BMW Claims Pole as Van der Mark Sets Practice Lap Record at Bol d’Or

BMW’s pole awards five qualifying points that narrow the championship gap ahead of the 24‑hour title decider.

Overview

BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team #37 took pole for the 89th Bol d’Or and Michael van der Mark set a new practice lap record of 1:50.704, giving the crew five qualifying bonus points.
Championship leader YART Yamaha #1 remains on top of the standings but will start the race from seventh on the grid, which changes the team’s tactical outlook for the 24 hours.
A confirmed 56‑bike field will race at Circuit Paul Ricard across four classes, with 17 Formula EWC entries and additional Superstock, Production, and Experimental teams shaping traffic and pit strategy.
With 65 points available across the weekend and intermediate points at the eight‑ and 16‑hour marks, six teams remain mathematically able to win the 2026 EWC, making qualifying bonuses and early race positioning crucial.
Lights out is set for 3:00 PM local time on Saturday and the outcome could hinge on reliability, night stints, and pit execution—factors that cost BMW the 2025 title and that have helped Yoshimura SERT Motul win Paul Ricard repeatedly.