BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT - SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - TEST AT PORTIMAO - RESULTS

Munich. BMW Motorrad Motorsport rider Troy Corser took part in the first trial
of the year 2009 superpole procedure and ended up sixth quickest in the first
official WSBK test at 4.592 kilometer Autodromo Internacional Algarve in
Portugal. His time, on equivalent rubbers, was just 4 tenth of a second slower
than Briton Shane Byrne (Ducati) and a great sign of things to come.

Conditions throughout the three days were generally appalling and dry track
time was very limited. But, despite the tricky conditions, the team gained a
lot of useful information and continued to make good progress. The three-day
tests also saw a try-out of the new Superpole procedure, in which three
separate sessions are used to determine the grid positions. Troy finished
eleventh fastest in the overall standings and sixth in Superpole, whilst Ruben
ended 25th in both the general classification and Superpole. Briton Shane Byrne
(Ducati) ended quickest overall, with a lap of 1:43.294, with Ben Spies
(Yamaha) second and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) third.

Troy (overall best lap - 1:44.261)
Overall, it's not been too bad a test, though we could've all done with better
weather and more dry track time. We had a chance to get through some of the
stuff we hadn't managed to test before, including different links and geometry
settings. The clutch is now fine and our main area of work here was to get the
throttle response the way I want it. We just need to smooth it out a bit, but
these are early days with the bike and we all know that we have a lot to do.
Once we do that, I will be more comfortable on the bike and be able to push a
lot harder. But I am already pleasantly surprised at how quickly I can go even
though I'm not completely comfortable on the bike and that bodes well for the
future. I did my best lap on race rubber and although we could've done with
more general practice instead of trying out a new Superpole procedure, in a way
it was quite good giving it a try-out because we all learned a lot about what
has to be done and how quickly it has to be done. I hope our next test is dry
and we can keep up our good progress.

Ruben (overall best lap - 1:46.128)
I started the tests with some ideas about which direction I wanted to go, but I
soon realised that I have to adapt my riding style to this bike. It's been a
long time since I've ridden a four cylinder bike and a long time since I've
ridden a bike that's got real power. The BMW is very strong and I must learn
how to best ride it so that I can get the most out of it. I had a couple of
small get-offs but, apart from a slightly battered finger in my left hand, no
injuries. Today's crash happened when I hit a wet patch on an almost dry track
and I was highsided without any warning. I am not bothered at all about lap
times at the moment, because I need to understand the bike more before I can
push hard. I just have to be patient, continue working hard and everything will
improve.

Berti Hauser (Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
Conditions were not easy during these three days, so all credit to Troy, Ruben
and the team for all the good work they managed to do in this time. Troy is
feeling a bit happier than Ruben at the moment, but that's normal because Troy
has a lot more four cylinder experience. It is encouraging that our bike
continues to show its potential. The whole team is looking forward to the next
test, and hopefully better weather.