Surprise: Record-breaking winner of the Supersport 300 World Championship ends his career

From a boy with a dream to a two-time world champion: Jeffrey Buis has achieved extraordinary things in motorcycling. Now, the likeable Dutchman is bidding farewell to professional racing. Following a 2026 Sportbike World Championship season marred by injuries and bad luck, he is calling it a day.

“Every story has an end. After years of chasing dreams, fighting for every position and living for the next race, the time has come to close this chapter,” Buis explained on Instagram. “After 18 wins, 30 podium finishes and two world championship titles, I have decided to end my professional racing career at the end of this season.”

Buis made history in the Supersport 300 World Championship

His name remains inextricably linked with the Supersport 300 World Championship. No other rider has won as many races in this category. Having won the title in 2020 and 2023, Buis is also the only two-time world champion in the class’s history.

Jeffrey Buis und Teameigner Ludo van der Verken

Foto: MTM Kawasaki

He secured both titles with MTM Kawasaki. Following his first world championship triumph, he tried his hand at the Supersport World Championship in 2022. It proved to be a difficult year. Yet returning to the smaller category was by no means a step backwards for him: in 2023, he fought his way back to the top and made history with his second title.

“From a little boy with a dream to a two-time world champion. It’s been a journey full of unforgettable moments, sacrifices, highs and lows. I’ve given this sport everything I had, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” said the Dutchman.

Close ties to Team Freudenberg

For the 2024 season, Buis moved to the Saxon-based Freudenberg team and switched from Kawasaki to KTM. There, too, he became a winning rider. Six World Championship victories together are testament to a partnership that left its mark far beyond just good results.

Just how much Buis means to the team was evident from their reaction to his departure. Team boss Carsten Freudenberg learnt of the decision in a personal phone call. “Jeffrey is the most successful World Championship rider in our team’s history. With six World Championship victories together, his unwavering will to win and his passion, he has made a decisive contribution to bringing Freudenberg KTM to the very top of the international World Championship,” said the team in tribute to their former rider.

Jeffrey Buis feierte in der Supersport-300-WM beeindruckende 17 Siege

Foto: Freudenberg

The team also made a point of highlighting the personal side of their collaboration. “It’s not just the victories and results that will be remembered. Above all, it’s the shared moments, the emotions, the challenges and the unforgettable moments on and off the track,” said Freudenberg.

A difficult debut season in the World Sportbike Championship

In 2026, Buis took on the new Sportbike World Championship with Suzuki. At his home race in Assen, he achieved another special success: he won the first race on Saturday. In front of his home crowd, the Dutchman showed that he could win races in the new category too. However, the season did not go as he had hoped. Injuries and bad luck characterised the year, and Buis went through a particularly difficult spell in the second half of the season. The victory at Assen remained a highlight of his final season.

Stürze und Verletzungen: Jeffrey Buis erlebte 2026 ein schwieriges Jahr

Foto: Jeffrey Buis

In his farewell message, Buis did not go into detail about the specific reasons for his retirement. However, he made it clear just how difficult the decision had been for him. “This decision was not an easy one. Racing has been my life for as long as I can remember. But sometimes you have to be realistic and choose a different path,” explained the two-time world champion.

He marked his departure by thanking the people who had made his journey possible and supported him along the way. “To my family, my team, sponsors, partners, friends and everyone who has supported me on this journey: thank you! Without you, none of this would have been possible,” emphasised Buis. “Two world championship titles. 18 wins. 30 podium finishes. Memories to last a lifetime. The dream became reality. The memories will stay with me forever.”

Personal messages from Saxony also accompanied him as he embarked on this new chapter in his life. “Jeffrey, you have helped write an important chapter in our team’s history. We are proud of that and are truly grateful to you from the bottom of our hearts,” said the Freudenberg team. “We respect your decision and wish you all the very best for this new chapter in your life – good luck, good health and success.”