Zé Helio replaces David Frétigné

David Frétigné will not be able to participate in the Dakar 2011. The injured French rally rider is going to be replaced at Team BMW Motorrad by speedbrain through Brazil´s Zé Helio.

Following promising tests and a successful development of the speedbrain BMW G 450 RR with David Frétigné, there were hopes for a strong showing of the Frenchman during the Dakar 2011. But Frétigné crashed in the early stages of the Rally OiLibya in October and injured his back. David appeared to be recovering nicely enough to compete, yet the duration of the healing process and a lack of physical preparation won´t allow him to be 100 per cent fit for the upcoming Dakar. The team therefore decided to send Zé Helio into the race.

David Frétigné: "The Dakar kicks off in a few days. I wish our Team BMW Motorrad by speedbrain plenty of success in this new adventure. I hope that the fantastic job of the engineers and mechanics will pay off and the squad will score a top result. It´s a bitter pill to swallow not being able to compete despite the huge efforts taken together with the Presport team in Perpignan (thanks to Christophe Millet and Dr Christian Fournols).

"I also have to thank my family for their support since my accident, especially Rodolphe Schwartz, but my recovery has unfortunately not been speedy enough to be able to race in a competitive condition. I will passionately follow the proceedings of the Dakar 2011 and do wish Frans (Verhoeven) all the best and a lot of success. We worked and tested together quite a few times. For sure he will give his very best. In the meantime I´m determined to keep working hard in order to return in top shape as soon as possible."

Jose Helio Gonçalves Rodrigues Filho, better known as "Zé Helio", will be the fourth rider on the team. The five-time winner of the Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil - the second longest rally behind the Dakar - competed for the team already this past August. He had to drop back with a technical problem after having led the race.

Zé Helio: "I´m excited to race the Dakar for Team BMW Motorrad by speedbrain. I will do whatever I can to present a good result to the team. After the setback during the Rally dos Sertoes I definitely want to use the opportunity to prove my skills and show what a strong bike the BMW is. My best wishes go to David. I´m looking forward to see him again at one of the next races."

Team BMW Motorrad by speedbrain enters the Dakar 2011, which starts on 1 January, with the following riders:

- # 16 Frans Verhoeven, The Netherlands
- # 17 Paulo Goncalves, Portugal
- # 32 Pedro Bianchi Prata, Portugal
- # 12 Zé Helio, Brazil

Team BMW Motorrad by speedbrain is supported by BMW Motorrad, Monster Energy, Michelin and several technical partners as listed.

The Dakar 2011 is approaching fast for Team "BMW Motorrad by speedbrain". As bikes and equipment are on their way by sea to South America , the 14-men squad under the guidance of team principal Wolfgang Fischer feels well prepared for their debut appearance in the rally legend.

The race gets underway on 1 January 2011 in Buenos Aires. Four riders will compete aboard speedbrain BMW G 450 RR motorcyles, having secured backing from BMW Motorrad and Monster Energy.

Rally routinier Frans Verhoeven, who has been developing the bike all throughout 2010, provided major input when it came to building a competitive race weapon based on the BMW 450 X. Being a multiple stage winner, the Dutchman has a lot of experience regarding the Dakar. He´s certainly a top rider to reckon with.

David Frétigné unfortunately is a questionmark. The Frenchman injured himself during the Rally Oil Libya Maroc and, although making good progress, will have to see whether doctors give green lights to compete. This may only happen shortly before the start. Meanwhile Jose Helio Gonçalves Rodrigues Filho, also know under the name "Ze Helio", sits in standby mode. The Brazilian already rode for speedbrain in the Rally dos Sertoes. The multi-time rally champ has a lot of knowledge from racing all over South America, he could make an excellent replacement.

Paulo Goncalves and Pedro Bianchi Prata from Portugal complete Team "BMW Motorrad by speedbrain". While Bianchi Prata performs sometimes a back up supporting role for his team pilots, Goncalves is an eventual front-runner. The former Motocross ace has shown several times before that he can go pretty quick on a rally bike. Goncalves finished the Portimao-Marrakesch 2010 on the podium.

The nearly 6,000 mile long Dakar 2011 does its best to create the thrill and challenges which the previous editions have presented since the beginning in 1979. The Argentina/Chile route consists of everything from sand dunes to mountainous conditions: over the plains of Patagonia, across the Atacama Desert and through the Andes Mountains (all in the heat of summer south of the equator).

