One thing is already clear: even a former Grand Prix star and test rider like Jonas Folger (Yamaha, Bonovo Action powered by MGM) won’t have it easy in the IDM Superbike 1000. Defending champion Ilya Mikhalchik (EGS-alpha-Van Zon-BMW) is making sure of that at the front of the pack. But there are far more contenders in Germany’s top class who are in the running for podium finishes.
Mikhalchik narrowed the gap to 0.109 seconds in the second qualifying session at the season opener on the TT Circuit in Assen. The Ukrainian is completely relaxed when it comes to his rivals. He wants to win—nothing else.
Folger, on the other hand, can rely on his exceptional base speed. The 27-year-old from Mühldorf in Upper Bavaria works with intense focus in the pit.
The IDM is intended to serve as a stepping stone for a potential move up to the World Championship. His first wildcard appearance in WorldSBK has already been confirmed.
He will represent Germany in Barcelona in September.
For Florian Alt (Wilbers-BMW), the second qualifying session went better than expected. He improved his time by nearly a second, catapulting him into the front row of the grid. Prior to that, he had only had five days of testing with the BMW, which was new to him. Like so many companies, Wilbers had to implement reduced working hours and shift its priorities during the particularly intense phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alt had often looked on enviously at the more extensive preparation his competitors had been able to undertake. If he doesn’t achieve his goal, he’ll treat the four IDM events as preparation for 2021, as he himself says.
Qualifying was so close that there was barely any breathing room between the riders. The highlight came from Vladimir Leonov and Pepijn Bijsterbosch. The two BMW riders were separated by just 0.002 seconds. With BMW, Yamaha, Honda (Julian Puffe, 7th), and Kawasaki (Erwan Nigon, 8th), four brands are represented in the top ten of the starting grid. The riders hail from eight countries. The first race takes place tomorrow, Sunday, at 12:50 p.m.
IDM Superbike 1000 Starting Grid:
1. Jonas Folger (GER), Yamaha, 1:37.353 min
2. Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR), BMW, 1:37.426 min
3. Florian Alt (GER), BMW, 1:38.104 min
4. Bastien Mackels (B), Yamaha, 1:38.405 min
5. Vladimir Leonov (RUS), BMW, 1:38.687 min
6. Pepijn Bijsterbosch (NL), BMW, 1:38.689 min