In second place with a time of 1:42.845 is the Yamaha Motor France R7 of Deletang, Cazade and Holon. Both the Honda and Yamaha are competing in the Superbike class. 

Third fastest overall, and quickest Super Production bike, is theGMT94 Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Guyot, Scarnato and Dussage with a 1:43.455 lap. Despite the difference in classes qualifying has been unusually for close an Endurance round, with just over a second splitting the top five. 

The MV Agusta F4 was on the pace immediately, despite this being the marque’s first international competition since the 1970’s; a lap of 1:47.608 put them into 22nd place, and second in the Open class behind the Scratch Moto Kawasaki ZX12R (the heaviest and most powerful bike in the race - ) which lapped the Bugatti circuit in 1:43.668 and was 7th fastest overall. The other two competitors in the Open class are Voxan V-Twins, finishing in 29th and 58th place overall; this is their first international race and the French made bikes are already attracting a vocal following from the grandstands.

Reigning world champions Whirley Phase One Suzuki were 11th overall and 5th in the SuperProduction class. Ahead of them were Cottard Motos, qualifying 8th overall and 4th in class. Fielding a team of three ex-Phase One riders, the Chinese Zong Shen team were 6th overall and 3rd in class, with the Suzuki Castrol bike 4th overall and second in class. 

The SuperProduction class looks likely to be dominated by Suzuki’s new GSX-R1000, with the fastest six SuperProduction teams all being Suzuki mounted.

The Superbike class is dominated by the factory supported bikes from Honda and Yamaha with the two manufacturers going all out for a win at this prestigious race. 

The teams riding Ducati, Aprilia and Kawasaki machines in the superbike class are more likely to be looking for a points scoring finish with an eye on the overall championship; Ducateam have qualified 13th in class, top Aprilia is Two Star Racing (14th in class) and the fastest superbike class Kawasaki is MotoShop 35, 6th in class 

2000 Le Mans race results  -  2001 Entry List