Gimbert and Barrier brave the elements to get 2013 season underway Magny-Cours, France – 13 March 2013: BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent got their 2013 Endurance World Championship campaign underway with the first test of the new season at the Magny-Cours circuit in France. Northern Europe is currently suffering with extreme weather and Magny-Cours was no different yesterday. The test started in the wet yesterday and, with temperatures hovering at around 3°C, conditions were less than ideal for testing. Today’s test sessions were cancelled due to snow at the circuit. Despite the cold, which meant riders could do no more than five laps before their fingers went numb, both Sébastien Gimbert and Sylvain Barrier managed to complete a partial test programme aboard the 2013 BMW S1000RR they’ll campaign in this year’s Endurance World Championship. The next outing for Gimbert and Barrier will be the annual Pre-Bol d’Or test on 20-21 March, again at Magny-Cours. Both riders are hoping for better track conditions at this test, as they have yet to evaluate the 2013 Michelin slicks that they’ll use at the Bol d’Or race, which runs from 19-21 April. Sébastien Gimbert: “For a first test I’d have preferred better weather. It was so cold out there on track that my fingers stopped working after just a handful of laps, which didn’t make things easy. It’s good to get back out on the bike again though and, despite the weather, we managed to get quite a lot done on the first day. It was also good to see Sylvain on the bike, and even better to see his lap times in the difficult conditions. I think he will be a real asset for the team this season. Now we must keep our fingers crossed for better weather at the Pre-Bol test next week, because we still have some work to do if we’re to be ready for the first race of the season.” Sylvain Barrier: “The initial feeling with the bike was good, but it is very different to the Superstock version of the BMW S1000RR that I’m used to, so I will need some time to adapt still. The tyres are also new for me. The Michelins are very different to the tyres I’ve used before, but the weather here meant I wasn’t able to try the slicks during this test. Hopefully we’ll have better weather for the Pre-Bol test next week, as I need to get some dry laps under my belt ahead of the race. I enjoyed the test though; the team works together very well and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.” Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a test that was so cold and miserable, but the team made the most of it and we completed quite a lot of work despite the conditions. Sébastien was straight back on the pace, after a long winter layoff, and it was good to see Sylvain matching Seb’s lap times on such a wet and cold track. The weather has been particularly unpredictable so far this year, so we could have sunshine again for next week’s Pre-Bol test. Let’s hope so, anyway!” 2013 Endurance World Championship Calendar 20-21 March Pre-Bol d’Or Test Magny Cours, France 20-21 April Bol d’Or Magny Cours, France 27-28 July Suzuka 8 Hours Suzuka, Japan 16-17 August 8 Hours of Oschersleben Oschersleben, Germany 21-22 August Pre-Mans Test Le Mans, France 21-22 September 24 Heures Moto Le Mans, France