24 Heures Motos – 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race –

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24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Thanks to the victory of Jeremy Guarnoni, David Checa and Erwan Nigon at the 24H Motos, the Kawasaki SRC n ° 11 takes the helm of the EWC World Endurance Championship ahead of the Suzuki n ° 2 of SERT (3rd at Le Mans) and the Yamaha Wepol Racing n ° 13 (4th). Post-race debriefing with statements from drivers and team managers.

76,000 spectators attended at Le Mans on Sunday a finish worthy of a Grand Prix! After more than 23 hours of frantic racing, the two leading motorcycles were held in just 6 seconds … The Honda n ° 111, reassembled by the force of the wrist of Randy de Puniet and his teammates Sebastien Gimbert and Yonny Hernandez, has finally had to bow on the last lap in front of the mastery of Jeremy Guarnoni and his teammates, David Checa and Erwan Nigon on the Kawasaki n ° 11.

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How did the drivers experience this race? What lessons can be learned for the rest of the world championship? The main actors of this particularly epic 42 edition have their say, less than a month before on this same circuit !

Kawasaki SRC n ° 11 (1st at Le Mans, 1st in the championship)

Jeremy Guarnoni, pilot: "the best day of my life"

"I completely forgot that we were in a 24 hour race! When I saw that the safety car was entering the track (in the, while the Honda n ° 111 had taken the lead, Editor’s note), I thought I was told that it was won and that I had to overtake the Honda as soon as the restart. That’s what I did because it was impossible for me to finish second. It’s surely the best day of my life !"

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Erwan Nigon, pilot: "a lot of respect for our team"

"The race was really amazing. The pace was very high and we had a solid race. I have a lot of respect for our whole team. The bike held up. With Jeremy and David, we get along very well. We created a unit during the winter testing and that allowed us to evolve in the right direction. The level of competition has rarely been so high for a 24 hour race. We had to drive 100% all the time ".

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David Checa, pilot: "Gilles Stafler believed in me"

"I have to thank Gilles Stafler, our team manager, because he believed in me. At the Bol d’Or, we almost won. I hope that during the 8 Hours of the Slovakia Ring which will take place on May 11, the fight with Honda and the other teams will resume, "says the insatiable Spanish driver who signs his third victory at Le Mans after winning in and with GMT 94.

Gilles Stafler, team manager: "I have a team of warriors"

"This race was really special … We lost time at the start of the race because of the safety cars, but I have a team of warriors and they know how to use coal. We had imagined a scenario two hours away. the end of the race. When Jeremy told me that he was exhausted, I resigned myself a little then I asked our physiotherapist to put him back in line. This allowed us to send him to the coal for the last 40 minutes of the race. He had a fabulous stint. I didn’t want to lose this race. Despite everything, it is my team’s sixth victory here at Le Mans ", rejoices the team manager who won in,,,, and .

Christophe Guyot, privileged observer: "special attention for David Checa"

"This edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was once again full of twists and turns. Of course, the abandonment of my friends from YART (victim of a, editor’s note) is not the best moment for me. Neither the multiple withdrawals who are racing. Started in our new project with enthusiasm and desire (the with Jules Cluzel and Corentin Perolari, Editor’s note), the entire GMT94 team necessarily had special attention for David Checa who has completed 16 seasons with us and who He gave us so much. I knew he would bounce back. He won in his first season riding a new team and his track record is growing even further. Well done to him and his teammates ".

Honda Endurance Racing n ° 111 (2nd at Le Mans, 5th in the championship)

 Randy de Puniet, driver: "losing a few meters is hard to believe"

"If I had been told before the weekend that the 24 hour race would be played out in the last three minutes, I would have said it was impossible, but that’s what happened … We left with second place, which is an excellent result in a race as legendary as the 24 Hours Moto, but of course we wanted to win. We are still happy because the race itself went almost without fault , and if we had bad luck we were also lucky. I’m sorry for my fall but when I saw that nothing was broken, I continued. It was difficult stints and "losing "at the end of a few meters is hard to believe, but we are happy that the CBR1000RR Fireblade did not fail and to finish on the podium".

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Sebastien Gimbert, pilot: "I will retire after the Bol d’Or"

"I’m happy with the way my 20th and last race at the 24 Heures Motos went. We pushed hard throughout the race and finished second on the podium, so we can only be happy. is a good result for the whole team and it is a great way for me to leave the 24 Heures Motos du Mans. The bike was amazing throughout the race and it was just great to ride. Of course it was. we would have liked to win, but it was not possible today ", summarizes Sebastien who was competing in his last 24H Motos du Mans after 20 participations…

Questioned by MNC, Sebastien Gimbert confirms that he is continuing this season on the Honda n ° 111, Bol d’Or included: "I will retire after the Bol d’Or and after that I will work in my Speedway Frejus store (biker accessories , Editor’s note) and with my riding school Race Experience School (a motorcycle school for children and for bikers, Editor’s note). I will also take care of my son Johan who joined the official Kawasaki team in CEV 300 (Spanish championship, Editor’s note) ) this year".

Yonny Hernandez, driver: "You have to see the positives"

"I don’t have a lot of endurance experience because I did my first race last year at the Bol d’Or (editor’s note) but this is the first time I have finished a 24 hour race. C ‘is really long and hard, especially the last part which was very difficult for me because I wanted to attack more to catch up with our competitors who were a little faster (the Kawasaki n ° 11, Editor’s note), but I couldn’t do it . At the beginning we lost a little time because of a problem on the bike (under braking, Editor’s note), it’s a shame but it was not a big problem. You have to see the positive aspects: we led the race, we fought for the podium and the victory and we finished on the podium. We won big points and that’s important for the championship ".

Jonny Twelvetrees, team manager: "It was a big stress!"

"It was a crazy arrival! We had tried to assess all the possibilities and all the options available to us for the different possible scenarios. It was a big stress! For the moment I am still in shock because it ‘was really very tight. This podium is special and we will look at it as the best in our history, it was so tight. It was an incredible race. The drivers were magnificent, the team worked really well and we had a slight problem on the bike at the start but other than that everything worked very well ".

Suzuki Endurance Racing Team n ° 2 (3rd at Le Mans, 2nd in the championship)

Etienne Masson, driver: "First podium for this new model"

"The bike was very good despite some difficulties in the night relays, but this is the first podium for this new model and we are very happy with it!"

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Gregg Black, driver: "My first podium with the SERT"

"It was a very uncertain race at times, but to finish with such a small gap between us and the winners is a very positive point. I’m really happy for Suzuki, for Dominique (Meliand, Editor’s note) and for me because it’s my first podium with the SERT! "

Vincent Philippe, pilot: "We had to ensure"

"I was very happy to take the start and lead the race, then we followed our gait chart. We had to ensure and that’s what we did!"

Dominique Meliand, team manager: "A very nice departure gift!"

"This podium has a very special flavor … I will be retiring after the Suzuka 8 Hours, so it was my last 24 Hours of Le Mans. Finishing on the third step of the podium is a very nice starting gift!"

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Yamaha n ° 13 Wepol Racing (4th at Le Mans, 3rd in the championship)

Sheridan Morais, driver: "It was the most physically demanding race"

“This first race of the year, the second of the season, was brutal. I never thought I would be so happy with a 4th place but it was tough and we gave everything. My three teammates Danny Webb, Michael Laverty and the entire Wepol Racing Team have been working hard all week and have performed excellently, not only this week of racing but also throughout the winter. The team has it all. made to provide us with the best Yamaha possible in endurance configuration and it paid off as we were the only team to finish the race without “drama.” Of the six 24 hour races that I did, it was the more physically demanding ".

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

"Fortunately, I had a good preparation for the offseason (swimming, cycling and running) so I was in good shape and had a good mind," continued the 34-year-old South African rider. “From my first to my eighth stint, my lap times were 4 tenths. I had my best time around 2am and it was the most consistent performance I have ever had. This season is a season of ‘learning for the team to prepare for the future, but we already have a third and a fourth place in the two most difficult races on the calendar, which puts us in third position in the championship. motivated even more for the 8H of Slovakia! "

Michael Laverty, driver: "We stayed consistent, without making any mistakes"

"We didn’t have the pace to ride with the official teams so we stayed consistent, without making any mistakes. We finished with a fourth place which allows us to be third in the World Championship".

Yamaha n ° 96 Moto Ain (9th scratch, 2nd in Superstock)

Robin Mulhauser, pilot: "I feel at home"

"I had the honor to take the start of this 42nd edition of the legendary 24H of Le Mans … We started in 20th position. We experienced a small fall from my teammate which caused us to lose some positions, but apart from this small problem we had a clear race and gradually came back up on our competitors to finish in a magnificent 9th place in the general classification and 2nd in our Superstock category! We must dedicate this superb podium to my team as a whole, because we went quickly on the track but also in the pits where the supplies and mechanics were excellent! Thanks to Yamaha, the Moto-Ain team, my teammates and all my sponsors for their incredible support. There are two races left in the championship and we We must continue this great momentum to move up the rankings (4th now) and try to win this World Cup! Another big congratulations to my teammates who gave everything and next meeting you on May 11 in Slovakia! "

Pierre Chapuis, team manager: "I am proud to count you all among our beautiful family"

"At the end of an exciting and challenging race, we are on the podium! We started from the 20th row after difficult qualifying sessions, braved the fall at the start of the race, crossed the small supply hazard of that night and lived the safety car at the end of the race while we were preparing for the refueling. The whole team knew how to redouble their efforts. Drivers, mechanics, telemetrists, panelists, feeders, not to mention the osteos and the stewardship. A big bravo , I am proud to count you all among our beautiful Moto Ain family! Congratulations! "

Yamaha n ° 19 Girls Racing Team (30th scratch, 15th in Superstock)

Jolanda van Westrenen, pilot: "We had a great week"

"We did it! We finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans 30th place overall and 15th in the Superstock category! I thank my teammates Melodie, Melissa and Amandine for all the laughs, the fast lap times and the team spirit. Thank you. to Pierre who gave us a perfectly prepared motorcycle. Thanks to all the mechanics for their hard work on this race, with quick refueling to refuel, change the tires and repair the bike after my crash. I love it! Thank you also everyone who helped us with the tires, the food, the timing, the jokes, for keeping us awake all night, the drinks, the helmet cleaning and much more … We had a great week all together , it was hard work but we managed to get a good result! "

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Melissa Paris, pilot: "Making a 100% female team can be dangerous"

"Endurance is about the only team sport that I love and I am very proud of my teammates. We have competed in so many races together and they always impress me. Melodie Coignard, you motivated us to give the best of ourselves by running 24 hours while you were in pain. Making a "100% female" team can be dangerous because we can easily fall into the trap of "making a show" around girls without having the appropriate equipment, but the motorcycle has always been perfect and safe within a reliable team. Thank you to all team members: mechanics, physiotherapists, cook, manager, communicators, everyone. Thank you to all my sponsors and to my husband Josh Hayes for me Support. And now that we have shown several times that we can finish this race, let’s continue to work to finish even better placed to reward all those who help us ".

Honda n ° 1 FCC TSR Honda France (35th at Le Mans, 6th in the championship)

Freddy Foray, pilot: "I apologize to my team"

"I apologize to my team for this mistake which made us lose many points in the championship, but it is all a thing of the past! The good thing is that the new bike is really great. See you in Slovakia in three weeks where we will have no other choice but to win! "

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Mike Di Meglio, driver: "I am frustrated and disappointed"

"I’m frustrated and disappointed of course, because it wasn’t the race we expected! I still think I didn’t have enough experience on this new bike. Unfortunately we crashed, but we never did. gave up and we came back to 6th place before we had any new problems. I can’t wait to get back on the bike in Slovakia !

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Josh Hook, driver: "We will aim for victory in Slovakia"

"It was a very difficult race. Unfortunately we crashed early in the race and had to recover, but the new bike is very good and we will be aiming for victory in Slovakia."

Yamaha Austria Racing Team n ° 7 (retired at Le Mans, 7th in the championship)

Marvin Fritz, pilot: "It wasn’t our day"

"It wasn’t our day: after 10 hours of racing, at 1am, we had to give up due to a technical problem when we were in third position. We all worked hard for this event and we certainly had the pace. to finish on the podium, so it’s really bad luck. We had grip problems at the start, but then when the weather was cooler we had good feelings and we were back on the leaders. either it’s like that, but I thank the YART, Yamaha and Bridgestone for their work. We will concentrate on the next event at the Slovakia Ring, in just two weeks, where we have good memories with our victory last year ".

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Broc Parkes, pilot: "Endurance can sometimes be cruel"

“I had a really good pace in all of my stints and felt very strong, but our race only lasted ten hours. Endurance can be cruel at times! Now we have to forget that disappointment at Le Mans and focus on the next event in Slovakia, it’s a good circuit for us on which we won last year ".

Niccolò Canepa, driver: "The strategy was to attack during the night"

“Unfortunately our event at Le Mans ended after only ten hours of racing. The strategy was to control the race at the start and then to attack during the night. In our last hours we were the fastest on the track and we were aiming for victory. , but we had to give up before the halfway mark. We will continue to work for the next races. The team and my teammates are strong and the results will come ".

Mandy Kainz, team manager: "The engine seems to have suffered from the crash"

“Le Mans was a difficult race for us. It was hotter than expected and at the start of the race we had a bit of trouble finding grip and we had brake problems. as competitive as we could hope for in qualifying, which took place in cooler conditions, but we still tried to ensure in the race in order to be able to fight for the podium at the finish . We were consistently in the top 4, but Marvin had a little crash when he was second. We fixed the bike and it didn’t seem to have any problems, but it stopped after ten hours of racing and we had to give up. An initial examination showed that the engine may have suffered from the crash. It’s a shame because the team did a fantastic job, as always, and the drivers were in the top three on the track in all the conditions. But it’s endurance: you can have the best bike and the fastest riders, m But you also have to have a little luck. Bad luck, no trophy: it was our destiny this weekend at Le Mans ".

Aprilia n ° 9 Le Mans Roues (abandoned at Le Mans)

Marco Boue, pilot: "We did not have the end we hoped for and deserved"

"We did not have the end we hoped for and deserved! After a bad start, we moved up from 53rd to 15th place (5th in Superstock) until a breakdown forced us to retire at 4am. . Thank you to my teammates and the entire Le Mans Deux Roues team who gave their all and ensured. Remarkable! "

24 Heures Motos - 24H Motos 2019: debriefing after the race -

Nelson Major, driver: "I am available for the rest of the championship"

"I am available for the rest of the World Endurance Championship if a team is looking for a motivated rider who rarely crashes and progresses quickly. Preferably in EWC".

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