The highlight of the third Sunday of Advent and a wonderful surprise. Team GERT56, featuring Toni Finsterbusch and Jan-Ole Jähnig, is welcoming a high-profile new member. After numerous successes in the Motorcycle World Championship, Marcel Schrötter is returning to his home turf and will race for BMW in the Superbike EURO MOTO class in 2026.
In 2008 and 2009, Marcel Schrötter won the 125cc class title in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) on a Honda. The Bavarian rider, who was mentored by five-time world champion Toni Mang, was the first rider since Alfred Waibel in 1988 to successfully defend his 125cc title. In addition, he was crowned European Champion in 2009.
He had already made his debut at the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring in 2008. He started as a wild card rider and immediately scored three World Championship points with a 13th-place finish. In 2009, Schrötter qualified for fourth on the grid in the same race under wet conditions. He finished the race in twelfth place.
Fifteen years around the globe
The move to the World Championship was the logical next step. Between 2010 and 2025, Schrötter competed in the 125cc World Championship, Moto3, Moto2, and ultimately the Supersport World Championship. Schrötter was a consistent fixture on the Grand Prix circuit for years. However, he achieved his greatest triumph in 2023 when he finished third overall in the Supersport World Championship.
“At first I thought Marcel had dialed the wrong number, but I quickly realized that this likable and friendly Bavarian fits well into our team structure,” enthuses GERT56 team boss Karsten Wolf about his new recruit. Schrötter responds: “After so many years on the World Championship circuit, I’m going to enjoy this environment and contribute as much as possible to the development of the overall project.”
“With Toni Finsterbusch, I have someone with a similarly long track record by my side and who’s the same age—so we’re already on the same page. And Jan-Ole Jähnig has significantly more Superbike experience at a younger age than I do,” says Schrötter, now 32, as he approaches the project with optimism. I’m especially looking forward to the IDM because being so close to home gives me more opportunities to connect directly with fans and partners. I hope they take full advantage of the opportunities to visit, the open paddock, and the exciting races. Although I know all the tracks, I haven’t been to some of them in a while and still need to put in a few test laps here and there.”
Second commitment already confirmed
Crew Chief Ronny Schlieder hints: “With our new suspension partner Öhlins, we have state-of-the-art equipment of the highest caliber. Electronically, we’re in top shape thanks to the BMW MRCK electronics kit.”
Schrötter will not only compete in the Euro Moto races, but he will also be part of the ERC Endurance team in the World Endurance Championship. It has been agreed with the ERC Endurance team management that this commitment takes precedence in terms of scheduling.
