KTM scores second German Superbike sweep

From KTM Racing

KTM RC8 R Superbike riders were on top of their game on Sunday at the Oschersleben circuit in Germany when a double pole on Saturday from Matej Smrz and Stefan Nebel of the Inghart KTM Superbike Team Germany set the stage for a double victory in Sunday’s races by Smrz of the Czech Republic.

With Martin Bauer of KTM Motorex having won both races in the opening event at the Lausitzring, the riders and the Austrian manufacturing company have their hands firmly on the lead of the rider and manufacturer standings.

Smrz set the tone for the weekend in the opening timed training on Saturday when he put in the fastest ever lap on the circuit by a motorcycle. 

The first race of the day was stopped after six laps when Dario Giuseppetti of Germany high-sided. Nebel was unable to avoid the fallen rider, crashed himself and injured his shoulder. At the time of the accident Bauer was in the lead, 1.9 seconds ahead of Smrz. Bauer continued to lead after the race was restarted and had put distance between himself and Smrz but four laps before the close he had technical problems and had to retire. The way was then clear for KTM’s new Czech rider to take the glory.

The second race was less complicated for Smrz, who led from start to checkered flag. Bauer made a heroic attack on the front of the pack after missing the start thanks to clutch problems and eventually finished in third to add some more valuable points to his double victory on the opening IDM race weekend at Lausnitz.  The three riders on the podium were only separated by one second.

“The first race was very difficult," Smrz said. "I didn’t get a good start and I was caught up in a group of fast riders. They there as the crash and its not nice when a team mate gets injured. When the race started again I kept a bit of distance from Martin and then he dropped out of the race and I was able to go on and win. In the second race I attacked right from the beginning and was able to defend my lead right up to the finish."

Results
Race One Superbike
1. Matej Smrz, Czech Republic, KTM
2. Michael Ranseder, Austria, BMW
3. Damian Cudin, Australia, BMW
4. Karl Muggeridge, Australia, Honda
5. Sascha Hommel Germany, Yamaha

Race Two Superbike
1. Matej Smrz, Czech Republic, KTM
2. Karl Muggeridge, Australia, Honda
3. Martin Bauer, Austria, KTM

IDM Superbike Championship Points
1. Smrz, KTM 73 points
2. Bauer, KTM 66
3. Muggeridge, Honda 62
4. Ranseder, BMW 50
5. Cudlin, BMW 48