World Superbike BMW Motorrad Motorsport team was at the Mugello doing development work with test rider Steve Martin, and as we anticipated last month, Jakub Smrz got his chance to ride Troy Corser’s official BMW S 1000 RR.
Team Pata B&G are not completely satisfied with their Ducati’s and are thinking of switching marques and are already in talks with Aprilia and BMW to see if either of these manufacturers are willing to supply them with the motorcycles.
On Tuesday Smrz re-learned the track (the last time he was at the Mugello was back when he was riding in the 125cc and 250cc GP championships) and learned at little about the difficulties in setting up the German superbike and on Wednesday the Czech rider put in about thirty laps with track temperatures reaching 60°C and an unofficial best lap in the 1.
53’s.
The rumours that the Czech rider may be moving to Tardozzi’s BMW team next year are growing stronger, however other riders may be on the Italian team manager’s shopping list and that includes BMW Motorrad Italia STK Team Superstock rider Artyon Baldovini, who is dominating the championship, but Max Neukirchner is also looking for a ride in the German team and a German rider on a German bike would no doubt make BMW management very happy, despite Neukirchner’s very dismal season so far.
Team BMW Motorrad Superbike will then move on to Misano for further testing, with Aprilia, Suzuki and Yamaha, while all the Ducati teams, factory and private will be at the WDW on Saturday and Sunday, followed by testing on Monday.