Image: Foremost Media.

Multiple ASBK champion Troy Herfoss has emerged as a candidate to replace Max Stauffer at Yamaha Racing Team for the remainder of the 2025 season, on location at One Raceway today for a rain-affected test.

While the reigning MotoAmerica King of the Baggers number one is yet to sample the factory-backed YZF-R1M, the intent is there to debut at Phillip Island next weekend.

It’s unlikely that Herfoss, 38, will ride this afternoon in Goulburn unless the weather clears, however, it’s an unprecedented move for Yamaha to match the 2016, 2018 and 2023 ASBK title-winner alongside fellow three-time champion and Yamaha Racing Team leader Mike Jones – currently ranked second in the title race.

“The plan was to hopefully ride today, but it’s not looking ideal at the moment,” Herfoss told CycleOnline. “I really want to get on the Superbike again – I just love racing anything I can get my hands on at this point – but we will see. It would be good to get on the bike for Phillip Island if we can get something together.”

Herfoss currently sits third in the US-based Baggers series upon his title defence with the S&S/Indian Motorcycle team, but is yet to make any appearances in ASBK during the 2025 season. Initial plans to enter a DesmoSport-prepared V4 R with Penrite backing through ER Motorsport fell through just days out from Phillip Island’s opener.

Following the shock mid-season departure of Stauffer – who is tipped to be remaining onboard Yamaha machinery in an independent effort – following round five at Queensland Raceway, YRT moved quickly to call in Herfoss between his ongoing MotoAmerica commitments.

If a deal does eventuate between Herfoss and Yamaha, despite planned testing mileage being impacted by rain, it’s understood that they will debut at Phillip Island and then continue the partnership through One Raceway and The Bend’s final round of the series over the course of the next three months.