The BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team successfully carried out a two-day test at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain earlier this week. This was the last opportunity to get some track time before the departure to Phillip Island, where the riders will perform a further two-day official just ahead of the opening round (February 20-22)

The new BMW S 1000 RR is very different compared with the previous version; the engine power has been beefed up and the bike has been improved in every respect. The team led by Gerardo Acocella,worked hard to make it possible for Barrier to take the best out of the four-cylinder German machine and the results of the tests can be considered very positive. Even without using the soft tyres, on the second day the French rider clocked in at 1’42.004, just three tenths slower than current the lap record.

Sylvain Barrier: “After the difficulties we encountered at Portimao, the two days at Jerez were very positive and I was able to get to grips with the 2015 version of the S 1000 RR. I immediately felt at ease on the bike and I was able to get up to speed pretty quickly. There is still a lot of work to do in order to narrow the gap to the frontrunners. I think that we have already reached a good level of competitiveness, so I feel ready and confident for the first round of the season, which is only a month away now.”