The last two test days at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal have been eventful for Markus Reiterberger and the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Amongst the normal test days, that need to be done during a pre-season and all the getting to know each-other in a new team with new structures, there also has been the launch of the new team-livery for the WorldSBK season 2019. Markus Reiterberger was very satisfied with the first test day. He was able to improve session by session on a very productive day and he could improve his feeling for the BMW S1000RR Superbike with each outing. After the motorbike had a lot of movement at the beginning, a lot of changes have been made to the set up. The seating position has been improved and attempts to the wheelbase and the steering head provided Reiterberger with a 1’43-time. Nevertheless the Youngster from Obing doesn’t want to get disturbed by the gap towards his teammate Tom Sykes and he wants to continue to concentrate on his own work. Unfortunately the test had to be snapped due to a crash of one of the other riders. The second test day on the Portuguese racetrack, on which the Superbike world championship will return in September, started with the launch of the team-colours. The audience was able to follow on the social networks how Markus Reiterberger, Tom Sykes and the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team were presented for the 2019 season. But around noon they had to get back to work. The second test day was a difficult one. It started with the same set up like the first, quite positive day did end. A lack of grip and strong movement within the whole bike deterred again from easing the work. However “Reiti” finished it within the middle field of the group and was able to improve his time by six tenths. Markus Reiterberger now has a few days to gain strengths again, before he will head to the last pre-season test mid February to Philip Island/Australia, where only a week after the season opener of the WorldSBK season 2019 will take place from 22ndto 24thof February.
Markus Reiterberger #28:“I was really happy with the first test day. After we started it with difficulties, as the bike moved around so much, we were able to find solutions really quick and session-by-session I gained more performance. It was not really easy and the gap is still there, but it really felt great and I was very positive about it. The team really gives it everything and they work 100% to get me a good feeling with the bike. I was really looking forward to the season after the first test day. The second day whatsoever looked a bit different. We tried a lot of settings to get me back the feeling of the previous day. With one change to the set up we were able to get a 1’43.1-time at the end. I think that, if the feeling with the bike is good, I can be really fast. Today was a different story though. I hope I can step forward with my riding style and get adapted to the circumstances and that my team can support me with the relevant settings of the bike to do so. Let’s see what they can get from the collected data until we meet again on Philip Island. I really want to thank my crew. They worked really hard again for me these two days and I am very happy with my team. Now I will head home for a few days and continue with my preparations for the upcoming season.”