WSB: Sykes and Reiterberger unveil 2019 BMW livery

The all-new BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team unveiled its livery for the 2019 World Superbike season in Portimao this morning.

The new factory effort, fielded by Shaun Muir Racing, lifted the covers off the new S 1000 RRs Tom Sykes and Markus Reiterberger will campaign during the upcoming season, which gets underway next month.

Featuring the iconic light blue, dark blue red and white colours of BMW ‘M’ Motorsport, the striking design marks the Munich factory’s first season on the world stage with a fully supported effort since the withdrawal of the Goldbet BMW team in 2013.

The effort has been testing alongside the rest of the World Superbike field in Spain and Portugal this week. Neither rider fielded an official transponder in Jerez, but going up against the opposition for the first time publicly yesterday, Sykes was fifth quickest, just 0.6 seconds off pacesetter Jonathan Rea, suggesting promising signs for the Bavarian marque.

Testing continues in Portimao today before teams fly to Australia for one final pre-season test before the 2019 season gets underway at the legendary Phillip Island circuit between 22-24 February.