Superbike World Championship.
Welcome return of the Superbike World Championship
After a long wait, this weekend marks the welcome return of the Superbike World Championship, with the traditional ‘season opener’ coming from Phillip Island circuit in Australia. The Phillip Island round of the Superbike World Championship has taken place every year except 1993, making it the longest-running single event in the championship’s history.
For 2011, there are twice as many reasons to celebrate, as two permanent teams of BMW Motorrad riders will contest this year’s series on the formidable S 1000 RR Superbike. BMW Motorrad Motorsport team riders Troy Corser and Leon Haslam will be joined by BMW Motorrad Italia’s James Toseland and Ayrton Badovini for what promises to be an exciting and important season for the entire BMW Motorrad ‘family’.
The target of course is a first ever WSBK race win for BMW and the RR, and local hero Corser is keen to write his own piece of history in his third consecutive season with the factory team.
“I came to Australia a while ago to prepare physically and mentally for Phillip Island,” said the experienced Australian, who remains the most successful rider at the 4.445 km circuit, with seven wins to his name. “I still regard it as my home round, as I get a lot of friends, family, sponsors and fans coming to see me race. It’s an event I really look forward to and we’ll be aiming to get the best result we can. It’s also a very safe circuit that always produces very close and fun racing.”
New BMW Motorrad Motorsport signing Leon Haslam can’t wait to get started. The 2010 WSBK vice-champion found the time to get married in the ‘off’ season, but has still been remarkably busy testing his RR, both in Europe and ‘Down Under’ in preparation for his most important season to date.
“I’m really looking forward to Phillip Island and I think we’re going to be competitive for the first race. It’s great to be part of this project with BMW Motorrad. It’s the third season for them in WSBK racing so my aim is clear – I need to win. The team and I have the same goal, so to have everyone pushing in the same direction is always a good thing. We’ve been out here a long time and done a lot of testing, so I’m just looking forwards to racing, especially as Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks.”
Fellow Brit James Toseland is relishing the opportunity of competing on the RR in the world championship he has won twice before. Nothing would give him more pleasure than a third title, and winning a first WSBK crown for BMW Motorrad.
“I am feeling optimistic about the performance of the S 1000 RR at Phillip Island. It is one of my favourite circuits and I know the BMW Motorrad Italia team have been working flat out to make sure we have the bike set-up for the circuit. I am positive that they can give me what I need. Personally I feel 100% fit and free of injury and I am committed and focused for the year ahead with my new team. I am looking for two positive results in the races on Sunday to set us up for the rest of the season."
The same goes for BMW Motorrad Italia team-mate Ayrton Badovini, who is also delighted to be returning to WSBK action and competing alongside the works squad. The current FIM Superstock Cup champion is determined to challenge not only his fellow BMW Motorrad riders, but all the regular championship top-runners throughout 2011.
The final word goes to Bernhard Gobmeier, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, who is just as eager as all the riders to finally get the racing underway:
“We head for the first race weekend of the season filled with excitement and anticipation. The team has a new structure for its third season: We have a new rider, and we have strengthened ourselves technically and on the personnel side. We are better prepared than before; the entire team has worked extremely hard over the past few months. Last year we were able to score two podium positions. Our ambitious target for 2011 is to post our first victory.”
For 2011, there are twice as many reasons to celebrate, as two permanent teams of BMW Motorrad riders will contest this year’s series on the formidable S 1000 RR Superbike. BMW Motorrad Motorsport team riders Troy Corser and Leon Haslam will be joined by BMW Motorrad Italia’s James Toseland and Ayrton Badovini for what promises to be an exciting and important season for the entire BMW Motorrad ‘family’.
The target of course is a first ever WSBK race win for BMW and the RR, and local hero Corser is keen to write his own piece of history in his third consecutive season with the factory team.
“I came to Australia a while ago to prepare physically and mentally for Phillip Island,” said the experienced Australian, who remains the most successful rider at the 4.445 km circuit, with seven wins to his name. “I still regard it as my home round, as I get a lot of friends, family, sponsors and fans coming to see me race. It’s an event I really look forward to and we’ll be aiming to get the best result we can. It’s also a very safe circuit that always produces very close and fun racing.”
New BMW Motorrad Motorsport signing Leon Haslam can’t wait to get started. The 2010 WSBK vice-champion found the time to get married in the ‘off’ season, but has still been remarkably busy testing his RR, both in Europe and ‘Down Under’ in preparation for his most important season to date.
“I’m really looking forward to Phillip Island and I think we’re going to be competitive for the first race. It’s great to be part of this project with BMW Motorrad. It’s the third season for them in WSBK racing so my aim is clear – I need to win. The team and I have the same goal, so to have everyone pushing in the same direction is always a good thing. We’ve been out here a long time and done a lot of testing, so I’m just looking forwards to racing, especially as Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks.”
Fellow Brit James Toseland is relishing the opportunity of competing on the RR in the world championship he has won twice before. Nothing would give him more pleasure than a third title, and winning a first WSBK crown for BMW Motorrad.
“I am feeling optimistic about the performance of the S 1000 RR at Phillip Island. It is one of my favourite circuits and I know the BMW Motorrad Italia team have been working flat out to make sure we have the bike set-up for the circuit. I am positive that they can give me what I need. Personally I feel 100% fit and free of injury and I am committed and focused for the year ahead with my new team. I am looking for two positive results in the races on Sunday to set us up for the rest of the season."
The same goes for BMW Motorrad Italia team-mate Ayrton Badovini, who is also delighted to be returning to WSBK action and competing alongside the works squad. The current FIM Superstock Cup champion is determined to challenge not only his fellow BMW Motorrad riders, but all the regular championship top-runners throughout 2011.
The final word goes to Bernhard Gobmeier, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, who is just as eager as all the riders to finally get the racing underway:
“We head for the first race weekend of the season filled with excitement and anticipation. The team has a new structure for its third season: We have a new rider, and we have strengthened ourselves technically and on the personnel side. We are better prepared than before; the entire team has worked extremely hard over the past few months. Last year we were able to score two podium positions. Our ambitious target for 2011 is to post our first victory.”
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Labels: BMW K1600 GT, BMW Motorrad, BMW S 1000 RR, Facebook, James Toseland, Leon Haslam, motortradesolutions.net, Social Media Management, Superbike World Championship, Troy Corser, Twitter, WSBK
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