BMW MOTORRAD ITALIA SUPERBIKE TEAM - Portimao - Test

The BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team began work towards the 2012 season with its first private test at the Portimao circuit. On the track, the two Italian team riders have tried the bike with a hybrid configuration, including some 2012 parts. Ayrton Badovini was immediately fast, while Michel Fabrizio become more familiar with the new bike, concentrating on set-up.

The favorable weather conditions for the three day test at the Portuguese circuit allowed the BMW Motorrad Italy Superbike team to carry out a significant amount of work. Monday was devoted to testing new components, especially in terms of reliability, and while not making changes to the bike it was important to verify that everything worked. On day two the team worked on various set-ups and balance. Extremes were also tested to gain an understanding of response from the bike to the changes. Finally, on the third day, efforts were focused on new electronics management software which was ready just in time for these test.

Ayrton Badoviniimmediately felt good on the bike and from the early stages his times were among the best.

"It was love at first sight! With the new bike, I immediately felt at ease. It's easy to ride and I like it a lot” said Ayrton. “In these initial tests we have worked hard on the balance and we tried some new chassis set-ups and electronics options. The result was good because we have always been in touch with the front runners and this bodes well for next season in which we want to reap the fruits of the work done so far. The team worked very well, both back at the factory and here, and the results can be seen. "

On his second outing with BMW, and the first time on the new bike, Michel Fabrizio, having previously tested on the Tuesday following the race at Portimao, was back on track at the same circuit but with the bike with the new configuration.

"A very positive test” Michel commented on the three days in Portugal. “We tried everything we could on the bike, without focussing too much on lap times. In particular we focused on suspension set-up, forks and swingarm, and the bike always responded as expected. Overall I like the bike. I have not tried for out and out fastest times because I chose to focus on learning the bike at this test."

The best lap times at the end of the three days were 1'42.5 for Ayrton Badovini and 1'43.3 for Michel Fabrizio.

After the conclusion of the testing, Serafino Foti, sports director of BMW Motorrad Italy Superbike Team, commented: "This test was used to verify that all the work done in recent months was positive. We have focused on new components we have developed based on this year’s data, working on critical areas that we had identified. Overall, it appears that everything is positive. It’s clear that three days of testing are not enough to define the configuration of the 2012 bike, but I'd say we're pretty satisfied because it seems to go better than the 2011 version already. Before the start of the season we still have five days of testing remaining and we will try to get the most out of them, weather permitting. The weather was mild and we were able to work steadily. Ayrton focused on the different types of chassis set up and mapping the electronics. For Michel it was slightly different, because we focused on him feeling comfortable and learning the bike in anticipation of him doing more at the next test. His previously injured right arm proved to be a problem again and we need to conduct medical tests to evaluate necessary treatment.”

Now the BMW Motorrad Superbike Team Italy, as per the regulations, ceases testing with its riders until mid-February on the Australian circuit of Phillip Island.