FIM EWC Bol d'Or 2023 H+20: Suzuki survives two riders, Yamaha prays to the mechanical gods

The Bol d'Or, justice of the peace of the FIM EWC championship, is an absolutely magnificent event, but oh so difficult for its participants. After twenty hours of racing, the eyelids are heavy, fatigue is felt, and the mechanics suffer enormously. Few teams have been spared by fate, and moreover, all the favorites in the premier category have been touched by the soul of the Bol. To find the summary of what happened last night, click here. 

The FIM EWC championship relaunched in a crazy Bol d’Or

Of course, we must remember the big event at the start of the day; the mechanical abandonment of Honda CBR 1000RR-R #1 FCC TSR Honda France, while she was playing for victory. But other leading formations were hit by damage. Starting with the Yamaha YZF-R1 #7 YART-Yamaha, who has to deal, this morning, with an engine that is too hot. Three times, she had to go through the box to remedy the problem. If it was able to get back on track each time, we imagine that we would pray to all the gods of the earth in the Yamaha box, because an engine overheating can very quickly put an end to all hope. Each time it stops, the mechanics pay close attention to the water temperature; 85°C at 10:41 a.m., everything is ok. 

La Honda #333 Honda Viltaïs Racing was also forced to return to the hands of its mechanics, but it is back on the track. She currently occupies third position in the general classification, just behind Yamaha #7 which managed to regain its place after its problem. Then, more recently, it is the Kawasaki ZX-10R #4 Tati Team Beringer Racing which is at an impasse: Hugo Clere, the pilot, had no choice but to pull wide after what looked like an engine failure: the plume of smoke rarely deceives. He has to bring it back to the pits by his own means, but it's not just the podium dreams that are gone, it's undoubtedly the race. A few dozen minutes later, it's official; pierced piston, by the admission of Hugo Clere himself. It's over. 

Obviously, all this benefits the only team that falls through the cracks, at least for the moment: the one that uses the Suzuki GSX-R #12 Yoshimura SERT Motul. Despite a small drop in Greg Black at the start of the night, it is both the fastest since, but also the most reliable. His lead over Yamaha #7 is more than comfortable – eight laps, and at 11 o'clock, only a mechanical problem or another riding error could prevent him from triumphing in this 86th edition. That said, Sylvain Guintoli hasn't taken the handlebars since early morning; a factor to watch closely, they evolve in pairs. Note the rhythm of the BMW M1000 RR #37 BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, which remains in the top 5 for the benefit of the problems affecting the other teams.

A new motorcycle for the stroller! Lucas Mahias, on the Yamaha #99 KM99 must push his beautiful blue while he made a good comeback, following the problems suffered last night. What bad luck !

Everything remains to be done in Superstock

The second category is no less interesting, although less contested, that is indisputable. Since the beginning, or almost, the Honda #55 National Motorcycles leads the way but the others have not said their last word. She sits in seventh position overall but had to stop briefly in the pits this morning to check if the small fall last night was not too damaging. But luckily for her, everything seems okay. Since the premature abandonment of the BMW #9 Tecmas-MRP BMW, the championship is open due to the numerous bonuses linked to the length of the event.

Behind, the Kawasaki #33 BRMT 3D MAXXESS Nevers remains one lap away, and itself has a 30-second lead over the Honda #41 Chromeburner RAC41 Honda. The Metis #45, last survivor in category Experimental, continues its journey in 20th place.

Ranking of the Bol d'Or FIM EWC 2023 at 11 a.m., twenty hours after the start of the race: 

Classification credit: FIM EWC/itslive

Cover picture : FIM EWC