BMW substitute Markus Reiterberger is making a strong impression in the Superbike World Championship and raves about working with Toprak Razgatli oglus crewchief
On Friday, Markus Reiterberger was only 1.014 seconds off the best time in the Superbike World Championship in Cremona (see FT2 report). Reiterberger got along very well with the BMW M1000RR of championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu right from the start. After the two training sessions, the man from Obing seemed very satisfied.
“I rode faster than in the test,” he explains proudly. “Eighteenth place doesn’t look so good, but I’m only a second away from the world’s best,” he notes.
Reiterberger was in the top 10 for a while, but slipped back to P18 in the final phase of FT2 because he didn’t use fresh tires.
The crew tested different electronics settings in the final part of the session, which Reiterberger “didn’t like that much”. However, he is very optimistic for the following two days. “I think that there is still a lot of potential on my side,” Reiterberger indicates further progress.
The plan for Saturday is clear. “I want to adapt even better to the bike. My crew has planned some changes that should give me an even better feeling,” reveals Reiterberger.
A completely different atmosphere at BMW than in the 2019 WSBK season
During his last appearances in the Superbike World Championship, there was some tension with the team. However, there was no sign of this when he returned to Cremona. “The team is different than it was back then. I felt very welcome and that gave me a really great feeling. The environment here is very family-like,” says Reiterberger, praising the atmosphere.
How has the BMW factory team changed since the 2019 season? ”It’s difficult to say anything specific after just one day. But my impression is that the team has developed very positively,” comments Reiterberger.
Reiterberger is also impressed by the competitiveness of the BMW M1000RR. ‘When I get on the bike as an endurance rider and immediately get within a second of the lead, it shows how much the package and structure have grown,’ praises the German.
Markus Reiterberger raves about Toprak Razgatlioglu’s crew chief
Reiterberger’s eyes light up when we talk to him about working with crew chief Phil Marron. “He’s a very pleasant guy. I had already heard that he is one of the best crew chiefs. And I can confirm that,“ says Reiterberger.
”He is a top guy in terms of his personality. He works very calmly. I really like working with him,” says Reiterberger, raving about Toprak Razgatlioglu’s long-standing crew chief.
One reason for the problems in the 2019 WSBK season was also the tense relationship with crew chief Pete Benson, who had different ideas than Reiterberger. Are there thoughts about what might have been if the chemistry with the crew chief had been better five years ago?
“There are always thoughts like that. It wasn’t an easy time back then. Everyone knows that. I’m often asked about it. On the other hand, I wasn’t as mature back then as I am today,” Reiterberger admits. ‘So I certainly bear some of the responsibility for that. That time is over, we are looking to the future.’
The fact that Reiterberger has been given another chance by BMW to show his talent in the Superbike World Championship makes him feel grateful. ”I would like to thank the team and BMW for this opportunity. And a big thank you also goes to my sponsors, friends and fans. My phone is ringing off the hook. I’m really glad I’ve got so little reception here,” jokes Reiterberger.