In an exciting move, the FIM Endurance World Championship will welcome a new guest race at the Bol d’Or season showdown in September.
For the first time, the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale will take place as part of an EWC race weekend with a 20-minute winner-takes-all contest scheduled at 12h30 CET on 14 September ahead of the Bol d’Or getting under way at 15h00.
After the first two editions of the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale, in 2022 and 2023, were run alongside the FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Racing’s decision to join forces with EWC promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports is a significant development.
Not only does it underline the growing appeal of the EWC to motorcycle manufacturers, scheduling the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale during the Bol d’Or weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard gives its riders the opportunity to experience an EWC event and benefit from the promotional and organisational excellence on offer. With the EWC the recognised Home of Endurance Racing where every moment is unmissable, it’s also a chance for the riders to showcase their skills in front of EWC team managers.
With 83,000 fans in attendance during last September’s Bol d’Or, there will be no shortage of support for the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale contenders. This will include words of encouragement from Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika, who clinched the FIM Endurance World Championship for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team when the 86th running of the Bol d’Or decided the all-action 2023 EWC season. The trio will offer insights into the secrets of a fast lap around Circuit Paul Ricard during a question and answer session with the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale riders.
Approximately 30 riders competing in national-level Yamaha Cups and Challenges will be invited to take part in the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale. Following Free Practice and Qualifying, the first of two races will take place on Friday 13 September ahead of the deciding event on Saturday 14 September shortly before the EWC riders take to the track for the Bol d’Or.
On offer to the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale winner is a brand new R7, the latest in Yamaha’s R-series range of bikes, that combines the perfect blend of agile handling and sports performance with everyday fun, according to the manufacturer. The second and third-placed riders will win vouchers for GYTR performance parts that can be redeemed from their local Yamaha GYTR PRO shop. Video highlights will be available on the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel. Updates will be published on the Yamaha Racing social media channels and website.
The R7 SuperFinale riders will be offered full support at the event, where they will be located in the dedicated R7 SuperFinale Village situated inside the EWC paddock. After the mandatory briefings, the riders will join bLU cRU Rider Coach Lorenzo Alfonsi for a guided tour of the Le Castellet track. Alfonsi will provide advice to help them with line choice and correct gear selection.
Jean-Baptiste Ley, Head of Motorsport at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, said: “It’s fantastic that at an event where Yamaha Racing achieved such a momentous title in 2023 will host the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale 12 months later. In our 10th season as EWC promoter, we are very excited to welcome the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale family to the Bol d’Or, an event as famous as it is prestigious. The fact that Yamaha Racing has chosen the Bol d’Or as the venue of this highly significant competition speaks volumes about the strength and appeal of the EWC to manufacturers. We look forward to providing a fitting platform for the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale and hope for memorable and successful weekend for all competitors.”
Paolo Pavesio, Marketing and Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe, said: “We are delighted to announce that the R7 European SuperFinale will form a part of the FIM EWC final round of the 2024 season and run alongside the historic Bol d’Or. It will create an incredible atmosphere for the SuperFinale participants. Before they take to the track, they will get the opportunity to meet the riders of the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC team, the reigning Endurance world champions, offering them an excellent opportunity to learn from the very best and get advice on tackling the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard and its infamous Mistral Straight. Plus, over 80,000 people attended the race in 2023, so the competitors will also get to experience the atmosphere and excitement of racing in front of packed stands full of passionate fans to create what will surely be some very special memories.”
The Bol d’Or is organised at Circuit Paul Ricard in France by the Association of France Moto-Cyclecariste, Moto Revue and AMCF Sport. Promoted by Larivière Organisation, it is run under the auspices of Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, Moto Fédératíon Française, and the leagues of Motorcyclists Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Ile de France.
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