Almeria. The countdown to the 2019 season in the FIM World
Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) has started: the BMW Motorrad
WorldSBK Team has completed a successful first test with the new BMW
S 1000 RR in Almeria, Spain. Together with riders Tom Sykes (GBR)
and Markus Reiterberger (GER), the BMW Motorrad Motorsport engineers
and the team gathered valuable information for further development
of the new race bike.
Sykes and Reiterberger had taken to the track with the Superstock
version of the new RR at the end of November, in Miramas (FRA). The
riders provided feedback about the ergonomics and their change
requests regarding the handlebars, levers, footrests, seat, tank,
windshield and instrument displays were then implemented in Munich.
At the same time, the first components developed specially for the
WorldSBK, such as brakes and suspension elements, were used in
Almeria. Both riders were able to complete a comprehensive programme
of testing over two days without any problems. They developed a basis
setup that will form the foundation for further work at the next tests
in Jerez de la Frontera (ESP).
BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the team also used the two test days in
Almeria to get used to one another in the new team configuration.
Reactions to the tests in Almeria.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “The
objective of the testing in Almeria was a shakedown with the
superbike. On the one hand, we were able to evaluate the modifications
regarding the ergonomics and we have seen that both riders have a lot
of confidence in the bike. We were also able to test the
newly-developed WorldSBK components and we can see that we are moving
in the right direction. We have gathered important experience for the
next tests and we know what work we still have to do. Of course, after
two days of testing the bike is still pretty much in its infancy but
we are very pleased with the basics of the motorbike and with what the
team has achieved in the last few months. At the next test in Jerez,
we will encounter our competitors for the first time and will be able
to see exactly where we stand. We are looking forward to this but we
would also like to concentrate solely on our own tasks and will not
get distracted by the competition.”
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK
Team: “First of all, it was great to finally get the team
together. We had two days at the circuit before the test, getting
final material together, meeting and greeting and getting an
understanding for the requirements of the test. The two days on the
circuit proved to be very positive, too. Both riders did almost 100
laps each over the two days without any major issues. We worked our
way through a very detailed test schedule. The key points for me were
that the team are working together very well and that the
comprehensive test of parts and material went very positively. We have
a good base-setting for both riders and a good direction to go to
Jerez. So overall we are very happy.”
Tom Sykes: “I am very happy with the test. Of course,
it’s still early days and there is still a lot of things to come our
way but like this I was very happy with my feeling for my BMW S 1000
RR. The general feedback was good. We certainly had two very
productive days testing, we changed quite some parameters on the bike
and really understood some key areas to work with. It was a very
positive two-day test for me and I was really happy and quite
impressed with the end result. It was the first time in that new
environment, the whole team working with each other and the engineers
from BMW Motorrad Motorsport. So it was a new experience for everybody
and soon everybody was working together like a clockwork. So it seems
that we are progressing very fast and I got a good feeling within the
environment in the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.”
Markus Reiterberger: “The focus was on completing a
roll-out with the new bike and for me to get used to the team and my
new crew. It is all new for me: the team, the working methods and the
Superbike version of the motorbike. The first outing with the new bike
went very well. I felt right at home with the seat position and the
handlebars from the word go. Our comprehensive programme of tests
included a lot of work on the chassis, electronics, geometry and a
host of setting options. We wanted to try everything out and pass on
our experience to BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the team to allow them
to work on preparation for the next tests. We are still at an early
stage and our focus was on the functional tests. It was important to
gather as much information as possible for the work that is still to
come. We are very pleased with what we have achieved thus far and we
are getting on well as a team. We are all working towards making
progress together.”