KM99’s top-10 finish among the Formula EWC squads in last month’s Bol d’Or ensured a top-10 placing in the final FIM Endurance World Championship for Teams.
The Belgian outfit made its EWC debut in the season-opening 24 Heures Motos, scoring points in the 24H SPA EWC Motos and the Bol d’Or finale with its Yamaha-powered line-up of Bastien Mackles, Lucas Mahias and Florian Marino.
A statement issued by KM99 chiefs Gaëtan Schyns and Mario Kupper read:
We successfully wrapped up our first year of participation in the Endurance World Championship by taking part in the prestigious Bol d’Or. We displayed determination, skill, and resilience throughout the event to end the season on a positive note.
Qualifying for the Bol d'Or went smoothly. We secured an impressive sixth place on the starting grid, solidifying our position as the top private team on the grid. This performance aligned perfectly with our ambitious goals for this iconic race.
We had the opportunity to contend for fifth place, showcasing our competitiveness at the highest level of endurance motorcycle racing. Unfortunately, a minor technical issue arose just before midnight. Although it was resolved in a mere five minutes, the extended return of the bike by the recovery services resulted in a delay of over 20 laps for our team. This setback pushed us down to the 27th position.
However, we demonstrated our determination by staging an impressive comeback throughout the night, reaching the 16th position after 18 hours of racing. Our mechanics exhibited exceptional professionalism in quickly and efficiently addressing a second minor technical issue and the collective crash caused by oil on the track.
At the end of the race, we took the chequered flag in 17th place, a result that reflects our resilience in the face of unexpected challenges at the Bol d'Or.
This performance allowed us to conclude our first season in the FIM EWC with pride. We finished in the top 10 in the overall standings, an impressive achievement considering our status as newcomers to the championship.
We have proven time and again our ability to compete with established teams and have gained valuable experience that will be put to good use in the upcoming 2024 season.
We would like to express our gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and supporters for their continuous support throughout this exciting racing season. Starting today, we will work diligently to prepare for the 2024 season to continue our progress and achieve our goals.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
