Andy Gerlich and Martin Vugrinec discuss their shared Superbike future

“It was good to be back at Euro Moto,” was the headline Martin Vugrinec gave to his guest appearance at the Nürburgring with the BMW from the BCC team. The Croatian had raced for Oliver Skach’s Kawasaki team the previous year. The partnership came to an end, somewhat acrimoniously, whilst the season was still underway. At the end of the year, Skach shut down his own racing team and now oversees operations in the two Kawasaki Cups, which form part of the Euro Moto support programme. Vugrinec focused on his own company and worked as an instructor.

Andy Gerlich’s Team BCC Heilbronn was also absent from the starting grid this year. Last year, they were still competing with Max Schmidt. Their results were not particularly impressive. At the end of the year, the pair decided not to continue their partnership. “I then had a deal with another rider for this year,” Gerlich revealed. “But it was difficult to juggle all the commitments. I was in casual contact with Martin at the time. But one thing was clear to me: I needed someone who knew their way around the IDM – now Euro Moto – circuits.”

Martin Vugrinec mischt wieder mit

Foto: Thorsten Horn

After the Nürburgring comes Hockenheim

At the Nürburgring, Gerlich and Vugrinec explored what a future together might look like. “I really enjoyed the weekend at the Nürburgring,” said Vugrinec, who finished 10th and 11th after his long break from Euro Moto. “It was undoubtedly tough, but we’ve shown that with the right people, good equipment and focus, you can achieve so much. First and foremost, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Andy and the BCC Heilbronn team, who gave me this opportunity and believed in my potential. Gergo, the data technician, also played a major part in this performance, as he not only helped us find the right set-up, but also calmed me down when I was under pressure and said the right words at the right moment.”

“If someone had told me on Friday,” said Vugrinec, “that I’d be lapping the entire race distance in times in the 1:24s, I’d have thought they were mad. We were up against very experienced riders and teams in the field. I’m proud that I didn’t panic in difficult situations and that I improved steadily from session to session without making any major mistakes. And there’s still so much I need to learn about this bike...”

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“The lap times in Euro Moto Superbike are getting faster and faster,” Gerlich is also well aware. “With his qualifying time at the Nürburgring, Martin would have been on the front row of the grid last year. It’s getting harder and harder for the teams and the lads out on the track. Every crash doesn’t make the motorbike any better, and it’s also a question of calculation. The improvement is partly down to the technology, but you also need a bit of luck. You can put the best rider on it, but he’s got to be mentally up to it as well. I sometimes ask myself that, even when I’m watching MotoGP. How do those lads cope with it? The pressure at this level. You’ve got to be able to handle it.”

Making plans for 2027

“Everything went smoothly with Martin at the Nürburgring,” confirmed Gerlich. “He makes it clear exactly what he wants.” Gerlich and Vugrinec also plan to compete together in the Euro Moto finale at the Hockenheimring on the last weekend in September. “It’s a fifty-fifty arrangement. So that it works out realistically and nobody feels they’re getting a raw deal. I’d actually rebuilt the motorbike from scratch for this year. Until now, it’s been on display in our showroom. My customers were delighted – they love seeing things like that.”

“It was also really lovely to be given such a warm welcome in the Euro Moto paddock. I felt right at home,” explained Vugrinec. “I’m already looking forward to Hockenheim.” According to Gerlich, discussions are also continuing there regarding a possible partnership for the 2027 Euro Moto season.