The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team heads into the season-ending Bol d’Or with a chance to secure their second consecutive FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) title. With Niccolò Canepa, Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz, and reserve rider Robin Mulhauser leading the charge, the team is not only focused on defending their crown but also bidding an emotional farewell to Canepa, who will retire after this weekend’s race.
Last year, YART clinched the championship at Bol d’Or after an intense season, and they arrive at Circuit Paul Ricard with a slender six-point lead in the standings. Their 2024 campaign has been nothing short of exceptional, with standout performances, including a third-place finish at Le Mans, a win at the 8 Hours of Spa, and a dream podium in Suzuka. Now, they aim to finish strong and take home the title once again.
A Season to Remember
Defending the title hasn’t been easy, but YART’s consistency and performance have placed them in a prime position. The Austrian squad worked tirelessly during private practice at Le Castellet, honing their setup and tire combinations to tackle the challenging 24-hour endurance race. With 65 points up for grabs in this final round, YART is determined to maintain their lead.
Canepa’s Last Ride
For Niccolò Canepa, this race marks the end of an illustrious career. The Italian rider, who has been instrumental in YART’s success, is retiring after this weekend’s Bol d’Or. Canepa, physically fit and fully recovered from earlier injuries, is motivated to give everything to secure one last championship.
“This will be a very emotional Bol d’Or for me as it will be the last race of my career,” Canepa said. “Our aim is to secure back-to-back titles, and I want to end my career in the best possible way.”
The Path to Victory
With YART leading the overall standings, their approach to this race is simple: win the Bol d’Or and the championship is theirs. The team’s lead may be narrow, but their confidence is high thanks to the excellent performance of their Bridgestone-shod Yamaha R1 throughout the season.
Karel Hanika emphasized the team’s determination: “We are in a strong position, and we want to do everything we can to win it for the second time in a row. The competition will be tough, but we will give it absolutely everything.”
Marvin Fritz added, “Our target is to push to the maximum from the first practice session, focus on our race, and then see where we are in the championship. If we win the race, nothing else matters.”
Challenges and Competitors
The 5.673km Circuit Paul Ricard is known for being unforgiving, with the 1.8km Mistral Straight testing both rider endurance and machine durability. The track’s fast, flowing nature and technical demands make it a true challenge for the teams. However, YART’s preparation has been thorough, with team manager Mandy Kainz confident in their ability to deliver.
“We’ve put ourselves in the best possible position to win the championship,” Kainz said. “It’s up to us to shape our destiny. We aim to win, so we don’t have to worry about anyone else.”
Aiming for a Clean Sweep
YART’s ambitions extend beyond the riders’ title. Yamaha leads the FIM Endurance World Championship for Manufacturers by five points, and a win in the final race would secure this title as well. Additionally, the 3ART Best of Bike team could still claim glory in the superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup, making this a potential sweep for Yamaha across all categories.
The Final Countdown
The Bol d’Or will kick off with Free Practice on Thursday, followed by qualifying sessions and the traditional 24-hour race starting at 15:00 local time on Saturday. With YART in the driver’s seat, the final race of the 2024 EWC season promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to an epic year. All eyes will be on Canepa and the YART team as they strive to cement their legacy with back-to-back world titles.
