Peter Hickman, Smiths Racing land factory BMW support for 2020 TT tilt

Peter Hickman and the Smiths Racing team will head into the 2020 International Road Racing season with full factory support from BMW Motorrad, it has been confirmed.

The 32-year-old competes with the family-run team in the British Superbike Championship and across various road racing events, including the Isle of Man TT where he currently holds the lap record on the Mountain Course.

Now Hickman will tackle the 2020 Isle of Man TT with the full weight of BMW Motorrad’s factory support behind him after the German manufacturer confirmed it will be switching allegiance to Smiths Racing on the roads.

“I am really excited that BMW Motorrad have awarded myself and the Smiths Racing team the official status for the International Roads in 2020,” Hickman said. “The team deserve this reward after all their efforts these last few years and it’s exciting times ahead for us all. I can’t wait to get testing in the new year and be even more competitive than this year.

“I’m really proud that BMW Motorrad have chosen Smiths Racing to be the official team for the roads campaign in 2020,” adds Smiths Racing team manager Darren Jones. “The family-run team have come a long way in a relatively short space of time and achieved so much as a group of professional people and in my opinion it’s what they all deserve.

“Alan and Rebecca (Smith) have put so much into the sport and the BMW Motorrad brand. We had a good year with the all-new BMW S1000RR and I’m confident with BMW Motorrad behind us and some winter testing we can push the boundaries even further. Peter is a big asset to all of us and his speed keeps on impressing. I’m confident there is more to come.”

BMW commitment caps off Peter Hickman’s dazzling year

Though Hickman and Smiths Racing have enjoyed myriad of success together since joining forces in 2017, this increased support from BMW Motorrad can only bolster what is already a formidable partnership.

While the agreement doesn’t extend to BSB despite Smiths Racing reaching the Title Showdown with Hickman for the past three seasons, it is on the roads where victories are most desired.

In 2019, only a technical issue could deny Hickman from what would have likely been a double Superbike/Senior TT success, while his performance at the Ulster GP and the Macau GP – despite being denied victory in the latter – surely confirmed him as the fastest road racer on the planet right now.

What’s more, Hickman only made his TT debut in 2014 and has quickly stamped his mark on arguably the most famous motorcycle event in the world with plenty more success surely to come. Now with BMW’s financial and technical backing, on paper it is hard to see who will be stepping up to take the fight to Hickman and Smiths Racing in 2020.