Geiger kicks off the 2027 season: R9 title on Sunday, R1 test on Monday

The 2026 season has come to an end and preparations for 2027 are getting underway without a break.

On race day at the Euro Moto season finale at the Hockenheimring, Dirk Geiger from the Dutch Apreco team was crowned Supersport Champion, thereby achieving one of his long-awaited goals. The championship celebrations, however, had to wait. For Geiger, the programme continued straight away on Monday.

The Mannheim-based rider will remain part of the Apreco team as planned. However, with immediate effect, he is switching from the Yamaha R9 to the Yamaha R1 and will compete in the Superbike class alongside Twan Smits. Smits had been absent from Hockenheim as he was competing in the Superbike World Championship in Cremona, Italy. The switch to a Superbike is anything but easy. That is why Geiger’s work continued straight away on the Monday following the final.

A rolling stone gathers no moss

Just one day after winning the championship against his Ducati rival Daniel Blin, he is travelling to Spain with his team to clock up some vital kilometres on the R1. The programme includes test days at MotorLand Aragón and in Valencia. However, he will still be riding a stripped-down version of the Superbike. The main focus is on one thing above all else: riding time. Geiger is to get used to the significantly more powerful R1 step by step, whilst the team simultaneously begins to adapt the bike to his riding style and requirements.

The focus is also on the possibility of taking part in the WorldSBK test days in Jerez in November. “I’m really looking forward to the chance to get on the R1 straight after the season finale,” he said. “For me, there can never be enough riding time. Now it’s all about getting to know the bike step by step, clocking up as many kilometres as possible and preparing as well as we can for 2027.” And somehow, there’ll still be time for a championship celebration in between.