BMW Set to Cut Ties with World Superbike Championship

BMW has announced they will end their participation in the World Superbike Championship at the end of the year as part of its realignment plan in motorsport.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport entered the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2009 and have been performing well this season.

Italian Marco Melandri is currently third in the overall standings with Britain’s Chaz Davies in fifth place, while the team are third in the manufacturers’ table.

“With effect from the end of the 2013 season, BMW Motorrad will terminate its commitment in the FIM Superbike World Championship in order to strengthen the customer sports programme,” BMW said in a statement.

“The main focus and some of the resources of BMW Motorrad’s commitment to sport will switch to other motorsport activities like the successful international customer sports programme from 2014 on.”

The team’s general manager Andrea Buzzoni admitted he was “sorry about the decision,” but accepted it.

“The current year is a good year, the atmosphere within the team is great and also our riders are doing an excellent job. We are satisfied with the current results and, of course, we will keep working hard,” he said.