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.
Alvaro Bautista (19) went from dominating World Superbike in 2023 to losing to his rookie teammate in 2024. The fact that the teammate’s bike didn’t have a big chunk of steel ballast bolted to it may have had something to do with it. Photo courtesy WorldSBK.
What do the teams racing Harley-Davidson Pan America ST racebikes in MotoAmerica’s Super Hooligan class have in common with two-time Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista?
In both cases, someone thinks that they’re racing under their weight category, and as such, each is carrying around an unnecessary lump of heavy metal on their racebikes.
The Harley-Davidson teams showed up at The Ridge Motorsports Park facing new MotoAmerica Hooligan minimum weight requirements that were, in my memory, some of the biggest weight penalties ever imposed in motorcycle road racing. Meanwhile, Bautista took to social media this week to challenge the Superbike regulations that have, in effect, threatened to end his career.
Imposing success penalties (let’s call them what they are) by adding weight to racebikes is a time-honored method of trying to balance the performance of different types of machines racing in the same class. (No one was complaining about Bautista’s weight when the Ducati riders were beating him in his lost years on the Honda Superbike. No one was adding weight to the Pan Americas when they were getting beaten.) In World Superbike, there are different types of Inline-4 racebikes and a V-4; in Hooligan, there are air-cooled bikes and water-cooled Triples and Twins of a variety of displacements.
But there are ways to balance performance that don’t penalize individual riders or discount the efforts of an inventive, creative, hard-working race team. And in each case, let’s just say that the way the weight penalties have been applied could have been done more skillfully.
Tired of Kawasaki’s domination, World Superbike started imposing success-penalty rev-limits, which have since been replaced by fuel flow restrictions. Ducati and BMW both have seen their fuel consumption reduced this season. And, presumably tired of Bautista’s domination of the series, World Superbike now has a “soft” minimum combined rider/machine weight limit. If the bike is at the class weight minimum of 168 kg (370.3 lbs.), then for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) a rider is under the “reference weight” of 80 kg (176.37 lbs), half a kilogram must be added. According to media reports from Europe, Bautista is racing with at least six kilograms (13.2 pounds) bolted to his Aruba.it-Racing factory Panigale V4 R. It may be more than that.
Bautista went from 27 wins before the regulation in 2023 to four wins in 2024. Even taking into account the concessions that allowed BMW to build a special chassis and their hiring the immensely talented Toprak Razgatlioglu, it’s hard to believe that the weight penalty had nothing to do with Bautista’s dramatic drop in results. No one forgets overnight how to race a motorcycle.
With the same thing happening in 2025, Ducati fired Bautista and he is without a ride for 2026. And if you read between the lines, no one wants to hire him, at least partly because whoever does put him on their Superbike in 2026 will be bolting a big chunk of ballast onto the machine as well – regardless of how well their bike is performing. The slowest privateer team could hire Bautista and the team would still have to bolt chunks of metal to their bike, or race a machine that’s far heavier than the class machine weight limit.
It’s a pretty good guess that the “Thanks, but no thanks” responses Bautista’s agent is likely getting from other manufacturers prompted the rider to take to social media with a plea to re-think the rule that is killing his career.
“The truth is, when your physical dimensions become a structural disadvantage—something that says nothing about your ability as a rider—then it stops being a technical issue and becomes a form of discrimination,” Bautista wrote. “I understand that weight is a technical factor in motorcycle performance. I accept that. But when the system fails to take into account natural differences in body types, it ceases to be fair and begins to exclude.
“That is why I’m writing today. Not to portray myself as a victim. Not to create division. I’m writing because I don’t want other riders—now or in the future—to go through what I have gone through in the last couple of years. I don’t want them to feel that their body is an obstacle more difficult than any corner on the track.
“My aim with this message is to start a necessary conversation. To ask that we rethink technical criteria, regulations, and above all, the culture of motorcycling. Riders are not defined by the number on a scale. They are defined by their intelligence on track, their instinct, their courage, and their connection with the bike.”
World Superbike simply went too far in one go with the weight penalties. It would have been far better to introduce them gradually to see what the impact would be. It’s clear that in their attempt to rein in the Panigale V4 R, an incredible racebike, the rule had a disproportionate impact on one rider.
But if 13.2 pounds seems like a lot, ponder the 38-pound boat anchor that the Saddlemen squad had to bolt to their Pan America to race at The Ridge. That’s more than the weight of two regulation bowling balls. The team made sort of a small steel coffin and filled it with molten lead to bring the bike up to the new minimum weight. James Rispoli, who rides a Pan America for the KWR Racing team, said his bike had an additional 25 pounds bolted to it. “Changes? We’re in the stratosphere compared to where we were at (Road) Atlanta,” Rispoli said. “Springs, geometry, valving. The biggest impact is in the turning, the way the bike naturally turns, but it’s in acceleration, braking, everywhere.”
For the Hooligan class, the minimum weight for water-cooled machines 1000cc and below is 365 lbs, 377 lbs. for water-cooled machines over 1000cc and 350 lbs. for all air-cooled twin-cylinder bikes regardless of displacement. (The class only allows electric bikes, and gas-powered Twins and Triples.) Unless you’re riding a Pan America, which had locked out all the podium positions this year prior to The Ridge. That bike, which admittedly no one was racing at the class minimum weight, now must weigh 450 lbs. On paper, that’s a 73 pound change, or approximately the weight of a baby calf or a two-person couch!
David Echert’s Saddlemen team couldn’t get close to the Super Hooligan win at The Ridge two years ago. At their best, Cory West was second in Race Two, but more than six seconds back after seven laps. So Echert and others racing the porky adventure bike put it on a diet. For Saddlemen, that meant a carbon-fiber subframe, exhausts that were made of half-thickness materials, smaller radiator, even the powder coating was stripped from components to reduce their weight. The team got the bike down to about 412 pounds – nowhere near the class minimum weight, but an impressive 130 pounds lighter than the stocker. It was expensive, but it was effective – West won the class Championship last year.
Much of that hard work has been nullified.
“No,” Echert said, when asked if the penalty seemed fair. “It would have been better if they had told us they would do this before we spent all that money to make the bikes lighter.”
Once again, better to have eased into this penalty. Increase the weight incrementally, or over a period of time. Penalizing a team for doing well doesn’t feel right. I am a fan of the sort of unofficial rule in Formula One car racing: A team that develops a technical breakthrough gets to keep it for the rest of the year, and then it’s outlawed. At least that way the team gets to benefit from its hard work and ingenuity. In my opinion, the weight changes should have been delayed until next year. That way, everyone knows what’s coming and can plan, design and build accordingly.
Racing should reward the people who put in the work to run at the front and not penalize them, regardless of results. Take away those hard-earned advantages only after careful and significant thought and reflection. That is all that I’m saying here.
Don’t blink. If the past two stops were any indication, this year’s AFT Singles presented by KICKER race at the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile will be decided by the smallest of margins when Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, does battle at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois, this Saturday, July 5.
All Aboard the Drane Train.
After his double domination of the Lima Half-Mile, everyone can stop worrying about when Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will finally get his first victory of the 2025 season and shift their concerns to whether or not anyone will be able to stop him now that’s he’s rolling at full steam.
Whatever minor “slump,” Drane might have dealt with to open the season did not knock him off the historic trajectory that has defined the Australian’s early Progressive AFT career. Consider that, in just two-and-a-half seasons, he’s already moved into a tie with former class champions Dallas Daniels and Dalton Gauthier for third all-time in AFT Singles victories at 13.
He’s also now tied with Daniels for third most Half-Mile wins at five.
If the opposition thought it was going to get any easier this weekend, they might want to reconsider. Even without a stop at a Mile in ‘25, Drane already ranks second all-time in career Mile wins – also at five – with one of those coming at DuQuoin in ‘23.
Should he sweep all three Miles this season, he would move into a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman atop the career order.
Daniels, Gauthier, Texter-Bauman… That’s some pretty exclusive company.
It’s The FBI Again
But don’t crown Drane just yet. In fact, he wasn’t even on the podium at DuQuoin a year ago… despite finishing just 0.088 seconds back of the win.
That’s not a typo. In fact, the eight riders who represented first through fourth at the DuQuoin Mile in ‘23 and ‘24 were separated by less than two tenths of a second, combined.
Last year’s victory went to home state Fast Boy from Illinois Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), who beat triple champion Kody Kopp to the stripe at the head of a five-rider pack by 0.001 seconds.
The year before, Saathoff was on the other end of things, losing out to Drane at the front of a six-rider pack by 0.011 seconds.
Past history suggests it’ll be a major upset if anyone walks away with it this weekend, and if the multi-rider pack doesn’t include title rivals Drane and Saathoff.
The potential for several other riders in the mix also creates opportunity for significant movement in the championship chase. For example, should Saathoff repeat and Drane get shuffled back to a close fourth again this year, the margin between the two would get slashed from 16 to just 7.
Flying With Wings
Who else could join that hypothetical mix?
Even accounting for Drane’s recent Mile brilliance, Honda has traditionally been the primary force on the big tracks.
Honda-mounted riders have won more than half (36 of 67) Miles in class history, with an even better record since 2019 (12 of 21). And that’s not a stat propped up due to the overwhelming skills of any one rider; those 12 wins since ‘19 are split up amongst eight different riders.
Along with Saathoff, Honda comes into DuQuoin with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – winner of three career Miles – in its corner.
And don’t forget about Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), who is no doubt out to make amends after his Saturday second at Lima was spoiled by a blown motor on Sunday. Santero now has a podium finish in a Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT. The Mile is the lone holdout, although he finished a solid sixth here a year ago.
You Gotta Wear Shades
Progressive AFT fans should pay close attention to the amateurs taking part in the 2025 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship this week in DuQuoin. Because when we say the week will put a spotlight on the future stars of the sport – we’re talking near future.
Consider the names to previously shine at the amateur nations. Winners of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award going back to just 2018 include Daniels, Brunner, Kopp, Saathoff, Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).
And this year’s crop of pros who were amateurs just one year ago is shaping up to be an all-timer.
Just four races into his career, Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) already boasts two wins and four top fives.
Porter made a remarkable top-five pro debut last weekend and is now set to return to DuQuoin where he was named the recipient of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award one year ago.
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Ryder Reese (No. 244 Mission Foods/Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) finished ninth in his Progressive AFT debut weekend at Lima. That saw him join Tadman, Porter, Skylar Sentell (No. 249 Hoffer Performance/Stauffer Motors KTM 450 SX-F) and Ethan Kitchen (No. 105 Lucky Thumb M/C Yamaha YZ450F) in breaking into the top ten as a rookie already this season.
And while it may not be easy to dice it up with the more experienced riders on a tactically taxing Mile, recall that Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) finished just 0.204 seconds off last year’s DuQuoin Mile win as a rookie.
Speaking of, Kelleher comes in riding high following the best weekend of his sophomore campaign.
It’s Independence Day Weekend. Of Course, We’re Gonna Party
This week-long celebration of motorcycle dirt track racing will also offer plenty of activities away from the track. The Rider Q&A will take place during the Fan Party that leads directly into Opening Ceremonies.
There will also be a multitude of vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, extensive motorcycle parking, and an abundance of good vibes.
That’s the Ticket
General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile are just $35 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult ticket) while Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $45 (all ages). And new for 2025, every ticket includes access to the paddock’s where you can get up close and personal with the planet’s most incredible dirt track riders and machines.
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
How to Watch
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 13, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Max Van got it all wrong in MotoAmerica Supersport qualifying at The Ridge Motorsports Park but managed to keep it on two wheels. Watch smoke coming off the cocked front wheel in this Video of Max’s Wild Ride, seen below:
Rancho Cucamonga – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that multiple new track records have been established at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Tyler Scott at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Supersport:
– Lap Record: 1:42.221 – Achieved by Mathew Scholtz during Qualifying 1
– Race Lap Record: 1:42.308 – Set by Tyler Scott during Race 1
Jake Lewis at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Super Hooligan:
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:44.905 – Recorded by Jake Lewis in Race 1
Alessandro Di Mario at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Twins Cup:
– Lap Record: 1:46.108– Accomplished by Alessandro Di Mario during Qualifying 2 on Sunday
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.026 – Achieved by Alessandro Di Mario during Race 2
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Supersport Preview: Collins headlines western challengers as title fight shifts to Edmonton.