Team „BMW Motorrad by Speedbrain" is working closely with Team Monster Energy X-Raid, which is entering the Dakar 2011 with BMW X3 and Mini All4 race cars. Both teams are using synergy effects in the logistics.

The race ends in Buenos Aires on 16 January.

Former double World Superbike champion James Toseland has officially been confirmed at BMW Motorrad Italia for the 2011 season.  The British star, ninth in the standings on his return to WSBK with Yamaha this season, will ride alongside Ayrton Badovini, who dominated the Superstock 1000 Cup with BMW Italia in 2010.  BMW Italia will receive technical support from the official BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team, running Troy Corser and Leon Haslam.

"From next season, our BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team will be joined in the FIM Superbike World Championship by a factory-supported BMW line-up in the shape of the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK team. The team has experience in motor racing - and in this championship specifically," said Hendrik von Kuenheim, General Director BMW Motorrad.

"Last year in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, BMW Motorrad Italia demonstrated their ability to achieve success with the BMW S 1000 RR in impressive fashion. Although the challenge in the Superbike World Championship is that much tougher, I'm convinced that BMW Motorrad will benefit from this new addition to the field. After all, competition is the lifeblood of business. We would like to wish the team every success."

"After winning the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, we are continuing with a renewed challenge in the sporting arena," added Andrea Buzzoni, director of BMW Motorrad Italia. "We planned this ambitious project with enthusiasm and determination and we are happy to find the same enthusiasm in BMW AG's top management.

"Our Italian squad will receive technical support from Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. The collaboration between the two teams will allow a profitable exchange of experience, know-how, solutions and ideas for development, all with the common objective of constantly improving performance.

"We are delighted to be able to assure Ayrton, who has given us such satisfaction in our racing competition debut, a well-deserved promotion.

"Ayrton will be riding alongside two-time world champion James Toseland, who has shown great motivation and enthusiasm for the project."

Toseland won the 2004 WSBK title for Ducati and the 2007 WSBK crown for Ten Kate Honda. During eight WSBK seasons the 30-year-old has taken 61 podiums and 16 wins.

Toseland raced for Tech 3 Yamaha in MotoGP during the 2008 and 2009 season.

BMW Motorrad Italia enters Superbike World Championship.

The winning team of the 2010 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup will debut with
riders Ayrton Badovini and James Toseland.

Munich/San Donato Milanese, 28th October 2010. BMW Motorrad has announced the entry of Team BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike in the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship. The team will debut with riders Ayrton Badovini (ITA) and James Toseland (GBR) and will receive technical support from the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team, which is providing engines and electronics for the BMW S 1000 RR. The team will be led by Andrea Buzzoni, Director of BMW Motorrad Italia and Manager of the Superbike project; Serafino Foti, who will serve as Sporting Director; and Gerardo Acocella as Technical Director.

In 2010, BMW Motorrad Italia made its debut in international competition and won both the riders' and constructors' titles in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, with Ayrton Badovini as lead rider for the
team. The Italian squad will also continue in this series with Lorenzo Zanetti (ITA).

"BMW has it in its DNA to constantly seek maximum performance and innovative solutions, comparisons and teamwork, respect and trust, as well as a clear strategic orientation towards the objective," says Christian Kremer, CEO of BMW Group Italia. "We will be entering the FIM Superbike World Championship with the same professionalism and enthusiasm demonstrated to date; and we are sure that this effort will lead to new and important results."

"From next season, our BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team will be joined in the FIM Superbike World Championship by a factory-supported BMW line-up in the shape of the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK team. The team has experience in motor racing - and in this championship specifically," says Hendrik von Kuenheim, General Director BMW Motorrad. "Last year in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, BMW Motorrad Italia demonstrated their ability to achieve success with the BMW S1000 RR in impressive fashion. Although the challenge in the Superbike World Championship is that much tougher, I'm convinced that BMW Motorrad will benefit from this new addition to the field. After all, competition is the lifeblood of business. We would like to wish the team every success."

"After winning the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, we are continuing with a renewed challenge in the sporting arena," adds Andrea Buzzoni. "We planned this ambitious project with enthusiasm and determination and we are happy to find the same enthusiasm in BMW AG's top management. Our
Italian squad will receive technical support from Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. The collaboration between the two teams will allow a profitable exchange of experience, know-how, solutions and ideas for development, all with the common objective of constantly improving performance. We are delighted to be able to assure Ayrton, who has given us such satisfaction in our racing competition debut, a well-deserved promotion. Ayrton will be riding alongside two-time world champion James Toseland, who has shown great motivation and enthusiasm for the project."

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