Italian rider Niccolò Canepa, known for his exploits in the World Endurance Championship (EWC) with the YART Yamaha team, announced that he would end his racing career at the end of the 2024 season.
An iconic figure in endurance racing, he also raced in MotoGP and World Superbike (WSBK), where he gained extensive experience at the highest level of motorcycle racing. His decision to hang up his helmet marks a turning point, but it is also the start of a new adventure within Yamaha.
From 2025, the most successful Italian rider in the EWC will serve as Yamaha Motor Europe's sporting director in World Superbike and Endurance. He says he is very enthusiastic about taking on this new challenge, which represents for him a logical continuation of his sporting career. “It will be a challenge, I can’t wait”he declared, showing his ambition to contribute to Yamaha's future success in WSBK
The departure of Niccolo Canepa as a pilot therefore left a vacant place within YART Yamaha, which reacted by recruiting
Jason O'Halloran for the 2025 EWC season to feature alongside Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritzand the reserve pilot Robin Mulhauser. The experienced 36-year-old Australian rider, current representative of McAMS Yamaha in British Superbike, will bring his talent and experience to keep YART Yamaha at the top of endurance competition. This recruitment is part of a logic of continuity and performance for the team which continues to display its ambitions for victory.
After starting racing in his native country, he was crowned Australian Supersport champion in 2007. Based in the United Kingdom, he has competed in the British Superbike championship since 2008 and has wildcards in Moto2, WorldSBK and WorldSSP.
The 'O Show', as O'Halloran is affectionately known, raced in the Superbike class for Yamaha in BSB from 2019 to 2023, winning 26 races and recording a best finish as second overall in 2020, while he has established himself as a regular title contender in his R1.
O'Halloran is no stranger to endurance racing after riding as an injured replacement during the 2012 season and scoring a podium at the 8 Hours of Doha, a top ten at Suzuka and a fourth place at the 8 Hours of Doha. 'Oschersleben.
So, although Niccolo Canepa leaves the track as a pilot, he remains a central figure in the world of motorcycle endurance, ready to pass on his know-how and experience in this role of sporting director, whileO'Halloran
is preparing to write a new chapter with Yamaha in endurance.
Jason O'Halloran : “I am very excited to join the YART team and become a full-time EWC driver. I spent many years in British Superbike, but when I started talking to the team it seemed like the perfect move. I want to thank everyone who made this possible. I can't wait to join the team, and what a team! The 2009 and 2023 World Endurance Champions, along with Marvin and Karel, are incredible drivers, and the team's accomplishments speak for themselves. I had a lot of success in BSB with Yamaha, so I'm excited to get back on the R1. It's still the bike I get on best with; it suits my riding style and I love riding it. I have already had the opportunity to race in EWC in the past, and it is a championship in which I have always wanted to race. With Niccolò's retirement, the timing was perfect, and I look forward to the challenge ahead. »
Niccolo CanepaYamaha Motor Europe, Road Racing Sports Manager: “We're really excited to have Jason join the YART team and can't wait to see what he can do on the bike. He has a lot of experience with the R1 and has shown his talent and ability in the British Superbike Championship with 26 wins, so I think he will bring a lot to the team. I also think he has the perfect character to succeed in EWC, because you not only have to be fast but also be a team member and be able to work with your teammates. I met Jason in BSB last year. I was his teammate for a few race weekends and he helped me a lot during that time, which made me realize he had the right attitude for the EWC. He already has some experience in endurance, but he will have to adapt quite quickly, and we believe that with his arrival in the team we will have the perfect package to challenge for the title next season. »
