BMW and Michelin formalize their commitment to Endurance

Announced at the press launch of the formidable S1000RR, the brand’s union with the propeller and the Bibendum in Endurance has just been confirmed: Sebastien Gimbert, Matthieu Lagrive and Erwan Nigon will form the crew of the Michelin BMW team in 2010.

Jean-Michel Cavret, director of BMW Motorrad France, told us about it during our test of the S 1000 RR on the Portimao circuit (read our): the new S1000RR would be talked about in endurance racing from 2010, in collaboration with Michelin.

"Michelin tires have found immediate support from BMW Motorrad France to jointly meet the challenge of the next world endurance championship 2010", confirms an official press release today.

This union between the velocity displayed by the Michelin cars last season and the impressive potential of the German Hypersort (read our) is likely to cause a stir: two near-stock S 1000 RRs have indeed already caused a sensation by finishing first and second in Superstock category at the 2009 Barcelona 24 Hours !

Especially since the handlebars of this Michelin BMW team – under the responsibility of Jean-Philippe Weber, director of the Michelin motorcycle competition – we find a trio of top riders: Sebastien Gimbert, Matthieu Lagrive and Erwan Nigon !

Sebastien Gimbert (2009 French Superbike champion) therefore leaves the GMT 94 ship, while Matthieu Lagrive’s entry into an entire endurance season does not bode well for a possible continuation of the World Superbike adventure….

After a return to endurance racing initiated in 2007 with an HP2 Sport (a hypersportive version of the R1200 S) entered in the Open category at the 24H Moto du Mans and the Bol d’Or, BMW is sending out a very strong signal to its competitors (and to its customers!) by committing to the entire championship with its new sporting flagship: "endurance is in the genes of BMW, because it incorporates the fundamentals that are dear to us such as performance, technology, engine efficiency or reliability", enthuses, Jean-Michel Cavret.

"We are fortunate in France to have the two most prestigious events on the calendar: the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Bol d’Or. Their impact is real and represents a real marketing support for our new S 1000 RR", continues the boss of BMW France, who says to himself"very satisfied that Matthieu Lagrive, Sebastien Gimbert and Erwan Nigon are joining us to take up this new challenge with us. These are experienced French drivers, fast and reliable, who should allow this Michelin BMW team to progress very quickly. !"

Stressing that "advancing our tires through this partnership with BMW Motorrad has a much stronger flavor than simply supporting existing teams"Jean-Philippe Weber is also"very satisfied"the establishment of this team, whose logistics and technique will be entrusted to Jean-François Daffix, already in charge of the Michelin Power Research Team program. Finally, sports management will be provided by Bernard Rigoni, former head of the department Honda France competition.

It remains to be seen which of these three drivers will be responsible for representing BMW in the French Superbike championship, as Jean-Michel Cavret told us in Portugal. To be continued … Stay connected !

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