The FIM Endurance World Championship salutes Niccolò Canepa after the reigning champion of theE.W.C. announced that he was ending his racing career.
He will retire after next week’s Bol d’Or as one of the most accomplished EWC riders of all time. As well as winning the coveted EWC title twice, the 36-year-old Italian from Genoa is part of an exclusive group of drivers to have won all three 24-hour races at Le Mans, Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps.
But his achievements in the EWC go far beyond that, with a myriad of remarkable performances along the way. He became the first Italian to win the Bol d’Or, a feat he achieved in 2017. He then won the 8 Hours of Slovakia in the 2018/19 season, his first with YART.
The 2019/20 season was marked by further triumphs, including winning the shortened Sepang 8 Hours, where he rode solo in treacherous conditions, and the Estoril 12 Hours, both results which saw YART finish second in the FIM Endurance World Team Championship.
Further EWC success followed with podiums at Most and Le Mans in 2021 and 2022 respectively, and victory at the 24 2023H SPA EWC Motos as part of YART's title-winning season, which began with a second place at the 24 Heures Motos and was highlighted by a stunning opening stint from Canepa in the Bol d'Or finale, when he opted to run slick tyres on a damp track.
Despite injuring his shoulder at the Daytona 200 race in the United States in March, Canepa began his 2024 EWC campaign by setting new qualifying and race lap records at April’s 24 Heures Motos, before joining teammates Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika to win the 8 Hours of Spa Motos in June. The following month, Canepa played a key role in helping YART secure its first podium finish at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Canepa has also raced in MotoGP (in 2009 under the colours of the Pramac Racing team), WorldSBK, Moto2, WorldSSP and MotoE. He has also been recruited by Yamaha for testing and to coach riders.
Niccolò Canepa said : “It’s been a fantastic journey. I started racing mini-bikes when I was nine years old and by the time I was 19 I was already riding a MotoGP bike. I’ve been lucky enough to have an incredible career; of course there were some tough times, but as a kid I never imagined I would be so successful and enjoy the sport so much. I gave my all to racing but I got back much more than I expected and won two EWC titles and one in Superstock. I hope we can win three EWC titles after the Bol d’Or. I’ve had the opportunity to race in many championships, such as MotoGP, WorldSBK, EWC, WorldSSP, Moto2 and MotoE. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved.” As a rider, you know when it’s time to stop, and I think it’s the perfect time to retire after the Bol d’Or. I’m already thinking about new challenges and starting a new chapter in my life. Of course, I’ll miss racing, my teammates and my R1, but I think the time has come. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, especially my family and girlfriend, as well as those I’ve met who have helped me or taught me something. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many people along the way, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure, which will see me continue wearing Yamaha blue.”
Jean-Baptiste Ley, Head of Motorsport Series at Warner Bros Discovery Sports, the promoter of the EWC, said: “Niccolò Canepa will go down in EWC history as one of the greatest drivers of all time. A two-time champion and winner of all three 24-hour races, Niccolò’s achievements on the track are matched only by his contributions off the track. He has become a true ambassador for the championship, always positive, always professional and always supportive, Niccolò is an excellent communicator with a warm personality to boot. An inspiration to young drivers with his dedication and skill, he would be a huge asset to any team, manufacturer or partner. It has been a privilege to have Niccolò as a member of the EWC family but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. I join the entire EWC community in wishing Niccolò all the best for the future and thanking him for his incredible service to CEE.”.
Canepa will make his final laps in competition mode at the upcoming Bol d'Or, the decisive round of the 2024 EWC season, which will take place from September 12 to 15. His team Yamalube YART Yamaha Official EWC Team leads the provisional standings with a six-point lead.
