Bonovo team owner Jürgen Röder looks back on the 2021 WSBK season, names the reasons for the failure with Jonas Folger and talks about the new beginning in 2022
A German rider on a German bike used by a German team: Expectations were high for Jonas Folger on the Bonovo-BMW, but after a few races it became apparent that the project was not going as well as those involved and the fans had hoped. After only one year, it was over. Folger decided against another WSBK season with BMW and Bonovo set up a completely new team for the 2022 season.
“In terms of results, of course, there was room for improvement,” said team owner Jürgen Röder. “In terms of people, it was good, the team got on very well. Everyone did their best, but at the end of the day, rider and team first had to find their way around the World Superbike Championship and we saw the result of that. “
“Of course, this is not in any way to blame Jonas (Folger), quite the opposite; we had offered him to ride the 2022 season as well. 2021 was definitely an apprenticeship year for us. We imagined it to be a bit easier, but we have learned our lesson,” commented the Bonovo boss.
“We were able to understand a lot, but not everything. Overall, however, I think we are on the right track and now we are looking to put into practice what we learned last year,” explains Jürgen Röder and looks ahead to the new season with Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty: “Of course, we are now hoping that we can move forward a bit in 2022 with the two new riders. “
During the season, we are looking forward to the new season with Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty.
The reasons for the disappointing results in the 2021 season
Why was it so difficult to be competitive last year? “After all, we had to learn various things first; what are the procedures like, we had to understand the motorbike and also all of us had to find our way first in the cooperation with BMW,” Jürgen Röder explained.
“There was no one in this team who had experience in the World Superbike Championship, so we all learned; the procedures, the materials and much more,” describes the Bonovo boss and takes the side of team manager Michael Galinski: “Michael has already organised this wonderfully together with his crew.”
Despite the disappointing 2021 season, the Bonovo crew managed to expand the project for the 2022 season. “We are racing with two riders for now in 2022 and we have been promoted as a factory team, which was a request from Dr Schramm (BMW motorbike CEO) and Marc Bongers (BMW motorbike sport director) from BMW to classify us as a factory team,” said Jürgen Röder.
The challenges for the new season with two riders
“In terms of logistics, there is of course twice as much manpower to organise and structure, but Michael already has that under control. It’s all starting to happen now. We could already see at the first test in Jerez that it works,” explains the team owner.
“We also have a second truck now, which is carrying additional equipment, because it’s not just two bikes more, but also the box, the electronics, all the equipment. Everything is reinforced, so the second truck was absolutely necessary so that we can make a professional appearance here,” says the Bonovo boss. “The boxes are being built right now, or rather the extension for them. “
With Eugene Laverty and Loris Baz, the Bonovo team has signed two experienced riders who have already won races in the Superbike World Championship and also have MotoGP experience. “We are hoping for a lot from both riders. They are dynamic riders, aggressive riders – in a positive sense,” commented Jürgen Röder.
What are the team’s goals with Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty?
“Eugene already has good experience with BMW. Loris has ridden BMW before in 2018. At the test in Jerez, we found that both of them get on really well with the bike, even though they were still riding the 2021 bikes in December. We should get the new bikes at the Misano test in March. We were also able to test the new BMW frame concept in Jerez and both riders were full of praise for the new features,” the team owner said, looking forward to the new season.
With what goal does the team go into its second WSBK season? “The goal actually remains unchanged; to finish in the top 10 with one or, if possible, both riders, and maybe to get a little further ahead with one rider. Maybe we’ll manage to get a sniff of fifth place. Those are my personal wishes and I think we have a good chance with the two drivers,” Jürgen Röder remarks.
“The material that BMW provides us with is very good and it has already been developed excellently in 2021. Of course, we expect that to continue in 2022. So we are very confident that our riders will get on well with the bike,” says the Bonovo team owner.