The return to RAD Torque Raceway will come at the perfect time for the Pro Supersport class next weekend, as a talented group of western riders will look to carry their momentum into their home round in the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, July 4-6, presented by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Argyll Motorsports.
The Edmonton venue will offer a first-ever tripleheader in the middleweight class, with two races on Saturday and a race on Sunday serving as the most crucial point of the season ahead of the season finale in CTMP next month.
With it comes a make-or-break trip for championship leader Torin Collins, this time only a short drive away from his hometown in Calgary, and one that the rising superstar will look forward to after his sensational CSBK debut at the circuit last season.
That time it was in the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class where Collins first dazzled the crowd at RAD Torque, finishing second in race one and winning race two to break numerous Superbike records – a trend the 19-year-old has carried with him into his first Supersport campaign north of the border.
Simply put, Collins has looked unbeatable for the better part of 2025, taking two pole positions and winning three-of-four races in dominant fashion aboard his Octagon Energy Services Suzuki (a new title sponsor for his home round), falling short only when he was taken out on lap one in AMP.
It’s hard to see that form slipping at the venue where he did so well in Superbike a year ago, and one that favours his ultra-aggressive riding style. However, it won’t be a straightforward task for Collins either, with no shortage of other “hometown” riders ready to put on a show in Alberta.
Amongst them is his main championship rival in 18-year-old Andrew Van Winkle, who scored the first victory of his Pro Supersport career at RAD Torque last season before adding another one last time out in Nova Scotia.
The Mountainview Motorsports Suzuki rider is still far from his true hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia, but it won’t feel that way to Van Winkle as he carries as much momentum as anyone into round three, having taken 45 of a possible 50 points on the east coast.
The former Pro Twins champion will be at a slight disadvantage again aboard his GSX-R600 compared to the next-gen GSX-R750’s of many of his rivals, but that didn’t stop Van Winkle from winning race two a year ago aboard the same machine.
Andrew Van Winkle (45) will aim for another victory in Edmonton, after taking his first career Pro Supersport win at RAD Torque in 2024. Photo credit Rob O’Brien.
It’s been a much different tale in 2025 for the race one winner from last season, as John Laing enters a “get-right” spot at a much-needed time in what has been a difficult year aboard his new Vass Performance Suzuki.
The nearby Cochrane, Alberta native entered RAD Torque last year with big expectations and delivered with a runaway race one victory, but a third-place finish the next day has been his last taste of champagne since, missing the podium in ten consecutive races.
That’s not to say Laing has been off the pace entirely in that stretch, finishing in the top-five on five occasions, but a season-best finish of sixth won’t be what he hoped for after entering the season as a championship contender.
A return to at least the podium, if not the top step, could be all Laing needs to get his confidence back aboard his new machine, and there’s no better spot for him to do so than at his home circuit where he looked so strong a year ago.
Outside of the local stars, another rider needing a bounce-back weekend will be defending champion Sebastien Tremblay, who trails Collins by 20 points for the S.T. Motosport Suzuki team.
Some of that deficit is through no fault of his own, having been taken out along with Collins in race one at AMP, though Tremblay has also been farther off the pace than expected in 2025, finishing a distant third in each of the other three races.
His finishes of third and fourth at RAD Torque last season won’t scare Collins or Van Winkle either, though Tremblay was notably dealing with a shoulder injury during that weekend.
A dark horse to watch out west will be Elliot Vieira, who was a turn one crash away from a massive points haul in Edmonton last season after finishing second to Laing in race one and initially leading race two.
Vieira has been as consistent as anyone to begin 2025, finishing fourth or fifth in every race to put his GP Bikes Ducati fourth in the standings. Adding a pair of podiums or even a race win in round three would create a massive wrinkle in the championship mix, especially given Vieira’s strong resumé around CTMP.
As for round two star Alex Michel, the former top amateur was a solid but unspectacular eight and seventh in his two races at RAD Torque last season, but the SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki rider has looked far more confident and competitive this year as he tries to build upon his strong performances in AMP.
Expected to be absent from the top of the running order are frontrunners Phil DeGama-Blanchet and Trevor Daley, the former being another local star out of Calgary.
DeGama-Blanchet is rumoured to be focusing on his Superbike campaign after encountering a number of mechanical issues on his Supersport machine in round three, missing both races. The 17-year-old finished fourth and fifth at his home round a year ago, and could be a threat for at least a podium if he can get his Taylor Racing Ducati back on track next weekend.
As for Daley, the OneSpeed Suzuki rider was already expected to miss round three even prior to his injury in Nova Scotia, suffered in a lap one crash in race one before his incredible comeback to finish sixth.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email info@csbk.ca.
Wherein we ride the M 1000 R, the M 1000RR, the M 1000 XR, the Alpha Racing M 1000RR Superstock, the Alpha Racing M 1000 RR Superbike, the World Endurance M 1000 RR, and Toprak’s factory World Superbike M 1000 RR…all on a single exhilarating day.
“We were given relatively unfettered access to the ROKiT World Superbike Team with
reigning World Champion Toprak Razgatlioğlu and his teammate Michael van der Mark as well as the techs, execs, and mechanics for the team. Also in attendance were a dozen BMW Motorrad execs, project managers, software engineers and the like. And, also in attendance were execs and mechanics for Alpha Racing. Alpha Racing has a direct supply of BMW base parts (engines, etc.) from which they build various iterations of M 1000 RRs including their MotoAmerica Stock 1000 bike (which I had previously tested) as well as a Superbike version, which (as this is written) Cameron Beaubier is using to lead the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. So, while reveling in the pageantry of the World Superbike weekend, I was preparing to suit up the following Monday to ride the: M 1000
R, M 1000 XR, M 1000 RR, Alpha Superstock, Alpha Superbike, World Endurance bike, and…and…Toprak’s factory World Superbike.”
“Lebensfreude Motorrad: BMW Motorrad M Racing Experience,” by Sam Q. Fleming
>>>>BE SURE TO CATCH SAM FLEMING’S INTERVIEW OF TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU ON ROADRACINGWORLD.COM. Click here to watch!
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during July 2025.
This list includes opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of July in the U.S.A
To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.
7/3 Spicy Track Days, New York Safety Track, Jefferson, NY.
7/4 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, special day dedicated to female riders, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track).
7/5 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/4-5 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, MiniSBK Shannonville Mtrspt. Park, Shannonville, ON, Canada.
The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will continue its cross-country journey this weekend, with the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class heading west for their pivotal third round at RAD Torque Raceway, July 4-6.
The series will return to Edmonton for a second consecutive season, a whopping 4,770 kilometres from the last time we saw the feature class in Nova Scotia, with three races on deck and just two points separating rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas at the top.
It’s hardly a two-horse race, however, with Jordan Szoke just a further nine points back and Sam Guerin only seven points adrift of him following his round two sweep at AMP, meaning a mere 18 points will cover the entire top four at the midway point of the season.
Guerin will carry the momentum into round three after the best showing of his career, besting Young in a pair of last lap battles at arguably Young’s best circuit, though the three-time reigning champion is strong across the entire calendar – including RAD Torque, where he won a crucial race one a year ago.
Young is one of just three former winners at the venue, with Szoke sweeping the inaugural visit in 2015 before home phenom Torin Collins took a maiden victory in race two last season, though Collins is expected to focus on his Supersport campaign this time around.
That leaves a relatively unpredictable weekend ahead for the top four, especially given that Young and Dumas will be returning to the circuit aboard new machines in 2025.
Young has yet to take a debut victory for the Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda squad after leaving BMW this winter, earning his championship lead through his usual consistency with three runner-up finishes in four races thus far.
It’s hard to envision Young’s 22-race podium streak ending in RAD Torque either, even with a rare tripleheader offering plenty of risk and opportunity, though he won’t be eager to “play it safe” with his two-point title lead either as he looks to inflict maximum damage ahead of the season finale in CTMP.
Conversely, Dumas will be looking to do damage control after a career-worst round two in AMP, entering with a 14-point lead and exiting with finishes of fourth and fifth.
The difficult weekend was partially due to a few mechanical issues aboard his new Economy Lube/Fast Company BMW, something the team will hope to have sorted in RAD Torque, especially given Dumas’ strong showing at the circuit in 2024.
It was in Edmonton where Dumas made his season debut last year, ending a brief hiatus to join his current squad aboard a Ducati, picking up strong finishes of third and second despite limited knowledge of the V4 Panigale.
Now piloting the friendlier M1000RR, Dumas will try to return to his winning ways after a dominant opening round, though it likely won’t be a straight fight against his rival Young.
Szoke and Guerin won’t have fond memories of their trip west in 2024, with Szoke taking consecutive fourth-place finishes while Guerin settled for fifth in each race, but both have looked much more competitive in 2025 and will try to keep that rolling at RAD Torque.
Guerin in particular will try to extend his mid-season comeback aboard the EFC Group BMW, having turned around his year in a big way with consecutive victories after a disastrous round one.
The Quebec City native is especially confident in tricky weather conditions, something that could crucially go his way with heavy rain forecast for Sunday’s doubleheader.
As for Szoke, the 14-time champion is still chasing a dream 79th career victory after four years away from the top step of the podium, though he’s looked closer than ever this season after leading at multiple points across rounds one and two.
The Canadian Kawasaki Motors star will also have a bit of added confidence after his strong showing at the recent Loudon Classic, with Szoke still firmly in the mix for not just an emotional victory but also a record-extending 15th Canada Cup in 2025.
Outside of the “big four,” the rest of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class will be relatively wide open as well at RAD Torque, with a few familiar names set to battle an array of local talent in Alberta.
Leading that group will be David MacKay, who continues to knock on the door of a breakout result after running right in the mix of the lead group in both races at AMP.
The ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider has yet to claim a first career Superbike podium but has finished lower than sixth just twice in his 16 races aboard the CBR1000RR-R, making him a sure bet to run at least in the top-five range as he did at RAD Torque last season, finishing sixth and then crashing out of fifth in race two.
Should Collins sit out the Superbike weekend as expected, the home favourite will become his close friend and fellow Calgary native Phil DeGama-Blanchet, who has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars of the CSBK paddock.
The 17-year-old phenom sits fifth in the championship with three top-five finishes in four races aboard his Mots Machining Honda, and a maiden podium of his own may not be far off with the home crowd behind him in Edmonton.
Another rider looking to build on his own career-best result will be Connor Campbell, having overcome a mechanical issue in race one to take an excellent sixth in race two at AMP.
The B&T MacFarlane Kawasaki rider has seen a pair of technical problems spoil an impressive start to his sophomore year, finishing seventh in the season opener before consecutive DNF’s, but better fortune will be all Campbell needs to continue his form out west.
One local favourite set to make his 2025 debut will be Brian Worsdall, this time piloting a privateer BMW after a strong showing at his home round for Honda last season.
The Edmonton native finished seventh and eighth in his first career Pro Superbike weekend last year, matching a competitive midfield of CSBK regulars, and there’s no signs of him slowing down on his new machine after opening the EMRA regional season with a victory last month.
The feature class will open the weekend with qualifying on Friday at RAD Torque, just a half-hour south of Edmonton, before race one on Saturday and a doubleheader on Sunday.
Why has Ducati reverted its factory MotoGP riders to mostly 2024-spec bikes and what are the Bologna brand’s rivals doing to try and close the gap? Mat Oxley tells why (and what) in the June 2025 print issue of Roadracing World.
Ducati Lenovo factory-team riders Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, (plus VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio) went into pre-season testing with all-new GP25 racebikes but soon reverted to 2024 engine specs, chassis and aero, so their current bikes are almost, but not quite, the same as the GP24s raced by Gresini riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer and Di Giannantonio’s VR46 teammate Franky Morbidelli.
