BMW today announced that they have signed Michael van der Mark for the 2021 WorldSBK season. The move had been widely expected, after the surprise announcement that Van der Mark would be leaving Yamaha. The BMW press release appears below:
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team will race with Michael van der Mark in 2021.
- Michael van der Mark becomes the team's new rider in the FIM Superbike World Championship.
- Competing in WorldSBK since 2015.
- Marc Bongers: “We are convinced that Michael is an asset to our project.”
Munich. The rider planning of the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2021 season in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) is taking shape. New to the team is 27-year-old Dutchman Michael van der Mark, who will contest his first season on the BMW S 1000 RR in 2021.
Van der Mark was crowned Supersport World Champion in 2014. For the 2015 season, he switched to the Superbike World Championship, in which he has been active since and has won three victories and 29 podiums. The team's second rider for the 2021 season will be announced at a later date.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “We are very pleased about our agreement with Michael, who has developed very strongly in the Superbike World Championship in recent years. We are convinced that Michael is an asset to our project, and together, in combination with the strong package we can offer him, we can reach the next level in terms of results. We would like to welcome Michael to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and look forward to a strong cooperation.”
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “We are delighted to welcome Michael to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. He brings a wealth of experience and is one of the youngest, most talented riders on the WorldSBK grid. Securing Michaels services emphasis the focus and determination we have to compete for top honours, and we will give Michael every chance to reach that goal.”
Comments
What every rider needs!
A less than perfect bike.
To then go to a better place/space stands them in much greater stead for ensuing seasons.
Rossi is much more likeable since the Ducati sidestep, even Fogarty was reduced to a bit player when transferring from Ducati to Honda (even if he won't admit it) so I hope they reward Sykes/VdM with a full fat championship contender this sub-season.
I'd love to see 2 x latter day WSB front runners given a chance to show their true credentials.
VdM pasture new onto BMW
VdM is still my favourite rider amongst WSBK pilotes. But I really wanted for him to stay at Yamaha squad for another year or two. The race at Philip Island in which Toprak won may be the shocking surprise felt for VdM but I'm convinced that wasn't the reason for VdM's departure from Yamaha. Firstly the financial offer from Yamaha to him was offensively low ,then secondly BMW came to him with very generous offer monetarily and also probably also guaranteeing him lead rider status and that convinced VdM to make the jump. But money-wise good for him but will he ever get to win on the BMW as he did numerous time on the R1 and needless to say the championship will be distancing from him. But I wish him the best in his new adventure with the German make...