In some ways the arrival of the 2019 BMW S1000RR into the WorldSBK paddock has been overshadowed by the stunning performance of the new Ducati V4R - and then the advancing pace of the latest Kawasaki and Yamaha machines.

But under the radar, relatively speaking, BWW has been improving and finding pace. With a former world champion in Tom Sykes aboard all it took were some new engine tweaks and a new exhaust, plus some tricky wet conditions, and Sykes was eventually second in Saturday’s race.

It was no fluke as he had been third in a dry Superpole, then capitalised on the misfortune of one rider to finish second, even though it looked like he would finish third until Alex Lowes’ fall.

With the CEO of BMW Motorrad, Dr. Markus Schramm, in attendance the largely British-based SMR squad and their official BMW Motorrad colleagues almost celebrated like it was a win.

“In racing I feel I have been lucky to be able to taste some champagne, but coming over the line and seeing the guys on the pit wall is one of the big reasons I enjoy racing,” said Sykes.

“It is a team effort and the guys were all in there celebrating, and for me that is a big part of what it is all about. Why not celebrate? We were robbed of a podium in Imola by very small issue. The guys kept calm, we had a couple of stoppages, tricky conditions but as a team we made a good performance today. To repay them is priceless.”

Some said it was ‘only’ in a podium in the wet but as Sykes was keen to remind the media, his recent wet weather performances have not been anything to write home about.

It is unbelievable because I have really had a difficult time in the last years in wet conditions, but I always knew I could ride a bike in the wet and today was just really enjoyable,” said Sykes.

“I was getting really good feedback from the S1000RR and the guys have done a great job. We worked very productively with the balance of the bike in dry conditions and it looks like it has transferred to the wet. On the warm-up lap even when I left the pitlane to come to the grid, I though “that is strange” so I asked the lads and they confirmed it was a wet set-up.”

Sykes knew he was on for a good one from the very first corners. “As we left the startline and entered the first corner I was just able to get lean angle, which for me is a different feeling. The balance of the bike and Öhlins suspension is definitely something which is new to me.

“Credit to the guys and I feel we did a good race. I feel we also have the potential to go faster, but we also have some issues with the set-up of the bike. We reached a level and I was able to race to the pit board.

“That was our first real wet conditions, as a package. So to hit the nail so close… again it is compliments to the guys working on the bike. If it is wet on Sunday I feel we can have a slightly stronger package again.”