BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent head to Magny-Cours for this weekend's 76th edition of the Bol d'Or determined to get their 2012 Endurance World Championship campaign off to a flying start.
For BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent's four riders - Sébastien Gimbert, Erwan Nigon, Damian Cudlin and Hugo Marchand - the main aim this weekend will be to secure a good result and as many championship points as possible. However, all four riders are confident that they can also fight for the win at Magny-Cours.
The team's first race win in the Endurance World Championship came last season at the 8 Hours of Albacete but, so far, victory in one of the classic 24-hour races has eluded them.
However, a positive preseason test program with the 2012 BMW S1000RR combined with a team reinforced by the arrival of technical personnel with vast experience of endurance racing, means that BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent have never been in a better position to secure their first 24-hour race win.
The 2012 Bol d'Or gets underway with free practice, first qualification and night practice on Thursday 12th April. Final qualifying takes on Friday 13th April and the race starts at 15.00 on Saturday 14th April.
In 2012 the Endurance World Championship will be broadcast in more than 80 countries and across five continents. The showcase events of the championship - the Bol d'Or and the 24 Hours of Le Mans - will be shown live on Motors TV, Sport+ and FIM TV.
Damian Cudlin:
"It's been a long off season and I've had a few dramas behind the scenes, so for me the Bol d'Or will be the first chance this year to actually get out there and race. I can't wait to get started with the team because we're in such good shape. We go into the new season well prepared, with a strong rider line-up, a strong bike in the 2012 BMW S1000RR, good tyres and some solid testing behind us, so we're ready to race. The saying 'to finish first, first you must finish' could have been coined for endurance racing. A lot can happen in 24 hours, but if we can find a good rhythm, avoid any trouble and if lady luck plays her part, then I'm confident we can fight for the win this weekend."
Sébastien Gimbert:
"This year we are better prepared than we've ever been for the first race of the season. The biggest difference for me this year is with the team. We have added some key people to the team and already we're benefitting from their experience, with a lot of the small problems that cost us time last year now eliminated. For me this is a big improvement, because it is these small things that stop you winning races. We definitely go into the first race of the season in a strong position, with fast riders, a good bike and another year of experience behind us. We are up against strong competition this weekend, as always, but I'm confident we can run at the front. Yes, this is endurance racing and anything can happen in 24 hours of racing, but we go to the Bol d'Or to win. I always want to win, and this weekend is no exception!"
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
"We know from the pre-Bol d'Or test two weeks ago that we have the pace to win this weekend at Magny-Cours, but we are also aware of what we are up against. There is no tougher test of bike, rider and team than racing for 24 hours, and experience counts for a lot more than it does in sprint races. Last season we were the newcomers, without the experience of the top teams, but this year is different. We've worked hard over the winter to eliminate any weak points and we go into the new season stronger than ever. Our main goal is the championship title that we missed out on by the narrowest of margins last season, but we're also targeting our first 24-hour race win this year. A win this weekend at Magny-Cours would certainly tick both boxes!"
76th Edition Bol d'Or - Schedule
Thursday 13th April
12.30 - 14.30: Free Practice
16.00 - 17.00: Qualification - Brassards Bleus
17.10 - 17.40: Qualification - Brassards Blancs
17.50 - 18.20: Qualification - Brassards Rouges
18.30 - 19.00: Qualification - Brassards Verts
21.00 - 22.00: Night Practice
Friday 14th April
11.10 - 11.40: Qualification - Brassards Bleus
11.50 - 12.20: Qualification - Brassards Blancs
12.30 - 13.00: Qualification - Brassards Rouges
13.10 - 13.40: Qualification - Brassards Verts
Saturday 15th April
10.30 - 11.15: Warm Up
14.30: Start Procedure
15.00: Start of the 76th edition of the Bol d'Or
News
Gunning for glory at the 76th edition of the Bol d'Or
