It's now official: 24-year-old Yamaha supersport rider Patrick "Pax" Hobelsberger has also received confirmation that he will be competing in the Supersport World Championship race in Most, Czech Republic. The race will take place as part of the Superbike World Championship, which will be held from August 6 to 8, 2021, on the permanent circuit in the industrial city in northern Bohemia.
Hobelsberger is receiving support from GMT94, the French team for which Jules Cluzel rides. The second rider, Federico Caricasolu, left the team this week. In Most, he will be replaced by none other than Valentin Debise, Hobelsberger's direct rival in the IDM Supersport 600.
"I'm getting a motorcycle from GMT94," says Hobelsberger. "My team will remain the same as in the IDM, but we will receive technical support from GMT at this event and we will be in the same pit."
Hobelsberger is starting in the best possible position. The Bavarian from Landau has won the last four races in the IDM in a row, two of them in Most, and also leads the overall standings.
Debise is second in the IDM and won both races at the season opener in Oschersleben. He also leads the French Superbike and Supersport Championships. His successes in his home country have earned Debise a wildcard for the French World Championship race at Magny Cours on the first weekend of September.
"Most is an excellent opportunity to prepare for the WorldSSP at Magny-Cours," he says. Debise, who normally rides a Kawasaki, had the opportunity to test the World Championship Yamaha R6 at the Carole Circuit in July. Next week, he will get to know it under race conditions.