Hannes Soomer returns from Spanish WorldSBK round with mixed feelings

Estonian motorcycle racer Hannes Soomer competed in the sixth round of the WorldSBK world championship in Spain, standing in for injured BMW factory rider Danilo Petrucci. The round left Soomer with mixed emotions.

Estonian motorcycle racer Hannes Soomer returned over the weekend from Spain, where he competed in the sixth round of the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in the Superbike class. Soomer took to the track as a BMW factory team rider, replacing Italian Danilo Petrucci, who sat out due to injury.

The round's experience left Soomer with mixed feelings — on one hand, it was a valuable opportunity to race at the top level, but on the other, not everything went according to plan. The BMW factory machine and the Spanish track presented Soomer with challenges that he had to adapt to quickly.

Soomer has previously competed in the WorldSBK series mainly as a substitute rider, but each such opportunity gives him experience at the highest level of world motorcycle racing. The Spanish round was the season's sixth event, so the series' regular riders have built up a considerable lead.