Next stop – TT Circuit Assen | Home race for Pepijn Bijsterbosch

 

This upcoming weekend, the International German Motorcycle Championship is going into the sixth round on one of the oldest racetracks on the motorcycle racing calendar. The TT Circuit in Assen in the Netherlands has been on since 1955 and it is an integral part of the IDM. In 2019 the EGS-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team was able to seal the last championship title on the 4.555 km long race track with Ilya Mikhalchik. Also this year the four riders of the team, Ilya Mikhalchick (UKR), Jan Mohr (AUT), Tim Eby (GER) and Pepijn Bijsterbosch (NED), whose home race is the Dutch round of the IDM, hope for maximum success and are looking forward to the presence of spectators also at the upcoming event.

 

In Schleiz, Mikhalchik, after being out of the previous event in Most – due to his occupation in the 24 hours race of the Endurance world championship on Le Mans, which he finished in third position with the team of team manager Werner Daemen – caught up his lost points with a win and a second place to currently run in second position in the championship standings, just six points behind championship leader Dominic Schmitter. The chances of Mikhalchik taking the lead back this weekend are not bad. Assen is one of his favorite tracks.

 

Also for Pepijn Bijsterbosch the motivation to do well in his home race is very high. The Dutchman has always had good results on the TT Circuit in the past and hopes to be able to offer something to the local fans. Jan Mohr has prepared well in Schleiz and the direction for next weekend is clear for the 23-year-old. A top result is on the Austrian’s plan. Tim Eby has also prepared well for this weekend with a private test at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, where the IDM event will take place at the end of the month, and is hoping for more championship points at the Dutch stop of the championship.

 

This event can again be followed via the very professional livestream of the series. Take a look at the IDM’s social media channels or the website www.idm.de.
Jan Mohr, #5:

“I’m really looking forward to our weekend in Assen. The track has always suited me well. I think the flowing sections of the route are really good. Especially the last part before the chicane is awesome. We made very good progress in Schleiz and I still found very good potential, which I will work on from Friday and I think that we can then deliver a good result.”
Tim Eby, #17:

“I’m really looking forward to riding my motorcycle again. I went to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg to test it last week and that was really good. We were able to test in the dry and in the rain and collect many kilometers. I’ve never been to Spielberg before, so it was important to me that I could at least go to a hobby event there again before our stop at the IDM. So I’m looking forward to Assen with optimism, even if it is not necessarily one of my best tracks so far. The weather there has always been very mixed. Last year was the first time with consistently good weather in Assen, but unfortunately I couldn’t ride then. I think if the conditions are right at the weekend, then I can get to grips with the track quickly.”
Ilya Mikhalchik, #37:

“It wasn’t that long between the last race and this one. This time we’re all on the same page. Before Schleiz, many riders had the opportunity to test. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them. But now we’re all equal. With Assen we are now returning to a normal GP racetrack. I like it there. Last year I had a good fight with Jonas Folger. I just missed out on pole position. We’re going to have exciting fights again this year, I’m sure of that. I am relaxed and happy and will give everything to be at the front again. I’m looking forward to Assen.”
Pepijn Bijsterbosch, #55:

“Assen is a track that I enjoy riding at, especially since it’s my home track. Fortunately, spectators can be there this weekend again. I’m looking forward to that too, because it gives us the extra motivation to get the last thing out of us. I’m usually quite strong in Assen and this time I will try to give everything again to get as close as possible to the podium, or of course to stand on it. That is my goal to be part of the leading group. The bike is well prepared and we are ready to race.”
Werner Daemen, Team Manager:

“I am confident for Assen. It’s one of Ilya’s favorite tracks, which is good for a top three place in the championship. I think the circuit is very suitable for our motorcycle. For Pepijn it is his home race. Of course he’s motivated. Jan can also ride amongst the front runners. Tim is also getting better and better and overall we can take a lot of points with us this weekend. It can definitely be a good weekend for the team.”