ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK used the MotorLand Aragón circuit to focus on development for its M 1000 RR, with endurance racers stepping in for the absent regular riders to gather crucial data. Despite a lack of headline results, the German manufacturer expressed satisfaction with the progress made.
BMW Motorrad: Development takes centre stage at Aragón
The sixth round of the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at MotorLand Aragón took place under summer skies, but for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team, the focus was firmly on development. The squad was without its regular riders, Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci, both sidelined through injury. Stepping in for the injured pair were Michael van der Mark and Hannes Soomer, both familiar faces from BMW’s endurance racing programme. The primary objective wasn’t outright performance, but rather to collect valuable data to optimise the M 1000 RR for the latter half of the season. Despite challenging conditions and the usual lack of race preparation, both riders made the most of the machine’s potential to gather vital information.
Stand-in riders provide vital test data
With Miguel Oliveira recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in Hungary and Danilo Petrucci dealing with a fractured coccyx from a crash in the Czech Republic, BMW Motorrad turned to its experienced endurance racers. Michael van der Mark, a former five-year WorldSBK rider for BMW who now competes in endurance and acts as a test rider, returned to the Superbike paddock. He was joined by Hannes Soomer, also a BMW rider in the FIM EWC. The mission was clear: fine-tune the set-up and develop the M 1000 RR. While the raw results didn’t reflect BMW’s usual ambitions, the work undertaken on the Spanish track is considered essential by the manufacturer for future progress.
Michael van der Mark leads the charge
Michael van der Mark adapted quickly to the Superbike format and the M 1000 RR. He demonstrated the fruits of the development programme by lapping the circuit in under 1 minute 48 seconds for the first time. His seventh place in Superpole secured a strong starting position for the races. In Race 1, he finished 11th, with a similar result in the Superpole Race. Race 2 saw him secure a top-10 finish, crossing the line in tenth place. These solid performances underscore the progress made, although a significant gap to the frontrunners remains.
Hannes Soomer shows promise despite incidents
For Hannes Soomer, the Aragón weekend marked his return to WorldSBK after several years away. The Estonian rider integrated well with the team and contributed effectively to the development efforts. After qualifying 18th, he unfortunately suffered two crashes during the main races, forcing him out of Race 1 and resulting in a distant 18th place in Race 2 after remounting. Despite these setbacks, his commitment and hard work were appreciated by the team, who hope to see him compete under better circumstances in the future.
Regular riders recovering well
Miguel Oliveira, despite missing the race, was present at the circuit to support his team and liaise with the engineers. His recovery is progressing well, and he is targeting a return for the next round in Misano. Danilo Petrucci is undergoing treatment in Italy, with encouraging news also emerging from his camp. BMW Motorrad’s priority remains the health of its riders, who will only return to competition once fully recovered. A decision regarding the rider line-up for Misano is expected in the coming days.
BMW Motorrad: What’s next after Aragón?
This development-focused weekend at Aragón, despite the absence of the regular riders and modest results, was deemed highly productive by the BMW Motorrad team. The objective was not to fight for podiums, but to gather data to enhance the M 1000 RR. Michael van der Mark’s sub-1’48” lap time and his tenth-place finish in Race 2 are clear indicators of notable advancements. The German manufacturer is thus positioning itself for the second half of the season, with the hope that its regular riders will soon return to racing and competitive form.
- Development Focus: The team prioritised data acquisition to improve the M 1000 RR.
- Stand-in Riders: Michael van der Mark and Hannes Soomer fulfilled their development roles effectively.
- Signs of Progress: Van der Mark’s sub-1’48” lap time indicates significant advancements.
- Absent Riders: Oliveira and Petrucci are recovering, with a return to Misano anticipated.
- Outlook: BMW Motorrad is banking on these developments to boost competitiveness later in the season.
