Crash.net
With many people expecting you to announce
Troy Corser as your new rider for 2009, can you explain how the deal with
Ruben Xaus came about and why was he on top of your shortlist?
PM
Ruben is an established and combative rider with great passion and enthusiasm for racing. He has been a World SBK regular since 1998 and has taken 35 podiums, including 11 victories. With his great experience Ruben will contribute enormously to
BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Being a Spaniard, he also represents one very important superbike market.
Crash.net
As for the second seat, is Troy your number one choice? Are you in talks with any other riders? If so, can you reveal who?
PM
Currently we have contact to several riders but I can’t provide any further information at this stage.
Crash.net
Did you try and court Max Neukirchner before he re-signed for Suzuki? If so, were you disappointed with his decision to stay where he is?
PM
Max performs absolutely marvellous and we are very happy for him. He certainly is the shooting star of this season. Of course we would like to see him with our team in the future.
For 2009 he has signed with Suzuki though. We wish him all the best.
Crash.net
What motivated the decision to compete in the World Superbike Championship, rather than MotoGP? Is it possible a World Superbike campaign may be a prelude to a graduation in the future?
PM
We deliberately took this decision for a very comprehensible reason: The Superbike World Championship represents a racing series with a direct relation to the products in the showroom. Our future customers all over the world will watch “their” motorcycle competing. We are concentrating on this huge challenge now.
MotoGP is no current issue.
Crash.net
What marks the new S 1000 out from your rivals’ machines?
PM
In the early project phase we checked out various engine concepts. And as you know, we then decided in favour of a four-cylinder, with the straight-four offering the best qualities to meet the power, performance, weight, and package requirements to be fulfilled. In typical BMW style, the engine will of course offer a number of special features, especially on the cylinder head.
