BMW has announced that it plans to pull out of the World Superbike Championship at the end of 2013 as part of a wider shake-up of its activities.
“With effect from the end of the 2013 season, BMW Motorrad will terminate its commitment in the World Superbike 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, such as the successful international customer sports programme from 2014 on.”
BMW Motorrad Motorsport entered the World Superbike Championship in 2009. Its riders are Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies.
The unit's general manager Andrea Buzzoni said 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,” Buzzoni said. - AFP