Two KTM RC8R riders on the...
Two KTM RC8R riders on the podium in IDM Superbike
Even in training on the unique natural race track at Schleiz Nebel at third and Bauer at fourth sent some strong signals to the opposition for the sixth IDM race weekend.
Then on race day Sunday both of the RC8R riders lifted their game even more and gave the team and the many KTM fans at the track reason to celebrate with podiums in both races. Martin Bauer is still third in the championship and has been able to shrink the gap between him and leaders Karl Muggeridge and Werner Daemen. Nebel, twice on the podium in Schleiz, also made up ground and is now ranked fourth behind Bauer. Thanks to the good results of the entire team, KTM has again moved into leading place in the manufacturer's standings.
Privateer KTM rider Vesa Kallio also put in some solid performances. The Finn was twice 14th on his first visit to the circuit and has added more points to his championship tally to take his total up to 34. The 40,000 spectators that flocked to the around 3.8 km triangular course underlined the event as a real magnet for racing fans.
Nebel and Bauer - teammates...
Nebel and Bauer - teammates and track rivals
A the start, Stefan Nebel catapulted his two-cylinder KTM perfectly and took up a position directly behind Australian Muggeridge in the first curve of the racetrack. Nebel of Germany then dueled with him, Dario Guiseppetti and Werner Daemen at the front of the pack for the entire race distance of over 20 laps. Martin Bauer missed the start and needed a couple of laps to settle into fifth place behind the lead group. At this stage his lap times equaled those of the leaders. Then the Belgian rider Daemen crashed six laps before the end of the race, which helped decide the outcome of the race. Nebel finished race one in second place behind the winner Dario Guiseppetti. Bauer was fourth, narrowly missing the minor podium place but still made up 13 points on his nearest rival in the standings.
Superbike Race 2:
Then fans were able to enjoy a hard fought battle between six riders that raged over much of the race distance in the second race. The two Red Bull KTM RC8R machines that started from the front row were right in the middle of this hunt for the leadership. Nebel and Bauer were even running 1-2 in the front of the field at one stage of the race before they had to yield to Dario Guiseppetti, who was not to be beaten on the day. Martin Bauer put on a show of strength that allowed him to narrow points on both Daemen and Muggeridge and he crossed the line in second to make his fifth visit to the podium this season. Meanwhile teammate Nebel fought hard for third place, including an impressive maneuver in the final corner to give his team a real reason to celebrate.
KTM Superbike Germany - Orange...
KTM Superbike Germany - Orange teamwork for victory
Generally speaking we were right up with the action in Schleiz. It was annoying that I missed the start in race one because when it comes to my speed, I could have been on the podium. I decided on some softer tires for my second race and that was a good decision as my second place confirmed. Even though we didn't do enough to win today we still made up points on the leaders and according to our results I can promise myself a lot for the next races in Assen."
Stefan Nebel (2./3.):
"I can be really satisfied because today we gave everything that was possible. Both races were brutally close and hard fought. Especially the second race was really crazy - I've really got no idea how many times Werner (Daemen) and I touched each other. I really went for it in the final curve so that I could finish third and give KTM the first Superbike double podium. This weekend did the whole team a lot of good."
KTM 125 rider Toni Finsterbush...
KTM 125 rider Toni Finsterbush on his way to his first victory
The trip to Schleiz was also successful for the KTM youngsters riding in the IDM 125 competition. After second pace on Saturday, Toni Finsterbusch from Team Freudenberg won his first race on Sunday in the saddle of his KTM 125 two stroke. Both riders of the HP Moto Team of former GP winner Peter Oettl also picked up a lot of championship points. Damien Raemy finished with a third and a fifth place, the 14-year-old Philipp Oettl managed a fifth and a fourth place and Daniel Kartheininger. The fourth in the KTM 125 group, who caused a furore by finishing 10th in the German GP two weeks ago, was injured in training and had to sit out both races. Congratulations to Luca Gruenwald, who secured the 125 ccm championship title in Schleiz.