2024

Stauffer joins Jones at Yamaha Racing Team

By MA Media 0

The prized second seat in the Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) for 2025 has been filled by Max Stauffer, who will join incumbent Mike Jones in the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK).

Stauffer, a long-time Yamaha rider, enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 to finish fourth in the Superbike title on the Penrite Racing YZF-R1M, highlighted with four podium finishes.

With the support of YRT, Stauffer expects the steep learning curve to continue and believes the 2025 season will be his best yet.

Stauffer and Jones (far left and middle respectively) will be a formidable pairing in 2025

“Getting the phone call from (team owner) John Redding offering me the YRT ride for next season was one of the best calls I have ever had,” 21-year-old Stauffer said. “It’s been a goal of mine to get the opportunity to ride for YRT and now that I have been able to make that happen, I plan on making the most of the chance I have been given.

“Mike and Cru (Halliday) have showed the bike is clearly capable of winning at every track and the team has the knowledge and experience to help me become a better rider. I can’t wait to get to work with the team and start the next phase of my career.

“Thank you to all the people who have helped me get to this point and the years of hard work my family have put in. This is what we have all worked so hard for and now that I’m in this position, I won’t let anyone down.”

Stauffer on the Penrite Racing Yamaha in 2024

Stauffer replaces Cru Halliday at YRT, who has now joined the Stop and Seal team.

Meanwhile, Jones will return for his fourth year with YRT, a collaboration that has already netted a Superbike title (2022) and a second in 2024.

“My relationship with Yamaha and YRT has been very successful and one that we both wanted to continue,” said Jones. “YRT is a dedicated and professional team which I enjoy working with and I genuinely love the feeling of racing the Yamaha R1M.

“I’m also really excited to be teammates with Max next year. He is an exciting young talent and we get along well off the track, too. I think his youthful enthusiasm will be an added boost for us all and I look forward to another fun and successful racing season.”

In Superbike, the MotoGo, Addicted to Track and Stop and Seal teams will also enjoy significant Yamaha support for their fleet of R1Ms in 2025.

The 2025 ASBK Championship will begin at Phillip Island from February 21-23. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Images: RbMotoLens

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