Neukirchner and Yamaha Join Forces for 2015 IDM Challenge
Max Neukirchner has signed with Team Yamaha-MGM to participate in the 2015 International German Superbike Championship (IDM) on the all new YZF-R1M.
Neukirchner made his move to Yamaha official on the ninth of December at Yamaha Motor Germany in Neuss in the presence of MGM team manager Michael Galinski and Yamaha Motor Germany Country Manager Jörg Breitenfeld.
Team Yamaha-MGM and Yamaha Motor Germany are convinced that Neukirchner and the new Yamaha YZF-R1M are capable of becoming key protagonists in the IDM field.
Neukirchner raced in the World Superbike Championship from 2005 to 2013, with a two-year interruption to compete in the Moto2 World Championship. In 2008 the 31-year-old German captured two victories and ten podiums in the World Superbike Championship and finished fifth, making him the most successful German Superbike-rider. This year he started riding in the International German Superbike Championship (IDM) and finished the season as the runner-up, having won four times and finished 13 of 15 races on the podium.
Teammate Damian Cudlin had already signed his contract back in November and is also no stranger to the IDM. The Australian won the Supersport Championship on a Yamaha in 2010 and challenged for the Superbike Title in 2011 and 2013 in between his MotoGP commitments. He spend 2014 focusing on the Endurance World Championship, where he finished second, along with making some IDM appearances, the highlight being when he was victorious at the Nurburgring.
Max Neukirchner –
“I was really happy to sign with Yamaha because I never rode for them before. My father was with Yamaha for many year and he is a big fan of the company. We’re both really excited for me to ride with them because they have a really good bike. Yamaha launched the completely new YZF-R1M for the IDM and I think we will be a strong team. I’m really looking forward for the upcoming season.”
Damian Cudlin –
“I’m very happy to have signed this deal and to have the support of Team Yamaha-MGM behind me in 2015. I’ve admired Michael’s team for many years and I know that they go to the racetrack for one reason: to win. That’s the priority for them, and obviously it’s the priority for me too. With Yamaha’s release of the new YZF-R1M, the timing couldn’t be better to be a part of this team and, as you can imagine, I’m really excited to ride the new bike for the first time. It looks like an amazing machine.”
Michael Galinski – Team Manager –
“We are pleased to have riders of Damian’s and Max’s calibre in our team. Both riders have proven themself time and time again on many different machines and we’re pleased we finally have the chance to work with them. We’re looking forward to the new season and we have no doubt Max and Damian will be strong contenders for the championship on the new YZF-R1M.”