Markus Reiterberger used the build-up to the start of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship in Le Mans last month to highlight the role Patrick Hobelsberger can play as BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team bids for EWC success this season.

Hobelsberger had been due to race for Team Bolliger Switzerland in 2023 but instead made a late switch to the Dunlop-equipped Belgian squad as its fourth rider, providing the essential back-up function performed by Kenny Foray last season.

“I know him from IDM and now he makes the step [to EWC],” Reiterberger (pictured left) said of his fellow German rider (pictured right). “He practice a lot in the wintertime and on our bike he has a few laps, maybe not enough but I think he can adapt and be a good spare rider.”

Hobelsberger, who finished fourth and second in the two Internationale Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft races at the Sachsenring recently, described his appearance at the 24 Heures Motos last month as an “awesome experience”.