In 2023, Hannes Soomer brought a breath of fresh air to the title race. With his spirited, aggressive yet always fair riding style, he earned respect in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). The 25-year-old “Baltic Bullet” from Tallinn, Estonia, secured eight podium finishes in 14 races on his “smurf-blue” Honda CBR 1000 RR-R. He fought hard for the overall victory in the Superbike class with Team Enemat Enos Motorsport and ultimately finished fourth. The fact is: he wants to return in 2024. The only question is: with whom? Discussions are underway, and a brand change is not out of the question. We asked Hannes Soomer how he is doing at the moment.
You finished fourth in the battle for the 2023 IDM title. How long did that bother you?
About 30 minutes. I made mistakes early in the season that cost me the championship. By the time we got to Hockenheim, there wasn’t much I could do. But we reminded ourselves as a team that this was our first season competing against some big and successful teams. That brought us back down to earth a bit. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.
What were your worst mistakes?
The biggest one was in the second race at the Most event. I crashed on the final lap while in a secure second-place position. And then I rolled over in Turn 1 at the Schleizer Dreieck. Those were the two most frustrating and avoidable mistakes of last season.
What are your plans for 2024? Will you be back?
I spent the winter getting ready for my return in 2024, so I really hope so!
Are you familiar with the Superbike and Supersport World Championships? What makes the IDM Superbike so appealing to you?
It feels like a small, almost cozy paddock, yet at the same time it’s a very professional and top-tier racing series. The IDM fans made sure I felt right at home from the very first race.
How and where are you preparing for the new season?
I’m staying home in Estonia for my winter training. It consists of activities like cycling, working out at the gym, and cross-country skiing. To keep riding motorcycles, we also have ice racing here, which I really enjoy.
How cold does it get in Estonia in the winter?
It’s usually not that bad—between 0 and -10 degrees—but this winter we had a week when it was closer to -20 degrees. Then the first “workout” of the day was shoveling snow and starting the car.
Instead of celebrating New Year’s Eve in high spirits, you were stressed out at the turn of the year. Why?
On December 31, I finished my master’s thesis so I could present it on January 2, 2024. As of now, I am a qualified mechanical engineer.
Have you seen your motorcycle since the last race?
I walk past it every day on my way from the workshop to the office. A few times this winter, I started it up just to fill the workshop with a nice smell.
Will you get a new one in 2024?
Yes, the old one deserves a break.
