BMW WorldSBK new-boy Eugene Laverty could not speak highly enough of the S100RR after two days’ testing at Jerez, venturing as far as to say it’s the best-handling bike he has ever ridden.

Jerez was the first time Laverty got his hands on the bike he will campaign in 2020 and is already right at home, working on ways to tame the beat on corner exit.

“Overall, it was a good test. Riding the bike I can tell this is the best chassis I’ve ever ridden. The way the bike turns and enters the corner is incredible. It’s surprising just how physical it is to ride right now,” said Laverty.

“We have to get the power under control for the corner exit. Once I can get that it will be even more rideable. Right now I can wrestle it for one lap if we wanted to get a lap time but for test that is not necessary.

So we’ve been working and just trying to tame the beast a little bit so we can get a bike that is going to be comfortable for 20 laps.

“The chassis is incredible and that’s the important thing. The base of the bike is good, now it’s just another fine-tuning of the electronics.”

Team boss Shaun Muir added: “Eugene had to take some time to get used to the electronics package on the BMW S 1000 RR and over the Christmas break we will further work on a strategy for him.

“He was getting quicker and quicker but only until the point where he was ready to push, but we are still very happy with his first test as he was running consistent times.”