EWC, Bol d'Or, 1st qualifying: The factory BMW in the lead before the rain

After the best time in free practice was set on Thursday by Marvin Fritz (YART) in 1'53.589, the drivers were divided into four groups - according to the color of their armband - for four 20-minute qualifying practice sessions. each. Note that the Bol d'Or will remain at the Circuit Paul Ricard until 2023, it is signed and official.

Blue drivers:

Loris Baz (YART) set a very good time in 1'53.726. Illya Mykhalchyk on the factory BMW improved to 1'53.669 (The Ukrainian had suffered a minor crash during the morning free practice session). Then the session was interrupted at the red flag due to a double crash in Turn 7.

Results of the first blue pilot qualification:

Yellow drivers:

The drivers drove for around ten minutes (with the best time for the YART in 1'53.797) when the session was red flagged due to oil on the track in Turn 9.

Marvin Fritz retained the best time in 1'53.797, 0.046 ahead of Freddy Foray (FCC TSR Honda France), 0.237 ahead of Étienne Masson (SERT) and 0.409 ahead of Erwan Nigon (Webike SRC Kawasaki France).

Robin Mulhauser for Moto Ain led the way in Superstock in 1'54.640 ahead of Christian Gamarino for Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto at 0.090.

Results of the first yellow drivers qualification:

The arrival of the rain, in video below:

Red drivers:

It was on a rain-soaked track that David Checa (Webike SRC Kawasaki France) set the fastest lap in 2'15.924, followed by (Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto), Jonathan Hugot (OG Motorsport by Sarazin) and Niccolò Canepa (YART).

Results of the first red drivers qualification:

Green drivers:

On a track that was still wet, Karel Hanika (YART) did best in 2'16.773 ahead of Adrian Parassol (Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto), Jan Bühn (ERC endurance) and Ben Godfrey (Mototech ECW Team).

Results of the first green pilot qualification:

Xavier Siméon (package) is doing a little better. He came to say hello and support his team:

Photos © David Reygondeau for Eurosport Events, teams, manufacturers and partners