Markus Reiterberger (BMW): “I had a choice: tyre barrier or gravel trap”

Markus Reiterberger arrived at the final race of the season riding a wave of success and brimming with confidence. A week earlier, the Bavarian from the Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team had clinched the title in the EWC Endurance World Championship alongside his teammates. Despite a lack of sleep and the championship celebrations, Reiterberger arrived at Hockenheim well-rested and improved with every practice session. In Superpole, everything then came together perfectly and, with a time of 1:24.198, the BMW rider ended up unassailable at the top. The final pole position went to Reiterberger and his crew.

“To be honest, I couldn’t have imagined this lap time beforehand,” he revealed. “I’d been expecting something around the mid-1.24s. But we’ve worked a lot on the bike’s geometry, and in the right direction. We made really great progress from Friday to Saturday, and then everything just clicked on that one lap. I think a 1:23 minute lap would also be possible, but everything would really have to be perfect for that. Of course, I’m in good spirits too. The World Championship title and now all these people here at the track. My fan club is here as well – it’s all just brilliant.”

First race, second win

In the first race, Reiterberger then showed himself at his best. He planned his attack meticulously, took the lead with a neat overtaking manoeuvre and secured his second victory of the season – which is drawing to a close – following his win at Brno. “The pole position and the win – that was almost perfect.”

The second race, however, was more of a show for the spectators. Reiterberger got off to a perfect start, led the field… and skidded into the gravel trap at the Parabolica. He fought his way back onto the track through the gravel and chased after the field, 18 seconds behind. With top lap times that would easily have been enough for a top position, the BMW rider fought his way back into the action lap after lap. He finished in 10th place.

“I wanted to pull away right from the start,” said Reiterberger, explaining his plan. “Then I simply braked too hard and too late, and was left with a choice between the gravel trap and the tyre barrier. I opted for the gravel trap. Yeah, that went pear-shaped. But I’ve done over 1,000 laps here and over the last week, so a mistake can happen now and then. I feel sorry for my team. It could still have been a win.”

And now it’s time for a proper celebration.

Markus Reiterberger

“Apart from that, it was a really great, but also very exhausting, weekend here at the Hockenheimring,” he revealed afterwards. “It’s absolutely mad how many people were there to support me. The emotions were very intense this week. First the World Championship title in the Endurance World Championship, then the brilliant reception in my home town of Obing, then so many people who came to congratulate me here at the Hockenheimring too, wanting to chat to me or express their appreciation. There really was a lot going on. I’m really pleased that we ultimately managed to make it onto the overall podium in Euro Moto as well, finishing in third place. My team really is the best, and I’d like to thank them for never giving up and for always finding something that helped me. I really appreciate that. And now it’s time to have a proper celebration.”