The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team riders have just finished the testing sessions in Jerez and Portimão.
Photo credits: BMW
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team has come through with its preparations for the 2020 season for the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) with a double test. Riders Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty have spent two days in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. They then advanced to two days of testing in Portimão, Portugal. The team managed to adapt to the comprehensive programme with the new BMS S 1000 RR.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director
Photo credits: BMW
“On the whole, we are happy with both tests. We were able to work through an extensive programme with both riders. We travelled with some new parts for the RR, including new wheels. Also, we made also more steps forward in terms of electronic strategies and their detailed set-up both in Jerez and Portimão. Over the course of the four days, we were able to sort out some important issues on both sides of the garage, and to gain a lot of information and data.”
“We now have an even clearer idea of what direction we need to head in on Phillip Island. We also have reinforced the team in the form of new members. And the double test was the perfect way to fully integrate them into our team. We will now continue to work hard, to ensure we are as well prepared as possible when we travel to Australia,” says Bonger as quoted from BMW Motorrad.
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
Photo credits: BMW
“It was very productive days in Spain and Portugal with a very successful finish at Portimão. Good weather greeted us here and that also allowed us to go through the items we could not do in Jerez due to rain. We’ve made big steps with the electronics with both riders benefitting from it. Eugene overall got a lot of confidence now going to Australia, Tom tried some settings he was not used to evaluate them and to find an even better direction for him.”
“Both riders and the team took the decision not to put any special development or qualifying tyres on, so the times that we have got have been on the normal race tyre. Overall, both riders are very satisfied with the work we have conducted, we gathered a lot of valuable data and have a good base to move into Australia. So it was a positive test and we can’t wait to go to Australia.”
Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad)- As It Happened
Photo credits: BMW
“I’m very happy with the two tests. Jerez obviously was very challenging from the weather front but we were able to utilise that and do some little fundamental things. It then was much more consistent here in Portugal. Here, we were just able to do a lot of work with our BMW S 1000 RR. We just had to turn a bit of a blind eye to what was going on on track and focus on what we are doing. We worked really hard on different chassis set-ups, on the brakes, electronic strategies… and the list goes on. A big credit to the entire BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, the boys have worked really, really hard over these days. Now it’s time to go back home and get everything ready for Phillip Island and where we can focus more on performance.”
Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad)- As It Happened
Photo credits: BMW
“I am really delighted and optimistic. The November test was a bit of a tough one as I got a few surprises when I rode the RR for the first time. The work that the guys did is incredible. That’s the nice thing of being involved with a factory team again. The progress is so quick and these guys are so intelligent. I give my comments but in the end, my comments are only backing up what they already know. These guys understand very well how to make the bike work. The focus in Spain had been power delivery and traction control. When we arrived at Portimão, we started to play around with the chassis setting. And the performance in the end was really good. So after these tests, I’m very happy, we’re in a good position.”
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