The next rider is ready to go. After two years in the Supersport on a Ducati, Maximilian Kofler has teamed up with Yamaha Motor Germany. The Austrian from Attnang-Puchheim will be competing in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) on a Yamaha R1. Team: still under wraps.
The cat’s out of the bag. Rumors have been swirling for a long time that Maximilian Kofler is joining Germany’s top racing series. “There were several opportunities for me for the upcoming season, including some from the World Championship, but in the end, Yamaha convinced me with their long-term project and the move to Superbike,” explains the Upper Austrian, who already made a guest appearance in the IDM last year, albeit on a Ducati in the Supersport.
In Jerez, 23-year-old Kofler had the chance to test the Superbike in early February. “It was really fun after a year and a half in the Supersport. The four-cylinder engine seems to suit me better than the two-cylinder.” Kofler scored four points in the Supersport last year.
He is well aware of what lies ahead after his move to the IDM Superbike series. “Of course, it’s incredibly exciting to compete against other manufacturers like BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, and Ducati on a Yamaha. Yamaha’s faith in me boosts my self-confidence, which is extremely important when making a move like this. The field of riders is brutally strong, as I keep realizing, but I feel up to the task. 2024 is set to be a learning year,” continues rookie Kofler, who has signed a multi-year agreement with Yamaha Motor Germany.
When he’s not riding his motorcycle, Kofler helps out at the family business. His parents run an inn. “I used to wait tables when they needed an extra hand, but now I work in the office. The good thing is that it gives me the freedom to set my own schedule.”
“I’m very proud that we can welcome Maximilian to our Yamaha family,” says Wim Vermeulen, Yamaha’s marketing manager, expressing his delight at the new signing. “The fact that we’ve managed to bring a rider like Maximilian—who is moving to us from the Ducati program in Supersport—into our bLU cRU program demonstrates our commitment to this project,” he emphasizes.
