The new class is here, the new bike is here, but at the top is a familiar face—albeit in new team colors: Oliver Svendsen, the reigning IDM Supersport champion, showed during the debut of the IDM Sportbike class in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) on the first Friday of the new season that he can handle more power, more weight, and more speed with ease. In both free practice sessions, the Dane—who will now be riding for the Triumph Germany Racing Team—was already out in front; with a lap time of 1:31.701 minutes, he took the lead in the afternoon with a clear advantage of more than half a second.
Yet the switch to the new Triumph Daytona 660 was by no means a sure thing. There was hardly any time for testing, a rainy Easter weekend as the only preparation, and a bike that demands significantly more in terms of performance and handling than the nimble KTM RC 390 R from the previous year. “It’s going very well so far,” Svendsen said with satisfaction after the sessions—and added, “And we’re still nowhere near the limit.”
Last season, the 21-year-old not only clinched the title but also hinted at where his career is headed with a guest appearance in the Supersport. With the move to the new class, Svendsen’s career is gaining even more momentum. And right in the thick of it: his new team manager, Denis Hertrampf—a motorsports man through and through, a behind-the-scenes mastermind, and a mentor who creates opportunities. “In Oliver, we have someone who isn’t just a good rider and gets a lot done. We also have someone who brings the potential for further projects and ideas.” More details will become clear as the season progresses; it’s still too early to say more. But the foundation has been laid.
Svendsen has proven that he can handle the new equipment—despite a difficult preparation period and a change in class. Whether the Dane can carry this form into qualifying and the race will become clear on Saturday and Sunday. One thing is clear: “A championship isn’t won on the first race weekend—but it can be lost there,” says Denis Hertrampf. There’s no doubt that Svendsen wants to prevent that from happening. Now it’s crunch time for him and the Triumph Germany Racing team.