DAVID KNIGHT QUITS BMW: Controversial Switch From KTM To BMW Ends Badly For Enduro Star And German Company; “Didn’t Harmonize Well Enough”

Two-time World Enduro Champion and double winner of the US Grand National Cross Country Series David Knight has ended his working relationship with the BMW Motorrad Motorsport enduro team. With immediate effect, and by mutual consent, Knight has been released from his contractual obligations with BMW and will take no further part in the ’09 WEC series for the team, starting with this weekend’s GP of Slovakia.

Joining the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team at the start of ’09 Knight had high hopes of delivering continued successes for BMW in the Enduro 3 class on his return to the World Enduro Championship. Following disappointing results during the first half of the ’09 WEC season, having failed to gel with his race bike, David requested that he be released from his contract.

A further announcement will be made in the coming weeks regarding David’s plans to return to racing.

DAVID KNIGHT SAID: “Leaving a team that’s worked hard to give me the bike I wanted wasn’t easy, but I felt that it was the only decision for me to take. It’s not been an easy decision but things simply weren’t working out the way I, or BMW, hoped they would, which wasn’t good for anyone. I’d like to thank the team for their continued support, especially during the last few months where we tried really hard to work things out.

“I simply felt that I couldn’t move forward with the bike. My performances weren’t what I, or the team, hoped they’d be, which I think everyone could see. The bike simply didn’t suit my way of riding, it’s as simple as that. Like I said the team worked hard to give me what I wanted but in the end I felt it was best that I walked away. I’d like to wish BMW all the very best for the rest of this season.

“Returning to the WEC was something that I was really excited about during last winter. After two successful years in the US I was 100 per cent focused on winning a third world title in ’09. Despite disappointing results and performances during the first half of the championship I’ve enjoyed my time with the team, as well as competing in the WEC again, and I’m grateful that we were able to end our working relationship in a good way.”

BMW SAID: “With immediate effect, David Knight and the off-road team of BMW Motorrad Motorsport will be parting company. The two-times World Enduro Championship winner and winner of the US Grand National Cross Country only joined the BMW Motorrad Team Offroad at the beginning of the 2009 season. The move during the current enduro racing season is by mutual agreement.
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“Before the start of the racing season David Knight completed several tests on the G 450 X racing machine. However, during the season it has become apparent that rider and racing bike do not harmonise well enough to be able to achieve top placements within this highly competitive environment. For this reason, David Knight and BMW Motorrad Motorsport have decided to end their collaboration in good and fair manner.”ÿ