Guintoli, Smith Join BMW WorldSBK Test Team
Cycle News Staff | December 12, 2023
On the back of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s arrival, the BMW WorldSBK team has gone on a spending spree of late and has announced the arrival of former WorldSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli and former MotoGP podium finisher Bradley Smith as its test team.
Bradley Smith (left) and Sylvain Guintoli (on bike) during their Yamaha years. Both will now join the BMW WorldSBK test team.
Guintoli, the 2021 Endurance World Champion with the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and former MotoGP GSX-RR development rider, will also campaign a BMW M 1000 RR in the EWC for the 2024 season as part of his development role.
“I am very happy to join the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK factory project as a test rider. The project is very exciting, and I am looking forward to bringing my experience into it,” Guintoli said. “I can’t wait to get started and enjoy the BMW M 1000 RR.”
Smith’s career in Superbike competition is limited, although he was part of Yamaha’s victorious Suzuka 8 Hour team back in 2015. He was also one of the initial lead development and race riders for KTM in their early years of MotoGP.
“To be asked by BMW Motorrad to join the test team is a great privilege,” Smith said. “I will work my hardest to deliver what our four WorldSBK factory riders need to battle with the best in the championship.” CN
