The thrilling new partnership, introduced at Château de Modave close to Liège, Belgium, this night (Monday) has been described by KM99 as a “main evolution for our crew” and can end in KM99 operating beneath the ELF Marc VDS Racing Staff/KM99 banner.
In simply two seasons, KM99, which is owned by Gaëtan Schyns and managed by Mario Küpper, has turn out to be a number one EWC entrant, ending within the high 10 within the Suzuka 8 Hours and claiming a podium end within the Bol d’Or 24-hour race.
Marc VDS Racing Staff was based in Belgium in 2009 by Marc-Oswald van der Straten-Ponthoz and has achieved appreciable success competing on two wheels and 4.
Its partnership with KM99 marks its first foray within the EWC, which is promoted by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports activities beneath a long-term alliance with governing physique Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and consists of two 24-hour races and two races run for eight hours, together with the 8 Hours of Spa Motos in Belgium.
A communication from KM99 learn: “The yr 2024 ended exceptionally nicely for KM99 with a second place on the Bol d’Or, permitting the crew to safe fourth place within the Endurance World Championship, as the primary non-public crew. This exceptional end result boosted us and pushed us to consider the very best technique to go even additional in 2025.
“After many discussions with Yamaha and the Marc VDS crew, we’re proud to announce a significant evolution for our crew. The target is obvious: to goal for excellence and struggle for the title towards the varied manufacturing unit groups. Having the ability to be part of the good Marc VDS household, which has dominated Moto2 for a few years with three titles, whereas additionally having left its mark on MotoGP and MotoE, represents an actual motivation and immense satisfaction for us.”
Whereas KM99’s skilled technical crew stays unchanged, its rider line-up has been additional strengthened with the recruitment of younger Italian Alessandro Delbianco as again as much as present race riders Randy de Puniet, Jérémy Guarnoni and Florian Marino from France.
Delbianco, an FIM Superbike World Championship racer, made his EWC debut within the Dunlop-equipped Superstock class in 2024, making two appearances with Yamaha-powered Pitlane Endurance – JP3. De Puniet, Guarnoni and Marino are established among the many elite of present EWC racers with Guarnoni a part of the Staff SRC Kawasaki France line-up that gained the 2018-19 EWC title.
KM99’s communication continued: “We’re happy to keep up our present trio, which has confirmed its effectiveness. We’re nonetheless strengthening the crew with the arrival of a fourth pilot. Realizing the Yamaha R1 completely, Alessandro will carry all his expertise to assist us attain our ambitions. The 2025 season guarantees to be stuffed with challenges and pleasure for ELF/Marc VDS Racing Staff/KM99, and we’re able to take up the problem by at all times concentrating on greater.”
ELF Marc VDS Racing Staff/KM99 will use Yamaha YZF-R1 bikes and Dunlop tyres.
FIM Endurance World Championship calendar 2025
Spherical 1: 24 Heures Motos, Le Mans, France: 17-20 AprilTicket gross sales: https://ticket.24h-motos.com/content material
Spherical 2: 8 Hours of Spa Motos, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: 6-7 JuneTicket gross sales: https://www.spamotos.com/en/ticketing/
Spherical 3: forty sixth Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, Suzuka Circuit, Japan: 1-3 AugustTicket gross sales: Info coming quickly
Spherical 4: Bol d’Or, Circuit Paul Ricard, France: 18-21 SeptemberTicket gross sales: