— Muggas readying for Bol d’ Or
The #99 BMW S 1000 RR is coming back on track: this weekend’s “Bol d’ Or” at Magny-Cours (FRA) marks the start of the 2013 FIM Endurance World Championship for BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent. The French-Belgian squad is determined to get its campaign off to a flying start at the renowned 24-hour race, which is held for the 77th time this year. Also in 2013, BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent counts on the direct backing of BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport from Munich.
The team has won two shorter format races and racked up numerous podium finishes and pole positions on the way to twice finishing second in the Endurance World Championship but, so far, a 24-hour race win has eluded them. This is a situation that the team would be happy to rectify this weekend at Magny-Cours. However, the main goal is to take no undue risks, finish strongly and bank as many championship points as possible in the opening race of the 2013 season. Again, the bike is the BMW S 1000 RR with the starting number 99.
The rider line-up for the “Bol d’Or” has been slightly changed. Frenchman Sébastien Gimbert, who has been a vital part of the previous successes, is now joined by his fellow countryman Sylvain Barrier, Australian Karl Muggeridge and American Jake Zemke. Barrier will be a regular rider for the team this year. He has already enjoyed the sweet taste of victory this season, dominating and winning the season opener of the 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup last Sunday at the Spanish “Motorland Aragón” circuit. Barrier is contesting the series as reigning champion and is riding the BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team’s BMW HP4 with backing of HP RaceSupport. Muggeridge replaces regular team rider Damian Cudlin (AUS), who is racing for BMW in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) this weekend. Former Supersport World Champion Muggeridge is an experienced Superbike campaigner and a strong asset to the team. Zemke is a star in the American AMA Superbike series and will make his Endurance World Championship debut at the “Bol d’Or as the team’s reserve rider.
“I have no doubt that our four riders will be thinking about winning this weekend in Magny-Cours, but we also need to be a little cautious and not take any unnecessary risks”, says Team Principal Michael Bartholemy. “Last year we crashed out of the ‘Bol d’Or’, which put us on the back foot from the start of the season. We fought back to challenge for the championship in the final round, but this season we have one less race to make up any points deficit, so a finish this weekend is even more important. I have every confidence in our four riders and, together with our BMW S 1000 RR and Michelin tyres, we have a package with which we can, realistically, aim for the podium this weekend at Magny-Cours.”
“The new season is finally upon us and I am proud to see such a strong rider line-up on our BMW S 1000 RR for the ‘Bol d’Or’”, adds Marcel Driessen, Director of BMW Motorrad France. “We have achieved a lot in a very short time in the Endurance World Championship, but now we need to prove we can also win 24-hour races. I truly believe we can do exactly that this weekend. The competition is strong, as always, but I have every confidence in our bike, our riders and our team, and I’m looking forward to seeing them racing at the front once again at Magny-Cours.”
Sébastien Gimbert also remembers last year’s race which was brought to an end with a crash after just a few hours and says: “We can’t afford to do that again this season, as with only four races it would be almost impossible to recover. But we do need to push this weekend because, for the same reason, we need as many points as possible from the ‘Bol d’Or’. We have a strong team, a competitive bike and we know that Michelin have a tyre for all conditions at Magny-Cours, where the weather can be somewhat unpredictable this early in the season. A win this weekend would be the perfect start to the season, and we’ll be pushing for that, but we must also keep in mind that championship points are equally important to our title challenge.”
“If you’re French then endurance racing is in your blood, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s ‘Bol d’Or’”, enthuses Sylvain Barrier. “Pre-season testing went well, despite the cold and wet conditions at Magny-Cours. I was quick to adapt to the endurance version of the RR and really impressed with the performance of the Michelin tyres. It was also good to spend some time with my teammate, Sébastien Gimbert, who has a lot of experience of endurance racing. Of course we would like to win, and we have the package to do this, but the main target is to finish and score points, as our focus this season is on the championship and not just one race.”
Karl Muggeridge comments: “Since my last race back in September a lot of people have asked me if I was missing racing and, to be honest, I wasn’t. But, when Michael Bartholemy called about riding for BMW in the Endurance World Championship there was a definite itch and, with all the preparation and logistics over the last week, it actually feels like I’ve never been away. I am thrilled and completely motivated for this new challenge and I honestly believe we have a great opportunity together to win. I’ve raced the ‘Bol d’Or’ before, back in 2000, so I’m well aware of the challenge ahead. I’m in good shape and reasonably well prepared, so bring it on!”
The ‘Bol d’Or’ also marks the season opener of the 2013 FIM World Endurance Superstock Cup. In this series, BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport backs the title defending Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team. The German squad of former racer Rico Penzkofer fields their title-winning BMW S 1000 RR again, with a strong international rider line-up of Pedro Vallcaneras (ESP), Jason Pridmore (USA), Hayato Takada (JPN) and Steve Mercer (GBR).
“We are really excited to start the endurance season”, says Berthold Hauser, General Manager BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport. “The ‘Bol d’Or’ is always a thrilling test to start the season with. We have fond memories of 2011, when BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent celebrated a sensational podium in only their first full season in the Endurance World Championship. Last year, we were unlucky, but the catch up in the following races proved how strong the team and the #99 BMW S 1000 RR are. In preparation for the new season, we worked together intensively on further improving the RR and the successful ‘Pre-d’Or’ test confirmed that we are well prepared. Now we are ready to race! Same goes with the Penz13.com team. The target is clear – to defend the title. We from HP RaceSupport will contribute our best in order to help the team to achieve this great goal. Fingers crossed and good luck for our teams and riders in this first endurance challenge of the season!”