The FIM Endurance World Championship returns to the Le Mans circuit for the 47th edition of the 24H Motorcycles. During the first sessions of the weekend, Yart-Yamaha and Yoshimura SERT Motul competed for the top spot. However, it is this Saturday that things count, since the start of the race was given at the beginning of the afternoon.
Before we begin, here is a table that summarizes the known facts:
|
24H Motorcycles |
2023 |
2024 |
| Free Trials |
1'35.964 – BMW Motorrad World – n°37 |
1:35.348 – Yart-Yamaha – n°1 |
| Qualifying Practices 1 |
1'37'.53 – Yoshimura SERT Motul – n°12 |
1'34.868 – YART-Yamaha – n°1 |
| Night Free Trials |
1'36.236 – FCC TSR Honda France – n°1 |
1'36.237 – Yoshimura SERT Motul – n°12 |
| Qualifying Practices 2 |
1'37.153 – Yoshimura SERT Motul – n°12 |
1'34.868 – YART-Yamaha – n°1 |
| Course | FCC TSR Honda – n°1 | |
| Best lap | 1'35.751 – BMW Motorrad World – n°37 |
EWC – 24H Motorcycles
Although the start was rather calm, Yart-Yamaha and Yoshimura Sert Motul did not take long to compete for the lead of the event, attacking in turn to regain control of the race. Niccolo Canepa and Greg Black put on a show throughout the first hour of the race, at the end of which the No. 1 had the advantage for just a second.
Installed in third position, the no. 333 (Honda Viltais Racing) led by Florian Alt is already more than 20 seconds behind the leading trio, but has managed to widen the gap on the no. 99 of KM99 (+11.450).
Once the first stops were made, the top three ranked 6th, 7th and 8th respectively, while the #37 BMW Motorrad took the lead of the race, having not yet pitted.
The first important event of the race took place during the first 10 minutes, when the No. 5 Honda crashed at the junction. Joshua Hook then began an impressive comeback, to place in 5th position, before handing over to Mickael di Meglio.
©24H Motos
Superstock
During this first hour of racing, Kenny Foray and the No. 9 were comfortably installed in ninth position in the general classification. The Frenchman, however, plunged into the pit lane shortly before race time, losing his advantage. He nonetheless remains virtual leader in the Superstock category while the n°18 and n°55 were around ten seconds behind before this stop.
Christian Napoli fell as the 20 minute mark approached, riding the No. 85, and returned to the pits pushing his machine. Other Superstock drivers allowed themselves to be distracted while trying to overtake some latecomers.
24H Motos 2024 (1/24): General classification:
