Following the finale of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) in September at the Hockenheimring, Dutch rider Twan Smits (Team Apreco) was crowned champion in theSupersport. However, the German Motor Sports Federation (DMSB) stripped the 19-year-old of the title today and retroactively named his compatriot Melvin van der Voort as champion. This followed an appeal by his team, SWPN, against the previous decision.
At the home race in Assen, the battle between Smits and van der Voort had intensified toward the end of the second race. There were several position changes. Van der Voort crossed the finish line first, but this was preceded by contact with Smits, causing Smits to crash. Race officials subsequently penalized the SWPN rider and set him back four places in the standings. As a result, he received 11 points instead of 25, which had a significant impact on the championship outcome.
The SWPN team filed an appeal with the DMSB against the decision made in Assen, arguing that it was a racing incident. The appeal has now been granted. Melvin van der Voort, who had been the runner-up, will have his lost points reinstated and is therefore the new 2023 IDM Supersport.
