With the move to Yamaha and the Apreco Team, Dirk Geiger is set to open a new chapter in his career in 2026. The first laps on the new Yamaha R9 have left the Mannheim rider feeling confident and have reinforced his clear direction for the upcoming season.

The IDM Supersport 2025 runner-up is taking a step next season that has surprised many. For Dirk Geiger, however, this move is a clear and carefully considered step towards the World Championship. “My goal is to make the jump to the World Championship. With Yamaha, I personally see the best opportunities to successfully follow this path,” explains the 23-year-old.

Together with team-mate Lennox Lehmann and under the sporting direction of Sandro Cortese, Geiger can expect a team structure that he himself describes as one of the strongest in the entire IDM. The anticipation is clearly palpable: “I’m really looking forward to the season. The trust shown by Yamaha Germany and the Apreco Team means a great deal to me.”

Most recently in Spain, Geiger completed his first kilometres on the Yamaha R9, the motorcycle he will campaign in the IDM Supersport in 2026. His initial impression was a positive one. He quickly developed a good feeling for the new bike, even though the ergonomics initially proved challenging. “The motorcycle is relatively large, but we made a few changes to the seat. That issue is now completely off the table,” he concludes after the first tests.

During the intensive test days, the focus is on understanding the motorcycle in all its facets and building an ideal base feeling. “The most important thing right now is that I feel as comfortable as possible on the bike,” explains Geiger. Together with the crew, he is working on the setup to be able to accurately assess the bike’s reactions under different track conditions. The aim is to extract the maximum at every event – regardless of the circuit.

Mentally and physically, Dirk is also preparing meticulously for the new season. He has been working with his mental coach since 2020, a team that knows exactly which steps are required to start a new season in a strengthened position. On the physical side, Geiger is supported by Yamaha’s physiotherapy teams, who have developed an intensive training programme for him. “It’s tough, but we will go into the season perfectly prepared,” he emphasises.

After his strong runner-up finish last year, Geiger is looking ahead with confidence. He is not making a clear title claim, but the direction is obvious: he wants to pick up where he left off in 2025 and gather as much experience as possible. With Yamaha and the Apreco Team behind him, Dirk Geiger heads into the 2026 IDM season with the best possible foundations – a season that could prove to be a decisive step towards his World Championship ambitions.