At 15:00 p.m., the competitors of the 84th Bol d’Or set off to take on the oldest French 24-hour race. The crew Yoshimura SERT Motul #1, composed of Greg Black, Xavier Simeon et Sylvain Guintoli started from pole position, just in front of the Yamaha YZF-RI of YART extension #7 and its drivers Canepa/Marvin/Hanika.
WE'RE ON THE GRID! 🤩#FIMEWC #Gold bowl pic.twitter.com/R1VwsYREWd
— FIM EWC (@FIM_EWC) September 18, 2021
At 15:00 p.m., the competitors of 84e Bol d'Or set off to take on the oldest French 24-hour race. The crew Yoshimura SERT Motul #1, composed of Gregg Black, Xavier Siméon and Sylvain Guintoli started from pole position, just in front of the Yamaha YZF-RI of YART extension #7 and its drivers Canepa/Marvin/Hanika.
As soon as the flag is waved, Greg Black takes a clear advantage over all its competitors by making an exceptional start. Yamaha #7 remains stuck on the grid, quickly overtaken by the Kawasaki SRC #11 and Honda FCC #5.
Quickly, Jeremy Guarnoni (Webike SRC Kawasaki France Trickstar #1) sticks back together and does not let the leading Suzuki escape. Even more, the green machine manages to move into first position after a complicated week of testing. Mike Di Meglio (FCC TSR Honda France #5), in turn, passes a Gregg Black somewhat reserved at the start of the race. From the first laps, the three drivers engaged in a spectacular battle, exchanging podium places.
The three thieves are soon joined by Marvin Fritz, pilot YART extension, which also takes the lead.
Valentin Suchet (Suzuki GSXR-1000 #72) was the first to fall, shortly after the start of the race. Gilles Stafler, president of the team Webike SRC Kawasaki France Trickstar, confides in his driver's impressive start to the race: “We knew we would be good at racing. We haven't changed our game, Jérémy is riding according to the pace chart, the pace is completely normal. »
La Kawasaki ZX 10R #11 is the first to go through the pit lane, at the end of the 22e tower, soon followed by the Honda CB R1000 RR-R #5. Jeremy Guarnoni, leaving its place to Erwan Nigon, confides in his impressive start to the race: “We have very good feelings. Yesterday I missed my qualifying, but with a full tank of fuel the Kawasaki is very well balanced. I was even able to take the lead but with the slipstream it is difficult to widen the gap. I think we can play for victory. »
La Suzuki #1 is the last of the leading machines to stop, four laps after the Kawasaki #11, a significant gap which could make the difference at the end of the race.
One hour after departure, Yoshimura SERT Motul is still in the lead, just ahead of the CB R1000 RR-R #5 currently driven by Yuki Takahashi.