Victim of mechanical glitches and a fall by its British driver Gino Rea shortly before 9 a.m., the Honda titled at Le Mans in 2020 seems to have to give up on victory.

A few hours from the finish, judged on Sunday at 3:00 p.m., it is now twelve laps behind the leader and must fight for the podium with the N.333 of the independent team VILTAIS RACING IPOL (Yamaha), in ambush a few dozen of seconds.

The Suzuki N.1, victorious in the Sarthe last year and reigning world endurance champion, only experienced a small grain of sand on Saturday afternoon when Sylvain Guintoli broke down essence.

The Frenchman had to push his machine a few hundred meters before passing the baton.

The Yart's Yamaha N.7, which had retired due to engine failure in 2021, is clinging to second position, but one lap behind the leader.

The fate was not kind with the Kawasaki N.11 of Randy de Puniet, Etienne Masson and Florian Marino which experienced mechanical problems relegating it to 28th position, more than 50 laps from the lead.

Australian Joshua Hook riding the Honda N.5 during the 45th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on April 16, 2022 JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP

After the retirement of BMW N.37 due to engine failure, the last hopes of a victory for a European manufacturer are dwindling hour by hour.

The only Ducati entered, the N.6, continues to roll but in 19th position, after a fall which occurred while trying to avoid a latecomer in the seventh hour.

Hectic start

The night was the occasion for the N.18 of the TEAM 18 SAPEURS POMPIERS team to move up to 5th place, after engine problems, and to take the first provisional position in the SST category.

The public is back in the stands after two years of restrictions due to the health crisis.

The approximately 50,000 spectators witnessed a very eventful start to the race.

The BMW N.74 crashed violently into the Yamaha N.96 placed in the hands of ex-Grand Prix rider Bradley Smith and at the same time the Czech poleman Karel Hanika failed to start the YART Yamaha.

The riders run to their motorcycles for the start of the 45th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on April 16, 2022 JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP

As the safety car rolled into action, Bradley Smith complained of back pain and initially received trackside treatment before being taken to a hospital in Le Mans for further medical examinations.

Moto Ain's Yamaha N.96 was forced to retire after this accident.

Medical teams at the bedside of Briton Bradley Smith after his fall on the handlebars of the Yamaha N.96 at the start of the 45th edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans motorcycle on April 16, 2022 JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP

The 52 motorcycles that took the start are divided into two categories: the Endurance World Cup or "EWC", vastly improved motorcycles equipped with white headlights, and the Superstock or "SST", closer to production motorcycles, recognizable by their headlights yellow.

These 24 Heures Motos also launch the World Endurance Championship which will continue on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium (from June 2 to 5), then at Suzuka in Japan, in August, and at Le Castellet during the centenary of the Bol d 'Gold, in September.

© 2022 AFP