Munich. Within the countdown to the beginning of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship, BMW Motorrad Motorsport has accomplished an intensive double check session. Final week, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff hit the monitor in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, with Michael van der Mark (NED). This week, on the two-day check in Portimão, Portugal, reigning World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) additionally joined the group after skipping Jerez attributable to a finger harm.
Along with poor climate circumstances, modified laws difficult the event course of. Because of the FIM rule change efficient January 23, 2025, towards BMW, the Tremendous-Concession body used final yr might not be deployed. Moreover, the gas movement restrict of 47 kg/h forces all groups to undertake extra environment friendly methods. Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply the know-how that was examined – World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu battled with a damaged finger but nonetheless managed spectacular lap instances, whereas Michael van der Mark needed to regain his kind after a crash at Jerez. Regardless of all these challenges, BMW has created a powerful basis with the brand new M 1000 RR – the season can start!
The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Take a look at Staff was additionally in motion at each assessments, with Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) and Markus Reiterberger (GER) using the brand new BMW M 1000 RR. The check days have been used for intensive set-up work on the brand new World Superbike, with shut collaboration between the race and check groups in preparation for the title protection mission. The 2025 WorldSBK season kicks off from twenty first to twenty third February in Phillip Island (AUS), with one other two-day check scheduled there beforehand.
Reactions after the assessments at Jerez de la Frontera and Portimão.
Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “To sum it up briefly, we’re prepared for Phillip Island. It was actually not the simplest winter, particularly with the wet days and the restricted dry monitor time. Nonetheless, on the primary day at Portimão, we have been capable of present properly the place we stand. We’re additionally very comfortable that Toprak’s harm is therapeutic. He’s not at 100% but, however he has already proved on monitor what potential he and the BMW can have this yr once more. On Mickey’s aspect, we have been additionally very constructive. His efficiency has remained robust over the winter, and we noticed in Jerez that he’ll carry this momentum into Phillip Island. Now, we are able to hardly wait to go to Australia and begin the primary race.”
Christian Gonschor, Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “It’s at all times a pleasure to see the manufacturing facility group and the check group collectively on the monitor, experiencing how the respective technicians and riders synchronise, change data, and collaboratively develop the 2025 bike. The check group has examined in all climate circumstances, laid stable foundations, and secured and confirmed the ultimate elements for the 2025 race deployment. Markus and Sylvain have diligently accomplished laps and all check assignments, although Sylvain was barely unwell at Portimão. Wishing him a speedy restoration at this level. The race group additionally maximised a dry day at Jerez with Michael and some dry however very windy hours at Portimão on Day 1 with each deployment riders. Toprak confirmed the competitiveness of the bike for 2025 on race tyres in dry circumstances and admirably accomplished his check programme regardless of his hand harm, totalling 60 useful laps. Throughout the two check occasions in Jerez and Portimão, we have been thus capable of affirm the efficiency of the M1000RR in dry circumstances, type out parts, and adapt the bike to the brand new laws for 2025. The bike, riders and technical crew are prepared and extremely motivated to start out their journey with the brand new M1000RR to Australia, the place two useful check days await earlier than the primary race of the season to include the ultimate insights from the pre-season assessments and full the fine-tuning.”
Shaun Muir, Staff Principal ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff: “At Jerez we clearly solely examined with Michael and we’ve been proud of the scenario with him when it comes to the work he’s performed with the check gadgets. We’re actually proud of the package deal thus far. At Portimão we have been principally struggling to work across the climate scenario, so what turned out to be very useful monitor time was on day one within the afternoon. We actually ticked quite a lot of containers when it comes to understanding the package deal now. For positive not understanding that day two can be so dangerous climate smart, at the least now we’ve got some clear course going to Phillip Island, the place we’ve got a extra comfy feeling now beginning the season there.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff): “For me the check in Portimão, particularly the primary day, was actually constructive. We tried some new elements and set-ups and it labored very well. I’m comfortable and it appears to be like like that we’re prepared for the Phillip Island race. The check was additionally essential for me after my harm; my finger was damaged and I couldn’t trip a motorcycle for nearly two months, so I’m glad that I might trip the Superbike once more. I’ve nonetheless slightly ache in my finger however on the bike I’m feeling superb. The arduous braking particularly is nice and regular, it’s solely whereas I’m leaning in the best nook, I’m not feeling 100% comfy and I’m not pushing as arduous as earlier than. I hope that will probably be higher by Phillip Island as a result of typically all the pieces goes very well. I’m wanting ahead to the Phillip Island check now, I hope we are able to discover a good set-up and to start out the season robust.”
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff): “It was very nice to be again on the monitor after the winter break. We have been simply actually unfortunate with the climate in the course of the two assessments at Jerez and Portimão. Anyway, I feel we began off on an excellent stage. For positive you at all times wish to attempt new issues on a motorcycle, particularly with a brand new bike as we’ve got, however the stage was already so good, so I’m feeling very assured and am wanting ahead to Phillip Island. Now we have one other two days of testing there, so there will likely be nonetheless quite a lot of issues that we wish to attempt however we all know that the idea is actually good and we’re comfortable to race now. The brand new bike feels actually much like final years bike, however with sure enhancements, which is actually good, I prefer it lots.”
Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Take a look at Staff): “Sadly, we didn’t have the most effective climate in the course of the pre-season assessments, however that was the case for all groups and riders. The climate was fairly combined at each assessments, and in addition comparatively cool. Nonetheless, we tried our greatest to finish our check programme and rode many laps. We tried out numerous issues and the engineers have been glad with that. As a check rider, it’s additionally necessary for me to contribute insights that the engineers and the group can work with successfully and that really profit the undertaking, so my aim isn’t essentially to trip a quick lap. All in all, the assessments have been cool, we spent quite a lot of time collectively and picked up quite a lot of information. I feel we’ve performed job making ready, in order that the manufacturing facility group now has base for Phillip Island, and I’m very comfortable and grateful to be part of it.”
Sylvain Guintoli (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Take a look at Staff): “I’m really not feeling very properly, so I solely examined the primary day at Portimão. I nonetheless managed to do greater than 70 laps although however couldn’t check on day two. In any case, usually the winter testing was good, we undoubtedly had difficult climate circumstances at Jerez and Portimão, however we did what we needed to do. We have been capable of cowl a lot of mileage in each moist and dry circumstances, which was actually necessary so it was undoubtedly additionally good observe for our Endurance season, particularly for Le Mans. All in all we acquired all the pieces performed and I’m actually proud of it. It feels good, that all the pieces is now able to go for the primary spherical at Phillip Island. It was nice work by the check group and in addition by the manufacturing facility group. Working collectively was a pleasure.”
