Impressive Comeback for KM99 at the 24 Heures Motos, First Round of the FIM EWC

Le Mans, France – April 22, 2024

Team KM99 demonstrated resilience and determination at the demanding 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), held at the iconic Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans.

Despite facing numerous challenges, the team, comprising riders Randy de Puniet, Florian Marino, and Jérémy Guarnoni, showcased exceptional teamwork and skill throughout the race.

The race started with promising momentum as the team began from 8th position following qualifying sessions. Florian Marino's lightning start immediately gained us three positions, laying a solid foundation for the rest of the race. Over the initial five hours, our trio maintained an impressive pace, contending for a podium position.

A minor crash, fortunately without major damage, necessitated an unexpected pit stop. Thanks to the swift action of our mechanics, repairs were completed in just five minutes, allowing us to enter the eighth hour of the race in sixth position, securing five championship points.

However, the race took a challenging turn due to difficult-to-diagnose mechanical issues. Multiple extended pit stops ensued, resulting in a drop in our position in the standings. Despite setbacks, our drivers displayed remarkable perseverance and skill, gradually climbing back up the rankings through the night.

A more significant setback occurred in the morning with a second, more substantial crash, immobilizing our Yamaha R1 for approximately thirty minutes and dropping us to 36th place in the overall standings.

Nevertheless, the unwavering determination of our mechanics and the exceptional performances of our drivers led to an impressive recovery.

In the end, Team KM99 crossed the finish line in 13th place overall and 9th place in the EWC category. While the final result did not meet our initial expectations, we are proud of the team's relentless efforts to finish the race and achieve such a comeback under challenging race conditions, particularly in the face of harsh weather conditions.

With 19 out of 48 teams forced to retire, the demanding nature of the 24 Heures Motos is evident. We express sincere gratitude to our fans for their support and encouragement, and to our partners for their backing.

KM99 collects a total of 18 valuable points in the championship. The championship will continue with the second round on June 7th and 8th at our national circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos.

For more information and updates on Team KM99, please visit our official website www.KM99.be and our social media channels.

Contacts :
Gaetan SCHYNS, Team Owner : gaetan@km99.be
Mario KUPPER, Team Manager: mario@km99.be
Dario SCHYNS, Communication & RS: dario@km99.be