The BMW of Markus Reiterberger / Illya Mykhalchyk / Jérémy Guarnoni (Ger / Ukr / Fra) won the shortened 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps motorcycles on Sunday. Xavier Siméon lost the podium in the last lap of this second round of the season of the motorcycle endurance world championship (FIM EWC).
The return edition of the Spa meeting was not completed, the race having been interrupted at 10:17 am on Sunday morning due to a large quantity of oil on the track. The race was finally able to resume for the last 16 minutes, including 8 under green flag.
The BMW of Reiterberger/Mykhalchyk/Guarnoni had a race without any problems, unlike its direct competitors. She finished the race eight laps ahead of the French Kawasaki Alan Techer/Gregory Leblanc/Loïc Arbel.
The red flag reset the gaps between the Suzuki of Xavier Simeon and French Gregg Black et Sylvain Guintoli and the Honda of Josh Hook / Gino Rea / Mike Di Meglio (Aus/GB/Fra). Starting 3rd, Siméon was overtaken by Gino Rea on the restart. The Brussels resident went back to 3rd to finally lose the podium on the last lap and miss it by five tenths.
An important result in view of the championship following a difficult race. On Saturday evening, a clutch and gearbox change caused the crew to lose 25 minutes and especially the race lead. Sunday morning, it was Gregg Black who was surprised by the rain while he was in full recovery, but the loss of time was limited by a neutralization. And the Suzuki managed to climb back into the top 3 just before the end of the race.
As for other Belgians, Loris Cresson et Vincent Lonbois (Kawasaki) finished 22nd and 11th in the Superstock category following several technical problems during the night. We find just behind Gian Mertens et Gian Piero Bianco (Suzuki). Cöme Geenen/Yan Ancia/Nicky De Wit (Suzuki) take 31st place, just ahead of Arnaud De Kimpe et David Drieghe (Kawasaki), last classified.
