BMW Motorrad Motorsport at WorldSBK: Next stop, Estoril.
The third round of the FIM 2022 World Superbike Championship in Estoril, Portugal.
50 years of BMW M: BMW Motorrad Motorsport is part of the anniversary weekend.
The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team passed tests in Aschersleben and Portimau.
Estheril. This weekend BMW Motorrad Motorsport returns to action in the third round of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) after a three and a half week break. Estaril, Portugal, takes place from 20 to 22 May. The route west of Lisbon has hosted WorldSBK regularly since 2020. For BMW Motorrad Motorsport the racing weekend is also dedicated to a special anniversary: the 50th anniversary of the BMW M will be an important theme in Estoril.
Two BMW Motorrad Motorsport teams used post-race Assen (NED) to optimize the BMW M 1000 RR. The Bonovo action BMW Racing Team with racers Loris Baz (FRA) and Eugene Laverty (IRL) was tested in Oschersleben (Germany) last Wednesday. On Monday, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team set off on the Portimão (POR) track with their riders Scott Reading (GBR) and Michael van der Mark (NED).
BMW M GmbH, a close partner of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with numerous events, and the big anniversary will also play a central role in Estaril. This includes BMW Motorrad Motorsport organizing a special birthday party at the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Hospitality, in the pen, on Friday night. Media representatives are welcome after pre-registration (see contact below). The event starts Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Quotes before the Estoril Round.
Mark Bongers, Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “Together with the teams we used the break after the first two racing weekends in Aragon and Assen to prepare for the rest of the season. While the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team focused on chassis components at Oschersleben, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team worked on further developing clutch technology in Portimão. We are now fully focused on the upcoming racing weekend. In the past we have seen that Estaril is a difficult route for us. However, we are confident that we can deploy the first two rounds and take the next step. Conditions will be different from the conditions of the first two racing weekends. We expect higher temperatures, so it’s important to make sure the BMW M 1000 RR is well tuned to these conditions from the first workout. Racers, engineers and mechanics make every effort to get closer to achieving our goals. I look forward to an exciting racing weekend in Estoril and especially the integration of the BMW M anniversary. ”
Scott Reading, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team: “Estaril is the first time I drove a BMW, and for me it is a good place and a good track. I like Estaril. On Monday we had a test in Portimao. It was nice to get back on the bike and I really enjoyed it. I hope we can start Estaril the way we finished in Assen and try to improve the package again with the team and see what we can do, so I look forward to getting back on the bike and from there. ”
Michael van der Mark, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team: “It was nice to take an extra test and also for me it was good to ride a bike to see my condition on the bike. It has improved a lot compared to Assen, so it gave me a lot of confidence. I really like the Estoril track. This is a track on which the differences are very small, so I am happy that now I am much better on motorcycles. Last year we went there pretty well, but since then the bike has changed a lot and I’m curious to see how it will work there. It’s good for me that I can finally ride more normally. “
Loris Baz, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “It was good to do a few laps in Oschersleben. We were able to work on our starts and maybe also come up with some ideas for customizing the geometry. The factory team conducted the tests in Portimao and this will also be important as we share all our information. Estaril is a difficult track, I’m looking forward to it. Eugene will return and we will do our best to put the BMW M 1000 RR in the top five. “
Eugene Laverty, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “Last week we had the opportunity to do a few laps in Oschersleben. It was a great opportunity to get back on the horse and check my physical condition before the next round in Estaril and I felt good. Last year in Estoril my pace was strong and so I am optimistic about a strong weekend. Now we are entering the summer racing season, so let’s see how the BMW M 1000 RR works at higher temperatures on the track. My teammate Loris Baz did a fantastic job last time in Assen, and so the whole BMW Racing Bonovo team is in high spirits. After I missed the last round due to injury, my goal is to join the party in Estaril. “
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/worldsbk-bmw-riders-test-ahead-of-estoril-round/
