24h Motos
British rider Danny Webb will be competing in the 24-hour endurance motorcycle race for the second time on 20–21 April 2019, on the #13 Yamaha fielded by German team Wepol Racing. The former Grand Prix rider is particularly suited to endurance racing and has his heart set on winning the classic race.
Webb took third place in his maiden Le Mans 24H Motos last year, riding the #13 BMW under the Wepol Racing by Penz13 banner with Michael Laverty and Christian Iddon. “It was very difficult on my first night stint. I crashed and my shoulder popped out and then back in. But I had a fantastic physio so I could keep going in the race. Every 24-hour race is difficult. But to stand on the podium at the Le Mans 24-hours was an amazing feeling!”
Having taken 102 starts in Grand Prix (125cc then Moto3), Webb is in his second FIM World Endurance Championship. “It’s not been so difficult [to switch disciplines]. I just needed time to change my riding style and the Wepol team gave me that. And it has worked because we have had a lot of success together!” Last summer, Wepol Racing swapped the BMW S1000RR for a Yamaha R1. At the Bol d’Or, the first round of the 2018-19 FIM EWC, Webb formed a crew with Matthieu Lagrive and Sheridan Morais and caused a stir by finishing third. “It was another fantastic finish as we only done two days at a track day before going to the race. We were on a new bike that none of the riders or team had much time to get used to so it was another amazing result.”
Webb already has an enviable track record in endurance, with three podiums in three 24-hour races. “It has been amazing. I have only done three endurance races and I have been on the podium in everyone. So they are career highlights. Hopefully we can add another one in April!” Wepol Racing hopes to make another splash at the Le Mans 24H Motos. “I hope for the 24H Motos we can be on the podium again. The aim is to win but if we are on the podium it will be good for the championship.”
Webb is happy in his new discipline, his Grand Prix years already a distant memory. “I like it because it is a team effort. Not just down to how the bike and rider perform on that day. The pit stops have to be good all 3 riders have to be good every person in the team works hard and when you get a good result at the end it is because everybody has worked hard!”
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT BUGATTI, LE MANS 24H MOTOS, THURSDAY 19 JUNE 2018, QUALIFYING SESSIONS. Webb took third place in his maiden Le Mans 24H Motos last year, riding the #13 BMW under the Wepol Racing by Penz13 banner.
