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The Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon BMW team enjoyed a weekend that was hot in every sense of the word at the third round of the former IDM – now known as Euro Moto – in Most, Czech Republic. Team boss Werner Daemen was arrived with his four Superbike riders: Markus Reiterberger (D), Hannes Soomer (EST), Jan Mohr (A) and Milan Merckelbagh (NL), as well as the three Pro Superstock 1000 Cup riders Manuel Schoewer (D), Julius Ilmberger (D) and Ouri Bikkems (B). Temperatures were forecast to be well over 30 degrees, and the challenges for both riders and machines were great.   Markus Reiterberger had secured victory in the first race during the visit to Brno. At Most, the rider from Team Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW didn’t have it all go his way in the practice sessions. In the third free practice session, he completed a full race distance of 16 laps. Reiterberger was…

For the first time in the history of Euro Moto – and thus also for the first time in the long and successful history of the Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team – the team travelled to the Czech Moto Grand Prix circuit in Brno. Team boss Werner Daemen had brought just three riders with him this time. The line-up included Markus Reiterberger (GER), Jan Mohr (AUT) and Milan Merckelbagh (NED). Hannes Soomer (EST) had answered the call from BMW headquarters and was standing in for the injured Danilo Petrucci at the World Superbike race in Aragon, Spain.  Markus Reiterberger had prepared himself perfectly for the not-so-familiar circuit with an extra test session. His fan club had travelled to support him, giving the rider an extra boost of motivation. The BMW rider was among the frontrunners in all practice sessions and, after qualifying directly for Superpole 2, secured third place on the grid…

The Euro Moto riders—who until last year competed under the name IDM—had to wait a long time before the hunt for points finally resumed in Germany’s top-tier motorcycle racing series. Belgian team manager Werner Daemen’s team has once again gathered a strong quartet in the Superbike class for his Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team: Markus Reiterberger (GER), Hannes Soomer (EST), Jan Mohr (AUT), and Milan Merckelbagh (NED). Last weekend saw the first showdown on the GP circuit at the Sachsenring. Markus Reiterberger is a seasoned veteran of the Euro Moto series. He has already finished the predecessor series, the IDM, as champion four times, and this year the Bavarian is once again among the potential title contenders. At the Sachsenring, however, the BMW rider first had to find his bearings again. “I’ve been a guest at the Sachsenring more than once in recent years,” he said, “but the last time I actually…

Markus Reiterberger (GER), four-time IDM Champion, returns to the EuroMoto (IDM) Championship with the Masteroil – Alpha – Van Zon – BMW team. His comeback is a major boost for a series that continues to grow in strength and popularity. The last time Reiterberger contested a full IDM season, he claimed the title in 2022. He also made a guest appearance in Masteroil’s instantly recognisable black-and-yellow colours in 2024 at Schleiz. Now back with Werner Daemen’s BMW Motorrad supported team, the aim is clear: more trophies for the trophy room. For 2026, the team’s pit box is packed with firepower. Hannes Soomer (EST) is back on board and will once again be a championship contender, having shown his capabilities last year. Jan Mohr (AT) returns to the team, while Milan Merckelbagh (NL) continues for another season, aiming to build on a solid and promising debut year with the team in…

From IDM to EURO MOTO Motor Presse Stuttgart launches a new European Racing Platform for Superbike, Supersport and Sportbike With the introduction of EURO MOTO, Motor Presse Stuttgart is expanding its motor sporting portfolio from 2026 onwards. Building on the successful development of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM), EURO MOTO represents the logical next step in advancing European circuit racing across the Superbike, Supersport and Sportbike categories. The new platform aims to attract a more international grid, increase visibility across key markets and deliver even more exciting and competitive racing. Over the past several years, the IDM has evolved into a leading championship in terms of both sporting quality and organizational standards. The performance levels across the Superbike, Supersport and Sportbike categories have reached a truly international benchmark. “The IDM has proven to be a launchpad for riders with World Championship ambitions,” says Normann Broy, Series Manager and initiator…

