Tyco BSB duo deliver at Le Mans
Tyco BMW duo Michael Laverty and Christian Iddon joined forces with Danny Webb to claim a podium in Sunday’s Le Mans 24 Hour race. The trio took a S1000RR to third for Rico Penskofer’s German Wepol squad despite a series of issues.
The FCC TSR Honda France squad of Freddie Foray, Josh Hook and Alan Techer were the race winners. French trio Gregory Leblanc, Sebastien Gimbert and Erwan Nigon were two laps behind as they claimed runnerup spot for the British-based Honda Endurance Racing team.
“I’m really happy to get on to the podium at a circuit as iconic as Le Mans and it makes up for all the hard work during the night,” Laverty smiled. “But I’m also a bit disappointed because if we hadn’t had some mishaps at the start we could have won. We had the pace throughout the race to fight for victory.”
Laverty slid off during Saturday’s opening session at the Dunlop chicane, breaking a footrest. A handlebar also damaged in the crash snapped off during Iddon’s first stint, costing the team a lot of time.
They battled back before another crash during the night saw Webb dislocate the same shoulder he injured in a TT crash last season.
“It was just a little fall but I held on to the bike to try to stop it getting damaged and my shoulder popped out,” Webb explained.
When the pain eventually became too much for the gritty former GP rider, Laverty and Iddon were forced to double up on their riding stints during the remaining sessions.
Laverty was running third fastest on track for most of the race and Iddon’s performance was impressive given it was his Le Mans debut.
“It was a relief to get on the podium after it was there for the taking for so long during the race,” Iddon said. “I struggled at first as I didn’t get a lot of track time but I learned how to understand the circuit and find my rhythm. I actually did my best lap time in the dark so I am happy with that!” Steve Mercer, who had travelled to Le Mans as a possible stand in for the Honda Endurance Racing team, was drafted into the Mototech Yamaha squad after warm up, finishing 16th. Michael Dunlop practised with the RC2L Suzuki team but didn’t compete in the race.
‘I actually did my best lap time in the dark’ CHRISTIAN IDDON