EWC, Bol d'Or, Finish: The SERT royal winner, the Wojcik Racing Team magnificent second in front of two BMWs

As the checkered flag approached, first place was occupied by the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (Vincent Philippe, Étienne Masson and Gregg Black) who had a 1'56 lead over the Wojcik Racing Team (Gino Rea, Christoffer Bergman and Axel Maurin) who herself was 1'41 ahead of ERC Endurance (Mathieu Gines, Julien da Costa and Louis Rossi) in the middle of a fight with BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Ilya Mikhalchik, Julian Puffe and Kenny Foray).

The Omega Maco Racing Team (Pawel Szkopek, Bjorn Estment and Karel Hanika) occupied fifth position ahead of the Yamaha leader in the Superstock category entered Moto Ain (Roberto Rolfo, Robin Mulhauser and Hugo Clère), who was ahead in this class BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers (Anthony Loiseau, Jonathan Hardt and Julien Pilot) and Motors Events (James Westmoreland, Johan Nigon and Florent Tourné).

Taking advantage of a refueling from the Yamaha of the Wojcik Racing Team (Gino Rea, Christoffer Bergman and Axel Maurin), the official S 1000 RR of the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Ilya Mikhalchik, Julian Puffe and Kenny Foray) took second position, 1.56 from the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (Vincent Philippe, Étienne Masson and Gregg Black). In fourth position then, just 24 seconds behind, was the other well-placed S 1000 RR from ERC Endurance (Mathieu Gines, Julien da Costa and Louis Rossi).

In Superstock, with a magnificent fifth place overall, Moto Ain (Roberto Rolfo, Robin Mulhauser and Hugo Clère) preceded BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers (Anthony Loiseau, Jonathan Hardt and Julien Pilot) who was ninth and Motors Events (James Westmoreland, Johan Nigon and Florent Tourné) who then occupied thirteenth place in the general classification.

Gregg Black refueled with the leading Suzuki and left with more than a lap in hand. We noted the good rise to sixth position of the Yamaha VRD Igol Pierret Expériences (Florian Marino, Florian Alt and Ricardo Brink), but shortly after lost four places due to a prolonged stop at its stand.

With an hour to go, Gregg Black dominated with the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team GSX-R (with Vincent Philippe and Étienne Masson), a lap and a half ahead of ERC Endurance (Mathieu Gines, Julien da Costa and Louis Rossi ) which was 35 seconds ahead of the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Ilya Mikhalchik, Julian Puffe and Kenny Foray) which was itself 17 seconds ahead of the Wojcik Racing Team (Gino Rea, Christoffer Bergman and Axel Maurin). Barring an accident, three of these four bikes were going to appear on the podium. The very last supplies were therefore going to be of great importance.

Half an hour from the checkered flag, the SERT Suzuki was still largely leading with Vincent Philippe on its handlebars, but on the other hand the fight was close for the other two steps of the podium between Gino Rea on the Wojcik Racing Team Yamaha, Mathieu Ginès on the BMW ERC Endurance and Ilya Mikhalchik for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Mathieu Ginès set the best time since the start of the race in 1'55.321.

Mathieu Ginès stopped for his last refueling and left for the last relay. He was then fourth behind Vincent Philippe, Gino Rea and Ilya Mikhalchik. In Superstock, Roberto Rolfo (Moto Ain) preceded Julien Pilot (BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers) and James Westmoreland (Motors Events).

Vincent Philippe dominated the last quarter of an hour without firing a shot, ahead of Gino Rea and Ilya Mikhalchik ahead of Mathieu Ginès by 5 seconds. Mikhalchik made a small mistake and Ginès caught him.

Mathieu Ginès overtook Ilya Mikhalchik 8 minutes from time. It was the fight for third place on the podium, behind Vincent Philippe and Gino Rea.

The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (Vincent Philippe, Étienne Masson and Gregg Black) finally won ahead of the Wojcik Racing Team (Gino Rea, Christoffer Bergman and Axel Maurin), ERC Endurance (Mathieu Gines, Julien da Costa and Louis Rossi) and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Ilya Mikhalchik, Julian Puffe and Kenny Foray).

In Supersport, Moto Ain (Roberto Rolfo, Robin Mulhauser and Hugo Clère) won ahead of BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers (Anthony Loiseau, Jonathan Hardt and Julien Pilot) and Motors Events (James Westmoreland, Johan Nigon and Florent Tourné).

The final results offered a superb victory to Suzuki (and its new team manager Damien Saulnier), a great overall performance to BMW whose official team was competing in its first race, a great podium despite bad luck for Yamaha, and a race to forget for Honda and Kawasaki. Vincent Philippe won his ninth victory at the Bol d'Or, a new record.

And we will congratulate the private teams Wojcik Racing Team (Gino Rea, Christoffer Bergman and Axel Maurin) and ERC Endurance (Mathieu Gines, Julien da Costa and Louis Rossi) for their magnificent races, as well as all the teams who managed to finish this 83rd Gold bowl.

Bol d'Or final result: