The start of the 43rd edition of the 24 Heures Motos will be given on Saturday August 29 at Le Mans. Contested behind closed doors and on an unusual date due to the pandemic, this third round of the 2019-2020 FIM EWC World Championship promises to be an event with multiple sporting challenges.
The 2019-2020 FIM EWC World Championship returns to the track in a month in France. Since the 8 Hours of Sepang in Malaysia last December, the teams have been preparing for this meeting on August 29 and 30 on the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans. During more than six months of compulsory break, the teams honed their performances, their machines and their crews.
If the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team arrives as leader at Le Mans, the other official teams are expected to fight for victory. Equipped like SERT with Dunlop, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is hot on the heels of the leader in the provisional standings. YART Yamaha (Bridgestone) is lying in wait nearby. Webike SRC Kawasaki France Trickstar is preparing to catch up with its new partner Michelin. The FCC TSR Honda France (Bridgestone) arrives with its new CBR 1000 RR R, the preparation of which has been refined in Japan. Team ERC Endurance (Michelin) took advantage of the break to prepare its Ducati Panigale V4R for its first 24-hour race.
Highly motivated challengers
Around these official teams, several teams want to play in the leading pack. The Wójcik Racing Team is the most visible but you have to watch the VRD Igol Pierret Experiences which has strengthened its crew, the Bolliger Team Switzerland and the 3ART Best of Bike.
In Superstock, Moto Ain will be the team to beat after their two victories in the first two races of the season. This will be the objective of the BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers and the GERT56 by GS Yuasa who also got on the podium at the start of the season. In this category too, there are many challengers, led by Wójcik Racing Team 2 and No Limits Motor Team.
A crucial test in the ranking
With a maximum of 65 points up for grabs, the 24 Heures Motos race is a tipping point in the championship. This challenge is increased tenfold by the modification of the calendar imposed by the health crisis. Indeed, the Bol d'Or, another 24-hour race, is scheduled for September 19 and 20 before the 2019-2020 FIM EWC final on November 1 at Suzuka in Japan.
The two 24-hour races are particularly decisive in the Superstock category which does not compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours. 130 points will be up for grabs between August and September to seal the FIM Endurance World Cup rankings.
The 24 Hours Motorcycles live
Without an audience in the stands at Le Mans, the 24 2020 Heures Motos will be experienced live on the screens. The race will be broadcast live and in full on Eurosport 2 in France and on five continents. It will also be broadcast live on l'Equipe (France), Hulu/Nippon TV (Japan), Astro (Malaysia), Motortrend (USA) and Sky NZ (New Zealand).
Special programs are also being prepared so that all Endurance fans can experience the heart of these 24 Hours Motorcycles.
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