Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty present the new look BMW S 1000 RR ahead of the 2020 WorldSBK season assault at EICMA.

05.11.19

EICMA, Milan

In November 2018, BMW Motorrad presented the new BMW S 1000 RR at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan (ITA) and announced their works comeback in the FIM Superbike World Championship alongside the Shaun Muir Racing run team. Now, a year later, The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team reflect on the impressive maiden season with the new RR at the EICMA, and looked ahead to 2020.

During a motorsport press conference at the EICMA stand of BMW Motorrad, Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, and BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers discussed the new Superbike’s first year in international racing. Tom Sykes (GBR), who will contest his second season for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team in 2020, and his new team-mate Eugene Laverty (GBR) and Team Principal Shaun Muir were also there

In the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team caused a stir right from the very first race, with fast times and good results. Sykes claimed the first WorldSBK podium for the new RR in Misano (ITA) in June; the Superbike’s overall haul for the maiden season was four podiums and one pole position.

 Shaun Muir, Team Principal:

“It has been a manic season, the whole relationship with BMW Motorrad and SMR started very late, so the challenge was always going to be difficult in its first year. Going into 2020 we can look at the success we achieved in 2019 and work on the good foundations we have built. I’m especially pleased in the way that we have steadily developed the BMW S 1000 RR at our pace, we have developed the bike in such a way that we are force to be reckoned with and now we must take that to the next level. With the new addition of Eugene Laverty partnering Tom Sykes in 2020 we feel we can take that challenge to another level and challenge for wins.

 Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:

“When we started the development, we could not yet foresee these strong results, We knew however, that the new RR is a strong base. The first winter tests already showed that the bike has potential in race trim. Over the course of the season, we continuously improved the bike. The largest impact came from two engine updates. Furthermore, we brought new bodywork and considerable electronic updates and made changes to the frame. In general, development is a continuous process to close the gap to our top competitors. We have acquired a lot of data in our first season from which we can analyse our strengths and weaknesses. This will be our base to work from in the winter.”

 Tom Sykes:

“Regarding the 2019 season, I feel like the new BMW S 1000 RR was certainly able to showcase a lot of its potential, considering the fact that the project started very late I think that what we were able to achieve in that time is really impressive. The good thing as well is that during the season we were able to gather a lot of data and information which is now in the winter very valuable moving into the 2020 season. I’m very happy that I have the continuity and stay with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. And of course, my target is to win races and I feel that with a bit more time and development this is achievable. I can’t wait to start our programme for 2020.”

Eugene Laverty:

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity from BMW for 2020 and the faith that BMW has put in me. My aim is to repay with some race wins and I know that the bike is capable of that after the debut season that already saw the RR on the podium several times. I hope I can add to that on 2020.”