Image: Supplied.

After positive pre-season tests, reigning Endurance world champion Josh Hook and the F.C.C. TSR Honda France team are set to open their title defence next month at the prestigious 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans.

Hook won the EWC title for a second time with F.C.C. TSR Honda last year, and was in action alongside teammates Mike Di Meglio and Alan Techer during a recent test at the Bugatti Circuit in preparation for the opening round, also spending time in Japan during the build-up to the season.

“Our target for these preparatory tests for the 24 Heures Motos was to check our 2023-specification bike,” said Hook. “The year is starting well, everything is good. We brought what we tested in Japan and we are very satisfied. And our riders are performing well. Now, we’ll have to fine-tune our teamwork and pit work, but overall these tests were very good.”

During the off-season, Hook returned home for a cameo appearance at the final round of the 2022 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship, but was unable to complete the event after a mechanical issue in practice caused him to fall and fracture his scaphoid.

He underwent surgery with renowned specialist Dr Steve Andrews in December last year and it’s now all systems go for the Australian ahead of the opening round of EWC on 15-16 April.