While Marc Marquez’s magic talent has seen him top the podium regularly, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio have had some torrid weekends. Bagnaia complains of poor feedback from the front end when he enters corners, so he can’t feel the limit. He’s tried everything with set-up, so now he’s trying to adapt his riding technique.
“I feel mad that my greatest point—braking and entry—is no longer good with this bike,” says 2022-2023 World Champion Bagnaia. “Marc is very good at riding everything, but I can’t do it, I need to have a good feeling with the front.” At recent races it’s become apparent that the GP24 is a better motorcycle than the GP25, or the GP24.5 or GP24.9, which its riders sometimes call it. Alex Marquez adores the GP24, as does his rookie teammate Aldeguer. Which begs the question: Why doesn’t Bagnaia revert to his actual 2024 Desmosedici, with which he won 11 Grand Prix races last year?
From”MotoGP Analysis: Ducati Still On Top,” by Mat Oxley
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati) continued his domination aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R during round four of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, scoring a double victory at Ridge Motorsports Park.
With his sweep at Road America four weeks ago, the 34-year-old Glendale, Calif., native now has four straight wins, a career first for Herrin. He also took the overall point lead after four of nine rounds.
During qualifying Friday at the 2.47-mile track, Herrin secured a front-row start after laying down a 1:40.081—just 0.084 of a second behind pole-sitter Jake Gagne and 0.094 ahead of Hayden Gillim. That tight margin set the tone for what would become one of the most thrilling weekends of the season.
Saturday’s Race 1 was a showcase of determination and strategy as Herrin battled closely with five-time champion Cameron Beaubier and Gagne in the early stages. By mid-race, Herrin had created a 1.5-second gap over Beaubier, but he clawed back the lead on lap 12 of 16. Unfazed, Herrin regrouped and retook the lead on lap 15, holding off Beaubier in a tense final lap to win by just 0.194 seconds. The victory marked Herrin’s third-straight Superbike win and put him into the championship lead by three points.
Sunday’s Race 2 saw Herrin in complete control. After taking the holeshot from the front row, he led every lap of the 16-lap race and crossed the line 5.197 seconds ahead of second place. The result marked Herrin’s fourth consecutive win of the season and 20th career MotoAmerica Superbike victory, placing him ninth on the all-time AMA Superbike win list.
With momentum clearly on his side, Herrin is now eight points ahead of Beaubier in what has become one of the tightest Superbike title fights in recent memory.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati – #1)
“It was a weird Saturday. I don’t know what was going on after that win. I lost focus and slowed down too much. I thought I had a good cushion, and over-slowed, and Cam (Beaubier) caught up. It was weird. I was obviously happy for the win, but that race was not anything like today (Sunday).
“The team did a lot of work Saturday night to help me feel more comfortable on the brakes, because Cam obviously was catching me a lot on the brakes. And we got it again. I’m stoked. Four wins in a row is huge. Now I’m going into Laguna with more momentum than I’ve ever had on a Superbike and more confidence than I’ve ever had. I’m happy to go to Laguna and happy to get home and see my kiddos—that’s for sure.”
Round five of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will take place July 11–13 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
More, from a news release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp:
Jake Gagne. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp.
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne wrapped up a solid weekend at Round 4 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, scoring another third-place finish in Race 2 at the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. Bobby Fong overcame challenges to salvage valuable points with an eighth-place finish.
Riders were met with hotter, slicker track conditions for Sunday’s race. Gagne got another good start from pole position, slotting into third. He put in some fast times and stayed on the heels of the rider in second. Around the halfway mark, he began to lose touch with the front group and rode a smart race to bring it home third—his fifth podium of the season. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion leaves The Ridge third in the championship, trailing by 34 points.
Looking to build on his momentum from Saturday’s Race 1, Fong launched from the third row of the grid into the top five, quickly moving into fourth behind his teammate. Unfortunately, he started dropping back down the order and found himself ninth on Lap 11. On the following lap, Fong regained eighth when a rider withdrew and then battled to the end to hold onto the position and score valuable points. The Northern Californian heads into his home round at Laguna Seca, fourth in the championship, 42 points from the leader.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team returns to action in two weeks’ time at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, for Round 5 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, July 11–13.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“It wasn’t the weekend we’re looking for at The Ridge, but it was great to see Jake back up front. Unfortunately, Bobby lost front grip early and had to back off. We’ll come back at Laguna Seca and look to get back on top.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #32
“Another third-place finish this weekend. On the positive side, we made some good progress with the bike and my riding. The track was hot and slick today, but we learned a lot and are ready to go to Laguna Seca in a couple of weeks.”
Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50
“It was a tough weekend for us as a team. I had some good race pace, but unfortunately I had some bad luck in Race 2. I am looking forward to our home round at Laguna Seca.”
More, from a news release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Richie Escalante (#54) powered his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R to fifth and fourth-place finishes at Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Suzuki.
Suzuki Motor USA secured a podium finish and several other strong results despite having more pace than luck on the weekend as the 2025 MotoAmerica season continued at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante continued his strong midseason form at Ridge Motorsports Park, notching up top fives across the board in qualifying and both races. That made it four straight Superbike finishes of fifth or better for the Mexican racer, who finished fifth on Saturday and then fourth on Sunday. Arguably even more encouraging than the actual results was his race pace, as Escalante was within sight of the podium both times out.
“We finished on the podium at Road America, but I was more happy with our lap times and race pace this weekend,” Escalante said. “The track suits my style more, and the crew did a great job preparing the bike. We worked in the right direction all weekend. To get fifth and fourth and be close to the front was very positive. I liked our pace on used tires. I still need to push harder in the first two or three laps and lost a little bit of time to the leaders on Sunday making a pass. I am confident and happy. I’m really looking forward to Laguna Seca.”
Sean Dylan Kelly (#40) showed promising pace on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R, qualifying and finishing sixth on Saturday before a mechanical issue ended his Sunday run early.
Like at Road America, Sean Dylan Kelly was full of speed but lacking good fortune. Kelly qualified and finished one position behind his teammate on Saturday, lining up and finishing sixth on the Vision Wheel M4 ESCSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. SDK hoped to improve on Sunday, and even ran in the top five for a time on Sunday. Unfortunately, he was forced to pull in four laps from the finish due to a mechanical issue.
Kelly said, “It was a much tougher weekend than I was expecting. I was hoping for a more positive one after Road America. We were fighting the bike all weekend but made a change for Sunday. We were P3 in the warm-up and going in the right direction. I felt more competitive in the race, but we had an issue and I had to pit. We will get it all figured out, and we will keep our heads up. I love Laguna Seca and we will try to turn it around there.”
Tyler Scott (#70) displayed race-winning speed on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 at Ridge, bouncing back from two crashes to salvage a pair of sixth-place finishes in Supersport.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s lead Supersport pilot Tyler Scott showcased his trademark blistering lap times aboard the team’s GSX-R750 with another front-row qualifying performance and by challenging up front in both races. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side this weekend either, as he crashed out of a close second with just three laps remaining on Saturday, suffered a high-speed crash in Sunday’s warm-up, and then ran off course in Sunday’s contest. However, the determined Scott managed to pick up his bike on Saturday to carry on to sixth, and then pulled a similar trick on Sunday, racing back up through the field to grab another sixth.
Scott said, “The weekend was rough with the results but, in some ways, it was the best weekend we ever had as far as chassis development. I got hit by another rider in the first session, so that was a wash. We were still having an issue with the bike in the first qualifying, but in the second qualifying we were able to take advantage of the development the crew has done. Race 1 was going well; we were running up front and set the fastest race lap record before I tucked the front at the end of the race. That was my fault.
“In the Sunday warm-up, we had a 120 mile-per-hour crash. The team did a great job even getting a bike under me for the race. They were still working on it right before the start. In the race, we had a couple of issues, but I was able to get a decent result. I can’t wait until Laguna. I have a lot of confidence in the team and the crew chief and am looking forward to using what we learned.”
Max VanDenBrouck (#48) built momentum at Ridge Motorsports Park with an 11th-place Supersport finish on Sunday aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.
Scott’s promising young teammate, Max VanDenBrouck, gained valuable experience throughout the round. Max Van finished 16th in Saturday’s Supersport race after qualifying in that same position, and then applied the lessons learned to improve to 11th on Sunday.
“It wasn’t the best weekend to be honest,” VanDenBrouck said. “I have always struggled at this track, and we never fully gelled here. I qualified 16th, but I was able to move up to 11th to finish Sunday’s race, which was an improvement at least. The pace we are wanting wasn’t there, but we are looking forward to giving it another shot at Laguna Seca.”
Matthew Chapin (#95) raced his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R to a Twins Cup podium finish on Saturday, marking his fourth top-three result of the 2025 season.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin parlayed his second-row grid position into a Twins Cup podium finish on Saturday aboard the squad’s Suzuki GSX-8R race bike. The third-place result was Chapin’s fourth podium result of the ‘25 season. However, the reigning Junior Cup Champion was robbed of a chance to repeat or improve upon it when he got caught up in a multi-rider incident on the opening lap of Sunday’s rematch.
Chapin said, “I did all I could but that’s racing. I’m super happy with how (Saturday’s race) went. I have to give a huge thanks to my whole RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team for all the hard work they’ve put in. We really struggled finding a proper set-up, but we finally found something that allowed us to be consistent.”
The 2025 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship will resume at the fabled WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on July 11-13.
More, from a news release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:
Rahal Ducati Moto wrapped up Race 2 at The Ridge Motorsports Park with another podium finish and valuable championship points in hand, closing out Round 4 of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship under clear skies and steady track conditions.
PJ Jacobsen secured his second P2 finish of the weekend aboard the No. 15 XPEL Ducati, now with a 10 point lead in the championship. After another tight battle at the front, Jacobsen continues to set the tone with consistent, race-winning pace.
Corey Alexander brought home a strong fifth-place finish on the No. 23 Roller Die + Forming Ducati. Balancing two race programs and a weekend of key setup adjustments, Alexander delivered his best results of the season.
Kayla Yaakov was sidelined early in Race 2 due to a technical issue after completing the opening lap. Following a mechanical problem during morning warm-up, the team made a last-minute decision to switch her to a backup bike. Unfortunately, that machine encountered its own technical issue during the race, preventing Yaakov from showcasing the promising pace she demonstrated all weekend aboard the No. 19 XPEL Ducati.
With strong results and clear areas of focus, the team now turns its attention to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the crew’s favorite tracks on the calendar.
PJ JACOBSEN: “Today’s race was a lot better than yesterday’s. The front end of my bike felt great, but we lacked a bit of grip in the race. It felt like a constant yo-yo between [Mathew] Scholtz and I, where I would get close, but it was difficult for me to make a lunge for the win. We are coming home with another 20 points on the board. Last year, I got two wins at Laguna, so I’m looking forward to putting the hammer down there. Thank you to the entire Rahal Ducati Moto team for supporting me, and thank you to the XPEL crew that made the trip out West this weekend.”
COREY ALEXANDER: “Sunday was a positive result for us, finishing in the top five. We made some progress with the bike and I felt good during the race. The pace was really consistent, but the guys in front of me were also right around the same speed. Once the gap opened up, it was really hard to close. I’m super happy to get someone momentum going into Laguna Seca. The Rahal Ducati Moto crew worked really hard all weekend, and so it was a good way to finish it off. I’m thankful for them and the whole Roller Die + Forming crew, as well as all our other sponsors, for sticking with us. We’ll have some better results sooner than later.”
KAYLA YAAKOV: “Today was a bit of a rough one here at the Ridge. We made a big change after morning warm-up to try and fix a lot of our issues that we ran into during Race 1, but my session was cut short. We made a lot of progress, but then found a big problem with the motor. With only an hour before the race, everyone hustled to get our spare bike ready for me to race. I can’t thank any of them enough for working as hard as they did to get me out there. It would have been a bit of a different setup than what we were going for, but I felt pretty confident that I was going to be able to ride through it. Unfortunately, a lap or two into the race, I had another problem with the bike where it completely shut off and ended my race. It was definitely a bummer, because I really felt like this weekend we had a lot of podium potential and just got caught out a little bit. But it’s racing, and the team is doing everything they can to give me the best bike. We’ll regroup for Laguna and hopefully I can get a little bit of redemption there.”
