Leopard Racing’s David Almansa topped Moto3 practice at Circuit de Valencia on Friday afternoon. Leopard teammate Adrian Fernandez, Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone, LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP’s Guido Pini, and Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato filled out the top five.
Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller led MotoGP practice at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia on Friday. Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s Ai Ogura, Honda HRC Test Team’s Aleix Espargaro, Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s Raul Fernandez and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Franco Morbidelli completed the top five.
KLINT Forward Factory Team’s Alex Escrig set the pace in Moto2 free practice at Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo on Friday. LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP’s Manuel Gonzalez, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Daniel Muñoz, ITALJET Gresini Moto2’s Sergio Garcia, and Italtrans Racing Team’s Diogo Moreira completed the top five.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe topped the first Moto3 practice at Circuit de Valencia on Friday. LEVELUP-MTA’s Joel Kelso, Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez, CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team’s Maximo Quiles, and Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone completed the top five.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Aprilia Racing heads to the grand finale in Valencia with the complete line-up.
After securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship, Aprilia Racing also celebrated its most successful MotoGP season in history at Portimão, with Marco Bezzecchi’s victory. Now, Aprilia Racing is preparing for the final round of the season at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, with Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín, who will undergo a medical check before returning to the track.
Marco Bezzecchi will be arriving in Valencia after an extraordinary weekend in Portimão where he took pole position, third place in the sprint race, and victory in the long race after total domination from flag to flag. The Italian rider is now aiming to confirm his third place in the riders standings to cap off a season of consistent growth and successes in his first year with Aprilia Racing.
Jorge Martín will travel to Valencia for the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. The Spanish rider, who has been absent since the Japanese GP due to a displaced fracture of his right collarbone sustained during the sprint race, will still need to undergo evaluation by the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Medical Team in order to receive clearance to race. The 2025 season was particularly difficult for the Spaniard due to four injuries: first in the Sepang tests, then during training, followed by an injury in the Qatar race, and lastly in the Motegi sprint race. The goal for the weekend will be to assess his physical condition after more than a month and a half of downtime.
The Ricardo Tormo Circuit, named for the first Valencian to win a world championship title in the 50cc category, is an anticlockwise track characterised by tight corners alternating with short straights where low gears are often used. The track is 4 km long with five righthanders, nine lefthanders, and an 876 metre straight.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I’m really happy to be going to Valencia. It will be important to try to have a good weekend and finish the season in the best possible way. Also, it’s been more than a year since we last raced in Valencia, so it’ll be nice to go back there. We’ll try to do a good job and keep going in this direction.”
Jorge Martin: “I can’t wait to be back with the team. I’m really happy with the way the team is working and I’d like to congratulate Aprilia and Marco on the results they’ve achieved. My goal now is to start preparing in the best possible way for next season; now, it doesn’t make sense to talk about results — the important thing is to put in the laps and gather information. I want to grow together with the team so that we’re ready for 2026.”
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More from a press release issued by Honda HRC Castrol:
Marini and Mir target positive end in final act of 2025.
The 2025 MotoGP World Championship can be summarised as a year of growth and progress for the Honda HRC Castrol team and Honda HRC overall, Luca Marini and Joan Mir ready to round off Honda HRC’s strongest year since 2019.
After 22 rounds, the longest MotoGP World Championship season to date will come to an end. For Honda HRC, it has been a year of positive progress – one victory and three further podiums heading into the penultimate round are a clear sign that the continued development efforts are heading in the correct direction. Valencia offers a chance to tie a final bow on the year, chase the last targets and prepare a base on which to compare 2026 to.
Arriving at Valencia with 133 points, Luca Marini has already managed to amass almost ten times the points he scored throughout 2024, despite missing three rounds through injury this year. A consistent threat for not only the top ten, but frequently the top five, Marini has been able to deliver steady results weekend after weekend and supply Honda HRC’s engineers with ample data and information. Now the Italian enters the last race with top Honda honours firmly in focus, 11 points the difference between himself and Zarco.
Although suffering a double DNF in Portugal, Mir has still taken more than four times the points of his previous season and stepped onto the podium twice. Undeniably fast in all of the recent races, Mir lands in Valencia determined to show his and the Honda RC213V’s full potential. Having missed the race in Valencia in 2023 and the 2024 edition cancelled, this will be Mir’s first time racing the 4.01-kilometre circuit.
Time waits for no one, especially in MotoGP, and the 2026 season will start just a few days after the conclusion of the 27 lap Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.
Luca Marini: “The last race of what has been a very long, but overall really positive year. When you compare what we have done this year to 2024, it is almost night and day. Now we arrive at every race expecting to fight for Q2 and with the possibility of challenging at the front. There is still work to do as a team, as a factory, to improve but I want to thank everyone for their work in 2025. Valencia is a circuit which should suit us more based on what we’ve seen the year, it’s tight and technical. We need to work well this weekend to deliver the best possible result and end the year in the correct way. Then 2026 starts on Tuesday, I’m looking forward to it all!”
Joan Mir: “Our focus this weekend is to take the maximum possible, we clearly have improved our speed, and I know that we can be competitive in Valencia. There’s a lot of work to do because for sure every rider will be pushing to end their year in the best possible way, so I am expecting the competition to be tight. Of course, as one thing ends another begins – 2025 finishes on Sunday but already on Tuesday we begin 2026. It has been a year of progress and restored motivation, we need to carry this through the last weekend and into the future.”
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More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha Ready for the 2025 MotoGP Finale in Valencia.
The Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team is ready to face the final challenge of the 2025 World Championship, with the Valencia GP set to take place this weekend at the circuit named after former rider Ricardo Tormo. This race not only marks the end of the team‘s first season in partnership with Yamaha, but also Miguel Oliveira‘s final appearance in MotoGP, as the Portuguese rider will move to the World Superbike Championship in 2026. Both Oliveira and his teammate Jack Miller will be aiming to score valuable points on a track where they have collectively achieved seven podiums (including four wins) in the past.
