Aviobike WRS Battles Bravely Before Bol d’Or Heartbreak

Team Aviobike WRS fought for 19 hours at the 88th Bol d’Or, completing 544 laps with their Ducati Panigale V4 before a late mechanical issue forced a heartbreaking retirement.

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Team Aviobike WRS delivered a stirring performance at the 88th Bol d’Or, only to see their race end in heartbreak less than five hours from the finish. After 544 gruelling laps and 19 hours and 53 minutes of relentless effort, the Italian squad was forced to withdraw their Ducati Panigale V4, the sole representative of Borgo Panigale on the grid.

Lightning Start and Early Momentum

The race began with promise as Matteo Ferrari launched the #111 Ducati into third place in the Superstock class with a blistering start. Teammate Luca Bernardi maintained the position through his first stint, even as a safety car on lap 40 erased the team’s early advantage.

Late call-ups Adrien Lepine and Hugo De Cancellis, stepping in for the injured Andrea Mantovani, adapted quickly to the rhythm of the 24-hour classic. The pit crew matched the riders’ determination with flawless stops through the opening stages, enabling Aviobike to remain firmly in the fight. By the halfway mark, the Ducati was running a steady sixth in class and 15th overall, its consistency proving to be a key weapon as night fell over the Circuit Paul Ricard.

Battling Through the Night

The dark hours brought fresh challenges. Two extended pit stops cost the team six crucial laps, but their resolve never wavered. By dawn, the red-and-white Ducati had clawed back to sixth in Superstock, flirting with the overall top ten. With every lap, the riders showcased a blend of pace and discipline, giving the passionate Aviobike supporters hope of a strong finish.

A Cruel Twist of Fate

Those hopes went up in flames just after 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. Mechanical issues forced the team to withdraw with less than five hours remaining, ending a campaign that had promised so much.

While the result was not the fairy tale they hoped for, Aviobike WRS’s performance at the Bol d’Or underscored the team’s grit and the competitive potential of the Ducati Panigale V4 in endurance racing. From Ferrari’s lightning start to the tireless overnight push by Bernardi, Lepine, and De Cancellis, the Italian outfit leaves Le Castellet with their reputation enhanced and eyes already fixed on a stronger return next season.