BMW’s most ambitious project in MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship history is now officially underway. The German manufacturer has become the first factory to formally launch its 2024 season, with all four riders present at its Berlin headquarters to unveil the updated look of both the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and the Bonovo Action BMW team. With star signing, 2021 WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu at the helm, a thrilling and intriguing new chapter opens ahead.
With Razgatlioglu, teammate Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), and fellow BMW riders Garrett Gerloff and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) all in attendance, as well as both team principals and BMW Motorsport top brass, a busy day at BMW Motorrad Welt – which included a full factory tour and autograph signings – concluded with the anticipated uncovering of all four 2024 M 1000 RRs in their respective updated liveries.
TOPRAK SPEAKS: “I was smiling the first time I tested the bike on the straight”
Taking part in his first public day in BMW colours, after several rain-afflicted test days back in December, Razgatlioglu is already eager to get back on the M 1000 RR and continue to find the limits of the package, with tests scheduled at Jerez and Portimao in the upcoming two weeks.
“Next week’s test will be very important, because I’ll see all the riders there”, commented the 2021 WorldSBK Champion. “I only rode alone, I didn’t see other Superbike riders, I need some riders, some fighting, to see the lap times. We’ll see, but I’m very positive and very happy”.
The Turkish rider also spoke highly of his first contact with the package: “The first time I rode the bike, I was smiling on the straight. In general, the bike is really good, the engine brake is unbelievable. There are just some areas that need improving for my style”.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK: van der Mark, Redding and Gerloff share their thoughts
Toprak’s teammate in 2024, Michael van der Mark – reuniting the partnership that brought much success to the Pata Yamaha team in 2020 – is equally excited by the steps the project can make, particularly after two consecutive seasons derailed by several injuries: “I’m fit, I’m ready to race. We all have one goal in BMW, and that’s to win. In Phillip Island we’ll see where we are, but I have a lot of confidence in the project. Signing Toprak, changing a lot of things… It’ll push the bike a lot better.”
Over on the Bonovo Action BMW side of things, the outlook is just as, if not more positive, with both riders commenting positively on the potential of the project.
“The team is great, very welcoming, very family orientated”, admits newcomer Scott Redding. “I feel like it’s old-school style, and that’s something that I really cherish. I will be more relaxed, happier. I would like to be top 5, top 6 in the Championship, minimum. And to be on the podium more regularly, that’s what I’d be happy with. If I get a race win, I’ll be ecstatic, but we need a couple of podiums, that’s the goal”.
Garrett Gerloff, who finished the 2023 season with several impressive results and as the top BMW rider, also sees room for progress: “I have high hopes for this year. I really think that with the same team going into everything, the same awesome guys I’ve been working with, we can really make another step forward. With Toprak here, Michael and Scott, we have a really strong line-up, a lot of data to pool from to improve these M 1000 RRs.”
HIGH AMBITIONS: the targets of the team leaders
The sentiment is also shared by the management side of the BMW WorldSBK project, with both team principals setting high targets for their respective representatives.
“If you asked Toprak, he would be expecting to be on the podium very quickly, and I think we echo that”, said ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team Principal Shaun Muir at the event. “And I’ve said it in the past: if you’re close to the podium, you’re close to the win. Where that will leave us in Championship terms, I’m not sure, but I think the first three races of the Championship this year will define our season”. Regarding van der Mark, Muir is confident that the 2014 WorldSSP Champion can bounce back after two difficult years: “I see no reason why Michael can’t be right up there in the top six of the Championship”.
Bonovo Action BMW Team Principal Michael Galinski was equally positive about his riders chances, claiming that the goal for both his riders in to be in the “top 5” this season. “The spirit is high. I’m very happy we have Scott, I hope in a more family team that we have he can show his potential, what everybody knows he has. Garrett got some really good results. I hope he can start where he finished”.
Where is the limit for this new step in the BMW project? Get the first answers in a week’s time when testing resumes in Jerez, with highlights, all the reactions and more available with WorldSBK VideoPass!
Source: WorldSBK.com