Martin Vugrinec (Unior Racing Team, Yamaha) won the first race in the IDM Supersport 600 class at the Lausitzring. Because championship leader Max Enderlein (Freudenberg SMC WorldSSP Academy, Yamaha) was penalized with a drive-through penalty through the pit lane for a false start, the title race has now been reignited.
Karel Hanika (Yamaha), Luca Grünwald (Kawasaki), or Martin Vugrinec? Which one of them would win the race? The question remained open until the very last lap. Hanika and Vugrinec showed what aggressive riding is all about. When Vugrinec refused to let victory slip away at the end, Grünwald also went all in. The Bavarian from Team Kawasaki Schnock Team Motorex admitted that his final move against Hanika was absolutely on the limit. But it worked. Grünwald finished second. For Hanika, however, third place was also worth it. It’s amazing how quickly the Czech can adapt to a motorcycle. Two weeks ago, he was on a 1000cc Yamaha at Le Mans in the Endurance World Championship; at Lausitz, the Czech rider is on the 600cc version. Both require a completely different riding style.
A tight-knit Dutch group consisting of Sander Kroeze, Glenn van Straalen, and Victor Steeman followed the leading trio at a respectful distance. These are all contenders who will play a key role in the title race. The false start penalty cost Enderlein nearly 30 seconds. The Hohenstein-Ernstthal native had to pull over during the race and drive through the pit lane once at a maximum speed of 60 km/h before returning to the track. Enderlein still managed to score one point in the IDM Supersport 600 standings; that was all he could achieve in the race, which had been shortened to ten laps. The first attempt had been abandoned in the second lap due to a crash involving two riders. No one was injured, but the motorcycles were in the danger zone and had to be recovered.
UPDATE: Karel Hanika was later disqualified following the technical inspection. A modification to the front fork on his motorcycle was found to be non-compliant with the regulations, which is not permitted in the IDM. Sander Kroeze moved up to third place.
In the IDM Superstock 600 class, Jan-Ole Jähnig is shaking things up. The class rookie showed up at the Sachsenring, was initially listed as a guest rider, is now a permanent entrant, and is suddenly playing a major role. Jähnig claimed his second victory today. Tim Holtz and Per Behmer took the remaining spots, resulting in an all-Yamaha podium.
Race 1 Results, IDM Supersport 600
1. Martin Vugrinec (CRO), Yamaha, 10 laps in 17:21.413 min
2. Luca Grünwald (D), Kawasaki, 17:22.097 min
3. Sander Kroeze (NL), Yamaha, 17:26.101 min
Race 1 Results, IDM Superstock 600
1. Jan-Ole Jähnig (GER), Yamaha, 10 laps in 17:35.005 min
2. Tim Holtz (GER), Yamaha, 17:46.539 min
3. Per Behmer (GER), Yamaha, 17:48.247 min