Phase One Yamaha second in Doha Eight Hour

British-based Yamaha Phase One Endurance ended their season on a high note by finishing second in the final Qtel FIM World Endurance race of the year at the Doha Eight Hour.

The Phase One team of BSB runner-up James Ellison, Aussie Glen Richards and Pedro Vallcaneras started from pole position and rode a faultless race to finish second behind World Champions Yamaha Austria.

Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani took victory with a one lap advantage over Phase One while the Bolliger Kawasaki Team Switzerland of  Horst Saiger, Eric Mizera and Patric Muff were third, a further lap adrift.

The Swiss team managed to keep French-based Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers at bay in the closing stages, which gave them second place in the championship over their French rivals by just two points.

The Suzuki Qatar Endurance Racing Team of Mashel Al Naimi, Rashid Al Mannai and Anthony Delhalle finished in fifth overall, taking the  Superstock class victory.

The Honda Michelin Power Research Team had initially fought for the lead with Yamaha Austria and Phase One Endurance but lost eight laps with an engine problem and then lost more time, just after mid-race, with overheating problems.

They finished the race in 12th place.