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WorldSBK: Bulega Tops Opening Practice At Most

Nicolo Bulega was quickest during FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Autodrom Most, in Czech Republic. Riding his Pirelli-shod Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R on the 2.61-mile (4.21 km) track, the Italian recorded a 1:31.130 to lead the field of 22 riders.

Sam Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:31.388 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati Panigale V4R.

Bulega’s teammate, Iker Lecuona was third-fastest with a 1:31.443. 

American Garrett Gerloff finished the opening session in 9th with a 1:32.010 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR. 

Danilo Petrucci was 12th with a time of 1:32.161 on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR.

 

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More from a press release issued by WorldSBK:

Bulega beats Sam Lowes in red-flagged WorldSBK FP1 at Most, Sofuoglu claims P7 despite crash. The Championship leader was two tenths clear of his teammate in the opening 45-minute session of the weekend, while Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu impressed. 

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) started the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s Czech Round by securing P1 in Free Practice 1 at the Autodrom Most. The #11 set a 1’31.130s to claim first place ahead of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), despite the #14 losing time after a technical issue with his Panigale V4R. Bulega’s teammate, Iker Lecuona, claimed P3 in the red-flagged 45-minute session.

After the red flag, Lecuona looked to challenge his teammate’s pace, but Bulega remained in P1 and set his best time, a 1’31.130s, with his final lap to secure top spot in the first session of the weekend with Lecuona in second. However, in the final 10 minutes, Sam Lowes put in a 1’31.388s to usurp the #7 into second place and lap just 0.258s behind Bulega. The Brit lost valuable track time when he had a technical issue with his machine in the first 10 minutes, but he returned to the track after the red flag. Lecuona’s 1’31.443s meant he claimed P3, three tenths behind his teammate and less than a tenth behind the #14.

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) continued to show his speed with P4 in FP1 with a 1’31.560s, around a tenth behind Lecuona, while Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) was just behind the #5 in fifth. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) claimed top honours for Bimota with P6, although ‘El Bocia’ had been running in the top three throughout the first half of the session.

Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) finished as the lead Yamaha rider in P7, although it was a dramatic end to FP1 for the Turkish rider. The #54 set a 1’31.994s on his penultimate lap of FP1, but his session ended in the gravel on his next lap when he crashed at Turn 6. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was just 0.006s behind Sofuoglu, while Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) completed the top nine with a 1’32.010s. He crashed in the opening stages of FP1 at Turn 1, but the #31 was able to bring his bike back to the pits and returned to track action with 20 minutes remaining. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) completed the top ten with a 1’32.032s.

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) finished FP1 in 11th place after losing around 25 minutes of running and completing only five laps. The #22 had a crash at Turn 20 which brought out the red flags, with the British rider unable to get back out on track after the crash. His best time was a 1’32.057s. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) was another who crashed in FP1, losing the front at Turn 2. Like Gerloff, the #95 took his bike back to the pits and was back in action after the red flag. He finished in 18th place.

 

The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’31.130s

2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.258s

3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.313s

4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.430s

5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.589s

6. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.597s

 

Watch FP2 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED at 15:00 Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 30% off!

WorldSSP: Debise Quickest In Opening Practice At Most

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was quickest during FIM Supersport World Championship Free practice Friday morning at Autodrom Most, in Czech Republic. Riding his Eastroc Evan Bros ZXMOTO 820RR on Pirelli control tires, the Frenchman covered the 2.61-mile (4.21 km) road course in 1:34.389, topping the field of 33 riders.

Can Oncu was the best of the rest with a 1:34.719 on his Pata Ten Kate Yamaha YZF-R9.

Ondrej Vostatek was third with a lap time of 1:34.753 on his Compos Racing Triumph Street Triple 765 RS. 

 

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Moto2: Vietti Tops Opening Practice In Barcelona

Celestino Vietti was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Italian rider covered the 2.89-mile (4.66 km) road course in 1:42.028, topping the field of 27 riders.

Senna Agius was the best of the rest with a 1:42.453 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

Alex Escrig was third-fastest with a 1:42.567 on his KLINT Racing Team Forward. 

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 20th with a 1:43.786 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

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Moto3: Danish Quickest In Opening Practice At Montmelo

Hakim Danish was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his AEON Credit MT Helmets MSI KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Malaysian rider covered the 2.89-mile (4.66 km) road course in 1:47.478, topping the field of 26 riders.

Adrian Fernandez was the best of the rest with a 1:47.679 on his Leopard Racing Honda.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was third with a lap time of 1:47.708.

 

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MotoAmerica: Pietri Racing at Barber with Coatzymoto LatinWe

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, May 14, 2026 – COATZYMOTO LATINWE, backed by internationally acclaimed actress and entrepreneur Sofía Vergara, continues its 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan campaign this weekend with experienced Venezuelan rider Robertino Pietri at the legendary Barber Motorsports Park.

