Yamaha Secure Second in 2013 World Endurance Championship

[totalmotorcycle]

#Yamaha Secure Second in 2013 World Endurance Championship

The finale of the 2013 World Endurance Championship last weekend at Le Mans saw the Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamahalube team move up to second in the final season standings. The Yamaha team took the runner up spot after a hard won third place podium finish in the legendary 24hr race.



The result is the French team’s first appearance on the Le Mans podium since 2005, although the journey there was not easy last weekend, the 24hr race being as usual full of unexpected challenges. Having qualified second on the grid for the race start, the team were unfortunate to crash twice within the first hour. Some quick work saw them back on track and climbing from 52nd position 11th by the 12 hour point. Riders David Checa, Matthieu Lagrive and Kenny Foray kept the pressure on and were able to close in on a hard won podium finish, claiming third at the end of the gruelling 24hr race.
GMT 94


Monster Energy YART The Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team were not able to claim a second world title that looked a reality at one point during the race. Having qualified strongly, riders Josh Hayes, Broc Parkes and Igor Jerman were a constant presence in the top four and had held second place for several hours. Disaster struck in the 13th hour when a technical problem forced early retirement, leaving the Yamaha France team to place the YZF-R1 on the Le Mans podium.



Christophe Guyot

Yamaha france GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube Team Manager

“Since 2005 we have not stood on the podium at Le Mans. We know this result is the hard work of all the team, the riders and the mechanics. We are happy, very happy!”



Mandy Kainz

Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team

“We have nothing to be sorry for with ourselves, this time we were defeated unfortunately by technology. My boys could have won today; they were on the right path to do this. Unfortunately this is World Endurance.”