Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider Krittapat Keankum prepares for round one of WorldSSP at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Yamaha Thailand Racing Team.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Sets Ambitious Objectives And Announces 2024 Rider Lineup
As the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team (YTRT) gears up for the 2024 season, we are proud to announce our ambitious objectives for the year ahead and build on our 2023 experience.
Bangkok, Thailand – 20 March, 2024: With extensive experience working in international motorsports, YTRT aims to leverage our rich history and experience to excel in the competitive world-championship environment while competing in the 2024 WorldSSP championship series.
Since the inception of motorsports in Thailand, Yamaha Thailand Racing has been at the forefront of the racing scene. With countless victories and championships to our name, we have been trailblazers for Thailand on the world stage. From the dominance of the Siam Yamaha Racing Team in the 1970s and 1980s to our current status as championship winners in both national and international race series, YTRT has established a winning reputation within the motorsports industry.
In 2023, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team made history by becoming the first Thai team to compete in the World Supersport class of the FIM Superbike World Championship. This prestigious series attracts a global audience and is a testament to our commitment to excellence on the international stage. As the only Thai team in the WorldSBK paddock, YTRT is committed to raising our professional standards and profile while competing at the highest level of motorsports and establishing ourselves as a world-class racing team.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team will focus on a year of growth and progress as we develop our riders and continue to build a leading Thai motorsports team.
2024 Rider Lineup
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team rider Anupab Sarmoon will race in WorldSSP for his second year with the team. Photo courtesy Yamaha Thailand Racing Team.
Name: Anupab Sarmoon #51
Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R6
Date of Birth: 09 December, 1993
Birthplace: Chiang Mai
Anupab Sarmoon will be entering his second season with Yamaha Thailand Racing Team in the 2024 WorldSSP championship. With notable achievements including finishing fourth overall in the 2022 Asia Road Racing Championship and solid performances in the 2023 WorldSSP season, Sarmoon is poised to take a positive step forward in his international racing career.
Krittapat Keankum (39) at Phillip Island, Round One of 2024 WorldSSP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Thailand Racing Team.
Name: Krittapat Keankum #39
Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R6
Date of Birth: 22 February, 2005
Birthplace: Nonthabuuri
Krittapat Keankum, a rising talent, joins Yamaha Thailand Racing Team for the 2024 WorldSSP season. After a successful campaign in the R3 bLU cRU championship, finishing sixth in the standings, Keankum is ready to step up to the challenge of racing the supersport Yamaha R6 and aims to showcase his skills on the international stage and the opportunity to progress among Yamaha alumni.
As we embark on the 2024 season, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team is committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence and representing Thailand with pride on the world stage.
Dunlop is pleased to introduce the successor to the highly popular Sportmax Q3+. The Dunlop Sportmax Q5S sets the new benchmark for the ultimate street and track-day tire. Following in the development footsteps of the Q5, the Q5S, when compare to the Q3+, has achieved even higher performance by utilizing aspects from Dunlop’s cutting-edge road race tires developed in Buffalo, NY and used in the MotoAmerica Road Race Series.
Having enhanced constructions, profiles, compounds and tread patterns, the Q5S provides lighter and nimbler handling and improved dry and wet grip to make it even more user-friendly all while maintaining class-leading durability.
To differentiate the Q5S from the Q3+, Dunlop wanted to make the Q5S have a lighter feel to make it more responsive for street riding. With this goal set, Dunlop went to work on making the necessary changes to achieve the performance characteristics they were looking for.
Key features of the all new Sportmax Q5S:
Optimized tread pattern design to improve wear characteristics and enhance warm-up times
Front tire profile has a shorter and narrower profile to improve responsiveness and give the tire a lighter feel.
Front tire has reduced dynamic stiffness and increased damping to improve compliance all to improve braking and handling performance.
Added 200/55ZR17 rear size to allow for additional bike fitments.
Rear tread contains Dunlop’s MT Multi-Tread™ technology, giving riders outstanding mileage without sacrificing handling.
Improved compound to enhance both the wet and dry grip by adjusting the compound formula.
Both front and rear tires utilize Dunlop’s proprietary Racing Type Fine Carbon Technology in the tread compound.
Dunlop’s proprietary Intuitive Response Profile (IRP) for ultra-linear and responsive steering.
Proudly made in Dunlop’s Buffalo, NY factory.
Availability:
The Sportmax Q5S will be sold through all Dunlop retailers, as well as race tire distributors, to be easily accessible to all street or track riders. Tires will be available in all channels beginning mid-December.
Dunlop is pleased to introduce the fifth generation of the Dunlop Sportmax family. The Dunlop Sportmax Q5 is a purpose-built, track-day tire that has been in the making for over 4 years. Evolving from a blend of the highly popular Sportmax Q4 and Dunlop’s cutting-edge MotoAmerica spec road race tires, the Q5 utilizes the very best technologies Dunlop has to offer for a track tire that is still street legal.
Having enhanced constructions, profiles, compounds and tread patterns, the Q5 is the new benchmark for track-day tires. The Q5 is even more user-friendly, as dry and wet grip, tire compliance, and warm-up times have all been improved.
Dunlop has also expanded the size range of the Q5 to include five additional sizes for increased bike fitments: 110/70ZR17, 140/70ZR17, 150/60ZR17, 160/60ZR17, and 200/60ZR17.
Key features of the all new Sportmax Q5:
Sharply defined new tread pattern with lower groove density puts more rubber on the ground at all lean angles
Optimized tread pattern design and position to aid in quicker warm-up times and improved wet-weather performance.
Street-friendly performance— Tire warmers are not necessary for track use.
Designed in five additional sizes for increased bike fitments: 110/70ZR17, 140/70ZR17, 150/60ZR17, 160/60ZR17, and 200/60ZR17.
The front and rear tire profiles have a taller and narrower profile to improve turn-in and compliance while increasing the footprint and grip at camber.
Front tire has reduced vertical stiffness to improve compliance and damping and increased lateral and longitudinal stiffness to improve braking and handling performance.
The 140/70ZR17, 180/60ZR17, 200/55ZR17, and 200/60ZR17 utilize the exact same profiles as the race spec tires developed for the MotoAmerica series.
The rear tires tread features Dunlop’s Jointless Tread (JLT) technology, the same process used in Dunlop’s racing slicks. JLT applies a continuously wound tread strip over the carcass to achieve the ideal stability, flex, and grip where it’s needed most across the tire’s tread profile.
Improved compound to enhance the dry grip by adjusting the compound formula. The culmination of these changes puts the rear tire compound much closer to a true race tire compound.
Dunlop’s proprietary Intuitive Response Profile (IRP) for ultra-linear and responsive steering.
Proudly made in Dunlop’s Buffalo, NY factory on the same proprietary equipment as their road race tires.
Availability:
The Sportmax Q5 will be sold through all Dunlop retailers, as well as race tire distributors, to be easily accessible to all street or track riders. Tires will be available in all channels beginning in November and December.
Fifth Icons Motorcycle Collection Model Celebrates 35 Years of Fat Custom Style.
Harley-Davidson has introduced the gleaming Fat Boy® Gray Ghost model, the fifth installment in its Icons Motorcycle Collection. This new, limited-production Icons model celebrates the 35th anniversary of the introduction of the Fat Boy, a motorcycle that remains a cultural icon and one of the most recognizable bikes to ever roll down the road.
