The Honda TT Legends achieved a world-first last weekend, completing the Le Mans 24-hour aboard a Combined ABS-equipped CBR1000RR Fireblade to become the first team to run the system at world championship level.

The Endurance World Championship contenders have been testing Combined ABS throughout the 2011 season, working towards a potential launch at the 8-hour race in Qatar in November.

Development has gone so well that the team decided to bring forward the introduction of the system and run it during the ultimate challenge of the Le Mans 24-hour.

The Combined ABS system ran smoothly throughout the demanding race, which saw the Honda TT Legends place fifth in a field of 62 teams to rise to ninth in the 2011 Endurance World Championship standings.

“Having Combined ABS on the bike was definitely a benefit,” said Australian Cam Donald. “I’m sure it got me out of trouble more than once, especially late on the race when fatigue was kicking in.

“The system ran so smoothly throughout the entire race and I can’t wait to see how it will develop. It’s definitely an exciting prospect.”

Honda pioneered the introduction of ABS on road-going motorcycles and the manufacturer has already experienced racing success at national level when a Combined ABS-equipped Fireblade ridden by Karl Muggeridge won the 2010 German Superbike Championship.

The Honda TT Legends team will now continue to run Combined ABS for the remainder of the 2011 season and into 2012.