Euro Moto News: Rising stars, double starters, a storm and a test for Assen

The first championship decider took place in France. At Assen, the Superbike riders are warming up and an Australian is pulling further ahead.

Blimey

If you don’t have time to visit Euro Moto in Assen this coming weekend, you can also get your fill of the action in Oschersleben. “From 14 to 16 August 2026, we’ll be celebrating the history and passion surrounding the legendary vehicles of the GDR at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben,” say the organisers. “The event, ‘Days of Thunder – the Börde trembles’, will be accompanied by a cultural programme. You can look forward to: iconic cars from the GDR, a Simson sprint race, tractor pulling, tank rides, a stage programme, a Show & Shine contest and much more. You can also be part of a world record attempt: together, we want to form the longest line of Trabis and Simsons on the race track.”

Former champion becomes champion

Anyone who’s been following the IDM – now known as Euro Moto – for a while will surely remember Mathieu Gines. The Frenchman became champion in the Superstock 1000 class in 2015. At the time, he was riding a Yamaha YZF-R1 for the Langenscheidt Racing by Fast Bike Service team. He then moved to Werner Daemen’s Superbike team. There, his season came to an end following a massive crash at the Schleizer Dreieck, in which he broke both arms. After years in the French Superbike Championship, he has now clinched the title – in the Supersport class.

Former champion is making headway

After four titles in the IDM Superbike, Ilya Mikhalchik moved to the British Championship. Following last year’s title in the Superstock class, he is now competing in the Superbike class on a Rokit BMW. In the last race, he beat his previous best performance. “A really productive weekend,” said the Ukrainian afterwards. “The best starting position of the season, the fastest BMW lap time ever at Oulton, and once again the best race finish of the season. Unfortunately, we had some strange problems with the bike in the first two races, and the results didn’t really reflect our pace during the week. But in the final race, some good battles brought me back into the top 10. I’m happy, especially on this track. Any European rider who’s been here before will understand what I mean.”

Points made up

Following the disqualification of the ERC riders in the Euro Moto Sportbike class, the points that had been stripped were also reallocated. “Third place and therefore on the podium retrospectively,” calculates Austrian rider Jakob Rosenthaler. “Following the disqualification of a rival for using illegal software, I was retrospectively awarded a podium finish in the second race at Oschersleben on Sunday. Three more points that we’re happy to take with us to Assen.”

Double race week

Luca de Vleeschauwer is usually busy competing in the Euro Moto Supersport or the World Endurance Championship. Now the Belgian has taken it up a notch. A week before the Euro Moto in Assen, he lined up with a wildcard for the Yamaha Racing bLU cRU Benelux R7 Cup at the Mettet XP – Circuit Jules Tacheny. He skipped the free practice session as he still had work to get through. He also competed in the Benelux Trophy.

Dress rehearsal in Assen

Before the Euro Moto continues in Assen this coming weekend, the riders of the International Dutch Championship (IDC) were in action last weekend. Several Euro Moto riders also took the opportunity to prepare for the Euro Moto by competing in the IDC. In the Dutch Superbike class, Colin Velthuizen clocked a 1:40 in the first qualifying session on a track that was gradually drying out. The pace picked up significantly in Q2. Twan Smits set the pace with a 1:38 to secure pole position. Milan Merckelbagh qualified second, and Velthuizen completed the front row. As reported on racesport.nl. The Dutch Superbike field was also bolstered by several German riders preparing for the Euro Moto races this coming weekend, including Julius Ilmberger and Michael Ghilardi. Twan Smits left no doubt as to who was the fastest on the track in the first Dutch Superbike race, according to racesport.nl. With lap times of around 1:38, he pulled clear early on. Behind him, Milan Merckelbagh, Pepijn Bijsterbosch and Colin Velthuizen were locked in a thrilling battle. In Race 2, Smits once again pulled away, but later retired. Merckelbagh won ahead of Bijsterbosch, who narrowly held off Glenn van Straalen.

Australian switch

Australian rider Max Stauffer is leaving the Euro Moto Sportbike series with immediate effect and, from Assen onwards, will be riding for Team Apreco in the Euro Moto Supersport alongside Dirk Geiger and Lennox Lehmann. “Switching from the R1 in Australia to the R7 in Europe was definitely not an easy transition, but I’ve enjoyed every lap on this little ‘Pocket Rocket’, as I like to call the R7. Now I’m really looking forward to moving up to the R9. Dirk and Lennox have already shown just how competitive this bike is,” explained Stauffer. Max Stauffer is also being coached by two-time world champion Sandro Cortese.