Grégory Leblanc has reluctantly accepted defeat in his battle to be fit for next week’s Bol d’Or, the deciding round of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship, with David Checa called up as his replacement.
Leblanc broke his leg during a crash in Warm-Up for the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in July.
Despite the Frenchman making every effort to recover in time for a race he’s won four times in the past, he has made the decision to stand down from his ride with Kawasaki Webike Trickstar for the 24-hour event.
“It’s been a tough decision to make but since my accident in Japan I’m still not recovered,” Leblanc said. “Not being 100 per cent it was unthinkable to imagine myself on a motorcycle for 24 hours. I made the choice not to handicap my team and my team-mates Román Ramos and Christian Gamarino to whom I wish a very good race. I hope I can recover for the last round of the French Superbike Championship in Le Castellet at the end of September.”
A statement from Kawasaki Webike Trickstar read: “Unfortunately, Grégory Leblanc, our star rider who always led the team with flying colours, is forced to withdraw from the Bol d’Or. To compensate for his absence, KWT is pleased to welcome David Checa, a Spanish endurance racing expert, who will come to strengthen the team alongside Christian Gamarino and Román Ramos. Together, they'll form a solid structure to finish the season well. We look forward to taking on this challenge with our renewed and determined team.”
Like Leblanc, Checa (pictured above) is a hugely accomplished racer. The 44-year-old is a four-time EWC champion and a double winner of the Bol d’Or. A former World Superbike rider, Checa has also triumphed in the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans on three occasions but has yet to compete in this year's EWC. Visit FIMEWC.com soon for a Q&A with Checa.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
