Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) has clinched victory at the 73rd Bol d'Or 12-Hour World Endurance round in France.
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 forcing 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 8am 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,
