Moto Ain focused on next EWC mission after ‘wrong place, wrong time’ moment at Le Mans

Moto Ain is firmly focused on the next round of the FIM Endurance World Championship after it experienced joy and despair when the 24 Heures Motos opened the new EWC season last weekend. Having completed a near mission impossible to secure its 2022 EWC programme, plus the riding qualities of Claudio Corti, Corentin Perolari and former MotoGP star Bradley Smith, Moto Ain’s high hopes of a successful start to its campaign were boosted further when it qualified seventh for the big race – a two-place grid rise compared to 2021 – with a 1m36.731s best.

Ad/> However, with Smith momentarily delayed starting the race and moving slower as a result, Christophe Seigneur was unable to avoid colliding with the Briton on the charge to the first corner. FIM EWCIncredible determination earns Maco Racing Team the Anthony Delhalle EWC Spirit Trophy12 HOURS AGO Although Seigneur could walk back to the pits, 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.

It was subsequently confirmed that he suffered no serious injuries but will require a period of rest and recovery. Despite the severity of the accident, the Moto Ain mechanics took less than 40 minutes to get its Yamaha back into the race after replacing myriad parts.

While Corti and Perolari both lapped competitively during their respective stints, with the bike not at full working order and with the team down from three to two riders, Moto Ain Team Director Pierre Chapuis took the difficult decision to withdraw. “I am very satisfied and happy with qualifying but much less with the race,” Chapuis said.