Max Stauffer⁠ completed his 2026 EURO MOTO Supersport campaign at Hockenheim, bringing an end to his first three race weekends aboard the Yamaha R9⁠.

After making the step up from the Yamaha R7 Sportbike during the season, the final rounds of 2026 were primarily about adapting to the significantly different Supersport machine and collecting experience for the future. At Hockenheim, however, Stauffer continued to struggle with an issue that had already affected his feeling on the R9 during the previous rounds.

More track time in perfect Hockenheim conditions

Unlike teammate Dirk Geiger⁠, Stauffer used the colder Q1 session to collect additional track time on the R9 before returning for Q2 later in the day.

After Friday’s Free Practice sessions, Stauffer was 12th in the combined classification with a best lap of 1:29.589.

The Australian improved significantly during qualifying, setting a 1:28.633 to secure tenth position on the grid for the final two races of the season.

Race 1: continuing to search for solutions

Starting from tenth position, Stauffer entered Race 1 hoping to translate the progress made over a single lap into stronger race pace.

However, the difficulties he had experienced with the bike continued over the race distance. Despite working with his crew throughout the weekend to find a solution, Stauffer was still unable to achieve the feeling he was looking for on the R9.

He completed the opening race in 12th position, collecting another four championship points.

“The struggles continued here at Hockenheim. It’s frustrating for me because we couldn’t fix the issue that I’ve sort of had all along on this bike. I can feel so good in one situation and then come here and seem to struggle, so it was certainly frustrating.”

Race 2: difficult conclusion to the season

Sunday provided one final opportunity to make progress before the end of Stauffer’s 2026 campaign.

Once again, however, the underlying difficulties remained and prevented him from showing the potential he had hoped for at the season finale.

Stauffer finished Race 2 in 13th position, bringing his first short EURO MOTO Supersport campaign with the Yamaha R9 to a close.

Despite the disappointing conclusion, the three weekends provided valuable experience with the R9 after his mid-season switch from the Yamaha R7 Sportbike.

First chapter on the R9 complete

For Stauffer, the results at Hockenheim were not the way he had hoped to finish the season. Nevertheless, his first three events in Supersport provided an opportunity to begin understanding a completely different motorcycle and identify the areas that still require work.

Throughout the process, Stauffer highlighted the support he received from Team APRECO⁠ and Yamaha Germany.

“A massive thanks to the team and Yamaha Germany for all their efforts. We tried our best and unfortunately we’re ending the season dissatisfied. But I’ll keep working hard.”

The chequered flag at Hockenheim therefore closes Stauffer’s first chapter with the Yamaha R9⁠: one that was focused on learning, adapting and understanding where the next steps need to be made.