Tears of joy streamed down their faces, and everyone could see them. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team was ecstatic. In the season-ending 24-hour race, the prestigious Bol d’Or in Le Castellet, riders Michael van der Mark (NED), Markus Reiterberger (GER), and Steven Odendaal (RSA), riding the BMW M 1000 RR, not only secured a dominant victory but also made history: They clinched the first world championship title for a European manufacturer in the FIM EWC. This also means that Reiti will arrive at the EURO MOTO finale in Hockenheim as the new EWC champion.
Four points make all the difference
Pole position and victory: It was a perfect weekend for the three drivers at the season’s final 24-hour race. At Le Castellet, the team had only one goal: to arrive in second place, 19 points behind, and leave in first. It worked out perfectly. Van der Mark, who joined the team as a regular driver this season and had never driven on the French track before, was the fastest in qualifying. Based on the combined best lap times, he and Reiterberger secured pole position and, with it, five championship points. Leading the race after 8 and 16 hours earned them ten more points. The victory was worth another 40 points.
After 24 trouble-free hours, Reiterberger—cheered on frenetically by his team at the pit wall—crossed the finish line first in the #37 car. Rival Yamaha Austria Racing Team finished the race in third place and was thus beaten by four points in the World Championship standings.
BMW boasts that the M1000 RR's fuel consumption was lower than that of its competitors. For the team, that meant fewer pit stops. After 742 laps of 5.673 kilometers each at the Circuit Paul Ricard, it was crowned world champion.
Just a year ago, a tragedy had unfolded at this very spot. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team already had the world championship trophy firmly in its grasp. But less than half an hour before crossing the finish line, a technical failure shattered all their dreams. Tears of disappointment had flowed. In 2026, everything is different. This time, the team let their tears of joy flow freely.
“To then go on to win that incredibly exciting final race is truly something special for us. After two consecutive world championship titles in Superbike, winning the Endurance title now marks another chapter for us at BMW Motorrad Motorsport. I believe we’re still just getting started; we want to continue making history, and we’ve now laid the foundation for that,” said Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, enthusiastically.
Thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, and Waldi
“I can hardly put into words how we feel right now,” Reiterberger said, completely exhausted but still full of energy after the race. “I’m so grateful to everyone. Ever since I started this sport as a four-year-old boy, my only dream has been to become world champion someday. Now we’ve finally done it. I want to thank everyone who has always had my back all these years—who has caught me when I fell, supported me, and repeatedly encouraged me to keep holding on to my goal—especially my parents, but also my friends, my whole family, my supporters, sponsors, and helpers, and everyone who is a part of this dream. I’d like to dedicate this world championship title to all of them, but especially to my grandparents and Waldi. Thank you.”