Around five weeks before the season opener at the Australian circuit of Phillip Island, BMW Motorrad Motorsport presented the grid for the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) to the public on Wednesday in Berlin.
The two teams, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, as well as the four BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory riders, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Michael van der Mark, Scott Redding and Garrett Gerloff, revealed for the first time their BMW M 1000 RR superbikes for WorldSBK 2024. The event took place in a special venue, in the new BMW Motorrad Welt at the BMW Motorrad factory in Berlin. This factory is the heart of BMW Motorrad production and the birthplace of the BMW M 1000 RR.
On Tuesday, Razgatlioglu, van der Mark, Redding and Gerloff were guests at the BMW Motorrad factory. During an exclusive autograph session, employees had the opportunity to personally meet their fellow drivers from the BMW Motorrad family. On Wednesday, the four BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory riders got a closer look at motorcycle production, including their racing machines, during a factory tour.
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK 2024
The team presentation then took place at BMW Motorrad World, the new “home of the brand” in Berlin, inaugurated in the fall of 2023. The official start of WorldSBK 2024 was given with the unveiling BMW M 1000 RRs that Razgatlioglu, van der Mark, Redding and Gerloff will ride during the upcoming season with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and the Bonovo Action BMW Racing Team.
The team presentation in Berlin was marked by the fact that in addition to the guests, fans had the opportunity to watch the event live on site. Many of them rose to the occasion, secured the coveted free tickets to the event and were able to personally interact with the four BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory riders during the ensuing autograph session.
In preparation for the 2024 season, BMW Motorrad Motorsport, both teams and drivers will soon be back on the track. The next testing sessions will take place in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, on January 24-25. The first race weekend of the season is scheduled for February 23-25 at Phillip Island.
Marc Bongers, Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “First of all, I would like to thank everyone involved in the organization. It was an absolutely awesome event here at BMW Motorrad Welt. It was very nice to show the team principals and drivers what we do here in Berlin. We've never done this in this form before. The atmosphere between everyone involved was fantastic, and this is also extremely important for the performance because we have a team mentality. The presentation itself at BMW Motorrad Welt was also very successful. I am confident for the new season. We still need some testing; Last year we didn't necessarily have the best conditions, but we prepared a lot of things. Now there is not much time left until Phillip Island. Even if the first two events take place on tracks that have not necessarily been our strong point in the past, I remain optimistic that we will get off to a good start, carry this positive energy into the first races and throughout. throughout the season. »
Shaun Muir (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team Principal): “First of all, it is an exceptional place for such a presentation. I think it really captures the spirit of what BMW Motorrad is trying to achieve here and so I'm very proud to be part of it. The factory tour was sensational. A big tip of the hat to all the guys, to everyone in the factory; they made us feel really welcome. Coming to the championship itself, I think it is absolutely clear that the combination of Michael and Toprak brings special qualities. I think it's something we're really looking forward to working with. We already see what Toprak needs in terms of package and bike. It's a little different, not hugely, we just need to go in a slightly different direction to give Toprak what he needs. What I mean by that is allowing it to amplify its strengths of brake strength, corner entry and bike balance, which we know the BMW M 1000 RR can do. do well. We want to put ourselves in a position of strength, we want to fight for the podium in Australia. Can we get on the podium? This is a difficult question, but Toprak's personal goals are that he believes he can do it and we are giving him our full support to achieve this. Michael has missed much of the last two seasons and he doesn't underestimate what lies ahead, but he's more than up for the challenge. I think Toprak can bring out Michael's strengths. I can't wait to see this, because we've seen how good Michael can be when things are going well. The bike is improving, there is a development team behind us. Between the project's starting point in 2019 and our current situation, it's day and night. I hope we can enjoy it and get our rewards. »
Michael Galinski (Team Manager Bonovo action BMW Racing Team): “The team's presentation was truly impressive. Many people were present and it was very interesting to visit the BMW Motorrad factory and the BMW Motorrad World. This was my first time visiting the factory itself, and it was fascinating to see the engine department and how all the motorcycles are assembled. It was great to take a look behind the scenes and introduce ourselves here as a team. We are very happy with our driver duo. They are two high-level drivers. Scott is vice-world champion and Garrett had a very good second half of the season last year. Our goal is to go even further, and with the BMW Motorrad family, that is certainly possible this season. We've added so much staff that we're really happy now. Of course, we still need some time, but we are confident that we will move forward this year. »
Garrett gerloff (BMW M 1000 RR n°31, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team): " It is exciting. There has been a really cool energy here in Berlin. It's great to be in Berlin, it's really nice to see all the amazing people who work here in the factory, who develop and produce the BMW M 1000 RR that we ride. So it's really cool to have the team presentation here. It was really nice to see Scott, Toprak and Michael and catch up after a few months of vacation and visiting family and friends. I can say that we are all looking forward to getting back on track and testing again. In a little over a month we will be racing in Australia. Everything will move very quickly from now on, but I've made sure I'm ready for the season and I can't wait to get started. I think we have a very good foundation now. I have a year behind me with BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, so a lot of information and I think we can find solutions quicker than last year if we have a problem. I think we will be able to find solutions more quickly than last year if something goes wrong. It will be good to approach each circuit with higher potential, and I think the season can be really good. My goal is to work on qualifying and be a little better, which could help me at the start of the races and then at the finish. »
Toprak Razgatlioglu (#54 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I am very happy to join the BMW Motorrad family. When I arrived in Berlin on Monday and left the airport, I was very surprised because everyone spoke Turkish. There are also many Turkish employees at the factory. I am very happy about it. Generally speaking, I am very positive. Today in particular there were a lot of people and I understand that a lot of people like me. Many people came here to see me, including many Turks, and many of them came from very far away. Everyone looks forward to the season, and that goes for me too. I am now focusing on the season. I realized that people believe in me, but it is important that you believe in your bike. Many people say that the BMW is not ready to fight for the championship, but I believe that my bike is ready to fight for the wins and the championship. We just need my adjustments, because my riding style is completely different. When we have these settings, we can easily fight for victory. Now I'm focusing on next week's test. It is very important for me. I have to adapt to the bike and I think we can fight for the podium and the victories this season. I am very enthusiastic. I signed with BMW, but I'm also part of the family. This is something I saw again today and it's awesome. I will give 100%, I will try to win with BMW. Everyone works hard and it's a great extra motivation for me too. If we continue like this, we will win the world championship. »
Scott Redding (BMW M 1000 RR n°45, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team): “It’s good to come here to Berlin. It's always interesting to go into the factory and see how everything is made, to see the people in action at their work. It's also really interesting to see where the engines are built and how they do it, so it's really good to be here and see how everything is done. A launch is also always great, to unveil the colors of the bikes and suites, with teammates and teams. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, I would like our bike to be more consistently competitive, which I think we can do. We've made some interesting changes and Toprak is joining us. We also have a testing team, which makes a big difference. I think we're moving in the right direction, which is important. It would be nice to get on the podium again this year, and more often, and try to make sure our bad weekends aren't that bad, and have a good year, a consistent year . »
Michael van der Mark (BMW M 1000 RR n°60, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “It’s good to start the season, it’s great to be here in Berlin. We all know BMW is a big company, but we were treated to a nice tour of the factory and I have to say it is truly impressive. It was also great to see where they are preparing the racing engines and I am really ready to start the season. I can't wait to get back to testing, I feel in great shape, I have a new teammate who looks very fast, so I'm looking forward to it. Like I said, I'm back in shape, the bike is getting better and better, Toprak is pushing the project even further and I think we want to win races and get on the podium as soon as possible. »
source: BMW Motorrad
