Source: Supplied.

Australian Broc Parkes will remain with the Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) for the 2016/2017 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season opener this weekend at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

Parks and the YART completed the 2016 team championship in sixth just three weeks ago in Germany, with this weekend’s Bol d’Or 24-hour race marking the beginning of a new format for the EWC.

Despite displaying a competitive pace in Germany, an issue resulted in Parkes and the team being forced to retire from the race, denying them the chance to score valuable championship points. The 34-year-old stated that he is intending on making amends this weekend and that a win would be the ideal way to commence the new season.

“I’m looking forward to Bol d’Or,” Parkes explained. “We hope to show the same pace the team had at Oschersleben. If we can do that I think for the race we are in a really good position. You never know what will happen at a 24-hour race and this circuit is tough on the bike.”

“Last time out in Germany we couldn’t finish the race, so a win would be the perfect way to start the new season from a clean slate,” he added.

Parkes will be joined by YART regular Sheridan Morais, while the team will also welcome an exciting new addition of four-time AMA Superbike champion Josh Hayes.