MotoGP prepares to stage the grand finale of the season, returning to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit after a two-year absence. Last year, the championship had to move to Barcelona due to the devastating floods that hit the Valencian Community and caused major damage to the circuit. The race will also close the first season of Prima Pramac Yamaha as Yamaha‘s second official team, while marking Miguel Oliveira‘s farewell to MotoGP before taking on his new challenge in WorldSBK. At the Spanish track, Miguel and his teammate Jack Miller will aim to end a mixed season on a high note before attention shifts to Tuesday‘s collective test session, which will open the curtain on the 2026 season.
The Ricardo Tormo Circuit has been particularly kind to Miller, who has stood on the podium four times — including a Moto3 victory in 2014, a second place in MotoGP in 2020, and two third places in 2019 and 2021. He has also started from the front row five times, though two years ago he crashed out while leading. Oliveira, too, has often performed well in Valencia, with three wins to his name — in Moto3 (2015) and Moto2 (2017, 2018).
With 21 race weekends in the back, Miller has 72 points in the standings, placing him 17th overall, while Oliveira is 20th with 38 points. Prima Pramac Yamaha stands 11th in the team standings with 113 points.
Valencia GP schedule:
Friday 10.45 Free Practice 1; 15.00 Practice
Saturday: 10.10 Free Practice 2; 10.50 Qualifying; 15.00 Sprint Race (13 laps – 52,065 km)
Sunday: 9.40 Warm-up; 14.00 Race (27 laps – 108,14)
GINO BORSOI – Team Director, Prima Pramac Yamaha
“The characteristics of Valencia should help us be a bit more competitive. I‘m really curious to see what we can do. The motivation and commitment are always at the highest level, and it would be great to finish on a high note before we start focusing on Tuesday‘s 2026 bike test.”
Jack Miller: “I‘m looking forward to racing in Valencia and wrapping up what has been a very interesting first season with Yamaha. We‘ve had some highs and lows, but I think we‘ve learned a lot. Valencia is a track where I‘ve always done pretty well — I really enjoy racing here, and I‘m curious to see what we can achieve. Hopefully, we can start from a good base right from the beginning and keep improving throughout the weekend.”
Miguel Oliveira: “After all the emotions I experienced during the Portimão weekend, racing in Valencia will feel like a walk in the park. It will definitely be an easier week in terms of pressure and emotions, even though this will officially be my last MotoGP race. I feel good about it, and I hope I can deliver a strong performance and fight for some solid points.”
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More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP To Go All Out in 2025 Season Finale.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are ready to face the competition one last time this 2025 MotoGP season at the upcoming Grand Prix of the Valencian Community, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are delighted to return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo after a one year absence to wrap up the 2025 MotoGP season at this weekend’s showdown, the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community.
Fabio Quartararo showed good race pace during the Portuguese GP and is eager to take on Valencia. The Frenchman holds 9th place in the overall standings and would like nothing better than to delight his fans by equalling or bettering his best result at the Ricardo Tormo track: the second place he scored here in 2019 in the premier class.
Álex Rins is holding 19th place in the overall rankings and is keen to wrap up the final double-header with a top result. The Spaniard is competitive at the Ricardo Tormo and has visited the Valencian rostrum multiple times. He secured third place in 2013 in Moto3, a second place in 2015 in Moto2, second places in 2018 and 2020 (Gran Premio de Europa) in MotoGP as well as a brilliant win in the premier class in 2022.
The 4.0 km Circuit Ricardo Tormo was built in Cheste, Spain, in 1999 and was immediately added to the MotoGP calendar. The Valencian GP was soon known as a must-be-at event, especially when it became the traditional closing round to the MotoGP championship from 2002 onward (except for the 2020 season, due to the global pandemic, and the 2024 season, due to devastating floods). The circuit is often described as quite challenging. Its layout includes nine left corners, five right ones, an 876m longest straight, and it is run anti-clockwise. The stadium-style grandstands seat up to 150,000 spectators and provide them with a perfect view of all parts of the track as the riders go head-to-head one final time this year.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI – Team Director, Monster Energy Yamaha
“First of all, I think I can speak for everyone in the paddock when I say that we are happy to be back at Ricardo Tormo, considering the devastation created by last year’s floods. We’re committed to delivering an unforgettable experience for the Valencian Community now that MotoGP is back, and we also aim to successfully wrap up the 2025 season. Overall, it’s been a demanding year for our team with a lot of work done on track and behind the scenes. The Ricardo Tormo track is not the easiest to get right, and since it’s quite tight, qualifying results could play a big part in how this GP plays out. Either way, we will give it our all in this final GP.”
Fabio Quartararo: “My overall performance in Portugal was not bad: I did enjoy battling in the Sprint and the Race – and also the qualifying was okay – but I do hope that I will be a bit more towards the leading group in Valencia. It’s nice to be back here at Ricardo Tormo. It’s not an easy track, but we will give it our 100%, as always, to end this season in the best way possible before we start working on 2026.”
Alex Rins: “It’s great to be back at this track after everything the community went through with the floods last year. Having MotoGP return makes this weekend feel extra special. We all want to put on the best show possible for the fans here and everyone watching around the world. Personally, I’m hoping to finish the season on a strong note before we kick off 2026 testing on Tuesday.”
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More from a press release issued by Yamaha Factory Racing Team:
Augusto Fernández Ready For 2025 Wild-Card Entry with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team in Valencian 2025 Season Finale.
This weekend Augusto Fernández returns to action once more as a wild-card entry with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team at Round 22 of the 2025 FIM MotoGP World Championship, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste, Spain.
Augusto Fernández and the Yamaha Factory Racing Team are gearing up for the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community weekend as a wild-card entry. They aim to continue the V4-powered prototype engine race-setting data gathering before the 2026 winter testing starts on Tuesday.
Fernández, who is the 2022 Moto2 World Champion and a former premier-class rider (2023-2024), has already joined the full-time Yamaha teams as a wild card rider four times this year – in Aragon, Brno, Misano, and Sepang, testing the V4-powered prototype engine at the latter two occasions. The Spaniard is highly motivated to continue his endeavours this weekend with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team at the track where he scored third place in 2021 and second place in 2022, both in the Moto2 class.
