IRRC Sportbike, Horice: David Datzer takes 3rd place behind Pesek and Hrstka

For the second IRRC Sportbike race in Horice, Czech Republic, the competitors had to get up early. At 8.30 am, they were sent off on their ‘journey’ over ten laps of the 5.150-kilometre natural race track. Marek Cerveny, the winner of the first race, left the field to his rivals. The Czech rider was already focusing on the two IRRC Supersport races.

Starting from third on the grid, Karel Pesek shot into the lead, closely followed by Michal Dokoupil, David Datzer and Martin Hrstka. Try as he might, it was not until the third lap that Dokoupil managed to find a way past the leader with a spirited manoeuvre. After that, there was no stopping the TT-seasoned local hero. Lap after lap, he extended his lead by more than a second.

Just as the positions had long since been settled and the fans were bracing themselves for a Dokoupil victory, the spectre of mechanical failure struck mercilessly on lap 9. The Aprilia rider was let down by his bike and had to push it to the side of the track. This proved the saying “the unexpected often happens” to be true for Pesek. He won ahead of his compatriot Martin Hrstka, with third place going to the German Datzer.

Finishing fourth behind the three guest riders, Jamie Williams secured the 25 points for victory in the IRRC Sportbike class. There was also cause for celebration for the German Thomas Wendel, who picked up a further 16 points towards the championship. Finishing eleventh, the German Suzuki rider Stefan Holz held his own in the shark tank of the overwhelming Aprilia pack.

Results, IRRC Sportbike Horice, Round 2, 9 August 2026

1. Karel Pesek (CZ)*, 10 laps. 2. Martin Hrstka (CZ)*. 3. David Datzer (D)*. 4. Jamie Williams (GBM). 5. Vaclav Vrbas (CZ)*. 5. Ludovit Krusina (SK)*, all Aprilia. All Aprilia. Also: 10. Thomas Wendel (D), Aprilia. 11. Stefan Holz (D)*, Suzuki. *Guest rider (no points).

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