Bobsleigh world champions Manuel Machata and Andreas Bredau went on a special trip over the Whit period: through Italy on the BMW S1000RR. Munich, 14th June 2011. Manuel Machata (GER) went on a special Whit excursion last weekend. The reigning bobsleigh world champion and world cup winner is renowned as a fan of motorcycles, and accepted an invite from BMW Motorrad to take a BMW S1000RR on a tour of Italy. Machata was joined on the trip by his pushman Andreas Bredau (GER). BMW is Technology Partner of the Bob- und Schlittenverband für Deutschland the BSD (German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation). Machata and Bredau first visited the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team in Misano (ITA) on Saturday and Sunday. This was the venue for the sixth round of the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship. The pair was given an in-depth insight into the work carried out in the team pit area and discussed biking matters at length with works riders, Troy Corser (AUS) and Leon Haslam (GBR). On Sunday afternoon they mounted their BMW S1000RR bikes and headed off along the picturesque stretch to Cortina d’Ampezzo. The route took them along the Adriatic coast, via Venice and past the “Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti Friulane”. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the 1956 Winter Olympic Games were held, Machata and Bredau visited the historic Olympic bob run on Whit Monday. The pair then introduced the BMW S1000RR bikes to a somewhat unusual racetrack the ice channel. They then returned to Munich via Innsbruck, Seefeld in Tirol, Mittenwald and Lake Starnberg. “It was great fun,” said Machata. “As competitive athletes it was very interesting for us to gain an insight into the everyday goings on in a team like BMW Motorrad Motorsport in the Superbike World Championship. And it was sensational to meet Troy and Leon. They are two great guys, and we hit it off immediately. We had a really good chat, and it was also great to see how interested they were in our sport after all, we do something completely different to them. One thing we do have in common, however, is that we live for adrenalin and are always prepared to push ourselves to the limit.” “I have to agree with Manuel. I found the atmosphere in the team here unbelievable. We were made to feel so welcome by everyone, and had to explain almost as much about bobsleigh as we learned about motor cycling,” Bredau said. “It really was a super Whit weekend for us. I’d like to thank BMW Motorrad for an unforgettable experience!” On the return journey to Munich via Cortina d’Ampezzo, Machata and Bredau were able to test the BMW S1000RR under every condition – they were not spared the odd isolated rain shower. “The bike’s handling is super. You can really throw it into the bends on the mountain passes,” reported Machata. “The bike is light and the engine has enormous power. The riding position is also excellent: it was even perfect for a somewhat larger rider like me. We were also able to test the rain functions and I have to say the driver aids, such as the ABS, really made life easier for non-professionals like us. To sum it up: we had a great time on the bikes!”