BEN SPIES: “We were able to make the bike better overnight and PJ got closer to Scholtz during Race 2, but couldn’t get the win. Unfortunately, Kayla had a mechanical issue, and we’re upset for her. I believe she could have been third place with the way the race looked today, but that’s how racing goes sometimes. Corey rode really well—he got boxed up a little bit in the beginning of the race, but was able to find good pace at the end. We’re happy to see that. We’re going to try to carry this momentum to Laguna and pull off some wins there.”
More, from a news release issued by Aprilia:
Alessandro Di Mario (1). Photo by Sarah Chappell.
The Aprilia RS 660 proved dominant at the MotoAmerica Twins Cup round at Ridge Motorsports Park, with reigning Twins Cup Champion Alessandro Di Mario leading the charge for Robem Engineering. Di Mario topped every session en route to a pole position, two race wins, and a new lap record. Teammate and Twins Cup rookie Aprilia at the front of the field all weekend long. Di Mario’s rookie teammate Hank Vossberg and former MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion Avery Dreher rounded out the podium on Sunday for an all-Aprilia lockout.
Di Mario was the fastest rider from the start of the weekend, and one of five Aprilia riders who finished Friday morning practice in the top 10. Di Mario’s best lap time of 1:49.310 was 0.615 seconds faster than the next closest competitor. The other Aprilia riders to finish in the top 10 included Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison in fifth, Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher in seventh, R2R Canada/Economy Lube & Tire Racing’s Mavrick Cyr in ninth and Moto-Ace Racing’s Zachary Foster in 10th.
Di Mario greatly increased his pace later Friday in Qualifying 1, as he ended that session on provisional pole with a lap time of 1:46.672 and a gap to the next fastest rider of almost two seconds. Dreher was third-fastest, Cunnison fifth and Cyr eighth.
Saturday morning’s final qualifying session saw Di Mario solidify pole position with a 1:46.108, a new Twins Cup lap record at the time, and secured his third pole position of the season. Other Aprilia riders who qualified in the top 10 included Dreher in third, Vossberg in seventh and Cunnison in eighth.
Race 1 on Saturday was a dominant lights-to-flag victory for Di Mario. He got the holeshot pulled away steadily as he led all 12 laps, crossing the line 12.491 seconds ahead of next finisher. Other Aprilia riders to finish in the top 10 included Vossberg in fourth in his first career Twins Cup race, Cyr in seventh, Cunnison in ninth and Foster in 10th.
Sunday’s Race 2 delivered an even more commanding performance from Di Mario who built a margin of victory of more than 20 seconds, resetting the lap record with a lap time of 1:46.026 on Lap 2. In just his second Twins Cup start, Vossberg moved up from sixth to third by the end of Lap 3 and spent the rest of the race battling Dreher for second place. Vossberg made the move up to second on Lap 7. The two Aprilia riders fought closely to the checkered flag, with Vossberg finishing 0.434 seconds ahead of Dreher, locking out an all-Aprilia RS 660 podium. Four others finished in the top 10. Cyr was fifth, Foster sixth, Aldrich Racing’s Nathan Aldrich was eighth and Team Pro J’s Jose Flores was ninth.
Thanks to his flawless weekend, Di Mario extended his championship lead to 53 points with six races remaining. Dreher sits third in the points standings, followed by Andrew Weyh of Weyh Racing in eighth, Cunnison ninth and Vossberg – despite on 2 race stars – in 10th.
Of the 26 competitors registered to race in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup at Ridge Motorsports Park, 10 were racing Aprilia RS 660s.
The next MotoAmerica Twins Cup round is scheduled for July 11-13 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
Alessandro Di Mario / Robem Engineering:
“I want to thank the team. They put a bike together in like two hours yesterday after my crash, so I am really happy I got them these two wins, so hopefully they’re happy. I also want to congratulate Hank, he’s my teammate. He just turned 15 like a couple weeks ago, and he’s here on the podium. He’s really fast. I just want to congratulate him and thank all my sponsors, Dainese, KYT, Fast Line, Sara [Chappell], Ferracci, Moto Liberty, Dunlop, and everyone that has helped me out, thank you so much.”
Hank Vossberg / Robem Engineering:
“I saw that Avery was like just under a second behind me. I tried to go a little slow, thinking he would pass me, because I knew maybe I could make a move into the waterfall, but he was right on me. But yeah, stayed ahead and was consistent, the tire fell off at the end, had a couple moments, but we kept it good. The whole Robem team made an amazing bike, I can’t give it up to them enough driving all the way out here, 26 hours. It was amazing. Gotta thank Accossato for the brand-new master cylinder and the rear brake. Worked amazing. NGK spark plugs, Millenium Technologies, Dainese for the new suit, fits amazing. HJC Helmets, love this helmet, and everyone else that made this happen.”
Avery Dreher / Bad Boys Racing:
“I gotta give a big shout out to [the team]. I wanted to run my own race. The tires lasted pretty well towards the beginning. I don’t know what happened at the start, I hope everyone is ok. Third bike of the season, it’s kind of hard switching back and forth, so I’m really happy with this, I just wanted to finish a race. Plan was to try and go for a move on Hank [Vossberg] the last lap, but he went pretty defensive, so I honestly just let him have it. I couldn’t pass him in that last sector, so it was pretty tough. I am really stoked with P3 here at The Ridge, yesterday was rough, so it’s a good bounce back.”
More, from a news release issued by Luca Allen Racing News:
Lucca Allen (311). Photo courtesy Lucca Allen Racing.
Lucca Allen was back in the USA this past weekend for the latest round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Supersport series at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington state.
The 2.5-mile circuit is unique and provides a real challenge to riders due to its elevation changes and technical layout.
Lucca, who had tested previously at the venue was confident ahead of the weekend in what was a ‘home’ race for his CW Moto team.
Friday’s practice session started well with Lucca taking a couple of laps to bed himself in. After a short pit stop, he headed back out and began to push. Unfortunately, on an improving lap the #311 crashed heavily at Turn 7. The result, a damaged bike, and a battered and bruised rider.
The team did an excellent job to repair the bike for second qualifying on Saturday morning and Lucca was able to make it onto the grid despite discomfort when riding.
A strong start that saw him gain positions on the opening lap of the first fifteen lap race was positive but as the race progressed it proved too much physically for Lucca who retired.
He did ride in morning warm up on Sunday but after evaluating his condition it was decided that he would not take part in race two.
Understandably disappointed, Lucca and the CW Moto squad turn their attention to their next event at Laguna Seca, California, in a fortnight.
Lucca Allen: “It was a tough weekend at The Ridge. Having a big crash in FP1, five laps in was not ideal and despite giving it my best shot I was just unable to race in race two. I am so sorry to the team, all our sponsors, supporters, and everyone that is helping me personally this year. It was nice to see so many local supporters at the track too. I am looking forward to resetting and starting afresh at Laguna Seca next time out. I want to say a massive thanks to the team for all their hard work and belief in me and to Jayson Uribe who was a massive help.”
More, from a news release issued by Harley-Davidson:
Cory West (1). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Saddlemen Race Development riders Jake Lewis and Cory West each won a race in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Presented By Roland Sands Designs and Powered by Harley-Davidson® double-header weekend at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wash. KWR Harley-Davidson rider James Rispoli placed second in both races as Harley-Davidson racers claimed five of six podium positions aboard race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 ST motorcycles. Harley-Davidson riders continue to dominate the class after a mid-season rules change that raised the minimum weight for Pan America® bikes from 377 pounds to 450 pounds. Lewis leads the series by 24 points over defending series champion West.
Cory West (1) leads Jake Lewis (85) and James Rispoli (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
In an American Flat Track SuperTwins double-header weekend at Lima, Ohio, Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus/Latus Motors rider Briar Bauman raced a Harley-Davidson® XG750R motorcycle to his fourth win of the season on Saturday and leads the AFT premier class championship by 10 points.
Jake Lewis and Cory West Trade Wins in Mission Super Hooligans
The tight 2.47-mile, 16-turn Ridge Motorsports Park road course put a premium on handling and race craft. In the eight-lap race on Saturday, Lewis used an outstanding start from his front-row position to open an immediate lead over West and pole-sitter Andy DiBrino on the Competition Werkes Racing Triumph. Lewis pulled away, opening a 1.5-second lead after two laps, as West and DiBrino waged a fierce battle for second place. On Lap 3, West ran off the track which let DiBrino past. West recovered and rejoined the race in sixth position. KWR Harley-Davidson rider James Rispoli closed in on DiBrino and passed for second place on Lap 7. Lewis led Rispoli at the finish by 1.940 seconds to take his fourth consecutive victory in the class. DiBrino finished third, 1.074 seconds behind Rispoli. West got past KWR Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Schultz and ARCH Racing rider Corey Alexander in the closing laps to finish in fourth place.
“Someone said they were going to show us who’s boss, but when the lights went out I just took off and showed them who’s boss today,” said Lewis following the Saturday race. “It’s nice to put it in the number one spot. Hats off to the Saddlemen team, who worked all winter to make these bikes light. They were down in the dumps [after the rules change], but I told the team I was going to show up and kick some ass this weekend. They can keep trying to slow us down and we’ll keep coming.”
On Sunday, Cory West was determined to regain the momentum that carried him to the 2024 Super Hooligans title. West got a jump on Lewis and Rispoli at the start and led a pack of riders that also included Alexander, DiBrino, and Yamaha racer Dominic Doyle. By the third lap West, Lewis, and Rispoli opened a 1.8-second lead on the field, and the trio of Harley racers battled wheel to wheel, with Lewis attacking West but failing to pass for the lead. West led by 0.310 seconds on Lap 7 when Rispoli got past Lewis to claim second place. The last lap saw a tremendous fight between West and Rispoli, with both riders on the limit. West successfully defended his position at the front and crossed the finish line 0.027 seconds clear of Rispoli. Lewis faded with handling issues and finished third, 2.063 seconds behind West.
“Carrying that number one plate has a lot of pressure behind it,” said West. “I’ve had some rough races the last two rounds and it’s just good to get back to where we need to be. It’s good to lead every lap and win this one just for my confidence. We are not far out of the championship. We just need to keep this going. Now we’ll go to Laguna where I usually go really good. I’ve got an awesome teammate who’s hard to beat, but we got the Harley sweep so we are back where we should be.”
Rispoli posted his best Super Hooligan results of the season at The Ridge, bouncing back after failing to finish the two previous races in Atlanta.
“Me and Westy got pretty close two times out there but we didn’t touch,” said Rispoli. “The old man was wily today. He had my number and got it done. The KWR team has been turning this Pan America motorcycle upside down and I had the pace to win today but didn’t get it done. But deuce-deuce? We’ll take it, baby.”
After six of 10 races in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, Lewis leads the series with 123 points. West moves into second place with 99 points, followed by Travis Wyman with 86 points, Cody Wyman with 80 points and Rispoli with 67 points. The Mission Super Hooligan championship resumes July 11-13 at the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest presented by Law Tigers at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, Calif.
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.
There's a big chunk of metal under the belly pan of Cory West's Saddlemen Race Development Harley-Davidson Pan America. Photo by Michael Gougis.
First Person/Opinion
By Michael Gougis
Alvaro Bautista (19) went from dominating World Superbike in 2023 to losing to his rookie teammate in 2024. The fact that the teammate’s bike didn’t have a big chunk of steel ballast bolted to it may have had something to do with it. Photo courtesy WorldSBK.
What do the teams racing Harley-Davidson Pan America ST racebikes in MotoAmerica’s Super Hooligan class have in common with two-time Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista?
In both cases, someone thinks that they’re racing under their weight category, and as such, each is carrying around an unnecessary lump of heavy metal on their racebikes.
