Last September at the 82nd Bol d’Or race, Camille Hedelin, on the #9 BMW for Tecmas BMW, was ejected from his bike in a high-side crash. His pelvis was fractured in three places, and he suffered fractures to the radius and cubitus. “I was left thinking that the accident would mark the end of my racing career. I knew things were going to be tough professionally and for my family,” explains Camille Hedelin. The French rider embarked on a long period of convalescence and physical therapy, with visits from old teammates like Kenny Foray and Julien Da Costa to cheer him up. However, Hedelin soon recovered his appetite for racing and thus set himself a challenge: recovering in time for the next 24H Motos (20-21 April 2019). His determination means he is now five weeks ahead of the physical therapy schedule set by his surgeon! “I was back on my bike trainer before I could even walk again,” he tells us.

There is no denying Hedelin’s passion for the 24H Motos. “It’s an iconic race and I’ve loved it ever since I first competed with BMW Andalucia in 2010. During the race, you’re up against the elements, your own physical condition, and the other riders. I took me a long time to reach this level and now I’m here, I want to enjoy it a bit longer yet. If I gave up because of an injury, it would feel like I had unfinished business.” Alongside his recovery programme, Camille Hedelin has had to look for a new team because Tecmas will not be competing in the 2019 24H Motos. “I wanted to join a team that would be competing in the full FIM EWC World Endurance Championship. David Drieghe, team manager at Mototech EWC Team, and Grégory Fastré, a new recruit to the team, convinced me to join them. We share the same passion, their bikes are properly prepared and they won the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps last year,” he indicates.

That was enough to convince the former official BMW rider to take part in the 42nd edition of the 24H Motos aboard a #61 Yamaha R1, shared with Grégory Fastre, Bram Lambrechts and Sébastien Le Grelle. ”The Yamaha is reliable and should be easy to ride. We’ll be aiming for the top five or ten overall at every race. There could be a surprise or two in store at the 24H Motos.”  To help him adjust to his new steed, Hedelin will be taking part in six test days on the Valence and Aragon circuits in Spain. How will he feel when he mounts the Yamaha? “I’m not especially worried. I’ll just make sure I enjoy it. I’m going to ramp things gradually up because all that I want is to be ready for the 24 Hours.”

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT BUGATTI, 24H MOTOS, THURSDAY 19 APRIL 2018, QUALIFYING. Camille Hedelin has competed at the 24H Motos eight times. In 2019, he will ride the #61 Yamaha for Belgian team Mototech EWC Team.