The highlight of the third Sunday of Advent and a wonderful surprise. The GERT56 team, 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 125-cc class title in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) riding a Honda. The Bavarian, who was sponsored by five-time world champion Toni Mang, was the first rider since Alfred Waibel in 1988 to successfully defend his 125-cc title. He was also 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 by finishing 13th. 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
Making the full leap into 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. 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.
“At first I thought Marcel had dialed the wrong number, but I quickly realized that this likable and friendly Bavarian fits right into our team dynamic,” says GERT56 team boss Karsten Wolf, raving about his new recruit. Schrötter responds: “After so many years on the World Championship circuit, I’m going to enjoy this new environment and do my best to contribute to the development of the entire project.”
“With Toni Finsterbusch, I have someone by my side with a similarly long track record and who’s the same age as me—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’ll 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 quite a while and still need to log a few test kilometers 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 perfectly equipped 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 priority in terms of scheduling.