The Harley-Davidson teams showed up at The Ridge Motorsports Park facing new MotoAmerica Hooligan minimum weight requirements that were, in my memory, some of the biggest weight penalties ever imposed in motorcycle road racing. Meanwhile, Bautista took to social media this week to challenge the Superbike regulations that have, in effect, threatened to end his career.
Imposing success penalties (let’s call them what they are) by adding weight to racebikes is a time-honored method of trying to balance the performance of different types of machines racing in the same class. (No one was complaining about Bautista’s weight when the Ducati riders were beating him in his lost years on the Honda Superbike. No one was adding weight to the Pan Americas when they were getting beaten.) In World Superbike, there are different types of Inline-4 racebikes and a V-4; in Hooligan, there are air-cooled bikes and water-cooled Triples and Twins of a variety of displacements.
But there are ways to balance performance that don’t penalize individual riders or discount the efforts of an inventive, creative, hard-working race team. And in each case, let’s just say that the way the weight penalties have been applied could have been done more skillfully.
Tired of Kawasaki’s domination, World Superbike started imposing success-penalty rev-limits, which have since been replaced by fuel flow restrictions. Ducati and BMW both have seen their fuel consumption reduced this season. And, presumably tired of Bautista’s domination of the series, World Superbike now has a “soft” minimum combined rider/machine weight limit. If the bike is at the class weight minimum of 168 kg (370.3 lbs.), then for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) a rider is under the “reference weight” of 80 kg (176.37 lbs), half a kilogram must be added. According to media reports from Europe, Bautista is racing with at least six kilograms (13.2 pounds) bolted to his Aruba.it-Racing factory Panigale V4 R. It may be more than that.
Bautista went from 27 wins before the regulation in 2023 to four wins in 2024. Even taking into account the concessions that allowed BMW to build a special chassis and their hiring the immensely talented Toprak Razgatlioglu, it’s hard to believe that the weight penalty had nothing to do with Bautista’s dramatic drop in results. No one forgets overnight how to race a motorcycle.
With the same thing happening in 2025, Ducati fired Bautista and he is without a ride for 2026. And if you read between the lines, no one wants to hire him, at least partly because whoever does put him on their Superbike in 2026 will be bolting a big chunk of ballast onto the machine as well – regardless of how well their bike is performing. The slowest privateer team could hire Bautista and the team would still have to bolt chunks of metal to their bike, or race a machine that’s far heavier than the class machine weight limit.
It’s a pretty good guess that the “Thanks, but no thanks” responses Bautista’s agent is likely getting from other manufacturers prompted the rider to take to social media with a plea to re-think the rule that is killing his career.
“The truth is, when your physical dimensions become a structural disadvantage—something that says nothing about your ability as a rider—then it stops being a technical issue and becomes a form of discrimination,” Bautista wrote. “I understand that weight is a technical factor in motorcycle performance. I accept that. But when the system fails to take into account natural differences in body types, it ceases to be fair and begins to exclude.
“That is why I’m writing today. Not to portray myself as a victim. Not to create division. I’m writing because I don’t want other riders—now or in the future—to go through what I have gone through in the last couple of years. I don’t want them to feel that their body is an obstacle more difficult than any corner on the track.
“My aim with this message is to start a necessary conversation. To ask that we rethink technical criteria, regulations, and above all, the culture of motorcycling. Riders are not defined by the number on a scale. They are defined by their intelligence on track, their instinct, their courage, and their connection with the bike.”
World Superbike simply went too far in one go with the weight penalties. It would have been far better to introduce them gradually to see what the impact would be. It’s clear that in their attempt to rein in the Panigale V4 R, an incredible racebike, the rule had a disproportionate impact on one rider.
But if 13.2 pounds seems like a lot, ponder the 38-pound boat anchor that the Saddlemen squad had to bolt to their Pan America to race at The Ridge. That’s more than the weight of two regulation bowling balls. The team made sort of a small steel coffin and filled it with molten lead to bring the bike up to the new minimum weight. James Rispoli, who rides a Pan America for the KWR Racing team, said his bike had an additional 25 pounds bolted to it. “Changes? We’re in the stratosphere compared to where we were at (Road) Atlanta,” Rispoli said. “Springs, geometry, valving. The biggest impact is in the turning, the way the bike naturally turns, but it’s in acceleration, braking, everywhere.”
For the Hooligan class, the minimum weight for water-cooled machines 1000cc and below is 365 lbs, 377 lbs. for water-cooled machines over 1000cc and 350 lbs. for all air-cooled twin-cylinder bikes regardless of displacement. (The class only allows electric bikes, and gas-powered Twins and Triples.) Unless you’re riding a Pan America, which had locked out all the podium positions this year prior to The Ridge. That bike, which admittedly no one was racing at the class minimum weight, now must weigh 450 lbs. On paper, that’s a 73 pound change, or approximately the weight of a baby calf or a two-person couch!
David Echert’s Saddlemen team couldn’t get close to the Super Hooligan win at The Ridge two years ago. At their best, Cory West was second in Race Two, but more than six seconds back after seven laps. So Echert and others racing the porky adventure bike put it on a diet. For Saddlemen, that meant a carbon-fiber subframe, exhausts that were made of half-thickness materials, smaller radiator, even the powder coating was stripped from components to reduce their weight. The team got the bike down to about 412 pounds – nowhere near the class minimum weight, but an impressive 130 pounds lighter than the stocker. It was expensive, but it was effective – West won the class Championship last year.
Much of that hard work has been nullified.
“No,” Echert said, when asked if the penalty seemed fair. “It would have been better if they had told us they would do this before we spent all that money to make the bikes lighter.”
Once again, better to have eased into this penalty. Increase the weight incrementally, or over a period of time. Penalizing a team for doing well doesn’t feel right. I am a fan of the sort of unofficial rule in Formula One car racing: A team that develops a technical breakthrough gets to keep it for the rest of the year, and then it’s outlawed. At least that way the team gets to benefit from its hard work and ingenuity. In my opinion, the weight changes should have been delayed until next year. That way, everyone knows what’s coming and can plan, design and build accordingly.
Racing should reward the people who put in the work to run at the front and not penalize them, regardless of results. Take away those hard-earned advantages only after careful and significant thought and reflection. That is all that I’m saying here.
AFT Singles presented by KICKER riders Trevor Brunner (21), Chad Cose (49), Kage Tadman (228), and others racers during heats at the Lima Half-Mile this past weekend. Photo credit: Tim Lester / courtesy American Flat Track.
Don’t blink. If the past two stops were any indication, this year’s AFT Singles presented by KICKER race at the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile will be decided by the smallest of margins when Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, does battle at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois, this Saturday, July 5.
All Aboard the Drane Train.
After his double domination of the Lima Half-Mile, everyone can stop worrying about when Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will finally get his first victory of the 2025 season and shift their concerns to whether or not anyone will be able to stop him now that’s he’s rolling at full steam.
Whatever minor “slump,” Drane might have dealt with to open the season did not knock him off the historic trajectory that has defined the Australian’s early Progressive AFT career. Consider that, in just two-and-a-half seasons, he’s already moved into a tie with former class champions Dallas Daniels and Dalton Gauthier for third all-time in AFT Singles victories at 13.
He’s also now tied with Daniels for third most Half-Mile wins at five.
If the opposition thought it was going to get any easier this weekend, they might want to reconsider. Even without a stop at a Mile in ‘25, Drane already ranks second all-time in career Mile wins – also at five – with one of those coming at DuQuoin in ‘23.
Should he sweep all three Miles this season, he would move into a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman atop the career order.
Daniels, Gauthier, Texter-Bauman… That’s some pretty exclusive company.
It’s The FBI Again
But don’t crown Drane just yet. In fact, he wasn’t even on the podium at DuQuoin a year ago… despite finishing just 0.088 seconds back of the win.
That’s not a typo. In fact, the eight riders who represented first through fourth at the DuQuoin Mile in ‘23 and ‘24 were separated by less than two tenths of a second, combined.
Last year’s victory went to home state Fast Boy from Illinois Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), who beat triple champion Kody Kopp to the stripe at the head of a five-rider pack by 0.001 seconds.
The year before, Saathoff was on the other end of things, losing out to Drane at the front of a six-rider pack by 0.011 seconds.
Past history suggests it’ll be a major upset if anyone walks away with it this weekend, and if the multi-rider pack doesn’t include title rivals Drane and Saathoff.
The potential for several other riders in the mix also creates opportunity for significant movement in the championship chase. For example, should Saathoff repeat and Drane get shuffled back to a close fourth again this year, the margin between the two would get slashed from 16 to just 7.
Flying With Wings
Who else could join that hypothetical mix?
Even accounting for Drane’s recent Mile brilliance, Honda has traditionally been the primary force on the big tracks.
Honda-mounted riders have won more than half (36 of 67) Miles in class history, with an even better record since 2019 (12 of 21). And that’s not a stat propped up due to the overwhelming skills of any one rider; those 12 wins since ‘19 are split up amongst eight different riders.
Along with Saathoff, Honda comes into DuQuoin with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – winner of three career Miles – in its corner.
And don’t forget about Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), who is no doubt out to make amends after his Saturday second at Lima was spoiled by a blown motor on Sunday. Santero now has a podium finish in a Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT. The Mile is the lone holdout, although he finished a solid sixth here a year ago.
You Gotta Wear Shades
Progressive AFT fans should pay close attention to the amateurs taking part in the 2025 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship this week in DuQuoin. Because when we say the week will put a spotlight on the future stars of the sport – we’re talking near future.
Consider the names to previously shine at the amateur nations. Winners of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award going back to just 2018 include Daniels, Brunner, Kopp, Saathoff, Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).
And this year’s crop of pros who were amateurs just one year ago is shaping up to be an all-timer.
Just four races into his career, Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) already boasts two wins and four top fives.
Porter made a remarkable top-five pro debut last weekend and is now set to return to DuQuoin where he was named the recipient of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award one year ago.
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Ryder Reese (No. 244 Mission Foods/Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) finished ninth in his Progressive AFT debut weekend at Lima. That saw him join Tadman, Porter, Skylar Sentell (No. 249 Hoffer Performance/Stauffer Motors KTM 450 SX-F) and Ethan Kitchen (No. 105 Lucky Thumb M/C Yamaha YZ450F) in breaking into the top ten as a rookie already this season.
And while it may not be easy to dice it up with the more experienced riders on a tactically taxing Mile, recall that Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) finished just 0.204 seconds off last year’s DuQuoin Mile win as a rookie.
Speaking of, Kelleher comes in riding high following the best weekend of his sophomore campaign.
It’s Independence Day Weekend. Of Course, We’re Gonna Party
This week-long celebration of motorcycle dirt track racing will also offer plenty of activities away from the track. The Rider Q&A will take place during the Fan Party that leads directly into Opening Ceremonies.
There will also be a multitude of vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, extensive motorcycle parking, and an abundance of good vibes.
That’s the Ticket
General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile are just $35 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult ticket) while Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $45 (all ages). And new for 2025, every ticket includes access to the paddock’s where you can get up close and personal with the planet’s most incredible dirt track riders and machines.
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
How to Watch
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 13, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).
Max Van (48) on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 at The Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Max Van got it all wrong in MotoAmerica Supersport qualifying at The Ridge Motorsports Park but managed to keep it on two wheels. Watch smoke coming off the cocked front wheel in this Video of Max’s Wild Ride, seen below:
Mathew Scholtz at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Rancho Cucamonga – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that multiple new track records have been established at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Tyler Scott at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Supersport:
– Lap Record: 1:42.221 – Achieved by Mathew Scholtz during Qualifying 1
– Race Lap Record: 1:42.308 – Set by Tyler Scott during Race 1
Jake Lewis at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Super Hooligan:
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:44.905 – Recorded by Jake Lewis in Race 1
Alessandro Di Mario at The Ridge. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Twins Cup:
– Lap Record: 1:46.108– Accomplished by Alessandro Di Mario during Qualifying 2 on Sunday
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.026 – Achieved by Alessandro Di Mario during Race 2
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Pro Supersport championship leader Torin Collins (71) will look to add to his lead in his home round next weekend at RAD Torque Raceway. Photo credit Rob O'Brien.