The Fat Boy Gray Ghost model salutes a superstar of motorcycle design with a gleaming new Reflection finish that gives the entire motorcycle the appearance of being dipped in chrome.
The Icons Motorcycle Collection features a limited release of a new motorcycle model that offers a fresh interpretation of an iconic Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. Icons Motorcycle Collection models are serialized and may include additional features above the base motorcycle.
Production of the Fat Boy GrayGhost model will be limited to 1,990 total motorcycles globally, (paying homage to the original 1990 Fat Boy) with an MSRP of $25,399* (U.S. pricing).
The Fat Boy Gray Ghost model celebrates the enduring significance of the original “fat custom” motorcycle.
Fat Boy Gray Ghost Model
“The original Fat Boy model took the look, proportions, and silhouette of a 1949 Hydra-Glide and completely modernized it for a new generation of riders,” explains Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design and Creative Director, Motorcycles. “Those riders appreciated our post-war design DNA but also found themselves drawn to the clean simplicity of contemporary industrial design.”
At its inception, the bike was intended to have a limited lifespan. Instead, the Fat Boy motorcycle has spanned three powertrain generations and a complete redesign of its Softail® chassis and for 35 years has maintained its original power to impress with unmatched presence and undeniable style.
Stunning Reflection Finish
The Fat Boy is a big, bold motorcycle designed for riders who want to make a statement. That statement is amplified by an Icons Collection Fat Boy Gray Ghost model that will shimmer in sunlight like it was machined from a solid alloy billet and polished to a mirror finish. The Reflection finish is created using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, also known as thin film coating, in which a solid material is vaporized in a vacuum and deposited onto the surface of a part, in this case the fuel tank and motorcycle fenders. This is accomplished by applying a positive charge to the solid material (an aluminum alloy) and a negative charge to the motorcycle part. Following the deposition process, the part is painted with a standard clear coat finish.
PVD has been used in the past by Harley-Davidson to finish some small parts such as tank medallions and exhaust shields. Its use on the Fat Boy Gray Ghost model fenders and fuel tank is the first time PVD has been used on parts this large for a production Harley-Davidson® model. The precision of this coating results in a stunning finish that is chrome-like in appearance but is more comprehensive than chrome plating and thus will meet Harley-Davidson standards for corrosion resistance that are not possible with chroming on these parts.
Chrome side covers complete the bike’s overall bright finish, complemented by a frame finished in bright silver powder coat. Styling cues inspired by the original Fat Boy model include a round air cleaner, yellow accents on the lower rocker covers, powertrain covers, and tank console insert. Additional details—such as a leather seat valance with lacing and tassels, and a black leather tank strap with laced edging—add to the nostalgic aesthetic. Three-dimensional fuel tank medallions replicate the iconic winged graphic from the original Fat Boy. A commemorative tank console insert is etched with the bike’s unique serialization number, while the Icons Collection medallion is positioned on the rear fender.
Lakester cast aluminum wheels, exclusive to the Fat Boy model, emphasize a bold stance. High-performance Michelin® Scorcher® 11 tires (Front 160/60R18, Rear 240/40R18) enhance the ride.
Elevated Performance and Technology
The Fat Boy Gray Ghost model shares the elevated performance and technical features introduced with the 2025 Fat Boy motorcycle.
The new Milwaukee-Eight® 117 Custom powertrain is tuned to deliver 101 horsepower (75 kW) and 122 lbs.-ft. (171 Nm) peak torque, a power increase – 7% more horsepower and 3% more torque – over the 2024 Fat Boy 114 model.
This engine is equipped with a 2-into-2 exhaust with individual catalysts. Mufflers feature advanced lightweight material that works to trim high frequencies and emphasize low frequencies for a powerful sound.
Four-valve cylinder heads feature revised combustion chamber shape, oval intake ports and low-profile intake valve seats designed to improve performance and fuel economy.
Engine oil is routed from a frame-mounted oil cooler through cylinder head cooling passages. This cylinder head cooling system further optimizes thermal comfort for the rider, especially in low-speed riding situations and hot weather.
New Suspension is recalibrated to optimize rider comfort.
Dual-bending valve 49mm forks keep front wheel in contact with the road surface for a comfortable ride. Under-seat hydraulic spring pre-load adjustment allows the rider to maintain optimal rear suspension performance for the prevailing load and road conditions.
New Selectable Ride Modes (Road, Rain and Sport) electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle and the level of technology intervention.
New Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson is a collection of technologies designed to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or adverse road conditions.
o Straight Line/Cornering Antilock Braking System (ABS/C-ABS)
o Straight Line/Cornering Traction Control System (TCS/C-TCS)
o Straight Line/Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (DSCS/C-DSCS)
o Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
New All-LED Lighting – including headlamp, tail and brake lights and signals – enhance conspicuity.
New USB-C Power Port offers faster data transfer than the previous USB-A port, reversible plug orientation, and compatibility with newer devices. The port location is at the front-left side of the motorcycle, beneath the fuel tank.
New Heated Gear Connectors have been relocated from behind a side panel to the top of the rear fender below the seat where they are much easier to access.
New 5-Inch Console-Mounted instrument panel places an analog speedometer above a multi-function LCD digital display. The rider can use the Trip hand control button to scroll through available information in the LCD display
History of an Instant Icon
In 1990, a time when the motorcycle media and much of the riding public was consumed with the escalating performance of sport bikes, the Harley-Davidson® Fat Boy model landed like a thundering heavy-metal power chord.
The Fat Boy model was inspired by a custom Harley® motorcycle based on the Softail® platform created in 1987 at Harley-Davidson Montréal by the dealership general manager Duc Dufour and technician Denis Lavoie, which they called a Lowboy. That bike featured slammed rear suspension, an aluminum disc wheel and fiberglass fender on the front and a wide handlebar. Spotted by Harley-Davidson Executive Jerry Wilke, an example was shipped to Milwaukee. While the Lowboy custom offered some inspiration, the motorcycle that would become the Fat Boy model was created by the H-D styling team led by Willie G. Davidson and Louie Netz.
“On the 1990 Fat Boy model, the wheels are the defining characteristic,” wrote Davidson in his book 100 Years of Harley-Davidson. “The idea was to create a distinctive look using solid-cast disc wheels. We pushed this distinction further with a silver monochromatic paint job and silver powder-coated frame. Since the entire bike was silver, we needed something bright to set it off. I added yellow trim to the rocker boxes, the derby cover, the timing cover, and the ignition switch. We built a Fat Boy prototype, and I took it to Daytona so we would get one-on-one feedback from the riders.”
Only Harley-Davidson would have the chutzpah to name a motorcycle Fat Boy.
“You’re probably wondering how we came up with a name like Fat Boy, and I’ve heard a lot of tales about this, nearly all of which are untrue,” wrote Davidson. “Here’s the real story: It’s tough to come up with names that will be popular on the street. We were looking for something unusual and maybe even a little irreverent, because there’s something sort of cool about poking fun at your products from time to time. To me, and to a lot of other insiders who’d seen it, the bike had a massive ‘fat’ look. So the folks in marketing came up with the name Fat Boy.”
1990: The Fat Boy model debuts in one color, Fine Silver Metallic, powered by a rigid-mounted Evolution® V-Twin engine.
1991: The Fat Boy motorcycle entered popular culture with its featured appearance in the motion picture “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” in which actor Arnold Schwarzenegger rides a Fat Boy motorcycle through Los Angeles in a dramatic chase scene. The movie was a global sensation, helping cement the Fat Boy model as representative of the Harley-Davidson® brand in many markets, especially Europe. One of the bikes used in the movie is now in the Harley-Davidson Museum® collection.
