Victory and second place for Hänse, Datzer on the podium, championship title for Williams

In the final of the newly created Sportbike class of the International Road Racing Championship (IRRC), the guest riders really shook up the field. In qualifying, of the top six, only championship leader Jamie Williams, in second place, and Thomas Wendel (TMG21 Racing), in fifth, managed to hold their own. Pole position went to Justin Häsle (Motorradtke GYTR Pro Shop by Penz13), whilst David Datzer from Team Racetastic4 by Datziii#55 Road Racing completed the front row.

Starting from pole position, Häsle stormed into the lead, which he managed to hold until the halfway point of the 8-lap race, when he was overtaken by Williams. The duo managed to leave the rest of the field well behind them. Following a thrilling head-to-head battle, the Aprilia rider from the Isle of Man secured not only victory but also the championship title ahead of schedule with the narrowest of margins – a lead of 0.128 seconds over the German rider.

The battle for the final spot on the podium was just as close. Datzer bided his time until the very last lap, when the 2024 IRRC Superbike Champion was indeed able to capitalise on his chance to make the decisive overtaking manoeuvre. He crossed the finish line just under half a second ahead of Wendel. Although he had missed out on the podium he had hoped for, Wendel could be satisfied with the result, as he was able to add 20 points to his overall tally.

Noch liegt Thomas Wendel vor David Datzer, im Ziel war es andersrum

Foto: Thomas Neidhardt

Justin Häsle turns the order on its head in Race 2

Fired up by his frustration at not having won the first race, Hänse left no doubt that he would not settle for second place again. Without making the slightest mistake, he quickly pulled away from his pursuers. After eight laps, the German guest rider had left the two-time Manx Grand Prix winner and newly crowned IRRC champion Williams, from Team NCE Racing, trailing by over eight seconds.

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The second race was also an entertaining one for Datzer, as he battled with Williams for second place, narrowly losing out to him. Behind the Dutchman Wally Jacobs, Wendel took fifth place. In doing so, he not only managed to bring a season marked by a number of setbacks to a successful conclusion. Behind Williams, Jacobs and Patrik Serbousek, he managed to move up to fourth place in the overall standings.

Jamie Williams freut sich über den Gesamtsieg in der IRRC Sportbike

Foto: Thomas Neidhardt

Results, Frohburg, IRRC Sportbike, Race 1, 20 September 2026

1. Jamie Williams (GBM), Aprilia, 8 laps in 14:52.192 mins. 2. Justin Hänse (D)*, Yamaha, 0.128 sec behind. 3. David Datzer (D)*, Aprilia, +17.314 sec. 4. Thomas Wendel (D), Aprilia. 5. Martin Hrstka (CZ)*, Aprilia. 6. Maxim Zanaska (CZ)*, Kawasaki. 7. Wally Jacobs (NL), Aprilia. 8. Dale Brew (GB)*, Aprilia. 9. Stefan Holz (D)*, Suzuki. 10. Patrik Serbousek (CZ), Aprilia. *Guest rider (no points)

Results, Frohburg, IRRC Sportbike, Race 2, 20 September 2026

1. Hänse*, 8 laps in 15:23.102 mins. 2. Williams, 8.338 sec behind. 3. Datzer*, +8.677 sec. 4. Jacobs. 5. Wendel. 6. Brew*. 7. Mathieu Locuty (F)*, Aprilia. 8. Rutger Peersman (B), Aprilia. 9. Serbousek. 10. Richard Zanaska (CZ)*, Aprilia.

IRRC Sportbike Championship standings after 10 races

1. Williams, 215 points. 2. Jacobs, 171. 3. Serbousek, 144. 4. Wendel, 118. 5. Peersman, 116. 6. Alexandre Dumoutier (F), Aprilia, 86. 7. Mike Ceuppers (B), Aprilia, 67. 8. Enzo Ljubisavlievic (F), Kawasaki, 57. 9. Yannick Jacops (B), Aprilia, 39.