MotoGP and the World Superbike Championship have just completed their first official joint test session in Misano before racing resumes, and the World Endurance Championship is also preparing to compete in the 24 Hours Motos at Le Mans and the Bol d However, which will be followed by the 8 Hours of Suzuka which will constitute the grand final of the world championship.
The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team made its return to the track at the beginning of June on the Vigeant circuit. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team made its first post-lockdown outing on the Zolder circuit in Belgium. And Moto Ain, winner of the FIM Endurance World Cup last season, has made his mark again on the Castellet circuit. Before the action resumes on the track, we wanted to take stock of the current situation with François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, organizer of the World Endurance Championship.
How are the 24 H Motos, on August 29 and 30, shaping up, although without spectators and with competition from the Superbike World Championship in Aragon on the same weekend?
“These conditions will not prevent us from having a great race on the track! The whole endurance family can't wait to ride and battle it out. »
For these 24 Hours, as for the Bol d'Or, does the number of teams registered, apparently lower than usual, worry you?
“It is inevitable given the economic crisis resulting from Covid-19, but I think that the EWC grid will withstand the shock through the diversity of its teams of all sizes and all backgrounds. »
With the overhaul of the calendars, the Bol d'Or on September 19 and 20 finds itself "savagely attacked" by the Misano Grand Prix and the Superbikes in Barcelona on the same weekend. Is a date change considered for the Bol?
“The Bol d’Or will not change date. More than the clash with Superbike, it is the clash with MotoE which is the most difficult for the two championships given the number of EWC riders present in MotoE. »
Many sports will group their championships between the beginning of July and the end of November, eagerly hoping for a broadcast on TV, of course live. With such a wealth of images, isn't it a miracle to have Eurosport behind you?
“It's a strength to have Eurosport programming with you, but there are 22 channels broadcasting the EWC around the world on 5 continents, including Eurosport. Fall will indeed be overloaded with live sports. The postponement of Roland Garros to September 27 is good news for the Bol d'Or. »
Testing preceding the Suzuka 8 Hours, traditionally three weeks before the event, has been postponed until the week of the race (which will take place on November 1). How will Bridgestone and Dunlop organize themselves to design their tires, because they never race in the JSB1000 national championship in November? They will no longer have three weeks to make their tires for the 8 Hours.
“I think both Bridgestone and Dunlop have enough experience from Suzuka to adapt and produce tires suitable for the conditions at the end of October. Bridgestone is in its backyard and Dunlop will certainly be able to rely on technical data from Sumitomo (Dunlop Japan), its industrial partner. »
