When Jonas Folger leaves the IDM round at the Lausitzring today, he already has his sights set firmly on his next destination. On Tuesday, his flight to Barcelona will take him to his first wildcard appearance in the Superbike World Championship. The 27-year-old former MotoGP rider is currently dominating the IDM Superbike 1000 class and intends to use Germany’s top class as a springboard for his return to the world stage. He no longer sees his future in MotoGP, but rather in the Superbike World Championship.
Just like his IDM debut, the Superbike World Championship is completely new territory for the Yamaha rider. In Barcelona, he will be riding a motorcycle that is entirely new to him. It is the Yamaha factory team’s test bike, which is otherwise used by Michael van der Mark for test rides. Technically, the World Championship machine differs significantly from the IDM version. To prepare it for action, Folger’s mechanics, Christoph Schwarz and Sergio Sickau, will receive training when they pick up the motorcycle.
Folger’s finish at the upcoming World Superbike round at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from September 18–20 will be decisive in determining his next steps after the IDM season. Jürgen Röder, team manager of Bonovo Action by MGM Racing, hopes that some teams will show interest in the German rider. Should a move up to the World Championship not materialize, contrary to expectations, Folger is leaning toward staying in the IDM. “I really love it here,” says the Bavarian. “The whole environment is just right.”