Tributes have been paid to FIM Endurance World Cup race winner Stéphane Egea, who has passed away aged 34. 

Egea, who had cancer, enjoyed a standout EWC career with victory in the Superstock category in the 2021 24 Heures Motos with National Motos one of many highlights.

National Motos posted the following tribute on Facebook: “It took us a long time, a lot of hesitation to accept this terrible news and write these few lines following the passing of Stéphane Egea after a two-year battle with admirable strength and great dignity against cancer. 

“A National Motos rider for four seasons, Stéphane left an indelible memory in the team by his professionalism, generosity, kindness and dedication. He will played a great part in the success of the team, especially in the transition to the Superstock category with a victory at the 2021 24 Heures Motos.

“This victory rewarded the career of a passionate man, extraordinary technician and engineer living and working for the motorcycle.

“Our thoughts go out to his parents, Didier and Nathalie, of kindness and generosity for their son and for the absolutely remarkable team, as well as his partner Melodie. The entire National Motos team, team and dealership, associates with your pain.

“Stéphane, you will forever be part of the history of endurance and more especially of National Motos. The name Egea is an integral part of the National Motos adventure and we will never forget you. Goodbye Stéphane.”

Honda Moto France posted: “It is with great sadness that we pay tribute to Stéphane Egea, exceptional pilot and visionary technician. Circuit champion, he made history by winning among other things the 24 Heures Motos in 2021, at the helm of the Honda #55 of the National Motos team. His technical expertise, in the service of competitions and the future of biofuels, was a testament to his willingness to combine performance and sustainable progress.”

Egea started the 2022 EWC season with fourth place in the 24 Heures Motos riding for Team 33 Louit April Moto. The French squad paid tribute its former rider.

“It is with a heavy heart that we learned this morning of the passing of Stéphane Egea,” Team 33 Louit April Moto’s Facebook post read. “We had the privilege of working with Stéphane during the 2022 FIM EWC season. All our thoughts and strength go out to Stéphane's family and many friends. Rest in peace.”

After winning the Experimental class in the 24H SPA EWC Motos with ITem 17, Egea completed the 2022 season riding for Team Slider Endurance, which changed its Facebook profile in memory its Bol d’Or contender. A post from the outfit read: “We express our sincere condolences to his family, his companion, his close friends. We have come a long way together and we are proud to have counted you among us, we will retain your determination, investment, kindness and so many qualities. Ride in peace.”

Egea made his EWC debut in 2012, finishing fifth in class in the 24 Heures Motos with 3D Endurance.

He was fifth in Superstock in the 2015 Bol d’Or riding for the Atomic team and seventh with Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers at Oschersleben. 

Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers posted the following tribute on Facebook: “Stéphane Egea, endurance champion appreciated by all in the community. You were our rider from 2014 to 2016, in World Endurance but also in world Superstock 1000. Your discretion, your professionalism, your kindness, your performance on the line will have marked your way into the firefighter family. Today we lose one of our own, and our thoughts are with your parents, your partner, and all your loved ones. You left so young, but you got to live your passion at 200 kilometres per hour. Have a safe journey, champion.”

Back with Atomic, Egea finished second in Superstock in the 8 Hours EWC Slovakia Ring during the 2017-18 season. He also tackled the Bol d'Or as part of a two-rider line-up after Damian Cudlin withdrew from the National Motos attack.

As well as racing in the EWC, Egea competed in national events in his native France. He was sixth in the French Promosport 600 Cup in 2015 and fourth in the French Promosport 1000 Cup in 2017.

Photographer Frédéric Timores, who regularly attends EWC events, said: "A discreet character, talented, a figure of endurance, Thank you Stéphane for what you brought us.”

The EWC family extends its deepest sympathies to Egea’s family and friends.