Michael van der Mark will begin working with the BMW Test Team at this weeks Jerez World Superbike Test.
The end of the 2025 World Superbike season saw the end of Michael van der Mark's time as a full-time rider in the Championship.
During his time in the series he has been a full-time racer for Honda, Yamaha and BMW. Now his career will take on a new role as tomorrow (21st of October) he will begin work with the BMW World Superbike Test Team at the Jerez Test.
Instead of testing the BMW M1000RR for himself, van der Mark will be preparing the machine for the 2026 World Superbike Championship for two new riders, Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira. Who will both miss the two-day test this week.
"I have got exactly one day off," van der Mark told WorldSBK.com.
"Then on Tuesday I will start with the Test Team. Having Danilo [Petrucci] and Miguel [Oliveira] in the team next year, we need to improve the package. BMW gave me a lot of confidence, and a good offer, because they believe the best thing for them is to have a very fast Test Rider, with a lot of experience with the bike.
"I am very thankful to them, because it has not been an easy year. But they are still showing their trust in me. So, I am really happy for that, and I will do everything to make the package ready for Danilo and Miguel.
"I am looking forward to it, it is different, but I am pretty sure early on Tuesday morning I will push because I want to be high on the timing list."
