‘Fundamental things, different chassis set-up’ tried at Aragon for Sykes

Tom Sykes finishes the final WorldSBK pre-season test of 2021 fourth fastest in ten rider strong line-up at MotorLand Aragon. 

The 2013 series champion has had a busy testing program alongside new team-mate Michael Van Der Mark to complete as both riders look to bring the new and improved BMW M 1000 RR package to the front of the grid. 

With the season opener just over two weeks away, Sykes, Van Der Mark, Jonas Folger and Eugene Laverty will all be on the new M package which has also been fast in BSB testing already. 

Speaking after the test, Sykes said: "It has been a very productive test. We have done such a lot now with the electronics all over, the traction control, the engine brake, the power level maps. 

"We’ve also been working with different chassis configurations and set-up and were also trying some things with the engine. 

"Apart from that it was quite some other fundamental things that we have been trying. So overall, they have been very busy days. A big thanks to the whole BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team that has put in very long hours on all the preparations. 

"We just need to go back now and use all this information but certainly there has been a lot gathered and I really feel we can improve the whole package of the new BMW M 1000 RR. I am looking forward to the first races now."

Sykes completed 187 laps over the course of both days which was second of the BMW riders to Laverty who himself completed 197.