BMW Italia signs Badovini and Toseland for WSBK

Team BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike has now stepped up to join the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship, and this team will field the current Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Champion, Ayrton Badovini, and double World WSBK champion, James Toseland.

The team, the current champions in Superstock with Badovini, will have technical support from the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team, which is providing engines and electronics for the BMW S 1000 RR. Andrea Buzzoni, the Director of BMW Motorrad Italia and the Manager of the new Superbike project (in the photo with Badovini) will lead the team. Serafino Foti will serve as Sporting Director and Gerardo Acocella will be the Technical Director. Exciting prospect Lorenzo Zanetti (ITA) will run for the team in the Superstock 1000 class.

Hendrik von Kuenheim, General Director BMW Motorrad stated, "From next season, our BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team will be joined in the FIM Superbike World Championship by a factory-supported BMW line-up in the shape of the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK team. The team has experience in motor racing, and in this championship specifically. Last year in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, BMW Motorrad Italia demonstrated their ability to achieve success with the BMW S1000RR, and in impressive fashion. Although the challenge in the Superbike World Championship is that much tougher, I'm convinced that BMW Motorrad will benefit from this new addition to the field. After all, competition is the lifeblood of business. We would like to wish the team every success."

"After winning the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, we are continuing with a renewed challenge in the sporting arena," added Buzzoni. "We planned this ambitious project with enthusiasm and determination and we are happy to find the same enthusiasm in BMW AG's top management. Our Italian squad will receive technical support from Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. The collaboration between the two teams will allow a profitable exchange of experience, know-how, solutions and ideas for development, all with the common objective of constantly improving performance. We are delighted to be able to assure Ayrton, who has given us such satisfaction in our racing competition debut, of a well-deserved promotion. Ayrton will be riding alongside two-time world champion James Toseland, who has shown great motivation and enthusiasm for the project."

Source: http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/

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BMW appoints new managing director

Bernhard Gobmeier takes on the role of managing director for BMW Motorrad from the 2011 World Superbike season.

BMW Motorrad has announced further changes to its team structure with the appointment of Bernhard Gobmeier in place of Berthold Hauser.

Gobmeier takes on the role of managing director for BMW's World Superbike efforts, as well as all other BMW Motorrad Motorsport activities.

It is the latest phase of a restructuring among BMW Motorrad's top ranks following the confirmation that team principal Davide Tardozzi had left by 'mutual consent'.

"I'm looking forward to taking on this new challenge in a top-class race series with a professional racing team and two strong riders,” Gobmeier, who has overseen the chassis development of the BMW S1000RR since 2008, said.

“Our aim is clear: to build consistently on the positive foundations which Berthold Hauser and his team have put in place over recent years, so that we can be in a position to win races on merit as soon as possible."

Leon Haslam joins Troy Corser at BMW next season. 

Source: http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/

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BMW out for more top places in Brno

The fortunes of the two BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders could not have been more of a contrast at Brno in 2009, as Troy Corser took a strong top five finish while Ruben Xaus broke his femur, putting him out of action for some time. This time around the official BMW squad arrives in the Czech Republic in great shape, with Troy Corser having already taken not one but two podium finishes on the S1000RR, and with Xaus making progress towards the top places again, step-by-step.

A recent official test for Corser and Xaus in Imola went well, even if Xaus had to stop early on day two to rest the leg he hurt in a collision with another rider at Misano in round eight.

Corser is looking forward to Brno as much as any race this year, and hopes to put his unrivalled experience to good effect from first to last.

"I'm confident going into Brno. Last year I earned my best result of the whole season there when I finished in fifth place," said Troy. "The bike has come a long way since this time a year ago. I like the track itself a lot, as it suits my riding style. The set-up you run here is quite unusual. There are corners that you brake into going downhill and others which you brake into uphill. That means you have to find a compromise."

Ruben, an 11-times WSB winner, knows Brno will be a key race for him in 2010. "Things are actually looking good," said Ruben. "The bike is improving all the time and we're getting really good power from the engine, which is important with all the inclines at Brno. I hope that things fall into place. It was here that all the problems started last year with my crash and injury. Things just haven't run smoothly since then. I hope that we can draw a line under this unhappy time at Brno. For me it's critical that I find my rhythm over the next few race weekends."

Source: http://www.worldsbk.com/

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