SERT takes victory at Bol D'Or

From Team Suzuki News Service

The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team clinched victory at the 73rd Bol d'Or 12-Hour World Endurance round in France on Sunday.

SERT riders Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray and Oliver Four piloted their GSX-R1000 to 815 laps, three more than runners-up Honda Michelin Power's William Costes, Matthieu Lagrive and Josep Monge.

After a drama-packed opening to the event, when four riders crashed on the second lap and forced the safety cars to circulate for some time, SERT held a narrow lead after three hours, then increased it during the night over Honda Michelin Power and Yamaha France GMT 94.

At 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, SERT led by two laps over the Honda, but during the final seven hours, increased this further by an extra lap due to a faultless performance from the Suzuki GSX-R1000 and quicker pit stops.

Despite finishing off the podium, Yamaha Austria Racing Team clinched the 2009 World Endurance Championship title on the day with still one round remaining. SERT - champions in 2008 - did not contest the full series.

Results
1. SERT - Philippe, Foray, Four (Suzuki) 815 laps
2. Michelin Power - Costes, Monge, Lagrive (Honda) 812
3. GSR Kawasaki - Foray, Noyes, Fores (Kawasaki) 808
4. Team 18 Sapeurs - Molinier, Briere, Tangre (Suzuki) 793
5. City Bike - Junod, Houyssin, Black (Suzuki) 793
6. AM Moto Racing - Hernandez, Guersillon, Auger (Suzuki) 783