South African rider celebrates world championship success after four-round international endurance campaign
South African motorcycle racer Steven Odendaal has helped the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team secure the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship, bringing home a major international title after a demanding four-round season.
Odendaal formed part of the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team alongside Markus Reiterberger and Michael van der Mark, with the trio securing the championship at the final round, the Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard in France. BMW finished the championship on 158 points, just four points ahead of YART Yamaha.
The 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship consisted of four races, taking the teams to the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, the 8 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the Suzuka 8 Hours and the Bol d’Or.
For Odendaal, the championship was the culmination of a season that tested both rider and machine. Endurance racing requires three riders to share one motorcycle, with races lasting up to 24 hours and demanding careful preparation, teamwork and consistency throughout the season.
One of Odendaal’s standout performances came at the 8 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where he was handed the BMW in mixed wet and dry conditions while the team was leading. He managed to extend the gap to the chasing rider before bringing the BMW home for the team’s victory.
The season had started under difficult circumstances for the South African. Odendaal suffered an S1 L5 herniated disc before the opening round and was initially unsure whether he would be able to compete. After intensive physiotherapy, he was able to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, although with limitations.
The championship also carried some unfinished business from 2025, when BMW’s title hopes ended with a mechanical failure late in the final race. As a result, Odendaal said he did not allow himself to believe the 2026 championship was secured until the final chequered flag.
“Only after the flag was set,” he said when asked when he began to believe the championship was a realistic possibility.
When the title was finally secured, the significance of the achievement was clear.
“It has been something I’ve dreamed of all my life and I felt a very big sense of accomplishment after the race,” Odendaal said.
The championship is also a proud moment for the Gauteng-born rider, who says representing South Africa internationally remains important to him.
“South Africa is my home and I couldn’t be more proud to represent SA. I feel honoured to do so,” he said.
Odendaal believes his years competing in South African motorsport provided an important foundation for his international career.
“South Africa taught me my foundation which prepared me mentally. As a South African we don’t give up easily and that’s a very good trait to have.”
The 2026 title adds to an already strong international career for Odendaal, who won the Spanish Superbike Championship in 2025. His focus now turns to defending the FIM Endurance World Championship with BMW Motorrad, while he hopes to challenge for both titles in 2027 if the calendars allow.
For the South African, the achievement can be summed up in four simple words:
“Hard work pays off.”
Odendaal’s 2026 season has placed another South African name on the world endurance racing stage, with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team now holding the FIM Endurance World Championship title.
