BMW Motorrad Makes History with FIM EWC World Championship Triumph
Le Castellet, France – 20 September 2026 – BMW Motorrad has reached the summit of the FIM Endurance World Championship, with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team securing the 2026 World Championship title aboard the #37 BMW M 1000 RR.
The achievement marks a historic milestone for the manufacturer, as BMW Motorrad becomes the first European manufacturer to win the FIM EWC World Championship.
The title was secured in spectacular fashion at the legendary Bol d’Or 24-hour race at Circuit Paul Ricard, where Michael van der Mark, Markus Reiterberger and South Africa’s Steven Odendaal delivered a dominant victory to complete BMW Motorrad’s championship campaign in style.
After 24 trouble-free hours, Reiterberger brought the #37 BMW M 1000 RR across the finish line in first place, triggering emotional celebrations throughout the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.
For Team Manager Werner Daemen and the three riders, it was also their first FIM EWC World Championship title.
Redemption at Le Castellet
The triumph carried particular significance after the heartbreak suffered at the same circuit one year earlier.
In 2025, BMW Motorrad had looked set to claim the championship before a technical failure struck less than 30 minutes from the end of the Bol d’Or, ending their title hopes.
Twelve months later, the team returned to Le Castellet with the same ultimate objective – but this time there would be no late drama.
The BMW M 1000 RR completed the 24-hour finale without major problems, while the team executed a near-perfect race to secure maximum points and overturn its championship deficit.
A season of consistency
BMW Motorrad’s 2026 FIM EWC campaign demonstrated the strength of its factory operation across all four rounds.
At the opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, the #37 BMW led deep into the race before problems forced the team to drop back.
The response came at the 8 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where Van der Mark, Reiterberger and Odendaal took victory.
At the Suzuka 8 Hours, the trio added another historic result by finishing third. The podium was significant for BMW Motorrad as it represented the first podium for a European manufacturer at the Japanese endurance classic.
Heading into the Bol d’Or, BMW had reduced its championship deficit to YART Yamaha to just 19 points.
That left BMW as the chasing team in France – and the team knew it needed to deliver.
Pole position and a dominant Bol d’Or
Van der Mark, who joined the factory endurance team as a full-time rider for 2026 and had never previously raced at Le Castellet, set the fastest individual qualifying time.
Combined with Reiterberger’s qualifying performance, BMW secured pole position and five valuable championship points.
The team then led the race at both the eight-hour and 16-hour marks, adding another 10 points before completing the full 24-hour distance in first place for a further 40 points.
The performance of the BMW M 1000 RR was a key factor throughout the race. Its combination of performance, reliability and fuel efficiency allowed the team to make fewer pit stops than its rivals, saving valuable time over the course of the 24 hours.
YART Yamaha Official EWC Team finished third, leaving BMW with a four-point advantage in the final World Championship standings.
2026 FIM EWC World Championship standings
- BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team – 158 points
- YART Yamaha Official EWC Team – 154 points
- Yoshimura SERT Motul – 137 points
- Kawasaki Webike Trickstar – 105 points
- AutoRace Ube Racing Team – 64 points
BMW Motorrad’s first endurance World Championship
The title adds another major achievement to BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s recent success.
Following WorldSBK championship success, BMW Motorrad has now added the FIM EWC crown to its collection, with the M 1000 RR proving itself across multiple forms of international motorcycle racing.
BMW Motorrad Head Markus Flasch congratulated the entire factory operation, describing the achievement as another milestone for the manufacturer.
“The third World Championship title for our BMW M 1000 RR within three years, and another milestone for BMW Motorrad,” said Flasch. “After the two WorldSBK titles, we are now World Champions in endurance racing as the first European manufacturer.”
BMW Motorrad Motorsport Head Sven Blusch highlighted the collective effort behind the championship, praising the riders, engineers, mechanics and everyone involved with the project.
He also paid tribute to Daemen and the rider trio of Van der Mark, Reiterberger and Odendaal, describing them as a team that consistently put the interests of the overall operation first.
Building the team
For Werner Daemen, the championship represents the culmination of years of development since BMW Motorrad entered the FIM EWC factory effort for the 2019/20 season.
Daemen acknowledged the challenge of competing against Japanese manufacturers with decades of endurance racing experience, but said BMW Motorrad had progressively developed not only a competitive motorcycle, but also a world-class team.
“We didn’t just build the best motorcycle, we also built the best team,” said Daemen.
That combination finally delivered the championship BMW had been chasing.
Riders celebrate historic achievement
Van der Mark, who played a crucial role throughout the season, said the team had taken another step forward in 2026.
The Dutchman highlighted the strong relationship between himself, Reiterberger and Odendaal, as well as the team’s ability to recover from the disappointment at Le Mans.
“We had to take pole position and win – and that’s exactly what we did,” said Van der Mark.
For Reiterberger, the championship was particularly emotional after the disappointment of 2025.
“Finally, we have done it,” he said. “Last year we had a bit of bad luck, so I was a little nervous during the final stint, but in the end, it worked out.”
South Africa’s Steven Odendaal also reflected on the significance of the achievement after the team’s near-miss the previous year.
“To lose it the way we did last year was simply heartbreaking. That makes winning it this year all the more special,” said Odendaal.
A new chapter for BMW Motorrad
The 2026 FIM EWC World Championship represents the culmination of BMW Motorrad’s factory endurance programme and another landmark achievement for the BMW M 1000 RR.
From the disappointment of Le Castellet in 2025 to championship glory at the same circuit 12 months later, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team has completed a remarkable journey.
With Van der Mark, Reiterberger and Odendaal delivering victory at the Bol d’Or, BMW Motorrad can now officially call itself FIM Endurance World Champion – and the first European manufacturer to achieve the feat.
Picture Credits: BMW Motoradd / BMW Motoradd Motorsport