Florian Alt took pole position in his Honda—a result that went down a treat with HRP team boss Jens Holzhauer. Both Hannes Soomer and three-time IDM champion Ilya Mikhalchik had to concede defeat to the German.
As Leandro “Tati” Mercado so aptly put it during testing: “I went left, then I went left again, and left once more; then I wanted to go right, but it went left again.” Yes, the Sachsenring has never been one of the easier tracks. Flo Alt explains: “You’re basically always leaning, but the bike’s balance is fundamentally neutral. And then you’re always half on the throttle.” In any case, the 26-year-old handled it best.
Over the winter, the team made significant changes to the bike’s geometry and, at the Sachsenring, tested the rear shock absorbers with various settings. The best elements from yesterday’s free practice sessions were combined today for qualifying. Alt had already posted a fantastic time in the first session. He was faster than former MotoGP rider Jonas Folger was on the track three years ago, and he was less than two seconds off the MotoGP times. “I wouldn’t have thought we’d be this fast,” Alt said, clearly amazed. Alt was at the absolute top.
Just 0.626 seconds separated the CBR 1000 RR-R rider from Hannes Soomer (Enos Motorsport) of Estonia, who also rides a Honda. He is the surprise of the season, as it was difficult to gauge his true potential. Based on the current standings, he is likely to play a significant role in the championship.
His career began twelve years ago in the German ADAC Junior Cup. Back then, the now 25-year-old was still small and chubby. Since then, the “Baltic Bullet” has grown into a strapping young man and has competed in the Supersport for years. One person who knows him is Ilya Mikhalchik. The Ukrainian (BCC-ALPHA-VAN ZON-BMW), who will start from third position tomorrow, knows what caliber of rider has joined the IDM. Everything went smoothly for Mikhalchik himself and the M 1000 RR; it was just that Alt was simply too fast for him today. “There are no excuses,” says team boss Werner Daemen bluntly.
Vladimir Leonov (Hertrampf Yamaha Racing) made his return to the grid with the fourth-fastest practice time, marking the debut of the first YZF-R1M. Rookie Patrick Hobelsberger was fifth-fastest on the GERT56 BMW. Bastien Mackels then appeared as a substitute rider for the injured Rob Hartog at SWPN. The Belgian was thrilled about the last-minute call-up. He would have loved to race a full IDM season, but it didn’t work out. And even though he is now a worthy replacement for Brink, SWPN will not be able to provide an additional motorcycle, according to the team.
Results:
1. Florian ALT (GER), Honda
2. Hannes SOOMER (EST), Honda
3. Ilya MIKHALCHIK (UKR), BMW
4. Vladimir LEONOV (UAE), Yamaha
5. Patrick HOBELSBERGER (GER), BMW
6. Bastien MACKELS (BEL), Yamaha
7. Toni FINSTERBUSCH (GER), BMW
8. Marc MOSER (GER), BMW
9. Philipp STEINMAYR (AUT), BMW
10. Max SCHMIDT (GER), BMW