Euro Moto Sportbike title goes to Team Freudenberg: Bijman or Zuda?

A one-two for Ruben Bijman, two podium finishes for Stepan Zuda and two strong fourth-place finishes for rookie Mika Siebdrath: Freudenberg Rora Paligo Racing enjoyed a successful penultimate Euro Moto race weekend at the Nürburgring. Even before the finale at Hockenheim, one thing is certain: the 2026 championship title will go to the team. The only question remaining is which of the two team-mates, Stepan Zuda or Ruben Bijman, will finish on top.

A strong start with a moment of scare for Rammerstorfer

Conditions last weekend were typical for the region: cool temperatures in the morning, with occasional fog and damp, before conditions improved as the day went on. For Luis Rammerstorfer, however, the weekend unfortunately took an unfortunate turn as early as Friday morning. The Austrian crashed during the first free practice session and sustained injuries to his arm and hand. Due to the pain, competing in either of the two races was out of the question.

Nevertheless, Rammerstorfer remained by his team’s side and supported his team-mates throughout the weekend as a riding coach. Drawing on his experience, he played an active role in the team’s work despite his injury. He was also hard at work as an expert commentator during the live streams of the two Sportbike races.

Two Triumph Daytona 660s on the front row

The second qualifying session on Saturday morning brought no further changes at the top. This meant that two yellow-and-black Triumph Daytona 660s from Freudenberg Rora Paligo Racing were on the front row: Ruben Bijman on pole position and Stepan Zuda right next to him in second place on the grid. Mika Siebdrath rounded off the team’s strong starting position with fifth place on the second row of the grid.

The first race on Saturday was similarly successful. Victory for Bijman, third place for Zuda and fourth for Siebdrath.

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Bijman sealed the one-two on Sunday

On Sunday morning, too, the team put in a strong, united performance. Once again, it was two yellow-and-black Triumph Daytona 660s leading the way: Ruben Bijman and Stepan Zuda. In the opening laps, Bijman upped the pace and, together with one of his pursuers, gradually pulled away from the group behind. Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, Siebdrath closed in on his team-mate Zuda, putting additional pressure on the chasing pack.

In the closing stages, Bijman was unstoppable. The Dutchman held on to his lead to cross the line safely, thereby securing his perfect one-two at the Nürburgring. Two races, two wins – Bijman was the dominant force of the weekend. Behind him, Zuda held his own in the battle for the final podium place, relegating his team-mate Siebdrath to fourth.

“Now we’ll be on the attack again at Hockenheim,” Bijman stated. “What a weekend. A huge thank you to my entire team and to Triumph. Everything just clicked this weekend. Two wins at the Nürburgring are, of course, a fantastic result. We’re now taking this feeling and this momentum with us to Hockenheim. The championship is still up for grabs, and we’ll give it our all and go on the attack once again in the final round. A huge thank you also goes to my family and friends. So many of them were there in Assen and now here at the Nürburgring too. This support is brilliant and means a great deal to me. Thank you very much.”

The title goes to Freudenberg Rora Paligo Racing

Even before the season finale, one of the most important decisions has already been made: the 2026 champion will come from the Freudenberg team. Stepan Zuda and Ruben Bijman will battle it out between themselves at the grand season finale in Hockenheim to see who gets to celebrate the title in the end. Zuda heads into the final race weekend with a 28-point lead over his team-mate. This means the championship remains wide open right up to the finale. At the same time, the team can already look back on an exceptionally successful season.

“The title is a fantastic reward for the whole team,” said team principal Carsten Freudenberg. “I’m incredibly happy that it’s already clear, even before the final, that the 2026 championship title will go to our team. Which of our two lads ultimately clinches it will be decided between Stepan and Ruben on the track, in a sporting and fair manner. That’s exactly how it should be, and we’re looking forward to an exciting finale at Hockenheim. My best wishes for a speedy recovery go, of course, to Luis. It was a great shame that his weekend came to an end as early as Friday due to the crash. I found it all the more impressive how, despite his injury, he got involved and supported his team-mates as a riding coach. That shows his team spirit. I’m convinced we’ll see him back on the motorbike at Hockenheim.”

“Mika has also taken another important step forward here,” said Freudenberg. “Two fourth-place finishes in such a strong field show just how well he’s developing. For a rookie, that’s a really strong performance, and now he even has the chance to move further up the overall standings at the finale.”