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Like a bolt from the blue, a completely unexpected announcement from Yamaha has just arrived. Niccolò Canepa has in fact decided to retire from full-time racing at the end of 2024, after competing in the Bol d'Or 2024 to be held Sept. 12-15 at Paul Ricard. A two-time EWC champion with Yamaha, Canepa knows he can close on a high note by winning a third title that would be the icing on the cake of an otherwise extraordinary career.
A career that began, at least as far as the world stage is concerned, in 2005 in SuperSport and continued through many challenges in many categories, from SuperStock 1000 to MotoGP, passing through SBK, Moto2, and Endurance. During this time he also became the coach of Yamaha WorldSBK riders, taking an even more active role in the paddock alongside his testing duties, which paid off in 2021 when Yamaha won the WorldSBK championship with Toprak Razgatlioglu.
The YART team is set to arrive at the Bol d'Or with a six-point lead in the overall standings after a second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, victory at the 8 Hours of Spa, and a dream podium finish (2nd) at the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours. Although winning another championship title would be the perfect conclusion to an incredible career, no matter what happens at the Bol d'Or, Canepa will go down in history as one of the most successful EWC drivers of all time and be part of an elite club of people who have won all three major 24-hour races (Spa, Le Mans and the Bol d'Or).
"It has been a fantastic journey! - Canepa's words - I started racing minibikes when I was just nine years old, and at 19 I was already riding a MotoGP bike. I've been lucky to have enjoyed an incredible career; of course, there have been some difficult moments, but as a child I would never have imagined that I would have had so much success and got so much enjoyment from this sport. I gave everything to racing, but I got back much more than I expected: and I have won two EWC titles and one in Superstock. Hopefully we can make it three in EWC after the Bol d'Or."
"I have had the opportunity to race in many championships, such as MotoGP, WorldSBK, EWC, WorldSSP, Moto2 and MotoE. I am happy with what I have achieced. As a rider, you know when it's time to stop, and it feels like the perfect time to retire after the Bol d'Or. I am already thinking about new challenges and starting a new chapter in my life. Of course I will miss racing, my teammates, and my R1, but I think the time is right. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, especially my family, my girlfriend and those I have crossed paths with who helped me or taught me something. It has been a pleasure to meet so many people along the way and I am excited for the next adventure, which will see me continue to wear Yamaha blue!"
Andrea Dosoli also wanted to salute Niccolò, who has become a true Yamaha man over the years.
"Niccolò has had an incredible career and has been part of the Yamaha family for almost ten years. He has raced and tasted success in all the major championships, showcasing his fantastic riding ability, regardless of the bike. When he joined GMT94 in 2016, he quickly adapted to the R1 and made an immediate impact, finishing second in his first EWC season before winning the title in his second. He also played a key role in our success in WorldSBK, not only as an official test rider but also as a coach and mentor."
"It is difficult to explain the significant impact he has had at Yamaha, with his wealth of experience, his engineering background, and his extraordinary attitude to teamwork all contributing to his success, and he can be very proud of what he has achieved. Over the years, he has not lost his pace and competitiveness, as evidenced by YART's sensational 2023 EWC title win, and he will be remembered as one of the most successful endurance drivers of all time. It would be the perfect way to crown such an illustrious career by winning his third EWC title at the Bol d'Or, but whatever happens, Niccolò can hold his head high and be very proud of what he has achieved. Even though his racing career is coming to an end, it doesn't mean he will leave the Yamaha family, and we look forward to working with him on new and exciting projects in the future."