Supersport Preview: Collins headlines western challengers as title fight shifts to Edmonton.
The return to RAD Torque Raceway will come at the perfect time for the Pro Supersport class next weekend, as a talented group of western riders will look to carry their momentum into their home round in the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, July 4-6, presented by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Argyll Motorsports.
The Edmonton venue will offer a first-ever tripleheader in the middleweight class, with two races on Saturday and a race on Sunday serving as the most crucial point of the season ahead of the season finale in CTMP next month.
With it comes a make-or-break trip for championship leader Torin Collins, this time only a short drive away from his hometown in Calgary, and one that the rising superstar will look forward to after his sensational CSBK debut at the circuit last season.
That time it was in the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class where Collins first dazzled the crowd at RAD Torque, finishing second in race one and winning race two to break numerous Superbike records – a trend the 19-year-old has carried with him into his first Supersport campaign north of the border.
Simply put, Collins has looked unbeatable for the better part of 2025, taking two pole positions and winning three-of-four races in dominant fashion aboard his Octagon Energy Services Suzuki (a new title sponsor for his home round), falling short only when he was taken out on lap one in AMP.
It’s hard to see that form slipping at the venue where he did so well in Superbike a year ago, and one that favours his ultra-aggressive riding style. However, it won’t be a straightforward task for Collins either, with no shortage of other “hometown” riders ready to put on a show in Alberta.
Amongst them is his main championship rival in 18-year-old Andrew Van Winkle, who scored the first victory of his Pro Supersport career at RAD Torque last season before adding another one last time out in Nova Scotia.
The Mountainview Motorsports Suzuki rider is still far from his true hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia, but it won’t feel that way to Van Winkle as he carries as much momentum as anyone into round three, having taken 45 of a possible 50 points on the east coast.
The former Pro Twins champion will be at a slight disadvantage again aboard his GSX-R600 compared to the next-gen GSX-R750’s of many of his rivals, but that didn’t stop Van Winkle from winning race two a year ago aboard the same machine.
Andrew Van Winkle (45) will aim for another victory in Edmonton, after taking his first career Pro Supersport win at RAD Torque in 2024. Photo credit Rob O’Brien.
It’s been a much different tale in 2025 for the race one winner from last season, as John Laing enters a “get-right” spot at a much-needed time in what has been a difficult year aboard his new Vass Performance Suzuki.
The nearby Cochrane, Alberta native entered RAD Torque last year with big expectations and delivered with a runaway race one victory, but a third-place finish the next day has been his last taste of champagne since, missing the podium in ten consecutive races.
That’s not to say Laing has been off the pace entirely in that stretch, finishing in the top-five on five occasions, but a season-best finish of sixth won’t be what he hoped for after entering the season as a championship contender.
A return to at least the podium, if not the top step, could be all Laing needs to get his confidence back aboard his new machine, and there’s no better spot for him to do so than at his home circuit where he looked so strong a year ago.
Outside of the local stars, another rider needing a bounce-back weekend will be defending champion Sebastien Tremblay, who trails Collins by 20 points for the S.T. Motosport Suzuki team.
Some of that deficit is through no fault of his own, having been taken out along with Collins in race one at AMP, though Tremblay has also been farther off the pace than expected in 2025, finishing a distant third in each of the other three races.
His finishes of third and fourth at RAD Torque last season won’t scare Collins or Van Winkle either, though Tremblay was notably dealing with a shoulder injury during that weekend.
A dark horse to watch out west will be Elliot Vieira, who was a turn one crash away from a massive points haul in Edmonton last season after finishing second to Laing in race one and initially leading race two.
Vieira has been as consistent as anyone to begin 2025, finishing fourth or fifth in every race to put his GP Bikes Ducati fourth in the standings. Adding a pair of podiums or even a race win in round three would create a massive wrinkle in the championship mix, especially given Vieira’s strong resumé around CTMP.
As for round two star Alex Michel, the former top amateur was a solid but unspectacular eight and seventh in his two races at RAD Torque last season, but the SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki rider has looked far more confident and competitive this year as he tries to build upon his strong performances in AMP.
Expected to be absent from the top of the running order are frontrunners Phil DeGama-Blanchet and Trevor Daley, the former being another local star out of Calgary.
DeGama-Blanchet is rumoured to be focusing on his Superbike campaign after encountering a number of mechanical issues on his Supersport machine in round three, missing both races. The 17-year-old finished fourth and fifth at his home round a year ago, and could be a threat for at least a podium if he can get his Taylor Racing Ducati back on track next weekend.
As for Daley, the OneSpeed Suzuki rider was already expected to miss round three even prior to his injury in Nova Scotia, suffered in a lap one crash in race one before his incredible comeback to finish sixth.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email info@csbk.ca.
Sam Fleming on Toprak’s World Superbike. Note the cups on the axles for the quick change wheels to enable the team to leave the tires in the warmer ovens until the last possible second before the bike goes onto the track, the finned front calipers with dry-break lines, and lots and lots of radiator.
RIDING TOPRAK’S WORLD SUPERBIKE…
Wherein we ride the M 1000 R, the M 1000RR, the M 1000 XR, the Alpha Racing M 1000RR Superstock, the Alpha Racing M 1000 RR Superbike, the World Endurance M 1000 RR, and Toprak’s factory World Superbike M 1000 RR…all on a single exhilarating day.
“We were given relatively unfettered access to the ROKiT World Superbike Team with
reigning World Champion Toprak Razgatlioğlu and his teammate Michael van der Mark as well as the techs, execs, and mechanics for the team. Also in attendance were a dozen BMW Motorrad execs, project managers, software engineers and the like. And, also in attendance were execs and mechanics for Alpha Racing. Alpha Racing has a direct supply of BMW base parts (engines, etc.) from which they build various iterations of M 1000 RRs including their MotoAmerica Stock 1000 bike (which I had previously tested) as well as a Superbike version, which (as this is written) Cameron Beaubier is using to lead the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. So, while reveling in the pageantry of the World Superbike weekend, I was preparing to suit up the following Monday to ride the: M 1000
R, M 1000 XR, M 1000 RR, Alpha Superstock, Alpha Superbike, World Endurance bike, and…and…Toprak’s factory World Superbike.”
“Lebensfreude Motorrad: BMW Motorrad M Racing Experience,” by Sam Q. Fleming
>>>>BE SURE TO CATCH SAM FLEMING’S INTERVIEW OF TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU ON ROADRACINGWORLD.COM. Click here to watch!
Riders having fun at a Precision Track Day event at Roebling Road Raceway in 2024. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, courtesy Precision Track Day.
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during July 2025.
This list includes opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of July in the U.S.A
To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.
7/3 Spicy Track Days, New York Safety Track, Jefferson, NY.
7/4 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, special day dedicated to female riders, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track).
7/5 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/4-5 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, MiniSBK Shannonville Mtrspt. Park, Shannonville, ON, Canada.
Ben Young (1) leads the CSBK Superbike championship into the second half of the season, while Sam Guérin (2) carries the momentum of two victories at the previous round in Nova Scotia, as the series heads west to RAD Torque Raceway near Edmonton this weekend. Photo by Rob O'Brien/CSBK.
The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will continue its cross-country journey this weekend, with the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class heading west for their pivotal third round at RAD Torque Raceway, July 4-6.
The series will return to Edmonton for a second consecutive season, a whopping 4,770 kilometres from the last time we saw the feature class in Nova Scotia, with three races on deck and just two points separating rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas at the top.
It’s hardly a two-horse race, however, with Jordan Szoke just a further nine points back and Sam Guerin only seven points adrift of him following his round two sweep at AMP, meaning a mere 18 points will cover the entire top four at the midway point of the season.
Guerin will carry the momentum into round three after the best showing of his career, besting Young in a pair of last lap battles at arguably Young’s best circuit, though the three-time reigning champion is strong across the entire calendar – including RAD Torque, where he won a crucial race one a year ago.
Young is one of just three former winners at the venue, with Szoke sweeping the inaugural visit in 2015 before home phenom Torin Collins took a maiden victory in race two last season, though Collins is expected to focus on his Supersport campaign this time around.
That leaves a relatively unpredictable weekend ahead for the top four, especially given that Young and Dumas will be returning to the circuit aboard new machines in 2025.
Young has yet to take a debut victory for the Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda squad after leaving BMW this winter, earning his championship lead through his usual consistency with three runner-up finishes in four races thus far.
It’s hard to envision Young’s 22-race podium streak ending in RAD Torque either, even with a rare tripleheader offering plenty of risk and opportunity, though he won’t be eager to “play it safe” with his two-point title lead either as he looks to inflict maximum damage ahead of the season finale in CTMP.
Conversely, Dumas will be looking to do damage control after a career-worst round two in AMP, entering with a 14-point lead and exiting with finishes of fourth and fifth.
The difficult weekend was partially due to a few mechanical issues aboard his new Economy Lube/Fast Company BMW, something the team will hope to have sorted in RAD Torque, especially given Dumas’ strong showing at the circuit in 2024.
It was in Edmonton where Dumas made his season debut last year, ending a brief hiatus to join his current squad aboard a Ducati, picking up strong finishes of third and second despite limited knowledge of the V4 Panigale.
Now piloting the friendlier M1000RR, Dumas will try to return to his winning ways after a dominant opening round, though it likely won’t be a straight fight against his rival Young.
Szoke and Guerin won’t have fond memories of their trip west in 2024, with Szoke taking consecutive fourth-place finishes while Guerin settled for fifth in each race, but both have looked much more competitive in 2025 and will try to keep that rolling at RAD Torque.
Guerin in particular will try to extend his mid-season comeback aboard the EFC Group BMW, having turned around his year in a big way with consecutive victories after a disastrous round one.
The Quebec City native is especially confident in tricky weather conditions, something that could crucially go his way with heavy rain forecast for Sunday’s doubleheader.
As for Szoke, the 14-time champion is still chasing a dream 79th career victory after four years away from the top step of the podium, though he’s looked closer than ever this season after leading at multiple points across rounds one and two.
The Canadian Kawasaki Motors star will also have a bit of added confidence after his strong showing at the recent Loudon Classic, with Szoke still firmly in the mix for not just an emotional victory but also a record-extending 15th Canada Cup in 2025.
Outside of the “big four,” the rest of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class will be relatively wide open as well at RAD Torque, with a few familiar names set to battle an array of local talent in Alberta.
Leading that group will be David MacKay, who continues to knock on the door of a breakout result after running right in the mix of the lead group in both races at AMP.
The ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider has yet to claim a first career Superbike podium but has finished lower than sixth just twice in his 16 races aboard the CBR1000RR-R, making him a sure bet to run at least in the top-five range as he did at RAD Torque last season, finishing sixth and then crashing out of fifth in race two.
Should Collins sit out the Superbike weekend as expected, the home favourite will become his close friend and fellow Calgary native Phil DeGama-Blanchet, who has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars of the CSBK paddock.
The 17-year-old phenom sits fifth in the championship with three top-five finishes in four races aboard his Mots Machining Honda, and a maiden podium of his own may not be far off with the home crowd behind him in Edmonton.
Another rider looking to build on his own career-best result will be Connor Campbell, having overcome a mechanical issue in race one to take an excellent sixth in race two at AMP.
The B&T MacFarlane Kawasaki rider has seen a pair of technical problems spoil an impressive start to his sophomore year, finishing seventh in the season opener before consecutive DNF’s, but better fortune will be all Campbell needs to continue his form out west.
One local favourite set to make his 2025 debut will be Brian Worsdall, this time piloting a privateer BMW after a strong showing at his home round for Honda last season.
The Edmonton native finished seventh and eighth in his first career Pro Superbike weekend last year, matching a competitive midfield of CSBK regulars, and there’s no signs of him slowing down on his new machine after opening the EMRA regional season with a victory last month.
