22.2.2019 Phillip Island. The new BMW S 1000 RR, has completed its race debut only three months after the production version was revealed to the world public.
In the season opener of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) to Phillip Island (AUS) which fought on Saturday the first race. Tom Sykes (GBR) from the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team finished with an RR in the seventh. His team-mate Markus Reiterberger (GER) finished on Position 13.
In the super pole qualifying on Saturday morning, Sykes had secured the fourth starting position. In the race he drove for a long time in the Top 6 before he fur back in the closing stages. Reiterberger what started from 13th place into the race. After he lost at the Start a couple of positions, he continued in the following rounds with his brand new RR back to points.
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- Quotes after race 1 in Phillip Island.
- Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad:
- Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
- Shaun Muir, team Manager BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:
- Tom Sykes:
- Markus Reiterberger:
Quotes after race 1 in Phillip Island.
Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad:
“The first race in what is an immensely important milestone for us, and with the result we can be very satisfied. We knew that our new BMW S brings 1000 RR for their use in the WorldSBK a very good base. We could not, however, assume that both drivers can score points in the first race. A very large compliment to the entire Team and the teams at home in Munich and Berlin for the work done in the short amount of development time. Today, we have seen, however, that we still have great Potential.“
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
“We are with the weekend so far, quite satisfied. We have shown that we can be in the Sessions ahead. On the other side, but also where we are losing at the Moment. This was, however, already be aware, as we came to the few test days here and we are working on it. If we improve ourselves, we are in the music. We are so pleased because we would not have expected these results before the two and a half months.“
Shaun Muir, team Manager BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:
“I think both drivers have done a very good Job. Tom, we could not have expected much more. He has fought in the top group, and in a better Situation, he would have been able to stay at the front. But another driver and he have come to each other in the enclosure, and so he has lost the connection to the top. In my heart, I think that the Top 6 would have been possible. The seventh is about what we had waiting for us. So Tom had a great race. On the other side of the Garage for Markus compromised by Qualifying and a bad Start. It also lacked Grip. But he was in good company of some very good pilots and came in only ten seconds behind his team-mate – although he started at the back. This makes us very confident, and over night we will be making a few Changes.“
Tom Sykes:
“We were constantly at the front, and I’m surprised about the huge progress made by the entire BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. After only six test competition days so as to be capable of is something Special. I think everyone could see that we are limited to the Straight a little. But the Positive is that the BMW S done 1000 RR its Job in the curves. There is no doubt that we have in terms of suspension, electronics and brakes a very good base tune. The Potential is definitely there. The first race is completed, now we work more and make more progress. And I have to say: I think we’ve surprised some people.“
Markus Reiterberger:
“In the Morning practice session we have improved us, but it seems that we get a temperature increase of difficulty with the Grip. In Superpole we had a problem with a Sensor. But I must also say honestly that I haven’t felt so comfortable and therefore, not a good round get. My Start was good, and in the first laps I tried to save the rear tyre for the distance. I have succeeded but for the front it was not enough. Position 13 is not what I had expected for me personally, but for BMW it was Tom’s seventh place is a good result. I think there is still a lot of Potential in me, and in the motorcycle, which we can exploit. We are continuously working on, and I’m sure we’ll get there.“
22nd February 2019. Phillip Island (AUS). BMW Motorrad Motorsport. FIM Superbike World Championship. BMW motorcycle WorldSBK Team, the BMW S 1000 RR, Markus Reiter Berger #28 (GER).
