The number of teams on the entry list for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorbikes on 24^th/25^th September comes to sixty-two. The rider line-up has not yet been finalized, but the current list already gives an idea of the forces in presence for the 34^th running of the Sarthe classic.

The Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorbikes is the fourth round of the FIM World Endurance Championship after the Bol d’Or, the Albacete 8 Hours in Spain and the Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan. As always, the entry list for the Le Mans event is over-subscribed as sixty-two requests have been sent in for only fifty-eight places on the grid!

Ladies first, as there is a newcomer on the list in the endurance riders category, Ornella Ongaro. The girl from Cannes will make her debut in the Normand’Urance team on the no. 61 Suzuki.

There are few changes among the front-running teams in the EWC category. BMW Motorrad France, the current world championship leader, has the same line-up. SERT, second in the same classification, has not yet announced the name of the third rider on the Suzuki. The SRC squad with the no.11 Kawasaki has the same three riders who won the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours. Guillaume Dietrich has been called in as the fourth man, a first on the ‘green’s’ works bike. The GMT and YART Yamahas have the same line-ups. The latter team’s fourth man will be the young and talented Loris Baz. He is currently one of the best French sprint riders and this will be his first taste of endurance. Another team among the favourites in the category, the no. 77 Honda entered by the TT Legend outfit, has replaced Stave Palter, still convalescing, by David Cameron. Despite not having had a great year so far in the World Endurance Championship, the British team has put on an encouraging performance.

In the Superstock category, the QERT team has withdrawn its Suzuki from the world championship. The Junior team entry is still racing with the same riders as in the Bol d’Or. Maccio Racing, another of the front-runners in the category, will be gunning for victory. Team Motors Events Bodyguard will also be out to bag a big haul of points. The RAC 41 team is another possible winner as its three riders are quick, experienced and will be contenders for the top places on their Yamaha. The Kawasaki of the Monaco Police Force is another remarkable team due to the fact that it has direct backing from the Prince for its second outing in the 24 Hours for Bikes. Finally, there is the BMW 93 entered by Lussiana’s Défi team, the name of a well-known family in the motorbike milieu whose line-up consists of the father and his three sons!

There are five bikes in the Open Category. In addition to the usual Metiss of JLV Moto and Bihr-Metiss, the Aprilia Le Mans 2 Wheels is also capable of scoring a good result with its line-up of quick riders.

These crews, among others, are pure amateurs. For them finishing the 24 Hours for Motorbikes is a real achievement. This is why they all start determined to do their utmost to achieve the best result. The 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorbikes has all the makings of a thrilling race!

>> The list of entries <<

>> FIM World Endurance Classification <<

Practical information
2011 Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorbikes
34^th running
4^th round of the World Endurance Championship

Dates: 24-25 September 2011

General enclosure ticket prices: 49 euros on pre-sale up till 6^th September, then 58 euros.
Free for youngsters born after 25^th September 1995 accompanied by an adult.

Scrutineering: admin. Checks: Wednesday 21^st September (09h30-13h00 – 14h00-16h30)

Free practice: Wednesday 21^st September (12h30-14h30)

Qualifying practice: Thursday 22^nd September 16h30-22h15) and Friday 23^rd September (11H00-13h30).

Warm-up: Saturday 24^th September (10h30-11h15).

Start of the 34^th Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorbikes: Saturday 24^th September at 15H00.

Information and reservations

Internet: www.lemans.org

Facebook: 24 Heures Moto – ACO Official

Twitter: 24heuresmoto

Dailymotion: lemans