Als Rookie trat er in diesem Jahr in die IDM ein, sechs Rennwochenenden später steht er vor dem Saisonfinale in Hockenheim auf dem dritten Platz in der Meisterschaft. Dustin Schneider hat mit seinen Leistungen in diesem Jahr für Überraschung gesorgt. Der Vogtländer, der letztes Jahr noch im Northern Talent Cup gefahren ist, kämpft nach einem Sieg auf dem Sachsenring und zwei Podesplätzen nun um den Vizetitel in der IDM Supersport 300 unter der Obhut des Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing Teams.
However, the 18-year-old is not content with third place in the championship. "I'm surprised by this season myself and didn't expect it to go so well for me," says Dustin Schneider, looking back on the season. The KTM rider reveals that he could have imagined a place in the top 10 at most beforehand, adding: "But now I definitely want to fight for the runner-up title."
He undoubtedly has the necessary skills, and after numerous discussions and advice from his teammates in the World Championship, Schneider knows exactly how to proceed. "Throughout the season, they have given me valuable advice on how to adapt to the bike and how to tackle the tracks and riding style," explains Schneider. The conditions are therefore good for the Adorf native to snatch the runner-up title from his teammate Walid Khan, who is currently in second place overall, this weekend.
Either way, Dustin Schneider wants to compete in the IDM again next year. "That's the current plan," says Schneider. However, concrete details have not yet been finalized and are still under negotiation. In Hockenheim, the focus is entirely on the upcoming races and the surprisingly close chance of finishing as runner-up in the championship.