After Friday's final qualifying session of the 35th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours Moto, the BMW of Erwan Nigon, Sébastien Gimbert and Damian Cudlin will leave from pole position, ahead of Kawasaki who were victorious in 2010 and 2011. The start of the 35th Le Mans 24 Hours Moto will be tomorrow, Saturday 8th September at 15:00

The first qualifying session on Friday was marked by the fall of Julien Da Costa (Kawasaki No.11). The rider, who won in 2010 and 2011, and who set a new track record on Thursday, left the field open to Sébastien Gimbert (BMW) who led the first of three qualifying sessions of the day. David Checa on the Yamaha No.94 took the second position and the Suzuki Vincent Philippe No. 1 third.

The leading times of the second qualification session of the day, open to the second of three drivers from each crew was very competitive. It was finally Damian Cudlin on the BMW No.99 who had the last word. Behind him Gregory Leblanc on Kawasaki and Kenny Foray on a Yamaha. Anthony Delhalle for Suzuki was stuck in a group of slower riders. He ended his session in fourth position.

Finally, the third qualifying session was dominated throughout by Matthew Lagrive (Yamaha). He secured his final position eight minutes before the end of the session and set a time of 1:37.8. Behind Freddy Foray finished second (Kawasaki), while the BMW of Erwan Nigon was third. Notable also was the good form of Etienne Masson on the private Honda No.55 of National Motos in fourth position ahead of works machines.

At the end of qualifying sessions on Thursday and Friday, the best times achieved by each rider are taken, and the average lap times set the positions on the starting grid. Team BMW Motorrad France consisting of Erwan Nigon, Sébastien Gimbert and Damian Cudlin clinched pole position. The Kawasaki of Julien Da Costa, Gregory Leblanc and Freddy Foray finished second. Vincent Philippe and Anthony Delhalle and Takuya Tsuda their Suzuki were third.

Remember that the 35th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours Moto, is also the last round of the 2012 FIM World Endurance Championship .Arithmetically, six teams can take the title, but only the top four have a realistic chance. They are; Suzuki No.1 (Philippe, Delhalle, Foray), the BMW No.99 (Nigon, Gimbert, Cudlin), the Honda No.77 (McGuiness, Donald Gines) and Yamaha No.94 (Checa, Foray, Lagrive). Between these four is the No.11 Kawasaki determined to score a third win in a row, the fight for victory will be tight.

In Superstock the highest ranked is Suzuki No.50 of Michael Savary, Frederic Chabosseau and Guillaume Dietrich.. Currently leading the standings Superstock World Cup, the three riders are also in the running for the world title this weekend at the 24 Hours Moto. The Suzuki of Claude Lucas, Jonathan Hardt and Nicolas Pouhair is second in class and eleventh overall. The Suzuki of Baptiste Guittet, Cédric Tangre and Julien Enjolras is third in Superstock and thirteenth overall. Having three Suzukis in the top three places promises a tight race.

In the Open class, the MV Agusta of Peter Polesso, Lucas Mahias and Sylvain Buffard is first in class and sixteenth overall. Second in class and twenty-eighth overall is the Metiss. And in forty third overall is the Yamaha that completes the top 3 of the Open Class.

Mickaël Bartolemy, Director of the BMW team, pole position: "It gives us in confidence. We have had a new bike since the beginning of the year, but so far we have not found the right settings. We have never won a 24 hour race, so I hope that will have on Sunday! I want to thank the whole team, as well as reserve drivers who are doing a great job. '

Hervé Moineau, Sports Director of Team Motors Events, best time of the Superstock class, Suzuki No.50: "Our bike is a 2011 model, so we know it very well. Weather has helped us because the track temperature remains constant. 24 Hours Moto is not won in a qualifying lap ... But overall I'm satisfied. We will try to further improve the bike tomorrow. '

Philippe Forgerie, Director of Team Raffin Motos, best time of the Open category, MV Agusta No.16: "Last year, we were the first to bring an MV Agusta to the finish of the Le Mans 24 Hours. We want to repeat that performance this year. We are really happy with our competitiveness today. The bike is really well set up. The folks at MV Agusta follow us with passion ... But they are a small manufacturer, and it can help us. I think we have the best motorcycle on the grid! Today we will introduce a motorcycle specially decorated in the colours of the Air Force at Tours who are particular fans of our machine! '

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