The protracted negotiations with various manufacturers have come to an end. Team manager Denis Hertrampf has reached an agreement with Yamaha for the upcoming IDM Superbike season. This marks the second year of the partnership with the Japanese manufacturer. Vladimir Leonov and Daniel Kartheininger had already been confirmed as riders beforehand. Hertrampf had already secured their services last year, even before knowing which brand they would eventually be racing for. As part of the contract extension with Yamaha, up-and-coming talent Max Schmidt (pictured left) has now also been selected, another 
to race for the Hertrampf Mo Yamaha Racing Team this year.
“We work closely with all three Superbike riders. Last season, we supported them together at several events. The chemistry between the guys is really good,” Hertrampf noted, adding: “Our collaboration with Yamaha began last year. Since the MGM team has withdrawn, we will now take their place.”
But the official importer team is expected to do more than just secure top finishes. “We’re the point of contact for the Yamaha teams and riders in the paddock. We’re responsible for the Superbike, Supersport , and Pro Superstock Cup classes. Yamaha Germany will handle the R3 Cup itself,” said Hertrampf.
The Lower Saxony native and his crew have no shortage of experience managing the major classes. “With our portfolio and inventory of parts, we already worked closely with MGM and all the other Yamaha teams and riders in 2021 and were often able to help.”
For Hertrampf, there’s no question that his rider, Vladimir Leonov, can win on the Yamaha. In 2021, the Russian stood on the podium three times. “He has what it takes,” the team boss knows from experience. “If everything goes well, he has a very good chance.” There’s still a big question mark hanging over the technical side of things. Starting in the 2022 season, instead of using the original suspension forks, the motorcycles may also be equipped with forks from IDM series partners. For Hertrampf, a fork from Wilbers Products would be a possibility. Hertrampf has been working with the suspension specialist—which has its own racing team and, like the Hertrampf Group, is based in Nordhorn, Lower Saxony—for quite some time now. “The fact that we compete with our teams in the same class and are practically rivals in the IDM Superbike isn’t a problem for me. We maintain an intense and fair relationship with one another—and have done so for generations.”