Hockenheim: Marcel Schrötter (BMW) finds consolation with victory and runners-up title

There was plenty of spectacle on offer in Race 2 of the Euro Moto Superbike series, which will revert to its former name, the IDM, from next season. As in the previous year, the title had already been secured by Lukas Tulovic following his fifth-place finish in the first race. This meant everyone could take to the track with a clear mind and, after the spate of crashes in Race 1, were primarily focused on crossing the final chequered flag of the season.

The Orgis team had already handed in Kevin Orgis’s transponder before the second start, following his crash on the opening lap of Race 1. “Kevin was here briefly,” reported his father, René Orgis. “As they can’t do X-rays here at the Medical Centre, he had to go to hospital. His hand was really swollen.” Everyone else was back on the starting grid with their bikes in tip-top condition for the final 18 laps of the Euro Moto 2026.

Reiterberger’s got what it takes in motocross too

The standings had already been decided and the positions secured. So the final race of the season was all about having fun. This time, pole-sitter Markus Reiterberger didn’t put a foot wrong and took the lead. At the end of the Parabolica, however, he ended up in the gravel and had to dig himself and his BMW back out onto the track. Trailing the last rider by 18 seconds, the Endurance World Champion reappeared at the back of the field.

This left Jan-Ole Jähnig in the lead, with Marcel Schrötter hot on his heels. A little way behind followed Florian Alt, Toni Finsterbusch and Lukas Tulovic. Yet the gap to the leading BMW duo grew with every lap. Meanwhile, a fierce battle for third place raged between Alt and Finsterbusch, whilst from behind, Tulovic – with Kevin Orgis on his tail – was gradually closing the gap and moving within striking distance. A four-way battle was shaping up for the second half of the race.

Reiterberger had moved up to 13th place and was setting lap times on a par with the front-runners. However, the gap to his nearest rival was a considerable seven seconds. Jähnig was the only rider to have started the race on the hard Pirelli front tyre. Everyone else, including his closest pursuer Schrötter, was on the softer compound. Finsterbusch struggled with a temperamental BMW and ended up at the back of the field, behind Reiterberger and Merckelbagh.

Experience prevails

Behind Jähnig and Schrötter, following Finsterbusch’s problems, a duo of Alt and Tulovic had emerged. Yet the rivals held back somewhat when it came to attacking. Finsterbusch had put up a brave fight, but was forced to end the season’s final race in the pits. Meanwhile, Reiterberger had closed the gap to Marco Fetz to a tenth of a second; an attack was only a matter of time. On lap 13, the moment arrived and Reiterberger had moved up to 11th place.

The gap between Alt and Tulovic had widened in the closing stages. Alt was setting the fastest lap times and had left the new champion, Lukas Tulovic, two seconds behind him. The Honda rider was determined to crown the Fireblade’s fading era with another podium finish. Further back, Jan Mohr and Markus Reiterberger treated themselves to a few more laps together on Sunday. An attack from Schrötter also seemed imminent on the final lap. At the Parabolica, Schrötter overtook Jähnig on the inside under braking and secured the final victory of the year. Florian Alt joined them on the podium in third place. Reiterberger finished in 10th place.

Florian Alt

Foto: Felix Wiessmann