The countdown to the thrilling action at the Hockenheimring is on. From September 24 to 26, 2021, the Motodrom in Baden will host the grand finale of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). In a total of seven classes, the participants will give it their all one last time and battle for their positions in the overall standings. In addition, several guest riders in all classes will add to the excitement. For spectators who can attend in person—with excellent weather forecast and in compliance with the 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered, tested)—this means non-stop excitement. Access to the paddock is included in the admission ticket.
Even though the injury-related withdrawal of Kawasaki star Valentin Debise (Kawasaki Weber-Motos Racing) has mathematically secured the title for Ilya Mikhalchik (EGS-alpha-Van Zon-BMW) in the IDM’s premier Superbike 1000 class, the atmosphere in the IDM’s top class is electric heading into the finale. Florian Alt (Wilbers-BMW), Luca Grünwald (Kiefer Racing, BMW), Bastien Mackels (Team SWPN, Yamaha), and Vladimir Leonov (Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing Team) will battle it out for the remaining podium spots in a razor-thin contest. For example, just a single point separates Alt and Grünwald heading into the final two races of the season. If three-time IDM Superbike champion Markus Reiterberger (BCC Racing, BMW) or Julian Puffe (GERT56, BMW) also hit top form on race Sunday, it could have a decisive impact at the top. Ahead of the decisive races in Hockenheim, all participating brands in the IDM Superbike 1000 are represented in the top ten: BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha, along with riders from six nations. Unfortunately, fan favorite Alessandro Polita (HRP-Honda) will be missing this weekend. The Italian had to undergo emergency appendectomy surgery at short notice. A strong replacement rider for the Honda has been found in his compatriot Luca Vitali.
But there’s plenty in store for spectators not only on the racetrack but also in the IDM paddock. With their own protective gear and a valid driver’s license, they can get behind the wheel themselves. BMW, Honda, and Kawasaki will be arriving with their show trucks for the season finale and offering test rides on the latest production motorcycles.
In the IDM Supersport 600 class, Patrick Hobelsberger (Bonovo action by MGM Racing, Yamaha) aims to win two more races and then be crowned champion. Valentin Debise, who has been competing in two classes as a double-starter, will not be able to challenge for the title here either due to his wrist injury. However, Hobelsberger, who has his sights set on the World Championship, is an extremely fast rider anyway and also one of the few who has not yet had to contend with a race retirement. Behind him, however, the battle between Max Enderlein (MR32 Racing, Yamaha) and Rob Hartog (Füsport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) is far from over. Glenn van Straalen, currently in third place in the overall standings, will no longer be able to compete for points due to a concurrent World Championship commitment.
The season finale at Hockenheim promises to be a thrilling event for the IDM Supersport 600 series. After all, Kevin Wahr (MVR-Racing, Yamaha) from Nagold—who joined the series late in the season—calls the track home; he has always been among the favorites at the Motodrom in Baden and could tip the scales in the final race.
What's happening in the IDM Supersport 300 junior class? With Lennox Lehmann (Freudenberg KTM WorldSSP Team), Marvin Siebdrath, and his Belgian teammate Luca de Vleeschauwer (both Füsport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki), three riders still have a shot at the title, though Lehmann likely has the best chance of winning the overall championship thanks to an 18-point lead. Last weekend, the 15-year-old from Dresden made his debut in the Supersport 300 World Championship in Spain (Barcelona). If he can carry that momentum forward, nothing stands in the way of him defending his IDM title. Lennox Lehmann could make IDM history as the first defending champion in the highly competitive junior class. However, his closest rival, Marvin Siebdrath, will seize every opportunity to clinch the championship for himself. The final tally won’t be settled until the very end.
In the IDM Sidecar class, the German duo of Josef Sattler and Luca Schmidt is on course for the title, ahead of Markus Schwegler (GER) and Ondrej Kopecky (CZE), as well as Peter Kimeswenger (AUT) and Kevin Kölsch (GER). Lurking in fourth place in the standings, eight-time Sidecar World Champion Tim Reeves (GBR)/Kevin Rousseau (FRA) is waiting to make a move up the pack. Unlike the other classes, however, the Sidecar finale will not be held until the first weekend in October at Oschersleben. The Hockenheim races are therefore the penultimate stop on the calendar for these spectacular sidecars.
Adding to the excitement of the finale are the IDM Superstock 600 Cup—which is integrated into the IDM Supersport 600 starting grid with its own separate standings—the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Cup, the Twin Cup, and the Pro Superstock Cup. One event follows another. If you want to experience it up close and in color, you can secure your ticket as soon as possible at: https://www.eventimsports.de/ols/hockenheimring/de/tickets/channel/shop/index
Tickets can also be purchased on-site. Admission prices remain unchanged from previous years. Admission on Saturday is €19.00, and on Sunday €25.00. A weekend ticket costs €35.00. All tickets include access to the paddock. Admission is free for youth up to and including age 17. The IDM can be followed via a free livestream at https://idm.de/live/.