Michael van der Mark, Markus Reiterberger and Steven Odendaal were responsible for carrying the BMW M 1000 RR to the top of the podium, a result which allowed the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team to ensure the world championship with 158 points, four more than its main tracker.
A title historical for BMW Motorrad
The championship achieved in France represents the first world title of resistance for BMW Motorrad, and also the first championship of a european manufacturer in the history of the FIM EWC.
The result also has a special meaning for the team. A year before, on the same circuit, the square was very close to winning the championship, but a technical problem to less than half an hour in the end it ended up with its possibilities. In 2026, the team returned to the Bol d'or with the goal of closing the story, and managed to do it in the best possible way.
The season began with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the team came to lead for much of the race before losing positions due to technical problems. Subsequently, the BMW M 1000 RR number 37 clinched victory in the 8 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
In the 8 Hours of Suzuka, Van der Mark, Reiterberger and Odendaal added another remarkable result to get the third place. This podium was especially relevant for BMW Motorrad, as it represented the first podium of a european manufacturer in the classic race japanese and allowed the team to reach the last date with a handicap of 19 points in the championship.
Pole position and victory in the Bol d'or
At Le Castellet, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team needed to score the maximum points to give back to the championship. The team began the weekend with the best qualifying time, thanks to the performance of Michael van der Mark and Markus Reiterberger, who secured the pole position with a combined time of 1:50.837.
The strategy continued to operate during the race. The team remained at the front after the first eight and sixteen hours, adding additional points, while the performance of the BMW M 1000 RR to maintain a competitive pace throughout the test.
One of the key elements was the fuel efficiency of the motorcycle, which allowed the team to make fewer pit stops and take advantage of this time saving during the 24 hours of competition.
After you complete the race without any major mishaps, Markus Reiterberger took the checkered flag in first position with the BMW M 1000 RR number 37. The victory not only confirmed the domain of the computer during the weekend, but also ensured the mathematical world championship.
A season that ends with 158 points
With the victory in the Bol d'or, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team finished the season 2026 with 158 points, while the championship was defined by a difference of four units.
The title also represents the first endurance world championship for Michael van der Mark, Markus Reiterberger and Steven Odendaal, as well as to the team manager Werner Daemen.
For BMW Motorrad Motorsport, this result extends in addition to a stage featured in the motorcycling international. After the titles won in the World Championship, world Superbike championship, FIM EWC added a new achievement to the winners of the BMW M 1000 RR.
The combination of speed, efficiency, reliability and team work allowed BMW Motorrad closed the season of resistance with a historical action. The victory at Le Castellet put an end to a championship in which the team was the protagonist from the first few races and became the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team world champion of the FIM EWC 2026.
Source: BMW Group