The FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) reaches its conclusion this weekend on the Circuit Paul Ricard. The 89th operating of the legendary Bol d’Or hosts the ultimate title decider throughout a gruelling 24-hour marathon. Right here is every little thing it’s essential to find out about it.
EWC is a multi-rider collection the place groups share a single motorbike throughout races lasting 8, 12, or 24 hours. Nevertheless, there isn’t any 12-hour on the 2026 calendar. Riders take turns finishing hour-long stints on observe, navigating night time driving, altering climate, and variable grip ranges over the course of a race. It options 4 classes: EWC, the premiere class, Superstock, Manufacturing and Experimental.
Contents
2026 finale on the Circuit Paul Ricard
The 2026 EWC season reaches its climax this weekend on the Bol d’Or, following a 24-hour season opener on the Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans, an 8-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps, and the enduring Suzuka 8 Hours. The 24-hour race presents an intense problem, rotating riders via 45 min to hour-long stints in darkness and ever-changing observe situations, demanding that each competitor be all of the extra acquainted with the circuit.
What’s EWC?
Grid identification is made simple due to distinct colour-coded headlamps and quantity boards throughout the first classes. Components EWC serves because the premier class, that includes extremely modified 1000cc machines, derived from the WorldSBK homologated mannequin.
Whereas the chassis should retain its unique define, groups are allowed in depth efficiency upgrades to the engine, swingarm, brakes, radiator, exhaust, forks, and rear damper. These top-tier bikes are simply recognised by their black quantity backgrounds and white headlamps.
In contrast, Superstock fashions are virtually equivalent to manufacturing highway bikes and run strictly on spec Dunlop tyres. Restricted engine modifications are permitted, together with injector jets, gas mapping, clutch reinforcement, and slip-on silencers. They characteristic pink quantity backgrounds and yellow headlamps.
The Manufacturing class additionally aligns Dunlop-fitted 1000cc road-going bikes, with solely fundamental entry-level modifications allowed. These entries are recognized by blue quantity backgrounds and yellow headlamps. An Experimental class additionally exists for progressive machines, although they don’t rating championship factors.
The present race codecs in EWC
Rider rotation varies relying on the category and occasion length. Components EWC groups include three major race riders and one nominated reserve. Superstock and Manufacturing groups can enter three riders and one reserve for eight-hour occasions, increasing to 4 race riders for 24-hour marathons.
All entry-listed riders should qualify and full necessary day and night time follow classes.
Whereas three-rider squads are commonplace, groups sometimes tackle excessive endurance challenges with solely two riders, most notably when Johann Zarco and Takumi Takahashi famously powered the manufacturing facility Honda HRC bike to victory on the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours.
How are factors awarded in EWC?
Factors are awarded based mostly on race length, with longer occasions yielding greater scores. Bonus championship factors are distributed to the highest 5 qualifiers in every class on a five-to-one scale. Moreover, throughout races lasting 12 hours or longer, intermediate bonus factors are awarded on the eight-hour and 16-hour marks. A staff can thus reap as much as 35 models for an 8-hour occasions in comparison with 65 for a 24-hour one.