24 Heures Motos – 24 Heures Motos 2016: statements from riders and team managers –

Posted on by admin

24 Heures Motos 2016: statements from riders and team managers

24 Heures Motos - 24 Heures Motos 2016: statements from riders and team managers -

First round of the 2016 World Endurance Championship, the 24 Heures Motos this weekend at Le Mans – to relive in pictures in the MNC photo galleries – saw the # 11 Kawasaki SRC ZX-10R triumph in difficult conditions which cost several world title contenders big points (see standings below).

First round of the 2016 World Endurance Championship, the 24 Heures Motos this weekend at Le Mans – to be relived in pictures in the – saw the # 11 ZX-10R of the Kawasaki SRC team triumph over difficult conditions which cost many big points to multiple world title contenders (see standings below).

By winning hands down in front of the Suzuki n ° 50 of the April Moto Motors Events team (Gregg Black, Gregory Fastre and Alex Cudlin) and the Honda n ° 5 of the Japanese team FCC TSR (Kazuma Watanabe, Alan Techer and Damian Cudlin) , the official Kawasaki n ° 11 (Gregory Leblanc, Matthieu Lagrive and Fabien Foret) marks the spirits and sets out again at the head of the world championship, which it is still competing this year in its entirety, as in 2014 and 2015.

Dominique Meliand’s men on the Suzuki n ° 1 reigning world champion manage to limit the damage and pocket 21 points by finishing fifth, but the Yamaha n ° 94 of GMT leaves Sarthe with a white result, just like the BMW n ° 13 yet left in …

Here are the first statements of the pilots and team managers who distinguished themselves this weekend on the Bugatti circuit of Le Mans in front of "72,300 spectators" according to the organizers, that is to say 1,800 people more than .

 SRC Kawasaki n ° 11 (EWC – winner)

Gilles Stafler, team manager. "This is Kawasaki’s 13th victory at Le Mans and the 5th for our team. If I had been told that on Thursday, I wouldn’t have believed it. The race was really exceptional and difficult. We had all the conditions with the rain, a drying track and the cold last night. The race was not easy even for us. The difference is that we fared better than the others and when we had dry track conditions , we knew how to apply the race instructions. I am proud to be able to obtain this record of 13 victories for a brand which is dear to me and for which I started working in 1993. I participated as a as a mechanic at the first Kawasaki victories. The following ones, I won them with my own structure and I admit that it is a great pride to win here. I thank them for continuing to trust me. Thank you also to Pirelli, because after the start of the race where it was not easy, everything they brought us worked perfectly comfortably and allowed us to achieve this victory. Finally, how can we not salute the bravery of this marvelous audience in the face of the appalling weather conditions at the start of the race ".

Matthieu Lagrive, pilot. "I’m really happy with this victory, I’ve been waiting for it for too long. It’s a first for me after 16 participations. I wanted to thank the whole technical team for the work accomplished this winter, in particular by Greg and Gilles who brought us to this level. A victory finally, one might say, after having finished second on numerous occasions. This one, we deserved it. I had won everywhere except at Le Mans, It’s now done! The last few years have not been easy, but I find that this year, I feel better ".

Gregory Leblanc, pilot. "I equalize Alex Viera’s record of victories and that really touches me, because for me he is a true legend of endurance. But records are made to be broken, that’s why I give you an appointment next year! Le Mans has been doing well for me for 15 days after my two victories in the French Superbike Championship. Congratulations to Matthieu for his first victory, the team and my teammates, especially Fabien who crashed during qualifying, they were perfect. Thanks to Gilles Stafler who continues to trust me after seven years ".

Fabien Foret, pilot. "My team is really great, our tires were really great too. Those were the right ingredients to win this race. I too wanted to thank the crowd for coming in as usual.".

 Suzuki n ° 50 April Moto Motors Events (EWC – 2nd)

Herve Moineau, team manager. "The team had its first race at Le Mans in 2009 (read our note). We had good seasons and not so good, but this year we had the ambition to form a trio of drivers for victory with Gregg Black and Alex Cudlin alongside Gregory Fastre ".

Alex Cudlin, pilot. "I admit that it is very special to be on the same podium as my brother (Damian, third on the Honda n ° 5, Editor’s note) for such a prestigious race. We fought for 24 hours. Sometimes he was ahead. , sometimes it was me. It was very special for my father because he kept going from one box to another! In addition, our stories are different about these 24 Heures Motos. in a private team, the mechanics have assembled the bike in their own workshop and we finish second. Conversely, Damian’s team is a factory team that came for the first time to Le Mans. We do not ride on the same works, but I’m happy to share this with him. Damian is my oldest and when we were kids he often won because he was older, taller and stronger. Now we’re adults and we’re still competing , it’s funny. We travel together around the world, we do motorcycle racing teaching. mble and I hope one day we’ll be on the same bike ".

