Team Roberts Rider Kensei Matsudaira to Compete in Moto4 Latin Cup in
2026
Team Roberts is proud to announce their MotoAmerica Talent Cup rider
Kensei Matsudaira’s confirmation to also race in the FIM Moto4 Latin Cup
in 2026.
The Moto4 Latin Cup is a new, official step in the MotoGP “Road to
MotoGP” program, evolving from the Latin America Talent Cup in 2026 to
provide young riders (ages 14-19) a clear path to MotoGP on identical
Honda NSF250R bikes ensuring fair competition and offering training,
logistics, and global visibility. It aims to develop talent for the next
step in international competition in series like the Red Bull MotoGP
Rookies Cup and Moto3 Junior World Championship.
Building upon his years of racing experience in North America, Europe
and Asia, it will be Kensei’s first time competing in Latin America
where he hopes to fight for wins and podiums in another new challenge in
his career.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“I’m very excited to be able to join the new Moto4 championship in Latin
America. I’ve never been to this part of the world but have always loved
the culture and especially the enthusiasm for motorsport, and I can’t
wait to race there. I already know some of the riders from racing in
America and Spain and know the level will be high. It’s going to be a
new challenge with completely new circuits and a new environment, but I
have a good amount of experience on these bikes and I’m really looking
forward to fighting at the front with the best riders from Latin
America.”
This also signals a long-awaited return to South America for Team
Roberts where Kenny Roberts himself had spent significant time with his
team in Brazil in the 1980s and 1990s doing testing and development
contributing to the success of world champions like Wayne Rainey and
John Kocinski. The team is excited to bring the Team Roberts name back
to South American venues and fans in 2026.
Arney Wick, Team Roberts Co-Principal:
“We are thrilled at this opportunity for Kensei to represent America,
MotoAmerica, and ultimately himself at this exciting new series in South
America where hopefully another batch of up and coming riders will make
their way into the MotoGP pipeline.”
Kensei Matsudaira is a 4-time MotoAmerica Mini Cup champion, taking the
crowns across all 3 categories (GP 110, GP 160, and GP 190) between
2021-2025 and is also a FIM Mini Cup World Series North America champion
in both 160cc and 190cc categories. He is a MotoAmerica Talent Cup
podium finisher in 2025 and has extensive racing experience in Europe,
having raced at the national level in Spain since 2019. He is a Spanish
Cup Moto5 race winner and vice champion, a podium finisher in ESBK
Moto4, a top 5 finisher in ESBK PreMoto3, and had a best result of P20
last year in the highly competitive European Talent Cup in the FIM
JuniorGP World Championship.
Team Roberts represents generations of racing excellence. Led by team
principal Kenny Roberts, one of the most influential riders in
motorcycle history, our program blends raw talent, relentless ambition,
and a championship mindset that refuses to settle for second. From AMA
dirt tracks to global GP circuits, the Roberts name has become
synonymous with speed, innovation, and riders who race with heart.
Today, Team Roberts carries that flame into MotoAmerica, shaping the
next era of champions, one race weekend at a time.
Team Roberts is currently supported by Fastrack Racing, Slacker, and
Liqui Moly.
New partnership opportunities are always welcome, please contact:
[email protected]
