BMW Motorrad Signs Top Riders Knight, Salminen and Tarkkala

Well positioned for the Enduro competitions in 2009.

Munich. BMW Motorrad will be entering the 2009 World Enduro Championship (WEC) with an impressive line-up of top riders: David Knight, Juha Salminen and Marko Tarkkala will strengthen the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team.

In the 2008 season BMW Motorrad entered all eight rounds of the world's toughest off-road motorcycle championship for the first time with the G 450 X. The bar will be raised even further in 2009.

Three top riders will enrich the team with their vast experience, high level of motivation and a strong will to succeed:

The Briton David Knight, two-time World Enduro Champion as well as two-time US Grand National Cross Country title winner. Knight is also known as being "the king of extreme enduros" with victories at the Erzberg Rodeo, the Indoor Enduro World Cup, Last Man Standing, Hell's Gate and more.

And the two Flying Finns Juha Salminen - seventeen times WEC World Champion, multiple USA, German, Spanish, Australian and Finnish Enduro Champion as well as multiple Finnish and European motocross and trial champion title winner and Marko Tarkkala, runner-up in class E3 of the WEC 2008, double Finnish Enduro Champion.

The BMW Motorrad factory enduro team will be one of the strongest teams at the World Enduro Championship in 2009 - a force to be reckoned with.

The final decision who will represent the strengthened off-road-team with its current riders Anders Eriksson, Jeff Goblet and Simo Kirssi in certain classes and competitions will be announced later.

It is for sure, that BMW Motorrad will take part in the Enduro world championship WEC as well as in the XCC Europe. Additionally it is planned to enter some runs of the US GNCC series.

In 2009 Andreas Lettenbichler and Gerhard Forster will once again be in the line-up for a number of demanding Extreme Enduro races, including some genuine classics and off-road treats.

David Knight:

"Like any rider you have to truly believe in both your machinery and team to perform at your best, and I have absolute faith in BMW. It's an exciting time for everyone involved. Working with new people and developing and racing what will start out as a new bike to me is no small challenge. But I know that my commitment is matched by that of BMW. The fact that I will be racing for BMW on my return to the WEC is what really makes everything so exciting for me. My motivation to win is as strong as ever, and I know BMW are every bit as serious about winning as I am."

Juha Salminen:

"I think everyone can see just how committed and serious BMW are to their new G 450 X and the WEC. Personally, I am really looking forward to this new time in my career. The progress that the team and engineers have made in two years is amazing. What's great for me is the fact that although BMW is a huge and experienced company the enduro team is still young. I know they will listen to my ideas, and the ideas of all the team riders, which will help us all perform at our best. It is also a genuine factory team, which means we will be able to develop our bikes exactly as we want them. It's going to be an exciting season next year."

Marko Tarkkala:

"I am really looking forward to this new challenge. With a new bike, new team, and new people it's a very exciting time for me, and with hard work over the winter I'm looking forward to a great year in '09. The BMW bike has shown that it is extremely competitive so I can't wait to start racing it. It will also be good to be back working with Kari Tiainen. He's a good friend and has always helped me, so I'm looking forward to working with him again."

Peter Müller (Executive Vice President Development and Model Series):

"We learned a lot in the 2008 season and have continuously enhanced and improved the G 450 X. Our ambition was to reach the podium and we achieved this goal. Now, after the first complete season in the World Enduro Championship, the bike has reached a point where everything is possible. We are confident that we will cause a stir as we will have one of the strongest teams in the 2009 WEC series."

Berti Hauser (Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport):

"It really is a great honour to announce David, Juha and Marko as our new team riders. I think it is clear to see how serious BMW is about competing at the very highest level with our G 450 X. With such proven riders joining us we are looking forward to a successful and enjoyable '09 World Enduro Championship campaign. I have personally been fortunate enough to see all three of our new riders in action during both this season and last. I have witnessed David winning in the US GNCC series and all three riders competing in the World Enduro Championship, as well as at Erzberg. Each will bring something unique to the team, but all share the same common goal - that of wanting to win."

"Competition has never been higher in the WEC, which makes it increasingly challenging for both riders and teams to be successful.

Throughout '08 The BMW Motorrad Motorsport team gained valuable experience in many different areas. In '09 the WEC will present many challenges, but I am confident that BMW will be one of the strongest teams. These are exciting times for BMW."

2009 World Enduro Championship

Round 1 Portugal, Penafiel March 21-22

Round 2 Spain, Igualada March 28-29

Round 3 Italy, Iglesias April 18-19

Round 4 Finland, Riihimaki June 13-14

Round 5 Slovakia, Puchov June 20-21

Round 6 Mexico, Valle del Bravo July 18-19

Round 7 Greece, Serres August 29-30

Round 8 France, St Flour September 12-13