2000: The counterbalanced Twin Cam 88B™ engine debuts in Softail® models, including the Fat Boy model.
2005: The limited-production CVO™ Fat Boy® model, powered by a Twin Cam 103™ engine, began a two-year run. Styling highlights included slammed rear suspension, steel pan-style seat, chrome pillion, and a new metal-grind finish accent with three color options.
2010: The Fat Boy® Lo model dropped the seat height to just 24.25 inches, thanks to slammed front and rear suspension and a low-profile seat.
2016: The Fat Boy® S model is powered by the muscular Screamin’ Eagle® Twin Cam 110™ engine and finished in Dark Custom™ styling.
2018: The Fat Boy model is one of eight revolutionary Softail® motorcycles based on an all-new chassis featuring monoshock rear suspension and dual counterbalanced Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin engines. The styling is all new – a massive front end, a new headlight shape, and a huge 240 mm rear tire – but the bike is also quite obviously a Fat Boy model.
2020: Harley-Davidson celebrates an icon with the introduction of the Fat Boy® 114 30th Anniversary Limited Edition motorcycle. Restyled in dark finishes with bronze highlights and powered by a Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine, production of the 30th Anniversary Fat Boy was limited to 2,500 examples.
* Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for base models. Prices exclude tax, title, licensing, registration fees, destination charges, surcharges (attributable to raw materials costs in the product supply chain), added accessories, and additional dealer charges, if any, and are subject to change. Harley-Davidson reimburses dealers for performing manufacturer-specified pre-delivery inspection and setup tasks. Dealer prices may vary.
Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure and freedom for the soul. Go to [ H-D.com ]( https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/index.html ) to learn more about the complete line of Harley-Davidson® Grand American Touring, Sport, Adventure Touring, Cruiser and Trike motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Certified™ pre-owned motorcycles, Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® apparel and accessories, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.
About Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at [ www.harley-davidson.com ]( http://www.harley-davidson.com ).
Stark Future Sets New Sales and Operations Records of €18.3M Revenue and €2.8M Positive EBITDA in Breakthrough Month of April 2025.
BARCELONA, Spain – May 14, 2025 – Stark Future, the global leader in high-performance electric motorcycles, has achieved a historic milestone by recording its highest-ever monthly revenue of €18.3 million while delivering a positive EBITDA of €2.8 million. This noteworthy result from Stark Future, the fastest-growing company in Spain, signifies an even greater moment for the viability and sustainability of the EV market.
“This achievement comes barely two years after Stark Future’s first commercial sales, remarkably faster than incumbent EV leaders, and more resembling the growth rates of some of the world’s most successful technology firms in history,” said Anton Wass, CEO of Stark Future. “We have been steadily approaching this profitability event, driven by the popularity of the off-road VARG MX, but the phenomenal reception of the newly available Stark VARG EX, the company’s groundbreaking street-legal Enduro model, has brought this landmark occasion.”
In a period where the broader EV industry is facing headwinds, Stark Future’s accomplishment represents positive news to markets and consumers alike. Comparatively, Tesla needed nearly 17 years to achieve sustained profitability, all while earning billions of dollars annually selling regulatory credits to other automakers. By contrast, Stark Future’s operations are funded through motorcycle sales alone. Chinese manufacturer NIO has a similar product-driven revenue to Stark Future, yet it only reached positive EBITDA after eight years.
“Through deep technical vertical integration and focus on sourcing, we managed to develop game-changing technology at competitive costs, all while still manufacturing in Europe,” Wass continued. “This result validates our disciplined approach and marks an important step toward consistent profitability.”
Stark VARG EX model, the ultimate road-legal electric enduro bike.
Stark Future’s primary ambition is to design, develop, and manufacture cutting-edge electric motorcycles to push boundaries of performance and set new standards for sustainability in the industry. This focus on sustainability, in both operational efficiency and materials, is widely credited for the firm’s success. Looking to the future, Stark Future is focused on repeating the success it has found in the motocross and enduro segments, in much larger motorcycle categories.
“We will continue to innovate at the component level and in the greater model range so electric motorcycles in all categories can outperform traditional machines in every way,” added Paul Soucy, Stark Future CTO.
Stark Future is well-positioned to continue scaling its impact and redefining the future of motorcycling. With a burgeoning global network of dealers at over 400 retail locations, expansions into over 50 countries, and recent developments for security and military applications, Stark Future’s precipitous growth will continue to climb even higher.
About Stark Future:
Stark Future is on a mission to revolutionize the motorcycle industry by leading the shift toward sustainability and drastically reducing CO2 and plastic pollution. Through cutting- edge design and unmatched performance, the brand aims to deliver timeless, beautiful electric motorcycles that surpass traditional technology in terms of performance and experience. Guided by a philosophy of innovation, quality, and user-focused simplicity, Stark Future combines bold ambition with a relentless pursuit of excellence. The brand’s iconic gold logo symbolizes its full-circle approach to sustainability and its uncompromising drive to be number one.
Another season of epic battles and close finishes lies ahead as the BTC gears up for Round 1 of 2025
The R&G British Talent Cup is back! 2025 welcomes more frantic action as well as records to be broken with a phenomenal season in the offing. There’ll be new names coming in to shake up the order of the established front-runners, whilst household names from 2024 will seek to make gains over the next eight rounds and 18 races. It all starts from Donington Park – home to the closest finish of all-time in the class and where everyone will want stamp their authority from the start.
A winner twice at Donington Park in 2024, Ryan Frost (Fibretec Honda by MLav Racing) is the highest-placed returnee for the new season and gets set to renew reignite his battles with American Julian Correa (Mortimer Racing), who starts his season at a circuit where he’s had three podiums and a pole. Another 2024 victor also returns as Filip Surowiak (City Lifting Team) aims to lift the trophy; he was a winner at Donington Park in 2024 and finished his season with a podium there too.
Leading the charge for a first victory, Clayton Edmunds (Clayton Edmunds) and Harrison Mackay (Kovara Projects/RS Racing) were both regular top ten finishers last year and aim to elevate themselves up the order starting this weekend, as does one of last year’s star rookies Mason Foster (Mortimer Racing), who gears up for his second season of BTC action. One youngster to keep an eye on will be Lilly Rhodes (Wilson Racing), with the 15-year-old getting set to make her debut and position herself strongly from the off. In a field largely made up of British riders, two Americans will be competing: Correa will be joined once again by Joshua Raymond Jr (Fibretec Honda by MLav Racing), who was a points-scorer at Donington Park in his rookie year last year.
Tune in for the first weekend of the season as three races start us off in style!
Brad Hendry (1) battles James Wilkerson (98) in the featured MRA Race Of The Rockies at High Plains Raceway. Photo by Kelly Vernell/MRA.
Precision, Pressure, and Perfect Weather:
MRA Launches Season at High Plains Raceway
By Chandler Dahl/MRA Rider Rep
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) kicked off its 2025 championship season at High Plains Raceway, using the full course configuration. With the air electric and the grid packed, Round 1 delivered exactly what fans have come to expect from MRA’s tight-knit but fiercely competitive premiere classes, under partly cloudy Colorado skies and high-70s sunshine.
