The 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship came to a spectacular conclusion at the 89th Bol d’Or, as Bridgestone-supported BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team claimed both race victory and the world championship title. One year after narrowly missing out on the crown at the same circuit, the Belgian-based squad delivered a remarkable performance to secure BMW’s first-ever FIM EWC World Championship.
With Bridgestone-equipped teams filling the entire podium at Circuit Paul Ricard, the season finale marked another memorable weekend for Bridgestone in endurance racing.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team: World Champions at Last
For BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, the 2026 Bol d’Or was about more than just winning a race. Twelve months earlier, the team had been less than 30 minutes away from claiming the world championship when a mechanical failure brought its title hopes to an abrupt end.
This year, Markus Reiterberger, Steven Odendaal and Michael van der Mark returned to Circuit Paul Ricard determined to finish the job.
Starting from pole position, the #37 BMW M 1000 RR quickly established itself at the front of the field. Despite briefly losing the lead at the Le Mans-style start, the team regained first place on the opening lap and maintained an impressive pace throughout the 24-hour race.
Strong fuel efficiency, consistent lap times and precise pit-stop execution helped the squad build its advantage. By leading at both the eight-hour and 16-hour marks, BMW collected the maximum intermediate championship points, putting increasing pressure on reigning champions YART Yamaha.
After 742 laps, a new Bol d’Or distance record, Markus Reiterberger crossed the finish line to secure victory and the world championship by just four points.
The achievement marks the first FIM EWC title for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and the first world championship victory for a European motorcycle manufacturer in the history of the series.
Reflecting on the victory, Reiterberger said:
“Finally, we have done it. Last year we had a bit of bad luck, so I was a little nervous during the final stint, but in the end, it worked out. I’m so happy for my team-mates: they were incredibly strong, just like the whole team.”
Team Manager Werner Daemen also reflected on the years of work behind the achievement:
“We built something up – and that is a very important point: we didn’t just build the best motorcycle, we also built the best team. And together with BMW, with the hard work and the good equipment they provide us with, we were truly at the top this year. I am very proud to have won the title for BMW.”
Yoshimura SERT Motul: Second Place After a Strong Comeback
Three-time consecutive Bol d’Or winners Yoshimura SERT Motul entered the season finale determined to continue their winning streak and challenge for the championship.
The Bridgestone-supported Suzuki squad made an impressive start, with Gregg Black taking the lead in the opening seconds. Although BMW quickly reclaimed first place, SERT remained firmly in contention throughout the race.
After losing time during an early refuelling stop, Gregg Black, Étienne Masson and Dan Linfoot gradually worked their way back through the leading group. The trio moved past YART Yamaha and F.C.C. TSR Honda France during the night to establish themselves in second place.
Their consistent performance secured another Bol d’Or podium, finishing just one lap behind BMW after 24 hours of racing.
Despite missing out on a fourth consecutive Bol d’Or victory, Yoshimura SERT Motul concluded the 2026 season third in the FIM EWC World Championship standings.
YART Yamaha: A Hard-Fought Podium to End the Season
Reigning world champions Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team arrived at Circuit Paul Ricard leading the championship, having claimed victory at Le Mans and second place at Spa earlier in the season.
However, the Austrian squad faced a challenging start to the Bol d’Or. After qualifying seventh, Marvin Fritz dropped outside the top 15 during the opening lap before beginning an impressive recovery.
Together with Karel Hanika and Leandro Mercado, YART gradually climbed back through the field. An incident during a pit stop, when Hanika left the pit box with the paddock stand still attached, cost the team valuable time.
Despite the setback, the #1 Yamaha maintained a strong pace throughout the night and moved into third place during the closing hours.
The team crossed the finish line two laps behind BMW, securing another podium but narrowly missing out on a second consecutive world championship title.
After winning the 2025 championship by a single point, YART finished the 2026 season just four points behind the new world champions.
Bol d’Or Results for Bridgestone Teams
Beyond the podium, several other Bridgestone-supported teams demonstrated strong pace and determination throughout the demanding 24-hour race.
F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Fourth Place After a Strong Race
The Honda squad was among the leading contenders from the opening hour, with Alan Techer, Corentin Perolari and John McPhee maintaining a competitive pace throughout the race.
Despite a crash at Turn 1 and an eight-minute repair during the closing stages, the team recovered to finish fourth overall. Perolari also set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1’52.320.
Kawasaki Webike Trickstar: Completing the Top Five
Kawasaki Webike Trickstar maintained a competitive position throughout the opening stages, running fifth after eight hours of racing. Although a technical issue during the night cost the team valuable time, the Japanese squad continued its recovery to finish fifth in the EWC class.
Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99: A Strong Showing
With Bo Bendsneyder stepping in for Alessandro Delbianco and Lucas Mahias returning as fourth rider, the Belgian squad entered the season finale with a revised line-up.
The #99 Yamaha demonstrated consistent pace throughout the race, climbing into the top five at the 16-hour mark and showing the team’s continued progress in endurance racing.
AutoRace Ube Racing Team: An Unfortunate Early Retirement
The Japanese BMW squad qualified an impressive second, with Naomichi Uramoto, Sylvain Guintoli and newcomer Kenny Foray demonstrating strong pace from the outset.
However, after an earlier crash, the #76 BMW caught fire during the sixth hour, bringing the team’s promising race to a premature end.
Team PMS99 YAM SERVICE: A Strong Finish on Bridgestone V03 Tyres
French squad Team PMS99 YAM SERVICE delivered an impressive performance at the Bol d’Or on standard Bridgestone V03 tyres. After qualifying 35th, the #98 Yamaha steadily climbed through the field, reaching 25th after eight hours and 15th overall during the night. The team maintained its consistent pace to finish 13th overall, rounding off a strong 24-hour race at Circuit Paul Ricard.
A Historic Season of Bridgestone Success
The 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship delivered another remarkable season for Bridgestone and its supported teams.
From YART Yamaha’s victory at the 24 Heures Motos in Le Mans to BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team’s home win at Spa-Francorchamps and historic podium at the Suzuka 8 Hours, Bridgestone-equipped teams demonstrated their performance across some of the world’s most demanding endurance racing circuits.
At Suzuka, all 13 of the top finishers crossed the line on Bridgestone tyres, while the Bol d’Or saw Bridgestone-supported teams secure the entire podium and the world championship title.
For BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, the season ended with a long-awaited championship victory, underlining the importance of consistency, teamwork and reliability in endurance racing.
Throughout the championship, Bridgestone racing tyres once again demonstrated the grip, durability and performance required to compete at the highest level, supporting riders and teams through changing weather conditions, demanding circuits and races lasting up to 24 hours.
With another FIM EWC World Championship secured by a Bridgestone-supported team, the 2026 season represents another important chapter in Bridgestone’s motorsport history and its continued commitment to developing tyre technologies through the ultimate testing ground: racing.
Final 2026 FIM EWC Championship Standings: Bridgestone Teams
1st – BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team
2nd – YART Yamaha Official EWC Team
3rd – Yoshimura SERT Motul
4th – Kawasaki Webike Trickstar
5th – AutoRace Ube Racing Team
7th – F.C.C. TSR Honda France
13th – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99
