24h Motos
It’s the big day! The start of the 49th edition of the 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), will be given at 3:00 p.m. by Pio Marmaï. The day’s schedule also features Race 2 of the FIM Sidecar World Championship, the PMR Bridgestone Cup and the Igol Continental Cup. Not to mention the Wampas concert starting at 8:00 p.m.
This second race is the final opportunity for Igol Continental Cup riders to make their mark on the Bugatti Circuit. The riders promise intense battles, and everything suggests this race will live up to expectations.
Race 2 of the PMR Bridgestone Cup is set to be spectacular in more ways than one. Some riders are determined to repeat their performance from yesterday’s opening race, while others aim to move up the standings. In both cases, they will cross the finish line with pride, proving that with a sporting ambition, it is possible to overcome disability and continue racing despite life’s challenges.
The warm-up is the final practice session, held just a few hours before the start. Lap times are indicative and not the main objective. Teams use this session to test and validate final technical adjustments.
It is also an opportunity to adapt the bikes to the expected race weather conditions. At the end of the session, each team manager confirms their rider lineup, with three riders entered — or four in the Superstock and Production categories.
After an exciting Race 1, the FIM Sidecar World Championship crews are far from done battling. This is another chance for them to go head-to-head and impress once again. Close, hard-fought duels are a hallmark of the discipline, and this second race promises to be no exception.
At the 24 Heures Motos, the starting procedure itself is a spectacle. Riders prepare as the atmosphere builds in the grandstands. A solemn and intense moment, the French national anthem echoes down the main straight, marking the final moments before the start.
BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha line up on the grid aiming to win this 49th edition. More than just a sporting competition, the 24 Heures Motos is an extraordinary human adventure. Numerous twists and turns are to be expected. Despite meticulous preparation and anticipation of multiple scenarios, the race often presents teams with completely unforeseen situations.
From 8:00 p.m., the iconic French rock band takes to the Village stage for a must-see concert. Led by Didier Wampas, the band will perform tracks from their fifteenth album, “Où va nous ?”
On stage, The Wampas remain a sure bet. Each concert is an intense experience, driven by an unpredictable frontman and a tight-knit band well-versed in live performance.
Saturday, April 18, 2026 Schedule:
08:45 – 09:10: Igol Continental Cup Race 2
09:35 – 10:05: PMR Bridgestone Cup Race 2
10:30 – 11:15: 24 Heures Motos Warm-up
11:50 – 12:20: FIM Sidecar World Championship Race 2
13:45 – 15:00: Start Ceremony and Official Team Presentation
15:00: Start of the 49th 24 Heures Motos
20:00: Wampas Concert