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Organized by the Moto Club RTC, the 2024 edition, the 32nd of its kind, marked the debut of RAW Motorsports in this iconic race. The decision to enter a team was made at the eleventh hour, less than two weeks before the event, leaving little time for preparations.
The primary unknown was night riding: none of our six riders had significant experience in such conditions. The few minutes spent by Steve and Eddy on the illuminated circuit of Magny-Cours during a Supermotard race were insufficient to reassure us.
Initially scheduled to last 19 hours, from 8 PM to 3 PM, the race ultimately began at 8:30 PM following a reconnaissance lap. This delay, due to a misunderstanding on our part, necessitated a complete overhaul of our schedule.
A portion of the support crew arrived the day before to set up the pit, but the remainder joined the group late Friday afternoon, creating a sense of urgency. In the future, we plan to arrive earlier to be better prepared.
Teddy FLEURY and Alex ENOS, our fastest dry-weather riders, started the race. Despite their motorcycling experience, they were unaccustomed to night riding.
The draw assigned us the 19th starting position, a respectable place that allowed us to start within the pack.
At 8:30 PM, the reconnaissance lap began. Confusion arose immediately as some marshals authorized refueling after the lap, while others prohibited it. Faced with this inconsistency, and out of an abundance of caution, we decided not to take any risks and avoid refueling.
The race started at 8:47 PM. Teddy got off to an excellent start and quickly moved into second position. Unfortunately, an excess of confidence and a night-time surprise led to a crash into a safety net. Prudently, he took his time to extricate himself but lost several places and restarted in 17th position.
Teddy and Alex then completed several hours of the race without incident until a thunderstorm hit.
At around 12:45 AM, a thunderstorm struck. As Alex was making a strong comeback and was in second place, the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly. With goggles unsuitable for the rain, he decided to shorten his stint. Steve replaced him and faced a track transformed into an ice rink. A violent highside sent him flying, but thanks to his SHOT SRG airbag, he emerged unscathed. The next forty-five minutes were a real ordeal: the track was slippery, crashes were multiplying, and visibility was reduced due to the inadequate bike lighting in the muddy conditions. Despite these difficulties, the riders fought to minimize time loss.
Once the rain had passed, Steve gave Eddy some advice before letting him take over. Despite the still difficult conditions, Eddy managed to maintain a steady pace. The riders alternated in this way until dawn, in extreme conditions.
Steve and Eddy rode until 5:30 AM to avoid handing over the bike on a muddy and slippery track. As no further rain was forecast, they wanted to preserve the bikes and allow the other four riders to set the best possible lap times in good conditions.
Around 4 AM, track conditions began to improve.
5:30 AM: The sun rose, marking the end of the night.
Adrien and Valentin took over at 5:30 AM, ready to defend the hard-earned second position. Despite limited sleep, they were in great shape and quickly adapted to a track offering a mix of grippy and slippery areas. Lap times improved as conditions improved and daylight returned.
With only 4.5 hours remaining in the race and just two laps behind the leader, a mechanical issue brought Adrien's progress to an abrupt halt. Given the clear regulations, we had to abandon Adrien's stint, returning the transponder and number board to the pit and incurring a one-lap penalty. This mishap cost us over fifteen minutes and took us out of the podium positions. We finished in fourth place, more than a lap behind third, which was occupied by elite riders like Raphael Blond and Richard Fura.
10:40 AM: Final stint for Teddy and Alex.
Aware of the magnitude of the task, Teddy and Alex embarked on a final attempt to climb back onto the podium. They had four hours to make up the deficit against experienced riders on large-capacity four-stroke motorcycles, which allowed for longer stints. Despite our less-enduring two-stroke motorcycles and more frequent pit stops for refueling, our riders never gave up. They consistently set fast lap times until the final minutes of the race. Unfortunately, the mandatory pit stops cost us too much time and we had to settle for fourth place.
Although disappointed not to have reached the podium due to a mechanical issue, we have learned many valuable lessons from this experience. We will come back stronger next year. We would like to thank the entire team who supported us for these twenty hours: Marion and Enora for the pit board, Loïc and Jean-Jacques for the mechanics, Muriel for the logistics, Ryan for the photos, Victor for the video, and Julyne for her good mood. Thanks to all of you, this adventure was unforgettable.
