A test took place in Jerez this week. Superbike disrupted by rain, during which the German team ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team completed its first laps of the year with its two new drivers: Miguel Oliveira et Danilo Petrucci.
Completely wet the first dayThe Andalusian track only offered itself for a few hours a coating that was almost dry except for damp areas the following day, however, allowing the drivers to rediscover their initial sensations acquired on the same track last November.
Overall, the two newcomers to the German manufacturer declare themselves delighted with the BMW M 1000 RR, even if they were only able to glimpse part of its potential.
First daya slip did not prevent Danilo Petrucci to complete 17 laps and the best time of 1'52.976 on the wet asphalt, Miguel Oliveira finishing 3rd, 1,284 seconds behind his teammate after completing 31 laps.
The second dayOn an almost dry track, the positions were reversed. Miguel Oliveira concluding this test in 12th position, 1,116 seconds behind Nicholas Bulega, Danilo Petrucci 17th, at 1,492 seconds.
Miguel Oliveira: « It was the first test of the year after the winter break, and there were obviously high expectations for these two days: to get to know the bike and the team better. I think we achieved that.
We've ticked off another important milestone, resolving some issues and getting to know each other better. This is the right direction.
We know we need more time, but at the same time, expectations are high. For now, we simply need to be patient and achieve the best possible result for me in this relatively short period of time.
Danilo Petrucci: "It was two long days, even though we didn't ride much. I really enjoyed being on the bike, especially in the rain. It's honestly one of the best bikes I've ever ridden in those conditions." Of course, it's a long process, because this motorcycle is very different from anything I've experienced before. But its potential is truly very high. You just have to learn how to ride it.
On the first day, I was very satisfied. On the second day, the track wasn't in ideal conditions, and we saw many crashes due to the wet patches. But it was still useful, as the conditions were very different from those of the November test, and we realized that the bike and I needed different settings. I hope that next week in Portimão, the conditions will be better so we can continue to gain experience.
Shaun Muir, Team Principal, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “This first test of the year was very important for us, even though the weather didn’t always allow us to follow the planned program. Despite this, the time spent in Jerez was extremely valuable for continuing the integration of Miguel and Danilo into the team and for deepening their understanding of the BMW M 1000 RR.”
Both drivers worked very professionally, adapted quickly to the conditions and provided clear feedback as soon as we could ride.
The confidence they showed on the bike, particularly in the wet, was very encouraging, and the team did an excellent job of exploiting every opportunity on track. We now turn our attention to Portimão, where we hope to continue progressing in the right direction ahead of the season opener at Phillip Island.
Christian GonschorTechnical Director, BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “The Jerez test was different from what we had initially planned due to the rain, but it proved to be very productive. Miguel and Danilo adapted very quickly to the bike and showed excellent performance on the BMW M 1000 RR in wet conditions.
They felt comfortable, and that was the main thing, both within the team and on the bike. They had confidence in the machine, including the electronics.
This allowed us to progress step by step during the first day and move both drivers up the timesheets. With the rapid improvement in conditions, we were able to add three productive hours in the dry today after a successful day in the rain.
This puts us in an optimal position for the next test at Portimão. The tires used by the different riders skewed the comparisons somewhat, but our riders are gradually gaining confidence and understanding of their machines in race configuration. The new components are working perfectly, and the new team members are already fully integrated into our racing family. We are all looking forward to the start of the season and thank the test team and Mickey for their excellent work.
The next test will take place in Portimão on January 28th and 29th.
BMW Superbike Oliveira Petrucci