 Honda n ° 5 F.C.C. TSR (EWC – 3rd)

Kazuma Watanabe, pilot. "These are my first 24 Hours. It is difficult and very physically demanding, but I am proud to finish on the podium and I thank my teammates".

Damian Cudlin, pilot. "It’s really a special feeling! First of all, everyone wants to be on the podium, it makes sense. I had already had the chance to do it before (during the, Editor’s note), but see my brother ( Alex Cudlin on Suzuki n ° 50, Editor’s note) on this second step, it’s very special. On the other hand, his team defeated my team and it’s the first time that I have been beaten by my younger brother! understand that it will change my life forever … i will hear about it for months, at every breakfast, at every dinner! it will last at least a year … it doesn’t matter if you are on a motorbike or playing the playstation. we always try to beat the other, we are brothers! he always wants to beat me so there i’m happy for him. i think it’s really nice having two brothers on the same podium ".

 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team n ° 1 (EWC – 5th)

Dominique Meliand, team manager. "It’s a disappointment because when you line up for a 24-hour course, the only desire is to climb the top step of the podium. If you don’t have that desire, you shouldn’t race ! There it did not because the race had decided otherwise, there were crashes, we had a small electronic problem which had to be remedied, but the pilots did a great job because to get back up. 54th place in 5th place, you have to do it! Morally it’s difficult, but they believed in it ".

Vincent Philippe, pilot. "Thank you all for following. Despite the handicaps that we inflicted on ourselves, it was a great epic. All together we showed our values ​​again. We don’t give up!"

Anthony Delhalle, pilot. "I am both disappointed by the incidents that punctuated two of my stints, but also very proud of our great comeback to 5th place! Thank you to the entire SERT team, to my teammates and to my partners for their support . And thank you all for your encouragement throughout the weekend ".

 Yamaha n ° 36 Team 3 ART Yam’Avenue (SST winner – 6th scratch)

Dominique Arnaud, team manager. "The objective was to bring back a podium this weekend, so we are very proud to have won the race! I would like to thank all the team members for their professional involvement and the drivers for doing an incredible job. started 50th on the grid because of an injured driver. We made a good tire choice and Lukas climbed back to 4th place in 30 minutes! I had never seen that! "

Lukas Trautman, pilot. : "This is the first time that I have driven on the Bugatti circuit and the first time that I have participated in the 24 Heures Motos. Riding at night, refueling, tire changes, all that is really very cool! I came wanting to do the job as well as possible, now if this participation can open me up opportunities in EWC it would be even better! In the meantime, it’s a bit like if I could cross the 24 Heures Motos from my checklist! "

Louis Bulle, pilot. "The only word to describe my state of mind is’ amazing! The team did a perfect job, the tires were good and my teammates so fast! Thank you all and to the excellent YZF-R1! "

Alex Plancassagne, pilot. "This race is a great story for me, I don’t yet realize what happened because I wasn’t supposed to ride. It’s just amazing, the YZF-R1, the team, everything was perfect to win today. Thank you all for your support! "

 Kawasaki n ° 3 AM Moto Racing (2nd SST – 7th scratch)

Eric Archimbaud, team manager. : "We switched to Kawasaki this year and this change of bike was not easy. We received the bikes very late, as well as the specific parts for the race. There are not many available, we only had three sets of fairings for the week. I thank all my sponsors because it is thanks to them that we are on the track ".

Jonathan Goetschy, pilot.: "We had a satisfactory race. With our qualification in 5th position, we had the capacity to go for a podium in the race".

Jimmy Maccio, pilot. "Due to the fact that we received the bikes very late, the whole team arrived at the start of the week already very tired. This podium is a good reward for all its members too.".

Kevin Denis, pilot. : "I’m a sportsman, but a 24 hour race is still very physically demanding. I’m very happy with this podium, we fought hard to get it!"

 BMW n ° 48 Voelpker (3rd SST – 8th scratch)

Bastien Mackels, pilot. "It is true that we represent BMW Motorrad on the Superstock podium. During 22 hours of racing we were second in the class and a crash relegated us to third place but it was still a very satisfying result".

Dominik Vincon, pilot. "The category podium was on the program. The team did an incredible job, I thank all the mechanics because it was really difficult at 4am, when we had to go and it was freezing cold! But I also did the relay at daybreak, and that I really liked ".

Stefan Kersghbaumer, pilot. "It’s very hard, but what an experience! This podium is a great satisfaction!"

 BMW Penz13 BMW Motorrad n ° 13 (EWC – discontinued)

Rico Penzkofer, team manager. "What can I say … I am deeply disappointed as are our drivers, the whole team and our supporters. But in endurance anything can happen and we cannot predict certain events, we can only learn from them. ‘is what we are doing for the future. We will analyze precisely what happened and come back stronger, even better prepared for the next coruse. The pole position was a relief and our race pace was very good , these are the positive points on which we will start again ".

