Podium success for Husqvarna and Salminen at EWC GP of Greece
BMW Husqvarna Motorsport rider Juha Salminen has made a successful return to racing after injury, claiming a runner-up result in the Enduro 2 class on day two of the GP of Greece. In doing so Juha gave Husqvarna’s new TE449 machine it’s first world championship podium result. Returning to action having been forced to sit out rounds three, four and five of the ’10 EWC series following a foot injury, Salminen wasted no time in getting himself and his new machine up to speed and after placing a strong fourth in class on day one placed as a deserved runner-up on day two.
With temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius during both days of competition at the sixth round of the ’10 Enduro World Championship the Greek event proved to be one of the championship’s toughest to date. But for Salminen the extreme heat and dry conditions were no problem as the former seven-time world champion made light work of the event’s varied and challenging special tests. Just over one-minute behind class winner Ivan Cervantes on day one Juha upped his game on day two to move to the second step of the podium and marked his return to racing in no uncertain terms.
Marko Tarkkala also delivered strong results for the BMW Husqvarna Motorsport team in Greece placing just outside the top 10 on day one and then in sixth on day two. Bad luck prevented Marko from finishing higher up the E2 class results on day one as the Finn damaged his rear brake lever on one of the extreme tests, which hampered his performance and lost him precious time. Bouncing back on day two Marko placed a strong sixth.
The BMW Husqvarna Motorsport team will next be in action in the Enduro World Championship at the GP of Turkey, which takes place on September 4/5.

Juha Salminen – Enduro 2 class: ‘I’m pretty pleased with the way I’ve ridden this weekend. Firstly, it was good to be back racing again after such a long time off. The foot that I injured didn’t give me any problems, but I certainly know I’ve ridden for two long days. The heat wasn’t really a problem for me but the dust was pretty bad in places. I found it really difficult on the first lap on day one as I had to find my rhythm again. Once I was comfortable I could start pushing harder. I made a few small mistakes during the first lap on day two but otherwise everything went well. I had a good result on day two here last year and again this year it’s been a good second day. Hopefully I can continue that in Turkey next weekend.’

Marko Tarkkala – Enduro 2 class: ‘Although my result from day one wasn’t so good generally I didn’t have such a bad day. My one big problem was that I hit my rear brake pedal on something on one of the extreme tests and bent it really badly. I bent it underneath the foot peg and lost quite a lot of time. Apart from that the day went ok. It was very hot but it wasn’t a problem for me. Day two was better. I made some small mistakes but I think all riders did on the enduro test. The important thing was to improve my result, which I did with sixth.’

2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Greece – Day 1

Enduro 2
1. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 54.57:82; 2. Mika Ahola (Honda) 54.59:07; 3. Pierre-Alexandre Renet (KTM) 56.09:14; 4. Juha Salminen (BMW Husqvarna Motorsport) 56.14:50; 5. Rodrig Thain (TM) 56.21:98; 6. Oscar Balletti (Honda) 56.51:33; 7. Fabrizio Dini (Beta) 57.05:76; 8. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 57.13:76; 9. Marc Bourgeois (Husqvarna) 57.15:17; 10. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 57.25:11; 11. Marko Tarkkala (BMW Husqvarna Motorsport) 57.48:79; 12. Hans Vogels (Husaberg) 58.21:59; 13. Jordi Figueras (Gas Gas) 58.26:66; 14. Fabien Planet (Sherco) 58.35:39; 15. Jeff Goblet (Yamaha) 58.49:34; 16. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 59.19.52; 17. Stamatios Mantas (KTM) 1:07.25:22; 18. Dimitris Tsakatasonis (KTM) 1:10.11:75; 19. Elefterios Panetis (Husaberg) 1.15:29.43

2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Greece – Day 2

Enduro 2
1. Mika Ahola (Honda) 53.22:16; 2. Juha Salminen (BMW Husqvarna Motorsport) 55.01:89; 3. Pierre Alexandre Renet (KTM) 55.26:85; 4. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 55.39:45; 5. Oscar Balletti (Honda) 55.42:24; 6. Marko Tarkkala (BMW Husqvarna Motorsport) 55.46:52; 7. Hans Vogels (Husaberg) 56.19:58; 8. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 56.35:81; 9 Fabien Planet (Sherco) 57.05:34; 10. Jordi Figueras (Gas Gas) 57.13:73; 11. Fabrizio Dini (Beta) 57.16:61; 12. Jeff Goblet (Yamaha) 57.30:84; 13. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 57.34:05; 14. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 58.35:11; 15. Marc Bourgeois (Husqvarna) 58.40:94; 16. Elefterios Panetis (Husaberg) 1:10.54:42

Three wins and a lap record for Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad at Cadwell Park

Sporadic rain, high winds and a broken thumb couldn't stop Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad as the team leave Cadwell Park with three race wins, a new Superstock 1000 lap record and a 48-point BSB-EVO championship lead.

Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad's Superstock 1000 rider Richard Cooper returned to racing with a bang at Cadwell Park following a three-race break to recover from an arm pump operation. The Nottinghamshire lad rode his BMW S 1000 RR hard to secure his first Superstock pole position on Saturday and followed it up with his first Superstock win of the season - despite racing with what turned out to be a painfully broken thumb from his wind-assisted fall in qualifying.

Richard got a good start and held onto second place behind fellow BMW rider Jon Kirkham until lap five when he got a good drive out of Barn to pass at Coppice, leading the race until the chequered flag fell.

The icing on the cake came when Cooper smashed the class lap record not once but twice - becoming the first Superstock rider to break the 1.30 barrier with a stunning 1.29.956 on lap six. The Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race ended with four BMW S 1000 RRs in the top five

Richard Cooper said: "It's been a mega comeback weekend! I don't think you could have written it. The team have been so supportive over the six weeks I've been off and I owe a massive thank you to BMW Motorrad and the team. I had to deliver something in return for that - and we've done it in the best way possible!

"To take my first Superstock win and a second for the team is a fantastic outcome - me and Tristan now have one apiece - and to take the lap record really just topped the weekend off. Thanks again to everyone involved. Oh, I've just been to the medical centre for an x-ray of my thumb, turns out I broke it in yesterday's crash! Oh well!"

Fellow Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad Superstock rider Tristan Palmer fought hard on a brand new bike and took fifth place, which sees him move ahead of Howard Mainwaring to secure second place in the championship behind BMW rider Jon Kirkham - who extended his championship lead to 65 points.

Tristan Palmer said: "I'm quite happy - but a little disappointed because we qualified third and had been hoping to be battling for the win. But considering we've had to build the bike in only seven days, it was a good performance. We'll keep refining the bike and have it just right for Croft in two weeks time. And I've strengthened my second place in the championship which is not a bad spot to be in."

Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO rider Steve Brogan secured a double victory - and the much-desired championship lead. Race one went smoothly with Brogan building an early lead and winning with a 0.8s gap on second-placed rider Gary Johnson.

Race two was two-thirds complete, with Brogan and Johnson battling up through the overall standings. On lap nine, the Liverpudlian rider managed to overtake Walker and put another rider between him and EVO challenger Johnson - but the AIM Suzuki rider soon closed the gap. But the race was brought to an early close when a highsided exiting the chicane and the race red flagged - giving Brogan his second EVO win of the day. Steve now has a 48-point lead in the championship.

Steve Brogan said: "I had fun in the first race - it was nice and straightforward! I got off to a cracking start enjoyed dicing with Adam Jenkinson and Chris Walker. I was chasing Chris down and trying to have him, but he kept his pace and I didn't quite get there. But it's great to add those 25 points to my total.

"In the second race I had what was probably my worst start ever - Gary Johnson got away and got a lead of a few seconds. I put in three or four very quick laps and caught then passed him. Around then I started to feel a really bad vibration, and thought it may have been a puncture, but the tyre pressure didn't seem to go down. I wondered if it was a wheel weight gone missing - it was getting worse and worse as the race went on, but thankfully the red flag came out and the race was over - and I had my second win of the day.

"It was nice to have a bit of good luck for a change - especially after the puncture and being knocked off at Brands Hatch - and it's great to walk away with a near 50-point lead. The championship is well within our reach now."

Team Manager Bernie Toleman said: "It's been another fantastic weekend. Richard Cooper has rejoined the team after having his arms unraveled by a Belgian surgeon. We knew he could deliver but we didn't put any pressure on him to deliver... but to say he's delivered is an understatement really! Pole position to win - it doesn't really get any better than that. Tristan Palmer, our second Superstock rider, was on a bike that's only eight days old. There are a few things to work out with it, but he qualified on the front row and came home in fifth - good show.

Steve Brogan on our EVO bike once again won both races in his class. The dedication of the team and the hours they put in seem to know no limits. It's been an incredible weekend - if you could bottle an experience to enjoy again and again, this would be the one to keep!"

Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race results

1 - Richard Cooper (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
2 - Jon Kirkham (Clarks BMW)
3 - Glen Richards (Padgetts Honda)
4 - Jimmy Storrar (BMW Jimmy Storrar Racing)
5 - Tristan Palmer (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)

Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO race one results

1 - Steve Brogan (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
2 - Gary Johnson (AIM Suzuki)
3 - Pauli Pekkanen (777RR Motorsport Suzuki)
4 - David Johnson (Becsport Suzuki)
5 - Craig Fitzpatrick (Close Print Honda)

Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO race two results

1 - Steve Brogan (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
2 - Gary Johnson (AIM Suzuki)
3 - Pauli Pekkanen (777RR Motorsport Suzuki)
4 - David Johnson (Becsport Suzuki)
5 - Aaron Zanotti (Red Viper Spike Suzuki)



Metzeler National Superstock 1000 championship standings

178 - Jon Kirkham (Clarks BMW)
113 - Tristan Palmer (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
110 - Howard Mainwaring (MSS Colchester Kawasaki)
108 -Glen Richards (Padgetts Honda)
85 - Luke Quigley (BMW Formwise-Astro Racing)
74 - Steve Plater (HM Plant Honda)
61 - Richard Cooper (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)

Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO championship standings

320 - Steve Brogan (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
272 - Hudson Kennaugh (Spitlaith Motorsport Aprilia)
258 - Gary Johnson (AIM Suzuki)
215 - Aaron Zanotti (Red Viper Spike Suzuki)
213 - Pauli Pekkanen (777RR Motorsport Suzuki)

Germany - Nürburgring.
Preview.



3rd  - 5th September 2010
11th  of 13 World Championship race weekends


Munich/Stephanskirchen, 30th  August 2010. With the summer break now over, the race
weekend at the Nürburgring in Germany sees the teams in the FIM Superbike World
Championship entering the finishing straight of the 2010 season. For Team BMW
Motorrad Motorsport the 11th race weekend of the season at the historic circuit in the
Eifel mountains will be special for two reasons. It is the home event for the German team
in this year's championship, and on Sunday all involved will celebrate a new milestone:
Race 2 at the Nürburgring will be the team's 50th since its arrival on the World
Championship scene in 2009.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Berthold Hauser and his team will be looking to build
on their latest success on home soil. The Nürburgring has been a fine hunting ground
over the years for Troy Corser (AUS), who already has his name inscribed on the winners'
list here. Ruben Xaus (ESP), meanwhile, will be aiming to put the knowledge gained over
the past few races into practice and has his sights set on his first podium finish with the
BMW S 1000 RR. Troy is lying in 10th  place in the riders' standings with 155 points, while
Ruben's 69 points put him in 14th. In the manufacturers' table BMW has collected 174
points, good enough for sixth place.

The break between races saw Ruben give the BMW S 1000 RR a run-out with a
difference as part of the City Racing Day in Rotterdam, Holland on 22nd August. The
Catalan rider treated the large crowds attending the headline day of the weekend event
to a captivating display of burn-outs and demo starts.


Troy Corser:
"I really like the Nürburgring. In the past I've regularly had good results here, including
several podium finishes and a race win. I think the circuit will suit the engine and chassis
of our bike. Our aim for Friday practice is to settle on a good set-up. If we can do that,
then anything is possible this weekend.

The Nürburgring is a great race track and the perfect venue for motorcycle racing. There
are plenty of overtaking opportunities and lots of rises and falls. This generally produces
really exciting and spectacular racing - both for us as riders and for the spectators. The
Nordschleife is steeped in motor sport history, but with our bikes it would be far too
dangerous to compete on the old circuit at race speed. In summer 2009 I had the chance
to drive a BMW Formula One car at the Nürburgring, which was a lot of fun. I was
surprised by how quickly you can feel comfortable driving that kind of car. But I think I
prefer being at the limit on my bike."

Two pole positions and a front row start for Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad at Cadwell Park

Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad riders Steve Brogan and Richard Cooper battled their BMW S 1000 RRs through wind and rain to secure two pole positions in the BSB-EVO and 1000cc Superstock classes. New addition to the team Tristan Palmer delivered an equally strong performance which will see him start from third position on the front row.

Brogan - who broke into the Superbike top ten during the rain-swept free practice - put in a sterling performance in the sunnier Q1 and Q2 sessions to qualify as top BSB-EVO rider and in 18th position overall.

Jentin Racing-BWM Motorrad BSB-EVO rider Steve Brogan said: "In Q1 I had a good clear five laps - but I was conscious that a few of the other EVO guys were trying to copy my lines so I pulled over and let them by. I got my head down and put in another two  fast laps, my best of the weekend so far, and that was enough to keep me in 10th overall and well in the cut off zone for Q2.

"In Q2 I was on probably my best lap of the weekend when I got held up in the Woodland section and that really messed it up for me. I got back on it but the lap times weren't coming, I think I was trying a bit too hard, but by then my tyres were gone. Overall I'm happy to be the top EVO rider but I would have liked to put more of a gap on the other riders. I'm confident that I can get a good start tomorrow and head for a couple of podium finishes."

Richard Cooper returns to the team after a three-race break for surgery to cure his arm pump. Cooper finished top of the Superstock 1000 time sheets with no other rider able to match the blistering lap he set in yesterday's qualifying session.

