Mathieu Gines is revving up for a return to the FIM Endurance World Championship with Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore.
The 2014 EWC champion has joined the front-running Superstock squad managed by Yannick Bureau for next month’s season-deciding Bol d’Or.
He will link up with existing Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore riders Enzo de la Vega, Baptiste Guittet and Maxim Pellizotti for the 24-hour contest at Circuit Paul Ricard, which is close to Marseille in the south of France, from 12-15 September.
Bureau said: “I’ve the pleasure to announce an important change in our team for the next Bol d’Or, Mathieu Gines. Mathieu already has many titles and famous participations in different championships in France and internationally. His experience and velocity will be an advantage for us for this fantastic final round as we are challenged by many high-quality teams.”
Yamaha-powered Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore won the FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams in 2022 and starts the Bol d’Or sixth in the standings.
Thirty-five-year-old Gines, whose career CV includes three French Superbike titles, finished second in the 2022 Bol d’Or riding a Wójcik Racing Team Yamaha.
He said: “It’s really nice for me to come back to the EWC. I have been doing the French Superbike Championship this year and I also won the 24 Hours of Barcelona but the EWC is a nice place for me and I love this race. I am very happy to have this opportunity with Team 18, I know the guys, I know the riders, they are very fast and we can be really strong.”
Frenchman Gines’ inclusion in the Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore attack for the Bol d’Or is possible under new regulations for the 2024 EWC, which permit Dunlop-equipped Superstock teams to enter four race riders rather than three, which is the limit for Formula EWC outfits.
The 87th Bol d’Or takes place from 12-15 September. Click HERE for ticket information. An extended interview with Gines will be published at FIMEWC.com soon.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