Following a solid season opener in Daytona, where Pietri secured consistent Top 10 finishes in both races, the team arrived at Barber aiming to continue developing the project and further refining the Yamaha XSR900 built alongside Giaccmoto.

Widely regarded as one of North America’s premier road racing facilities, Barber Motorsports Park presents another exciting challenge for Pietri, whose extensive racing background includes Moto2, World Superbike, AMA and FIM CEV competition. Pietri also currently serves as a MotoGP and MotoAmerica TV analyst for ESPN Latin America and as a senior instructor at Yamaha Champions Riding School.

“We continue working on improving the bike. Daytona was a very positive starting point and now we arrive at Barber with a better understanding of the Yamaha XSR900 and a lot of motivation to keep moving forward”, said Pietri. “Barber is a very technical and physically demanding circuit, which plays in our favor. As always, the Mission Super Hooligan category is extremely competitive and full of talent, but we’ll aim to be competitive, achieve a strong result and, above all, have fun.”

COATZYMOTO LATINWE was founded by Luis Balaguer and Fernando Barboza and has established itself over the years as a recognized name within international motorcycle and off-road racing.

The team will compete this weekend in rounds three and four of the 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan Championship at Barber Motorsports Park.

MotoGP: Teams Are Ready for Barcelona

More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:

Everything is ready for Aprilia Racing in Montmeló. 

Aprilia Racing returns to the track on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, fresh from the historic Le Mans weekend that ended with a one-two-three finish by Jorge Martín, Marco Bezzecchi, and Ai Ogura. The weekend will also be followed by the second official tests of the season, scheduled for Monday on the Catalan track.

Marco Bezzecchi is headed to Spain after another highly competitive weekend where he finished on the podium in Le Mans both in the sprint race and in the long race. Jorge Martín, on the other hand, will be tackling his home GP fresh from an extremely high-level performance on the French track where he took victory in the sprint race, as well as in the long race, 588 days after his last win, confirming his increasingly competitive feeling on the RS-GP26.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a highly technical track where handling turns smoothly proves to be a decisive factor. It is 4.66 km long, with 8 right-handed turns and 6 left-handers. The first braking section is also significant – one of the most demanding in the championship – partly due to the 1,047 metres leading up to it.

 

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Marco Bezzecchi (72) in Le Mans. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

 

Marco Bezzecchi: “It’s great to be back in Barcelona and, above all, to have two race weekends in a row, because I really can’t wait to get back on track. It’s a fantastic circuit and the fans are always incredibly passionate, so we’ll try to give our best.”

 

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Jorge Martin (89) in Le Mans. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

Jorge Martin: “I’m extremely pleased about how things are going. Barcelona is a challenging track, and it was particularly difficult for us last year. The goal will therefore be to work hard to figure out which changes to make so we can be as competitive as possible.”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:

Catalan Round for the Ducati Lenovo Team: Where It All Began. 

The Catalan GP has always been one of the most beloved races for all Ducatisti. In Barcelona, ​​in 2003, Loris Capirossi scored Borgo Panigale’s first MotoGP victory. This marked a milestone in Ducati Corse’s history and an equally important milestone in the celebrations for Ducati’s centenary (1926-2026).

Overall, the Desmosedici GP has won six times at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: the historic 2003 victory was followed by Stoner in 2007, Dovizioso in 2017, Lorenzo in 2018, Bagnaia in 2024, and Alex Márquez in 2025 with Gresini Racing, in the weekend where we secured the seventh constructors’ title, the sixth in a row.

The Ducati Lenovo Team will feature an unusual lineup, competing in its sixth race of 2026, with Marc Márquez recovering in Madrid from double surgery on his right foot and shoulder of the last Sunday, the result of a the high-side he suffered during the Sprint at Le Mans. Pecco Bagnaia will be on track, ready to bounce back after his crash in the French GP, a bitter end to a weekend that, up until that point, had seen him among the protagonists, finishing second in Saturday’s race and taking pole position. Pecco’s commitment will continue on the Monday following the GP with a day of testing.

 

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Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team): “Considering how the weekend ended in France, I’m happy to get back on track. Barcelona is a track that has always brought out the best of the Desmosedici GP. I’ll take all the positives from Le Mans: we were fast right from the start, always in touch with the strongest riders, even taking the pole. Then, in the race, we kept the pace of the best riders as much as possible, in the podium positions. We’ll start from here, continue working throughout the weekend, and make the most of Monday’s test”.

 

 


More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Hyped Up for the Catalan GP. 

After a boost from some positive results at the French GP, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP have travelled straight to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for this weekend’s Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya. Fabio Quartararo, Álex Rins, and the whole team are extra motivated for Round 6 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship as they share the title sponsor, and it’s also Rins’ home GP.

Despite a busy race weekend in Le Mans, France, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are full of energy ahead of Round 6 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. As the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya shares the title sponsor with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team and it’s also Álex Rins’ home race weekend, the crew and riders are all the more eager to put on a show.

Fabio Quartararo ranks 16th in the championship standings after a positive French GP and hopes to continue the momentum this weekend. El Diablo has had his fair share of success at the Catalan GP, visiting the rostrum numerous times. He secured a win there in 2018 in the Moto2 class and followed it up with a second place in the premier class in 2019 and MotoGP wins in 2020 and 2022. Last year he also added a second place Sprint result to his tally.

Rins had a more challenging outing in Le Mans and is hoping to bounce back in front of his home crowd. The local hero is no stranger to the Montmeló podium. He stood on the Catalan premier class rostrum in 2020 for a third place, his best MotoGP finish at this track. He also secured two second places in Moto2 in 2015 and 2016, and a Moto3 second place in 2013. This weekend, he aims to score solid points again and move up from 19th in the overall rankings.

Work to create the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya began in 1989. Two years later, the track was opened and it soon became a crowd favourite after hosting its first MotoGP race in 1992. With an exciting 4.66km layout consisting of 14 corners (six left, eight right), the Catalan round is known to produce thrilling races.

 

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Alex Rins (42) and Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Yamaha

 

Fabio Quartararo: “I was really pleased with how I was feeling on the bike during the Le Mans Saturday and Sunday, and the results were pretty good. Montmeló is a track I like, and this weekend will be a good test to understand if the setting that we found at the Jerez Test also works well here. I’m focused and motivated, as always, so I’ll be pushing to get the best possible results again.”

 

Alex Rins: “I always enjoy the round in Catalonia. We have the opportunity to really work on the bike’s set-up in Montmeló as we also have the test after the race weekend, so this will allow us to dive a bit deeper into the data and try more options. The goal for the race weekend is to find the feeling again that I had on the French GP Friday and then let’s see what we can do.”

 

Massimo Meregalli – Team Director: “After collecting more data in Le Mans, we arrive in Catalonia. This back-to-back race is followed by a one-day IRTA Test. Both occasions give us the opportunity to continue our development programme and collect data for bike development. This circuit is not only a track that the riders and the team like, but it also has characteristics that provide a good benchmark for evaluating bike updates and confirming the direction we are taking. The Catalan GP is extra special for our team as we share a title sponsor with this event, so we can’t wait to get started!”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:

Catalunya calls the Honda HRC Castrol Team.

Luca Marini and Joan Mir arrive straight to Barcelona, the pair with points to prove as the 2026 season continues to progress at pace.

The Honda HRC Castrol team have travelled some 1,000 kilometres south from Le Mans, France to Barcelona, Spain for the next stop on the MotoGP World Championship tour. Home to a number of titanic battles over the years, Honda have won ten premier class races at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since 1996. 4.66 kilometres long and featuring eight right and six left corners, the Barcelona circuit is often used for testing due to its varied and demanding layout.

A steady flow of top ten finishes and points in every Sunday race sees Luca Marini lead the four Honda riders in the World Championship standings as he arrives at round six. But now he is targeting more, the Italian keen to recapture the form he showed towards the end of 2025 where he regularly challenged the top five. The #10 took a solid eighth place at the Barcelona circuit back in 2025, a repeat result certainly on the cards if the Italian can conquer Q2. Marini is scheduled to make his 100th premier class start at the Catalan GP on Sunday.

Walking away from France with a laceration to his right hand after a heavy fall, Joan Mir is looking to dig deep and give his home fans something to cheer about. The Mallorcan has consistently shown impressive speed aboard the Honda RC213V and regularly leads the Honda charge on track in both Qualifying and the races. Converting this speed to points in Barcelona could mark a key turning point in the 2020 MotoGP World Champion’s season.

 

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Joan Mir (36) and Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Honda HRC

 

Luca Marini: “Straight back to work in a very intense part of the season, but I am looking forward to it. We didn’t deliver on our potential in France, so it is a good opportunity to show this was just a one-off weekend and we can be there fighting further forward. The plan is similar to normal; we need to capitalise on our work early in the weekend and make it into Q2. I am confident we can have a better showing on Saturday and Sunday than in Le Mans.”

 

Joan Mir: “The hand is more or less OK after the crash, I just needed a few stitches. For sure there is some pain and we need to check a bit how it will be but I am not too concerned. I want to put in a big effort this weekend for the Catalan GP, not only because it’s my home race but because I know that we have the ability to put in a good result. In France we had very good speed compared to the other Honda riders and I am eager to show our pace again.”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:

Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Heads to Catalunya Looking to Build on Recent Progress. 

