Preparing for WorldSBK 2024: BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK teams complete intensive testing schedule at Jerez de la Frontera
- First test of the year for 2024 sees the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and the BMW Motorrad Motorsport test team hit the track for two days in southern Spain.
- Good conditions welcomed the riders as they came up against their WorldSBK rivals for the first time.
- More testing is scheduled for next week at Portimão, Portugal.
Jerez de la Frontera. Three teams, six BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory riders; the first test session of the year saw BMW Motorrad Motorsport kick off the critical phase of preparations for the 2024 season in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) with a big line-up. The official tests at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) on Wednesday and Thursday not only featured the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team with Michael van der Mark (NED) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) but also the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team with Garrett Gerloff (USA) and Scott Redding (GBR) on the circuit. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport Test Team was also in action with Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) and Bradley Smith (GBR).
The two days of testing in southern Spain also represented the first opportunity to go up against WorldSBK rivals, as all manufacturers were taking part. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK teams and the test team enjoyed good conditions at Jerez de la Frontera, with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures. They were able to complete a comprehensive testing schedule. The focus was on set-up work in a range of areas such as chassis and electronics, as well as evaluating newly developed components.
A further two days of testing are scheduled for early next week at Portimão, Portugal. Phillip Island in Australia will be the location for final testing on 19th and 20th February. That will be followed by the season-opener there from 23rd to 25th February.
Michael van der Mark (#60 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “It has been a busy test; two perfect days with amazing weather, so it was great for testing and I really enjoyed riding again. We’ve been trying to test a lot of different set-ups and different parts on the bike. They have been quite busy days but I really enjoyed it. We are still trying to improve the bike, and are getting better and better. Also myself, my riding has improved so I am quite happy with it. We learnt a lot and I’m looking forward to Portimão. It’s one of my favourite tracks so I can’t wait to go out there and keep working.”