Ilya Mikhalchik is back. The two-time IDM Superbike 1000 champion from Team EGS-alpha-Van Zon-BMW trails the IDM leader by 42 points in the championship due to his absence from the last round in Most, Czech Republic, but it’s not too late to close the gap. At the Nürburgring, the Ukrainian is hoping for two wins.
The 24-year-old BMW rider had recently been fulfilling his obligations in the World Endurance Championship. As a result, he slipped to ninth place in the overall standings of the IDM, which was taking place at the same time in Most. Even his competitors have no doubt that Mikhalchik will still be in the running for the title.
His deficit only spurs Mikhalchik on even more in his quest to catch up. He says: “I had to sit out the race at Most—of all places, my favorite track on the IDM calendar. The Nürburgring is a German track, and the German guys are really fast on their home turf. However, I’m very motivated to make up for the lost points. I want to win. Since I’m not currently leading the championship, I’m not under as much pressure as usual.” As part of the Truck Grand Prix, the short circuit will be raced in the Eifel region.
There are still ten IDM Superbike 1000 races remaining in the 2021 season. Mikhalchik is prepared and ready: “I’ve won on all the tracks that are still to come.”
His teammates Pepijn Bijsterbosch, Jan Mohr, and Tim Eby competed in an event at the Nürburgring two weeks ago as part of the Dutch Championship and are in good form on the track.