On March 9th at the Nogaro Circuite in France, FIM Endurance Motorcycle Champion Anthony Delhalle was killed in a testing crash. During the first testing session for the 24 Heures Motos event, Delhalle's Suzuki lost control early in the testing session and fell from his bike, breaking his neck. "Anthony came out straight, without reason or loss of grip," explained his teammate Vincent Philippe. "It's incredible and inexplicable. I feel like a part of me has gone." Though Anthony received medical treatment immediately, he did not survive the injuries.
Delhalle was a highly decorated racer, taking the Junior Team Suzuki team straight to several championships and leading the Qatar Endurance Racing team from 2008 to 2010. By the end of last year, Delhalle had five world titles to his name. "On behalf of the motorcycle community, the FIM extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and team of Anthony Delhalle," the FIM wrote in a statement. "He will be sorely missed."
Anthony Delhalle began his racing career by competing in the Junior Cup in 1999. A native of Chartres, France, Delhalle was a key member of SERT, taking part in the Le Mans 24 Hours Moto for the first time in 2004, riding for Team Perche Moto Sport. He went on to complete the racing event eleven times, coming in second in 2011 and 2012, first in 2014 and 2015. Delhalle is considered a true champion of the World Endurance Championship having won it 5 times. He was fast and consistent, making him an incredibly strong opponent for anyone else on the track.
"He is a part of the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours Moto and will be sadly missed by his endurance racing family," said Automobile Club de l'Ouest president Pierre Fillon in a statement. Delhalle is survived by his wife and two children.