The feature class will open the weekend with qualifying on Friday at RAD Torque, just a half-hour south of Edmonton, before race one on Saturday and a doubleheader on Sunday.
A 2025 factory Desmosedici during this year's Thai GP, with Marc Marquez about to climb aboard. Photo by Mat Oxley.
Why has Ducati reverted its factory MotoGP riders to mostly 2024-spec bikes and what are the Bologna brand’s rivals doing to try and close the gap? Mat Oxley tells why (and what) in the June 2025 print issue of Roadracing World.
Ducati Lenovo factory-team riders Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, (plus VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio) went into pre-season testing with all-new GP25 racebikes but soon reverted to 2024 engine specs, chassis and aero, so their current bikes are almost, but not quite, the same as the GP24s raced by Gresini riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer and Di Giannantonio’s VR46 teammate Franky Morbidelli.
While Marc Marquez’s magic talent has seen him top the podium regularly, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio have had some torrid weekends. Bagnaia complains of poor feedback from the front end when he enters corners, so he can’t feel the limit. He’s tried everything with set-up, so now he’s trying to adapt his riding technique.
“I feel mad that my greatest point—braking and entry—is no longer good with this bike,” says 2022-2023 World Champion Bagnaia. “Marc is very good at riding everything, but I can’t do it, I need to have a good feeling with the front.” At recent races it’s become apparent that the GP24 is a better motorcycle than the GP25, or the GP24.5 or GP24.9, which its riders sometimes call it. Alex Marquez adores the GP24, as does his rookie teammate Aldeguer. Which begs the question: Why doesn’t Bagnaia revert to his actual 2024 Desmosedici, with which he won 11 Grand Prix races last year?
From”MotoGP Analysis: Ducati Still On Top,” by Mat Oxley
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati) continued his domination aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R during round four of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, scoring a double victory at Ridge Motorsports Park.
With his sweep at Road America four weeks ago, the 34-year-old Glendale, Calif., native now has four straight wins, a career first for Herrin. He also took the overall point lead after four of nine rounds.
During qualifying Friday at the 2.47-mile track, Herrin secured a front-row start after laying down a 1:40.081—just 0.084 of a second behind pole-sitter Jake Gagne and 0.094 ahead of Hayden Gillim. That tight margin set the tone for what would become one of the most thrilling weekends of the season.
Saturday’s Race 1 was a showcase of determination and strategy as Herrin battled closely with five-time champion Cameron Beaubier and Gagne in the early stages. By mid-race, Herrin had created a 1.5-second gap over Beaubier, but he clawed back the lead on lap 12 of 16. Unfazed, Herrin regrouped and retook the lead on lap 15, holding off Beaubier in a tense final lap to win by just 0.194 seconds. The victory marked Herrin’s third-straight Superbike win and put him into the championship lead by three points.
Sunday’s Race 2 saw Herrin in complete control. After taking the holeshot from the front row, he led every lap of the 16-lap race and crossed the line 5.197 seconds ahead of second place. The result marked Herrin’s fourth consecutive win of the season and 20th career MotoAmerica Superbike victory, placing him ninth on the all-time AMA Superbike win list.
With momentum clearly on his side, Herrin is now eight points ahead of Beaubier in what has become one of the tightest Superbike title fights in recent memory.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati – #1)
“It was a weird Saturday. I don’t know what was going on after that win. I lost focus and slowed down too much. I thought I had a good cushion, and over-slowed, and Cam (Beaubier) caught up. It was weird. I was obviously happy for the win, but that race was not anything like today (Sunday).
“The team did a lot of work Saturday night to help me feel more comfortable on the brakes, because Cam obviously was catching me a lot on the brakes. And we got it again. I’m stoked. Four wins in a row is huge. Now I’m going into Laguna with more momentum than I’ve ever had on a Superbike and more confidence than I’ve ever had. I’m happy to go to Laguna and happy to get home and see my kiddos—that’s for sure.”
Round five of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will take place July 11–13 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
More, from a news release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp:
Jake Gagne. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp.
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne wrapped up a solid weekend at Round 4 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, scoring another third-place finish in Race 2 at the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. Bobby Fong overcame challenges to salvage valuable points with an eighth-place finish.
Riders were met with hotter, slicker track conditions for Sunday’s race. Gagne got another good start from pole position, slotting into third. He put in some fast times and stayed on the heels of the rider in second. Around the halfway mark, he began to lose touch with the front group and rode a smart race to bring it home third—his fifth podium of the season. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion leaves The Ridge third in the championship, trailing by 34 points.
Looking to build on his momentum from Saturday’s Race 1, Fong launched from the third row of the grid into the top five, quickly moving into fourth behind his teammate. Unfortunately, he started dropping back down the order and found himself ninth on Lap 11. On the following lap, Fong regained eighth when a rider withdrew and then battled to the end to hold onto the position and score valuable points. The Northern Californian heads into his home round at Laguna Seca, fourth in the championship, 42 points from the leader.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team returns to action in two weeks’ time at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, for Round 5 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, July 11–13.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“It wasn’t the weekend we’re looking for at The Ridge, but it was great to see Jake back up front. Unfortunately, Bobby lost front grip early and had to back off. We’ll come back at Laguna Seca and look to get back on top.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #32
“Another third-place finish this weekend. On the positive side, we made some good progress with the bike and my riding. The track was hot and slick today, but we learned a lot and are ready to go to Laguna Seca in a couple of weeks.”
Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50
“It was a tough weekend for us as a team. I had some good race pace, but unfortunately I had some bad luck in Race 2. I am looking forward to our home round at Laguna Seca.”
More, from a news release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Richie Escalante (#54) powered his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R to fifth and fourth-place finishes at Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Suzuki.
Suzuki Motor USA secured a podium finish and several other strong results despite having more pace than luck on the weekend as the 2025 MotoAmerica season continued at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante continued his strong midseason form at Ridge Motorsports Park, notching up top fives across the board in qualifying and both races. That made it four straight Superbike finishes of fifth or better for the Mexican racer, who finished fifth on Saturday and then fourth on Sunday. Arguably even more encouraging than the actual results was his race pace, as Escalante was within sight of the podium both times out.
“We finished on the podium at Road America, but I was more happy with our lap times and race pace this weekend,” Escalante said. “The track suits my style more, and the crew did a great job preparing the bike. We worked in the right direction all weekend. To get fifth and fourth and be close to the front was very positive. I liked our pace on used tires. I still need to push harder in the first two or three laps and lost a little bit of time to the leaders on Sunday making a pass. I am confident and happy. I’m really looking forward to Laguna Seca.”
Sean Dylan Kelly (#40) showed promising pace on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R, qualifying and finishing sixth on Saturday before a mechanical issue ended his Sunday run early.
Like at Road America, Sean Dylan Kelly was full of speed but lacking good fortune. Kelly qualified and finished one position behind his teammate on Saturday, lining up and finishing sixth on the Vision Wheel M4 ESCSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. SDK hoped to improve on Sunday, and even ran in the top five for a time on Sunday. Unfortunately, he was forced to pull in four laps from the finish due to a mechanical issue.
Kelly said, “It was a much tougher weekend than I was expecting. I was hoping for a more positive one after Road America. We were fighting the bike all weekend but made a change for Sunday. We were P3 in the warm-up and going in the right direction. I felt more competitive in the race, but we had an issue and I had to pit. We will get it all figured out, and we will keep our heads up. I love Laguna Seca and we will try to turn it around there.”
Tyler Scott (#70) displayed race-winning speed on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 at Ridge, bouncing back from two crashes to salvage a pair of sixth-place finishes in Supersport.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s lead Supersport pilot Tyler Scott showcased his trademark blistering lap times aboard the team’s GSX-R750 with another front-row qualifying performance and by challenging up front in both races. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side this weekend either, as he crashed out of a close second with just three laps remaining on Saturday, suffered a high-speed crash in Sunday’s warm-up, and then ran off course in Sunday’s contest. However, the determined Scott managed to pick up his bike on Saturday to carry on to sixth, and then pulled a similar trick on Sunday, racing back up through the field to grab another sixth.
Scott said, “The weekend was rough with the results but, in some ways, it was the best weekend we ever had as far as chassis development. I got hit by another rider in the first session, so that was a wash. We were still having an issue with the bike in the first qualifying, but in the second qualifying we were able to take advantage of the development the crew has done. Race 1 was going well; we were running up front and set the fastest race lap record before I tucked the front at the end of the race. That was my fault.
“In the Sunday warm-up, we had a 120 mile-per-hour crash. The team did a great job even getting a bike under me for the race. They were still working on it right before the start. In the race, we had a couple of issues, but I was able to get a decent result. I can’t wait until Laguna. I have a lot of confidence in the team and the crew chief and am looking forward to using what we learned.”
Max VanDenBrouck (#48) built momentum at Ridge Motorsports Park with an 11th-place Supersport finish on Sunday aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.
Scott’s promising young teammate, Max VanDenBrouck, gained valuable experience throughout the round. Max Van finished 16th in Saturday’s Supersport race after qualifying in that same position, and then applied the lessons learned to improve to 11th on Sunday.
“It wasn’t the best weekend to be honest,” VanDenBrouck said. “I have always struggled at this track, and we never fully gelled here. I qualified 16th, but I was able to move up to 11th to finish Sunday’s race, which was an improvement at least. The pace we are wanting wasn’t there, but we are looking forward to giving it another shot at Laguna Seca.”
Matthew Chapin (#95) raced his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R to a Twins Cup podium finish on Saturday, marking his fourth top-three result of the 2025 season.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin parlayed his second-row grid position into a Twins Cup podium finish on Saturday aboard the squad’s Suzuki GSX-8R race bike. The third-place result was Chapin’s fourth podium result of the ‘25 season. However, the reigning Junior Cup Champion was robbed of a chance to repeat or improve upon it when he got caught up in a multi-rider incident on the opening lap of Sunday’s rematch.
Chapin said, “I did all I could but that’s racing. I’m super happy with how (Saturday’s race) went. I have to give a huge thanks to my whole RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team for all the hard work they’ve put in. We really struggled finding a proper set-up, but we finally found something that allowed us to be consistent.”
The 2025 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship will resume at the fabled WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on July 11-13.
More, from a news release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:
Rahal Ducati Moto wrapped up Race 2 at The Ridge Motorsports Park with another podium finish and valuable championship points in hand, closing out Round 4 of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship under clear skies and steady track conditions.
PJ Jacobsen secured his second P2 finish of the weekend aboard the No. 15 XPEL Ducati, now with a 10 point lead in the championship. After another tight battle at the front, Jacobsen continues to set the tone with consistent, race-winning pace.
Corey Alexander brought home a strong fifth-place finish on the No. 23 Roller Die + Forming Ducati. Balancing two race programs and a weekend of key setup adjustments, Alexander delivered his best results of the season.
Kayla Yaakov was sidelined early in Race 2 due to a technical issue after completing the opening lap. Following a mechanical problem during morning warm-up, the team made a last-minute decision to switch her to a backup bike. Unfortunately, that machine encountered its own technical issue during the race, preventing Yaakov from showcasing the promising pace she demonstrated all weekend aboard the No. 19 XPEL Ducati.
With strong results and clear areas of focus, the team now turns its attention to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the crew’s favorite tracks on the calendar.
PJ JACOBSEN: “Today’s race was a lot better than yesterday’s. The front end of my bike felt great, but we lacked a bit of grip in the race. It felt like a constant yo-yo between [Mathew] Scholtz and I, where I would get close, but it was difficult for me to make a lunge for the win. We are coming home with another 20 points on the board. Last year, I got two wins at Laguna, so I’m looking forward to putting the hammer down there. Thank you to the entire Rahal Ducati Moto team for supporting me, and thank you to the XPEL crew that made the trip out West this weekend.”
COREY ALEXANDER: “Sunday was a positive result for us, finishing in the top five. We made some progress with the bike and I felt good during the race. The pace was really consistent, but the guys in front of me were also right around the same speed. Once the gap opened up, it was really hard to close. I’m super happy to get someone momentum going into Laguna Seca. The Rahal Ducati Moto crew worked really hard all weekend, and so it was a good way to finish it off. I’m thankful for them and the whole Roller Die + Forming crew, as well as all our other sponsors, for sticking with us. We’ll have some better results sooner than later.”
