As reported here two months back, long-time Ducati World Superbike team manager Davide Tardozzi left the team following the end of this past season, stating that he had run his course with the Italian manufacturer and a change was needed. We now know what that change is.

It’s being reported though several channels close to the team that Tardozzi will take over the role of team manager for the second-year factory BMW World Superbike squad, leading riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus.

Both Corser and Xaus are former Ducati riders that have ridden under Tardozzi, and while they’ve had their differences in the past, the team is hopeful the massive amount of experience the ex-racer and team manager brings to the table will aid in making a front-running bike out of BMW's new S1000RR, something that the German brand sees as critical for worldwide sales.

MotoUSA actually had a chance to ride the factory BMW World Superbike in Portugal after the 2009 season, finding the bike to be impressive with immense potential for a first-year machine.

No word yet if Tardozzi is on a multi-year or a year-by-year contract with BMW.

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Update - BMW Motorsport released a press release announcing the Tardozzi agreement on Jan, 7th.
Courtesy of BMW

BMW Motorrad Motorsport is restructuring its team management in the Superbike World Championship. Davide Tardozzi (50) has been appointed to a senior position at Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport with immediate effect. The Italian will head up team management and operational control at the race tracks in the Superbike World Championship.

Up to now, Rainer Bäumel (43) has been responsible for engineering, team management and team organisation in his capacity as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Project Manager in the Superbike World Championship. Bäumel will continue as Head of Project Management and Project Management Engineering.

The collaboration between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Tardozzi is part of a package of measures aimed at optimising the competitiveness of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in the Superbike World Championship. In his role as Team Manager, Tardozzi will look after the operational management of the team at races and tests, act as an interface between the team and the promoters and organisers of the Superbike World Championship, and provide a link to suppliers.

“I am delighted finally to be able to announce our partnership with Davide Tardozzi,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Berthold Hauser. “The new structure ensures that the team will be well set up for the future. Team management and team organisation are important areas in which we can see further potential for improvement. The key here is to approach every situation in a structured and target-led way. This applies to both general processes and tactical decisions with a direct influence over performance. With his many years of experience in the sport, Davide will play a decisive role here. At the same time, the restructuring will allow Rainer Bäumel to fully focus on the core areas of overall project management and engineering.”

Tardozzi said: “I imagine a lot of people will be surprised to hear of my decision to join BMW. However, for me the decision was simple. I had offers from MotoGP, but my heart is in the Superbike World Championship and I feel at home here. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is a young and hungry team, and that gives me the challenge I have been looking for. I’m looking forward to working behind the scenes to the benefit of the team. I know that I can fulfil this role at BMW. Of course, already knowing our riders Troy and Ruben well makes my job easier. 2010 will be a tough year, as there are many good riders and teams in the Superbike World Championship. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that BMW can take a big step forward over the coming year.”

Tardozzi rode in motorcycle races himself from 1984 to 1992. In his first two seasons he competed in the 250 cc World Championship and later moved to the Superbike class. He finished third in the 1988 Superbike World Championship after racking up five race wins, and in 1991 he secured the European Superbike Championship title. Tardozzi has remained involved – and continued to enjoy success – in motorcycle racing since bringing the curtain down on his career as a rider. Since 1995, as a team principal, he has won a total of nine manufacturers’ titles and eight riders’ titles in the Superbike World Championship.