Leading FIM Endurance World Championship team F.C.C. TSR Honda France was unable to make it two victories in succession in the 24 Heures Motos after a series of setbacks at Le Mans last weekend.
Starting third on the grid for the EWC season opener, trouble first struck on lap six when Josh Hook suffered a minor crash on the #5 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, dropping to 26th but fighting back to eighth following 26 laps of racing.
After completing his opening stint, Hook informed team-mate Mike Di Meglio about a “strange sensation with the front tyre”, according to F.C.C. TSR Honda France.
But when Di Meglio crashed early in the second hour, hopes of a repeat Le Mans victory were effectively over due to a delay of approximately 45 minutes while repairs were mad
I was taking care but we have no grip on the rear, Di Meglio said. I was not pushing because with the full tank of fuel at the start [of the stint] you need to manage the braking so I was taking care of when to overtake the guys but I lose the front.
Despite the early setbacks, Di Meglio, Hook and Alan Techer combined to charge through to eighth position in the Formula EWC category entering the last quarter of the race. But in a dramatic late twist, damaged caused by a broken chain when Hook was onboard led to team’s early exit and just five points scored.
It was a day to forget unfortunately, Australian rider Hook said afterwards. “Everything looked good for the race. Everyone was feeling good on the bike. But it didn't work out as expected. It's a shame, but that's racing. In my last stint the chain broke and hit the back of my leg. I'm in a bit of pain, so I'm going to see the medical team to check my leg and find out the verdict.*
Frenchman Techer added:
it really wasn't the race we'd expected. After the first troubles, we knew it wasn't over and that with the good pace we showed stint after stint, we could still challenge for the podium and even victory. We rode very fast all night and all morning until we were back up to eighth and hoping to take some points at the finish. But in the end the chain broke, damaging the engine block and preventing us from finishing the race. That's endurance racing, you never know in advance what might happen. Now we have to think about Spa, where we absolutely have to win.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]