Alexandre ENOS :
"I started my first stint around fourth place. The dust made visibility almost zero and I crashed while missing a corner, even losing my seat. I had to focus to climb back up the rankings. During my second stint, Teddy had managed to put us in third position, which motivated me to give my best. We formed a solid team and were determined to move up. Unfortunately, during my third stint, a violent storm hit us. The track was impassable and I had to return to the pits. The last stints were difficult, but the team gave their all. Despite a mechanical failure, we tried everything to move up, but the gap was too large."
Eddy PASCO :
"Our last-minute decision to participate complicated preparations, but we rose to the challenge. The three night stints in the mud were far from pleasant, but I was focused on the team goal. The adrenaline of the race kept me awake, but it was physically demanding. In the end, we achieved a good result."
Valentin VALLEE :
"After a sleepless night due to the adrenaline, I joined the team at dawn and discovered a muddy track. Despite the tough conditions, I really enjoyed riding. The team's encouragement gave me the strength to carry on. This experience was incredible, both athletically and personally. I want to thank everyone who contributed to our success."
Steve PASCO :
"I'm proud of the whole team. We achieved a remarkable performance considering the short preparation time. Of course, we would have liked to be on the podium, but we learned a lot. We will come back next year with even more experience."
Teddy FLEURY :
"What an adventure! I had a promising start but a crash caused me to lose several places. The night conditions were very difficult. After a restless night, I took back the controls and gave it my all to move up. I set the fastest lap of the race during my stint, and finished with the 3rd fastest overall time, just 6 seconds behind Richard FURA, but it wasn't enough to reach the podium. I want to thank the entire team for their unwavering support."
Adrien PAUL :
"I'm still overwhelmed with gratitude for the RAW MOTORSPORT team and everyone who contributed to this incredible adventure. Their investment, both human and logistical, was crucial to our success. From the moment we arrived in the paddock, we were impressed by the perfect organization: a dedicated space, an equipped workshop, and impeccable logistics. Everything was set up to optimize our performance. The start was launched at a frantic pace. Teddy Fleury had a blazing start, propelling us quickly into second position. The adrenaline was pumping! For my part, my first stint allowed me to get my bearings on this circuit made technical by the storms. I maintained a constant pace to consolidate our position. During my second stint, I was able to increase the pace and enjoy this evolving track. We were still in second position. Unfortunately, during my third stint, an electrical failure abruptly ended my race. This mishap cost us two precious laps and made us lose the podium. Despite this incident, Teddy and Alex completed exceptional stints, but the gap was too large to bridge. This experience will remain etched in my memory. I sincerely thank the entire team for their unconditional support. We will come back stronger to claim the victory we deserve. A huge thank you to RAW MOTORSPORT, the crews, the pit board holders, the kitchen, the drivers, and everyone who contributed to this unforgettable adventure. I love you all!"
Marion DESCELIERS :
"Lining up on the starting line at 8pm, we knew we were in for an intense and emotional experience. Northern France, as always, welcomed us with open arms and a diverse range of racing conditions. After five years as a crew member, I was eager to experience the race from the inside. Within a few hours, the team had bonded and was ready to take on the challenge. Over the next 20 hours, we experienced a whirlwind of emotions. Cold, rain, sun, dust... we experienced it all! We cheered, supported, and guided our drivers with passion. We stressed, cried, shouted for joy, and laughed together.
I had dreamed of experiencing these 20 hours and I have no regrets. I am exhausted but so proud of this team, of all those who worked behind the scenes, of our drivers, and of my partner. Although we didn't make it to the podium, we will come back stronger.
This experience has left a lasting mark on me. The cohesion of our group, the solidarity between us, is something unique. I am grateful to have been able to share these moments with you all."
Enora FERREIRA :
"The 20 Hours of Compiègne... in a few words, this experience has been one of the most beautiful I've had as a crew member! A first for me!
From the start of the race, I knew I was embarking on something new... 20 hours of assistance, day and night, without ever closing an eye. There was no room for error!
Once the race started, we experienced everything possible: dust, rain, sun... Organizing ourselves and staying focused were real challenges that we overcame successfully.
Driven by adrenaline and the desire not to disappoint, I gave it my all. I guided the drivers from start to finish with my microphone and headphones, giving them tips and encouragement.
It was a magnificent experience, even if we didn't make it to the podium. I'm proud of all the drivers who gave their all to catch up with the others. I'm also proud of the entire crew, both those on the track and those working in the pits.
Next time, I'll be back to win!"