Qualified in fifth position, the Ducati Panigale V4 R of the ERC-Endurance team with Randy de Puniet, Julien da Costa et Louis Rossi a experienced problems from testing and start of the 43rd 24 Hours of Motorcycles of Le Mans. The German team suffered multiple setbacks, including a fuel shortage, falls and technical problems before abandoning at the end of the night with an electrical problem.
This situation greatly displeased Randy who didn't appreciate it when the drivers made great efforts to gain time on the track, only to lose it all again in the pits.
Randy, from the inside of your team, was the situation as bad as it appeared on the screens?
“Ah, the question is well formulated! »
When we watched TV, it looked very difficult. Was that ultimately the case or not?
“Yes, it was complicated. As I explained, it was difficult to see things logically necessary for endurance that were not prepared for. And to find yourself like that, caught off guard when these were things that could have been prepared in advance, it was a shame. Quite simply. »
What is your final assessment of these 24 Hours?
“The final results are not good because we gave up halfway through the race. We expected to have technical problems with the machine because it was new. This bike had never done endurance racing. So I would say it wasn't disappointing. What was, was everything that happened before, like running out of gas, my handlebar grip not being attached correctly, even though I had told them the day before. These problems with small details could have been avoided completely, and if it had been avoided, we would have been on the virtual podium before breaking. »
“The image would have been superb, to see that the team had done a good job, even if the bike had then broken, that the riders had done their job well and that the Ducati was competitive. But actually no. Today, I think we pilots did our job. »
“On the other hand, there was a lack of care. »
You explained that the handle, on the left side, had not been threaded. It turned like an accelerator. Then then you had the same problem right. The team had not threaded the handles! It's still a surprising error, isn't it? Among others…
" Yes. Yes, it's surprising for people who follow endurance. Afterwards, I have only been in this team for two races. Their problem is that they are not serious enough in their pre-race preparation. There had already been a lot of problems like that when they were with the BMW. »
According to Jean-Michel Pfrimmer, coordinator of the ERC Endurance Team, you had the best equipment from Ducati and Michelin . How did these two partners react?
“How they reacted after the race, I don’t know. On the other hand, what I can say is that the Ducati worked well. We had an engineer from Bologna who took care of the engine braking, traction control and everything related to the engine, and who did a great job. »
“Of course, when the bike had 2 revs less than it could have had, for us as riders it made us complain a little bit. We didn't expect it to be so restrained. It had to be, otherwise it would break, so I can understand. »
“Regarding Michelin which equipped a few teams like the Kawasaki official, we all had the same tires. From what I understand, anyone can buy these tires off the shelf. »
“These tires performed very well, which was a good thing. Anyone can use these tires in the rain or in the dry, it is safe to have them. They performed very well. Adhesion and longevity were very good. »
“Afterwards, for the dry, we would have liked to have had a little better, especially on the maximum angle. Previously, Michelin did not equip EWC motorcycles, but only Stock ones, so they were not subject to these constraints. Whether in the future they will evolve in terms of tires for the EWC, I don't know, but in any case as far as the tires were concerned it was very good, especially in the rain. »
After this disappointing ordeal, does your final assessment of these 24 Hours contain a glimmer of hope for the future?
" A glimmer of hope ? I don't know which side. Now I ride a motorbike for fun. To win too, because I would like to win Le Mans or the Bol d'Or at least once. »
“With this team, there was a challenge to take on. We pilots did our job. There was nothing to complain about. So I'm not leaving the weekend disappointed, because we couldn't have done it any other way. Before I end my career, I would like to be in a winning team. »
Do you know if you continue with them?
“Not at the moment, I don’t know yet. »
Photos © Mateusz Jagielski, Good-Shoot.com for EWC
