FIM EWC Bol d’Or 2023: Suzuki suffered, but Suzuki triumphs! The story of an incredible race

This 86th edition of the Bol d'Or was not the most competitive on the track, that's a fact. On the other hand, the numerous reversals and mechanical failures of all kinds spiced up the race. In the end, the victory of the Suzuki GSX-R #12 of Yoshimura SERT Motul and its drivers Gregg Black, Étienne Masson and Sylvain Guintoli made it possible to offer a 19th victory to the Japanese brand. Thus we are reminded of the harsh law of endurance, the one that can shatter a destiny at any moment, like making a valiant team great. If this article summarizes the intense action observed during the last 24 hours, you can find everything that happened this morning by clicking here. 

 

Suzuki wins a magnificent Bol d'Or

 

The event was very difficult for the teams in the EWC championship, the premier category of motorcycling endurance. While BMW M1000 RR #37 BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team started from pole position, the drying track confronted the teams with a difficult choice concerning the type of rubber to use for the first laps.

 

 

Ultimately, all the top teams opted for the intermediates, with the exception of YART-Yamaha and its YZF-R1 #7 with the red and white livery, chosen to celebrate the history of the Iwata firm. They preferred slicks; an option which paid off, since the Var sun did not take long to completely dry the track. However, this certain advantage could not be exploited: the violent fall of Javier “Xavi” Drilled on the handlebars of the Ducati Panigale V4R #6 ERC Endurance Ducati caused the first safety car to come out, trapping the #7 Yamaha at the end of the pit straight.

 

 

Greg Black, on the Suzuki #12, had made the best start, as usual. Slowly but surely, three machines stood out in the first hours; there Suz', the Honda CBR 1000RR-R #1 FCC TSR Honda France, as well as Yamaha #7. As often, moreover; these three bikes have been powering the world championship for several years now. Behind, we found the BMW #37 but also, the Honda #333 Honda Viltaïs Racing, very well placed with a huge Leandro Mercado on his handlebars. The Suzuki was the fastest, but struggled to get back up. Thus, the first position changed depending on the pit stops for long hours. The evening was relatively calm. Just, an early engine failure eliminated the Yamaha #77 Wojcik Racing Team EWC. This ended a particularly difficult weekend for the Polish team.

 

 

When the hot sun set, the race took a radical turn. The participants were not fighting against each other, no, but against the myth of the Bol d'Or. After several hours of effort to get back into the top, Gregg Black (Suzuki #12) lost the front without seriousness. A fall at the wrong time for a driver who had already made two mistakes at Le Mans and at Suzuka.

 

 

After a brief visit to the pits, she left without delay. Luck is also part of sport. On the other hand, others did not experience the same fate during the night. BMW #37, already, immobilized in her box and forced to repair. Once again, the German brand was unable to fight for victory even if it still left Castellet with pole, the best lap in the race (in 1'52.898, to the credit ofIlya Mykhalchyk) and a podium. Then, the major event which changed the outcome, late in the night. Insomniacs – or enthusiasts, the line is fine – haven't missed it; it is the abandonment of Honda #1. A long stop in the box revealed an engine failure, with a blocked crankshaft. THE FCC TSR Honda France lowers the curtain, and thereby abandons its hopes of a world title. Terrible images.

 

 

Before daybreak, others experienced problems with their equipment. There Kawasaki ZX-10R #11 Kawasaki WeBike Trickstar, BMW # 37 (once again) and the Honda #333 were all forced to pass into the hands of their mechanics. Only Suzuki and Yamaha seemed to fall between the drops, they who occupied the first two places. But the rest was short-lived for the tuning fork brand. In the morning, we noticed a problem with the water temperature being too high. We choose to bring in the Yamaha #7 to look into it, but the problem seems too big to start working on. From then on, we decided to continue the test, praying, and cooling the engine at regular intervals. We don't hesitate to bring her back to the box several times, because the world title is at stake. Yamaha condemns itself, and lets Suzuki slip towards an 18th victory. 

