Former Daytona 200 winner Michael Barnes will race a
MotoCorse Performance-built Ducati Monster 797 for Quarterley Racing in the
2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship beginning this coming weekend at Road Atlanta.

“Chris Boy at MotoCorse Performance called me out of the
blue and asked me if I was interested in doing it,” Barnes exclusively told
Roadracingworld.com today. “At that point, we were waiting for the homologation
of the bike. That came through, and then they built the bike. Then I went
through the extensive licensing process, and it seems that [MotoAmerica] has
accepted me.”

Among his many credentials, long-time journeyman racer
Michael Barnes is a former Formula USA Champion (in multiple classes), the 2012
AMA Pro XR1200 Champion, and the winner of the 2016 Daytona 200. Winning the
Daytona 200 at the age of 47 made Barnes the oldest rider to win the classic
race by a wide margin.

Barnes takes on this new challenge at age 50.

“I went down to Homestead [Homestead-Miami Speedway]
yesterday [March 31] and rode it for the first time,” said Barnes. “I couldn’t tell
you when I was last on a motorcycle, but I got the cobwebs knocked off. Even
though it was a crazy busy trackday I got some good laps in and the lap times
are more than competitive for the class the bike would be in with CCS. I just hope
that we have something competitive enough to run with all of the youngsters.”

For the record: Chris Parrish, the defending MotoAmerica
Twins Cup Champion is 42.