Following encouraging signs in Jerez and Le Mans, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrives at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya aiming to continue closing the gap and confirming the positive direction shown in recent races.

Another historic European venue awaits Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP as the team heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the next round of the MotoGP World Championship. First introduced to the calendar in 1992, the Catalan Grand Prix has become one of the most iconic and best-attended events in modern MotoGP history, with passionate record crowds creating one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the entire season.

For Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, the Barcelona weekend represents another important opportunity to continue the development path that began to show encouraging signs during the Jerez test and was further confirmed throughout the French Grand Prix weekend at Le Mans. Both Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu arrive in Catalunya motivated by the progress made in recent weeks and determined to continue reducing the gap to the midfield group.

Razgatlıoğlu returns to a circuit that holds positive memories from his WorldSBK career, where he achieved important victories in the past. The Turkish rider hopes that his growing understanding of the Yamaha YZR-M1 and the riding style required in MotoGP can help him make another important step forward this weekend. Miller, meanwhile, aims to continue building on the stronger feeling he developed with the bike over the last two race weekends.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is widely regarded as one of the most technical and demanding tracks on the calendar. Its long, fast corners place enormous stress on both tyres — especially the left side — while grip levels often decrease significantly throughout the weekend because of the hot temperatures and abrasive asphalt. The flowing nature of the circuit also makes front-end confidence and corner speed particularly important, making it a demanding test both for riders and machine setup.

 

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Jack Miller (on the left) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (on the right). Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.

 

Jack Miller: “I‘m looking forward to the quick turnaround and getting back on track in Barcelona. There is still a lot of work to do both on the bike and also on my side, but after the progress we showed in Jerez and Le Mans we arrive here with a more positive feeling.
 The goal now is to continue building on that small momentum we created over the last few weekends and try to take another step forward. Barcelona is always a demanding circuit, especially with tyre management and long corners, so it will be another good test for us and for the development of the bike.”

 

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “I like this track very much, but it is always difficult to ride here because grip is usually very low. This will also be my first time riding here with a MotoGP bike, and from what we have understood so far, we still need to improve the turning of the bike quite a lot. We learned many things in Le Mans and in Barcelona we want to use that experience and maybe even try some different setup directions because obviously Fabio‘s setup was working much better than ours. I have very good memories here from my victories in Superbike, so of course I hope I can start making good memories with Yamaha in MotoGP as well. But I know this is a very demanding track because you need to manage both the rear and the front tyre carefully throughout the race.
As always, I will try my best again.”

 

Gino Borsoi: “We approach the Barcelona weekend with optimism because I believe we have started moving in a clear direction, especially with Toprak regarding his riding style and adaptation to the MotoGP bike. As we saw in Le Mans, the gap to the front is still important, but race after race we are reducing it, and this is the key point for us at the moment. Of course, changing riding habits and adapting to a completely different style is not easy for Toprak, and there will still be difficult moments ahead, but Barcelona could represent another small step forward both for him and for Jack as well. We also have some new ideas that could help us reduce the gap a little bit more. We don‘t need to dream too big right now — the important thing is to continue taking seconds away weekend after weekend and keep building steadily.”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Tech3:

Viñales returns for Catalan GP after successful recovery.

Red Bull KTM Tech3 is pleased to confirm that Maverick Viñales will return to MotoGP™ action this weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix, marking a highly anticipated comeback following a period of recovery from shoulder surgery.

The Spaniard has been sidelined since withdrawing from the Grand Prix of the United States. Due to complications relating to a previously sustained shoulder injury, Viñales had to undergo corrective surgery at the end of March.

Viñales subsequently missed the rounds in Jerez and Le Mans as he focused on regaining full fitness, with the team prioritising his long-term health and performance over an early return.

After completing an intensive rehabilitation programme and receiving clearance following final medical evaluations, Viñales is now ready to rejoin the team aboard the KTM RC16.

Viñales’ return comes at a crucial stage of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, as Tech3 continues to build momentum through the European leg of the season. In his absence, team-mate Enea Bastianini has delivered consistent Top Ten performances, while Jonas Folger stepped in last week to support the French squad during its home Grand Prix.

With Viñales back alongside Bastianini, Tech3 heads into the Catalan Grand Prix with a full rider line-up and renewed determination to fight at the front.

 

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Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Tech3.

 

Maverick Viñales: “I’m happy to be back and finally returning to racing. The last few weeks have not been easy. I’ve worked hard every day to recover, with close support from Red Bull at the APC, and I’m coming back in the best possible condition. Now I feel strong and motivated to get back on the bike. I want to thank the team for their support and patience, and I couldn’t be more excited to be starting again at my home grand prix in Catalunya.”

Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “We are very happy to welcome Maverick back this weekend. From the beginning, our priority has always been his health and ensuring he returns at 100%. His experience and speed will be key for the team as we continue to make progress, and Catalunya is the perfect place for him to restart. At the same time, we want to thank Jonas for stepping in at Le Mans. He did a fantastic job in a challenging situation and his contribution was truly valuable for the team.”

 

AFT: Tickets Now on Sale for Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2026) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, announced today that tickets are now on sale for the Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile presented by Parts Unlimited, set for Saturday, July 4, at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois.

The Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile presented by Parts Unlimited will bring the world’s elite flat track motorcycle racers to one of the discipline’s most historic venues for a high-speed Independence Day showdown. The holiday date gives race fans the opportunity to make DuQuoin a centerpiece of their Fourth of July weekend, pairing premier Progressive AFT competition with a classic summer tradition in Southern Illinois.

The event is scheduled as Round 11 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season and will feature both Mission AFT SuperTwins and KICKER AFT Singles competition on the famed Mile oval.

Ticket options include General Admission Grandstand seating, which offers open grandstand seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, for $35 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid Adult General Admission Grandstand ticket.

Fans can also purchase Reserved Grandstand seating along the front stretch of the racetrack for $45 for all ages.

Child tickets for General Admission Grandstand will be available as an add-on during the checkout process.

 

 

 

Next Up

Progressive American Flat Track returns to action this weekend with Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The four-day festival runs Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, with Saturday’s Progressive AFT round headlining a full weekend of motorsports, camping, fan activities and entertainment.

Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com for schedules, ticket information, camping details and the latest weekend updates. Tickets for Saturday’s Progressive AFT event are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353.

The series then heads to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 23, for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile at Williams Grove Speedway.

Tickets are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952.

 

How to Watch

  • FloRacing

For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

 

  • FS1

FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

Progressive AFT Goes Full Throttle at ThrottleFest

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2026) – The Grand National Championship battle powers into the inaugural ThrottleFest, a unique moto festival with America’s Original Extreme Sport® at its core.

For four days, May 14-17, racing fans will revel at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland, the festivities of which all build up to Saturday, May 16th’s Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT, Round 6 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

 

Half-Mile, Not Half-Measure

Following five consecutive Short Tracks to open the ‘26 season, ThrottleFest will feature the first of four Half-Miles to be contested over the next five races, a run that is destined to play a crucial role in deciding this year’s Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight.

While TTs are very much their own discipline, Half-Miles sit squarely between the Short Tracks and Miles in more than mere length. Short Tracks are all about close-quarters combat, rewarding aggression and lightning quick reflexes. Miles, meanwhile, require prodigious acceleration and speed, wielded with high-level tactical acumen.

The Half-Mile combines all of these demands into a single discipline, making it the fullest test of rider and machine that dirt track racing has to offer.

Looking at the current crop of contenders, pinpointing who is likely to have the upper hand is not easily deciphered.

Harley-Davidson has reigned supreme at the Short Tracks, reeling in 11 of the most recent 12 ST wins dating back to last season. Yamaha, meanwhile, has held a decided advantage at the Miles, securing two of three wins and eight of nine podiums at the big tracks a year ago.

There’s a relative lack of recent HM results to go by, however. Despite Half-Miles being the traditional backbone of the series – and there have been far more Half-Miles than any other discipline throughout the history of the series – last year was something of an anomaly in that sense. There were just two Half-Miles on the ‘25 slate, both waged on Lima’s idiosyncratic pea gravel.

That weekend, the Yamaha MT-07 DT and Harely-Davidson XG750R split top honors. But more data is needed before we can begin to assess the relative merits of the machinery at that distance.

We can, however, take a closer look at the historical records of the pilots in question.

Prior to his Indian-era all-around excellence and late-career Mile mastery, 10-time Grand National Champion Jared Mees assembled a Hall of Fame-worthy career based largely on his status as a Half-Mile extraordinaire

Mees racked up multiple premier-class crowns by owning the Half-Miles and walked away from the sport with more HM wins (37) than any other rider in Progressive AFT history.

However, during their overlapping stints as factory Indian riders, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR Harley-Davidson XG750R) quite clearly eclipsed Mees in outright Half-Mile success – a fact Mees himself acknowledged.

In terms of the numbers, from 2019-2022, Bauman claimed 11 Half-Mile wins to Mees’ six.

However – and somewhat unintuitively – being better than the best Half-Milers of all-time doesn’t automatically make Bauman the best Half-Milers going today.

