WORLDSBK AT BARCELONA: IVO LOPES STANDS IN FOR THE INJURED MICHAEL VAN DER MARK IN THE BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT FAMILY
Munich. The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK family has a new addition from Portugal for round four of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at Barcelona (ESP) this weekend. Ivo Lopes (POR), who has enjoyed success for several years with the easyRace BMW Team in the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK), will stand in for injured BMW Motorrad WorldSBK works rider Michael van der Mark (NED) at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He races alongside Scott Redding (GBR) for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Van der Mark fractured his left thigh when he crashed out of the second main race at Assen (NED). He was operated on successfully in Groningen (NED) and is now committed to the recovery process at home. It is not yet clear when van der Mark will be able to race again. His replacement at any other events he may miss will be announced at a later date.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “We wish Michael a good recovery. It was good to hear that the operation in Groningen was a success. We are in constant contact and he has already made the first small improvements. However, he should take the time he needs to return to full fitness.”