SBK, Mikhalchik-Haslam-Giannini: three-way race to replace Van der Mark on BMW

Michael van der Mark will have to stay put for a few months after the accident that fractured his femur during Race 2 in Assen. It was a tough blow for the Dutch rider who again is forced to raise the white flag after the same type of injury he had a year ago in Estoril.

And what happened is also a hard blow for BMW, since they now have to look for a replacement. The first on the list is Ilya Mikhalchik, who’s currently busy with the World Endurance Championship for BMW.

Last year, the Ukrainian rider was called to replace Van der Mark and continue with the development of the M 1000 RR. Another name on the list is Leon Haslam. An old acquaintance in the Superbike paddock, who is now in the BSB.

Finally, there’s another rather suggestive hypothesis: a young 20-year-old rider. Namely, Gabriele Giannini, winner of the National last year with the M 1000 RR. He’s one of the new and promising faces of Italian motorcycling. So much so that BMW Italia and Pistard strongly believed in his attributes.

Who knows now if Gabriele might end up getting a chance in the World Championship.