The 2025 International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) season began in May and came to an end last weekend at the Hockenheimring. The Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team, led by Belgian Werner Daemen, was represented in the IDM Superbike by Leandro “Tati” Mercado (Argentina), Hannes Soomer (Estonia), Bálint Kovács (Hungary) and Milan Merckelbagh (Netherlands). At the end of the weekend, they were able to celebrate victory in the manufacturers’ classification together with BMW. Ricardo Brink (Netherlands/BMW), Julius Ilmberger (Germany/BMW) and Ouri Bikkems (Belgium/BMW) were once again competing in the Pro STK 1000.   Leandro Mercado arrived at the Hockenheimring motivated to finish the season in style and had even picked up his family during a short detour to his adopted home of Italy to celebrate the final with them and the team. The Argentine made life difficult for himself in practice. A slip-up demanded everything from his team to get him back on track…

The penultimate round of the 2025 International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) took place at the Nürburgring last weekend, and the Eifel region provided unusually abundant sunshine. Werner Daemen, head of the Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team, was back at the start with a full team. Hannes Soomer (Estonia), Leandro Mercado (Argentina), Bálint Kovács (Hungary) and Milan Merckelbagh (Netherlands) competed in the top Superbike class. Ricardo Brink (Netherlands), Julius Ilmberger (Germany) and Ouri Bikkem (Belgium) took on the Pro Superstock 1000.   Hannes Soomer had used the break since the Assen trip to recover from his injury to his right hand. His top times in practice showed that he had made a full recovery. ‘With the extra day of testing, it was a slightly different IDM weekend,’ he said before the start. “I will fight for victory until the last race. Last year went well for us at the Nürburgring.”   Things also…

The summer break for the International German Championship (IDM) came to an end last weekend. The TT Circuit in Assen, Netherlands, was the destination for the Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team with its Belgian boss Werner Daemen. As always, he had his Superbike squad with Leandro Mercado (Argentina), Hannes Soomer (Estonia), Bálint Kovács (Hungary), and Milan Merckelbagh (Netherlands). Ricardo Brink (Netherlands), Julius Ilmberger (Germany), and Ouri Bikkems (Belgium) competed for the BMW team again in the Pro Superstock 1000. Leandro Mercado had a short but successful summer break. The Argentinean traveled to Japan at the beginning of August and brought home a trophy for second place in the Superstock classification from the World Endurance Championship race in Suzuka. “The Suzuka party is over,” said Mercado in good spirits before leaving for Assen, “now it’s back to focusing fully on the IDM. I really like Assen. I’ve adjusted my goals in the meantime.…

After a short break, the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) resumed last weekend. The venue was the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben for the second time this year. The fourth event of the year marked the halfway point of the 2025 season. Once again, the Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team with Belgian team boss Werner Daemen was right in the thick of the battle for the IDM Superbike title. His quartet of riders was complete with Hannes Soomer (Estonia), Leandro Mercado (Argentina), Bálint Kovács (Hungary), and Milan Merckelbagh (Netherlands). There was also a reunion with their BMW colleagues from the Pro Superstock 1000, Ricardo Brink (Netherlands), Julius Ilmberger (Germany), and Ouri Bikkems (Belgium). Hannes Soomer had extended his lead in the overall standings at the last IDM meeting in Most. However, the Estonian knew that his rivals, especially Florian Alt and Lukas Tulovic, were hot on his heels. After practice, the Estonian was in…

Fans and riders gathered in Most, Czech Republic, last weekend for the third of seven events in this year’s International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). Belgian team boss Werner Daemen travelled to the Superbike class races with his quartet of riders from the Masteroil-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team, consisting of Hannes Soomer (Estonia), Leandro Mercado (Argentina), Bálint Kovács (Hungary) and Milan Merckelbagh (Netherlands). With summer temperatures in full swing, Sunday’s races were particularly heated.   After round 2 of the IDM, holding a one-point lead in the overall standings, Hannes Soomer headed to Belgium for the Spa 8H, where he claimed victory in the Superstock class of the Endurance World Championship. From there, he travelled to Suzuka, Japan, to take part in a BMW test for the world championship campaign. Then it was straight back to Most for the next IDM challenge. «A lot of kilometres on different motorcycles», was how the Estonian…