Suzuki International Europe will enter this season’s 2013 German IDM Superbike and Supersport Championships with a new and stronger team at the opening round at EuroSpeedway Lausitz in April. Three-times IDM Superbike Champion Martin Bauer will join the German Suzuki Distributor team, after taking a year’s break in 2012, to race the GSX-R1000 alongside HPC-Power Suzuki team-mate Sascha Hommel and Team Suzuki Müller’s Steven Michels. Said Bauer: “After a one year break from racing I’m looking forward to my new racing challenge. Originally, a return to the IDM wasn’t on my top list of things to do, but now I’ve decided to participate in the IDM Superbike Championship for one year for the time being. Suzuki is a new challenge for me and has made great efforts to help me reach the goal of winning the 2013 championship.” In the Supersport class, 2011 champion Jesco Günther (pictured) will be joined by Sarah Heide (Team Suzuki Laux) aboard the Suzuki GSX-R600s. Said Günther: “I’m happy that it has all worked out for 2013. After a year in the IDM series in 2012, we found a good basis for the coming season to start with.” Sport Marketing Suzuki International Europe, Thomas Hannecke, said: “Suzuki is going to be represented outstandingly in the two top classes of IDM. Besides Jesco Günther, we’re particularly looking forward to working with Martin Bauer and Team Manager Denis Hertrampf. For years, we’ve actively supported the IDM, knowing it gives us a platform to best-present the Suzuki brand and also keep in touch with our customers. This will now become much more exciting with Martin Bauer being not only a successful and experienced rider, but a rider known for his fighting spirit and his technical know-how as well. “Two more strong riders racing the GSX-R1000 in the SUPERBIKE IDM are Steven Michels and Sascha Hommel. Furthermore, we are well represented in the Supersport class with Jesco Günther and Sarah Heide. All three teams supported by Suzuki International Europe are using the winter break to prepare themselves for the new season and we are looking forward to a promising opening race in Lausitz.” 2013 IDM Provisional Calendar: 1 April 5-7: Lausitzring. 2 April 19-21: Lausitzring. 3 May 10-12: Zolder. 4 May 24-26: Nürburgring. 5 June 14-16: Oschersleben. 6 July 19-21: Red-Bull-Ring. 7 August 2-4: Schleizer Dreieck. 8 September 6-8: Sachsenring. 9 October 4-6: Hockenheim.