Riders are J-MB, Charpentier and some bloke - Only Entered in STK Class...

The provisional entry list for the Bol d'O has been released. A bit of musical-chair shuffling amongst the permanent teams has been overshadowed by the news that Honda France are making a slightly half-hearted return to World Endurance.

Musical Chairs

There are two entries from SERT Suzuki, with Philippe, Lagrive and Da Costa on the No.1 bike and Costes, Dietrich, Coxhell and Simeon on the No.2 bike.

Phase One have (for now) Jorg Teuchert listed to ride alongside Damian Cudlin and Graeme Gowland, with Pawel Szkopek as reserve.

As previously reported, Gwen Giabbani joins Steve Martin and Igor Jerman at YART, with Steve Plater riding for Yamaha GMT94 alongside Gimbert and Checa.

Michael Weynand will ride for Diablo Kawasaki alongside team regulars James Hutchins and Alex Cudlin. Brit Damian Rowley will ride for MCS Ipone.

Kawasaki France only have one bike (Silva, Mazuecos, Nigon, Moreira) entered, but BMW have the usual brace of Boxer twins. The BIHR Metiss will not be BMWs only competition in the Open class, with two entries from Ducati Endurance Racing Team and a single Honda Fireblade from Thorn Bikes.

Honda

National Motos (Scarnato, Monge, Metro) would normally be the headline Honda, but Moto Revue have entered the Superstock class with a Honda France supported Ten Kate built CBR1000RR with riders Jean-Michel Bayle, Sebastien Charpentier and magazine editor Thierry Traccan.

Team manager Bernard Rigoni: "Ten Kate did the engine and chassis for us but we go there without any pressure. We just want to pay a tribute to Honda's 60th birthday and prepare the official comeback of Honda in World Endurance. In 2009, we will be at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Bol d'Or".

It's good to see Honda France back, but it's a shame they've only entered the STK class and are only planning to do two races next year. Sticking a journalist on the bike is a cheap way to guarantee coverage but it leaves them with only 2/3 of a full rider line up, and entering the Superstock class means a team which should be capable of challenging for the overall win have a great excuse for finishing outside the top ten.

Come on, Honda France. If you're going to compete in World Endurance next year, enter in the premier class and do all the races - not just the French ones - with a serious rider line-up so that we can see a proper challenge to SERT Suzuki.

Full List

The full entry list is here: www.boldor.fr/participant/engages-boldor.pdf

2008 Honda CBR1000RR