Image: Supplied.

Another piece of the 2023 Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) grid has been confirmed with the signing of Michael van der Mark to continue with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team next year.

Van der Mark made the switch to the outfit last season and took the BMW M 1000 RR to its first victory in the championship at Portimao, 2021.

The Dutchman’s current campaign has been plagued with injuries, but he was able to compete in the second round of the 2022 season at Assen after a mountain accident left him sidelined with a broken leg, and forced to miss Aragon’s opener. He later fractured his right femur in FP1 at Estoril and has been recovering, unable to lineup since.

“I am very happy in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family and pleased about the extension of our collaboration,” said Van der Mark. Unfortunately, for me personally, the current season has not worked out how I had imagined so far. However, I cannot change that. It is now important to recover fully.

“I want to get back on my BMW M 1000 RR as quickly as possible. I miss everything – the team, the bike, racing. However, all that matters is what the doctors say, and I am following their recommendations.

“We’ll have to see exactly when I can race again. I saw at Assen just how much potential the bike has this season, and the project has made further progress since then – you could see that in the recent races, and it was confirmed by Scott’s podium last time out at Donington. I am looking forward to returning to action and doing my bit. I am sure we have a successful future together.”

BMW Motorrad motorsport director Marc Bongers added: “We are very pleased that Michael is remaining with us. In his first season, in 2021, he adapted very well to the BMW M 1000 RR, which was initially unfamiliar to him. He confirmed this with victory at Portimão.

“His contribution to the development of the M RR in its first season was hugely important to our whole project. Unfortunately, Michael has been plagued by injury since the winter. However, we are confident that, when he is fit and can race again, he will soon return to his original strength on the M RR and be able to build on that.

“Even during this recovery period, Michael has remained closely involved in the BMW family. It is excellent that he will remain an integral part of the family in the future.

It was important to us to complete the contract extension before the summer break, also to express our faith in him, which allows him to focus fully on his recovery. We are looking forward to his comeback and a strong 2023 season together.”

The number 60 will be joined by Scott Redding in the team’s lineup for 2023, with Redding to enter his second season with the outfit.