Werner Daemen: 34 years in the making until his first World Championship title in the EWC

Somehow, Werner Daemen manages, both in the IDM Superbike and the World Endurance Championship, to keep a loose rein whilst, when necessary, bringing everyone back into line with clear instructions, thereby keeping a firm grip on the reins of both teams. In the 2026 Euro Moto Superbike championship – which will be back as the IDM next year – things didn’t go quite as smoothly for Daemen and his riders Markus Reiterberger (D), Hannes Soomer (EST), Jan Mohr (A) and Milan Merckelbagh (NL) as they had in the past. The labour-intensive team has already clinched the title nine times, but this year they played more of a supporting role in the title race. Things went better for Daemen as team manager of BMW’s own endurance team, featuring Reiterberger, Michael Van der Mark (NL) and Steven Odendaal (RSA). There, they clinched the title in September at the EWC finale in Le Castellet.

Werner Daemen, now 55 years old, completed his first laps in 1992 – 34 years ago. “For the first five years, it was just a hobby,” he recalls. “I drove all sorts of things back then. Even hill climbs.” In 1999, the first of four children joined the Daemen family, alongside his wife Wendy. “I built up my racing career brick by brick,” he explains, describing his path to success. “First, I gained experience – you have to go through that; you can’t buy it. Then you need money. At the start, I used to race on a single set of tyres over a World Championship weekend.”

After the Supersport World Championship came the IDM Superbike

Following his time in the Supersport World Championship – during which, amongst other things, he competed against world champion Jörg Teuchert in 2000 – Daemen moved to the IDM for a few more years. In 2009, he also secured the first international victory for the then-new BMW S 1000 RR at the IDM race at the Salzburgring. As a team owner in the IDM and team manager in the EWC, his successes were set to reach even greater heights. “Our collaboration with BMW in endurance racing began in 2019 and continues to this day,” says Daemen. “You need the equipment and the best people, whom you bring in from all over, as well as the best manufacturer. Putting together the best kit also takes time and money. Compared to SERT and YART, as ‘the newcomer’ you first have to prove yourself.”

It’s simply the best team ever.

Werner Daemen

“Last winter, BMW and we as a team took a real step forward,” the Belgian is convinced. “And we had three top riders. When we only finished seventh at Le Mans this year, I still thought for the first time that we could win the World Championship title this year. ‘If we win at Spa,’ I said at the time, ‘then we’ll clinch the title.’ We managed both: victory at Spa and the World Championship title at the 24 Hours of Le Castellet.”

A free hand from the manufacturer

“BMW gave us free rein,” says Daemen. “Of course, the pressure hasn’t let up. The hardware was perfect and we as a team have become such a close-knit unit – I’ve never experienced anything like it before. When we finally crossed the line at the Bol d’Or and secured the title, I was already happy. But I didn’t go completely over the top.” When talking about his wife, his son Indy and his mother – all three of whom were there when he won the title – Daemen does have to fight back the tears to clear the lump in his throat. “It was certainly emotional when I saw the three of them. It’s been a long journey. My mum was always very worried when I was still racing myself. My family also had to do without me a lot – whether it was holidays, a First Communion or a school play. I was often absent, and everything took a back seat to the goal.”

Anyone who meets Daemen’s mother knows where the team boss gets his energy from. The two of them can easily get through a 24-hour race without closing their eyes for even five minutes. His son Indy, now 27 years old, is responsible for everything to do with timing in the EWC team. “It’s been a long journey,” says the family man. “Now I can say, ‘I’ve done this and built it up myself.’”

Daemen ist stets an der Seite seiner Fahrer

Foto: Teerink

“Mandy Kainz was the first person in France to congratulate me,” reports Daemen, “that was lovely.” And it wasn’t a given. After all, Daemen and his lads had knocked the Kainz-led YART team off their throne. “Even at our last dinner together before the Bol d’Or, I said to my lads,” Daemen reveals, “we can do this. We just have to be the fastest in every session and keep the pressure on. Even during the midnight race. Because that’s when a lot of people get tired. It’s simply the worst time in a 24-hour race, but that’s when you make up ground.” His team stuck to the plan and it paid off. “It’s simply the best team ever.”