Bayerische Motoren Werke : One-two win for BMW riders at start of the European Superstock Championship.

Munich. The BMW riders pick up further wins and podiums in the various international and national championships. The weekend saw the FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship (STK1000) get underway with a one-two victory for the BMW S 1000 RR: Markus Reiterberger (GER) won ahead of second-placed Roberto Tamburini (ITA). In the British Superbike Championship (BSB), Michael Laverty (GBR) finished in third on the podium in the Superbike class, while Keith Farmer (GBR) and Chrissy Rouse (GBR) each secured a second place in the Superstock class. And there was also a win in the USA: at the opener of MotoAmerica 2018 (MA), BMW rider Travis Wyman (USA) won the Superstock race.

MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in Alcañiz, Spain.

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) kicked off its European season at MotorLand Aragón near Alcañiz (ESP). In the first of the two races, Loris Baz (FRA) from the Gulf Althea BMW team delivered a strong catch-up and rode up from 19^th on the grid into eleventh place. In race two, Baz finished 15^th to secure another championship point.

FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship in Alcañiz, Spain.

MotorLand Aragón (ESP) also hosted the season opener of the FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship (STK1000). The BMW riders experienced a made-to-measure opener and clinched a one-two win for the BMW S 1000 RR. Markus Reiterberger (GER) from the alpha Racing-Van Zon BMW team had the perfect weekend in Alcañiz: He secured pole position, won the race with a lead of two seconds and also rode the fastest lap in a new record time. Together with Reiterberger, Roberto Tamburini (ITA) from Berclaz Racing Team SA climbed onto the podium in second place. Tamburini's team-mate Luca Salvadori (ITA) in eighth also crossed the finish line in the top 10.

Markus Reiterberger:

'In the warm-up, we only tried two different electronic maps for more traction control so that we could save the tyres more over the entire race distance. And it worked really well. I had a good start to the race, but I was missing a bit of grip on the front tyre. Which is why I was unable to make full use of my strengths when braking, and couldn't build up a lead as planned. Instead, I was in third place after the fourth lap. So I changed my riding style and made up the time through acceleration. This enabled me to regain the lead and build up a lead of two seconds by the end. It was a fantastic weekend with a very entertaining and thrilling race. My thanks go to the team, who provided me with such a great motorcycle. Now I'm looking forward to the next race in Assen, on a track that I have good memories of.'

British Superbike Championship in Brands Hatch, Great Britain.

The short Indy circuit of Brands Hatch (GBR) was the venue for the second round of the 2018 British Superbike Championship (BSB). In race one of the Superbike class (BSB SBK), Christian Iddon (GBR / Tyco BMW Motorrad) in fifth, Michael Laverty (GBR / Tyco BMW Motorrad) in eighth and Peter Hickman (GBR / Smiths Racing BMW) in tenth all finished in the top 10.

The first podium of the season in the Superbike class for the BMW S 1000 RR followed in race two, which was held in difficult, wet conditions: Laverty crossed the finish line in third place. In this race, Iddon finished sixth.

Michael Laverty:

'I'm delighted to be back on the podium, full credit has to go to the team. In the short timeframe they managed to change numerous components to achieve a great wet set up for me. I was perhaps a little bit too cautious during the last five laps, otherwise I feel we should have taken the win today. But I wanted to bring it home for solid points rather than ending up in the gravel. We are moving in the right direction with the BMW S 1000 RR every time we go on track and I'm excited for the season ahead.'

In the Superstock class (BSB STK), a BMW rider was on the podium in each of the two races. Keith Farmer (GBR / Tyco BMW Motorrad), who finished on the rostrum in every race at the opener in Donington Park (GBR) two weeks ago, continued this streak in Brands Hatch. Farmer took second place in the first of the two Superstock races. Chrissy Rouse (GBR / Quinnstheprinters.com BMW) finished fourth, Michael Rutter (GBR / Bathams Racing) in ninth also crossed the line in the top 10.

In race two, it was Rouse who represented the BMW colours on the podium: This time he clinched second place and also rode the fastest race lap. Alex Olsen (GBR / ASTRO - JJR Racing) finished sixth, Jordan Gilbert (GBR / Quinnstheprinters.com BMW) ninth and Rutter tenth. Farmer retired from the race.

MotoAmerica in Road Atlanta, USA.

The wheels are turning again in MotoAmerica (MA) as well. The 2018 season opener was held in Road Atlanta in the US state of Georgia - and BMW got a win here as well. Travis Wyman (USA / Weir Everywhere Racing) won the Superstock class (MA STK) race, also getting the fastest race lap. Two races were held in the Superbike class (MA SBK). In race one, BMW rider Danny Eslick (USA / Scheibe Racing) finished in seventh place, he retired from race two.