The FIM Endurance World Championship is saluting Niccolò Canepa after the reigning EWC champion called time on his riding career.
Canepa will retire following next week’s Bol d’Or as one of the most accomplished EWC racers of all time. As well as twice winning the coveted EWC title, the 36-year-old from Genoa in Italy is a member of an exclusive group of riders to have won the sport’s three 24-hour races at Le Mans, Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps.
But his achievements in the EWC go much further with myriad standout performances along the way. He became the first Italian to claim victory in the Bol d’Or, a feat he achieved in 2017. He then won the 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring during the 2018/19 season, his first with YART.
The 2019/20 season netted further triumph including winning the shortened 8 Hours of Sepang – when he rode solo in treacherous conditions – and the 12 Hours of Estoril, two results that helped YART finish runner-up in FIM Endurance World Championship for Teams.
More EWC success followed with podiums at Most and Le Mans in 2021 and 2022 respectively and victory in the 2023 24H SPA EWC Motos as part of YART’s title-winning season, which began with a runner-up finish in the 24 Heures Motos and featured a stunning opening stint from Canepa during the Bol d’Or finale when he opted to fit slick tyres on a damp track.
Despite picking up a shoulder injury during the Daytona 200 event in the USA in March, Canepa started his 2024 EWC campaign by setting new qualifying and race lap records in April’s 24 Heures Motos before he joined team-mates Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika in winning the 8 Hours of Spa Motos in June. The following month, Canepa played a key role in YART claiming a first podium finish in the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Canepa has also raced in MotoGP, WorldSBK, Moto2, WorldSSP and MotoE as well as being recruited by Yamaha for test and rider coaching duties.
Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Series Leader at Warner Bros Discovery Sports, the EWC promoter, said: “Niccolò Canepa will go down in EWC history as one of the all-time greats. A two-time champion and winner of all three 24-hour races, Niccolò’s achievements on track are matched by the contributions he’s made off it. He has become a true ambassador for the championship, always positive, always professional and always supportive, Niccolò’s a great communicator with a warm personality to boot. An inspiration for young riders given his dedication and skill, he would be a tremendous asset to any team, manufacturer or partner. It was a privilege to count on Niccolò as a member of the EWC family but, sadly, all good things come to an end. I join the entire EWC community in extending every good wish to Niccolò and for what comes next and thank him for his incredible service to the EWC.”*
Niccolò Canepa said: “It has been a fantastic journey. I started racing minibikes when I was just nine years old, and at 19, I was already riding a MotoGP bike. I have been lucky to have enjoyed an incredible career; of course, there have been some difficult moments, but as a child, I would never have imagined that I would have had so much success and got so much enjoyment from this sport. I gave everything to racing, but I got back much more than I expected, and I have won two EWC titles and one in Superstock. Hopefully, we can make it three in EWC after the Bol d’Or. I have had the opportunity to race in many championships, such as MotoGP, WorldSBK, EWC, WorldSSP, Moto2, and MotoE. I am happy with what I have achieved. As a rider, you know when it is time to stop, and it feels like the perfect moment to retire after the Bol d’Or. I am already thinking about new challenges and starting a new chapter in my life. Of course, I will miss racing, my team-mates, and my R1, but I think the time is right. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, especially my family and girlfriend and those I have crossed paths with who helped me or taught me something. It has been a pleasure to meet so many people along the way, and I am excited for the next adventure, which will see me continue to wear Yamaha blue.”
Canepa will ride his final laps in competition mode during the upcoming Bol d’Or, the deciding round of the 2024 EWC season from 12-15 September. His Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team heads the provisional standings by six points. Click HERE for ticket information.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
