The Austrian Yamaha team will start from pole position tomorrow on the Paul Ricard circuit. YART Yamaha are ahead of Webike SRC Kawasaki France and F.C.C. TSR Honda France. Loris Baz seized the chance to set a new lap record. In the Superstock class, Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto got the better of Moto Ain.

A thundery shower disrupted the late stages of the first qualifying session at the Paul Ricard circuit on Thursday afternoon. YART Yamaha had been leading before the rain started, but it all remains to be confirmed in the second qualifying session tomorrow morning.

The Bol d’Or has kicked off with new lap records set right from free practice. YART Yamaha and Webike SRC Kawasaki France have already beaten last year’s 1:54.007 fastest lap in qualifying.

There will be 36 contracted teams and 20 countries represented among the 56 teams at the start of the 2019 Bol d’Or. The 83rd edition of the race will be flagged off on the Paul Ricard circuit at 3pm on Saturday 21 September.

After winning the 2018-2019 FIM Endurance World Cup by a whisker, Moto Ain are looking to shine brighter this season with a rejigged rider line-up. Hugo Clère has joined Roberto Rolfo and Robin Mulhauser to ride the Yamaha #96.

Viewers around the world will be able to watch live coverage of the Bol d’Or – opening round of the FIM EWC 2019/2020 season– from start to finish. The 24-hour race gets underway at France’s Le Castellet circuit on Saturday 21 September.