It’s victory for the Austrian team as Yamalube YART Yamah win the 24 Hours of Spa for 2023, taking the win from the FCC TSR Honda France outfit, with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in third.
Having secured pole position, the running start and a slight wheelie meant Martin Fritz entered the first turn in 10th before moving back up to a three-way battle for the lead. Saftey cars meant team-mates Karel Hanika and Niccolo Canepa weren’t able to extend an advantage until around 15 hours into the race. And despite a puncture for Fritz with five hours to go, the rear tyre was replaced without YART Yamaha losing the lead.
The performance means the YART team now lead the overall FIM EWC standings after two rounds, and is the first 24 hour win for the squad in 14 years, along with their first EWC victory since 2020 at the 12 Hours of Estoril.
YART EWC Will Lead Yamaha’s Suzuka 8 Hours Teams
With the famous endurance race taking place from August 4-6th, 2023, it’s been announced YART EWC will lead Yamaha’s Suzuka 8 Hours teams.
The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team is currently competing in the Endurance World Championship under owner and manager Mandy Kainz. Their riders are Italian former WSB, MotoGP and Mo2 rider Niccolo Canepa who won the EWC championship in 2017, former IDM Supersport and Superstock champion Marvin Fritz, and Czech former Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and European Moto3 champion Karel Hanika.