Privateer Dunlop team claims podium on return after demanding 24H Motos at Le Mans

Returning to the grid after a season away, privateer ERC Endurance Team delivered a standout performance to secure a podium finish at the 24H Motos in Le Mans - the opening round of the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) - highlighting the consistency and performance of Dunlop tires in the race’s demanding, mixed-weather conditions. 2024 Superstock Trophy champions National Motos Honda FMA also impressed with a strong overall seventh-place finish.

With heavy rain hitting the circuit just hours before the start, the 24-hour race quickly turned into a test of resilience and adaptability, where tire choice and consistency proved more crucial than ever. Across all categories - Formula EWC, Superstock Trophy, and the new Production Trophy - Dunlop-equipped teams relied on the proven performance of the KR range, which provided consistency, confidence, grip and fast warm-up as they navigated the demanding conditions and endurance racing’s usual challenges.

ERC Endurance Team returns to EWC with a podium finish at Le Mans

In the open competition Formula EWC category, the no. 6 ERC Endurance Team made a remarkable return to the EWC grid. After posting the third-fastest time in Thursday’s dry practice sessions and qualifying fifth, the German team held steady throughout the race, with the Dunlop KR tires enabling consistent lap times in both wet and dry conditions. Riders David Checa, Kenny Foray, Ilya Mykhalchyk and reserve rider Julian Puffe brought the no. 6 machine home in third place overall, which is a strong statement from the privateers after a season away. 

ERC Endurance Team’s result is also a testament to the performance of Dunlop tires across all conditions. From the KR109 and KR108 slicks that delivered strong dry performance to the KR393 wets and KR398i intermediates that provided grip and adaptability. Engineered to maximise both single-lap pace and long-distance race strategy, these tires demonstrated their capabilities in a weather-affected weekend with rapidly changing conditions. The team also managed to increase the pace even further towards the end of the race, setting fastest laps on track in various conditions, demonstrating enduring tire performance. 

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 made an early charge from eighth on the grid, climbing through the field in the opening hours. Though technical issues later in the race dropped them down the order, the team maintained incredible pace during the night to finish P13, gathering valuable experience and data for the development of the KR range.

Team LRP Poland, which started fourteenth, faced several setbacks during the race to retire seven hours in, with Maco Racing Team facing the same fate. Mana-au Competition and Motobox Kremer Racing Powered by 321 finished P15 and P17, respectively, demonstrating reliability in a challenging race. 

At the chequered flag, three of the top ten finishers were Dunlop-equipped teams, once again underlining Dunlop’s strength and consistency in the world of endurance motorcycle racing.

National Motos Honda leads the way in Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy crowns first-ever winner

In the Superstock class, for which Dunlop is the exclusive tire supplier, reigning champions National Motos Honda FMA secured victory in their class, and a highly impressive seventh place overall. The French team’s ability to fight within the top ten all race in an highly-competitive field and on a slippery Le Mans circuit highlights the dependable performance of Dunlop tires. Meanwhile, Dafy-Rac 41 Honda team claimed second in class, and tenth overall, while 3ART BEST OF BIKE completed the Superstock podium. 

In the new-for-2025 Production Trophy class, the no. 42 Green Team Lycee St Claire (Kawasaki) was fighting for the first-ever Production Trophy win right after the start, but was forced to retire early after a crash. This opened the door for no. 222 Team Super Moto Racing (Yamaha), who took full advantage of the situation to take the first-ever Production Trophy win. ARTEC’s no. 199 Kawasaki held on for second place in the competitive new category.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Our Dunlop-supported teams delivered strong performances in what were truly demanding conditions. Races like this are the ultimate test of rider, tire and machine, and the Dunlop KR range once again demonstrated why they’re trusted tires at the highest level of endurance racing, providing confidence, stability and grip across changing track surfaces and temperatures.

He added, “Congratulations to the ERC Endurance Team for a strong return to the championship. We also want to congratulate National Motos Honda on their race win, continuing their Superstock momentum, and Team Super Moto Racing for making history as the first-ever winners of the Production Trophy. We’re happy to see such a diverse range of Dunlop-supported teams performing at the highest level of endurance racing.

With strong performances across all classes and half of the top ten teams riding on Dunlop tires, the 2025 season is shaping up to be another exciting year of close racing. The next EWC race is the 8 Hours of Spa Motos (6-7 June), followed by the Suzuka 8 Hours (1-3 August) and Bol d’Or (18-21 September).