RoR GTO: Hendry Defends #1 Plate
The front row for Race of the Rockies was a bit of a shakeup after qualifying. James Wilkerson (#98) claimed pole with a blistering 1:48.317 lap, edging out Brad Hendry (#1) and Justen Behmer (#4). But when the lights dropped, Hendry reacted first.
Launching his BMW off the line, Hendry edged ahead of Behmer as they barreled into Turn 1, with Wilkerson right on their tail. The trio wasted no time pushing the pace, but unfortunately Behmer (despite his aggressive early pace) began to lose ground due to a sprocket issue. Wilkerson was quickly applying pressure on Hendry.
By lap five of the 12-lap contest, Behmer was slipping backwards as former Pro Superbike racer Mathew Cunha (#95), who had been quietly building momentum, took full advantage. Showing impressive mid-race pace, Cunha reeled in Behmer and made a clean pass, securing third.
Out front, Hendry proved untouchable. Once clear of pressure, he dropped the hammer and gapped the field with authority, showcasing the kind of composure and racecraft that’s made him a perennial front-runner. Hendry said afterwards, “I knew if I could keep my laps in the 1:48s, I could probably stay out front.” Wilkerson, meanwhile, held strong in second, managing the race from a distance and keeping Cunha at bay in the final laps.
When the checkered flag flew, it was Brad Hendry who took a dominant victory In the Fay Myers Motorcycle World RoR GTO, with James Wilkerson and Mathew Cunha rounding out the podium.
Veteran announcer Mark Woodward interviews Race Of The Rockies GTO winner Brad Hendry with second-place James Wilkerson on the right and third-place Mathew Cunha on the left. Photo by Corey Jackson/MRA.
Final RoR GTO Results:
Brad Hendry (BMW S1000RR)
2. James Wilkerson (Yamaha YZF-R1)
3. Mathew Cunha (Yamaha YZF-R1)
Salvatore Rizzo (9) fought back from a terrible start to win in Race Of The Rockies GTU. Photo by Kelly Vernell/MRA.
RoR GTU: Rizzo Recovers and Rises
If the GTO race was defined by dominance, Apex Auto Glass Race of the Rockies GTU was a story of recovery, persistence, and late-race heroics.
Salvatore Rizzo (#9) had a rough start—literally. A massive wheelie off the line cost him several positions, dropping him back to 4th or 5th and nearly derailing his race before it began. “It was mildly embarrassing,” Rizzo later joked. “But I knew I had the pace—I just had to get to work.”
And work he did. With Tyrel Diekmann (#724) ahead, the two engaged in a spirited back-and-forth, trading positions over several laps. Rizzo eventually took advantage of Diekmann’s lack of a functioning quick shifter and began laying down mid-to-low 1:53 lap times, creating a gap and setting his sights forward.
By lap eight or nine, another rider loomed ahead—Rizzo initially assumed it was a 1000cc bike, but as he closed the distance, he realized it was Jeremiah Walker (#562) aboard his MV Augusta F3 RR. “That lit a fire under me,” Rizzo said. “I knew he’d be a threat late in the race.”
Salvatore Rizzo poses with his bike and his girlfriend Brie Dinges who is also the MRA Secretary. Photo by Kelly Vernall/MRA.
After catching and passing Walker around lap ten, Rizzo went into defensive mode. The MV pilot stayed glued to his rear wheel, launching a last-lap lunge into Turn 10 in a bold bid for the win. But Rizzo stayed composed, holding his line and fending off the dive-bomb to secure a hard-fought victory in RoR GTU by only 0.300-second.
Final RoR GTU Results:
Salvatore Rizzo (Suzuki GSX-R600)
2. Jeremiah Walker (MV Agusta F3 RR)
3. Tyrel Diekmann (Yamaha YZF-R6)
John Evans (154) pushed hard to win the Amateur GTO race on his BMW. Photo by Kelly Vernell.
Amateur GTO: Evans Executes a Textbook Win
The Amateur GTO class, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Family Dental & Implant, brought its own brand of fire to Round 1, with a tightly contested front group and impressive pace throughout the grid. When the lights went out, John Evans (#154) fired off the line and took immediate control of the race on his BMW 1000cc superbike. Ryan Reasoner (#88) on the R6 slotted into second through Turn 1, determined to stay in touch.
Evans made the most of the BMW’s straight-line power, stretching a gap down the back straight. But Reasoner wasn’t giving in—closing the distance through the technical midsection of the track and keeping the pressure on. Behind them, Robert Brown (#41) ran a clean and steady race, staying within striking distance and never more than six seconds off the lead battle.
Despite Reasoner’s mid-race push, Evans maintained composure and pace, eventually crossing the line five seconds clear to take the checkered flag and a commanding win.
Final Amateur GTO Results:
John Evans (BMW S1000RR)
2. Ryan Reasoner (Yamaha YZF-R6)
3. Robert Brown (Aprilia RSV4 RR)
More Than Just a Race
While the premier classes drew the most eyes, every grid at Round 1 reflected what makes the MRA special: a commitment to competitive excellence and community-driven racing. Whether it was a rider making their club debut or a veteran hunting tenths, the spirit of the sport was alive and well in every paddock, pit lane, and corner.
With Round 1 now in the books, the 2025 MRA season promises to be one of the most exciting yet—full of new rivalries, technical evolution, and the relentless pursuit of faster laps.
Catch all the action, live timing, photos, and future event info at www.mra-racing.org.
Next round: Round 2, June 8th at Pueblo Motorsports Park.
Rider Todd Murray
seen in action during an ASRA race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, with Airfence soft barriers in the background.
Photo by Kristi Clay/ASRA.
Motovid.com’s Broken Wing Benefit Returns And Doubles Down on Rider Safety With Two Fundraisers
After a brief hiatus due to COVID event restrictions, Motovid.com through a partnership with the Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) and the American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) has recharged its annual motorcycle safety fundraiser in 2025, the 9th-annual Broken Wing Benefit offering two fundraisers to support rider safety at Midwest racetracks.
Since 2010, through its partnerships and generous donations from its community, Motovid.com has raised a total of $82,394 from its Broken Wing Benefit to further support rider safety at Blackhawk Farms Raceway and Road America with RWAF Airfence deployments.
Continuing on this success for 2025, Motovid.com is proud to announce an expansion in the Midwest to include support of RWAF deployments at Autobahn Country Club road course facilities in Joliet, Illinois with funds raised by the Broken Wing Benefit.
“Our community of riders from the Midwest have been asking about firing up another Broken Wing Benefit,” said Kathleen Casey, Motovid.com owner. “Considering this interest and the RWAF Airfence we’ve been able to help deploy over the years at Blackhawk Farms and Road America through previous Broken Wing fundraisers, we felt it was time to extend this support for rider safety to other tracks. Autobahn Country Club was an obvious option and ideal candidate in our region and we are so glad they have joined Motovid.com, ASRA and the Roadracing World Action Fund in support of rider safety on track,” Casey added.
A crashed rider hits an Airfence soft barrier.
“This event is not just to celebrate our racers’ achievements but to rally support for a critical cause—enhancing rider safety through the Roadracing World Action Fund. Every donation at this event will help us deploy more Airfence soft barriers at tracks across the Midwest, protecting our riders and helping ensure our sport remains safer and more vibrant. Join us for a night of celebration and giving to make a real difference in our racing community,” said Alex Spellman, ASRA Partner.
MotoAmerica racer Corey Alexander crashes at VIR in 2022, and is headed toward Airfence soft barriers. Photo by Alexis “Super Lex” Olivera/MotoAmerica.
