January 2010
42 posts
BMW Motorrad Motorsport - Superbike World Championship - Test Portimao - Day 1
- 22.01.2010
- Press Release
Weather conditions: Overcast, partly sunny.
Temperature: Air: 17 – 21 °C, Track: 15 – 23 °C
Number of riders participating: 20 from 11 teams
Fastest lap overall: Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1:42.778 min
Circuit length: 4.658 km
Programme:
For the first test of the 2010 season, BMW Motorrad Motorsport brought along bikes with a new engine set-up and new swing arms. While Troy Corser (AUS) had already been able to ride the newly set-up BMW S 1000 RR during the final test of the 2009 season in Almeria, Ruben Xaus (ESP) rode the race bike for the first time today after his accident in the last race of that season. Ruben’s crew focussed on bike ergonomics and tested different handlebar and footrest positions in the morning. In the afternoon, Ruben’s crew worked on bike geometry and weight distribution. Troy’s crew worked on bike geometry and weight distribution in both sessions.
Troy Corser:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Test kilometres today: 293 (63 laps)
Fastest lap free practice 1: 1:44.756 min / fastest lap free practice 2: 1:44.376 min
“Today was not too bad, although we are not exactly where we wanted to be. We tried a lot of different things on the bike today. We compared two different swing arms, and I can feel the difference. However, it is too early to say whether it is a big improvement. I think we made a step forward with the engine. Now we have to get the combination right between engine and chassis.”
Ruben Xaus:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
Test kilometres today: 260 (56 laps)
Fastest lap free practice 1: 1:45.034 min / Fastest lap free practice 2: 1:44.570 min
“I am pretty impressed with the progress we made over the winter. Most of the other riders tested a lot more than I did and have a lot more kilometres on the bikes. Taking that into account, I am quite satisfied. We tested a lot of different things today, and we were not totally off the pace. The bike is much more rideable with the new engine set-up. However, we still have to understand some issues. I experienced some wheelies at points round the track, which does not allow me to open the throttle fully. There we are losing time.”
What comes next:
This week’s testing in Portimao will continue until Sunday. On Saturday, both riders will test a new rear shock. On top of that Troy Corser will test a new front fork.
