After guiding Champion-MRP-Tecmas to Dunlop-equipped Superstock glory in round two of the FIM Endurance World Cup, Team Manager Arnaud Sassone took time out of his busy schedule following the 8 Hours of Spa Motos to answer five key questions.
How did this project and the chance to work again with Werner Daemen’s MRP Racing come together?
“To be perfectly honest, the project was completed in six weeks. At Tecmas, we didn't have the time to assemble the bike. So it was assembled at MRP. The technical staff was also involved, and we arrived at Spa with a reduced technical staff, including my engineer, who worked on the bike all week, and me as team manager.”
Despite a heavy crash for Mercado, Champion-MRP-Tecmas took the Superstock pole
Why was the EWC season-opening 24 Heures Motos not part of your team’s schedule?
“For two simple reasons. The first is that if we had done the 24 Heures Motos we would not have been able to have the 2025 engine specification. We would have been forced to race with the 2024 [version]. We worked a lot with BMW on the 2025 development but we knew that it would not be available for the race. The second is that financially we were not ready but I was also waiting to see what the new engine would give. We are lucky to have a programme in French Superbike with Kenny Foray and we were able to have the 2025 engine and see the progress. But in March it was far too late to prepare a machine for April. On the other hand, Werner and I still thought that, even without BMW's support, it would be good to showcase the potential of this new engine, hence the involvement at Spa, which requires a smaller budget than a 24-hour race.”
Sassone addresses the media following Spa pole success
The race was complicated due to the weather changing. Even with a ‘young’ team it was a flawless performance. Did that make your victory even more satisfying?
“Yes, absolutely. You have to realise that the people in the team are obviously seasoned in competition, but they had little or no experience in endurance racing. We didn't make any mistakes on key points like tire and fuel management. We weren't the fastest in our interventions or even compared to what we've done in previous seasons, but given our pace on track, we also allowed ourselves to gain a little more time. I would have preferred us to lose a second or two but for the pit stop to be successful, rather than rushing and making a mistake that cost you a minute.”
German Bühn was part of the Champion-MRP-Tecmas rider line-up
You mentioned the race pace. How good was the rider line-up you assembled for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos – it was almost like a BMW Junior Team?
“Yes, that's exactly it. The cohesion between MRP and Tecmas allows us to have a solid technical base and fast riders who can be ready to ride the factory machine at any time. Hannes Soomer, for example, is a rising star. He's well-known at BMW and can replace one of the three regular riders at a moment's notice. Jan Bühn was at home, and I knew he'd do the job. He's also on the good books of our partner Champion, so it was important to have him there. As for Tati [Leandro] Mercado, it was a great introduction. I didn't know him but working with him was a real pleasure. He's seriously committed and he's also fast. Everyone was able to see that. What's needed now is to bring together all the elements to make the Bol d’Or and then talk again about 2026.”
Champion-MRP-Tecmas wins the 8 Hours of Spa Motos
Will Champion-MRP-Tecmas return for the Bol d’Or?
“Yes, we'll definitely be at the start of the Bol d'Or. Champion was delighted with the impact of the victory at Spa and will be with us again. Local partners of MRP and Tecmas also want to join forces, so that's positive. As of today, the budget isn't completely finalised, but there are no questions to ask; we have to go for it. That gives us three months to prepare, so it'll be fine. We'll have a team of four riders. For the simple reason that Hannes is a reserve rider on the 37 [of the factory BMW Formula EWC team], and if there's a problem, he'll switch to the official machine. So, on our side, there will be four of us, and if Hannes has to switch, we'll race as a three-man team.”
While Sassone is hard at work to make sure Champion-MRP-Tecmas is on the grid for the EWC season-deciding Bol d’Or from 18-21 September, the build-up to round three, the 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, is under way with the legendary Japanese event taking place from 1-3 August.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
