BMW Motorrad Motorsport has confirmed that it is restructuring its team management in the Superbike World Championship for 2010, hiring ex-Ducati manager Davide Tardozzi in a senior position at Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport, heading up team management and operational control of the team.

Up to now, Rainer Bäumel has been responsible for engineering, team management and team organisation in his capacity as BMW Motorrad Motorsport project manager in the Superbike World Championship. Bäumel will continue as head of Project Management and Project Management Engineering.

The collaboration between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Tardozzi is part of a package of measures aimed at optimising the competitiveness of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in the Superbike World Championship. In his role as team manager, Tardozzi will look after the operational management of the team at races and tests, act as an interface between the team and the promoters and organisers of the Superbike World Championship, and provide a link to suppliers.

“I am delighted finally to be able to announce our partnership with Davide Tardozzi,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport director Berthold Hauser. “The new structure ensures that the team will be well set up for the future. Team management and team organisation are important areas in which we can see further potential for improvement. The key here is to approach every situation in a structured and target-led way. This applies to both general processes and tactical decisions with a direct influence over performance. With his many years of experience in the sport, Davide will play a decisive role here. At the same time, the restructuring will allow Rainer Bäumel to fully focus on the core areas of overall project management and engineering.”

“I imagine a lot of people will be surprised to hear of my decision to join BMW. However, for me the decision was simple,” explained Tardozzi, 50. “I had offers from MotoGP, but my heart is in the Superbike World Championship and I feel at home here. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is a young and hungry team, and that gives me the challenge I have been looking for. I’m looking forward to working behind the scenes to the benefit of the team. I know that I can fulfil this role at BMW. Of course, already knowing our riders Troy and Ruben well makes my job easier. 2010 will be a tough year, as there are many good riders and teams in the Superbike World Championship. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that BMW can take a big step forward over the coming year.”

Tardozzi rode in motorcycle races himself from 1984 to 1992. In his first two seasons he competed in the 250cc World Championship and later moved to the Superbike class. He finished third in the 1988 Superbike World Championship after racking up five race wins, and in 1991 he secured the European Superbike Championship title. Tardozzi has remained involved and has continued to enjoy success in motorcycle racing since bringing the curtain down on his career as a rider. Since 1995, as a team principal, he has won a total of nine manufacturers’ titles and eight riders’ titles in the Superbike World Championship.