Team Freudenberg takes the honours in the Sportbike class: Zuda champion, Bijman runner-up

The Freudenberg Paligo Racing team capped off an exceptional year in motorsport at the grand Euro Moto season finale at the Hockenheimring. Following a title battle between the two team-mates, Stepan Zuda and Ruben Bijman, which remained undecided right up until the final race, the outcome is now clear: Stepan Zuda is the 2026 Sportbike Champion. Ruben Bijman also bid farewell to the season with a perfect race weekend. The Dutchman won on both Saturday and Sunday, keeping the battle for the championship alive right up to the very last race. In the end, he secured the 2026 runners-up spot.

A finale under special circumstances

Even before arriving at Hockenheim, it was clear that the 2026 Sportbike title would be decided within the team. Stepan Zuda went into the season finale with a 28-point lead over Ruben Bijman. After a long season, the title was therefore set to be decided, of all things, between two team-mates riding two Triumph Daytona 660s.

It was already apparent on Friday just how close it would be. In the first qualifying session, Ruben Bijman set the fastest time of 1:31.614 minutes. Stepan Zuda followed, 0.621 seconds behind. The stage was set: Bijman had to go on the attack, whilst Zuda had to be quick and at the same time manage his championship lead.

Bijman wins on Saturday – decision postponed

In the first race, Ruben Bijman did exactly what was needed to keep his title hopes alive. With a focused and aggressive ride, the Dutchman took the win, thereby reducing the gap in the championship. Stepan Zuda, for his part, picked up vital points and took his lead into Sunday.

Bijman wins Race 2 – Zuda becomes champion and clinches the title!

In the decisive second race, Zuda initially got off to the better start and entered the first corner ahead of his team-mate, who had started from pole position. But Bijman had only one strategy: attack. The Dutchman took the lead, pulled away at the front and remained unstoppable for the rest of the race. After 13 laps, he crossed the finish line as the winner with a lead of 2.506 seconds. Bijman thus rounded off a perfect weekend: two races, two wins at Hockenheim.

Behind him, however, Zuda had to keep his cool at first. At times, the championship leader dropped as far back as sixth place. But the Czech gradually found his rhythm and fought his way back up the field. In doing so, he showed that he had no intention of merely managing the race: On lap 8, Zuda set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:31.441 minutes. Things got dramatic once again in the final metres. One-off entrant Daniel Mogeda edged past Zuda just before the finish line, with a mere 0.004 seconds separating the two.

But third place was more than enough. Stepan Zuda crossed the finish line as the new 2026 Euro Moto Sportbike Champion. Ruben Bijman won the race and finished the season as runner-up. Mika Siebdrath finished seventh in the final race of the season, securing fourth place overall in the championship. This means that Freudenberg Paligo Racing has placed all three of its riders among the top four in the overall standings.

Zuda: “We won this title together!”

For Stepan Zuda, the championship title is the highlight of a special season and, at the same time, the moment to say thank you. “It’s hard to find the right words straight after a final like this. Being champion makes me incredibly proud. Above all, I’d like to thank Carsten Freudenberg. He gave me the opportunity and the trust to compete for Freudenberg Paligo Racing in this new sportsbike class. So standing here today as champion means an incredible amount to me.”

Zuda also singles out his motorbike in particular: “The Triumph Daytona 660 was a brilliant bike throughout the entire season. I built up confidence in it very quickly and together we were able to show just how much potential this motorbike has. On a wide variety of tracks, it gave me the feeling I needed to ride at the limit. This title is therefore also a tribute to this fantastic first season together with Triumph in the sportsbike class.”

However, Zuda reserves his greatest thanks for the people behind his success: “I’m incredibly proud of my entire crew. Every single one of them has put so many hours, so much energy and passion into this season. Even in difficult moments, they always believed in me and provided me with a perfect motorbike. This title belongs to all of us. And, of course, I’d like to thank my fans, my family and my friends. You’ve supported me, believed in me and been with me every step of the way. Especially when things got tough, that support was incredibly important. I’m simply proud and grateful to be able to share this moment with all these people right now.”

Carsten Freudenberg: “Absolutely amazing”

“Having two of our own riders battling for the championship right up to the final race is the reward for the team’s hard work and professionalism,” said Carsten Freudenberg at the Hockenheimring. “Stepan and Ruben fought this battle on the track in a sporting and fair manner, and that’s exactly what I’m particularly proud of. Stepan has earned this title with an incredibly strong and consistent season. At the same time, one can only take one’s hat off to Ruben’s performance. He gave it his all right up to the final lap, won both races here at Hockenheim and thus demonstrated the quality we have within our team. It is the result of consistent and professional work throughout the entire season. The fact that our youngest young rider, Mika, has finished fourth in the overall standings in his first sportbike season – as the best rookie and the best German rider – makes this result even more special. A very special thank you goes, of course, to all our partners – Paligo, Triumph Germany – and all our supporters at Team Freudenberg. None of this would have been possible without you. Thank you very much for your trust in us.”