Qualifying in the IDM Superbike 1000 was a real nail-biter before the starting grid for tomorrow’s two races was finalized. Now, Ilya Mikhalchik (EGS-alpha-Van Zon-BMW), Florian Alt (Wilbers-BMW-Racing), and Marc Moser (Bonovo Action by MGM Racing) will line up side by side on the front row. The second row will be occupied by Bastien Mackels (SWPN), Julian Puffe (GERT56), and Luca Grünwald (Kiefer Racing). Following them in the third row are Valentin Debise (Kawasaki Weber-Motos Racing), Vladimir Leonov (Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing), and Toni Finsterbusch (GERT56).
The second qualifying session had to be interrupted due to a crash by IDM leader Dominic Schmitter (Hess Racing). The Swiss rider was thrown from his bike in a highside and was struck in the neck by his Yamaha. “I can move everything,” he reported, “but I think my hip is sprained or broken.” Schmitter did not suffer any open injuries, but is already on his way back to Switzerland. There, he will be taken directly to the hospital for a thorough examination.
In the first qualifying session, Florian Alt had led the timesheets until three minutes before the end, when Ilya Mikhalchik literally flew past him and snatched the fastest time. The Ukrainian cemented his claim to pole position in the second qualifying session.
The 24-year-old, currently second in the overall standings, isn’t ready to think about winning the title just yet, even though Schmitter won’t be on the starting grid in the premier class tomorrow. The Swiss rider leads the championship by just six points, a lead that will vanish into thin air tomorrow. “I’ll just try to keep a steady pace,” said Mikhalchik, “and I don’t care who’s in front of or behind me. I’m just focusing on myself. If possible, I’ll take all the points I can get.” It’s a wise plan to secure as many points as possible, because when the IDM visits the Red Bull Ring soon, Mikhalchik will be entering uncharted territory. So far, he only knows the track from videos and the PlayStation.
The Wilbers BMW Racing Team has made a lot of changes to the setup of the M 1000 RR, “more than we originally intended,” Florian Alt notes. “The wind at the TT Circuit is pretty strong, and we’re still having a few issues going into the corners. But we’re feeling optimistic. We rode on the Pirelli SCX, but we also tested the SC0. We won’t make a decision until tomorrow, though.”
Luca Grünwald has put himself in a promising position with the Kiefer-BMW. “Sixth on the grid isn’t so bad,” said team boss Jochen Kiefer, “and he’s even better in the race anyway.”
IDM Superbike 1000, Q1+Q2:
1. Ilya MIKHALCHIK (UKR/BMW)
2. Florian ALT (GER/BMW)
3. Marc MOSER (GER/Yamaha)
4. Bastien MACKELS (BEL/Yamaha)
5. Julian PUFFE (GER/BMW)
6. Luca GRÜNWALD (GER/BMW)
7. Valentin DEBISE (FRA/Kawasaki)
8. Vladimir LEONOV (RUS/Yamaha)
9. Toni FINSTERBUSCH (GER/BMW)
10. Philipp STEINMAYR (AUT/Yamaha)
11. Dominic SCHMITTER (CH/Yamaha)
12. Pepijn BIJSTERBOSCH (NLD/BMW)
13. Ricardo BRINK (NLD/BMW)
14. Marco FETZ (GER/BMW)
15. Nico THÖNI (AUT/Kawasaki)