The BMW Motorrad France 99 dominates free practice
The Bol d’Or, first round of the 2011 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship, began today with a closely fought free practice session. The BMW Motorrad France 99 with Sébastien Gimbert, Damian Cudlin, Erwan Nigon and Hugo Marchand took the best time with a 1’41.122 lap ahead of the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team of Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray, Daisaku Sakai and Anthony Delhalle (1’41.435); the Kawasaki SRC of Julien da Costa, Gregory Leblanc, Olivier Four and Cédric Tangre (1’41.702) and just ahead of the Monster Yamaha YART of Igor Jerman, Steve Martin, Gwen Giabbani and Bertrand Stey (1’41.886).
The Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone of David Checa, Kenny Foray and Matthieu Lagrive is close behind with 1’42.549 and holds back the new official Honda TT Legends of Steve Plater, John McGuinness, Keith Amor and Cameron Donald (1’42.966).
The Honda National Motos and the Suzuki TRT27 City Bike made a noticeable entry in the top 10, ahead of some very experienced teams such as of Kawasaki Bolliger Team Switzerland and the Suzuki RT Motovirus Racing.
In the Superstock class, the Suzuki AM Moto Racing Competition set the best lap ahead of the Kawasaki Maccio Racing and the Yamaha DG Sport. Behind them are some of last year’s contenders, the Junior Team Suzuki LMS and the Suzuki Team Motor Events Bodyguard.
The first qualifying session will take place towards the end of this afternoon on the Nevers-Magny Cours racetrack.
See the results:
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