In a few weeks the time has come: with the “24 Heures Motos” on 17th / 18th of April, Markus Reiterberger starts his 2021 season of the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC) with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in Le Mans (FRA). This week the preparations went into their final phase with the two-day Pré Mans test. The team completed a comprehensive test program with the #37 BMW M 1000 RR and led the time tables on both test days.
In addition to Reiti, his teammates Ilya Mikhalchik and Kenny Foray, whom he had by his side last season already, were also there. An old acquaintance is new this year. His former competitor from the IDM (International German Motorcycle Championship) 2014/15 and WorldSBK 2016 - Xavi Forés will support Markus and the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team this season.
Another new feature this year is that instead of the BMW S 1000 RR, the brand new BMW M 1000 RR, which Markus Reiterberger was involved in developing as a BMW test rider, will be racing. Over the past few weeks, the team has been working in the workshop and on the track to develop the racing version especially for the long distance. During the official Le Mans pre-test on Tuesday and Wednesday, the team worked once more to prepare the number 37 bike for the special challenges of the Endurance classic on the Sarthe. The pace was right: the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team set the fastest time with record laps on both days.
In just two weeks, from April 17th to 18th, the legendary Le Mans 24-hour race will take place. Reiti, his three team-mates and the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team are well prepared after the last two days of testing and are looking confidently to the start of the World Endurance Championship in Le Mans.
Markus Reiterberger:
“It was a very, very positive test for us. We tried a few things on Tuesday and applied the results to both test bikes on Wednesday. We were able to take advantage of the good grip in cooler temperatures on Wednesday morning and all set extremely fast times with good racing attitudes. A 1: 35.1 time with race set-up is already sporty and fast. We achieved some brilliant laps, but the lap times alone are not that important. The important thing is the pace, and that ist extremely good of all the riders. We have found a set-up with which all riders can ride a consistently good pace. I want to thank the team for all the hard work. They really gave everything on these two days and it was a great collaboration. We are already very well positioned, even if, as always, there is still a bit of work ahead of us before the race. I think that we can start the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a very good feeling. I'm also very happy that Xavi (Forés) is one of my team-mates. We have a pretty good relationship with each other and we think similarly when it comes to the motorcycle. It's great that the team responded to our wishes and suggestions and that we were able to take a very important step forward. Ilya (Mikhalchik) and Kenny (Foray) were also able to implement our adjustments well for themselves and in the end we were able to find a good compromise that worked for all four riders. If the weather also plays along and is similar to the test, then I see really good chances for our team. "
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