Humberto "Turquinho" Maier (WorldSSP300) opens up

In the Supersport 300 World Championship races there are always very large groups, and several riders are consistently, or almost always, in the fight for the victory. One of them is Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing Team), a Brazilian rider who has established himself as one of the strongest racers in the field.

Born in 2005, Maier debuted in WorldSSP300 in 2022 after winning several titles at national (including two consecutive ones in the Yamalube R3 Cup in Brazil) and Latin American level, plus a season in the R3 bLU cRU European Cup where he finished seventh overall with one win in 2021. In the world championship, “Turquinho” has grown steadily, moving from simply scoring points to regularly fighting for podiums. He claimed one podium in 2022 at Portimão (Race 1, sadly remembered for the fatal accident of Victor Steeman) and three more in 2023 at Assen, Misano and Imola. 2024 was a troubled year, as he only returned mid-season after a brief doping suspension (a situation he explained here). However, in 2025 Maier is once again fighting for the top positions and he has already secured two podium finishes at Assen and Most, as he is now fully in contention for a top spot in the championship standings.

His seasons in World Supersport 300, his journey so far and more about him. All of this in the interview Humberto “Turquinho” Maier recorded with Palmen in Motorradsport.

Humberto, how is 2025 going for you?

It’s going well, for me it’s the best season so far in the world championship. Races in the SSP300 class are always tough, but we are almost always in the top 5 and that’s the most important thing at the end of the season. We’re doing a good job and we need to keep going this way.

And what is your goal for this season?

My goal is to be in the top 3 at the end of the year and try to get a seat in the Supersport World Championship. It’s very difficult, but I’m working for it and I hope at the end of the season to be in the first three positions of the standings.

In your opinion, what’s still missing for you to achieve even bigger results?

What’s missing is a win. In 2023 I won a race (Race 2 at Assen, ed), but then I was demoted for exceeding the track limits. And I think what I really need is that one victory to make the “click”. But we’re doing well, I’m doing a good job. Other teams always have both riders at the front, whereas I’m more on my own since my teammate (Kevin Fontainha, ed) is not yet at this level. That makes things more difficult, but we’re going strong and the goal I mentioned before remains realistic.  

This is your fourth season in WorldSSP300. How are these experiences in the world championship shaping you, compared to when you raced in Brazil?

I’m getting to know more of the world and I believe I’m growing both as an athlete and as a person, also within my family. I’ve improved a lot in terms of riding as well. For me it’s important to always improve in everything, both on the bike and off, on my own and with other people, by learning and listening.

And in terms of character, how have you changed?

I’ve mainly learned to accept defeats. Here the level is really high and you can lose often, so you have to manage frustration and learn from it. I think that's helped me a lot in life in general.

Now let’s take a step back. Can you share more about your career from the beginning?

I started in 2013 at the age of seven. My father was a rider, although not professionally, and he got me a small bike to start with. Above all, coming to Europe is very expensive, especially since the euro is much stronger than our currency. Anyway, until 2020 I raced in Brazil and I was twice champion of the Yamalube R3 Cup. In 2021 they introduced the R3 bLU cRU European Cup in Europe, and that brought me here, mainly thanks to the financial support from Yamaha Brazil.

When you first came to Europe, did you find any big difference compared to Brazil?

European riders are very different from Brazilian riders. They are much faster, more aggressive, and almost all of them are very strong. In Brazil there are maybe four or five fast riders, but here almost everyone is. I think that was the main change for me when I arrived in Europe.

How did it feel for you to leave your home country at such a young age?

I came to Europe in 2021, when I was 14 or 15 years old. I came alone, without my family, and that was the hardest part. It was also during the COVID period, so I couldn’t go back to Brazil and that was very difficult mentally, because you’re far from your family, your girlfriend, from everyone. I was doing all this to chase a dream. Mentally it’s very tough to come from Brazil to Europe without your family, but the highest level of motorcycle racing is here, so you have to do it.

And how did your family live this situation?

They took it very badly, because I had always been with my family, with my people, and suddenly I was no longer in my country but alone in Spain. But we got through it, and these things make you grow in life.

In 2025, you’re also racing in Brazil alongside the world championship.

Yes, I’m also competing in the 600cc championship in Brazil, with a Yamaha R6. In Brazil this bike isn’t available, so we brought one over from Europe. I’ve done two races and won them both, so I’m doing well there too. Now I always go back to Brazil after each world championship race. The flight is very long, always 12 hours, but it’s positive because I’m with my family and that helps me mentally.

In 2026, would you prefer to race in brand-new Sportbike category, or would you rather move straight up to Supersport?

The goal would be to race in the Supersport World Championship, but we know it’s complicated because of the financial aspect. So we need to do a good job this year in Supersport 300 to have the chance to make the step up to Supersport. If we don’t manage that, we’ll go to Sportbike and give it our all there.

And what goal have you set for your career?

Right now, I’m aiming for the Superbike World Championship. Coming from Brazil it’s quite difficult, because other sports are more important there, but my goal is to get to Superbike. However, I’m not closing the door on MotoGP: you can reach the MotoGP paddock from here as well, as Manu González and Adrián Huertas have shown in Moto2, lus we have Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, who will move to MotoGP from SBK.

Brazil has a very strong representative in international motorcycle racing right now: Diogo Moreira. Have you had the chance to train with him?

Be careful, his dad is here (laughing since Luiz Moreira, Diogo’s father, is with us during the interview, ed). Anyway, we have an academy in Spain and we always train together when I’m there. It’s very important, because he’s doing an excellent job in Moto2 (where Moreira is fighting for the title, ed), and I learn a lot from him every day. It’s positive for Brazil, to show that Brazilians can do well in motorcycle racing as well, and not only in football.

In your opinion, what’s your strongest point? And what’s the area where you feel you need to improve the most?

I think my strong point is braking. I’m always good at it, I like it, and it helps me a lot in the close battles of the 300 class. I have my weak point, instead, in fast corners you face in fourth or fifth gear. I don’t feel very comfortable with them.  

Do you follow any particular "rituals" before going out on track?

I listen to Brazilian funk. It helps me get pumped up and at the same time it makes me feel happier and more relaxed.

Finally, Humberto, where does your nickname “Turquinho” come from?

Part of my family has Turkish origins, since my grandparents come from there. I’ve never been to Turkey yet, but in my blood I have something from that country. And also, I brake hard, like Toprak (he laughs, ed).

And is there anyone in particular you’d like to thank for everything you’ve experienced so far and what lies ahead?

I want to thank Yamaha Brasil and Missão 78, who are the ones making it possible for me to be here in Europe, and also my family, which is the most important thing. I will continue giving my best. I hope to bring a world championship title to my country soon.

Palmen in Motorradsport is grateful to Humberto Maier for his time and to Luiz Moreira for making the interview possible. Best wishes to “Turquinho” for his upcoming races and seasons.