BMW steps back WSB factory effort

BMW ITALIA has been promoted to the factory team in World Superbikes as the German manufacturer announces that it will scale back its efforts in 2013.

The 'strategic realignment' will see BMW Motorrad Italia take responsibility for the factory race and test team, alongside chassis development. Whereas BMW will maintain responsibility for the power train and electronics in Munich.

BMW entered the WSB championship in 2009 in partnership with Alpha Racing and the S1000RR. Three years on BMW are having their best season ever, as Marco Melandri has given the German manufacturer their first victories in the championship.

Melandri, has a multiple-year contract in place with BMW, but where this leaves the other riders after this surprise announcement is uncertain. Leon Haslam and the current Italia riders Michel Fabrizio and Ayrton Badovini will be left to fight over the remaining seat, along with Carlos Checa who has expressed interest in joining the Italian BMW squad.

However, could this announcement be setting a precedent that BMW will be making a shift to the MotoGP series with its own factory effort in the near future?