During this crazy first Supersport race at Hockenheim, it was hard at times to keep one’s cool and stay on top of things.
The fact is: Pole-sitter Melvin van der Voort (Team SWPN) turned his pole position into a victory, even though Milan Merckelbagh crossed the finish line ahead of him.
Luca de Vleeschauwer (Kawasaki Weber-Motos Racing) finished second, even though he had previously received a long-lap penalty. This meant he had to complete an extra lap around the track. The penalty was imposed because the crew had illegally worked on the Kawasaki while the 3-minute sign was still up. Yves Stadelmann (Kiefer Racing) suffered the same fate, except that the Swiss rider ignored the flag waved at him and received an additional penalty. When he again showed no indication of completing the required laps, the black flag was brought out. Stadelmann had to stop the race and leave. Instead, he must report to race control and provide a reason for his failure to react.
But that wasn’t all. For a long time, Milan Merckelbagh (Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing Team) led the race. The ninth-place rider in the overall standings was on course for victory. The Dutchman had enjoyed some shining moments in his career, but those were long past. Now, the Yamaha rider seemed to be back on track. However, he too was handed a drive-through penalty for a false start. Merckelbagh didn’t notice this, saw the checkered flag first, and celebrated. He was wrong to do so. Merckelbagh was disqualified.
Melvin van der Voort, on the other hand, did everything right. Luca de Vleeschauwer finished second, and Severin Bingisser third. The Swiss driver was a bit taken aback: “I just focused on my race and didn’t even realize I was that far ahead.”
Koen Meuffels (MVR-Racing) had initially moved up from twelfth to second place, but was unable to make his worn rain tires last until the end and ultimately had to settle for fourth place.
Andreas Kofler (Kawasaki Schnock Team Motorex) did not finish. Champion Max Enderlein (M32 Racing) did not start.
IDM Supersport, Round 1:
1. Melvin VAN DER VOORT (NLD), Yamaha
2. Luca DE VLEESCHAUWER (BEL), Kawasaki
3. Severin BINGISSER (CH), Kawasaki
4. Koen MEUFFELS (NLD), Yamaha
5. Leon LAMBING (AUT), Yamaha
6. Nicolai KRAFT (GER), Yamaha
7. Twan SMITS (NLD), Yamaha
8. Christoph BEINLICH, (GER) Yamaha
9. Jerry VAN DE BUNT (NLD), MV-Agusta
10. Wiljan VAN WIKSELAAR (NLD), Yamaha