F.C.C. TSR Honda France qualifies sixth for the 24 Heures Motos
Circuit Bugatti, Le MansTati Team AVA6 Racing start from third, five Honda-powered teams claimed positions in the top seven in the Superstock category
The 48th edition of the 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the 2025 FIM EWC season, will take place from 17 to 20 April on the iconic 4.185-kilometre Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, featuring eleven Honda-powered teams.
Two-time world champions F.C.C. TSR Honda France, riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, enter the 2025 race with the ambition of winning again the world title with a refreshed rider lineup made up of Frenchmen Alan Techer and Corentin Perolari and Japanese rider Taiga Hada. Former Superstock World Champion Loris Baz also joined the team as a reserve rider.
On Thursday, following the free practice session, the first qualifying session was held in ideal conditions on a dry track. Techer was the first rider to take to the track for F.C.C. TSR Honda France in the blue group and recorded a best lap of 1:35.568, placing him 5th in his session. He was followed by Corentin Perolari, who posted a 1:35.945 to secure also the 5th place among the yellow group riders. Taiga Hada completed his session in 14th place with a time of 1:37.850 and Loris Baz took the 5th place with a time of 1:38.669 in his group.
Cloudy weather and lower temperatures during the second qualifying session prevented the F.C.C. TSR Honda France riders from improving the overall lap times.
Based on the average of the two best laps from both qualifying sessions, the F.C.C. TSR Honda France team was credited with a time of 1:35.757 and will start the race from the 6th position. Weather conditions are expected to be particularly wet, however the Honda #5 team remains determined to aim for the top of the standings and to collect as many championship points as possible.
Tati Team AVA6 Racing concluded the combined qualifying sessions with an average lap time of 1:35.127, securing 3rd place on the grid aboard their Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
This season’s lineup features Hugo Clère, Randy Krummenacher, and Martin Renaudin. After a productive winter of preparation, the team enters the race with strong confidence. Their consistent race pace, combined with the exceptional performance, reliability, and consistency of the Honda #4, provides the team full determination for a strong result.
In the Superstock category, five Honda-powered teams claimed positions in the top seven.
TRT27 AZ Moto has posted the third-best lap time in its category, clocking in at 01:37.096. The Honda #27 counts with the same trio of riders who secured a spot on the podium at the 2024 Bol d’Or Superstock race: British riders Tom Oliver and Tom Ward, alongside Finnish Superbike champion Eemeli Lahti.
The team is thrilled with the bike's performance and the excellent teamwork between the three riders. With their solid preparation, TRT27 AZ Moto is aiming for a strong result in the 24-hour race.
TRT27 AZ Moto was closely followed by Honda No Limits, Slider Endurance, Dafy-Rac 41-Honda, and the 2024 FIM Endurance World Cup winner, National Motos Honda FMA.
The 48th edition of the 24 Heures Motos will begin at 3:00 PM (CEST) on Saturday, April 19th, and finish at 3:00 PM (CEST) on Sunday, April 20th.
The qualifying sessions are over. We showed that we can be fast, even if we're not the fastest. The most important thing for us is to have a good bike for the race, which is likely to be very complicated because of the weather. We were lucky enough to do a few laps on a wet track on Tuesday morning and the bike felt great. In the dry, too, the bike's going well and all three of us are managing to be consistent, so that's a pretty good thing. I think it's going to be a waiting race with a lot of pitfalls to avoid. Even though there have been quite a few changes in the team, whether it's the riders or the mechanics, things are going pretty well. It's not easy doing your first race in an official team, so whenever I can, I try to help both Coco and Taiga to make sure everything goes smoothly.
The qualifying sessions are over. We showed that we can be fast, even if we're not the fastest. The most important thing for us is to have a good bike for the race, which is likely to be very complicated because of the weather. We were lucky enough to do a few laps on a wet track on Tuesday morning and the bike felt great. In the dry, too, the bike's going well and all three of us are managing to be consistent, so that's a pretty good thing. I think it's going to be a waiting race with a lot of pitfalls to avoid. Even though there have been quite a few changes in the team, whether it's the riders or the mechanics, things are going pretty well. It's not easy doing your first race in an official team, so whenever I can, I try to help both Coco and Taiga to make sure everything goes smoothly.
We really worked on our race pace, with a full tank on the bike and all three riders on the same tyres. In fact, we didn't use any qualifying tyres today. For my part, I rode at a very good pace. This weekend, they're forecasting very mixed weather, and the most important thing will be to stay on our wheels. These conditions put all the teams back on the same level, and anything can happen. The different tyre manufacturers can also make a difference. If it rains, it'll be less physical, but it'll be more mental tiredness because we'll have to concentrate all the time. I like the night, but I've never had the chance to ride at night in the rain, so it could be a discovery.
We really worked on our race pace, with a full tank on the bike and all three riders on the same tyres. In fact, we didn't use any qualifying tyres today. For my part, I rode at a very good pace. This weekend, they're forecasting very mixed weather, and the most important thing will be to stay on our wheels. These conditions put all the teams back on the same level, and anything can happen. The different tyre manufacturers can also make a difference. If it rains, it'll be less physical, but it'll be more mental tiredness because we'll have to concentrate all the time. I like the night, but I've never had the chance to ride at night in the rain, so it could be a discovery.
I had a good feeling. After the preparatory tests and the practice sessions at the beginning of the week, I feel more comfortable. I'm working step by step, which has enabled me to make progress. I'm used to the Suzuka 8 Hours, but this is the first time I'll be doing a 24-hour race. I'm used to racing in the rain, but it's going to be a tough race. It's especially important not to crash.
I had a good feeling. After the preparatory tests and the practice sessions at the beginning of the week, I feel more comfortable. I'm working step by step, which has enabled me to make progress. I'm used to the Suzuka 8 Hours, but this is the first time I'll be doing a 24-hour race. I'm used to racing in the rain, but it's going to be a tough race. It's especially important not to crash.
