Italian Superbike Championship: Roberto Tamburini on the podium at season opener.
The 2019 Italian Superbike Championship (CIV) season got underway at Misano (ITA) at the weekend with a podium for the BMW S 1000 RR. In the first of two races, Cherry Box 24 Guandalini Racing’s Roberto Tamburini (ITA) claimed third place on the podium on Saturday. Matteo Baiocco (ITA / DMR Racing) crossed the finish line in fifth place, with his team-mate Luca Vitali (ITA) right behind him in sixth. Andrea Mantovani (ITA), of Berclaz Racing Italia, rode into eighth place to also finish in the top ten. In the second race on Sunday, Baiocco finished fifth once again, making him the best-placed BMW rider. Tamburini took sixth place in that race while Mantovani was the eighth rider to see the chequered flag once again. A total of eight BMW riders competed in the CIV season opener.
Italian National Trophy 1000: Podium for Michel Fabrizio at Misano.
The 2019 Italian National Trophy 1000 (IT 1000) season also began with a podium for the BMW S 1000 RR. The first race of the year was also held at Misano (ITA), during which Michel Fabrizio (ITA) was involved in a gripping three-way battle at the front and eventually finished in third place. Luca Salvadori (ITA / Berclaz Racing Italia) and Francesco Cocco (ITA), also BMW racers, followed in fourth and fifth place. No fewer than 17 BMW riders were represented in the IT 1000 starting field.
WorldSBK: Markus Reiterberger supports new prevention campaign.
Markus Reiterberger (GER), rider for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), is dedicating himself to responsible riding on the road. Reiterberger is the face of the new prevention campaign “What’s written in the stars for you?” started by the South Hesse police force. The dramatic rise in the number of fatal accidents involving motorcycle riders in South Hesse is the motivation for making bikers aware of the dangers and risks early on this year. In addition to thorough checks, the aim of the prevention campaign is to use flyers and other means to make motorcycle riders aware of their personal responsibility. The campaign goal is to make bikers aware of the risks when riding motorcycles, such as not adjusting their speed and anticipating the mistakes of others. “I’m really happy to be able to help the South Hesse police force as the face of this year’s accident prevention campaign, and thereby play an important role in spreading the message ‘It’s in your own hands’,” said Reiterberger. “Each year motorcycle riders die on German roads as a result of excessive speed, losing control and recklessness. That doesn’t have to be the case if you remember that racers belong on the racetrack and not on the road! This message is very important, and I want to help it reach those it concerns.” The Chief of Police Bernhard Lammel added: “We’re delighted that in Markus Reiterberger we have such well-known support. As a racer he is all too aware of the dangers of excessive speed. He gives our prevention campaign a face and makes it very clear that racers have no place on the road. This year, we will be focussing on taking action against racers and anyone breaking the rules. This minority of motorcycle riders is putting not only themselves at risk, but also others, and every accident is a result of destinies. We hope to reach a large number of bikers this year and raise their awareness accordingly.”