The first 2025 Broken Wing Benefit dinner/auction of two will be held on Saturday, June 7th, 6:00 p.m. at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, hosted by ASRA during its Midwest Regional race weekend. The second will be held on the Saturday of the Labor Day weekend, during a Motovid.com All Levels Track Day weekend presented by Hupy and Abraham S.C. at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, with dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. with an auction to follow. Food, prizes and fun will be on schedule each night after activities on track. Save the dates, hope you can join us and party for a good cause!
Motovid.com has established $30,000 as the Broken Wing Benefit goal for 2025 primarily to help improve rider safety for all motorcycle events held at supported Midwest tracks. If you would like to make an online donation in support of the 2025 Motovid.com Broken Wing Benefit, please use the secure online donation form https://www.motovid.com/donations/donate-to-the-2025-motovid-com-broken-wing-benefit-now/
All proceeds from 2025 Broken Wing auction fundraisers will be combined with total donations gathered by Motovid.com on its website, alongside proceeds from the 9th annual Broken Wing Benefit dinners hosted by ASRA, presented by Hupy and Abraham S.C., and private donations raised throughout the 2025 season.
If you or your company is interested in helping the Motovid.com Broken Wing Benefit reach its 2025 goal of improving track safety for all motorcycling events at Autobahn Country Club with a direct donation, auction items, or helping as a volunteer, please contact Kathleen Casey, [email protected] phone(773)234-4713, or send correspondence to Motovid.com PO BOX 926 Delavan, WI 53115 Attn. Broken Wing Benefit.
Since 2004, Motovid.com has operated/developed/refined the All Levels Track Days & Performance Riding Clinics at Blackhawk Farms Raceway and Road America. Motovid.com Events are designed to provide the most conducive track environment to optimize time and safety while delivering the highest quality track riding experience for its participants. Performance Riding courses designed for riders of all levels include Sport Riding 101, Performance Riding 201/202, Advanced Basics 301 and now to help riders grid up for their first ASRA road race, the new Race Basics 302 Licensing Clinic.
American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) is dedicated to promoting and organizing premier motorcycle road racing events across the United States. With a focus on competitive excellence and rider development, ASRA provides a professional platform for racers of all skill levels. https:// asraracing.com/
About RWAF
The Roadracing World Action Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to promoting motorcycle on-track safety education and facilitating the deployment of Airfence, Alpina and other brands of soft barriers nationwide. More information is available at https://www.roadracingworld.com/actionfund/about/
Fans at the Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic. Photo courtesy WorldSBK.
WorldSBK and Autodrom Most are delighted to announce the extension of their partnership, securing the Czech venue’s place on the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship calendar for an additional five years, up to and including the 2030 season.
Since joining the WorldSBK calendar in 2021, Autodrom Most has quickly become a firm favourite among fans, consistently delivering thrilling races and recording impressive attendance figures. The 2024 edition saw a record-breaking audience of almost 60,000 spectators, making it the second most attended event of the season, reflecting its growing popularity and successful integration into the WorldSBK championship.
Significant improvements have consistently been made to enhance both the track and its facilities, ensuring it meets the highest standards required by WorldSBK. Recent developments include extensive track resurfacing, upgraded safety features, advanced camera systems utilising artificial intelligence, and ongoing enhancements to the circuit’s infrastructure.
Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, commented: “We are very pleased to confirm Autodrom Most’s place on the WorldSBK calendar for the next five years. The circuit has rapidly established itself as one of our standout events, with remarkable attendance figures and enthusiastic fan engagement. The continuous investment in track safety, infrastructure, and overall event experience showcases the circuit’s commitment to our standards. We look forward to many more exciting moments at Autodrom Most, further strengthening the presence of WorldSBK in the Czech Republic.”
Josef Zajicek, member of the organising association AMK Most and CEO of Autodrom Most, stated: “I am glad that this cooperation is successful and continues to develop in a very positive direction. This is a key race weekend for the Autodrom Most, which attracts thousands of fans to the Czech Republic every year. It contributes significantly not only to the visibility of our circuit, but also to the international reputation of the Czech Republic. The Championship is very open to the fans and thanks to the access to the paddock they have the opportunity to see and experience world motorsport up close like nowhere else – this is something that makes WorldSBK truly special. We are therefore very pleased to have agreed with the promoter to extend our partnership until 2030.”
Setting the outright pace at Shannonville’s Canadian season opener were the BMWs of No. 2 Samuel Guerin and No. 23 Alex Dumas – both won races. Photo by Colin Fraser.
The Canadian road racing season opened in traditional fashion at Shannonville Motorsport Park May 9-11, with the newly formed RACE Moto sanctioning group staging their first event on the perimeter Pro version of the circuit.
In an event that serves as an unofficial warm-up for the next weekend’s opening Bridgestone CSBK National round, several National stalwarts battled the top Regional competitors. Conditions were generally good, but very cool in the mornings.
The 14 lap Lou-Anne Printing Superbike Feature race, held at the end of Sunday’s program, was won by the Econo Lube/Fast Company BMW M1000RR of former works Suzuki and Ducati rider Alex Dumas. The just completed BMW ran for the first time Friday, and Dumas steadily built his pace, at times over a second quicker than his 1000cc mounted rivals.
Over the weekend, Dumas often ran at the front battling the EFC BMW of Samuel Guerin. Both Dumas and Guerin are based near Quebec City. Like Dumas, Guerin had a pair of BMWs to test prior to the National and edged both the Sprint Cup races over Dumas. Sunday’s second Sprint Cup race, won by Guerin, was interrupted at the halfway mark by a Red Flag, so no show down was possible between the two pace setters.
Both Guerin (1:05.36) and Dumas lapped in the low 1:05 second lap range on a sunny but cool day. Last year, BMW mounted Ben Young started from pole position at the opening S.M.P. National with a lap at 1:05.27; Young has now signed with Honda Canada and was not on hand at Shannonville for the Regional.
In Lou-Anne Printing Pro Superbike, Dumas took advantage of Guerin’s decision not to compete (preplanned) and grabbed the hole shot, chased by reigning Regional Champ Eli Daccache on the Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1. Daccache stayed close, but didn’t challenge victor Dumas. Dumas was National spec Bridgestone shod, with Daccache on Pirelli rubber and third finisher Michael Leon using Dunlops.
Third in Pro Superbike was the Royal Distributing Pro 6 Cycle BMW of Leon, who at times during the event battled Daccache at a similar pace. Making his race debut on an ex-Ben Young banana yellow BMW, former middleweight front runner Zoltan Frast scored a strong fourth.
Matt Vanderhorst was a solid fifth, pulling away from Ernest Bernhard’s Yamaha. At the finish, Berhard was caught by Matthew Annable (Suz) and Chris Fehr (BMW), the trio finishing in a near dead heat. Fehr netted seventh by .7 of a second from Berhhard, while Annable was right there for eighth.
In the middleweight divisions, National stars ran up front: pictured in the Heavyweight race, No. 33 Econo Lube Ducati of Elliot Vierra heads National Champ No. 24 Suzuki of Seb Tremblay and the No. 91 Yamaha of unretired Matt Simpson. Photo by Colin Fraser.
The 600cc class Pro middleweight racers featured in Pro 6 Cycle Pro Supersport, unretired 2023 National Sport Bike runner up Matt Simpson piloting his Yamaha to a dominant win. Simpson race twice last year, at Daytona in March and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in August, and crew chief the rest of the season.
