Yamaha Phase One Endurance have finished one of their closest fought races in recent years with a 13th place at the Suzuka Eight-Hours, just seconds behind twelfth place and on the same lap as the team running in tenth.
The Eight-Hours always combines the toughest competition of the year with the most difficult weather, and never disappoints when it comes to action on the track. Phase One have earned some useful championship points, finishing in front of the reigning world champions and current championship leaders.
Russell Benney, team manager: “This is a very pleasing result for us. A super race with Folch Yamaha, and what lovely competitors they are. We were closely matched on the pits and on the track and right from the word go there was never more than a minute between us. The penultimate stop was good – we equalled each other – then on the last stop they beat us by two seconds. On the track it was the same; we stayed with them right until the final laps. It was just great; an absolutely fantastic race.”
Cal Crutchlow was top Brit home. The race was won by Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari.
The next race is the Oschersleben round of the Endurance FIM World Championship, on Saturday the 9th of August.
Benney added: “It’s Oschersleben next, and that gives us a great opportunity to try some new riders. So far we’ve only got Damian Cudlin signed up; I can’t announce anyone right now but I will be able to soon.”
Results are here
