Horst Saiger is to ride for Swiss Yamaha importer Hostettler at next year’s TT and other selected international road race meetings.

The Austrian will campaign Yamaha R6, R1 Superbike and R1 Superstock machinery prepared by Mandy Kainz from the Yamaha Austria Racing Team, with whom Saiger has a long racing history.

Next year will be an anniversary season as Hostettler will be celebrating 50 years of importing Yamaha motorcycles into Switzerland.

The company has a long and outstanding history not only in Switzerland but racing generally. Names to have represented Hostettler include Rodney Gould who, in addition to the 1970 250cc World Championship, secured two runner up places at the TT in 1970 and 1972.

Other names who have raced in the Hostettler colours include Michael Frutschi, Jacque Cornu, Roland Freymond, Bruno Kneubühler and sidecar competitors Rolf Biland/Kurt Waltisperg.

Saiger made his TT debut in 2013, finishing the second fastest newcomer behind Josh Brookes. He achieved his highest finish of 10th in the 2017 Superstock race.

The team will launch the bikes at the Swiss Moto Zurich show in late February.

Saiger will also be returning to his roots, having spent 10 years riding Yamaha machinery in the past.

’I rode as an instructor at the Yamaha Riding Academy of Hostettler and was able to get a first glimpse of the Yamaha YZF-R1 at the race track of Aragon,’ said Horst.

’I was immediately convinced by the unique engine concept as well as the super sporty R1 in general - I fell heavily in love with this motorbike, when returning to home.

’I’m looking forward to my 2018 season, which will start with the North West 200, but the TT is my main highlight, and Macau.’