KAYLA YAAKOV: “Today was a bit of a rough one here at the Ridge. We made a big change after morning warm-up to try and fix a lot of our issues that we ran into during Race 1, but my session was cut short. We made a lot of progress, but then found a big problem with the motor. With only an hour before the race, everyone hustled to get our spare bike ready for me to race. I can’t thank any of them enough for working as hard as they did to get me out there. It would have been a bit of a different setup than what we were going for, but I felt pretty confident that I was going to be able to ride through it. Unfortunately, a lap or two into the race, I had another problem with the bike where it completely shut off and ended my race. It was definitely a bummer, because I really felt like this weekend we had a lot of podium potential and just got caught out a little bit. But it’s racing, and the team is doing everything they can to give me the best bike. We’ll regroup for Laguna and hopefully I can get a little bit of redemption there.”
BEN SPIES: “We were able to make the bike better overnight and PJ got closer to Scholtz during Race 2, but couldn’t get the win. Unfortunately, Kayla had a mechanical issue, and we’re upset for her. I believe she could have been third place with the way the race looked today, but that’s how racing goes sometimes. Corey rode really well—he got boxed up a little bit in the beginning of the race, but was able to find good pace at the end. We’re happy to see that. We’re going to try to carry this momentum to Laguna and pull off some wins there.”
More, from a news release issued by Aprilia:
Alessandro Di Mario (1). Photo by Sarah Chappell.
The Aprilia RS 660 proved dominant at the MotoAmerica Twins Cup round at Ridge Motorsports Park, with reigning Twins Cup Champion Alessandro Di Mario leading the charge for Robem Engineering. Di Mario topped every session en route to a pole position, two race wins, and a new lap record. Teammate and Twins Cup rookie Aprilia at the front of the field all weekend long. Di Mario’s rookie teammate Hank Vossberg and former MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion Avery Dreher rounded out the podium on Sunday for an all-Aprilia lockout.
Di Mario was the fastest rider from the start of the weekend, and one of five Aprilia riders who finished Friday morning practice in the top 10. Di Mario’s best lap time of 1:49.310 was 0.615 seconds faster than the next closest competitor. The other Aprilia riders to finish in the top 10 included Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison in fifth, Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher in seventh, R2R Canada/Economy Lube & Tire Racing’s Mavrick Cyr in ninth and Moto-Ace Racing’s Zachary Foster in 10th.
Di Mario greatly increased his pace later Friday in Qualifying 1, as he ended that session on provisional pole with a lap time of 1:46.672 and a gap to the next fastest rider of almost two seconds. Dreher was third-fastest, Cunnison fifth and Cyr eighth.
Saturday morning’s final qualifying session saw Di Mario solidify pole position with a 1:46.108, a new Twins Cup lap record at the time, and secured his third pole position of the season. Other Aprilia riders who qualified in the top 10 included Dreher in third, Vossberg in seventh and Cunnison in eighth.
Race 1 on Saturday was a dominant lights-to-flag victory for Di Mario. He got the holeshot pulled away steadily as he led all 12 laps, crossing the line 12.491 seconds ahead of next finisher. Other Aprilia riders to finish in the top 10 included Vossberg in fourth in his first career Twins Cup race, Cyr in seventh, Cunnison in ninth and Foster in 10th.
Sunday’s Race 2 delivered an even more commanding performance from Di Mario who built a margin of victory of more than 20 seconds, resetting the lap record with a lap time of 1:46.026 on Lap 2. In just his second Twins Cup start, Vossberg moved up from sixth to third by the end of Lap 3 and spent the rest of the race battling Dreher for second place. Vossberg made the move up to second on Lap 7. The two Aprilia riders fought closely to the checkered flag, with Vossberg finishing 0.434 seconds ahead of Dreher, locking out an all-Aprilia RS 660 podium. Four others finished in the top 10. Cyr was fifth, Foster sixth, Aldrich Racing’s Nathan Aldrich was eighth and Team Pro J’s Jose Flores was ninth.
Thanks to his flawless weekend, Di Mario extended his championship lead to 53 points with six races remaining. Dreher sits third in the points standings, followed by Andrew Weyh of Weyh Racing in eighth, Cunnison ninth and Vossberg – despite on 2 race stars – in 10th.
Of the 26 competitors registered to race in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup at Ridge Motorsports Park, 10 were racing Aprilia RS 660s.
The next MotoAmerica Twins Cup round is scheduled for July 11-13 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
Alessandro Di Mario / Robem Engineering:
“I want to thank the team. They put a bike together in like two hours yesterday after my crash, so I am really happy I got them these two wins, so hopefully they’re happy. I also want to congratulate Hank, he’s my teammate. He just turned 15 like a couple weeks ago, and he’s here on the podium. He’s really fast. I just want to congratulate him and thank all my sponsors, Dainese, KYT, Fast Line, Sara [Chappell], Ferracci, Moto Liberty, Dunlop, and everyone that has helped me out, thank you so much.”
Hank Vossberg / Robem Engineering:
“I saw that Avery was like just under a second behind me. I tried to go a little slow, thinking he would pass me, because I knew maybe I could make a move into the waterfall, but he was right on me. But yeah, stayed ahead and was consistent, the tire fell off at the end, had a couple moments, but we kept it good. The whole Robem team made an amazing bike, I can’t give it up to them enough driving all the way out here, 26 hours. It was amazing. Gotta thank Accossato for the brand-new master cylinder and the rear brake. Worked amazing. NGK spark plugs, Millenium Technologies, Dainese for the new suit, fits amazing. HJC Helmets, love this helmet, and everyone else that made this happen.”
Avery Dreher / Bad Boys Racing:
“I gotta give a big shout out to [the team]. I wanted to run my own race. The tires lasted pretty well towards the beginning. I don’t know what happened at the start, I hope everyone is ok. Third bike of the season, it’s kind of hard switching back and forth, so I’m really happy with this, I just wanted to finish a race. Plan was to try and go for a move on Hank [Vossberg] the last lap, but he went pretty defensive, so I honestly just let him have it. I couldn’t pass him in that last sector, so it was pretty tough. I am really stoked with P3 here at The Ridge, yesterday was rough, so it’s a good bounce back.”
More, from a news release issued by Luca Allen Racing News:
Lucca Allen (311). Photo courtesy Lucca Allen Racing.
Lucca Allen was back in the USA this past weekend for the latest round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Supersport series at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington state.
The 2.5-mile circuit is unique and provides a real challenge to riders due to its elevation changes and technical layout.
Lucca, who had tested previously at the venue was confident ahead of the weekend in what was a ‘home’ race for his CW Moto team.
Friday’s practice session started well with Lucca taking a couple of laps to bed himself in. After a short pit stop, he headed back out and began to push. Unfortunately, on an improving lap the #311 crashed heavily at Turn 7. The result, a damaged bike, and a battered and bruised rider.
The team did an excellent job to repair the bike for second qualifying on Saturday morning and Lucca was able to make it onto the grid despite discomfort when riding.
A strong start that saw him gain positions on the opening lap of the first fifteen lap race was positive but as the race progressed it proved too much physically for Lucca who retired.
He did ride in morning warm up on Sunday but after evaluating his condition it was decided that he would not take part in race two.
Understandably disappointed, Lucca and the CW Moto squad turn their attention to their next event at Laguna Seca, California, in a fortnight.
Lucca Allen: “It was a tough weekend at The Ridge. Having a big crash in FP1, five laps in was not ideal and despite giving it my best shot I was just unable to race in race two. I am so sorry to the team, all our sponsors, supporters, and everyone that is helping me personally this year. It was nice to see so many local supporters at the track too. I am looking forward to resetting and starting afresh at Laguna Seca next time out. I want to say a massive thanks to the team for all their hard work and belief in me and to Jayson Uribe who was a massive help.”
More, from a news release issued by Harley-Davidson:
Cory West (1). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Saddlemen Race Development riders Jake Lewis and Cory West each won a race in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Presented By Roland Sands Designs and Powered by Harley-Davidson® double-header weekend at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wash. KWR Harley-Davidson rider James Rispoli placed second in both races as Harley-Davidson racers claimed five of six podium positions aboard race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 ST motorcycles. Harley-Davidson riders continue to dominate the class after a mid-season rules change that raised the minimum weight for Pan America® bikes from 377 pounds to 450 pounds. Lewis leads the series by 24 points over defending series champion West.
Cory West (1) leads Jake Lewis (85) and James Rispoli (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
In an American Flat Track SuperTwins double-header weekend at Lima, Ohio, Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus/Latus Motors rider Briar Bauman raced a Harley-Davidson® XG750R motorcycle to his fourth win of the season on Saturday and leads the AFT premier class championship by 10 points.
Jake Lewis and Cory West Trade Wins in Mission Super Hooligans
The tight 2.47-mile, 16-turn Ridge Motorsports Park road course put a premium on handling and race craft. In the eight-lap race on Saturday, Lewis used an outstanding start from his front-row position to open an immediate lead over West and pole-sitter Andy DiBrino on the Competition Werkes Racing Triumph. Lewis pulled away, opening a 1.5-second lead after two laps, as West and DiBrino waged a fierce battle for second place. On Lap 3, West ran off the track which let DiBrino past. West recovered and rejoined the race in sixth position. KWR Harley-Davidson rider James Rispoli closed in on DiBrino and passed for second place on Lap 7. Lewis led Rispoli at the finish by 1.940 seconds to take his fourth consecutive victory in the class. DiBrino finished third, 1.074 seconds behind Rispoli. West got past KWR Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Schultz and ARCH Racing rider Corey Alexander in the closing laps to finish in fourth place.
“Someone said they were going to show us who’s boss, but when the lights went out I just took off and showed them who’s boss today,” said Lewis following the Saturday race. “It’s nice to put it in the number one spot. Hats off to the Saddlemen team, who worked all winter to make these bikes light. They were down in the dumps [after the rules change], but I told the team I was going to show up and kick some ass this weekend. They can keep trying to slow us down and we’ll keep coming.”
On Sunday, Cory West was determined to regain the momentum that carried him to the 2024 Super Hooligans title. West got a jump on Lewis and Rispoli at the start and led a pack of riders that also included Alexander, DiBrino, and Yamaha racer Dominic Doyle. By the third lap West, Lewis, and Rispoli opened a 1.8-second lead on the field, and the trio of Harley racers battled wheel to wheel, with Lewis attacking West but failing to pass for the lead. West led by 0.310 seconds on Lap 7 when Rispoli got past Lewis to claim second place. The last lap saw a tremendous fight between West and Rispoli, with both riders on the limit. West successfully defended his position at the front and crossed the finish line 0.027 seconds clear of Rispoli. Lewis faded with handling issues and finished third, 2.063 seconds behind West.
“Carrying that number one plate has a lot of pressure behind it,” said West. “I’ve had some rough races the last two rounds and it’s just good to get back to where we need to be. It’s good to lead every lap and win this one just for my confidence. We are not far out of the championship. We just need to keep this going. Now we’ll go to Laguna where I usually go really good. I’ve got an awesome teammate who’s hard to beat, but we got the Harley sweep so we are back where we should be.”
Rispoli posted his best Super Hooligan results of the season at The Ridge, bouncing back after failing to finish the two previous races in Atlanta.
“Me and Westy got pretty close two times out there but we didn’t touch,” said Rispoli. “The old man was wily today. He had my number and got it done. The KWR team has been turning this Pan America motorcycle upside down and I had the pace to win today but didn’t get it done. But deuce-deuce? We’ll take it, baby.”
After six of 10 races in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, Lewis leads the series with 123 points. West moves into second place with 99 points, followed by Travis Wyman with 86 points, Cody Wyman with 80 points and Rispoli with 67 points. The Mission Super Hooligan championship resumes July 11-13 at the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest presented by Law Tigers at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, Calif.
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