Honda Racing takes provisional pole at the Bol d’Or

ahead of SRC Kawasaki and Yamaha Racing GMT 94 Michelin
Team Honda Racing just caused an upset on the Magny-Cours circuit by taking the lead after the first qualifying session at the Bol d’Or. Julien Da Costa, Freddy Foray and Sébastien Gimbert are ahead of the SRC Kawasaki, the Yamaha Racing GMT 94 Michelin and the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team.

“I didn’t expect to be ahead from the first session”, says Steven Casaer, sports manager of the new Honda Racing (Dunlop) team that is in provisional pole spot at the Bol d’Or. Despite a broken engine in the free practice early this afternoon, this English factory team managed to steal a march on the favourites to win this first race of the FIM Endurance World Championship at Magny-Cours.

SRC Kawasaki (Pirelli) is in the second spot but has a lot on its plate after a crash for Matthieu Lagrive in the free practice. Matthieu was unable to take part in this afternoon’s qualifier as he was still undergoing tests at the hospital. He should be back in time for the second qualifying session tomorrow lunchtime. In the meantime, the SRC Kawasaki, winner of the Bol d’Or in 2012 and 2013, has only two riders ready to take to the track for this 78th edition, Gregory Leblanc, who clocked up the best individual time in 1’39.608, and Nicolas Salchaud.

Yamaha Racing GMT 94 Michelin has the third place on the grid for now with David Checa, Kenny Foray and Mathieu Gines. They squeaked ahead of the mighty Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (Dunlop) which is still finding its feet with Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle back from an injury and Erwan Nigon who is still getting acquainted with the GSX-R after several years riding a BMW.

In fifth, Junior Team LMS Suzuki (Dunlop) is the first Superstock thanks to great performances by Baptiste Guittet, Etienne Masson and Gregg Black. They are ahead of experienced EWC teams like National Motos (Honda/Pirelli), Bolliger Team Switzerland (Kawasaki/Pirelli) and Monster Energy Yamaha YART (Pirelli).

Three other Superstock teams make up the Top 11, Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team (BMW/Pirelli), Hall Motos 02 (Kawasaki/Dunlop) and the Qatar Endurance Racing Team (Kawasaki/Dunlop). Team Motors Events April Motos, winner of the 2013 FIM Endurance World Cup, has moved up from Superstock to Formula EWC this season and is currently in 12th place after a crash for Jimmy Storrar.

Rain is forecast for tomorrow, Friday, so the starting grid is unlikely to change much after the second qualifying session due to start at 12.35 hours.

QP1 Classification HERE

Photos Good-Shoot