The final race of the IDM Superbike 1000 season treated fans to an all-BMW podium. Ilya Mikhalchik , who had already clinched the championship, won the race ahead of Bastien Mackels and Julian Puffe. BMW also bid farewell to the BMW S 1000 RR after nine years. A new model will take to the track in 2019.
Mikhalchik was like a different person. After winning the championship title in Germany’s top class of road motorcycle racing, it seemed as though a weight had been lifted from the 22-year-old Ukrainian. Instead of his usual stony expression, a broad grin spread across his face. And during the cool-down lap, the champion proved to be a true showman, whipping the crowd into a standing ovation and basking in the celebration. Mikhalchik was swept up in a whirlwind of emotions, treated the fans to a burnout, and rode upright on his footpegs through the Motodrom. He is a true winner and an even prouder Ukrainian. With the national flag and his hand on his chest, he endured the podium ceremony.
Track announcer Edgar “Eddie” Mielke talked BMW team boss Benny Wilbers into letting his driver, Bastien Mackels, keep the BMW M4 for another week. Mackels had received the car at Assen as a reward for his victory in the season opener. The loan period has now been extended.
Julian Puffe, who finished third, was simply overjoyed. After his spectacular crash in qualifying, his mechanics had to pull an all-nighter. Puffe now returned the favor, passing Florian Alt on the final lap on his way to the podium. “I got the better of him when braking into the hairpin.”
Alt crossed the finish line in fourth place on his Yamaha YZF R1M , making him the top non-BMW rider. Toni Finsterbusch was the top Suzuki rider , finishing in fifth place. The fastest Honda, ridden by Alessandro Polita, finished in seventh place. There were no finishers for Kawasaki. Danny de Boer did not leave the pits in either race due to technical problems. Jan Halbich crashed because of a broken sprocket.