In just a few days, the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) will kick off its second race weekend in Oschersleben. Right in the thick of it: Marco Schweizer from Hübner, who is competing in his third season in the Supersport and is the youngest rider in the field for the third year in a row. A total of 12 years separate the 14-year-old from the oldest rider in the field, Scott Deroue (Freudenberg KTM - Paligo Racing), who is practically a veteran in the team compared to Schweizer. But Marco Schweizer takes it in stride: “It makes no difference to me; after all, we’re all riding with the same power.” The only area where he still has some catching up to do is in terms of riding and racing experience, which he plans to gradually improve in the IDM. He made his racing debut at the age of seven in the Minibike Cup.
The high school student has only one goal in the IDM this year: to compete in the midfield. “The last two years were about learning and trying things out; now it’s time to move up,” Schweizer sums up. He is supported by his mother and her partner, who not only accompany him to race weekends but also provide him with financial assistance. “Except for the leather suit, boots, and gloves—I paid for those out of my own pocket for the new season,” says the KTM rider, who is hoping for additional support beyond what his parents provide.
For Marco dem Hübner, the main point of competing in the IDM is simply to have fun racing. However, the 14-year-old has to meet one important condition that he agreed upon with his parents beforehand. “As long as my grades are good, they’ll keep supporting me. If not, it’s game over. That’s the deal.” To that end, he often sits down to do his homework or cram for upcoming tests in the evenings after practice or races. He hasn’t decided yet what he wants to do for a living in the future. Who knows how his racing career will develop by then.