Drama action took place instantly at Nevers Magny-Cours for the first free practice session of the Bol d’Or, fifth round of the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship. Team Kawasaki France got the best lap time with a 1’41”845 performed by Erwan Nigon during the second heat, ahead of a very fast Yamaha Austria Racing Team. With Gwen Giabbani, who took over from Steve Plater, engaged with Yamaha GMT 94 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Bol d’Or, YART did a respectful 1’41”948. Last year’s Bol d’Or winner Yamaha GMT 94 took the third time in 1’42”388, ahead of the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team 1 of Vincent Philippe, Matthieu Lagrive and Julien Da Costa (1’42”704). The SERT still needs to work on the set-up to go down to 1’41. We can, however, trust the current World Champion and series leader to improve their lap times for the next qualifying sessions and the race. Like the SERT, Maco Moto Racing Team, fifth in the free practice, did their best lap in the first morning session. Still hesitating about the choice of their Michelin tyres, Honda National Motos managed to get the sixth place with a 1’43”280 lap, ahead of the SERT Suzuki 2, who is facing the same difficulties as their team mates, and the Yamaha Folch Endurance, who lapped in 1’43”983. The first machine in the Superstock class is the Honda Moto Revue of Jean-Michel Bayle, Sébastien Charpentier and Thierry Traccan. Jean-Michel Bayle was fastest in 1’44.059. They are ahead of the Yamaha Igol Acropolis Moto Expert, engaged in Formula EWC, and another Superstock bike, the Suzuki Junior Team LMS. Some teams had to face a few crashes and some mechanical problems. Amongst others, the Yamaha LTG 57 broke down their rear shock during the first morning practice session. LTG 57 went back on track with the shock from their second machine, which was built with a different set-up. Hence, they could not do any better than 1’44”591 in the second free practice session. The first qualifying session will take place from 4:30 pm.