September 14th, 2022.



Dunlop tyres are the choice of the majority of the grid for this weekend’s Bol d’Or as this legendary fixture marks its 100th anniversary, this year completing the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season. No fewer than 33 of the 43 entered bikes will race on Dunlop tyres for 24 hours of action at Circuit Paul Ricard, while more than ten teams are fighting to be crowned winners of the Dunlop Superstock Trophy.

Bringing to a close an action-packed EWC season, the Bol d’Or is set to feature a packed grid of professional and amateur teams, including some newcomers and returning favourites. The most recent round, the Suzuka 8 Hours, was not a points-paying event for teams in the Dunlop Superstock Trophy, meaning most of them will return to action for the first time since June’s 24H SPA EWC Motos.

There are 24 bikes set to fight for Superstock honours at the Bol d’Or, with half of those capable of being crowned champion on Sunday afternoon. The Superstock field features bikes from BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. French Yamaha outfit Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore leads the standings.

Eight Formula EWC teams have chosen Dunlop tyres to battle for the overall victory. Whereas every Superstock team races with Dunlop tyres, the top class features open tyre competition, and Dunlop is the choice of half of the field. This includes the factory #37 BMW and #11 Kawasaki teams, which will both be challenging for a victory in France. The #37 BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is still in contention for the championship, too, as additional points are awarded at the last race of the season.

Of note in Formula EWC is the arrival of TONE RT SYNCEDGE 4413. The Japanese team finished third in Superstock at the Suzuka 8 Hours but this weekend makes its debut at the Bol d’Or, moving to the top category with a BMW S1000RR.

In the pre-event test a couple of weeks ago, #37 BMW rider Markus Reiterberger impressed with a lap time of 1:52.682 set with a standard specification of Dunlop KR108 tyre; the same tyres that are available for every Superstock team. Dunlop’s EWC event leader David Auerbacher explains: “The top factory teams do get access to new development tyres, but lap times like this underline the performance of the standard range available for all Dunlop teams.”

Formula EWC teams will have three front and three rear tyres to choose from, including a supersoft qualifying tyre on the rear, while Superstock teams have two front and two rears. Typically, a Formula EWC team will change tyres every stint, while a Superstock team will keep theirs for 2-4 stints. A range of full wet and intermediate tyres are available in both classes in case of rain.

Auerbacher adds: “We are happy to welcome new teams as well as continue supporting our existing Dunlop partner teams as the EWC season comes to a close. The Bol d’Or is always a challenging and exciting event, so we look forward to a historic edition to mark its 100th anniversary. This season has marked the introduction of the Dunlop Superstock Trophy with our exclusive supply to the Superstock class and we are very pleased with tyre performance and the relationships we continue building with teams up and down the pitlane.”

After practice and qualifying sessions on Thursday and Friday, the 85th Bol d’Or will start at 15:00 CEST on Saturday, 17 September, running until the same time on Sunday.


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