Markus Reiterberger remains the undisputed champion at the Schleizer Dreieck. He claimed his sixth victory of the season in the seventh IDM Superbike race of the year, once again beating Florian Alt, who had initially been leading. But you never know. Maybe his BMW teammate will strike back in the second race this afternoon.
At this point, Reiti can really only be beaten by himself. It’s no longer about his commanding lead in the championship standings, but rather the fact that nothing and no one seems capable of stopping him on his way to a fourth title.
The pole sitter from BCC-alpha-Van Zon-BMW had actually intended to pull away on his favorite track, but Florian Alt (Wilbers-BMW Racing) thwarted that plan for a few laps and took the lead. Every spectator was left wondering: What are those two doing out there on the track? Even in the first of 18 laps, it was as if the finish line were right around the corner. They exploited every inch of the track, and the dust was flying like crazy at the edges. Where there are usually painted curbs, the Schleizer Dreieck features grass grids that are currently bone-dry. Pure nature, in other words.
So Reiti’s hopes of a solo breakaway were dashed. It wasn’t until the seventh lap that he managed to pass Alt, who had already known beforehand that Reiti’s team had found something on the bike that made him even faster. Alt hinted that the Bavarian had incredible grip, especially coming out of the corners. But Alt has known for a long time that, after a season start that went completely wrong in terms of the championship standings, there was nothing he could do on his own to prevent Reiterberger from winning the title. For the Wilbers BMW rider, it’s the individual results that count now. Once Reiterberger took the lead, there was no stopping him: his sixth win in the seventh race and a second-place finish for Florian Alt. After that, there was nothing for 14 seconds.
Toni Finsterbusch (GERT56) and Jan Mohr (BCC-alpha-Van Zon-BMW) battled for third place right up to the finish. It was a sight to behold. Then came the big surprise: instead of one of the two, as expected, local hero Julian Puffe (GERT56) emerged from the final chicane in third place. Unbelievable. But something must have happened. And indeed: Finsterbusch and Mohr had collided and crashed at one of the fastest sections of the track, of all places.
Both riders are currently receiving medical attention. Toni Finsterbusch was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Schleiz. He is responsive and speaking on his own. He will undergo a full medical examination. Mohr was flown by helicopter to Zwickau and is also fully conscious. His spine is being examined.
Rob Hartog was propelled up to fourth place by the crash, earning 13 championship points for Team SWPN on Yamaha. Kawasaki rider Bastien Mackels (Kawasaki Weber-Motos Racing Team) finished eighth in his comeback race. Honda’s leading rider, Leandro Mercado, retired from the race, but young talent Paul Fröde (both Holzhauer Racing Promotion) scored points.
Results, IDM Superbike, Round 1
1. Markus REITERBERGER (GER), BMW
2. Florian ALT (GER), BMW
3. Julian PUFFE (GER), BMW
4. Rob HARTOG (NED), Yamaha
5. Pepijn BIJSTERBOSCH (NED), BMW
6. Kamil KRZEMIEN (POL), BMW
7. Marc-Reiner SCHMIDT (GER), BMW
8. Bastien MACKELS (BEL), Kawasaki
9. Daniel KARTHEININGER (GER), Yamaha
10.Philipp STEINMAYR (AUT), Yamaha