Team BMW Motorrad France 99 has snatched the top spot in the FIM Endurance World Championship standings after a top-class performance at Japan's prestigious Suzuka eight-hour race. The amazing achievement marks the first time the S 1000 RR has taken the lead in a world championship. The team was already in a great position, after taking a podium in the first race of the season, the 24-hour Bol d'Or in Magny-Cours, France. They followed up the win with another victory at the eight-hour race in Albacete, Spain.

The team's position at the top of the table was secured at the endurance classic in Suzuka, when French riders Erwan Nigon and Sébastien Gimbert, and Australian Damien Cudlin managed to secure fourth place. The race is held in particularly high esteem within the Endurance World Championship, as it attracts a large number of Japanese riders and teams on full factory bikes. This makes it particularly challenging for regular starters to finish anywhere inside the top ten. The three BMW Motorrad teammates made it through the entire race at Suzuka without ever dropping outside the top six, and were the only EWC regulars able to match the Japanese factory teams.  

Erwan Nigon says: "The bike was perfect, the tires were efficient, the race strategy was a good one, my teammates were fast and we finished fourth, so it was a perfect weekend! I've always loved this circuit but I love it even more now! We had no technical problems during the race, really pushed hard to keep fourth place and I'm happy to secure this result for BMW Motorrad France, who trusted in me for two years. We are now leading the Endurance World Championship, but have to work hard to prepare for the 24-Hour Le Mans."

"It's the first time I have had such a good result at Suzuka," adds Sébastien Gimbert. "Everything went well for us: Michelin brought a good tire choice; we made some changes on the bike that improved the set-up; and my teammates were as fast and consistent as always. It was a perfect result, but what's important for us is that we are now top of the Endurance World Championship standings. The team is well organized and can approach Le Mans with confidence."

Damian Cudlin says the team's position is a 'just reward' for their hard work. "I got a good start and was immediately battling in the top six. It was important for me to do a good first stint, without any mistakes, to set us up for the rest of the race. I made up some places, eventually getting involved in the battle for fourth position.  

"We all pushed really hard for this fourth place, with the aim being to build a lead over the fifth-placed Honda RT Sakurai team in the closing stages. Once we managed this, it was just a case of staying consistent all the way to the chequered flag. I'm really happy with the result; it was a hard race in hot conditions and to leave as world championship leaders is just reward for all the hard work that's gone into this season from the team, Michelin and BMW Motorrad."

Marcel Driessen, Director BMW Motorrad France, adds: "This is an unbelievable result for BMW. To take fourth place on our debut at Suzuka is incredible enough, but to also take the lead in the World Championship standings is simply fantastic. The team has done a great job with the RR this season, but we cannot rest on our laurels. We need to continue to work on the bike, to ensure we have the most competitive package possible for our home race at Le Mans and the season finale in Qatar. Congratulations to the team and our riders on leading the championship, and let's hope we can maintain this position until the end of the season."

The next round of the FIM Endurance World Championship is the Le Mans 24 Hours, in France, on September 24 - 25, where Team BMW Motorrad France will start with a six point lead in the championship.