Dylan Czarkowski (Racing DC) was undoubtedly one of the pleasant surprises this season. For the young Dutch rider, it was anything but an easy season competing against the dominance of the KTM quartet from Team Freudenberg-Paligo Racing in the Supersport class of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM).
But Czarkowski had already proven at the season opener at the Sachsenring—with a victory in the second race—that he was a force to be reckoned with. While the KTMs often impressed with their technical superiority, the Yamaha rider, who competed as a privateer, delivered consistently strong performances throughout the season. Time and again, he managed to challenge the orange armada and mix it up among the top finishers. “I knew it would be tough to compete against the KTMs,” says Czarkowski, “but burying my head in the sand wasn’t an option for me.” With this mindset, he has managed to secure fourth place in the overall standings as the top non-KTM rider. Ahead of the final two races this weekend at Hockenheim, he still theoretically has a chance at third place, which Phillip Tonn holds with a 21-point lead.
With the season now over, Czarkowski is faced with the question of what lies ahead for him in 2025. One thing is clear: he has potential—and he has demonstrated that more than clearly. One possible option would be to compete in the Supersport World Championship. “It would be a great opportunity to prove myself on the world stage,” said Czarkowski. However, this series also involves high costs, which he would not be able to cover without the help of additional sponsors.
Other options include the new IDM Sportbike class or the IDM Supersport. “Both series would also be exciting for me, but budget plays an important role here as well,” he explains. So this winter will be crucial for Czarkowski as he considers the right direction to take. “I want to continue developing as a rider, but I also want to make sure the decision is financially feasible,” he emphasizes. First, however, the season finale is coming up—and perhaps he’ll manage to secure a fourth podium finish.