Oliver Svendsen really belongs on a race bike. Champion in 2024, runner-up in 2025—and yet the 22-year-old Dane is spending much of this season at home. Not exactly by choice. Because Svendsen would rather get back on the bike today than tomorrow. “I’d be ready and able to race at any time. No ifs, ands, or buts,” he says. A clear statement from the former IDM champion, who has shown what he’s capable of over the past two years.
In 2024, Svendsen claimed the title in the IDM Supersport 300 class. A year later, he moved up to the new Sportbike class and was immediately back in the mix at the front. Even multiple leg fractures during the season could hardly stop him. In the end, he fell just short of a second consecutive title, but he did finish as runner-up.
Things were supposed to continue in the same vein in 2026. Together with the ERC team, Svendsen wanted to make another run at the title. But their joint plans didn’t last long. The Dane was still on the grid for the season opener at the Sachsenring, but after that, he and the team disappeared from the starting lineup. ERC initially stepped back and used the following weeks to make the Kawasaki faster and more competitive. The team sat out both the races in Brno and Most. Ahead of the EURO MOTO weekend in Oschersleben, Svendsen and the team finally had several days of testing on the schedule. In the end, a joint comeback never materialized. Even before the race weekend, Svendsen and team boss Uwe Reinhardt parted ways.
Since then, it’s been a matter of waiting for the Dane. It’s not easy for him. Back home in Låsby, he tries to stay in shape and, above all, ready to compete at a moment’s notice. Because if a spot opens up somewhere, Svendsen doesn’t want to have to spend weeks getting back into racing shape.
Maybe he'll still get a chance to race in the season finale at the Hockenheimring. It would be Svendsen's last opportunity to get back on the track this year. If a team needs a replacement at the last minute or is still looking for a fast driver for the final race weekend, the Dane would be ready to go right away.