BMW celebrate landmark WSB victory
The BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team celebrated its first win in the production-based World Superbike championship on Sunday, when Marco Melandri triumphed in the team's 88th race, crossing the line in Donington ahead of team-mate Leon Haslam, who completed the one-two for BMW. The milestone win follows on from Troy Corser claiming the team's first pole position and podium finish in 2010, Marco Melandri finishing runner-up in his very first race for BMW Motorrad this year and Leon Haslam scoring two podium finishes at Imola weekend.
"Congratulations to Marco and the team on this important maiden victory," said Hendrik von Kuenheim, General Director of BMW Motorrad. "We never expected to see BMW Motorrad leave Donington with a one-two. It is a shame our riders were unable to finish the second race, otherwise Leon would have picked up his first win for BMW Motorrad. The whole team worked really hard to convert the full potential of the BMW S 1000 RR into success on the track. I would like to thank all those involved in the various departments for their tireless efforts. Our goal for this season is to continue to move forward, feature regularly on the podium and celebrate more victories. I am particularly pleased that we were able to win under our own steam. I am also confident that this is just the start of things to come, and that we will see a BMW rider on the top step of the podium more often this season."
"This one-two is the reward for the hard work put in by everyone involved in this project in recent weeks and months," added BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier. "All the departments are working hand in hand, and the success belongs not only to the racing team, but to all of BMW Motorrad. After reaching this important milestone, our goal is now to back it up and produce the same strong performance in coming races as we have done in Donington."
