The 21-year-old Dutchman Twan Smits looks back on his first season in the IDM Superbike Championship. Riding the Yamaha R1 for the Apreco Team, he showed strong development, secured the Best Rookie title, finished eighth overall and ended the season as the top Yamaha rider.

“I learned a lot this year and made big steps forward. At the same time, I also had to fight my way through some tough moments,” Twan Smits summarises his debut season.

A particularly special moment for him was the season finale at Hockenheim: “I already knew many of the guys at the front from previous years, and in the final race I was right behind them. Of course, I had been close before, but this time I was really right in the middle of it. Among so many well-known and respected riders. I still remember watching them battle in the past – and now I’m riding directly behind them.”

The switch from the Supersport to the Superbike class was a major challenge for Twan. “To be honest, I had to completely change the way I think about riding fast. My instinct was perfectly tuned to the Supersport bike, but on the R1 a lot of things work differently. If I ride purely on feeling, the line is often not the fastest one. I had to relearn every corner and every section and understand what works on a Superbike. But sometimes the old Supersport style actually helps me, because in certain sections I can make up time with it. In the end, it’s all about combining the best of both worlds.”

There was also a lot to learn when it came to bike setup. “In the early phase, the electronics were certainly the most difficult part. Coming from the Supersport class, I had zero experience with that, and our team also had to familiarise themselves with it first. Yamaha and Ten Kate supported us massively with their experience in working with the Marelli system – that was crucial to our success.”

One of the most spectacular moments of the season for the Dutch rider also happened at Hockenheim: “The track was half wet, half dry. I went full throttle on a wet patch and the rear wheel stepped out completely. I really thought that was it, but somehow I managed to catch it. And in the end, it was actually my fastest lap, which put me fifth on the grid.”

When things weren’t going well, it was above all his close circle that helped him stay motivated. “My parents and my team are definitely my biggest support. There were quite a few moments when I was disappointed. They helped me to see the bigger picture. You can’t expect to go from 18th to first place within a few races, even if that’s what you hope for. Things take time, and I’ve learned to respect that process and remain patient.”

What does Twan take away from his first Superbike season? “Patience and the realisation that you can’t control everything. You focus on what you can influence, give your best and stay positive. Sooner or later, things will turn around again.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, he is in a fighting mood: “To be honest, I want to be up front next year. This year was about building things up – now we have a solid foundation. The coming months will be crucial; we will change and improve a lot. It’s going to be a busy but important winter.”