ERC Kawasaki: Oliver Svendsen steps down – Felix Kauertz takes over

When, at the start of the 2026 season, the ERC team, led by Uwe Reinhardt, decided at short notice to compete in the Euro Moto Sportbike series alongside its involvement in the World Endurance Championship, including former World Championship rider Marcel Schrötter, it signed, amongst others, IDM Supersport 300 champion Oliver Svendsen.

After their debut at the season opener at the Sachsenring, it quickly became clear that they still had some catching up to do. “We’re going to put our own house in order first,” said Reinhardt. The team therefore withdrew from the series for the races in the Czech Republic, whilst technician Lothar Kraus got to work with his spanners back at the workshop. Meanwhile, Oliver Svendsen is venturing into the Sportbike World Championship with Kove.

According to euromoto.racing, the ERC team worked alongside Svendsen during a four-day test at Oschersleben to further develop the bike and prepare for their return to the series. But that’s not going to happen. Svendsen turned down the Kawasaki team shortly before they were due to leave for Oschersleben. “For me, it’s time for a completely fresh start,” the Dane explained. “First of all, I’d like to make one thing very clear: this decision has nothing to do with the team. They’ve worked incredibly hard all season, given me everything I’ve asked for, and I have nothing but respect and appreciation for everyone involved. I’m grateful for all the effort they’ve put into supporting me.”

The feel and confidence were no longer there

“The challenge was simply that I never found the feeling or the confidence on the bike that I need to perform at my best,” he admitted self-critically. “As we didn’t compete for the whole season, I also lacked valuable track time. I gave it a go in World Sportbike, but it didn’t really work out there either. The Sachsenring was a step in the right direction, but I was still a long way off where I know I can be. I’ve always raced to win, and when I know I can’t reach my full potential, I find it hard to keep convincing myself that this is the right place for me. I’ll keep fighting and I’m not giving up on racing. At the moment, I simply need to take a step back, reassess my situation and work out what the right way forward looks like.”

Uwe Reinhard was, to put it mildly, less than enthusiastic. But the motorbike won’t be left without a rider. At Oschersleben, Felix Kauertz will line up on the Euro Moto grid with the backing of Kawasaki Germany.