Round 2 of the 2026 Motorcycle Roadracing Association season brought competitors to Pueblo Motorsports Park on June 7th, where riders faced one of their toughest opponents of the season so far — the weather.

With air temperatures hovering near 100 degrees throughout the day, racers, crews, and machinery were pushed to their limits. The scorching conditions tested rider endurance and concentration while placing additional demands on tires and equipment. Despite the extreme heat, the competition remained fierce as racers battled for valuable championship points in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

After an exciting season opener at High Plains Raceway that saw Mathew Cunha and Juliana Fernandez establish themselves as early championship contenders, the paddock arrived in Pueblo knowing every point would matter in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive 2026 season.

• Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open

Coming off a dominant victory in the season opener at High Plains Raceway, Mathew Cunha #12 arrived at Pueblo Motorsports Park carrying the momentum of an early championship leader. The rider who narrowly missed the 2025 title by just 19 points showed once again that he intends to be a major force in this year’s championship battle.

Cunha started his weekend by securing pole position with an impressive 1:30.396 qualifying lap. Joining him on the front row were Round 1 runner-up Jayden Fernandez #23 with a 1:30.948 and David Lambert #28 with a 1:32.571.

When the lights went out, Cunha wasted no time asserting control of the race, grabbing the holeshot into Turn 1. David Lambert #28 slotted into second position behind the race leader, while Justen Behmer #67 settled into third as the field charged through the opening lap.

By Turn 7, Cunha had already begun opening a gap at the front, immediately demonstrating the pace that earned him pole position. While the race leader focused on building his advantage, the battle for the remaining podium positions quickly began to intensify behind him.

Lambert maintained second place through the early laps, but Behmer remained glued to his rear wheel and steadily increased the pressure. By lap four, Behmer was within striking distance as the pair fought for every inch of racetrack.

Just behind them, Kreece Elliot #97 was quietly mounting his own charge through the field. After finishing third in the season opener following a dramatic last-lap pass, Elliot once again found himself in the thick of the podium battle.

On lap five, Elliot made his move on Behmer to take over third position and immediately set his sights on Lambert ahead. With each lap, Elliot chipped away at the gap, using consistent pace and determination to reel in the rider occupying second place.

By lap ten, Elliot had closed enough ground to challenge Lambert directly. The battle continued into the closing stages of the race before Elliot completed the pass and secured second place, capping off another impressive performance and giving him back-to-back podium finishes to begin the season.

Out front, however, nobody had an answer for Cunha. The championship contender controlled the race from start to finish, extending his lead throughout the contest and claiming his second consecutive Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open victory of the season.

With two rounds completed, Cunha has firmly established himself as the rider to beat in the 2026 championship chase.

• Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open Results

1. Mathew Cunha #12

2. Kreece Elliot #97

3. David Lambert #28

• Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight

After dominating the season opener at High Plains Raceway, Juliana Fernandez #191 arrived at Pueblo Motorsports Park looking to continue her early championship momentum. Despite the extreme temperatures throughout the day, Fernandez showed no signs of slowing down.

Fernandez secured pole position with a blistering 1:35.259 qualifying lap. Joining her on the front row were Sal Rizzo #6 with a 1:36.849 and Phil Takahashi #807 with a 1:37.074.

When the lights went out, chaos erupted heading into Turn 1 as multiple riders battled aggressively for position and the running order shuffled dramatically through the opening corners. Fernandez emerged from the opening lap at the head of the field, while Sal Rizzo #6, Geovanni Cruz #21, Justin Bohling #954, and Nick Weishaar #175 found themselves locked in a fierce battle behind her.

As Fernandez began settling into a rhythm at the front, the fight for the remaining podium positions intensified. Riders traded positions repeatedly through the opening laps, each looking for an advantage in the sweltering conditions. Unfortunately for Cruz and Weishaar, their races would come to an early end after separate crashes, reshaping the battle behind the leader.

With two key challengers eliminated, Rizzo turned his focus toward closing the gap to Fernandez. However, the championship leader had already begun building an advantage and would soon find herself battling through traffic from the faster Open-class machinery circulating ahead.

While Fernandez managed the race from the front, another challenger was emerging from behind. Orkun Krand #9 steadily worked his way forward and began closing the gap to the battle for second place.

As the race entered its latter stages, Rizzo found himself trying to navigate around Robert Brown #41 aboard an Open-class machine while simultaneously defending from the charging Krand. The situation created one of the most exciting battles of the afternoon.

