Le Mans 2012- The Scoop.

 

The 24 hours of Le Mans is fast becoming one of the most prestigous events in the inline skating calender, and this year was no different. More than 6,000 skaters took to the start line in Le Mans on Saturday afternoon.

 

As we announced last weekend Powerslide was represented with two teams racing the event. We had our team that has won the last two editions of Le Mans; Powerslide Linge Droite, but this year Matthias Knoll wanted to be involved himself and entered a second team, Powerslide since 94 (Matthias founded Powerslide in 1994).

 

We all knew that the PS team was filled with some of the stars our sport such as Bart Swings and Ewen Fernandez, but the since 94 team also packed some punch with stars from the past as well as some of the top junior skaters of the future. Their avaerage age was 34.9 years old!

 

The qualification got underway at 2pm and PS since 94 upset the ‘top team’ but taking pole position with Livio Wenger winning in front of Jore van den Berghe from PS Linge Droite.

 

In Le Mans the race starts in a similar way as the 24 of Le Mans car race, where by the skaters need to run over the width of the track foot put their skates on and then race. Our French star Ewen Fernandez was starting for PS Linge Droite, and Kalon Dobbin was starting for the since 94 team. Ewen won the start and set about getting into is work.

 

The first laps were a little crazy because of an unexpected rain shower, but soon the road dried and both PS teams got into their rythum. PS Linge Droite team captain, Scott Arlidge took the decision before the start not to attempt to break the record for the 24 hours (which PS already holds at 211 laps) for two reasons, 1 most of the team in involved in the upcoming European Championships and 24 full gas would impact on that, but secondly with the changeable weather, rain would make an attempt on the record impossible.

 

There was one record the team wanted, and that was the lap record, and we left that job to Ewen. Ewen had already been under 6min last year, but this year he wanted to go faster, and he sure did that. Clocking in an impressive 5:51!!

 

As night fell PS Linge Droite took their first full lap on the second place team, and then as night really took hold, PS since 94 took second place, and promptly added a lap. Over the course of the next 12 hours the two PS teams stayed together, and set about strengthening their lead.

 

As 4pm approached the finish was set up, and PS Linge Droite gave that honour to Ewen Fernandez, and PS since 94 has the brains behind it all Matthias Knoll.

 

Totally PS Linge Droite made 207 laps (866.3km @ 36.1km/h) and PS since 94 completed 205 laps (857.9km @ 53.7km/h)

 

Stay tuned for some pictures, and videos as our Le Mans coverage continues.