On Saturday, Brad Macrae won Supersport after a great dice with Simpson, but Macrae opted not to ride Sunday, where rookie Pro Matt Hooper took his Yamaha to second after a good dice with third placed Rob Massicotte, also aboard a R6, for a Yamaha sweep of the podium. Missing 2024 due to arm injuries, Macrae turned heads in the opener with laps in the 1:07 flat range on his Yamaha YZF-R6.
In the Heavyweight class, the Middleweight division front runners were joined by the “Generation Two” entries, including Ducati’s potent 955 Desmo v-twin. Early in Sunday’s Heavyweight race, reigning Pro Sport Bike Champ Sebastien Tremblay worked his way to the front on the Turcotte Performance Suzuki GSX-R750.
However, Tremblay fell from first with no real damage after bottoming his front fork, setting up a dice for the lead between Simpson and the GP Bikes/Econo Lube Ducati of Elliot Vierra.
After a good battle, Vieira got in front for good with just over a lap to go, Vierra taking his second class win of the weekend, Simpson just .2 of a second back in second place. Nathan Playford pushed his Ducati to a solid third, ahead of the Yamaha of Alexis Beaudoin. Best middleweight lap of this race was Tremblay at 1:06.9, while Vierra and Simpson battled in the mid 1:07 range.
More from a press release issued by MiniSBK :
2025 Motul MiniSBK at RACE Moto Shannonville Opener
Stockill Continues to Set Mini Pace.
Last November, Jager Stockill was in Aragon, Spain, representing Canada in the FIM MiniGP World Championships aboard a spec Pirelli shod Ohvale 160. Since then, he has played hockey over the winter and then emerged from hibernation to co-ride to the 3 Hour Endurance race victory last weekend at Brechin, ON., near Orillia. Stockill shared his success with former top CSBK National Pro and factory Yamaha racer and current Super Sonic roadrace School instructor Jake Leclair.
Start of race two for Motul MiniSBK at Shannonville Motorsport Park, with No. 68 Jager Stockill, the eventual victor, leading the similar Ohvale 160s of No. 15 Stefan Tanasic and No.111 Eric Sergi. Photo by Colin Fraser
This weekend, Stockill was at Shannonville Motorsport Park for the revamped RACE Moto Regional opener and dominated both of Saturday’s debut 12 lap races for the MiniSBK competitors. The event marked the launch of smaller-wheeled racers among the “big bikes” at S.M.P.’s permitter Pro circuit – the MiniSBK riders using the infield go-kart version of the original Nelson layout, first used back in 1976.
Fastest during o\icial testing on Friday, May 9, Stockill was the pace setter in Saturday’s o\icial Q sessions, with a lap of 50.516, followed by the similar Ohvale 160 of rookie Stefan Tanasic at 53.5 and Ted Mota’s YCF super moto at 53.34 to complete the front row of the grid.
Stockhill set a blistering pace in the opening twelve lap race, turning a best lap of 50.45 and lapping up to second placed Tanasic. Mota netted third, while Eric Sergi placed fourth and Honda mounted Sean Whitloch turned the fifth-best time.
In race two, Stockill quickly took command and took o\, once again lapping at 50.516 in a very consistent e\ort. Tanasic and Mota entertained the “fans in the stands” with a near race long battle for second between the tucked-in racer style machine of Tanasic and the “sit up” entry of Mota. At the finish, after several passes, Tanasic earned second by .14 of a second from the charging Mota.
Sergi was a lap down in fourth, Whitloch placing fifth for the second time Saturday afternoon.
The MiniSBK Series returns to Shannonville with a RACE Moto hosted event June 13 and 14, for an event that also includes qualifying for the U.S.-based Mission MotoAmerica MiniCup events.
Pro Supersport champion Sebastien Tremblay (1) leads the field last September at Shannonville Motorsport Park where the 2025 CSBK season will kick off later this week. Four of the other riders shown completed the top five in the 2024 Supersport championship behind Tremblay - Maverick Cyr (4, 2nd), John Laing (707, 3rd), Andrew Van Winkle (45, 4th), and Trevor Daley (166, 5th).
Photo by Rob O'Brien / courtesy CSBK.
Supersport Preview: Tremblay begins title defence against revamped group in SMP opener
Hamilton, ON – The most unpredictable class in Canadian racing will finally be back on track this week, as the rebranded Pro Supersport category will return to Shannonville Motorsport Park for the opening round of the 2025 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season, May 16-18.
Reigning champion Sebastien Tremblay will remain the odds-on favourite to defend his #1 plate after a clinical 2024, winning five times and taking nine podiums to secure his second career title and first since joining Turcotte Performance Suzuki.
The Mirabel, Quebec native has made it no secret that he wants to go down as the winningest rider in Supersport history, currently sitting third on the all-time list with 17 victories (trailing only Jordan Szoke and Steve Crevier), leaving him just as motivated as ever entering a new campaign at SMP.
The venue wasn’t always kind to Tremblay early in his career – especially compared to his impressive resumé at other circuits – but you wouldn’t know it given his last three trips to Shannonville, winning four out of six races since the 2023 finale.
Three of those wins admittedly came on the interior “long track” layout as opposed to the perimeter “pro track” configuration the series will be using in 2025, though a pair of epic battles with four-time Canada Cup winner Ben Young on the pro track last season showcased his capabilities on either layout.
Despite all of this, the Supersport class has reminded fans of one thing over and over again in recent years: don’t discount anybody.
That’s especially true in 2025 with perhaps the deepest grid in the series, one that includes at least eight different pro race winners.
Tops amongst them will be 2024’s “super-sub” Trevor Daley, who didn’t contest the full campaign but made every lap count when he was in the CSBK paddock.
The OneSpeed Suzuki rider won three times and scored five podiums in his six appearances, finishing fifth in the championship despite missing two rounds.
One of those absences was the season opener on SMP’s pro track, but there’s enough track record with Daley to know he will be fast on any day at any venue, something that will be welcome news to Suzuki as they chase a second consecutive Constructors Championship.
Suzuki will also welcome another title contender to the fold in John Laing, who departs Kawasaki to hop aboard a GSX-R750 this season. The Vass Performance rider was the top “old-gen” rider in 2024 but will now find himself on a more level playing field with Tremblay and company, representing Alberta’s best chance at a pro champion since Clint McBain in 2002.
The biggest x-factor on the grid will be the entry of Torin Collins, who makes his Supersport debut north of the border after racing full-time in the MotoAmerica category last season for Altus Suzuki.
Collins is well known to CSBK fans after his stunning wildcard victory in the Superbike class in Edmonton last season, and while a debut trip to SMP will mean learning the circuit for the first time in his career, a return aboard his familiar Suzuki GSX-R750 will make him another threat to win on pure talent alone.
Ending the run of Suzuki favourites will be local star Brad Macrae, who leads the charge of the old-gen machines for Colron Excavating Yamaha. After initial plans of running the new powerhouse R9 fell through, Macrae will instead return to the series aboard his familiar R6 with which he scored his first career victory at Shannonville in 2023.
Macrae missed all of 2024 after an injury suffered in the Daytona 200 and will undoubtedly be at a disadvantage against the new-gen Suzuki’s and Ducati’s, but his expertise around his home circuit will still make him a dark horse for a second career win for Yamaha.
