Hardly anyone would have bet on that. Although Rob Hartog has plenty of international experience under his belt, he’s a rookie in the IDM Superbike series—and well on his way to securing third place overall in his debut year. The 30-year-old from Abbekerk in the Netherlands is one of the three remaining riders—along with Markus Reiterberger and Pepijn Bijsterbosch—who have scored points in every race so far. That consistency is paying off.
In addition, Hartog is the only rider in the leading group who doesn’t ride a BMW but instead rides a Yamaha YZF-R1M for Team SWPN.
How does that feel, and what does Rob Hartog have to say on a personal level? We asked him.
You’re a rookie in the IDM Superbike series and already third in the overall standings. Isn’t that almost a little scary for you?
It’s not scary—it’s just great that, after a few tough years, we’ve found our way back to a positive momentum. I’m really enjoying that!
You’re the only non-BMW driver in the leading group. What does that mean for you?
Above all, it means that things are going very well for me and my SWPN team, because the BMWs are pretty strong. I have to thank the team for that—they’ve worked really hard to put together a competitive package.
What makes your Yamaha so special?
Thanks to the team’s experience, we’ve been able to put together a package that has much more potential than in previous years. We can still make further progress, and we’re getting better in almost every race, but for now, we can’t complain.
Is your biggest rival for third place overall your compatriot Pepijn Bijsterbosch? What advantages do you have over him?
Pepijn has a lot of experience both in the IDM Superbike series and on the BMW. He’s already had some strong races. I think consistency should be my advantage, but it’s sure to be a great battle right up to the last race.
Are you already thinking about what next year might bring?
Of course, the goal is to stay in the IDM Superbike class and aim for even better results. Right now, there’s no reason not to do that with the SWPN team.
Your uncle, Wil Hartog, has won five Grand Prix races. Are you in close contact with him?
We certainly stay in touch, and he follows my results. But it’s not what some people think. He’s never played an active role in my racing career.
Who would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with, and why?
Valentino Rossi, because I've always been a fan of his. And maybe he'll give me some advice on how to ride the Yamaha R1M even faster.