The iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team during the 8-hour Spa Motos race. The team, comprising riders Markus Reiterberger (GER), Sylvain Guintoli (FRA), and Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR), started the race with high hopes of securing a podium finish aboard the #37 BMW M 1000 RR. However, fate had other plans.

Rollercoaster Ride

Starting from fourth place on the grid, Markus Reiterberger wasted no time and surged to the front in the opening corners. Throughout the race, Reiterberger, Guintoli, and Mikhalchik consistently battled at the sharp end of the field with their #37 bike. However, disaster struck in the fourth hour. Sylvain Guintoli lost control of the bike for unknown reasons, resulting in a crash. Despite returning to the pits and valiant efforts to keep the bike in the race, an oil leak forced the team to retire prematurely.

Superstock Class Drama

In the Superstock class, Team Étoile from Japan celebrated pole position with their #25 BMW M 1000 RR, ridden by Yudai Kamei, Hikari Okubo, and Kazuki Watanabe (all JPN). Meanwhile, the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, featuring Kenny Foray (FRA), Jan Bühn (GER), and Loïc Arbel (FRA) on the #9 BMW M 1000 RR, started from fifth place in the class. Both teams initially performed well, consistently running in the top three. However, adversity struck: the #25 bike stopped on track, and Okubo had to push it back to the pits. Shortly after, the #9 bike suffered a crash but managed to continue.

Looking Ahead

Despite the disappointment at Spa, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team remains resilient. Christian Gonschor, Technical Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, expressed regret over the early retirement but emphasised safety as the priority. An oil leak, detected after Guintoli’s crash, led to the decision to withdraw the #37 bike. The team’s focus now shifts to the next challenge: the eight-hour race in Suzuka, Japan, scheduled for July 21st. They aim to become the first European manufacturer to reach the podium in the FIM Endurance World Championship.

Werner Daemen, Team Manager, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of safety and the upcoming test sessions in Japan. Sylvain Guintoli, despite the setback, remains positive, looking ahead to Suzuka.

As the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team regroups, the Ardennes rollercoaster at Spa-Francorchamps serves as a reminder that endurance racing demands resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. The pursuit of victory continues, fueled by determination and the quest for excellence.