BMW: "We will do anything and everything!"
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BMW: "We will do anything and everything!"
[Image: bmw-wsbpromo1.jpg]
Berti Hauser, Technical Leader, and Udo Mark, Head of Marketing, discuss 2016


BMW Motorrad Motorsport will be a force to reckon with in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship this year, with two factory-supported customer teams. At Team Althea BMW, prospects from Germany – Markus Reiterberger – and Spain – Jordi Torres – will be at the helm of the Munich made S 1000 RR bikes, whilst in the Milwaukee BMW squad, Australian Josh Brookes and Czech WorldSBK newcomer Karel Abraham will be charged with going for glory.

At BMW’s headquarters in Munich, Germany, WorldSBK.com met Berti Hauser, Technical Leader of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, and Udo Mark, Head of Marketing, to discuss their expectations for 2016 with two strong teams and four quick riders, and how the factory support will take shape.

On paper, BMW Motorrad Motorsport has a strong presence in the 2016 WorldSBK season, with four fast riders and two strong teams. How will the technical support look from your side?

Berti Hauser:

We are aware that we have to learn new methods of operating with these two new teams – especially as they are high profile squads with their own views and visions. This, we’re sure, will be a learning process for us as well. Principally we will deliver manpower, especially with the electronics – but also technicians, hardware, software and engines. Both are customer teams and both can expect to be treated as equal. They might ultimately have different desires, but they can access the same level of support and have to decide on their own what they want to have. We are ready for this; we’ve learned a lot in 2015 and will be able to put this all this experience into this effort.

To what extent will those two teams – Althea and Milwaukee – be allowed to work together? Are they willing to do so?

Berti Hauser:

From our side they are allowed to do so, we don’t have any restrictions on this side. You have to ask the teams! They know each other, but we have no idea how much or how little they will work together, or share information. We have our own principles and we are impartial towards both the teams. That goes without saying, and there’s commitment from both sides. But if they will work together and how – you need to ask them!

World Superbikes are back in Germany, BMW has four top riders, and one of them is young German talent Markus Reiterberger. This is a big year ahead for you, especially from the point of view of marketing.

Udo Mark:

The marketing element is one thing, but primarily I believe we are all happy to have a German rider back in the World Championship. If someone deserves that after these last few years, then for sure it has to be Markus Reiterberger. We are extremely happy that this is going to happen on a BMW, no doubt about it. Together with Althea we were able to put together a good package for him. We are sure he is in a good team. If his development is going to progress as we’ve seen in these last few years, we are sure we can expect big things from him sooner or later. We are also happy and proud to have the reigning British Superbike Champion on board. This all says a lot about our motorbike, to have the reigning champions of two of Europe’s most important national championships – the UK and Germany – on BMW bikes in the Superbike World Championship. On top of that, having a race at the Lausitzring is perfect for us, and perfect for the German racing scene in general. I personally believe that such a race should be mandatory in Germany.

Can we expect to see a BMW on the podium this season?

Udo Mark:

To expect BMW podiums would be wrong, I think. We have two teams with four great riders and we are extremely happy with that. Here in our headquarters we are working on every possibility, but we mustn’t forget that both are switching: both teams are coming from a different manufacturer to BMW. This means a lot of learning; for everyone. The first task will be to gain a proper foothold. Our clear target is to make progress in small steps, but those have to be stable and sustainable. If we look at the history of these teams and the history of BMW Motorrad, we can see we’re heading down the right path. If we can gain a podium by the end of the season, with one rider or another, then that would be the payoff for a lot of hard work so many people. And when we reach that point, the reward will feel even better.

Berti Hauser:

If that happens I think a few tears could be shed. Reaching that level, a podium in a championship such as this, and with teams in our customer sport program…it would be pure emotion. But this isn’t the target we’ve set ourselves. We will do anything and everything to reach such results, because we are so invested in this project as well. I think our eyes would water too, if we managed that!

[Image: wsb2016logo.jpg]
22-01-2016, 01:42 PM
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