Leading off the next group of challengers will be one of Tremblay’s former title rivals in Elliot Vieira, who will be looking to make up for a difficult 2024 as the lead Ducati. Vieira joined the juggernaut Economy Lube Ducati program midway through last season but struggled to find consistency, totalling four DNF’s in a five-race span.
A return to his privateer V2 Panigale may be all Vieira needs to remind the paddock of just how fast he is, having scored 14 podiums over the last three seasons – second to only Tremblay in that span – including four podiums at SMP.
Presumably absent from at least the first round will be Vieira’s former Economy Lube Ducati teammate Mavrick Cyr, who was arguably 2024’s biggest breakout star as he earned six podiums and an impressive victory at AMP to finish second in the championship as a rookie.
The 20-year-old has parted ways with Economy Lube and last raced in the Twins class in MotoAmerica aboard an Aprilia, leaving his status for the Supersport opener up in the air.
The last of the former winners expected to line up on the grid this weekend include teenage star Andrew Van Winkle and another previous vice-champion in Matt Simpson, who shouldn’t be discounted from a return to the top of the box despite old-gen machinery.
Van Winkle will hop aboard a GSX-R600 with the help of Marco Sousa and his Suzuki Canada program, who has supported Van Winkle’s entry into the Supersport category despite racing against him, finishing eighth in last year’s championship.
The 18-year-old Van Winkle didn’t race the opening round at SMP last season before scoring a historic victory and five podiums in the last seven races of 2024, and the former Twins champion will hope to continue that form into 2025.
As for Simpson, the 2023 runner-up only raced once last season – a quietly solid trip to CTMP aboard his underpowered Evans Racing Yamaha – but three podiums in his last four races at Shannonville cannot be ignored.
The rebranded Supersport category will officially get underway with Friday morning practice at Shannonville Motorsport Park, just an hour east of Kingston, Ontario, before a pair of thrilling races on the weekend.
Superbike Preview: Young, Dumas usher in new era as wide-open grid heads to Shannonville
Hamilton, ON – The long offseason for the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship is finally over, but the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class is going to look much different when they return to the track for round one this weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
Two of the biggest moves in recent memory have seen the last two Canada Cup winners change programs for 2025, with reigning champion (and four-time winner) Ben Young leaving BMW after nearly a decade together to join Honda, while Dumas departs Ducati after only four rounds to take Young’s place at BMW.
The latter move was unsurprising, as the BMW Motorrad program has become synonymous with winning in Canada – taking 11 of the last 14 riders championships and three consecutive constructors titles – and Dumas will give them a great shot at continuing that success alongside last year’s runner-up Sam Guerin.
It’s Young’s switch to Honda that caught many off guard, as one of the greatest riders in CSBK history – still very much in his prime at 31 years old – will join forces with a brand that hasn’t won a single race in over ten years and has just one podium finish since 2016.
That being said, the newest iteration of the CBR1000RR-R is a significant upgrade on its predecessors, and if anyone can make an unfamiliar machine work it is likely Young, who has starred at the Daytona 200 and Suzuka 8 Hours in recent years and has an excellent Van Dolder’s Home Team crew behind him.
Young also holds an excellent record at Shannonville, winning six times (including three on the faster “pro track” layout that CSBK will be using for round one) and missing the podium only twice in 13 appearances there.
CSBK Superbike championship runner-up in 2024, Sam Guérin (2) will return this season on his familiar BMW machinery looking to build on his two feature class wins from last year in his bid for the championship. Photo by Rob O’Brien / Courtesy CSBK
As for Dumas, the 2021 champion has also proven himself for multiple brands, winning extensively for Suzuki before taking a pair of victories for Ducati last season, a bike that proved to be very fast but was plagued with mechanical issues – a concern he likely won’t have on the factory-backed M1000RR.
Dumas’ history at SMP might seem less positive than Young’s, having famously crashed out of the title fight at this venue in 2023, but his four wins in seven career races paint a different picture, including a sweep on the pro track to begin 2023.
This means that it’s less of a question of “if” Young and Dumas will win for their new teams, and more of a matter of “when” they get up to speed – a crucial question for their title challengers entering round one.
Leading that group is Sam Guerin, one of the breakout stars of 2024 as he scored his first two career Superbike victories and finished as the vice-champion to Young in the overall standings, pushing the title fight right to the final round.
Guerin will be back aboard his familiar EFC Group BMW and will be able to build upon his 2024 setup from Shannonville, where he took a pair of second-place finishes on the pro track last season.
It was this layout where Guerin nearly scored his first career win in 2023, leading Dumas in the rain before crashing out, and he will have a golden opportunity to make up for it this season as he chases his first ever Canada Cup.
The new-look grid could also play into the hands of the winningest rider in both CSBK and Shannonville history, as Jordan Szoke will lead a retooled but mostly similar Canadian Kawasaki Motors effort.
Szoke looked the most like his old self in 2024 after suffering career-altering injuries just three seasons ago, scoring four podiums and finishing in the top-four in every single race to claim third in the overall championship.
A new and improved ZX-10RR machine, combined with improving health and fitness, will give Szoke all the tools he needs to win once again in 2025, and there may not be a better circuit for the 14-time Canada Cup winner to do so at then “The Birthplace of Champions.”
2024 Pro Rookie of the Year Connor Campbell will continue in 2025 with Kawasaki support after finishing seventh in the championship last season. Photo by Rob O’Brien / courtesy CSBK
The ultimate wildcard in the championship picture will be Trevor Daley, who only contested part of the 2024 campaign and yet put together perhaps the best season of his impressive career with his first two Superbike victories for OneSpeed Suzuki.
Should Daley run the full slate of races this season, it will be impossible not to consider him a true championship contender right from day one at Shannonville, a track where he nearly swept the Supersport finale last season.
Looking to join the “big four” this season will be former Honda flag-bearer David MacKay, who may actually benefit from the addition of Young as his unofficial running mate aboard the CBR1000RR-R.
After winning the 2023 Pro Supersport championship, MacKay graduated full-time to Superbike and didn’t look out of place at all for ODH Snow City Cycle Honda, finishing in the top-six on eight occasions and fifth overall in the championship as he looks to build upon that in his second feature class campaign.
Another dark horse podium contender will be the last factory-backed machine of Connor Campbell, who will pilot the B&T MacFarlane/CKM Kawasaki as Szoke’s unofficial teammate once again in 2025.
Campbell claimed the Pro Rookie of the Year award last season by finishing seventh in the overall championship, running consistently in the top-ten all year after graduating to Superbike near the end of 2023, and an intense offseason training program may be enough to push Campbell firmly into the podium mix right away at Shannonville.
The feature class will get underway with Friday morning practice at the SMP opener, May 16-18, just an hour west of Kingston, Ontario.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
Johann Zarco is the first French rider to win in France since 1954. Photo courtesy Dorna.
CHAPEAU: Zarco emerges victorious in history-making French GP
For the first time since 1954, a French MotoGP rider wins on home turf in an unbelievably dramatic Grand Prix at Le Mans.
Flippin’ phenomenal. A day Johann Zarco, LCR Honda Castrol and a record-breaking Michelin Grand Prix of France crowd will never forget. For the first time since 1954, 71 years ago, a French MotoGP rider wins on home turf after a wet tyre gamble from Zarco sees the #5 beat second place Marc Marquez(Ducati Lenovo Team) by nearly 20 seconds. The #93 gains important points in the title chase as both Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) fail to score points on a hugely dramatic Sunday afternoon, which saw Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) claim a debut MotoGP rostrum.
