BMW pulls out of FIM Superbike World Championship

Team BMW has pulled out of the FIM Super bike World Championship.

Terming long term strategic realignment of their brand as the reason for the withdrawal, BMW will terminate their participation at the end of the season.

Stephen Schaller, the Director of the company, said that the focus would be on the expansion of the over 500cc models and the growth of the under 500cc models. Also, growing markets such as Brazil and Asia will to be targeted.

“Only those who act consistently today are well prepared for the challenges of tomorrow,” said Schaller.

“BMW Motorrad will remain involved in motorsport, and in doing so, we will focus on the international customer sport in all its facets.”

Troy Corser and Steve Martin were the two riders who represented BMW at the SBK in 2009 when they entered for the first time. The BMW team have been able to win 11 races and have also managed 33 podium finishes since.

Last year was a very successful season for the team with the Italian Marco Melandri finishing third in the championship, when he was able to win three races. He has also performed well this year, winning the race at Moscow. His team mate Chaz Davies, who is a double winner in Spain, didn’t do too badly either finishing second last week after being in the lead for a while.

Andrea Buzzoni, the General Manager of BMW, sounded optimistic and said that the team was extremely professional and will do all that was in their power to end the season on a high, despite the fact that they will not be continuing henceforth. He signed off by saying that the recent developments were strategically important for the company.

Source: Cycleworld