Since reigning Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) stepped up to the premier class, he and Bauman sit level with four Half-Mile wins a piece.

And just because Bauman comes in with consecutive victories in hand while Daniels is seeking answers following a pair of (still thoroughly decent) results below his usual standard, that doesn’t automatically make Bauman the favorite this weekend.

For Daniels, the shift to HMs represents an opportunity to regroup, reset, and prepare to lock horns at venues less likely to play to his opponents’ favor. That notion alone could work wonders for his mindset.

Of course, we haven’t even mentioned the Mission AFT SuperTwins title leader, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R).

While this weekend will mark his maiden premier-class Half-Mile, that’s the distance at which he made his name in KICKER AFT Singles competition.

Kopp stands as the winningest Half-Miler in AFT Singles history, a fact that powered his back-to-back-to-back title runs. In 2022, five of his seven wins came at Half-Miles, along with four of eight in ‘23, and two of six in ‘24, adding up to 17 Half-Mile wins in all.

He already looks remarkably at home on the XG750R. If anything, the transition to slightly more expansive battlefields is likely to only enhance his comfort level.

 

Reversal of Fortune 

The current situation of Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) is pretty much the opposite of Daniels.

While the champ managed to net third- and fourth-place results despite struggling to tap into his typical speed and competitiveness in California, Fisher’s results masked his genuine strength.

The luckless Fisher suffered multiple mechanical issues during the West Coast swing, all of which combined to rob him of a pair of near-certain podium finishes, a potential win, and his only provisional start for the season.

On the bright side, the Rackley Racing runner is flying on his KTM 790 Duke when it allows him to do so, and his form suggests he could be in line to score a second career Half-Mile win with a bit of (good) luck. The fact that he’s 44 points out of first might even unshackle Fisher and allow him to go for broke.

 

On The Box

Also in search of a turnaround is the OTB Racing duo of Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07).

Price and Bender combined for three podiums among six top fives a year ago, despite neither rider contesting the full Mission AFT SuperTwins season. This year, however, they both rank outside the championship top 15 with just a single finish better than 10th between them.

You have to think that’s going to change and change in a hurry. Without a doubt, all involved would love for it to come this weekend in Maryland – the home state of both OTB Racing and Price.

 

Harley’s “Other” Rookie

While Kopp has garnered the lion’s share of the headlines, fellow rookie Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) has demanded his share of attention as well.

After flashing front-running speed on multiple occasions, RoosEvans made good on that promise by rounding out Harley-Davidson’s sweep of the podium at Silver Dollar Speedway.

That third was technically the first podium of RoosEvans’ Progressive AFT career. Yes, he did come home second in last year’s KICKER AFT Singles Main Event at the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT, however, that result was later stripped due to a fuel infraction.

While he did notch up several top fives during his KICKER AFT Singles days, it’s pretty remarkable that he went six seasons without a podium on a 450cc and now has one after just five races in Mission AFT SuperTwins.

Some riders are simply better suited to the bigger bike, and RoosEvans has immediately meshed with his XG750R mount. Additionally, the two- and four-wheel racer has traditionally been at his best at so-called “car tracks” like Senoia Raceway and Silver Dollar Speedway.

How he continues to develop as a premier-class contender moving forward merits close observation. Whatever happens, you almost already have to mark this season down as a smashing success.

 

Harley’s “New” Veteran

With Mission Roof Systems’ star Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) still recovering from a severe concussion suffered at Ventura Raceway, the team has recruited an ideal super-sub.

A Half-Mile winner himself, Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) is set to ride the Harley-Davidson at Budds Creek, and – provided he’s able to shake off any rust – he has it in him to be an immediate frontrunner.

Like his close friend Robinson, VanDerKooi can look back on an extensive history with the XG750R before the shift to an all-production-based ruleset saw it blossom into what may just be the most fancied bike in the field.

With that in mind, this opportunity could prove equal parts redemption and revenge.

 

Spoilers Ahead

It’s not just Daniels who should be welcoming the arrival of the Half-Miles. The same could be said of several podium threats who have yet to stand on the box yet this season.

Any given weekend could be the next time Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) stands atop the box.

Meanwhile, Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke) has been rounding into form as he and Fisher continue to develop the KTM 790 Duke into a serious flat track weapon.

And don’t discount the chances of Logan Mcgrane (No. 14 Schaffers MotorSports/RVR Racing KTM 790 Duke), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Parts Bros/D&D Cycles/Fairway Ford Aprilia Tuareg 660), Evan Renshaw (No. 95 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), or Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), all of whom have broken into the top ten and have the potential to do considerably more damage than that.

 

Full Throttle. Full Festival

ThrottleFest is a motorsports and music festival unlike any other. With Progressive American Flat Track at its center, Budds Creek Motocross Park will be loaded up with two-wheeled racing all day for four days, including amateur flat track, motocross, pit bike racing, endurocross, hare scrambles, and a stunt show.