A RED-FLAGGED START AS RAIN FALLS
Tensions were at an all-time high in the lead up to lights out as light rain scattered the Le Mans circuit in the build up. Heading onto the warm up lap, with everyone on Michelin’s slick tyres, it was then abundantly clear that was the wrong tyre to be on. Polesitter Quartararo was nearly down at Turn 3 and at the end of the warm up lap, unsurprisingly, every rider peeled into pit lane and that brought out the red flags due to an excessive number of riders at pit lane exit as we then set ourselves for a quick restart procedure at the French GP. The Grand Prix was also reduced by one lap to 26, with a wet race declared – that meant riders could come in and change their bikes at any moment once we got underway.
And there was more drama at the end of the sighting lap. More than half the grid, including Quartararo, Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez, were in while Bagnaia stayed on the grid.
LIGHTS OUT AND IMMEDIATE DRAMA
Eventually we were lights out and underway and as he was in the Sprint, Bagnaia was down at Turn 3 on Lap 1! Meanwhile, Quartararo led from Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez, Aldeguer was fourth as Bagnaia made it back to pit lane to jump onto his dry weather bike. The Italian was miles behind but having pitted at the end of the sighting lap, over half the grid had double Long Lap penalties to take.
Quartararo, having led by over a second, was the first of the front runners to dive into the Long Lap loop. Alex Marquez, Aldeguer – who had passed Marc Marquez – and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were the next to come in, but Marc Marquez didn’t. This happened after Bagnaia had been lapped – a disaster for Pecco, who then came in for dry tyres. A decision that would prove costly again soon after.
HOME HEARTBREAK TO ELATION: QUARTARARO CRASHES, ZARCO LEADS
Then, heartbreak. Quartararo was down at the final corner and so was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) right behind the Frenchman. Gutting for the 100,000+ crowd, but back on circuit, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Viñales were back in the pit lane to switch back onto wet tyres.
Where to look? Marc and Alex were next to come in and that left Aldeguer leading the Grand Prix by over 12 seconds, but now, the rookie was clearly on the wrong tyre – and sure enough, the #54 came in on the next lap.
Right, where were we? Well, to the delight of the French faithful, Zarco led the French Grand Prix! The #5 had stuck it out on the wet weather tyres and he was leading by seven seconds over Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), the Portuguese rider had done the same as Zarco, with Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez pressing Oliveira on Lap 9 of 26.
HOW THE FRENCH GP WAS WON
The brothers passed a struggling Oliveira with ease and with 17 laps to go, the gap between leader Zarco and the Marquez duo was 8.5s. That grew to nine seconds with 15 laps to go, then it was 9.3s as Zarco churned out low 1:46s, with Marquez near enough matching the home hero. Alex Marquez was losing touch on the #93, but the #73 had a six second buffer to fourth place Acosta.
With 11 laps to go, Zarco was marching towards an astonishing home Grand Prix victory. The gap had risen to 11.5s, then it was 12.4s as Zarco lapped at least a second quicker than anyone else on track. That trend continued as the advantage rose to over 14 seconds with seven laps as we witnessed two crashes – first Oliveria was down at the final corner, then Alex Marquez crashed at Turn 3. Luckily the former Championship leader remounted, and such were the gaps between a lot of riders, the Spanish GP winner re-joined the Grand Prix in P6. That off promoted Acosta to P3.
Having got back into the race, Alex Marquez was in the gravel again and unfortunately that was his French GP done. But Gresini’s podium hopes weren’t over because Aldeguer was catching Acosta at a rapid rate of knots. With two laps left, the rookie was right on the back of Acosta and at the front, Zarco’s lead was 19 seconds. The Frenchman simply had to nurse his Honda to the chequered flag.
Aldeguer did get Acosta but it was all eyes on the #5. One lap left Johann! And he brought it home. The roof was raised at Le Mans because for the first time since 1954, a French MotoGP rider clinched victory on home turf. Unbelievable. What a moment for Zarco, LCR Honda and the record-breaking French GP crowd.
Marc Marquez crossed the line 19.9s away from Zarco to collect a massive 20 points, with Aldeguer backing up his Saturday bronze medal with a debut MotoGP podium. What a weekend for the rookie.
YOUR FRENCH GP POINTS SCORERS
Acosta had to settle for P4 after he couldn’t live with Aldeguer’s late race pace, as Viñales handed KTM a double top five in France. Honda HRC Test Team’s Takaaki Nakagami took a magnificent P6 in his first wildcard ride for the Japanese factory, as Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) picked up his season best Sunday result in P7.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) rounded out the top 10, with Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) closed out the points, with Bagnaia acting as the final finisher in P16.
Just… wow. Johann Zarco is a winner at home in MotoGP. A Sunday that will go down in history for more reasons than one. Le Mans, you were simply incredible. Again.
Postcard from the Le Mans podium, from left to right, Fermin Aldeguer (P.3), Johann Zarco (P.1) and Marc Marquez (P.2). Photo courtesy Dorna.
ALL-TIME RECORD: more than 300,000 fans make history at Le Mans!
When we said they raise the roof in Le Mans, we weren’t joking. The raucous noise throughout the weekend at the Michelin Grand Prix of France teased an incredible attendance figure and it is a new all-time record.
311,797 fans have come to the iconic track during the event, making it the first time MotoGP has welcomed more than 300,000 fans to a Grand Prix. All that’s left to say is: MERCI !
Rider of the Race: could it be anyone but Zarco?
Rider of the Race is new for 2025 and after its debut at Jerez, where Fabio Quartararo took the honour, it went the way of history-making race winner Johann Zarco at Le Mans. Find out more about Rider of the Race HERE!
More from a press release from CASTROL Honda LCR:
Johann Zarco takes tremendous victory at Le Mans.
CASTROL Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco has claimed a historic victory at the French Grand Prix, securing a long-awaited home win in his 150th MotoGP race start.
Johann Zarco on the podium after his French victory.
Zarco delivered an emotional and strategic performance at Le Mans, making the crucial decision to switch to the wet bike early, a move that proved decisive as weather conditions worsened and the race grew increasingly intense.
Johann Zarco won the race with 20 seconds over Marc Marquez.
The Frenchman won the race with a dominant 20-second lead over the rider in second place, Marc Marquez, maintaining a consistent and fast pace throughout the whole race.
After crossing the finish line as the winner, Johann Zarco stopped to enjoy the victory with members of the Castrol LCR Honda team.
This win marks Honda’s first MotoGP victory since the Americas Grand Prix in 2023 (Alex Rins), breaking a lengthy drought for the manufacturer.
All the Castrol LCR Honda Team is here to congratulate Zarco for his win.
In front of thousands of cheering fans, Zarco etched his name into Le Mans history, a moment of pure joy for French motorsport and a milestone in his career.
With this result, Zarco now stands 6th in the MotoGP World Championship standings, the highest-ranked Honda rider so far this season.
Zarco leading the MotoGP race Sunday at Le Mans.
Johann Zarco – winner : “There are no words to express what I felt today. We didn’t expect to win, and doing it on home soil is something truly incredible and emotional. It was a long and intense race, but the strategy we applied as a team really paid off. I took a gamble, as the forecast predicted rain, and today, we made the right call. Winning with Honda is something I’ve been aiming for, and now we’ve done it. Huge thanks to the team, to my parents who were here to experience the Grand Prix with me, to HRC, to the sponsors, and to everyone who’s supported us. This is a day I’ll never forget”
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