Munich. The long summer break in the FIM Superbike World
Championship (WorldSBK) is over. This weekend (6th to
8th September), the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and its
riders Tom Sykes (GBR) and Markus Reiterberger (GER) enter the final
phase of the 2019 season. Portimão (POR) is the venue for round ten
of 13.
The team travelled to the same location on 24th and
25th August for a two-day test in preparation for the final
events of the season. This also provided an opportunity to use more
innovations for the further development of the BMW S 1000 RR.
Quotes ahead of the races at Portimão.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
“Following the Portimão test we are well equipped going into the final
race weekends of the season. We have been able to optimise many areas
of the BMW S 1000 RR and both riders were happy with what we achieved
during the test. The races at Portimão mark the start of the final
phase of our debut season with the new RR. The season was intended to
be a year of learning, and we have already exceeded our expectations.
The goal for the remaining rounds is to continue as before and to get
the best out of the package with both riders in every race.”
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK
Team: “Both riders come off a good test at Portimão so we are
really confident of having a good starting base setting for both
riders. FP1 should be interesting. Both riders concentrated on race
pace not on one-lap simulations so that should bode well for the race.
The temperatures are going to be similar like at the test in the high
twenties and early thirties. We are looking forward to the last four
rounds of the year where we hope to continue with some podium success.”
Tom Sykes: “I am really looking forward to heading
back to the Portimão circuit on the back of a successful two days of
testing there recently. During the test, we certainly gathered a lot
of information for the set-up of the BMW S 1000 RR. Overall at the
test, we tried various bike set-ups that we’re not usually able to do
during the race weekends due to the restricted time which proved very,
very good. We got some positive results, so hopefully we can pick up
where we left off and try to keep our run of podium places on the go.
The podium is certainly the target for the remaining races.”
Markus Reiterberger: “I was very happy with the two
days of testing at Portimão. I am now looking forward to a good, and
hopefully successful, race weekend. I am looking forward to good
teamwork and want to improve and enjoy my riding. I definitely have my
sights set on the top ten. I like the circuit and a lot of my friends
are travelling to support me there. Bring on the weekend.”