After six hours: F.C.C. TSR Honda France leads 24 Heures Motos following dramatic start to EWC

F.C.C. TSR Honda France leads the 24 Heures Motos after six hours of high-speed action in the opening round of the FIM Endurance World Championship at Le Mans.

With fans back in the grandstands after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, the race began in dramatic fashion when Christopher Seigneur was unable to avoid colliding with a slow-moving Bradley Smith, while pole-sitter Karel Hanika was delayed when he couldn’t get his YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC entry to fire up. Ad/> Seigneur was able to walk back to the pits, but ex-MotoGP rider Smith was taken to hospital for medical checks as a result of the substantial rear impact, having received immediate medical attention at the side of the track when the field circulated under safety car conditions.

Smith suffered no serious injuries but will remain in hospital for a period of observation. FIM EWCEWC update on Bradley SmithAN HOUR AGO Racing eventually got underway after 21 minutes and Honda rider Mike Di Meglio wasted no time demoting Gregg Black (Yoshimura SERT Motul) for the lead on the entry to the first chicane.

But Black didn’t allow Di Meglio to pull clear and was back in the lead after 35 minutes before making his first scheduled stop after the opening hour, handing over to Xavier Siméon. Siméon took his turn to lead when Di Meglio pitted at 16h05, but the Belgian world champion wasn’t able to fend off Gino Rea, Di Meglio’s replacement, who led until he lost precious seconds passing a backmarker, although the Briton was soon in front again.

Despite reporting a lack of grip, third F.C.C. TSR Honda France rider Josh Hook impressed during his stint and handed over to Di Meglio shortly before a second safety car period, which resulted from the #77 Wójcik Racing