BCC team manager Andreas Gerlich had been saying for several weeks that they had signed a fast rider from Bavaria. Speculation had been running in several directions. As of today, it’s official: Luca Grünwald will be riding the BCC-BMW in the IDM Superbike class in 2024. The contract has been signed.
Grünwald, 29, had already driven from Waldkraiburg to Heilbronn in February to meet with team boss Andreas Gerlich and sign the contract. “It took me three and a half hours to get there, and while I was at it, I took a look around the entire workshop,” says the Bavarian. There’s a reason why the official announcement of the deal took so long. First, all the sponsors had to be finalized, and the name of the new team had to be discussed. It’s now called the BCC-alpha-Ilmberger-Racing Team. Grünwald is the number one driver on the five-man squad, which is not affiliated with Werner Daemen’s factory team.
KTM test rider Grünwald is expected to perform well upon his return as a full-time IDM rider after recovering from the leg injury he sustained just under two years ago, even though he hasn’t raced on a track since September 2023. His racing activities last year were limited to the World Endurance Championship with Team Pitlane Endurance #86, as well as his two appearances as a substitute rider for Kawasaki Weber Motos Racing in the IDM Superbike class. At the legendary Bol d’Or, he finished third with his team.
“I hope to finish somewhere between first and fifth place with him on the BMW Superbike,” says Andreas Gerlich. And Luca Grünwald is just as optimistic when he says: “I’m feeling good. I think the package works. As far as the bike goes, there’s no question about it. And if it takes a little while to get there, so be it.” The first test with the BMW M 1000 RR isn’t scheduled until late April, before the IDM season opener kicks off on the first weekend of May at the Sachsenring.
So far, Grünwald has been keeping in shape on his Supermoto bike. He just returned from Italy yesterday after spending a week there with his training partner, Björn Stuppi.
