Away from the glare of our media (who know next to nothing about motorcycle road racing), one of the blue riband events on the motorcycling calendar took place over the weekend. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, Round 2 of the World Endurance Championships, was decided on the iconic French circuit in front of capacity crowds. It was followed by and reported on by all of the world’s respected motorcycle media and accorded a status that is granted to only the world’s best races. Over 800 laps are completed by the riders around the 4.185 km circuit and the race is truly one of the greatest feats of endurance in motorcycle racing. The Le Mans race is supported by factory teams from all the major manufacturers as well as dozens of privateer teams all hopeful of grinding out a placing at or near the top.
And the three Australian riders, each riding for elite teams, did us proud, as usual. Broc Parkes, riding for the Yamaha Austria Racing Team, finished 2nd, recording 860 laps (the only team to finish on the same number of laps as the winners) and only 19 seconds behind the winning bike. Broc and his team mates led the race for some distance but were overhauled in the very closing stages of the race and had to be content with the second step on the podium.
The Cudlin brothers, Alex and Damian, finished just off the podium, Alex filling 4th place along with his team mates on the SERT Suzuki, recording 848 laps in the 24 hours and Damian’s team finished 5th on the FCC TSR Honda Fireblade, recording 843 laps.
These are truly feats of endurance and to have three Aussie riders in the top 5 against the best endurance riders and teams in the world shows that they, themselves, are among the best in the world. Of course, it is interesting to note that all three riders started their careers racing dirt bikes and started their road racing careers racing for Tony Hatton on the Moriwaki 80cc race bikes in the late 1990’s. They certainly have come a long way.
It needs also to be noted that Alex’s team retains their lead in the WEC points standing after two rounds by 13 points.
Am I feeling pretty proud to be an Aussie this morning? You bet I am. I could also add that I know the boys pretty well having been associated with their racing since pretty much the start and while I make no claim as to having helped their careers, I am pretty pleased to be “in their corner”