The first test run with the brand-new BMW S 1000 RR was met with enthusiasm by the alpha racing Van Zon BMW team. For five days in Almería, team boss Werner Daemen and his crew worked on the new Double-R models, as well as with IDM Superbike 1000 defending champion Ilya Mikhalchick and last year’s third-place finisher Julian Puffe. For the 23-year-old racer from Schleiz, there is only one goal for 2019: to beat the champion and win. We asked him about it.
How do you think you can beat Ilya Mikhalchik?
“So far, he does a few things better than I do—for example, when it comes to my riding position. I also don’t always hit the right line. That costs me time in the race. And I need to improve my use of the rear brake. I know my weaknesses, so I can work on them.”
But there isn’t much time left until the season opener in May at the Lausitzring.
“During our joint rollout, I really couldn’t focus on that yet. In the first four days, we got used to the new bike, adjusted parts, and tested the brakes. It wasn’t until the fifth day that we managed to string together a few laps. What really helped me, though, was the Pirelli test I did together with the GERT 56 endurance team in Alcarràs. There, I was able to ride many laps over four days and assess my own performance. Before the IDM season starts, I still have an endurance race at Le Mans. The IDM team will also be testing twice more.”
What do you like best about the new BMW?
“The engine characteristics. The bike isn’t any faster at top speed, but the torque at low RPMs is incredible. Even in its standard configuration, the new S 1000 RR handles better than the old one. The bike is completely different—more compact, even in terms of the riding position.”
Who are your biggest rivals in general for 2019?
“Besides my own teammate, they’re definitely Bastien Mackels, Jan Bühn, and Erwan Nigon. I’m not worrying too much about it yet; I’m just doing everything I can to win races. We’ll see how the rest plays out on the track.”