The 4.0 km Circuit Ricardo Tormo was built in Cheste, Spain, in 1999 and was immediately added to the MotoGP calendar. The Valencian GP was soon known as a must-be-at event, especially when it became the traditional closing round to the MotoGP championship from 2002 onward (except for the 2020 season, due to the global pandemic, and the 2024 season, due to devastating floods). The circuit is often described as quite challenging. Its layout includes nine left corners, five right ones, an 876m longest straight, and it is run anti-clockwise. The stadium-style grandstands seat up to 150,000 spectators and provide them with a perfect view of all parts of the track as the riders go head-to-head one final time this year.
Augusto Fernandez: “I’m happy to be back racing again, and especially to be back racing in Valencia. I’m looking forward to continue improving the V4-powered prototype and collecting further data. It will be an important weekend to decide the direction to work in during this winter and next year. I can’t wait to get started!”
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More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
And just like that, it’s 21 down and one more to go! The Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad is already settling down in Spain for the grand finale of the 2025 MotoGP™ World Championship, the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. The championship is making its awaited return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo for the first time in two years, after the disastrous floods in the city forced the cancellation of the Valencia Grand Prix in 2024. This week will be highlighted by the return to racing of Maverick Viñales, as he joins back the ranks of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team alongside Enea Bastianini, after sitting out the last three rounds.
After missing out on the last three rounds to fully focus on shoulder recovery, Maverick Viñales is finally ready to get back to racing, as the Spaniard is set to finally reunite with his RC16 and the squad for the last one of the 2025 season. The number 12 will have to undergo a final medical check at the track on Thursday, before being given the green light to jump back on his bike. The last month was fully dedicated to getting back shoulder strength, and Top Gun finally feels ready to face a full race weekend. He will reunite with teammate Enea Bastianini, eager to turn things around in Valencia for the final round, after his unfortunate race in Portimao. Indeed, the Italian suffered a contact in the opening lap last Sunday, which forced him to return to the pit box to change some broken parts. He rejoined the race, and rode with an impressive pace, so he will be willing to end the season on a better note for this final race weekend of the season.
So, one more weekend with us before MotoGP™ enters the winter break, and we bet that you won’t miss the season finale! The action on track will start on Friday morning with FP1 at 10:45 (UTC+1), followed by Practice in the afternoon at 15:00. The final Super Saturday of the season will kick off with FP2 at 10:10, followed shortly by the qualifying sessions from 10:50. Then lights of the last Tissot Sprint will go out at 15:00 for 13 laps. Finally, the last race of the season will be on Sunday, at 14:00 local time, for 27 laps.
Maverick Viñales: “We took the time we needed to fully focus on my shoulder recovery, and I am happy to say that our physical condition has improved so much since the Indonesian Grand Prix. The target was to get strength back, so we dedicated all the last month to that purpose. We spent a lot of time at the Red bull Athlete Performance Center in Austria, and it has really helped me a lot. I am still not at 100% of course, but it is super important to be back with the team in Valencia for the final round. We will be able to measure our progress, and that will give us a clear plan of what is left to do during the winter to be at my 100% for the pre-season test. Anyway, I am super happy to see the team again, I can’t wait to go back racing!!!”
Enea Bastianini: “Valencia is quite a small layout, and somehow, I never really found my way around that track, I have never done a podium there! At the same time, I had never done one in Barcelona, and this year we managed to take our first podium with KTM there, so we will have to see how it goes. We were unlucky in the race in Portimao, but afterwards I was really happy with our race pace when we rejoined. I think that I had potential for a top 5, which is giving us confidence arriving to this final round. We will see how Friday goes as usual, but of course we will try to be competitive from the first day, and hopefully position ourselves in the best way to try finishing the season well! “
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “We are ready for Valencia, the final event of this 22 round-season! We are back at the Ricardo Tormo track for the first time since 2023 following the dramatic flooding of last year, and we are really glad to be back. The city has done an outstanding job as the area has been rebuilt with many new places. We will finally have the full line-up back, as we welcome back Maverick Viñales who has missed the last 3 rounds to recover his shoulder properly. He has worked really hard during this time, he went to the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center in Austria, and he did some private training on different racing bikes. It will finally be time for him to reunite with his KTM, and get a first taste of 2026 during the test next Tuesday. Enea Bastianini is arriving to Valencia with 3 very similar previous race weekends, meaning a slow start and a fast race on Sunday. He does not have a strong reference on this track on the MotoGP machine, so we hope that it will help him build a new KTM base, and start the weekend well. MotoGP fans, be ready for the last dance of 2025!”
Following the unexpected appearance of the 5-cylinder engine concept at EICMA 2025, MV Agusta is proud to share further insights into this engineering masterpiece, whose development is already underway within the R&D department at the brand’s headquarters in Schiranna, Italy.
This all-new 5-cylinder “quadrato” engine platform represents the next step in performance, innovation, and Italian engineering excellence.
Developed to redefine expectations across multiple segments – from Supersport to Naked and Touring – this new platform marks a bold step forward in MV Agusta’s ongoing pursuit of perfection.
With a modular displacement range from 850cc to 1150cc, the platform is capable of delivering over 240 horsepower at more than 16,000 rpm and up to an astonishing 135 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm, all while maintaining exceptional smoothness and compactness.
Weighing under 60 kilograms, this 5-cylinder power unit combines lightness, balance, and advanced electrification, featuring both an electric water pump and electric oil pump to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.
Its architecture offers inherent advantages: thanks to its unique 5-cylinder firing order, the engine achieves outstanding torque delivery and rideability without the need for variable valve timing, ensuring both low-end usability and maximum power output.
A distinctive cranktrain layout, with a 3-cylinder front crankshaft and twin-cylinder rear crankshaft in “U” configuration, delivers remarkable smoothness and reduced vibrations, resulting in unparalleled refinement and dynamic balance.
The outcome is a narrower engine than an inline-four and shorter than a V4, setting a new benchmark for compact, high-performance design.
The debut of the 5-cylinder engine is planned for a highly anticipated model that is currently not in the line-up, which will be unveiled in the coming years.
Sunnyvale, Calif. — November 13, 2025 — Ducati North America and Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law are proud to announce that reigning MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and six-time national titleholder Cameron Beaubier will compete aboard the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 Rin the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
Returning as a two-man team for the first time since 2024, Beaubier will be joined by Benjamin Smith, who made his debut in the MotoAmerica Superbike class in 2023 and competed in Supersport beginning in 2018.
