the credentials to tackle such demanding races and to stay with the ‘big guys’ in this category. Unfortunately, the efforts of the riders and the garage weren't enough. We were really unlucky in the last crash, which compromised all the great work done. I want to thank all the people who have followed us and all the sponsors who support us and give them an appointment at the Spa-Francorchamps race. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but we will continue to work.”

Elia Crotta and Yves Lindegger also formed part of Aviobike’s 24 Heures Motos line-up.