Source: Supplied.

The 2016/2017 Endurance World Championship will commence this weekend with the Bol d’Or 24 Hours at Paul Ricard, France, marking the beginning of a new era in the EWC season structure.

Round one of the series will be contested this year – just weeks after the regular 2016 season concluded – before the following five rounds take place during 2017.

Le Mans has been moved forward a week on the provisional schedule as round three next April, however the fifth round remains to be advised as an eight-hour event in Europe. The series will conclude at Suzuka in July.

Australians to line up in this weekend’s opening round include YART Yamaha Official EWC Team’s Broc Parkes, as well as Damian Cudlin (TSR Honda) and world number three Alex Cudlin (Team April Moto Motors Events Suzuki).

Provisional 2016/2017 FIM Endurance World Championship calendar:
Rd1 – 17-18 September – Bol d’Or 24 Hours (Paul Ricard, France)
Rd2 – 18 March – 12 Hours of Portimao (Portugal)
Rd3 – 15-16 April – Le Mans 24 Hours (France)
Rd4 – 20 May – 8 Hours of Oschersleben (Germany)
Rd5 – 24 June – 8 Hours of TBA (Europe)
Rd6 – 30 July – Suzuka 8 Hours (Japan)