SBK, Bongers: "Toprak has a winner’s mentality but he couldn’t do magic without a bike that’s up to the task"

Perhaps it’s premature to say mission accomplished, but BMW heads into the first weekend of the 2024 SBK season as favourites, thanks largely to the man brought in to turn the German manufacturer’s fortunes around - Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Opting for a high-level rider is nothing new for BMW, the manufacturer having hired Scott Redding just two years ago, but the main difference now looks to be the overall commitment, the arrival of a top rider combined with the creation of a new test team – with riders of the caliber of Sylvain Guintoli and Bradley Smith – and a new technical director, or rather Christian Gonschor, a key figure back in BMW’s golden years in Superbike, when only a touch of bad luck and a few mistakes too many prevented the German manufacturer and Marco Melandri from securing their first title in the category. We talked about all this and more with Marc Bongers, director of the BMW motorsport department.

Marc, you ended 2023 with no podiums and now, less than six months later, various people in the paddock believe you’re ready to win the title. Did you expect this?

“I think when Toprak signed, there was the expectation that the package would improve, also in terms of bike development. We weren’t satisfied with last year’s results, which didn’t reflect our worth. It would be great to really be in the mix, and it’s nice that people see us as title contenders, but I’ll need confirmation before I can be sure (he smiles). I’m confident of course, considering Toprak has immediately got the best out of the bike”.

How much of this growth is down to the bike, and how much is down to Toprak?

“As always, it’s all about putting the pieces together, like a puzzle. BMW’s increased commitment is starting to bear fruit. If the bike wasn’t high-performing, Toprak wouldn’t be able to do his magic, despite being a top rider. I don’t want to discredit the other BMW riders, though Toprak has perhaps been able to get the best out of the bike, and as a result his fellow riders have tried to do the same”.

What has struck you most about Toprak?

“When you see his data, it’s impressive what he’s able to do, but the thing that strikes me most is his mental approach. He knows he can win, he’s a very positive person and he transmits this positivity to the team. So his attitude, which is very important in this sport.”

Bongers on the other BMW riders, the test team and Phillip Island

The other BMW riders seem to have been spurred on by Toprak’s arrival. What do you think?

“I don’t want to say that the other riders have only realized now that they need to push. Van Der Mark is coming from a year of injuries, Redding didn’t find the ideal situation on the factory team and is now with Bonovo, while Garrett showed he can be quick towards the end of 2023, though was sometimes unlucky. I think they’re all in a good place now, and Toprak’s performance has given them all a little extra motivation”.

What are new technical director Christian Gonschor's first impressions?

“Chris has been part of the project for a long time, but this new role of his is definitely helping to grow the project. The bike is not lacking in speed, I don’t think, but we need to find the way to perform consistently at every track. The current format doesn’t give us much time to find a good base over the course of the weekend, so we need to be able to arrive at the track with a package that works immediately, everywhere.”

When do you think the test team will bring results?

“We’ve already seen some improvements. Guintoli and Smith have already made some selections in terms of new parts During testing we had various aerodynamics solutions, for example, and the test riders tried them and gave us their feedback. We have a certain degree of freedom in terms of testing with the factory riders right now, but we don’t count on having that advantage for long, so the role of the test team will become more important during the course of the season”.

Expectations for Phillip Island?

“We can be nothing but confident after the tests. There are doubts as to the duration of the tyres, but I’m sure that we can show our stuff. I don’t want to say any more, but we’re ready.”