Bonovo Action to exit World Superbikes

BMW’s presence in the FIM Superbike World Championship will be reduced from four bikes to two in 2025, with Bonovo action BMW Racing Team to withdraw from the series at the end of this season. Team owner Jürgen Röder cited ‘personal reasons’ for leaving the category, but did not elaborate further.

“I will be stepping down for personal reasons from 2025 on, and consequently, Bonovo action will withdraw as a factory team from BMW,” Röder said in a BMW press release. “I would like to personally thank all the fans who have remained so loyal to us, who have shared in our joys and our hard times. Many, many thanks, because without the enthusiasm of the spectators and fans, such an endeavour would not be possible. I would also like to thank our entire team, under team manager Michael Galinski, which has always done an excellent job.

“My thanks also go to BMW. BMW has always been a fair and very reliable partner, supporting us with everything. Even this year, we are receiving the same parts as our colleagues at SMR (Shaun Muir Racing, who run the factory team), so we are well-equipped. Therefore, my sincerest thanks go to BMW and especially Marc Bongers for the support. I also want to thank our sponsors for their loyalty and strong support.”

Bonovo action’s first year in WorldSBK was 2021, when Röder and Galinski drew on their respective success in Sidecar racing and the German Superbike Championship. What started as ‘Bonovo MGM Racing’ with Jonas Folger as a single-rider entry was rebranded as Bonovo action for 2022 and expanded to two riders - Eugene Laverty and Loris Baz. For 2023, Garrett Gerloff replaced Laverty, with Scott Redding replacing Baz this year.

Winless in WorldSBK at time of writing, Bonovo action’s most successful rider has been Gerloff, who secured pole at last year’s French round, along with several fourth-place finishes late in the season.

Bonovo action’s exit means both Redding and Gerloff will be looking for new rides next year.