Mike Wiedemann has joined forces with Yamaha Motor Europe to bring the Yamaha Ténéré to his home in southern Germany. As part of the partnership, he will open a Ténéré Spirit Experience Center to offer training and guided tours on the adventure bike. Wiedemann also plans to race a Yamaha Ténéré 700 GYTR in rallies like the Africa Eco Race.

“Of course, I am delighted to be able to race on a Yamaha and to have the opportunity to offer Yamaha customers something special with my Ténéré Spirit Experience Center,” said Wiedemann. “In the first year, I will focus a little less on racing as my business commitments take priority, but I’m looking to the future with excitement and optimism.

“The opportunity to work with Yamaha not only opens up new perspectives for me, but also the chance to take part in exciting projects and events. I am convinced that we can achieve great things together and I am very much looking forward to representing Yamaha. I can’t wait to bring my experience and commitment to this collaboration.”

The alliance comes a month after Wiedemann finished 21st in Rally2 and fifth in Malle Moto at the Dakar Rally. It was his third Dakar, having been the youngest German to complete the race in 2022 before crashing out of the 2023 edition and missing the 2024 edition due to injury. He has been doing rallise since 2019 after competing primarily in enduro and sand racing.

The TSE Center will be a wing of his Wiedemann Offroad Experience, whose services include rally training in Morocco, motocross lessons, and servicing riders in the German national cross-country championship. Another German-based TSE Center exists south of Berlin, having opened in 2024 under Wolfgang Arlitt.

Created in 2022 and expanded into its current form the year after, the Ténéré Spirit Experience allows Ténéré owners to ride in amateur rallies with factory support from Yamaha. The TSE is non-competition, meaning participants are able to ride along with the races without the stresses of competing against others. A Ténéré finished runner-up at this year’s Africa Eco Race with Alessandro Botturi, while the TSE included riders like the legendary Stéphane Peterhansel.

Credit: Yamaha Motor Europe