Almeria. After the successful 2021 season, victory in Most
(CZE) and second place overall in the FIM Endurance World
Championship (FIM EWC), the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is now
concentrating fully on preparations for 2022. Team manager Werner
Daemen has taken the team to Almeria in Spain for the first
three-day winter testing session. A new face is in action on the #37
BMW M 1000 RR alongside Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik
(UKR) and Kenny Foray (FRA): Jéremy Guarnoni (FRA). He will be the
new team-mate for Reiterberger, Mikhalchik and Foray for the
upcoming 2022 season.
The 28-year-old Frenchman Guarnoni is a familiar face in
the Endurance World Championship. He appeared in his first FIM EWC
race at the age of 18, competing in the 2012 Bol d’Or in Magny-Cours
(FRA). He has been a fixture in the FIM EWC since 2018 and became
world champion in the 2018/19 season. He was also the 2010 Superstock
600 European champion before competing for many years in the FIM
Superstock 1000 Championship, where he claimed third place in the
championship on two occasions and also got to know his new team-mates
Reiterberger and Mikhalchik. Guarnoni spent a season racing in the FIM
Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in 2014.
The BMW
Motorrad World Endurance Team is using the test in Almeria to continue
work on optimising the #37 BMW M 1000 RR. New components and set-up
solutions are being evaluated. Together with tyre partner Dunlop, the
team is testing a range of tyre options. Guarnoni also has the option
of using the testing to familiarise himself with the motorbike and the
team.
Three race dates have already been confirmed for the
2022 season in the FIM EWC. The season starts on 16th/17th April with
the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA), the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will
take place on 4th/5th June and the 8 Hours of Suzuka (JPN) will return
to the FIM EWC calendar on 7th August. Further race dates are yet to
be confirmed.
Quotes on the Almeria test.
Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance
Team: “It has been a fantastic year for us, our first full
year in FIM EWC. I am very proud of the whole team and everyone at
BMW, as we finished second in the championship together. I think we
really deserved that, especially the victory in the final race. We are
now here testing for 2022 already. We have a lot to do over the next
few days, but I am very happy with the set-up we have now. Markus,
Ilya and Kenny are excellent guys and top riders. Jéremy Guarnoni is
new to the team. I have been a fan of his since day one. He is a real
endurance rider and a very good addition to the group. We have already
had a lot of fun, which I feel is very important.”
Jéremy Guarnoni: “I have a very good impression of
the bike. The performance is really unbelievable, and I immediately
felt good on it. I am also very happy with the team, which is very
professional. I have a really good feeling about the mechanics, the
crew chief and my team-mates. I already knew Ilya, Markus and Kenny as
opponents, and now they are my team-mates. That is really cool. I am
sure we can achieve great things next season, and I am looking forward
to it.”
Markus Reiterberger: “Firstly, after a good season in
2021, we know exactly what we need to work on. I am very pleased that
we still have a test this year. That is very important for us, as it
allows us to lay important foundations for the coming year. I am
pleased to be able to welcome Jéremy – another strong rider and a
former world champion – to the team. The first day of testing was
really tiring for everyone, as it was very cold and there was a lot to
test. We got through most of the programme, but there are still a few
important things to do. The initial impressions are definitely
promising. With the improvements we can still make, I believe we will
be able to make up that one position we missed out on this season. I
am very confident and pleased to be part of the team.”
Ilya Mikhalchik: “It feels really good to be able to
start preparations for 2022 this year. Firstly, I would like to
welcome our new team member, Jéremy. I hope we can achieve some good
results together. He is a very experienced endurance rider and I think
we will learn a lot from each other. I am very happy to be riding with
him in the team and on this bike. We have made a few improvements. I
think we have a good overall package, with which we can win. We showed
that in the last race. We are now testing a few things, to give
ourselves an even better chance. I believe we have the potential to
challenge at the top next year.”
Kenny Foray: “Our winter test is very early, but that
is very good for us. The new bike is even better than the old one. It
is really enjoyable to ride. I am hoping for a really good year for
the whole team. If I am able to contribute to us improving, then I am
definitely ready.”
