  |  | | | | | | IDM | News | | | Yamaha Kicks Off IDM Challenge with Two Podiums at the Lausitzring | Team Yamaha MGM's Max Neukirchner showcased the great potential of the all-new YZF-R1M right from the start of the Superbike*IDM International German Championship, by securing two second places during the opening round yesterday. Teammate Damian Cudlin also showed a strong pace in the changeable but dry conditions at Lausitzring and took fourth place in the second race after suffering a crash in the first outing.
Neukirchner had been a key protagonist throughout the weekend, and lived up to his reputation come race day. Starting from pole, he got off the line well in the first race, but dropped to third behind Markus Reiterberger and his teammate after making a mistake on the brakes going into turn one. He quickly recovered and made the most of the fast and agile Yamaha character to regain his lost position. Once he got passed his teammate he hunted for the leader, but was unable to catch him and finished in second place, 6.899s from the front.
In race two the German again had a good start and held the lead on the early stages of the race, with Reiterberger on his tail. They swapped positions and though the Team Yamaha MGM rider was able match the pace of his rival, he had to think the better of it. His strong and clever riding secured him another second place, 2.866s behind Reiterberger.
Teammate Cudlin also had a strong race pace this weekend. After a good start in race one Cudlin was riding closely behind Reiterberger and Neukirchner and in contention for a top result. He gradually closed the gap to his teammate by setting his fastest lap of the weekend, but unfortunately it wasn't to last. The 31-year old suffered an unfortunate crash on lap five and was forced to retire from the race early.
The Australian made up for the lost racing action in race two by engaging in a hard battle for third place. He fought tooth and nail with Xavi Fores to the finish line, only to miss out by just 0.198 seconds.
The results of the opening round saw Neukirchner take second place in the overall standings with 40 championship points, with Cudlin in seventh with 13 points.
The second round of Superbike*IDM 2015 takes place at Circuit Zolder in Belgium in two weeks time. |
| | | | "In the first race I had a good start, but missed the braking point into the first corner, so I had to go wide and Reiterberger and Damian passed me. I needed three to four laps to pass Damian again. When I finally got him, Reiterberger was already away and it was difficult for me to do anything about it. I tried, but finally decided to take the safe way and bring home the second place. The second race was better. We found something on the bike and I felt more comfortable straight away. Again I came off the line well and was able to lead the race in the early stages. I knew that Reiterberger would pass me, but at least I could stay with him for a while. Of course these are 'just' two second places and no win, but we need to be satisfied with it. My team did a fantastic job this weekend. We were able to improve the bike between races. To get two times 20 points in the championship is really good, I'm happy." | |  | |
 | | | | Race 1 - DNF, Race 2 - P4 | | "I think the first and the second races were similar, but the outcome was a little bit different. In the first race I chose a front tyre that I have never used this weekend. It was a little bit of a risk, but I think it was the right choice. I started slowly, but I built up my speed. Then I started to catch Max and did the fastest lap I've made all weekend. The bike felt good and then suddenly the crash happened with no warning. For the second race I decided to go a little bit safer and took the softer option front tyre, the one that we used in qualifying. I had the same start and speed and could follow Max and Reiterberger for the first two or three laps, but when the tyre started to slide I started to lose a lot of grip, they were going away. I tried to hang on, but I almost had another big crash. Fores was like a road block, he was so late on the brake and I couldn't pass him. I passed him three times in the last three laps, but he managed to overtake me every time again. A podium was impossible today. I am disappointed, because I think without the crash in the first race, we would have two podiums today, so it's not a great start to the championship for me. The positive is, I have the speed of the other guys, I have to remember this and take this positive thing to Zolder." | | |
1. Markus Reiterberger, BMW S 1000 RR, 26:23.623
2. Max Neukirchner, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +6.899
3. Xavi Forés, Ducati 1199 Panigale R, +14.954
4. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 1199 Panigale R, +27.556
5. Lukas Trautmann, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +32.730
6. Matej Smrz, BMW S 1000 RR, +33.276
7. Mathieu Gines, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +36.649
8. Marvin Fritz, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +39.914
9. Roman Stamm, Kawasaki ZX-10R, +44.871
10. Danny de Boer, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +47.793
DNF Damian Cudlin, Yamaha YZF-R1M, -12 lap
1. Markus Reiterberger, BMW S 1000 RR, 26:23.623
2. Max Neukirchner, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +2.866
3. Xavi Forés, Ducati 1199 Panigale R, +10.004
4. Damian Cudlin, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +10.212
5. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 1199 Panigale R, +23.321
6. Matej Smrz, BMW S 1000 RR, +34.683
7. Roman Stamm, Kawasaki ZX-10R, +34.926
8. Mathieu Gines, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +35.163
9. Danny de Boer, Yamaha YZF-R1M, +43.027
10. Jan Halbich, Honda CBR 1000 RR SP, +44.237
1. Markus Reiterberger, Van Zon-Remeha-BMW, 50
2. Max Neukirchner, Team Yamaha MGM, 40
3. Xavi Forés, 3C-Racing Team, 32
4. Lorenzo Lanzi, 3C-Racing Team, 24
5. Matej Smrz, Wilbers-BMW-Racing Team, 21
6. Jan Halbich, Holzhauer Racing Promotion, 19
7. Damian Cudlin, Team Yamaha MGM, 13
8. Erwan Nigon, HPC-Power Suzuki Racing, 8 | |  |