Beaubier’s signing marks a significant milestone for Ducati’s U.S. racing program, bringing together one of America’s most accomplished riders with the latest generation of Ducati’s premier Superbike.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cameron to the team and look forward to the results we will get together,” said Bobby Shek, Team Manager, Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law. “With his talent and experience, combined with the performance of the new V4 R, we’re confident we can fight for another championship from day one.”
Beaubier, who captured the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, now looks ahead to a new chapter aboard the factory-supported Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law Panigale V4 R.
“I’m really excited to join the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law and to race the new Panigale V4 R,” said Beaubier. “I’ve watched what Ducati has accomplished globally in Superbike and MotoGP, and I can’t wait to bring that same performance and passion to the American championship.”
The partnership builds on Ducati’s growing success in MotoAmerica, following multiple race wins and podiums since the marque’s return to the Superbike class. The all-new 2026 Panigale V4 R features advanced electronics, improved chassis dynamics, and engine updates developed directly from Ducati’s MotoGP and WorldSBK race programs.
“Cameron’s record speaks for itself — he’s a proven champion and a true professional who embodies Ducati’s competitive spirit,” said Jason Chinnock, CEO, Ducati North America. “His experience and precision will be key as we compete to secure the Superbike championship for Ducati.”
In January, Beaubier will be joining the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in Portimao on January 28–29 for his initial testing with the Panigale V4 R. Beaubier and Smith will debut the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R at the 2026 MotoAmerica season opener at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta On April 17 through 19.
Shengbo Sun won the 190cc Super Final race and Witold Kupczynski won the 160cc Super Final race at the MotoMini FIM World Series event at the kart track at Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo on Thursday.
American Kensei Matsudaira finished 15th in the first 190cc race and eighth in the second race, and Australian Jake Paige finished 10th after crashing in Race One and 14th after crashing in Race Two. Both riders advanced to the 190cc Super Final on Thursday afternoon. Matsudaira finished 12th and Paige retired.
In the 160cc races on Thursday morning, Jase Dill finished 6th in Race One and Zaal Farhand was credited with 23rd after he was involved in a multi-bike collision. In Race Two, Dill finished sixth and Farhand 15th. Canadian Ethan Reardon, the first rider from his country to make it into the final day of competition, took a pair of 17th-place finishes. All three advanced to the 160cc Super Final race on Thursday afternoon, when Dill finished eighth, Farhand 11th and Reardon 16th.
Overall standings are calculated based on the points earned in the two Thursday morning races and in the double-points Super Final race. In the 190cc class, Sun won with 95 points, Matsudaira finished 13th with 17 points and Paige finished 17th with eight points.
Witold Kupczynski took the 160cc honors with 95 points. Dill was seventh with 36, Farhand 15th with 11, and Reardon did not score points in any of Thursday’s races.
Spanish-based former Albertan Ethan Reardon made history today in Valencia, Spain, becoming the first racer from Canada to qualify for the newly renamed Motul MotoMINI World Championships, taking place in support of the final FIM MotoGP World Championship event of the season this weekend.
Canada has entered a team for the past three seasons in the Ohvale 160 spec division, starting with Champ Michael Galvis and Ben Hardwick in 2023, the 2024 squad of Champ Lincoln Scott and Jager Stockhill and this year’s qualifiers from the Nationals, new number one Stockill and Ethan Reardon. All bikes, spec tires, Giuseppe leathers, KYT helmets, and related items are provided for the contestants to ensure the most-level-possible playing field.
Wednesday’s on track action opened with Free Practice Four (FP4) on a cool but dry surface, Polish racer Jan Babiarz racing for the Czech Republic setting the best time at 43.87 seconds. Reardon set a “hail Mary” 44.9 last lap, about a second from his best time set of the event – so far. In the second warm-up, Malaysia’s Al-Adam Mikail was best at 45.06 seconds, Stockill tenth with a tour at 46.51.
These results moved Stockill into the upcoming Q1 sessions, with the bottom 19 racers in the field out to determine their grid spots for the afternoon’s Q races. Reardon was in better shape, not in his top 12 but also not in the bottom 18, meaning he would advance to a separate Q2 session at lunch time, based on the complicated World rules.
Stockill was tenth in the Q1 session with a tour at 46.12, while Hong Kong’s Cheung Yan Kit set the pace with a 44.86 edort. Even though he was sliding the rear tire more than he would have liked, Stockill was satisfied he was ready for his next race. The Canadian Champ also faced the reality that he was one of the biggest and heaviest competitors on track in the 160 division, with most of the physically larger competitors on the big wheel 190 Ohvales.
Moving on to Q2 for the midfielders, and Reardon was pushing early, setting the seventh best time to earn a transfer directly to Thursday morning’s first race – although it took a little time to confirm his position. Reardon set a strong lap at 44.81, close to pace setter Muhammad Ali (not the legendary boxer!) at 44.58. At just .23 seconds od the ultimate pace, Reardon had lots to be proud of, and the strong Canadian contingent on hand was thrilled.
Stockill would need to place in the top two in his first race to be sure of a race start on Thursday, and an off-track trip in turn five after a shifting issues meant that 13th was the best he could do, turning a fastest lap of 45.75 sec. This meant that Stockill would start his second Q race from 14th on a grid of 22 but require a win to advance.
Stockill pushed hard in race two, and made it up to 12th overall, just ten seconds back of winner Yan Kit. Stockill’s best lap was a 45.51, with the winner setting a solid 44.77 pace.
After the race, Stockill was pleased with his consistency, in his last-ever race on an Ohvale 160 after two solid years in the series – a move to the planned-for-Canada next season 190 category might be in the cards.
Former double National Bridgestone csbk Pro Super Sport Champ “T.V. Tommy” Casas (a Honda 125 and 250 spec racer decades ago), on hand to coach the Canadians, indicated that “Stockill was at a large disadvantage, but kept working and came in from his last race with a big smile after riding consistently at a strong pace – it was just what he needed.”
The Thursday Schedule in Valencia calls for Reardon’s opening 160 race at 9am local time, with Race Two at 10:30am. After lunch, the final 160 Ohvale race will start at 1 pm, with double points awarded compared to the single points only available in the first two races.
The Championship podium Ceremony is slated for 14:35pm.
