Xavi Forés from the 3C Racing Team is the 2014 International German Superbike champion. He became the first Spaniard ever to win Germany's highest motorbike racing class. His teammate Max Neukirchner was championship runner-up on the Ducati 1199 Panigale R. All three 3C team riders ended up with at least a place on the victory rostrum at the final meeting of the SUPERBIKE*IDM season last weekend at the Hockenheimring. Lorenzo Lanzi even made it to the top spot by winning the second Superbike race.

The 3C Racing Team's debut season in the SUPERBIKE*IDM ended in Hockenheim. Xavi Forés (ESP), Max Neukirchner (D) and Lorenzo Lanzi (I) have raised the top class series to a new level this year. The trio won 11 of the 15 races in the season on their Ducati 1199 Panigale R machines.

The favourite for the title, Xavi Forés, twice came in second at the final meeting watched by 12,000 spectators. The crowd was able to acknowledge him as International German Superbike champion of 2014 after the first race. The Spaniard did not take any further risks on the way to his triumph.

It was still mathematically possible for his teammate Max Neukirchner from Stollberg in Saxony to steal the title from Forés. However, with 26 points in arrears behind the leader before the final meeting, his theoretical chances depended on Forés dropping out all together. Neukirchner came in third and fourth in the two races on the 3,624 metre long track in Hockenheim. He is runner-up in the Superbike class.

It could hardly have been a better end to the season for Lorenzo Lanzi, who did not join the team until mid-way through the season. He was lying in third position in the first race when his front wheel collapsed. Quickly recovering from his fall, he made amends by winning the second race, his first victory in the SUPERBIKE*IDM.

The victory celebrations were short because the 3C Racing Team crew packed up the same evening to set off again for Mugello. The riders are practising there at the moment for the impending Superbike World Championship.

Xavi Forés: "I'm just so happy to finally get my hands on the winner's trophy. I didn't really know what to expect in the SUPERBIKE*IDM at the start of the season, but after I won my first race at the Lausitzring, I then wanted the title. It means a great deal to me and I've worked very hard to achieve it."

Lorenzo Lanzi: "I hadn't expected to win at the start of the race. It was difficult to find the right line in the rain and to get past opponents. Still, I'm delighted that I made the most of the last chance on offer this year."

Karsten Jerschke, team boss: "That was a wonderful season for us in the SUPERBIKE*IDM, with the best riders, the best mechanics, the best bikes and the best organisation. We've achieved our goal of winning the championship in Germany's highest motorbike racing class. We'll carry on next year in one form or another. The decision will be taken in the next few weeks."