The first race of the IDM Supersport 600 series at the TT Circuit in Assen was a blast. Although the stands at the famous Dutch motorcycle track were empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were able to get caught up in the excitement of the season opener via a live stream on the internet.
Local rider Glenn van Straalen, who had started from pole position, caused a moment of panic as early as the second lap. The Dutchman crashed, and Martin Vugrinec was caught up in it as well. The Croatian, however, managed to get his Yamaha back on its wheels and set off in pursuit of the pack. Meanwhile, Steeman, Sander Kroeze, and Max Enderlein had lined up one after another at the very front. It stayed that way until the end, except that the leader pulled further and further away from his two rivals. Crossing the finish line with a lead of over five seconds, he still said: “I could have been even faster, but the clutch was slipping right from the first lap. But winning as a rookie in my very first race feels really good.”
Max Enderlein, who finished third, had made several attempts to overtake along the way, but Sander Kroeze proved unbeatable. Luca Grünwald crossed the finish line in fourth place on his Kawasaki. The Bavarian from Waldkraiburg had worked his way up from 13th on the grid—and this wasn’t the first time he’d done so.
Karel Hanika hadn't stood out in practice either. The 2013 Red Bull Rookies Cup winner and future Moto3 World Championship rider didn't really get going until the race itself, finishing fifth ahead of Dion Otten. And coming in seventh was none other than Martin Vugrinec. The Croatian had actually managed to work his way up through the field from the back. And Glenn van Straalen had also gotten his bike running again and finished 13th. That still earned him three valuable championship points.
In the IDM Superstock 600 class, Belgian rider Tom Kohnen claimed the maximum 25 points. Tim Holtz, who moved up from last year’s Twin Cup—which he won—finished second. Bastian Ubl took third place. As in the Supersport class, this resulted in an all-Yamaha podium. Ubl was over the moon. The result surpassed all of his previous successes.
IDM Supersport 600, Race 1:
1. Victor Steeman (NL), Yamaha, 13 laps in 22:13.997 min
2. Sander Kroeze (NL), Yamaha, 22:19.338 min
3. Max Enderlein (D), Yamaha, 22:29.465 min
IDM Superstock 600, Race 1:
1. Tom Kohnen (B), Yamaha, 13 laps in 22:52.676 min
2. Tim Holtz (D), Yamaha, 23:01.722 min
3. Bastian Ubl (D), Yamaha, 23:17.636 min