BMW Power Cup opens at Le Mans.
A new era will begin this weekend at Le Mans with the opening round of the new BMW Motorrad Power Cup, a race series that will cover seven European race circuits in support of MotoGP.
Speeds of up to 270kp/h are expected as the K 1200 R takes BMW into a brand new market with its 'out of the box' thinking, 'naked' look, Superbike horsepower and revolutionary suspension.
A new era will begin this weekend at Le Mans with the opening round of the new BMW Motorrad Power Cup, a race series that will cover seven European race circuits in support of MotoGP.
Speeds of up to 270kp/h are expected as the K 1200 R takes BMW into a brand new market with its 'out of the box' thinking, 'naked' look, Superbike horsepower and revolutionary suspension.
With the first race held on the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans this weekend, Mugello, Assen, Donington, Sachsenring and Brno then follow through to the finale of the season at Valencia during which hundreds of thousands of fans will see some cracking racing - just as its predecessor, the BMW BoxerCup, produced in previous seasons.
The last three champions from the BoxerCup will all reunite in 2005: Reigning title holder Thomas Hinterreiter (A) returns after dominating last year's series, while 2003 champion Andy Hofmann (CH) makes a welcome re-appearance alongside former World Endurance Champion and 2001-2002 BoxerCup winner Stephane Mertens (B).
Recent race winners are sure to join the trio at the front with Nordschleife specialist Markus Barth (D), super-quick Belgian Sebastien Legrelle, flying Roberto Panichi (I) and youngster Gwen Giabbani (F) returning for battle.
Meanwhile, 1992 125cc World Champion Alessandro Gramigni will make his series debut this season, the Italian adding to his massive racing experience that has covered all three GP classes and the World Superbike series too.
In all, teams from Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Italy, Sweden, Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic comprise the field.
"I cannot wait to see the K 1200 R on track racing this weekend at Le Mans," said former 500cc GP star Randy Mamola, a BMW Ambassador. "I have ridden the bike in testing and it is going to provide us with some brilliant racing right from the word go. This BMW K 1200 R is definitely a sport bike that will surprise many people - particularly with the speeds."
As with all BMW Motorrad championships, the prize list is one of the best in the world: A BMW 630i Coupe awaits the winner of the title, with a BMW X3 2.0d and a BMW Motorcycle for second and third places respectively.
The 17 lap Le Mans BMW Power Cup race will take place on Sunday afternoon at 15.30hrs.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