Kenny Foray, pilot. "I’m very disappointed because we had the speed, we have a good bike, a good team and good tires. For me, a podium was perfectly possible, and even a victory. But that’s how it is, you have to concentrate on the next race. I’m sure we can do some great things before the end of the season ”.

Mathieu Gines, pilot. "It’s not a good way to start the season for the team, for BMW, for my teammates. But it’s a competition and we can’t decide on those things. I’m happy with the race because we was in the rhythm, we were fighting for command and we were turning as fast as the Kawasaki, even faster in some places. I’m happy because our ambition was to get a good result and we just were unlucky. now turn to the next race and we will never give up ".

Lukas Pesek, pilot. "It’s really a shame, but you have to look at the positive points of this weekend. The weather conditions were difficult, but we proved with pole position and by fighting at the front that we had everything to play the victory. It went badly here for several other top teams as well. We have to forget that and look to the next races ".

 Yamaha GMT n ° 94 (EWC – discontinued)

Christophe Guyot, team manager. "What is happening to us is part of the race and we have to accept it. I am obviously very sorry for the team and the drivers who gave everything. As well as for our partners and all those who dreamed of seeing us play for victory. . Now we have to think about the future and the next race on June 11 in Portugal ". 

Louis Rossi, pilot. "It’s a bit of a disaster for me, for the team, for the mechanics and for my coeqiupiers. I was not at ease when I started this race, because I was thinking of going fast and it was not the right time to think about that. I made some mistakes, damaged the bike and we gave up at 6am. It’s all my fault and it’s really hard because it’s my first endurance race. Now the situation is not easy for me and I have to find what needs to be done differently and see how it will go in the future ".

Niccolo Canepa, pilot. “I already love the endurance after that first impression! It’s amazing because not only do we ride fast, but it’s also taxing mentally and physically and we need the work of the team. It’s the first time. that I see such an incredible team, with such a good level, in which you should not only work for yourself but also for your teammates. It’s difficult at 5 am, when it’s cold and you you need to sleep, but you have to go and ride the bike. Finally you ride at night but you turn faster than in broad daylight, it’s incredible, it’s something you have to experience to understand it. Honestly, before the race we have a lot of doubts and we don’t know how it’s going to go, but I’m really happy because I saw that I was ready, I can do it and I am fast enough to be at the front -posts with my teammates ".

David Checa, pilot. "I thank the whole team because we had problems all week but we managed to prepare everything for the race. For me, we could easily have finished second in this race, but in the end it didn’t happen. C ‘is the race. The only disappointing aspect for me is all the work of the team so that in the end we don’t finish the race, but that’s how it is. We have to think about ways to be better next times and we’ll see what happens in Portimão. The race is sometimes good, sometimes bad, but we have to try to find positive points and move forward ".

The endurance world championship, now since it was taken over by Eurosport, will continue on June 11 with the 12 Hours of Portimao (Portugal), then from July 29 to 31 with the 8 Hours of Suzuka (Japan) and the 26 and August 27 with the 8 Hours of Oschersleben (Germany). As for the Bol d’Or 2016, on September 17 and 18 on the Paul Ricard circuit (83), it will be the opening round of the 2016/2017 season..

Provisional general classification at the world championship

  1. SRC Kawasaki Kawasaki FRA (60 points)
  2. Team April Moto Motors Events Suzuki FRA (45 points)
  3. F.C.C. TSR Honda Honda JPN (44 points)
  4. Team R2CL Suzuki FRA (36 points)
  5. Team 3ART Yam’Avenue Yamaha FRA (22 points)
  6. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki FRA (21 points)
  7. Volpker NRT48 Schubert Motors BMW GER (20 points)
  8. AM Moto Racing Competition Kawasaki FRA (18 points)
  9. Team Bolliger Switzerland Kawasaki SUI (16 points)
  10. Racing Team Sarazin Kawasaki FRA (13 points)
  11. Maco Racing Team Yamaha SVK (11 points)
  12. Honda Endurance Racing Honda GBR (11 points)
  13. YART Yamaha Yamaha AUT (10 points)
  14. Starteam PAM-Racing Suzuki FRA (9 points)
  15. Cottard Motosport Suzuki FRA (8 points)
  16. Junior Team LMS Suzuki Suzuki FRA (8 points)
  17. Space Moto 37 Suzuki FRA (7 points)
  18. TRT 27 / Bazar 2 La Becane Suzuki FRA (6 points)
  19. Flembbo Leader Team Kawasaki FRA (5 points)
  20. Yamaha Viltaïs Experience Yamaha FRA (5 points)
  21. Kawasaki FRA Fire Brigade Team 18 (4 points)
  22. Tecmas Racing Team – BMW BMW FRA (3 points)
  23. Team Louit Moto 33 Tracker Kawasaki FRA (3 points)
  24. MB Motors Team Yamaha FRA (1 point)

To be continued on MNC: stay connected !

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *