DUCATI Team KAGAYAMA
DUCATI Team KAGAYAMA
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27 July 2024
KM99 celebrates “exceptional” Suzuka EWC result
KM99 has described its top 10 finish in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race as an “exceptional result”.Starting Japan’s round of the FIM Endurance World Championship for only the second time, the Belgium-based squad finished 10th overall and ninth among the Formula EWC contenders with riders Randy de Puniet, Jérémy Guarnoni and Florian Marino.A team statement read: “Our week of preparation in Suzuka was intense and demanding. Despite the absence of pre-tests last month, the entire team worked tirelessly to prepare a competitive bike. The challenging weather conditions, marked by intense heat and high humidity, made the task even more arduous. However, thanks to everyone's determination and dedication, we managed to achieve our objectives.“We started the race in 15th position, in line with our initial goal. The race went smoothly despite the tough climatic conditions. Our riders and technical team did a tremendous job, demonstrating resilience and precision throughout the event.“Without making a single mistake, we finished the race in an impressive 10th place. This result is even more significant as we ranked fourth among permanent teams, second Yamaha team, and second team equipped with Dunlop tyres. We achieved an exceptional result”.KM99 Team Owner Gaëtan Schyns said: “I am very happy with this result and the way we spent this week with a very focused and serene team in a good working atmosphere.” Mario Kupper, the KM99 Team Manager, added: “After this difficult start to the season, this result is good for the team and gives us a boost to finish the season on a high note.”Ahead of September’s Bol d’Or, KM99 is now sixth in the Formula EWC standings with 41 points.
26 July 2024
EWC Take Five with Albert Arenas
Albert Arenas went from Moto2 to the FIM Endurance World Championship podium when he finished third in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race for Yoshimura SERT Motul. Riding alongside Suzuki-powered team-mates Cocoro Atsumi and Dan Linfoot, this is what the 27-year-old from Spain had to say.A podium in your first Suzuka 8 Hours for what was your EWC debut of course. How incredible does that feel?“Incredible, especially considering how it all happened. On Monday, I couldn't board the plane due to a visa issue, and we had testing sessions on Wednesday that I couldn't attend. However, I gave my word, and we did everything possible to get here. My mentality changed with the change of plans. They told me they needed me, so I did everything I could to be here. My focus was to help the team as much as possible. I did a total of 35 laps during testing, and the sensations were good from the start. With the team, I felt at home, they are very professional, we got along well, and I was super-proud to share the bike with Cocoro and Dan. They did an incredible job, and I was able to do my best to help them, which was the goal, and I think we achieved it. Mission accomplished. It was also their first podium, very special, and I am very proud of everyone, happy to have lived this experience. Different vacations, but super-happy to have made the decision to take on this challenge in this way.”
25 July 2024
BMW best: Fine fifth place marks a Suzuka EWC high
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team enjoyed a weekend of personal bests when the FIM Endurance World Championship visited Japan. After posting a qualifying best of fourth place, the Dunlop-equipped line-up of Sylvain Guintoli, Illya Mykhalchyk and Sylvain Guintoli completed the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in fifth to take third in the overall EWC standings after three rounds.As he did in the 8 Hours of Spa Motos last month, German rider Reiterberger swept into an early lead. Although he couldn’t keep the chasing Niccolò Canepa at bay and was behind at the entry to the chicane before the opening lap was done, Reiterberger quickly established a consistent rhythm his team-mates were able to maintain through to the finish.“I’m really happy with this fifth place, it was the toughest race of my life,” Reiterberger said in reference to the high ambient temperatures and humidity. “I’m very proud of my team. The crew and my team-mates did an incredibly good job. We leave Suzuka very satisfied.”Reiterberberger will be back in action this weekend when he takes part in the IDM German Superbike round in Schleiz. He posted on Facebook: “I am happy that I will have a guest start at the IDM in Schleiz. Thanks to the support of Masteroil, BMW Motorrad, Alpharacing, my personal sponsors, friends and family, the MSC Schleizer Dreieck e.V. and Werner Daemen, I will start with the Masteroil by MRP team in the SBK class. My fan club will be there too, I'm looking forward to Schleiz.”
24 July 2024
MotoGP star Zarco makes the grade with debut EWC victory
Johann Zarco became an FIM Endurance World Championship race winner at his first attempt in Japan last weekend, describing his achievement as a “big relief”.Zarco, a race winner in MotoGP, joined forces with Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe to form the Team HRC with Japan Post squad that banked a third straight win in the Suzuka 8 Hours and handed Honda its 30th victory in the iconic event.
23 July 2024
EWC Suzuka 8 Hours results go final
The results of the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance are now final following post-event technical checks.They found motorcycle number 23 (Team Tatara Aprilia) to be contravention of FIM Endurance World Championship Technical Regulation 2.8.6.3, and motorcycle numbers 52 (Termaoto@J-Trip Racing) and 806 (NCXX Racing with Riders Club) to be in contravention of FIM Endurance World Championship Technical Regulation 2.7.6.3. As such, motorcycle numbers 23, 52 and 806 were disqualified from the results of the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race.Click HERE for the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race final ranking and follow this LINK for the updated provisional standings after round three.
22 July 2024
TONE RT Syncedge 4413 BMW takes Suzuka EWC Superstock glory
Rookie Hannes Soomer helped TONE RT Syncedge 4413 BMW to victory in the Dunlop-equipped FIM Endurance World Cup during the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race yesterday (Sunday).Partnered by Japanese riders Tomoya Hoshino and Ainosuke Yoshida, the Estonian was making his Suzuka debut and overcame a late gear issue to triumph ahead of Team Étoile, which beat Taira Promote Racing to second place on the final lap by 2.213s.“I came here on Tuesday for the first time and now I’ve ended up winning,” Soomer said. “Every motorcycle racer wants to be on this podium and now I’m on the first step I’m very, very happy.”Teramoto@J-Trip Racing’s bid to convert its Superstock pole position into victory unravelled when Takeru Murase inflicted substantial damage by crashing at Turn 8 after 30 minutes. National Motos Honda FMA finished fifth on its Suzuka debut but a crash for Gino Rea exiting the second Degner Curve in the opening 20 minutes dropped Wójcik Racing Team out of contention.FIM Endurance World Cup teams were contesting the Suzuka 8 Hours for the first time under new rules for 2024.And the Europe-based teams contesting the iconic event benefited from a tyre support package offered jointly by FIM Endurance World Championship promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Dunlop, the official tyre supplier to the Superstock category. Through the arrangement, 10 sets of tyres are being provided free of charge to each European Superstock team contesting the third event of the EWC season.