The four-time winner of the FIM Endurance World Championship is back racing full time in the EWC this season with ERC Endurance. The ace Spaniard took time out of his busy schedule to answer five key questions following his Dunlop-equipped team’s podium finish in the season-opening 24 Heures Motos last month.
You began your full-time EWC return with a podium in the 24 Heures Motos. How good was that?
“I’ve been lucky enough to experience that in 2004 – my first time here, I nearly won, finishing second. Then in 2005, I took the win. I had a dream debut where I was winning almost everything but then came a long dry spell – lots of podiums, but few victories at this track. Now, after 21 appearances at Le Mans and at 45 years old, standing on the podium again makes me incredibly proud and happy. Sharing this with my team-mates and with a team that, back when I joined them on Ducati, nobody really believed in – people laughed a bit and said they were doing things wrong. But in the end, with that Ducati and Xavi Forés, we nearly won the Bol d’Or.”
Xavi has taken on the role of Team Manager and it’s a return to BMW motorcycles. You must have been pleased with how things started?
“This year, the team switched to BMW, and in the very first race: a podium. I do feel a bit sad not to share this moment with Xavi as a rider – he’s here as Team Manager, but it’s not quite the same. I’ve really enjoyed racing with Illya (Mykhalchyk) – it’s the first time we’ve worked together, I didn’t know him before. As for Kenny (Foray), I rode alongside him for six years, so it’s great to be back with him. I’m just so happy for the team – this was their first-ever EWC podium, and to do it here at Le Mans is simply incredible.”
Xavi Forés
And what of Uwe Reinhardt, the man behind ERC Endurance, who was art Le Mans to see his team finally achieve and EWC podium?
“Honestly, I’m so happy for Uwe because he invest a lot during three years with me and Xavi. But I’m also happy for the team because every time they was really close to the podium and, at the end, we achieve. Maybe the position was not our place, but we had a luck with the conditions, we stayed on the wheels, we didn’t crash, we did a good job and the result is there. The bike is really good, we need to understand how best to manage that because in this winter we don’t test too much, but my team-mates Kenny and Illya know the bike for more than five years and they help me a lot how to manage that. We did a lot together and the team improved a lot during the 24 hours because it’s completely new mechanics and new staff and it’s not simple. Endurance, for me, is a family and when you work as a family you are well and my scare was how would the connection between everybody be, but I’m so happy for that, it was perfect. We are in the base, we have to build the house and the roof, but this year we can build a really good house for next year to be more strong.”
Illya Mykhalchyk makes a pitstop for ERC Endurance
As you mentioned earlier, this is the team’s first EWC podium – a fantastic start to the season. So, what are the ambitions going forward?
“With every team I’ve raced for, I’ve either won races, stood on the podium, or become world champion. This was the one team where I was still missing that podium – and now we’ve got it. It’s just the beginning. Now we go for the win. This year is about laying the foundations – building the base we need to achieve even bigger things. Honestly, this result was a bit unexpected, because we’re still not where we want to be in terms of preparation. But it gives us strength, confidence, and motivation to keep working and keep pushing forward.”
There were two standout Spaniards on the Le Mans podium – you, with all your experience, and Román Ramos, who learned a tough lesson after two years in the discipline. That crash, so close to the end, is something that could happen to anyone. What advice did you have for him?
“I raced with Román at the Bol d’Or. Unfortunately, we only did one stint each before the bike broke down. Today, I told him how proud I am of him. He came in as the fourth rider, got the chance to step up as the third, and ended up being the fastest – he showed he was the best of the Kawasaki team out there today, and that’s a big achievement. Sometimes, having that hunger really works in your favour – and it definitely did for him. I’m happy for him, he’s a great person, and I really hope things go well for him. Hopefully we’ll see each other on track soon.”
The 8 Hours of Spa Motos is next on the 2025 EWC schedule and takes place at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium from 6-7 June. Ticket information is available HERE.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
