Roland Resch

Despite a less than successful first season at World Superbike level, Roland Resch will get another chance to shine in 2010 after being signed to compete with the exciting new Reitwagen Motorsport team.

A significant deal for a rider with fairly limited experience of road racing, the 25-year-old Austrian began his career competing in his national Supermoto series, a championship he would eventually win in 2006.

Prompting a move to the European-based Suzuki GSX-R Cup, Resch finished fourth in his maiden season before two wins at his second attempt saw him crowned champion in a fairly solid field that occasionally included former MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams.

His affinity with the Suzuki brand therefore made him the rider of choice for the Swiss-based TKR outfit, who embarked on a substantial leap into the World Superbike category having previously plied their trade at Superstock 600 level.

Riding an aged Suzuki GSX-R, Resch remained a full-time World Superbike competitor, although it didn’t help him get into the points once during the whole season. He came close at the Portimao season finale when he was running 14th, only for an engine blow two laps from the end to scupper his chances.

Nonetheless, despite not being classified in the 2009 standings, Resch returned in 2010 to ride a BMW for the recently-formed Reitwagen Motorsport team.

Paired with the ultra-experienced Andrew Pitt, Resch didn't disgrace himself during initial testing, but ruined his chances early on with an accident that left him with a broken collarbone.

Forced to skip the first four races, though Resch returned for two (point-less) outings at Valencia, the team folded soon after, leaving Resch on the sidelines.

He would later reappear in Germany, riding a BMW in the IDM Superbike series.

Career Highlights:

2010: World Superbike Championship (4 races)< Reitwagen BMW, N/A

2009: World Superbike Championship, TKR Switzerland Suzuki, N/C

2008: Suzuki GSX-R European Cup, Champion (2 wins)

2007: Suzuki GSX-R European Cup, 4th

2006: Austrian Supermoto, Champion

2005: Austrian Supermoto, 11th

2004: Sidelined by injury

2003: Austrian Supermoto, 6th

2002: Supermoto Red Bull Cup, Champion