News

The Althea BMW Racing Team has concluded two days of testing at Vallelunga, where the team previously tested in December in more favourable conditions. With air and track temperatures of around 10°C, the squad was sadly only able to make the most of the track in the middle part of the day.

The two WorldSBK riders Markus Reiterberger and Jordi Torres were able to complete their respective work programmes, but these two days were also useful in bringing the whole team closer together. Raffaele de Rosa was also back on board his BMW S1000 RR Stock after the winter break, and also on hand in the Althea BMW garage was the General Technical Manager of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, Berti Hauser.

 German rider Markus Reiterberger’s work schedule focused on the testing of the new 2016 fork – brand new – and the 2016 electronics that he already used in the previous test, evaluating the package over a total of 68 laps. Jordi Torres meanwhile worked on new electronics solutions for his BMW S 1000 RR (completing 83 laps), while Raffaele de Rosa worked to improve feeling and geometry, completing 100 laps of the track.

Markus Reiterberger: “Today was a great day for me, particularly with the sun as yesterday was really cold and in those conditions we couldn’t make the most of our time or complete all of the necessary tests. Today was very different because we tested everything right to the end. We tested new components relating to the brakes, electronics, gearing and with respect to the previous Vallelunga tests in December we’ve taken a big step forward. The feeling is good, but the times are also good. I’m really happy with the atmosphere in the team too, another element that is working well – we’re becoming one big family.”

Jordi Torres: “These two days have been black and white, a bit like the team’s colours, because I still need to learn how to rider and what the bike is asking of me. I need to change my riding style and I need time to learn the direction to take. Yesterday I didn’t have confidence, there was small movement on entering, taking and exiting turns that was bothering me and prevented me from trusting and particularly from translating the information that the bike was giving me. It was a bit like riding with my eyes closed. But all of this has taught us a lot and was important for today, which went a lot better right from the outset. We concentrated on developing the electronics and the engine and I was able to interpret the info that that bike was giving me and so I’m happy about that. We made the most of our time, 100%, in order to move in the right direction. From now on we will also work on lap times but for now I can go home pleased.”