After eight intense hours around the impressive Losail circuit in the Qatari desert the YZF-R1 claimed all three podium spots in the final round of six in the Endurance FIM World Championship. Yamaha Austria Racing Team, represented by Igor Jerman, Steve Plater and Steve Martin finished ahead of Yamaha Folch Endurance and Maco Moto Racing.

For Jerman and Martin it was a case of sweet revenge after narrowly missing out on victory in Losail twelve months previously. Their triumph, together with Plater on this occasion, gave YART their first set of winner’s garlands in 2008 and confirmed their vice-champion standing in the ‘08 competition.

The team ended the meeting three laps ahead of Folch Endurance; the Spanish duo of Daniel Ribalta and Pedro Vallcaneras losing precious time to a rear wheel problem. The crew were nevertheless pleased to end their first season at world level with a decent third place overall in the championship.

Small problems impeded the progress of Maco Moto Racing but Jason Pridmore and Thomas Hinterreiter were joined by WSB runner Jakub Smrz for a final and memorable podium placing with the R1.

The Qatar event represented the third consecutive podium finish for YART as they took 2nd position at Oschersleben in August and 3rd spot at the Bol d'Or in France in September.

Qatar Endurance Results:

1. Yamaha Austria Racing Team (Yamaha) 226 laps
2. Yamaha Folch Endurance (Yamaha) 223
3. Maco Moto Racing (Yamaha) 222
4. Bolliger Team Switzerland (Kawasaki) 221
5. RMT 21 (Honda) 221
6. Qert IJT (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 221
7. 18 Sapeurs Pompiers (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 220
8. RT Racing Team MotoVirus (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 220
9. LGT 57 (Yamaha) 217
10. Team Endurance Moto 45 (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 217

Final World Championship points:

1. SERT 1 109
2. Yamaha Austria 95
3. Yamaha Folch 72
4. SERT 2 63
5. Team Kawasaki France 57
6. Bolliger Team Switzerland 57
7. RMT 21 Racing 54
8. Phase One Endurance 5q1
9. RT Racing Team MotoVirus 45
10. Dream Honda Racing 11 30