Neukirchner wins IDM race at Assen
He was even happier he had opted to try something different, after he won the first race on a Honda CBR1000RR prepared by Ten Kate Racing Products - the customer racing division of the Superbike World Championship's Hannspree Ten Kate Honda.
After qualifying third Neukirchner rode assuredly in the first leg to record his win, then he finished third in a red-flagged race two, which had started out wet.
Said Max, "The first race was brilliant and I felt so happy to be back on the podium - especially on the top step."
He continued, "In race one I was able to pass Veneman quite early and just kept pushing throughout the race. In the end it was a comfortable victory. It felt fantastic to beat the other guys who have been racing with their teams and against each other all season."
Neukirchner had to settle for third in race two, but is already thinking of how his Assen escapade can help in his next test session, and also his next WSBK race - his home race at the Nürburgring.
"Race two was a little chaotic but third place and another podium was good for me," said Max. "The weekend was a great personal motivation for my home race in Germany in two weeks, and we have another test at Assen before we go. I hope we can continue the good progress we made at Silverstone in the last SBK race and I'm sure that we can start at Nürburgring with a good feeling."
