Le Mans 24 hrs

[The Spin Doctor]

Just in case anyone's interested, there's coverage from Le Mans of the World Endurance event, started on Eurosport at 11am (Sat 29 Aug). Doesn't seem to be any commentary, however.

[The Spin Doctor]

Well the Panegale didn't last long...

[The Spin Doctor]

Bit of a thriller at the end... YART were one of many victims of a downpour that turned the track into a skating rink the previous evening, and have been charging back up through the field during the night and the morning after having dropped out of the top dozen. Eventually, with something over an hour to go, they overhaul the BMW team to climb to 4th.

Then with an hour to go SERT are wiped out whilst in 2nd by James Ellison who didn't notice the bike passing up on his inside. SERT are leapfrogged by the #1 Kawasaki whilst they're performing a lightning rebuild in the pit. Back on track for the last 40-odd minutes, there's just 30 seconds between them and they're both going like the first lap of a WSB race.

Then with twelve mins to go, the BMW goes down. The rider sits up but makes no effort to get to his feet, and waves to the medical staff. That's it. The team start packing up. Less than a quarter of an hour - another seven or eight laps - and they would have bagged 5th.

Ten mins from the end, SERT have to pit for a splash and go although new tyres seem a bit overkill - I guess they were trying to provoke the Kawa team into trying too hard. By the time they're back out, the gap to the Kawa is almost a lap. That's 2nd and 3rd decided.

Up front, the Honda that's been leading since early evening cruises round to the chequered flag with three laps in hand. Not the fastest bike, but it was the only one not to end up on its side at some point.

Great race.