And that’s only half the fun. ThrottleFest will also bring it with live music, contests, mechanical bull riding, Stacyc and RC racing, interactive games, food trucks, vendor areas, and more.

ThrottleFest is ready. Are you?

 

Don’t Miss This One

General Admission Standing Room Only tickets for Saturday start at $65 with Reserved Grandstand tickets available for $90 and Premium Reserved Grandstand tickets $120. Tickets for kids five and under are just $5 in any section, while children 6-12 get their tickets 60% off.

The Saturday VIP at ThrottleFest ticket can be had for $205, complete with Premium Reserved seating, complimentary food and refreshments, and paddock access to rub elbows with the best dirt trackers on the planet while getting a close-up view of their racebikes.

Fans can also purchase single day tickets for Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, as well as two-, three-, or four-day ticket packages.

Camping is available for $100 per vehicle (event passes sold separately), with free parking for all attendees.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353 to choose your adventure today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on Saturday with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT.

 

  • Next Up

Progressive American Flat Track returns to action this weekend with Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The four-day festival runs Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, with Saturday’s Progressive AFT round headlining a full weekend of motorsports, camping, fan activities and entertainment.

Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com for schedules, ticket information, camping details and the latest weekend updates. Tickets for Saturday’s Progressive AFT event are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353.

The series then heads to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 23, for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile at Williams Grove Speedway.

Tickets are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952.

 

How to Watch

  • FloRacing

For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

 

  • FS1

FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

2026 Aprilia Racers Days Schedule

Aprilia Americas and Factory Motorcycle Training Partner For a Track Event Series Featuring Data-Proven Training Curriculum Aboard World-Class Motorcycles.

New York, NY, – Aprilia Racers Days returns in 2026, in partnership with Factory Motorcycle Training, with a nationwide series of premium track training experiences built for passionate riders. Learn to ride some of the world’s most advanced motorcycles the way they were engineered to be ridden, on track, with world-class instructors and a world-class curriculum. Ride your own motorcycle, test the latest Aprilia models, and experience high- performance riding in a controlled, safe, professional environment.

 

Event Dates

 

High Plains Raceway | Deer Trail, CO | June 29–30

2-Day Event

 

Laguna Seca | Monterey, CA | July 27

1-Day Event

 

Autobahn | Joliet, IL | August 31 – September 1

2-Day Event

 

New Jersey Motorsports Park | Millville, NJ | September 14–15

2-Day Event

 

Carolina Motorsports Park | Kershaw, SC | September 28

1-Day Event

 

For more details and to register, visit: https://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/aprilia-racers-days-2026/

 

This Isn’t a Track Day. It’s an Aprilia Experience.

Aprilia builds the most advanced motorcycles in the world, but performance without understanding is just potential. Aprilia Racers Days in partnership with Factory Motorcycle Training is designed to bridge that gap.

This is your opportunity to learn to ride your Aprilia the way it was engineered to be ridden using data-proven best practices as used by the best riders in the world. The best way to build safer riders is to build better riders. If you learn to ride your Aprilia the way it was engineered to be ridden, you will have more fun, ride safer, ride longer, and ride better.

Aprilia Racers Days are held at nationally recognized race facilities. These controlled environments are built around precision, safety, and performance. Whether you’re new to the track or a seasoned rider, you’ll leave with more confidence, more control, and a deeper connection to the Aprilia brand.

With expert coaching, professional photography, and direct support from Aprilia-trained technicians and brand representatives, every rider gets an immersive and tailored experience. Enthusiasts are also invited to demo the full Aprilia street lineup, including the RSV4, Tuono V4, RS 660, Tuono 660, and RS 457, on track. There is simply no better opportunity to test ride an Aprilia motorcycle.

 

What to Expect – Built for Performance. Designed for Control.

Each event is a master class in two-wheeled vehicle dynamics based on data-proven best practices and taught by world-class instructors.

These events are about more than speed; they’re about control.

The difference between struggling and thriving on a motorcycle isn’t horsepower. It’s understanding how to manage grip, braking, direction, and throttle with precision.

That’s why each Aprilia Racers Days event is structured to give riders the space to safely explore performance, without the chaos of the street or a crowded open track day.

 

Learn more about Factory Motorcycle Training here: https://www.factorymotorcycletraining.com/

 

2-Day Events:

Data-Proven Best Practices as Used By the Best Riders in the World.

Based on the Champ School Curriculum with world-class instructors.

Exclusive and intimate – 4:1 Student to Instructor ratio.

Max 28 students per event.

Two groups of 14 based on pace, experience, and riding goals.