Leopard Racing’s David Almansa topped Moto3 practice at Circuit de Valencia on Friday afternoon. Leopard teammate Adrian Fernandez, Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone, LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP’s Guido Pini, and Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato filled out the top five.
Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller led MotoGP practice at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia on Friday. Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s Ai Ogura, Honda HRC Test Team’s Aleix Espargaro, Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s Raul Fernandez and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Franco Morbidelli completed the top five.
KLINT Forward Factory Team’s Alex Escrig set the pace in Moto2 free practice at Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo on Friday. LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP’s Manuel Gonzalez, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Daniel Muñoz, ITALJET Gresini Moto2’s Sergio Garcia, and Italtrans Racing Team’s Diogo Moreira completed the top five.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe topped the first Moto3 practice at Circuit de Valencia on Friday. LEVELUP-MTA’s Joel Kelso, Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez, CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team’s Maximo Quiles, and Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone completed the top five.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Aprilia Racing heads to the grand finale in Valencia with the complete line-up.
After securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship, Aprilia Racing also celebrated its most successful MotoGP season in history at Portimão, with Marco Bezzecchi’s victory. Now, Aprilia Racing is preparing for the final round of the season at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, with Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín, who will undergo a medical check before returning to the track.
Marco Bezzecchi will be arriving in Valencia after an extraordinary weekend in Portimão where he took pole position, third place in the sprint race, and victory in the long race after total domination from flag to flag. The Italian rider is now aiming to confirm his third place in the riders standings to cap off a season of consistent growth and successes in his first year with Aprilia Racing.
Jorge Martín will travel to Valencia for the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. The Spanish rider, who has been absent since the Japanese GP due to a displaced fracture of his right collarbone sustained during the sprint race, will still need to undergo evaluation by the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Medical Team in order to receive clearance to race. The 2025 season was particularly difficult for the Spaniard due to four injuries: first in the Sepang tests, then during training, followed by an injury in the Qatar race, and lastly in the Motegi sprint race. The goal for the weekend will be to assess his physical condition after more than a month and a half of downtime.
The Ricardo Tormo Circuit, named for the first Valencian to win a world championship title in the 50cc category, is an anticlockwise track characterised by tight corners alternating with short straights where low gears are often used. The track is 4 km long with five righthanders, nine lefthanders, and an 876 metre straight.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I’m really happy to be going to Valencia. It will be important to try to have a good weekend and finish the season in the best possible way. Also, it’s been more than a year since we last raced in Valencia, so it’ll be nice to go back there. We’ll try to do a good job and keep going in this direction.”
Jorge Martin: “I can’t wait to be back with the team. I’m really happy with the way the team is working and I’d like to congratulate Aprilia and Marco on the results they’ve achieved. My goal now is to start preparing in the best possible way for next season; now, it doesn’t make sense to talk about results — the important thing is to put in the laps and gather information. I want to grow together with the team so that we’re ready for 2026.”
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More from a press release issued by Honda HRC Castrol:
Marini and Mir target positive end in final act of 2025.
The 2025 MotoGP World Championship can be summarised as a year of growth and progress for the Honda HRC Castrol team and Honda HRC overall, Luca Marini and Joan Mir ready to round off Honda HRC’s strongest year since 2019.
After 22 rounds, the longest MotoGP World Championship season to date will come to an end. For Honda HRC, it has been a year of positive progress – one victory and three further podiums heading into the penultimate round are a clear sign that the continued development efforts are heading in the correct direction. Valencia offers a chance to tie a final bow on the year, chase the last targets and prepare a base on which to compare 2026 to.
Arriving at Valencia with 133 points, Luca Marini has already managed to amass almost ten times the points he scored throughout 2024, despite missing three rounds through injury this year. A consistent threat for not only the top ten, but frequently the top five, Marini has been able to deliver steady results weekend after weekend and supply Honda HRC’s engineers with ample data and information. Now the Italian enters the last race with top Honda honours firmly in focus, 11 points the difference between himself and Zarco.
Although suffering a double DNF in Portugal, Mir has still taken more than four times the points of his previous season and stepped onto the podium twice. Undeniably fast in all of the recent races, Mir lands in Valencia determined to show his and the Honda RC213V’s full potential. Having missed the race in Valencia in 2023 and the 2024 edition cancelled, this will be Mir’s first time racing the 4.01-kilometre circuit.
Time waits for no one, especially in MotoGP, and the 2026 season will start just a few days after the conclusion of the 27 lap Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.
Luca Marini: “The last race of what has been a very long, but overall really positive year. When you compare what we have done this year to 2024, it is almost night and day. Now we arrive at every race expecting to fight for Q2 and with the possibility of challenging at the front. There is still work to do as a team, as a factory, to improve but I want to thank everyone for their work in 2025. Valencia is a circuit which should suit us more based on what we’ve seen the year, it’s tight and technical. We need to work well this weekend to deliver the best possible result and end the year in the correct way. Then 2026 starts on Tuesday, I’m looking forward to it all!”
Joan Mir: “Our focus this weekend is to take the maximum possible, we clearly have improved our speed, and I know that we can be competitive in Valencia. There’s a lot of work to do because for sure every rider will be pushing to end their year in the best possible way, so I am expecting the competition to be tight. Of course, as one thing ends another begins – 2025 finishes on Sunday but already on Tuesday we begin 2026. It has been a year of progress and restored motivation, we need to carry this through the last weekend and into the future.”
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More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha Ready for the 2025 MotoGP Finale in Valencia.
The Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team is ready to face the final challenge of the 2025 World Championship, with the Valencia GP set to take place this weekend at the circuit named after former rider Ricardo Tormo. This race not only marks the end of the team‘s first season in partnership with Yamaha, but also Miguel Oliveira‘s final appearance in MotoGP, as the Portuguese rider will move to the World Superbike Championship in 2026. Both Oliveira and his teammate Jack Miller will be aiming to score valuable points on a track where they have collectively achieved seven podiums (including four wins) in the past.
