This time, everything is different. It’s raining nonstop, and Filip Feigl has secured pole position in the IDM Supersport class at the Red Bull Ring by a margin of four hundredths of a second. For the first time this season, a Triumph is on the front row of the grid. Andreas Kofler is second on a Yamaha.
The Czech drivers on the Genius Triumph Racing Team have caught up and capitalized on the unpredictable weather at the Red Bull Ring. Filip Feigl set his lap time in the first qualifying session, while Andreas Kofler (M32 Racing) posted his fastest lap in the second. This time, his team boss Max Enderlein is also in the pit and is personally jumping on the bike to test a Ducati he’s acquired. It’s adorned with the number “1,” which Enderlein is entitled to as the current German champion. Where the journey with the Panigale V2 will lead is still unclear. Whether Enderlein’s team might switch to the red bikes next year or not remains to be seen. For now, it’s a private project. The weather for the test, however, is as bad as it gets. Enderlein has never liked rain in his career, but he can’t pick the weather now and has to roll out of the pits. As a guest rider, he is classified in P19.
IDM runner-up Melvin van der Voort (Team SWPN) crashed during free practice yesterday but was uninjured. He currently trails championship leader Twan Smits (Team Apreco) by seven points. He aims to take the lead from his compatriot at the Red Bull Ring. Van der Voort doesn’t like rain; he’s fourth on the grid and says, “That’s not so bad.” Smits is third.
Things aren't going smoothly for Thomas Gradinger (Eder Racing) either. He can't do better than 13th place. “It’s a shame for the team, but I used the time in the rain to get into the groove—I just didn’t want to take any risks. But I’ve won races starting from further back before.” Gradinger hopes that conditions in tomorrow’s two races will be similar to today’s qualifying session. “I think I’m the only one in the field who didn’t know the chicane on the Ring.”
Luca de Vleeschauwer and Jorke Erwig of Kawasaki Weber Motos Racing have been surprisingly strong. “Luca hasn’t really stood out much lately,” says team manager Emil Weber, looking back on the past few weeks, “but he’s doing a great job, and the competition in the class is tougher than last year.”
IDM Supersport Qualifying
1. Filip FEIGL (CZE), Triumph
2. Andreas KOFLER (AUT), Yamaha
3. Twan SMITS (NLD), Yamaha
4. Melvin VAN DER VOORT (NLD), Yamaha
5. Leon ORGIS (GER), Yamaha
6. Luca DE VLEESCHAUWER (BEL), Kawasaki
7. Milan MERCKELBAGH (NLD), Yamaha
8. Michal PRASEK (CZE), Triumph
9. Jorke ERWIG (GER), Kawasaki
10.Troy BEINLICH (GER), Yamaha