Le Mans. The FIM Endurance World Championship kicks off the 2022 season with a classic over the Easter weekend, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) on 16th/17th April. For the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and team, this is the third season in the FIM EWC. Markus Reiterberger arrived in December 2019 for the 8 hours of Sepang to the team, which finished second overall last year and is starting well prepared into the season-opener on the banks of the Sarthe.
The winter tests with the #37 BMW M 1000 RR were successful. The four riders – Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR), Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA) and Kenny Foray (FRA) – were able to evaluate and confirm multiple modifications to the bike. They include updates to the engine, electronics, cooling, brakes and suspension. The final winter test took place at Le Mans at the end of March, and served as a dress rehearsal for the season-opener at the same venue.
The starting positions for the race will be determined in a two-part qualifying on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The 45th staging of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at 15:00 CEST. A busy season is starting for Reiti with the 24 Heures du Mans as he will also be competing not only in the FIM EWC, but also in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) this season.
Markus Reiterberger: “Given the positive winter tests and preparations, I am very optimistic about the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It will be a tough, long and tiring race, but we are perfectly prepared. The bike is better than ever. The final sessions before the race are just about fine-tuning the rideability for us riders. Our clear goal is to challenge for victory. We are ready for any conditions and will give it everything we have.”