After an eight-week hiatus, BMW Motorrad Motorsport is set to resume the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The fourth round of the season, scheduled for June 14-16, will see BMW aiming to continue its successful run. BMW Motorrad factory rider Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team is currently second in the championship standings with three wins and three additional podiums.
Preparations During the Break
Despite the break since the WorldSBK race weekend at Assen, Netherlands, BMW Motorrad Motorsport and its teams remained active. Engineers worked closely with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK test team to enhance the BMW M 1000 RR’s performance. In mid-May, the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team conducted tests at Cremona, Italy, with riders Garrett Gerloff (USA) and Scott Redding (GBR) to prepare for Misano. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team also tested at Misano, with Razgatlioglu and teammate Michael van der Mark (NED) reporting positive results.
Optimism Ahead of Misano
Marc Bongers, Sporting Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming race weekend: “After the very long break, we can hardly wait to continue the WorldSBK season at Misano. The first three events of this year went very well for us. Following the positive and productive tests, we are now very optimistic about the next race weekend. Additionally, Misano is a track where we have had successes in the past. We will give our all to be strong with the entire squad on the Adriatic coast and to score a lot of points for the world championship.”
Rider Insights
- Garrett Gerloff (#31 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team): “I’m looking forward to finally getting back on track after what feels like a really long break. It was nice to have the test at Cremona to regain some feeling. I know that when we arrive at Misano, we will be in a good place and have a good setting.”
- Toprak Razgatlioglu (#54 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I have the feeling that we are very strong because the last test was really good. My target for the weekend is to get three wins but the races are always a different story. I will try to give my best and I am feeling really positive.”
- Scott Redding (#45 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team): “Misano is a great place to race with an amazing atmosphere. After testing at Cremona with a good feeling, I hope to bring that with me to the Misano race weekend.”
- Michael van der Mark (#60 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “We had a really good test and I think we are quite ready to race. We want to be back in the top five, for sure.”
As the BMW Motorrad Motorsport teams head into the Misano round, anticipation is high for a continuation of their successful season. Fans can look forward to an exciting weekend of racing on the picturesque Italian coast.
