Bernd Hiemer, KTM’s factory rider for the 2007 Supermoto season goes into the Grand Prix of Europe, the first round of the world championships in Italy this weekend, secure in the knowledge that he and his KTM 450 SMR are both ripe for victory. Hiemer, who works closely with the KTM Research and Development Department to further develop the bike, has absolved a concentrated period of testing and says that on the eve of the S1 season, that both he and his bike have “never been fitter”.
“It’s been an excellent period of preparation and now I can’t wait for the first round in Italy, “Hiemer said. Last year the 24-year-old German, well known for his professional skills and dedication to his sport, dominated the S1 class and had wrapped up the title in the second last event in Latina, Italy. If his pre-season enthusiasm is anything to go on, he has no plans for it to be any different this year. Hard-working Hiemer is after podiums and whenever possible he wants to make it the one on the top.
”I am very satisfied with the bike, which has performed well in the races in the run-up to the season. It certainly has the potential to win races,” the “Asphalt Surfer” declared. He has been busy in the pre-season period with a full program of testing and preparation, which included sessions at the Red Bull Training Center in Austria. Something of a perfectionist, Hiemer did indicate that his own preparation had left a little to be desired. He was less than satisfied with his fourth overall in the recent Italian Championships in Latina, Italy. On that occasion Hiemer had a crash and rather uncharacteristically, only came in sixth in the first moto.
Castelletto di Branduzo is the venue for the first round of the world championships, which this season takes riders and machines to nine events in at least six countries between April 29 and October 21, 2007. The Supermoto of Nations is to be held on September 30 in Italy.
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