FIM EWC Bol d’Or 2023 H+1: Twists and turns to die for!

Let's go for this 86th edition of the Bol d'Or, the last round of the EWC championship! After a magnificent pole position for the BMW M 1000 RR #37 BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, the teams are now setting off for 24 hours at very high intensity on the legendary Paul Ricard circuit. Who will emerge victorious from this confrontation? And above all, who got the best start? Answer in this article.

 

 

Twists and turns in the EWC category, the hotly contested Bol d'Or

 

The weather conditions are a real headache this weekend in the Var. At the time of departure, the track is drying but still wet in places. The top teams opt for rain tires, but the YART Yamaha YZF-R1 #7 – Yamaha Official EWC Team is shod with slick tires! A daring gamble, but one that could pay off if the sun dries the track quickly. Moreover, the Yamaha still in the running for the world title (like five other machines in the EWC category) features a red and white decoration in homage to the rich past of the Iwata firm.

From the start, Greg Black (Suzuki GSX-R #12 Yoshimura SERT Motul) gets the best start, as usual. Ilya Mykhalchyk, on BMW #37, does not let himself be left behind. He regains the lead of the race in a few moments. Behind, there is already a stampede for the Yamaha #77 Wojcik Racing Team EWC. Stopped at the side of the track at the first loops, the nightmarish weekend continues for the training. In these delicate conditions but which allow us to attack, the WSBK pilot Leandro “Tati” Mercado (Honda CBR 1000RR-R #333 Honda Viltaïs Racing) literally flies around the track, dropping off his opponents one by one! He is back in the lead group. Chaz Davies (Ducati Panigale V4R #6 ERC Endurance Ducati) is also on a different rhythm.

Less than 15 minutes after departure, moreover given by Johann zarco, the drivers of teams wearing rain tires stop to switch to slicks! What if YART had chosen the right option from the start? Pay attention to the Kawasaki ZX10R #4 Tati Team Beringer Racing led by Randy Krummenacher, very fast at the start of the race, even taking the lead. Those who can ride the intermediate Pirellis are well off; these rubbers are clearly the best in these drying conditions. Apart from Yamaha #7, it is the Italian firm's customers who are playing in front.

 

 

The British Chaz Davies held on to the lead thanks to a profitable strategy, but Niccolò Canepa (Yamaha #7), on slicks from the start, took first position. We also note a penalty of stop & go for Kawasaki #8 Team Bolliger Switzerland #8, which doesn't help after less than an hour of racing.

But everything is turned upside down shortly before 16 p.m.! There Ducati #6, very fast, experiences a fall that we haven't seen on screen. Its pilot, Javier “Xavi” Drilled Querol, box ; the motorcycle no longer has a fairing. The race is neutralized, two safety cars are mobilized. This hurts the #7 Yamaha, which finds itself behind the good safety car. She takes a U-turn from her closest pursuer, the #333 Honda, but she has to stop to refuel in turn! 

 

 

At 16 p.m. sharp, the Honda #333 is in the lead in front of the Suzuki #12, but the hierarchy is obviously not represented by this classification given the situation. On the other hand, when the safety car will be erased, everything will be put back together.

 

Tecmas – BMW threatened in Superstock?

 

The Superstock category is not to be underestimated. Always contested, the Endurance World Cup (the name of the dedicated championship) is however masterfully led by the BMW M 1000 RR #9 Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team, who also took pole position yesterday. Be careful not to rest on your laurels, because the #9 BMW has already broken two engines this week. After a little over twenty minutes, it is she who leads the century race in the class, gravitating around seventh position in the general classification. The closest bike, in terms of pace, is none other than the Suzuki GSX-R #27 TRT27 Bazar 2 la Bécane. The Kawasaki ZX-10R #33 Team 33 Louit April Moto, always well placed, is also in the fight. Of course, the order changes depending on the pit stops.

Turnaround! There BMW # 9, arch-favorite and whose crew is completed by Loris Baz (originally reserve driver on BMW #37), is seen in slow motion! Kenny Foray is forced to bring it back by pushing along the security lanes, but it takes at least 15 minutes! A real blow to the liver which could well have serious consequences. But in endurance, nothing is ever decided.

 

 

At 16 p.m., the Honda #27 leads the category ahead of Kawasaki #24 BRMT 3D MAXXESS Nevers. Then comes the Yamaha #18 Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motorstore.

Ranking for the 2023 Bol d'Or at 16 p.m., one hour after the start of the race: 

 

 

Classification credit: FIM EWC/itslive

Cover picture : FIM EWC