Yamaha once again swept the front row of the grid in Oschersleben. Just as he did at the season opener at the Sachsenring, Andreas Kofler dominated qualifying for the IDM “ Supersport ” in the Magdeburger Börde as the fastest rider. His teammate Lennox Lehmann finished second. Twan Smits rounds out the front row. Marvin Siebdrath leads off the second row. From there on, the grid becomes quite diverse in terms of brands.
Twan Smits, last year’s runner-up, hadn’t quite found his rhythm in free practice, but he had announced beforehand that things would be completely different at Oschersleben and that he would return to his former form. In the final qualifying session, the 29-year-old Dutchman from Team Apreco proved just that. Smits secured a spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:27.616 min.
Only Andreas Kofler and Lennox Lehmann were faster. “We worked as a team at Kofler Racing,” Kofler joked, high-fiving his teammate and solving the mystery: “In the first qualifying session, I tucked in behind Lennox. In the second, he was behind me.” Kofler can count himself lucky that he’s in top shape and that the last few lazy weeks haven’t set him back. “I think I’ve only ridden my bike once since the IDM opener at the Sachsering.” No wonder. The 19-year-old motorcycle mechanic works at KTM Braumandl in Wels. His commute from home in Attnang-Puchheim can sometimes take a good half hour. To make up for it, Kofler prepared for the season with a rigorous winter training regimen, which is now paying off.
From a distance, Kevin Wahr watches the action at the front of the pack. The 2013 Supersport champion—who racked up nine wins that year, eight of them in a row—is starting from 21st position. He’s currently struggling with the Triumph Street Triple R. “It’s a combination of many factors,” explains the Nagold native from Triumph Germany Racing. “My comfort level and the feel of the bike aren’t quite where they should be yet. The bike has to suit me. I’m pushing to the limit, but the lap times just aren’t there yet. On top of that, the field of riders is particularly strong this year.” Deep down, Wahr hopes it rains tomorrow, “because that could help me make up some ground. Otherwise, a podium finish isn’t going to happen. We won’t be able to turn the bike upside down here in Oschersleben anymore.”
IDM Supersport, Qualifying
1. Andreas KOFLER (A/Yamaha)
2. Lennox LEHMANN (D/Yamaha)
3. Twan SMITS (NL/Yamaha)
4. Marvin SIEBDRATH (D/Yamaha)
5. Luca DE VLEESCHAUWER (B/Triumph)
6. Štěpán ZUDA (CZ/Ducati)
7. Daniel BLIN (PL/Ducati)
8. Dirk GEIGER (D/Honda)
9. Kyle SMITH (GB/Kawasaki)
10.Filip FEIGL (CZ/Triumph)
11. Wiljan VAN WIKSELAAR (NL/Ducati)
12. Luca GÖTTLICHER (D/Triumph)
13. Till BELCZYKOWSKI (D/MV Agusta)
14. Julius Caesar RÖRIG (D/Honda)
15. Sasha DE VITS (B/Yamaha)
