Source: Supplied.

GMT94 Yamaha led a podium sweep for the brand in the weekend’s Oschersleben 8 Hours, round three of the 2016/2017 Endurance World Championship (EWC).

After winning the Le Mans 24 Hours last month, GMT94 Yamaha secured victory again in Germany following an epic duel with the YART Yamaha Official EWC Team.

The two factory-backed Yamahas – including leading Australian Broc Parkes as part of YART – came in ahead of private oraganisation Maco Racing Team, also on a Yamaha.

GMT94 Yamaha chalked up its third consecutive win in Germany, crossing the finish line at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben less than 31 seconds ahead of YART Yamaha Official EWC Team. The two factory-backed R1 bikes once again staged a thrilling duel throughout the race.

GMT94 Yamaha ended up the winner despite a stop and go for non-compliance with the refuelling procedure at the tail-end of the race, indicating that David Checa, Niccolo Canepa and Mike Di Meglio are near unbeatable on their Dunlop-shod R1.

The Bridgestone-backed YART Yamaha Official EWC Team had no choice but to bow to their rivals’ sheer determination, all the more so since Parkes and Kohta Nozane covered practically all the stints between them. Marvin Fritz, who had sustained injuries at Assen as well as during testing in Oschersleben, was unable to shore up YART’s chances of winning.

Of the remaining Aussies in the field, after starting the race from the back because of a tyre puncture, F.C.C. TSR Honda began a climb back up and finished in fifth place. Gregg Black and Josh Hook rode the Honda for practically the entire 8 hours, as Damian Cudlin was hampered by back pain. The Japanese team’s grit in Germany won them the Anthony Delhalle EWC Spirit Trophy.

The world champion Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) of Alex Cudlin crossed the finish-line ninth, but still top the current world championship rankings, with a seven-point lead over GMT94 Yamaha.

Next race on the calendar is the 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring on Saturday, 24 June.