For the first time since joining World Superbikes in 2009, previously struggling BMW have taken the top step as well as finishing in second place in round one at Donington Park (UK). Factory riders Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam battled it out with the other riders to come home first and second on their S1000RR machines. Clearly the bikes have improved considerably against their competition for the 2012 season. Having riders like Haslam and Melandri onboard has made their chances a bit better too...nothing against our man Troy Corser, who gave them two years and his many years of experience of riding at the top level.

Round two didn't fare so well for BMW as after a multitude of overtakes and riders running off track on occasion, Haslam looked to have it won until both he and Melandri ran wide at the very last corner and Honda rider Rea pushed through on the inside. They collided and Haslem fell, knocking off Melandri as he slid on the track...



It's gunna be a beaut season!

I read AMCN magazine from time-to-time. This caught my eye. I am trying to work out if this is just sour grapes or a complete capitulation by BMW when it comes to MotoGP racing.



So what is wrong with pushing ahead and ringing every drop out of a very advanced bit of technology (bikes). Is he saying that people like Stoner and Rossi make no contribution to the way their bikes perform?

BMW have always pushed their technology and quality, so what what's changed? I had this idea that top class competitions are there to create advances in sport that will finally migrate to street bikes and be of benefit to us, the street rider.

The heading is Japanese Invasion ... really?! its only been going on
since late 1960s ... this guy must have been asleep for a very long
time. I think that BMW should enter the MotoGP competition in order to
qualify to comment.

Actually I find this just a little amusing giving the money, resources and respect people have for BMW technology and bikes.

For the record, and in defence of BMW's recent, renewed efforts toward developing their profile in the top tier of moto racing, under the recent CRT (Claiming Rules Team) in MotoGP, Texan Colin Edwards is attempting to go racing against the Japanese and Italian factories and their satellite teams on a BMW S1000RR-powered, NGM Suter chassised machine. They typically fall two to four seconds per lap behind the "factory" bikes but it fills the grid for the spectators. In the WSBK championship BMW is clearly far more competitive.