Euro Moto News: Returnees, former riders and those who’ve travelled far – all around Hockenheim

In Assen, a familiar face is making a splash; in Frohburg, there’s a double comeback; and from Leipzig, the route takes us via Hamburg to Hockenheim.

Best BSB result

After a few difficult weekends in the British Superbike Championship (BSB), four-time IDM Superbike champion Ilya Mikhalchik was finally back on familiar ground last weekend. “I’m always delighted to be here in Assen,” said the Ukrainian. “We were in the top three in practice across the different weather conditions. We achieved our best results of the season and were just three seconds off the podium in the sprint race; we battled for a top-five finish in every race and made good progress with our overall package. A small mistake in the final race due to a strange feeling with the tyres, but we have a good understanding of where we can improve for the next races. Now it’s time for a short break, and we’ll see you again in two weeks. Thanks to Team IWR for their great work this week. And to all the friends and fans who were there to support us, as well as to my girlfriend, who was with me this week: Milana Pushnia. We’ll keep going full throttle for the final races of the season. The Assen results: Race 1 – 7th place, Race 2 – 6th place, Race 3 – DNF.”

A double comeback

Until a year ago, Justin Hänse was still competing in the IDM before taking a break from Euro Moto. But his ambitions are far from over. “Back on track – and what a comeback,” he said happily at the start of this week. “After exactly a year away from racing, I was back on the tarmac at the historic 63rd International Frohburg Triangle Race. Competing for the Motorradke GYTR Pro Shop by Penz13 team was absolutely worth it: with three wins from four races, the weekend went brilliantly.” Hänse made up for the long break by competing in two categories at once: the IRRC Sportbike and the Twin Cup.

Justin Hänse hat nichts verlernt

Foto: Justin Hänse

“Following rain showers, everyone in the Sportbike class started on wet tyres on a drying track. After thrilling duels with Jamie Williams, I narrowly finished second after a tough battle on the final lap,” he said, describing his adventure. “In the wet second race in the afternoon, everything went perfectly: after consistently setting the fastest lap times, I secured victory with a ten-second lead. Having qualified third in the Twin Cup, the first race turned into a real thriller. Following a crash at the start, a restart and fierce battles with Timo Krüger, there was a nail-biting photo finish in the very last corner – a win by the skin of my teeth. The wet second race on Sunday began with thrilling duels against Philipp Stich. After about three laps, I was able to pull away thanks to some absolutely brilliant lap times in the rain and secured a clear victory with a six-second lead. A huge thank you to my fantastic team, Motorradke GYTR Pro Shop by Penz13, for their perfect support over this unforgettable weekend. Thanks also to my family, all the helpers and you, the fans, who make the trip to Frohburg every year.”

A detour to Hockenheim

The direct route from Leipzig to Hockenheim doesn’t necessarily go via Hamburg. But whilst his team-mates from GERT56 RS by Speedbike, Marcel Schrötter and Jan-Ole Jähnig were still recovering a little from the rigours of the 24-hour EWC race in France, Toni Finsterbusch set off for Hockenheim for the Euro Moto finale a little earlier. “Today we had the chance to visit our main sponsor, Denker Wulf, at WindEnergy Hamburg,” says Finsterbusch, describing his trip. “With our joint e-fuel project, we’re part of the ‘Two Worlds. One Energy’ campaign. A really lovely exhibition stand, which beautifully showcases our commitment to greater sustainability in motorsport. Thanks to Denker Wulf for the invitation and the fantastic support this season.”

Toni Finsterbusch (li.) schaut in Hamburg vorbei

Foto: Finsterbusch