Further productive test days: BMW Motorrad Motorsport continues preparation for 2024 WorldSBK at Portimão
- The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and BMW Motorrad Motorsport Test Team continue their work to optimise the BMW M 1000 RR in Portugal.
- Close data exchange between teams and riders Michael van der Mark, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Garrett Gerloff, Scott Redding, Sylvain Guintoli and Bradley Smith.
- Productive final test in Europe before the WorldSBK season opener in Australia.
Portimão. From Spain, the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK teams headed straight to Portugal. At Portimão, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and BMW Motorrad Motorsport Test Team continued their preparation for the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK). On Monday and Tuesday, WorldSBK factory riders Michael van der Mark (NED), Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR), Garrett Gerloff (USA) and Scott Redding (GBR), as well as the factory riders from the Test Team, Sylvain Guintoli (FRA), and Bradley Smith (GBR), completed an intensive testing programme. In consistently good conditions, they gathered crucial information for further optimisation of the BMW M 1000 RR.
With three teams and six riders, BMW Motorrad Motorsport used the two test days for comprehensive evaluations. Through close data exchange among all teams, important insights were gained for the continuous development of the BMW M 1000 RR. Additionally, the teams and riders fine-tuned the individual setups of their bikes to be as well-prepared as possible for the upcoming season.
The productive days at Portimão marked the last winter test on European soil. The next stop is Phillip Island in Australia in three weeks’ time. Another two-day test will take place on 19th and 20th February, followed by the season opener at the same location from 23rd to 25th February.
Michael van der Mark (#60 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I was really happy with the end of the day. Today we changed the setup of the bike, we had some ideas and we changed honestly the whole bike and immediately from the first lap that felt good. At the end of the day we were trying some new tyres, doing some good laps with the SCX and I felt happy. I felt good with the bike so I think I even could have gone a little bit quicker. But I am really happy. I am feeling more and more ready to race. Also doing so many laps in these perfect conditions I gained a lot of confidence again. I feel faster and more ready than last year. I feel that the old Mickey is coming back.”