Successful Honda debut at Hockenheim thanks to sportsbike rider Daniel Mogeda

Rob Vennegoor’s sportsbike team rounded off the Euro Moto season finale at the Hockenheimring with an extremely promising weekend. “The highlight was an impressive podium finish for Spanish rider Daniel Mogeda on the newly developed Honda CBR600RR,” explained the team principal. Alongside the Spaniard’s guest appearance, Tom Kuil and Luis Rammerstorfer also lined up on Triumph Daytona sportbikes.

For Mogeda, it was his first appearance in Euro Moto – which will be known as the IDM again from next year – and his first race on the Honda CBR600RR in FIM World Sportbike specification. The fast Spaniard was signed by RT Motorsports as part of preparations for a possible return to the World Sportbike Championship in 2027. “The project was implemented in a short space of time,” explained the team principal. “In less than ten days, the Honda was converted into a motorcycle meeting FIM World Sportbike specifications. With support from Honda and the team’s technical partners, the first few kilometres on the TT Circuit were completed just a few days before the Hockenheim weekend.”

Honda erstmals auf dem Sportbike-Podest

Foto: Teerink

Mogeda, a former World Supersport 300 race winner, immediately demonstrated the potential of the new package at the Hockenheimring. “Right from the first free practice sessions, he was consistently setting competitive lap times and ultimately secured an impressive third place on the grid,” said Vennegoor. “The result was particularly promising given the circumstances. Whilst the majority of the field were competing on BSB-specification bikes, the Honda had an estimated 10 PS less power due to its configuration in accordance with FIM World Sportbike regulations.”

Project for the future

After a difficult start in the first race, Mogeda finished fifth. Adjustments made during the warm-up subsequently led to a significant improvement in handling and gave the Spaniard a better feel for the motorbike ahead of the second race. “Mogeda got off to a strong start and immediately joined the leading group,” reported his team. “He maintained an impressive race pace, improved his own lap times on several occasions and battled for positions at the front of the field. After an intense and high-calibre race, Daniel Mogeda crossed the finish line in an excellent second place, securing an impressive podium finish for RT Motorsports and the new Honda project.”

The weekend at Hockenheim was primarily viewed as a development test ahead of the 2027 season. Leaving with a podium finish was an extremely positive result for the team and an important endorsement of the Honda’s potential. “For RT Motorsports, this result represents an important first step in the development of the new project,” the team said. “RT Motorsports would also like to extend its sincere thanks to Triumph Germany for a successful two-year partnership. During this time, the team was able to win a championship title and celebrate numerous race victories. RT Motorsports would particularly like to thank Uli Bonsels and all the staff at Triumph for their commitment, support and professional cooperation during this time together.”

With the Honda CBR600RR project, RT Motorsports has opened a new chapter. The team is already working intensively behind the scenes on the further development of the Honda package and on preparations for the next phase of the project. The podium finish at Hockenheim provides promising initial confirmation of the new motorbike’s potential.