Canterbury’s Tom Ward teams up with Tom Oliver and David Shoubridge for fifth-place class finish in 24-hour Endurance World Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium

Tom Ward and his French-based Tanesie Racing Team were feeling ecstatic following their performance at round two of the Motorcycle Endurance World Championship.

Canterbury racer Ward joined fellow TRT27 riders Tom Oliver and David Shoubridge for the EWC Spa 24-hour race in Belgium where they clinched a fifth-place finish in the Dunlop Superstock Trophy - their best result to date - and 12th position overall.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit was a new one for both Ward and Oliver and the Kent man loved it, saying: “The iconic track was breathtaking to ride and Eau Rouge was one of the most insane corners I've personally ever ridden!

“Along with Blanchimont, a 300kph left-hander in sixth gear with your elbow scraping along the floor and the roller coaster infield, it was absolutely amazing to ride around, even for 24 hours!”

Ward began well with a strong qualifying, going under the previous lap record and the fastest-ever Suzuki Superstock lap. However, problems on the test day and in night practice meant a limited number of laps on the race bike before starting the 24-hour stint.

Despite the less-than-ideal preparation the trio stuck to their game plan, riding at a consistent pace, avoiding any technical problems and not getting caught in others’ crashes - although the seat came loose in one session and they ran out of fuel at the end of the pitlane in the other which cost time.

Next up for Ward is the iconic Bol d'Or 24 Hours in the south of France at Paul Ricard in September. In between there could be some wildcard appearances in the British Superbikes, depending on finances, along with a few European trackdays to test the TRT27.