Euro Moto Superbike: Down to just 12 – field of entrants shrinks

Things weren’t necessarily better in the past, but there used to be more riders. Last weekend, the Superbike class barely managed to field four starting rows, each with three riders. Over the course of the season, the series has had to contend with a number of riders dropping out.

The first to go was Bavarian rider Patrick Hobelsberger, following the Euro Moto trip to Brno. He’d struggled in the early races due to illness and technical problems. Then the main sponsor pulled out, and Hobelsberger reached the point where even his own efforts and increased personal commitment were no longer enough. Hobelsberger called it quits with Euro Moto and was already absent from the race at Oschersleben.

I certainly miss it more than anyone else.

Patrick Hobelsberger

“No, I haven’t changed my mind,” Hobelsberger explained ahead of his first Euro Moto-free weekend. “Even though I’d love to do things differently. But it’s not possible, however much I want it to be. I certainly miss it more than anyone else. But unfortunately, I can’t change it.” Instead of Euro Moto, Hobelsberger says his life currently revolves around “work, work, work. Every day is full throttle for me. Coaching, loads of technical customer support and building motorbikes. It feels like there are more motorbikes in my workshop than there are on the grid at Euro Moto.”

Empty coffers

The financial situation was similar for the Hungarian Soma Görbe, whose performance curve was steadily rising but who, just like his compatriot Bálint Kovács at the end of last year – and despite IDM Superbike podium finishes – ran out of money.

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As was the case last year, Marco Fetz and Christoph Beinlich pulled out of the Superbike race at Assen. “No, unfortunately I wasn’t on the starting grid at Assen,” said Fetz. “Why? Budget. Unfortunately, the costs are enormous for us as one of the few privateer teams. On top of that, there was the crash at Oschersleben, which took another big chunk out of our budget. My focus is now on the Nürburgring, Bol Dor and Hockenheim. We’re definitely taking part in those and want to really go for it again.” For Beinlich, who, like Fetz, runs his team entirely on his own, the financial situation looks even bleaker. “I hope I’ll be able to compete at the Nürburgring again.”

Injury persists

Hannes Soomer has a shoulder problem rather than a budget one. The Estonian sustained a shoulder injury at Suzuka in Japan, which will take time to heal. As the BMW rider was already absent due to his role as a stand-in for World Championship rider Danilo Petrucci in the Euro Moto Superbike series – and with nothing left to play for – he’s allowing himself even more time to recover. “I tried riding in the week before Assen,” explains Soomer. “I just wasn’t fit enough yet. Maybe it’ll work out at the Nürburgring.”