Rizzo eventually forced the issue entering Turn 7, making a decisive block pass on Brown to clear the traffic and maintain his hold on second position. Krand was immediately presented with the same challenge on the following lap. Diving to the inside entering Turn 7, Krand attempted a similar move, but Brown’s Yamaha R1 horsepower advantage allowed him to fight back between Turns 7 and 8.

The battle continued through the next sequence of corners as Brown repeatedly countered Krand’s advances. Refusing to back down, Krand carried impressive corner speed around the outside through Turns 8 and 9 and finally completed the pass, securing third position after one of the most entertaining exchanges of the race.

At the front, however, Fernandez remained untouchable. Despite the intense heat and traffic challenges, she controlled the race from start to finish, earning her second consecutive Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight victory of the season and further strengthening her championship lead.

• Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight Results

1. Juliana Fernandez #191

2. Sal Rizzo #6

3. Orkun Krand #9

• Rider Justice Amateur Open

The Rider Justice Amateur Open featured another commanding performance at the front of the field, but the battle for the remaining podium positions kept fans engaged throughout the race.

Tony Ewan #125 continued the momentum he established with his Round 1 victory by securing pole position with a fast 1:34.321 qualifying lap. Joining him on the front row were Walt Vogl #117 with a 1:39.288 and Dan Parker #314 with a 1:40.296.

When the lights went out, Ewan launched perfectly from pole position and secured the holeshot into Turn 1. From the opening corners it was evident that Ewan had the pace to challenge for another victory, quickly establishing a gap over the field.

As Ewan stretched his advantage at the front, the battle behind him for the remaining podium positions began to take shape. Parker moved into second place during the opening laps and focused on keeping the race leader within striking distance, while Jay Hollman #53 slotted into third position and settled into a consistent rhythm.

Despite the blistering temperatures and demanding track conditions, Parker maintained an impressive pace throughout the race. However, Ewan remained untouchable at the front, steadily increasing his lead and leaving the battle for second and third as the primary focus for spectators.

The running order remained largely unchanged through the first half of the race until Nick Stentiford #851 began mounting a late-race charge. After finishing second in the season opener at High Plains Raceway, Stentiford once again found himself fighting for a podium position as he steadily closed the gap to Hollman.

Lap after lap, Stentiford reeled in the rider ahead and appeared poised to challenge for third place. As the pressure intensified, the battle reached its turning point exiting Turn 9. Pushing hard to make up the final few bike lengths, Stentiford carried slightly too much speed and momentarily ran off the racing surface before safely rejoining the track.

The small mistake proved costly. While Stentiford was able to continue without incident, the excursion created just enough breathing room for Hollman to maintain control of the final podium position through the closing laps.

At the front, Ewan completed a flawless ride, leading from the opening corner to the checkered flag and claiming his second consecutive Rider Justice Amateur Open victory of the season. Parker secured a strong second-place finish, while Hollman successfully held off the late challenge from Stentiford to complete the podium.

• Rider Justice Amateur Open Results

1. Tony Ewan #125

2. Dan Parker #314

3. Jay Hollman #53

• Looking Ahead

Round 2 at Pueblo Motorsports Park tested every rider, crew member, and machine in attendance. With temperatures approaching 100 degrees throughout the day, competitors were forced to dig deep both physically and mentally to overcome one of the most demanding race weekends of the season. Despite the challenging conditions, the racing remained intense from start to finish, delivering memorable battles throughout the field and further shaping the championship picture.

Through the opening two rounds of the 2026 season, several riders have established themselves as the early favorites in their respective classes. Mathew Cunha continued his championship charge with a second consecutive victory in the Fay Myers Race of the Rockies Open, while Juliana Fernandez remained undefeated in the Apex Autoglass Race of the Rockies Middleweight class. Tony Ewan matched their success by earning his second straight Rider Justice Amateur Open victory, setting the stage for an exciting battle as the season progresses.

With two rounds complete, attention now turns to Round 3 as the Motorcycle Roadracing Association returns to Pueblo Motorsports Park on July 12, 2026. The event will mark the halfway point of the 2026 championship season, making every point increasingly va luable as riders continue their pursuit of class championships.

If the opening rounds have proven anything, it is that no lead is safe, no podium position comes easy, and the competition throughout the MRA paddock is stronger than ever. As the championship battles continue to intensify, fans can expect even more thrilling racing when the series returns to Pueblo for Round 3.

For race schedules, championship standings, live timing, racer information, and more details about the Motorcycle Roadracing Association, visit www.mra-racing.org. The MRA’s official website provides event information, race results, standings, and resources for racers, fans, and volunteers alike.