Image: Supplied.

The 45th edition of the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans saw Yoshimura SERT Motul start its FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) defence in the perfect way, with riders Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Simeon winning the prestigious event.

The trio rode a near faultless race, the only real blemish coming under the safety car late Saturday afternoon when the GSXR-1000 ran out of fuel.

Finishing with 840 laps, the SERT squad made it back-to-back wins at the Bugatti Circuit, ahead of pole-setters YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC, with Karel Hanika, Niccolo Canepa and Marvin Fritz securing P2, also completing 840 laps.

F.C.C TSR Honda France trio, Mike Di Meglio, Gino Rea and Australian Josh Hook completed the top three, leading the first eight hours before costly pit stops required to fix a first gear selector issue and then to replace a broken silencer ultimately cost them a shot at victory.

In the Dunlop Superstock category, Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers Motostore overcame delays caused by a broken oil filter to convert pole position in the class to a win, and finish fourth outright in the event.

Second in Dunlop Superstock  Trophy and fifth overall was No Limits Motor Team, finishing in front of National Motos Honda, Team 33 Louit April Moto, Team Bolliger Switzerland #8, Pitlane Endurance #86 -JP3 and Team LH Racing who occupied positions six to 10.

Australia’s Anthony West completed the race as part of a two-rider Marco Racing Team, and received the Anthony Delhalle EWC Spirit Trophy alongside teammate Enzo Boulom. The Yamaha equipped pairing finished 32nd outright.

Round two of the 2022 EWC takes place at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, the 24H SPA EWC Motos set for 4-5 June.

Detailed results