The first tests are complete, and Dirk Geiger has left his Apreco team boss, Corine Brandhorst, speechless. He will move up to the Superbike class for the 2027 EURO MOTO season. The current title favorite in the Supersport category will then compete as the second Yamaha R1 rider alongside Twan Smits.
Corine Brandhorst is still surprised: “In my three- to five-year plan for the team’s development, it was always part of the plan to eventually compete with two motorcycles in the Superbike class. What wasn’t part of my plan, however, was Dirk Geiger’s rise. He and Lennox Lehmann have proven to be a very strong team, and I would have liked to see them both racing together again in the Supersport class in 2027. For 2028, we plan to make the move to the World Supersport Championship.”
Apparently, several riders were interested in spending the next two years alongside Twan. Brandhorst explains: “Together with Yamaha, we drew up a shortlist of three riders, which I then discussed with my team and our riders. When I sat down with Dirk, he asked me at the end of our conversation, ‘Why aren’t you actually considering me?’ For a moment, I was speechless, because Dirk had never previously shown any interest in the Superbike class and had always been completely focused on moving up to the World Supersport .”
Over the past few months, Geiger has tested the R1 GYTR on multiple occasions and also competed in two rounds of the FIM Endurance World Championship. Yamaha has now drawn up a development plan for both riders. Brandhorst clearly outlines the goal: “Within the next two years, we want to bring the EURO MOTO Superbike title to Team Apreco and to Yamaha.
The reward for the rider who wins this title is also clear: as soon as the title is back with Yamaha, the next step in his career is already secured.”
Dirk Geiger explains his move this way: “Ever since I saw Twan riding the R1 during winter testing and at the first race weekend at the Sachsenring, I’ve been extremely impressed by this motorcycle. And let’s be honest: It’s definitely one of the coolest bikes in the entire field right now!”
