Source: Supplied.

Australia’s Alex Cudlin made a surprise switch from Team April Moto Motors Events Suzuki to Penz13 BMW Motorrad France just hours out from the 2016/2017 Endurance World Championship opener.

After finishing third in the world during the recent 2016 season, Cudlin was replaced in the April Moto Motors Events race line-up, prompting the switch for Bol d’Or.

“Last week my current Motors Events team signed a French rider, which pushed me aside to reserve rider for the event,” Cudlin explained. “This meant I wouldn’t take part in the race.

“I participated in practice and qualifying with Motor Events team and I went well. I finished second in my qualifying session and showed I had good pace on used tyres.

“Just this morning I was approached by the factory PENZ-13 BMW Motorrad France team to race the Bol d’Or 24-hour with them today. I will make my debut on the Pirelli-equipped BMW in a few hours time.

“I won’t get any practice or time to learn the bike – I’ll start in the race completely new. I would like to thank BMW France and Penz 13 for this opportunity and my sponsors who have stuck by me.

“I wish Motor Events Team all the best for the future and thanks to them for the season I spent with them. For me, I will make this race with pride and hope to make everyone proud. Time to start a new chapter.”

The race was short-lived for the Penz13 BMW squad however, ruled out of the race with a mechanical fault just following the fourth hour of 24.