FIM PR:

Winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans last April, Yamaha Austria Racing Team has immediately demonstrated their ambition of victory at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben, second round of the 2009 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship.

With a best lap of 1.28’834 from the first free practice session, Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani are ahead of the Honda Michelin Power Research. Unlucky during the first French round, the Honda ridden by William Costes, Hugo Marchand and Josep Monge signed their best lap in 1.29’166. They lost a bit of ground yesterday evening during the first free practice session as Hugo Marchand suffered a little crash, but they still are one of the most dangerous contender for YART victory.

In third place, Phase One Endurance is another strong team during this free practice. The British Yamaha of Pedro Vallcaneras and brothers Alex and Damian Cudlin is in the right pace with a best lap of 1.29’575 this morning. Phase One leads a strong group of permanent teams. In the following order, were this morning behind Phase One : Kawasaki Bolliger Team Switzerland, Yamaha Amadeus X-One, very happy with their new rider Ayrton Badovini, Honda RMT 21 Racing Germany playing at home, BK Maco Moto Racing, who appointed Austrian rider Andy Melkau to replace Jason Pridmore on their Yamaha, next to Dani Ribalta and Victor Carrasco and Qatar Endurance Racing Team, in eighth position and first Superstock machine.

The Italian Suzuki No Limits is also in the top 10. Some are still using the free practice to finalize their set-up, like Suzuki RT Racing Team, now ridden by former Bolliger rider David Morillon, as well as AM Moto Racing Competition, Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers, who is discovering the track, LTG 57 Zone Rouge and Suzuki Endurance Moto 45.

The first qualifying session is scheduled today from 12 am and the weather is still cold and changing over Oschersleben.