15 September 2016
GMT94 Yamaha’s Lucas Mahias was once again the fastest rider on the Paul Ricard circuit this afternoon, posting a 1’58.255 lap. Together with David Checa and Niccolò Canepa, he took the Yamaha #94 to provisional pole ahead of Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, which recorded a time of 1’59.237 with a great performance by Anthony Delhalle (1’58.512) alongside Vincent Philippe and Etienne Masson. Team SRC Kawasaki took third place on the provisional grid after its three riders Grégory Leblanc, Randy de Puniet and Fabien Foret posted a best average time of 1’59.341.
F.C.C. TSR Honda and Honda Endurance Racing’s CBR1000RR bikes jostled for 4th and 5th place on the provisional grid, ahead of YART Yamaha Official EWC Team and the second Japanese team competing at Castellet, Trick Star Racing with riders Erwan Nigon, Osamu Deguchi and Hitoyasu Izutsu. Penz13.com BMW Motorrad fell back to 8th after Lucas Pesek crashed, sustaining a foot injury.
Team Louit Moto 33 Traqueur topped the Superstock class, as in free practice, ahead of Team April Moto Motors Events and Maco Racing. In the saddle of the Kawasaki #33, Emeric Jonchière, Anthony Loiseau and Morgan Berchet took 9th place on the provisional grid with a time of 2’01.132, but a clutch of other Superstock teams – Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki, Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences, Team 3Art Yam’Avenue and Tati Team Beaujolais Racing – turned in very similar performances, placing 12th to 15th.
The second leg of qualifying starts tomorrow – Friday – at 9.40am.
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.