Munich. The BMW riders pick up further wins and podiums in the
various international and national championships. The weekend saw
the FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship (STK1000) get underway
with a one-two victory for the BMW S 1000 RR: Markus Reiterberger
(GER) won ahead of second-placed Roberto Tamburini (ITA). In the
British Superbike Championship (BSB), Michael Laverty (GBR) finished
in third on the podium in the Superbike class, while Keith Farmer
(GBR) and Chrissy Rouse (GBR) each secured a second place in the
Superstock class. And there was also a win in the USA: at the opener
of MotoAmerica 2018 (MA), BMW rider Travis Wyman (USA) won the
Superstock race.
MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in Alcañiz, Spain.
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) kicked off its
European season at MotorLand Aragón near Alcañiz (ESP). In the first
of the two races, Loris Baz (FRA) from the Gulf Althea BMW team
delivered a strong catch-up and rode up from 19th on the
grid into eleventh place. In race two, Baz finished 15th to
secure another championship point.
FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship in Alcañiz, Spain.
MotorLand Aragón (ESP) also hosted the season opener of the FIM
Superstock 1000 European Championship (STK1000). The BMW riders
experienced a made-to-measure opener and clinched a one-two win for
the BMW S 1000 RR. Markus Reiterberger (GER) from the alpha Racing-Van
Zon BMW team had the perfect weekend in Alcañiz: He secured pole
position, won the race with a lead of two seconds and also rode the
fastest lap in a new record time. Together with Reiterberger, Roberto
Tamburini (ITA) from Berclaz Racing Team SA climbed onto the podium in
second place. Tamburini’s team-mate Luca Salvadori (ITA) in eighth
also crossed the finish line in the top 10.
Markus Reiterberger:
“In the warm-up, we only tried two different electronic maps for more
traction control so that we could save the tyres more over the entire
race distance. And it worked really well. I had a good start to the
race, but I was missing a bit of grip on the front tyre. Which is why
I was unable to make full use of my strengths when braking, and
couldn’t build up a lead as planned. Instead, I was in third place
after the fourth lap. So I changed my riding style and made up the
time through acceleration. This enabled me to regain the lead and
build up a lead of two seconds by the end. It was a fantastic weekend
with a very entertaining and thrilling race. My thanks go to the team,
who provided me with such a great motorcycle. Now I’m looking forward
to the next race in Assen, on a track that I have good memories of.”
British Superbike Championship in Brands Hatch, Great Britain.
The short Indy circuit of Brands Hatch (GBR) was the venue for the
second round of the 2018 British Superbike Championship (BSB). In race
one of the Superbike class (BSB SBK), Christian Iddon (GBR / Tyco BMW
Motorrad) in fifth, Michael Laverty (GBR / Tyco BMW Motorrad) in
eighth and Peter Hickman (GBR / Smiths Racing BMW) in tenth all
finished in the top 10.
The first podium of the season in the Superbike class for the BMW S
1000 RR followed in race two, which was held in difficult, wet
conditions: Laverty crossed the finish line in third place. In this
race, Iddon finished sixth.
Michael Laverty:
“I’m delighted to be back on the podium, full credit has to go to the
team. In the short timeframe they managed to change numerous
components to achieve a great wet set up for me. I was perhaps a
little bit too cautious during the last five laps, otherwise I feel we
should have taken the win today. But I wanted to bring it home for
solid points rather than ending up in the gravel. We are moving in the
right direction with the BMW S 1000 RR every time we go on track and
I’m excited for the season ahead.”
In the Superstock class (BSB STK), a BMW rider was on the podium in
each of the two races. Keith Farmer (GBR / Tyco BMW Motorrad), who
finished on the rostrum in every race at the opener in Donington Park
(GBR) two weeks ago, continued this streak in Brands Hatch. Farmer
took second place in the first of the two Superstock races. Chrissy
Rouse (GBR / Quinnstheprinters.com BMW) finished fourth, Michael
Rutter (GBR / Bathams Racing) in ninth also crossed the line in the
top 10.
In race two, it was Rouse who represented the BMW colours on the
podium: This time he clinched second place and also rode the fastest
race lap. Alex Olsen (GBR / ASTRO – JJR Racing) finished sixth, Jordan
Gilbert (GBR / Quinnstheprinters.com BMW) ninth and Rutter tenth.
Farmer retired from the race.
MotoAmerica in Road Atlanta, USA.
The wheels are turning again in MotoAmerica (MA) as well. The 2018
season opener was held in Road Atlanta in the US state of Georgia –
and BMW got a win here as well. Travis Wyman (USA / Weir Everywhere
Racing) won the Superstock class (MA STK) race, also getting the
fastest race lap. Two races were held in the Superbike class (MA SBK).
In race one, BMW rider Danny Eslick (USA / Scheibe Racing) finished in
seventh place, he retired from race two.