Cooper is on the first of three BMW S 1000 RRs heading up the Superstock grid with championship leader Jon Kirkham second and Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad team mate Tristan Palmer in third. Unfortunately Richard ended today's qualifying session in the gravel after a wind-assisted off-track excursion when strong gust caused him to lose the front end at Charlie's.

Richard Cooper said: "That's not the best way to end an otherwise fantastic comeback! I've been desperate to get back on a bike since my operation and in the previous practice and qualifying sessions I've been flying. I feel I'm riding the best ever and I'm very, very pleased to take my first ever Superstock pole position.

"I'd like to thank the team for all their support over the season and I'm happy to reward them with a pole position and hopefully a bit of silverware tomorrow."

Following Tristan's impressive performances for the team in Richard's absence, Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad have put together another Superstock S 1000 RR for him to compete on over the rest of the season. The team have had only seven days to build and prepare the bike so Tristan and the mechanics have been working hard over the practice and qualifying sessions get it fighting fit.

Tristan Palmer said: "I'm very happy to be on the front row alongside Richard. We've all had to work really hard to get the bike on the pace and - considering it only arrived in the workshop a week ago - I really couldn't have asked for anything more! The bike's getting better and better each session and we're now just fine tuning it.

"We've got a bit of time in warm up in the morning to try a few more tweaks but I'm happy that we have a good race pace and I hope Richard and I can both get on the podium in tomorrow's race."

Tomorrow's racing kicks off at 12:35 with the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race and the two MCE British Superbikes and Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO races at 13:30 and 16:40 - and can be seen on the Eurosport 2 channel.

Starting positions for the Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO race

Steve Brogan (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
Gary Johnson (AIM Suzuki)
Paul Pekkanen (Suzuki 777 RR Motorsport)
Craig Fitzpatrick (Honda CLose Print Finance)
James Edmeades (Redline KTM)

Starting positions for the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race

Richard Cooper (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
Jon Kirkham (Clarks BMW)
Tristan Palmer (Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad)
Glen Richards (Padgetts Honda)
Scott Smart (Moto Rapido Ducati)

Simo Kirssi wins 2010 German Cross Country series on BMW G 450 X

Simo Kirssi has earned the title honours in this year’s German Cross Country Championship with one round still to go. The 30-year-old Team BMW Husqvarna Motorsport rider sealed yet another series victory with a third place finish at Mühlhausen, but it didn’t come without drama for the ‘flying Finn’.



A severe thunderstorm crossed the ‘Airtime Area’ one third into main event – the Sunday afternoon pro race – turning the perfectly prepared track into a mud pool within minutes. Kirssi had ruled the proceedings before the rain came, as he dominated the early stages on his BMW factory enduro machine. The downpour didn’t make a difference in the race order at first, but then Simo took a bad line and crashed, leaving fellow countryman Samuli Aro with the opportunity to take the lead.

Kirssi battled back and looked set to re-capture the lead but then his engine died while riding through a deep waterhole, which was just 50 metres from the finish line. At the very same moment the officials decided to red-flag the race due to safety concerns, so Kirssi summoned up the strength to push his bike past the chequered flag, although German rider Chris Gundermann was able to get past and therefore demoted him to third place.

The new champion was satisfied with the outcome, though. He had shown once again that with four victories to his name he was the man to beat in this year’s series, and he enjoyed a dominant run all year, which was only really affected when something unusual happened – like this freak storm at Mühlhausen. Regardless, his team all had reason to celebrate what is Kirssi’s third German title and his second aboard the powerful BMW G 450 X.

“That was pure drama – it almost felt like the end of the world out there,” joked Kirssi after the race was over. “This is an outdoor sport, so you have to accept the forces of nature I guess! I was able to reel in Samuli after my crash, but had no idea that the race was about to be red-flagged anyway; that’s why I attempted a pass about 50 metres from the finish line. This of course turned out to be a bad move, as the bike fatally stopped, but at least I was able to push it over the finish line.”



German Cross Country Championship, Round 6, Mühlhausen results
1. Samuli Aro (FIN), KTM, 12 laps
2. Chris Gundermann (GER), Yamaha, 12
3. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Husqvarna Motorsport, 12
4. Chris Weiß (GER), TM, 12
5. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 12
6. Stefan Svitko (SVK), KTM, 12
7. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 12
8. Mickael Musquin (FRA), BMW, 12
9. Martin Schneider (GER), Yamaha, 10
10. Andreas Schulz (GER), KTM, 10

German Cross Country Championship, Points standings after round six (of seven)
1. Simo Kirssi, 162
2. Samuli Aro, 137
3. Stefan Svitko, 126
4. Steffen Albrecht, 112
5. Chris Weiß, 111
6. Marco Straubel, 111
7. Hans Vogels, 99
8. Andreas Schulz, 70
9. Mickael Musquin, 67
10. Martin Schneider, 65