BMW test at Donington Park: Danilo Petrucci back on the M1000RR

For ROKiT BMW, Donington Park is the most important event on the World Superbike Championship calendar, as the works team has been managed by Shaun Muir Racing for the past eight years. It is around 230 km from the team’s base in Guisborough to the historic circuit, where the production-based World Championship made its debut back in 1988.

In preparation for the home race, BMW held a test day at Donington on Tuesday – just in time before the testing ban comes into force two weeks before the race weekend. Along the way, Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci were able to assess their physical condition.

As a reminder, Oliveira recently made his comeback at Misano following a complex shoulder injury. Petrucci, meanwhile, broke his coccyx in Most in mid-May – a protracted and extremely painful ordeal.

The BMW riders’ fitness was put to the test, as the heatwave sweeping across Europe has also firmly gripped Leicestershire: Oliveira and Petrucci took to the track in temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius. The most important insight for BMW: Petrucci is ready to make his return!

“I’m very happy, because before the test I wasn’t entirely sure how my physical condition was. So it was all the more satisfying to see that I can ride again and feel good on the bike,” confirmed the Italian. “Above all, I was really pleased to be working with my crew again. We worked well, made progress with the set-up, and I was able to ride fast. But the most important thing for me was to have fun on the bike again – that’s what I’ve missed the most.”

Team boss Shaun Muir is also relieved that he can count on both his regular riders for the home race.

This test was an important step forward for the whole team.

BMW Team Principal Shaun Muir

“It was great to see Danilo back on the BMW M1000RR. After everything he’s been through in recent weeks, his performance in the test was truly impressive. What impressed me most wasn’t just the lap times, but above all his approach. He was positive right from the first run, was clearly enjoying himself on the bike and was fully focused. That gave the whole team an extra boost,” said the 60-year-old. “At the same time, it was very pleasing to see Miguel back on the track alongside Danilo. Both riders successfully completed their test programme and carried out important work in preparation for the race weekend. Following the challenges of the past few weeks, this test was an important step forward for the whole team. We’re leaving Donington feeling very positive and are looking forward to returning here in two weeks’ time with both our regular riders.”