Oliver Svendsen (Triumph Germany Racing Team) made an immediate splash in the first race of the newly created Sportbike class of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). The 21-year-old Dane claimed victory at the season opener in Oschersleben. Petr Svoboda (WRP Racing) finished second, followed by Austrian IDM rookie Luis Rammerstorfer (Freudenberg RoRa-Paligo Racing).
Luis Rammerstorfer and his team were overjoyed at noon when he saw his name in pole position after the second qualifying session. The 17-year-old was all the more excited on the starting grid before the first race. When the lights finally turned green, his nerves got the better of him and Rammerstorfer botched the start. This worked to the advantage of Oliver Svendsen and Petr Svoboda, who seized their chance and passed him, as did Justin Hänse (Motorradtke GYTR by Penz13).
Svendsen took the lead, but Svoboda was already hot on his heels by the second lap. The Czech driver didn’t let up, took the lead in the same lap, and set the pace. Meanwhile, Rammerstorfer fought his way back and made the decisive move against Hänse in the fifth lap—reclaiming third place.
In the midfield, a thrilling battle unfolded between Rick Kooistra (Pearle Gebben Racing) and Ben Kugler (Motolife). The two were evenly matched, constantly swapping positions. Neither the Dutchman nor the Bavarian let up, and they stayed locked in a fierce battle.
At the front, however, a strategic battle was unfolding. Svendsen stayed close to Svoboda, analyzing and biding his time. On the final lap, he finally made his move: early in Turn 1, the Dane launched his attack—and decisively passed him. “My plan was to pass Petr on the final lap and conserve my tires as much as possible during the race. I had a steady pace, so I was able to follow Petr closely and study him, ultimately striking at the right moment,” Svendsen explained after his maiden victory. Svoboda had no answer. “I knew Oliver would make another attempt to attack me. I couldn’t hold him off anymore because my tires were worn out. But that was a good learning experience for me. We’re still at the beginning of the season; everything is still up for grabs,” the Czech said defiantly.
Svendsen,Supersport reigningSupersport, underscored with the fastest lap of the race that he will be a force to be reckoned with in this new class as well. Behind the leading trio, Rick Kooistra held off Ben Kugler to finish in fifth place. Kugler finished sixth.
The battle in the sportbike class continues tomorrow. The second race starts at 12:15 p.m. and will be streamed live and free of charge for all viewers at www.idm.de/live.
IDM Sportbike Race 1 Results:
- Oliver SVENDSEN
- Petr SVOBODA
- Luis RAMMERSTORFER
- Justin HÄNSE
- Rick KOOISTRA
- Ben KUGLER
- Cedric HOLME NIELSEN
- Sven SEIDLER
- Kristoffer KÖNIG
- Felix KAUERTZ
- Alexander WEIZEL
- Korbinian Brandl
- Ty HENRIKSEN
- Anton SÖDERGREN