Preparations for the 2024 motorsports season are also in full swing at Yamaha Motor Germany. One thing is certain: the company will continue its involvement in the IDM, and the bLU cRU youth development program and the R7 Cup will be expanded. A relaunch of the R3 Cup is planned for 2025. However, there will also be some cuts to the program.
Yamaha will continue its partnership with Germany’s premier road motorcycle racing series. Wim Vermeulen, Marketing Manager at Yamaha Motor Germany, and Normann Broy, Series Manager of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM), agreed today to extend their partnership for another three years. This lays the groundwork for Yamaha motorcycles to remain eligible to compete in the IDM’s premier classes. It paves the way for detailed planning with Yamaha-supported teams in the various classes.
In the IDM Supersport class, the Yamaha R6 Supersport the benchmark. In this exciting class, Yamaha Motor Germany will support four promising young talents in the upcoming season. The Supersport is an important step for riders in Yamaha’s bLU cRU youth development program. From here, they can make the realistic transition to the Supersport, the EWC Endurance World Championship, or the IDM Superbike series.
In the premier class of German motorcycle racing, the IDM Superbike, 2023 was a challenging year for the Yamaha R1. The plan is to continue advancing the development of the IDM version of the R1 and to use the 2024 season to gather data, with the goal of focusing on the IDM title in 2025. In 2024, at least two new IDM teams will compete on Yamahas.
The bLU cRU program remains a constant focus. Yamaha is committed to an international and sustainable, long-term approach to developing young talent by providing intensive coaching. In the upcoming season, Yamaha will support and promote eight German-speaking riders in the IDM premier classes.
The Yamaha R7 Cup is entering its third season, now under the new name Yamalube Yamaha R7 Cup. The number of races on the calendar has been increased from five to six, all held as part of the IDM series. Another cup is in the starting blocks for 2025—the Yamaha R3 Cup. It will be an important part of the German bLU cRU program and will be aimed at riders between the ages of 14 and 18. At the same time, the minimum age for the Yamalube Yamaha R7 Cup will be lowered from 18 to 16 to make it easier to move up from the R3 Cup.
After careful consideration, Yamaha Motor Germany has decided not to continue its involvement as an official partner of the Twin Cup and the Pro Superstock Cup. Yamaha will focus more on developing the R7 Cup and organizing the new R3 Cup.