MotoGP prepares to stage the grand finale of the season, returning to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit after a two-year absence. Last year, the championship had to move to Barcelona due to the devastating floods that hit the Valencian Community and caused major damage to the circuit. The race will also close the first season of Prima Pramac Yamaha as Yamaha‘s second official team, while marking Miguel Oliveira‘s farewell to MotoGP before taking on his new challenge in WorldSBK. At the Spanish track, Miguel and his teammate Jack Miller will aim to end a mixed season on a high note before attention shifts to Tuesday‘s collective test session, which will open the curtain on the 2026 season.
The Ricardo Tormo Circuit has been particularly kind to Miller, who has stood on the podium four times — including a Moto3 victory in 2014, a second place in MotoGP in 2020, and two third places in 2019 and 2021. He has also started from the front row five times, though two years ago he crashed out while leading. Oliveira, too, has often performed well in Valencia, with three wins to his name — in Moto3 (2015) and Moto2 (2017, 2018).
With 21 race weekends in the back, Miller has 72 points in the standings, placing him 17th overall, while Oliveira is 20th with 38 points. Prima Pramac Yamaha stands 11th in the team standings with 113 points.
Valencia GP schedule:
Friday 10.45 Free Practice 1; 15.00 Practice
Saturday: 10.10 Free Practice 2; 10.50 Qualifying; 15.00 Sprint Race (13 laps – 52,065 km)
Sunday: 9.40 Warm-up; 14.00 Race (27 laps – 108,14)
GINO BORSOI – Team Director, Prima Pramac Yamaha
“The characteristics of Valencia should help us be a bit more competitive. I‘m really curious to see what we can do. The motivation and commitment are always at the highest level, and it would be great to finish on a high note before we start focusing on Tuesday‘s 2026 bike test.”
Jack Miller: “I‘m looking forward to racing in Valencia and wrapping up what has been a very interesting first season with Yamaha. We‘ve had some highs and lows, but I think we‘ve learned a lot. Valencia is a track where I‘ve always done pretty well — I really enjoy racing here, and I‘m curious to see what we can achieve. Hopefully, we can start from a good base right from the beginning and keep improving throughout the weekend.”
Miguel Oliveira: “After all the emotions I experienced during the Portimão weekend, racing in Valencia will feel like a walk in the park. It will definitely be an easier week in terms of pressure and emotions, even though this will officially be my last MotoGP race. I feel good about it, and I hope I can deliver a strong performance and fight for some solid points.”
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More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP To Go All Out in 2025 Season Finale.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are ready to face the competition one last time this 2025 MotoGP season at the upcoming Grand Prix of the Valencian Community, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are delighted to return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo after a one year absence to wrap up the 2025 MotoGP season at this weekend’s showdown, the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community.
Fabio Quartararo showed good race pace during the Portuguese GP and is eager to take on Valencia. The Frenchman holds 9th place in the overall standings and would like nothing better than to delight his fans by equalling or bettering his best result at the Ricardo Tormo track: the second place he scored here in 2019 in the premier class.
Álex Rins is holding 19th place in the overall rankings and is keen to wrap up the final double-header with a top result. The Spaniard is competitive at the Ricardo Tormo and has visited the Valencian rostrum multiple times. He secured third place in 2013 in Moto3, a second place in 2015 in Moto2, second places in 2018 and 2020 (Gran Premio de Europa) in MotoGP as well as a brilliant win in the premier class in 2022.
The 4.0 km Circuit Ricardo Tormo was built in Cheste, Spain, in 1999 and was immediately added to the MotoGP calendar. The Valencian GP was soon known as a must-be-at event, especially when it became the traditional closing round to the MotoGP championship from 2002 onward (except for the 2020 season, due to the global pandemic, and the 2024 season, due to devastating floods). The circuit is often described as quite challenging. Its layout includes nine left corners, five right ones, an 876m longest straight, and it is run anti-clockwise. The stadium-style grandstands seat up to 150,000 spectators and provide them with a perfect view of all parts of the track as the riders go head-to-head one final time this year.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI – Team Director, Monster Energy Yamaha
“First of all, I think I can speak for everyone in the paddock when I say that we are happy to be back at Ricardo Tormo, considering the devastation created by last year’s floods. We’re committed to delivering an unforgettable experience for the Valencian Community now that MotoGP is back, and we also aim to successfully wrap up the 2025 season. Overall, it’s been a demanding year for our team with a lot of work done on track and behind the scenes. The Ricardo Tormo track is not the easiest to get right, and since it’s quite tight, qualifying results could play a big part in how this GP plays out. Either way, we will give it our all in this final GP.”
Fabio Quartararo: “My overall performance in Portugal was not bad: I did enjoy battling in the Sprint and the Race – and also the qualifying was okay – but I do hope that I will be a bit more towards the leading group in Valencia. It’s nice to be back here at Ricardo Tormo. It’s not an easy track, but we will give it our 100%, as always, to end this season in the best way possible before we start working on 2026.”
Alex Rins: “It’s great to be back at this track after everything the community went through with the floods last year. Having MotoGP return makes this weekend feel extra special. We all want to put on the best show possible for the fans here and everyone watching around the world. Personally, I’m hoping to finish the season on a strong note before we kick off 2026 testing on Tuesday.”
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More from a press release issued by Yamaha Factory Racing Team:
Augusto Fernández Ready For 2025 Wild-Card Entry with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team in Valencian 2025 Season Finale.
This weekend Augusto Fernández returns to action once more as a wild-card entry with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team at Round 22 of the 2025 FIM MotoGP World Championship, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste, Spain.
Augusto Fernández and the Yamaha Factory Racing Team are gearing up for the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community weekend as a wild-card entry. They aim to continue the V4-powered prototype engine race-setting data gathering before the 2026 winter testing starts on Tuesday.
Fernández, who is the 2022 Moto2 World Champion and a former premier-class rider (2023-2024), has already joined the full-time Yamaha teams as a wild card rider four times this year – in Aragon, Brno, Misano, and Sepang, testing the V4-powered prototype engine at the latter two occasions. The Spaniard is highly motivated to continue his endeavours this weekend with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team at the track where he scored third place in 2021 and second place in 2022, both in the Moto2 class.