 

 

At least, that's what we thought. Cleared of all competition and seeing the Yamaha #7 slip down the rankings as it stopped for extended periods, the two riders of the Suzuki #12 simply had to finish the race and avoid the traps. Two, because Sylvain Guintoli hasn't been driving since early morning due to gastric problems! Etienne Masson et Greg Black had to deal with this parameter, they had no choice. In endurance, you can't predict everything, fortunately for the show. Shortly after 11 a.m., Gregg Black as well as seven other pilots (including Randy de Puniet on Kawasaki #11) were caught in a fall between the Signes curve and the Beausset double right, due to a puddle of oil on the track! Despite a speed of 200 km/h at the time of impact, no pilot was injured, a miracle. Immediately, Black got back on his motorbike, for the second time already, and returned to the stand. Suzuki took advantage of the intervention of the safety car to repair the damage, which was only cosmetic. A hell of a... stroke of luck! 

 

 

At the same time, two other machines were experiencing serious mechanical problems. There Yamaha #99 KM99 could leave after repairs, but not the Kawasaki #4 Tati Team Beringer Racing ; holed piston and therefore, broken engine. Later still, the Metis #45, the last one alive in the Experimental category, exploded its engine on the pit straight! An impressive image which motivated the race management to bring in the safety cars. One of the two safety cars even had a problem with a hose that was wandering not far from the left front wheel! Clearly, the Bol d’Or really spares no one. 

 

 

We thought that the order was cemented, but it was without counting on Markus Reiterberger and BMW #37 ! The German didn't give up anything with the Honda #333 in line of sight, less than a turn away. But his compatriot Florian Alt, on the #333, didn’t hear it that way. He was never caught.

Finally, the Suzuki #12 wins with an eight lap lead. Follow the Honda #333 and BMW # 37. The Yamaha #7 is fourth, and becomes Endurance world champion 14 years later! Well done to them. There Kawasaki #11 completes the top 5.

 

 

That the race is cruel

 

The Superstock category was not to be neglected. But it's not a lie to say that it was less contested, notably due to a major early racing event. Barely had the ordeal begun when the engine of the BMW #9 Tecmas-MRP BMW Racing Team went up in smoke. Kenny Foray, on the handlebars, couldn't believe it; no more than us anyway. Arch favorite from pole position, she did not make it to the end this year. Note that this was the third engine failure since the start of the weekend.

 

 

Therefore, the Honda #55 National Motorcycles took command. Behind, up close, Kawasaki #33 Team 33 Louit April Motos did not let go of anything, however, and remained at a short distance. For a time, we live Yamaha #13 OG Motorsport World Endurance Team rise to the occasion, but ultimately fade away in favor of Honda #41 Chromeburner RAC 41 Honda. Other major racing events did not spare the category, notably one which left its mark: the BMW #85 Tone RT Syncedge 4413 BMW mowed down Honda #44 No Limits, forcing her to abandon. The pilot of the latter, Lorenzo Gabellini, did not fail to ironically applaud his Japanese counterpart who had knocked him down.

 

 

The race resumed with more vigor with other adventures, but always, with the Honda #55 in front. She experienced a small fall during the night, but exactly like the Suzuki #12, she was able to leave. And, again like the Suzuki #12, she was surprised by the famous patch of oil between Signes and Beausset! She was able to escape again, but Kawasaki #33 saw this as an opportunity to take victory in the category.

 

 

As the hours passed, we felt the pressure coming within the legendary team. National Motorcycles Honda. This heralded a heated finale, but watch out for the thunderclap! At 14:33 p.m., Honda #55 was seen idling on the Mistral straight! The pilot Sébastien Suchet returns to his family, the situation is critical. Beyond the Bol d'Or, the Endurance World Cup is taking off! Sébastien Suchet tries to leave again to avoid being downgraded, but he is absolutely disgusted. valentine, his brother and teammate, can't hold back his tears.

 

 

That said, the race was far from over. There Kawasaki #33 inherited the head, but the Honda #41, provisionally victorious in the Endurance World Cup, remained at a distance, although never able to return. Team 33 Louit April Moto and its pilots Christian Gamarino, Simone Saltarelli et Kevin Calia take a deserved victory, which rewards combativeness. The misfortune of the Honda #55 brings happiness to Yamaha #18 Team 18 Sapeurs-Pompiers CMS Motostore, who crosses the line in third position.

 

 

Thank you for following this Bol d'Or with us, we hope that the summaries were quite clear, precise, and informative. Thanks also to Thomas for the valuable information, always very useful for following such dense events. 

Provisional ranking for the 86th Bol d’Or, final round of the 2023 FIM EWC championship:

 

 

Classification credit: FIM EWC/itslive

Cover picture : FIM EWC