The three-time German champion Markus Reiterberger is making a full return to the International German Motorcycle Championship this season. After only taking part in individual IDM events last year, the Bavarian is celebrating his comeback in 2022.
This weekend saw the season opener at the Lausitzring. With the BCC-Alpha-Van Zon-BMW team of his manager Werner Daemen and Andy Gerlich, under whose wing he competed last season, and the BMW M 1000 RR, the return to the series with two wins was a success.
Markus Reiterberger immediately found his way and dominated from the first training session on.
His toughest opponent is Florian Alt on the Wilbers-BMW. But at this start of the season, Reiterberger didn't let pole position be snatched away from him.
The first IDM Superbike race started on Sunday morning under the best weather conditions and bright sunshine. With a rocket start, Reiti immediately took the lead and already had a small lead over Florian Alt, Jahn Mohr and Julian Puffe in the first few meters.
In the second lap, however, Florian Alt had to end his race with a technical defect. So the way was clear for Markus Reiterberger. Nobody could follow him until the end of the race and the 28-year-old increased his lead lap by lap. Reiterberger finished the race about 17 seconds ahead of Jahn Mohr in second place and Julian Puffe in third place.
In the second IDM Superbike race, Reiti started the race from ninth place due to the reverse grid procedure. For his competitor Florian Alt, the race was over before the start. After the warm-up lap, his BMW went on strike again and he had to push his machine back into the pits in deep frustration. Reiterberger got off to a great start once more and after a few meters was already in fourth place. On lap eight he took the lead from Bastien Mackels and again successfully pulled away at the front.
The Bavarian also won the second race at the season opener at the Lausitzring with a lead of almost eight seconds. Due to an initially suspected violation of the rules, he received a five-place penalty, which he and his manager appealed against and ultimately won the case. This puts Reiti in the lead of the championship after two races and with a 17-point lead.
The next event of the IDM will take place in two weeks from May 20th to 22nd in the Motorsportarena in Oschersleben.
Markus Reiterberger:
“I admit I would have liked a tough fight with Flo. However, I'm sorry that he dropped out so early in the race due to a technical defect and then again later in the second race. I rode a relatively stable race and wanted manage my power until the end. The bike felt great and I was able to finish the race relaxed.
In the second race it was difficult to get through with the reversed grid and ninth place on the grid and it took me a few laps to get past because my opponents were so strong on the straight. But I was able to brake my through way step by step and pull away at the front. I then wondered why I wasn't allowed into the parc fermé and then found out that I was set back five places for overtaking under a yellow flag. Since I was firmly convinced that this was not the case, we appealed against the decision and won. After all the excitement, I'm now very happy that I finally won the race and can take the important points home with me. I would like to thank my entire team for this great weekend and I'm looking forward to Oschersleben.”