The 4.0 km Circuit Ricardo Tormo was built in Cheste, Spain, in 1999 and was immediately added to the MotoGP calendar. The Valencian GP was soon known as a must-be-at event, especially when it became the traditional closing round to the MotoGP championship from 2002 onward (except for the 2020 season, due to the global pandemic, and the 2024 season, due to devastating floods). The circuit is often described as quite challenging. Its layout includes nine left corners, five right ones, an 876m longest straight, and it is run anti-clockwise. The stadium-style grandstands seat up to 150,000 spectators and provide them with a perfect view of all parts of the track as the riders go head-to-head one final time this year.
Augusto Fernandez: “I’m happy to be back racing again, and especially to be back racing in Valencia. I’m looking forward to continue improving the V4-powered prototype and collecting further data. It will be an important weekend to decide the direction to work in during this winter and next year. I can’t wait to get started!”
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More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
And just like that, it’s 21 down and one more to go! The Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad is already settling down in Spain for the grand finale of the 2025 MotoGP™ World Championship, the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. The championship is making its awaited return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo for the first time in two years, after the disastrous floods in the city forced the cancellation of the Valencia Grand Prix in 2024. This week will be highlighted by the return to racing of Maverick Viñales, as he joins back the ranks of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team alongside Enea Bastianini, after sitting out the last three rounds.
After missing out on the last three rounds to fully focus on shoulder recovery, Maverick Viñales is finally ready to get back to racing, as the Spaniard is set to finally reunite with his RC16 and the squad for the last one of the 2025 season. The number 12 will have to undergo a final medical check at the track on Thursday, before being given the green light to jump back on his bike. The last month was fully dedicated to getting back shoulder strength, and Top Gun finally feels ready to face a full race weekend. He will reunite with teammate Enea Bastianini, eager to turn things around in Valencia for the final round, after his unfortunate race in Portimao. Indeed, the Italian suffered a contact in the opening lap last Sunday, which forced him to return to the pit box to change some broken parts. He rejoined the race, and rode with an impressive pace, so he will be willing to end the season on a better note for this final race weekend of the season.
So, one more weekend with us before MotoGP™ enters the winter break, and we bet that you won’t miss the season finale! The action on track will start on Friday morning with FP1 at 10:45 (UTC+1), followed by Practice in the afternoon at 15:00. The final Super Saturday of the season will kick off with FP2 at 10:10, followed shortly by the qualifying sessions from 10:50. Then lights of the last Tissot Sprint will go out at 15:00 for 13 laps. Finally, the last race of the season will be on Sunday, at 14:00 local time, for 27 laps.
Maverick Viñales: “We took the time we needed to fully focus on my shoulder recovery, and I am happy to say that our physical condition has improved so much since the Indonesian Grand Prix. The target was to get strength back, so we dedicated all the last month to that purpose. We spent a lot of time at the Red bull Athlete Performance Center in Austria, and it has really helped me a lot. I am still not at 100% of course, but it is super important to be back with the team in Valencia for the final round. We will be able to measure our progress, and that will give us a clear plan of what is left to do during the winter to be at my 100% for the pre-season test. Anyway, I am super happy to see the team again, I can’t wait to go back racing!!!”
Enea Bastianini: “Valencia is quite a small layout, and somehow, I never really found my way around that track, I have never done a podium there! At the same time, I had never done one in Barcelona, and this year we managed to take our first podium with KTM there, so we will have to see how it goes. We were unlucky in the race in Portimao, but afterwards I was really happy with our race pace when we rejoined. I think that I had potential for a top 5, which is giving us confidence arriving to this final round. We will see how Friday goes as usual, but of course we will try to be competitive from the first day, and hopefully position ourselves in the best way to try finishing the season well! “
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “We are ready for Valencia, the final event of this 22 round-season! We are back at the Ricardo Tormo track for the first time since 2023 following the dramatic flooding of last year, and we are really glad to be back. The city has done an outstanding job as the area has been rebuilt with many new places. We will finally have the full line-up back, as we welcome back Maverick Viñales who has missed the last 3 rounds to recover his shoulder properly. He has worked really hard during this time, he went to the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center in Austria, and he did some private training on different racing bikes. It will finally be time for him to reunite with his KTM, and get a first taste of 2026 during the test next Tuesday. Enea Bastianini is arriving to Valencia with 3 very similar previous race weekends, meaning a slow start and a fast race on Sunday. He does not have a strong reference on this track on the MotoGP machine, so we hope that it will help him build a new KTM base, and start the weekend well. MotoGP fans, be ready for the last dance of 2025!”
Following the unexpected appearance of the 5-cylinder engine concept at EICMA 2025, MV Agusta is proud to share further insights into this engineering masterpiece, whose development is already underway within the R&D department at the brand’s headquarters in Schiranna, Italy.
This all-new 5-cylinder “quadrato” engine platform represents the next step in performance, innovation, and Italian engineering excellence.
Developed to redefine expectations across multiple segments – from Supersport to Naked and Touring – this new platform marks a bold step forward in MV Agusta’s ongoing pursuit of perfection.
With a modular displacement range from 850cc to 1150cc, the platform is capable of delivering over 240 horsepower at more than 16,000 rpm and up to an astonishing 135 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm, all while maintaining exceptional smoothness and compactness.
Weighing under 60 kilograms, this 5-cylinder power unit combines lightness, balance, and advanced electrification, featuring both an electric water pump and electric oil pump to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.
Its architecture offers inherent advantages: thanks to its unique 5-cylinder firing order, the engine achieves outstanding torque delivery and rideability without the need for variable valve timing, ensuring both low-end usability and maximum power output.
A distinctive cranktrain layout, with a 3-cylinder front crankshaft and twin-cylinder rear crankshaft in “U” configuration, delivers remarkable smoothness and reduced vibrations, resulting in unparalleled refinement and dynamic balance.
The outcome is a narrower engine than an inline-four and shorter than a V4, setting a new benchmark for compact, high-performance design.
The debut of the 5-cylinder engine is planned for a highly anticipated model that is currently not in the line-up, which will be unveiled in the coming years.
Sunnyvale, Calif. — November 13, 2025 — Ducati North America and Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law are proud to announce that reigning MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and six-time national titleholder Cameron Beaubier will compete aboard the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 Rin the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
Returning as a two-man team for the first time since 2024, Beaubier will be joined by Benjamin Smith, who made his debut in the MotoAmerica Superbike class in 2023 and competed in Supersport beginning in 2018.
