Markus Reiterberger had a lot to do in the past week, because it was ruled by a tight test plan that the Bavarian had to click through in Belgium, Germany and France.
Last Sunday Reiti set off to meet his personal and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team Manager Werner Daemen on the racetrack in Spa-Francorchamps. Together with his EWC teammate Ilya Mikhalchik, Reiti rode this year's IDM-BMW S 1000 RR on Monday. Since there were no mechanics on the race track due to the Corona restrictions, Reiti and his teammate had to tackle the job themselves, change tires, screw and make a few adjustments to the bike, which of course was very good for the owner of a motorcycle workshop in Obing, Germany. Overall, the two top BMW riders only rode around 25 laps on the very fast circuit in Belgium, but Reiti's time was just under 2'24 minutes close to the lap record and that leaves the planned return of the Endurance World Championship to Spa-Francorchamps in 2022 in good guess.
On Tuesday, Markus Reiterberger did not use his day off to rest. He made an appointment with his buddy Mike on the Nordschleife (Nürburgring, Germany) and did a few laps with the Action-Bike-Team. Then on Wednesday it went on. The long journey to Le Mans, France for the test in preparation for the 24-hour race at the end of August was next.
On Thursday and Friday Reiterberger put the BMW S 1000 RR through its paces together with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and his two teammates Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and Kenny Foray (FRA). The to-do list for the two test days was very long, but all three riders worked very well together and had a lot of positive experiences in preparation for the next big assignment on August 29 and 30 at the Circuit Bugatti. The lap times of the three BMW aces were very close together and testify to the high level at which the team works. The preparations went extremely well and with just a few small points that are still on the preparation list, everyone is in the best possible mood for the “24 heures du mans” race.
Markus Reiterberger:
“It was a very intense week, but I really had fun. Spa is such a great track, especially very fast and I really liked it to ride there. I also loved riding against my manager, because Werner himself did a few laps. Since there were no mechanics, we had to change tires and screw ourselves and that was cool too. I could only go out three or four times, but I got very close to the lap record and it was nice to finally be back on my bike.
On Tuesday I used the day off and drove with my buddy Mike to the Nordschleife (Nürburgring). I would like to thank the Action-Bike-Team who made it possible for me to ride there.
We spent Wednesday in the car on the long trip to Le Mans. A very full test plan was waiting there for us three riders, but we were able to work through this quite well and the positive experiences outweighed. With three riders and two motorcycles, we really used every second. We also did a few 'long runs'. Everyone works very hard in the team and we all get along very well, which makes the work very pleasant. I think we have achieved a great deal in these two test days and that makes me very satisfied and I feel very well prepared for the upcoming 24-hour race at Le Mans.
On Friday night we went back to Germany, to the Hockenheimring. Werner's IDM team tested there and I spent half of the day with them and then I drove home. Even though it was a very tight program, I'm really happy with the last week and its results. ”
Title picture: © David Reygondeau | FIM EWC