WorldSBK 2018: Loris Baz on BMW Althea’s unique S1000RR

It’s now official: Loris Baz will drive next year in World Superbike an S1000RR prepared by the excellent team BMW Althea, the Italian team which had led Carlos Checa and his Ducati 1098R to the world title in 2011. Gaz Baz !

Unfortunately assured of no longer racing in MotoGP, Loris Baz immediately started looking for a good handlebar in World Superbike. Twice unfortunately, all the factory bikes were already taken…

Impossible indeed for our former "green giant" to return to the Kawasaki Racing Team where Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes were logically renewed, as were Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri at Ducati Aruba.it, Alex Lowes or Michael van der Mark at Yamaha Pata !

This fall, the arrival of – and – was therefore foreseen in other second-tier teams such as MV Agusta, Honda Red Bull, Kawasaki Puccetti or BMW Althea … But other drivers were also mentioned for these same posts.

Leon Camier drew – officially – the first, seizing the orders of one of the two prepared by Ten Kate. His was not free for long: Jordi Torres was quickly announced to replace the English No.2.

At Kawasaki Puccetti, Toprak Razgatlioglu managed to win his promotion: third in the Superstock 1000 category this year (seven podiums including three victories), the colt of Kenan Sofuoglu convinced his employers to entrust him with their unique Superbike….

Because contrary to what was mentioned this summer, this team will only enter one motorcycle again. Bad news for Loris who could claim a second handlebars … Bad too – and especially? – for Sylvain Guintoli, who had performed at the very end of the season in Jerez then in Losail.

Finally, Baz has set his sights on the BMW Althea team who will also enter one motorcycle next year, against two this season: the n ° 81 of Jordi Torres and the n ° 21 of Markus Reiterberger replaced in progress. season by their STK1000 n ° 35 driver, Raffaele de Rosa.

At the helm of his this year, Torres only managed to reach the Top 5 three times. Oscillating regularly between 7th and 9th place, the "Spanish Elvis" collected 157 points which earned him ninth place in the championship, 10 points behind Camier and a small point ahead of Laverty.

As a reminder, Jordi had better results in his first season on the "Behème" (6th, 213 points), and much better results the year he arrived in WorldSBK riding the official Aprilia (5th, 247 points). What can Loris hope for by joining the BMW Althea team in 2018? ?

In 2014, during his only complete season in World Superbike – late arrival to replace the unlucky Joan Lascorz in 2012, forfeit injury at the end of the 2013 season -, the "Savoyard cheetah" had also won 5th place in the world, but in collecting eight second places and a third (311 points in total).

As good as Torres then – if not more? -, Baz is also counting on the 2018 evolutions of the World Superbike technical regulations to raise its future S1000RR to the level of the official, Panigale and ZX-10RR which have monopolized the podium this year.

"With the, I believe that there will be the possibility of obtaining good results", confides the n ° 76. "I hope that we will have all the cards in hand to appear on the podium, or even play for victory." MNC wishes him wholeheartedly !

Le Journal moto du Net will also closely follow the first tests of our "Bazooka" on its Bavarian missile, scheduled for 20 and 21 November. The 2018 season will begin soon: stay tuned !

Statements

Loris Baz:
"I wanted to find the best solution for my future and I think I found it within the Althea team. I’ve known Genesio for a while so we had a chat and to be honest we found common ground very easily. . I know the team is very strong: they won the title with Carlos Checa after all. I consider this project to be very interesting, especially given the changes made to the rules. I am delighted with my decision. I want to thank Genesio Bevilacqua and BMW. I can’t wait to hit the track with the S1000RR for the next test in Jerez ".

Genesio Bevilacqua, team manager:
"The Superbike is undergoing radical change. The arrival of the new regulations, as well as that of Loris Baz, an“ explosive ”rider as courageous as he is determined, not only rekindles my personal enthusiasm and that of the team, but also that of the The whole championship. We are aware of the challenge we face, as we will again face factory teams and their very fierce riders. But I think we have everything we need to fight on one foot. tie in 2018, and aim for results that more closely match the level and prestige of Althea and the BMW plant. So I welcome Loris, on behalf of the whole team. We look forward to working with him. ".

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