Beaubier’s signing marks a significant milestone for Ducati’s U.S. racing program, bringing together one of America’s most accomplished riders with the latest generation of Ducati’s premier Superbike.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cameron to the team and look forward to the results we will get together,” said Bobby Shek, Team Manager, Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law. “With his talent and experience, combined with the performance of the new V4 R, we’re confident we can fight for another championship from day one.”
Beaubier, who captured the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, now looks ahead to a new chapter aboard the factory-supported Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law Panigale V4 R.
“I’m really excited to join the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law and to race the new Panigale V4 R,” said Beaubier. “I’ve watched what Ducati has accomplished globally in Superbike and MotoGP, and I can’t wait to bring that same performance and passion to the American championship.”
The partnership builds on Ducati’s growing success in MotoAmerica, following multiple race wins and podiums since the marque’s return to the Superbike class. The all-new 2026 Panigale V4 R features advanced electronics, improved chassis dynamics, and engine updates developed directly from Ducati’s MotoGP and WorldSBK race programs.
“Cameron’s record speaks for itself — he’s a proven champion and a true professional who embodies Ducati’s competitive spirit,” said Jason Chinnock, CEO, Ducati North America. “His experience and precision will be key as we compete to secure the Superbike championship for Ducati.”
In January, Beaubier will be joining the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in Portimao on January 28–29 for his initial testing with the Panigale V4 R. Beaubier and Smith will debut the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R at the 2026 MotoAmerica season opener at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta On April 17 through 19.
Shengbo Sun won the 190cc Super Final race and Witold Kupczynski won the 160cc Super Final race at the MotoMini FIM World Series event at the kart track at Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo on Thursday.
American Kensei Matsudaira finished 15th in the first 190cc race and eighth in the second race, and Australian Jake Paige finished 10th after crashing in Race One and 14th after crashing in Race Two. Both riders advanced to the 190cc Super Final on Thursday afternoon. Matsudaira finished 12th and Paige retired.
In the 160cc races on Thursday morning, Jase Dill finished 6th in Race One and Zaal Farhand was credited with 23rd after he was involved in a multi-bike collision. In Race Two, Dill finished sixth and Farhand 15th. Canadian Ethan Reardon, the first rider from his country to make it into the final day of competition, took a pair of 17th-place finishes. All three advanced to the 160cc Super Final race on Thursday afternoon, when Dill finished eighth, Farhand 11th and Reardon 16th.
Overall standings are calculated based on the points earned in the two Thursday morning races and in the double-points Super Final race. In the 190cc class, Sun won with 95 points, Matsudaira finished 13th with 17 points and Paige finished 17th with eight points.
Witold Kupczynski took the 160cc honors with 95 points. Dill was seventh with 36, Farhand 15th with 11, and Reardon did not score points in any of Thursday’s races.
Spanish-based former Albertan Ethan Reardon made history today in Valencia, Spain, becoming the first racer from Canada to qualify for the newly renamed Motul MotoMINI World Championships, taking place in support of the final FIM MotoGP World Championship event of the season this weekend.
Canada has entered a team for the past three seasons in the Ohvale 160 spec division, starting with Champ Michael Galvis and Ben Hardwick in 2023, the 2024 squad of Champ Lincoln Scott and Jager Stockhill and this year’s qualifiers from the Nationals, new number one Stockill and Ethan Reardon. All bikes, spec tires, Giuseppe leathers, KYT helmets, and related items are provided for the contestants to ensure the most-level-possible playing field.
Wednesday’s on track action opened with Free Practice Four (FP4) on a cool but dry surface, Polish racer Jan Babiarz racing for the Czech Republic setting the best time at 43.87 seconds. Reardon set a “hail Mary” 44.9 last lap, about a second from his best time set of the event – so far. In the second warm-up, Malaysia’s Al-Adam Mikail was best at 45.06 seconds, Stockill tenth with a tour at 46.51.
These results moved Stockill into the upcoming Q1 sessions, with the bottom 19 racers in the field out to determine their grid spots for the afternoon’s Q races. Reardon was in better shape, not in his top 12 but also not in the bottom 18, meaning he would advance to a separate Q2 session at lunch time, based on the complicated World rules.
Stockill was tenth in the Q1 session with a tour at 46.12, while Hong Kong’s Cheung Yan Kit set the pace with a 44.86 edort. Even though he was sliding the rear tire more than he would have liked, Stockill was satisfied he was ready for his next race. The Canadian Champ also faced the reality that he was one of the biggest and heaviest competitors on track in the 160 division, with most of the physically larger competitors on the big wheel 190 Ohvales.
Moving on to Q2 for the midfielders, and Reardon was pushing early, setting the seventh best time to earn a transfer directly to Thursday morning’s first race – although it took a little time to confirm his position. Reardon set a strong lap at 44.81, close to pace setter Muhammad Ali (not the legendary boxer!) at 44.58. At just .23 seconds od the ultimate pace, Reardon had lots to be proud of, and the strong Canadian contingent on hand was thrilled.
Stockill would need to place in the top two in his first race to be sure of a race start on Thursday, and an off-track trip in turn five after a shifting issues meant that 13th was the best he could do, turning a fastest lap of 45.75 sec. This meant that Stockill would start his second Q race from 14th on a grid of 22 but require a win to advance.
Stockill pushed hard in race two, and made it up to 12th overall, just ten seconds back of winner Yan Kit. Stockill’s best lap was a 45.51, with the winner setting a solid 44.77 pace.
After the race, Stockill was pleased with his consistency, in his last-ever race on an Ohvale 160 after two solid years in the series – a move to the planned-for-Canada next season 190 category might be in the cards.
Former double National Bridgestone csbk Pro Super Sport Champ “T.V. Tommy” Casas (a Honda 125 and 250 spec racer decades ago), on hand to coach the Canadians, indicated that “Stockill was at a large disadvantage, but kept working and came in from his last race with a big smile after riding consistently at a strong pace – it was just what he needed.”
The Thursday Schedule in Valencia calls for Reardon’s opening 160 race at 9am local time, with Race Two at 10:30am. After lunch, the final 160 Ohvale race will start at 1 pm, with double points awarded compared to the single points only available in the first two races.
The Championship podium Ceremony is slated for 14:35pm.
