Tamada to ride Team Reitwagen BMW at Portimao

Former WSB and MotoGP race winner Makoto Tamada will ride for the Reitwagen BMW team in Portimao this weekend.

The Japanese rider will replace regular rider Roland Resch who crashed during qualifying at Phillip Island sustaining a badly broken right collarbone.

Tamada was due to start the season with the Pro Ride Honda squad, but missed the opening round of the championship due to funding issues.

The deal with Tamada will see him test at Jerez today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday) and then race for the team at Portimao and then complete a further day of testing in Portugal on Monday 29th March.

Tamada said: “I am grateful to Team Reitwagen BMW for giving me this opportunity to race with them in Portimao.

“Although this will be my first time racing a BMW, I have seen what it can do and am confident that I can ride it at its full potential.”

Andreas Werth (Team Reitwagen Motorsport Director): “We are happy to welcome Makoto in our team, even if it’s just for one event only and we are happy about the perfect cooperation with his team Pro Ride Superbike.

Makoto is a fast racer and has proven that often, with wins in Word Superbike and MotoGP.

“With his wealth of Superbike and GP experience and capabilities, he is very worthy asset to our team and we are sure he will further help us develop and understand our bike during our private tests in Jerez.

“Makoto knows Jerez and Portimao very well. At our stage of development, every single test hour and every lap are very important to us.

“I think, if Makoto gains confidence in our bike during the test session, he will be very fast in the race.”