After the first season of the new S 1000 RR BMW motorcycle in WorldSBK, the German Manufacturer presented their plans for the forthcoming 2020 WorldSBK season at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. A new line-up, improved motorcycle and new ambitions look set to drive the constructor to the front of the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2020.

Pole positions and podiums will look to be built on next season and changed into wins and a Championship challenge. The new line-up has a familiar feel, with Tom Sykes being retained for 2020, although his new teammate will be 2013 WorldSBK Championship runner-up to Sykes, Eugene Laverty. Both are eager to get started and ready take it to the leading manufacturers in the Championship.

With Sykes motivated to continue the rapid development of the BMW, he stated his intentions at the BMW presentation at EICMA: “Regarding the 2019 season, I feel like the new BMW S 1000 RR was certainly able to showcase a lot of its potential. Considering the fact that the project started very late, I think that what we were able to achieve in that time is really impressive.

“The good thing as well is that during the season we were able to gather a lot of data and information which is now in the winter very valuable moving into the 2020 season. I’m very happy that I have the continuity and stay with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. And of course, my target is to win races and I feel that with a bit more time and development this is achievable. I can’t wait to start our programme for 2020.”

Eugene Laverty is also excited for a new project, joining his third different manufacturer in three years: “I’m so grateful for this opportunity from BMW for 2020 and the faith that BMW has put in me. My aim is to repay with some race wins and I know that the bike is capable of that after the debut season that already saw the RR on the podium several times. I hope I can add to that on 2020.”

As for team principal Shaun Muir, he is looking forward to building on from a first season of the BMW-SMR relationship: “It has been a manic season, the whole relationship with BMW Motorrad Motorsport and SMR started very late, so the challenge was always going to be difficult in its first year. Going into 2020 we can look at the success we achieved in 2019 and work on the good foundations we have built.

“I’m especially pleased in the way that we have steadily developed the BMW S 1000 RR at our pace, we have developed the bike in such a way that we are a force to be reckoned with and now we must take that to the next level. With the new addition of Eugene Laverty partnering Tom Sykes in 2020 we feel we can take that challenge to another level and challenge for wins.”

Sykes and Laverty will also be on site on the public days of the EICMA. On Saturday (13:30 CET) and Sunday (12:30 CET), there will be interview sessions and autograph sessions with the duo at the BMW Motorrad stand (hall 13, stand N54). Sykes and Laverty will also attend the WorldSBK Paddock Show on Saturday.

Watch the BMW in testing throughout the pre-season and the build-up to 2020 with the WorldSBK VideoPass!