After two years in the Superbike class, Maximilian Kofler has taken a break from racing. The family team has moved up to the World Championship with his younger brother Andreas, the two-time Supersport champion. Max has left himself a back door open, however.
“I was also in contact with other teams and would have loved to compete in the EURO MOTO Superbike series,” says the 25-year-old Austrian, adding, “but nothing came of it. It was also a question of budget.”
As one of Yamaha’s four Superbike rookies, Max Kofler made the leap from the Supersport World Championship to the IDM Superbike grid in 2024. In his first year, he finished tenth in the overall standings. In 2025, he ended the season in twelfth place. Always with his own team, Yamalube Motorsport Kofler—which also includes Andy Kofler, a two-time Supersport champion who has now seized the opportunity to enter the World Championship, just as the “big guy” once did.
“It’s absolutely fair that our team went with him, and I’ll support him as best I can.” Max Kofler will accompany his brother, who is four years younger, as often as possible in an assistant role. “What do I have to do there?” Kofler laughs. “Take the helmet to the service area, take care of the leather suit, make appointments, and make sure Andy is where he needs to be at the right time. I’ll take care of everything for him so his mind is clear for riding. He shouldn’t have to focus on anything else.”
Max Kofler will also be back on the track in 2026, though not necessarily in a championship series. “But if someone from the EURO MOTO Superbike series reaches out and needs a substitute rider, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”
SBK: Max Kofler remains the savior in times of need
After two years in the Superbike class, Maximilian Kofler has taken a break from competitive racing. The family team has moved up to the World Championship with his younger brother Andreas, the two-time Supersport champion. However, Max has left the door open for a return.
“I was also in contact with other teams and would have loved to have competed in the EURO MOTO Superbike series,” says the 25-year-old Austrian, admitting: “But nothing came of it. It was also a question of budget.”
As one of Yamaha’s four Superbike rookies, Max Kofler made the move from the Supersport World Championship to the Superbike paddock in 2024. In his first year, he finished tenth in the overall standings. In 2025, he finished twelfth. He has always raced with his own team, Yamalube Motorsport Kofler, which also includes Andy Kofler, the two-time Supersport champion who has now seized the opportunity to enter the World Championship, just as the “big man” once did.
“It’s absolutely fair that our team has chosen him, and I’ll support him as best I can.” Max Kofler plans to accompany his brother, who is four years his junior, as often as possible in an assistant role. “What do I have to do there?” Kofler laughs. “Taking the helmet in for servicing, looking after the leather suit, arranging appointments, and making sure Andy is where he needs to be at the right time. I’ll take care of everything for him so his mind is clear for riding. He shouldn’t have to focus on anything else.”
Max Kofler plans to continue calling the shots in 2026, just not in a regular championship. “If someone from the EURO MOTO Superbike series gets in touch and needs a replacement rider, I’ll be there right away.”