Ahead of Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube and SRC Kawasaki.
Even without Anthony Delhalle, replaced by Alex Cudlin following an injury, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team has confimred its pole position on the starting grid of the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycling race this weekend. So far, Vincent Philippe and Julien Da Costa have been remarkably consistent aboard the Suzuki #1. The two riders clocked up best laps within a thousandth of a second of each other in 1’37.258. Following a best lap in 1’39.116 by Alex Cudlin, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team squeaked ahead of Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube. On the French Yamaha, David Checa, Kenny Foray and Matthieu Lagrive all upped their times significantly today, wresting second place on the starting grid from Team SRC Kawasaki despite today’s best individual lap by Gregory Leblanc and a better showing by Axel Maurin aboard the Kawasaki #11. A crash without serious consequences left Fabien Foret no chance to improve his times of yesterday on the SRC Kawasaki.
We can expect a close-fought three-way battle among the leaders, not only among three manufacturers but also among three tyre makers, with Dunlop in pole ahead of Michelin and Pirelli. The top 5 on the grid is made up by Monster Energy Yamaha YART and BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent, who say that they have been working more for the race than for a place on the grid.
The most improved times of the day belong to two Hondas. FMA Assurances with Gregg Black, Matthieu Lussiana and Valentin Debise and National Motos ridden by Arturo Tizon, Greg Junod and Olivier Four, are now in 6th and 7th position just ahead of the first Superstock, the Kawasaki of Louit Moto 33. This private Kawasaki has also shaved quite a bit off its times as is the case with several Superstock teams. Le Team Motors Events April Moto (Suzuki), AM Moto Racing Compétition (Suzuki) and DG Sport Herock (Yamaha) can therefore savour the chance to start on the grid ahead of category pre-race favourite the Junior Team LMS Suzuki.
The first 56 teams in the standings at the end of these two qualifying sessions will be able to take part in this 36th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Motorcycling Race. The pits will be open at the end of the afternoon this Friday to give the fans a chance to visit their favourite teams. The start will be given tomorrow, Saturday at 15 h.
Provisional starting grid