Individual groups of 3 – 4 with your own instructor.

All experience levels are welcome – new riders or racers.

The entire event is catered.

All brands of bikes are welcome!

Aprilia demo opportunities available for all riders.

Photography will be included at no additional charge.

 

1-Day Events:

Data-Proven Best Practices as Used By the Best Riders in the World.

Based on the Champ School Curriculum with world-class instructors.

Exclusive – 6:1 Student to Instructor ratio.

Max 60 students per event.

Three groups of 20 based on pace, experience, and riding goals.

Individual groups of 5 – 6 with your own instructor.

All experience levels are welcome. New riders or racers.

Lunch is catered.

All brands of bikes are welcome.

Aprilia demo opportunities available for all riders.

Photography will be included at no additional charge.

 

Your Instructors:

Chris Peris – 8x Endurance Champion, AMA Supersport winner, World Supersport Rider

Cody Wyman – MotoAmerica Jr. Cup National Champion, 2x Endurance Champion

Eziah Davis – MotoAmerica Podium Finisher, 3x Endurance Champion

Hunter Dunham – MotoAmerica Racer, 2x Endurance Champion

Ryan Burke – MRA Champion, MotoAmerica Racer, MotoAmerica Crew Chief

Stefano Mesa – MotoAmerica Race winner, Multi-Time ASAR Champion, 17 Lap Records

Dominic Doyle – MotoAmerica Race Winner, MotoAmerica SuperSport Racer.

Michael Henao – MotoAmerica Racer, Pikes Peak Hill Climb Lap Record Holder

 

Who Should Attend?

Aprilia Racers Days are not just for racers! Riders of all experience levels and all riding goals are welcome. Our coaches believe that new riders should hear anything different than experienced riders. The motorcycle was engineered to be ridden a very specific way by an expert rider. The closer we can ride to that expert rider, the better the motorcycle will work and the safer we will be.

Street riders ready to explore the track

Track day riders looking to improve

Aprilia owners and brand enthusiasts

Riders considering their first high-performance motorcycle

Tickets are Limited, Sign Up Now!

 

For registration and more details, visit: https://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/aprilia-racers-days-2026/

For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].

MotoGP: INSIDE Ducati Lenovo Team – Episode 05

This isn’t just another episode.

You’ve seen Marc win, but you’ve never seen him like this.

This #FrenchGP is the story of a weekend that reminded us why we live and breathe racing. Racing is made of pulses, passion, and sometimes, heartbreak. The momentum. The SPRINT changed everything, leading into a Sunday of “what ifs”. The crash, the injury, and the GP that ended in an undeniably bitter way for our Pecco.

This episode takes you deep into the garage for an unprecedented, open-hearted look at Marc. Since the moment he stepped into our garage in 2025, he hasn’t just brought his talent; he brought a renewed sense of belief and an injection of pure confidence that transformed us as a Team.

We are a family in RED, we must give Marc every ounce of our support. In the same way as him inspired us.

Beyond the highside crash, the weekend started with pure adrenaline and we need to take the positive.

  • A Q1 Masterclass: A spectacular, heart-stopping track record.
  • Front Row Lockdown: A brilliant 1-2 in qualifying for our boys.
  • Sprint Success: An incredible P2 for Pecco.

See you in a bit at #CatalanGP

 

 

WorldSBK: Bulega Tops Opening Practice At Most

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Nicolo Bulega (11) at Most. Photo courtesy WSBK.

Nicolo Bulega was quickest during FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice 1 (FP1) Friday morning at Autodrom Most, in Czech Republic. Riding his Pirelli-shod Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R on the 2.61-mile (4.21 km) track, the Italian recorded a 1:31.130 to lead the field of 22 riders.

Sam Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:31.388 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati Panigale V4R.

Bulega’s teammate, Iker Lecuona was third-fastest with a 1:31.443. 

American Garrett Gerloff finished the opening session in 9th with a 1:32.010 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR. 

Danilo Petrucci was 12th with a time of 1:32.161 on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR.

 

wsbk fp1

 

 

More from a press release issued by WorldSBK:

Bulega beats Sam Lowes in red-flagged WorldSBK FP1 at Most, Sofuoglu claims P7 despite crash. The Championship leader was two tenths clear of his teammate in the opening 45-minute session of the weekend, while Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu impressed. 

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) started the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s Czech Round by securing P1 in Free Practice 1 at the Autodrom Most. The #11 set a 1’31.130s to claim first place ahead of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), despite the #14 losing time after a technical issue with his Panigale V4R. Bulega’s teammate, Iker Lecuona, claimed P3 in the red-flagged 45-minute session.

After the red flag, Lecuona looked to challenge his teammate’s pace, but Bulega remained in P1 and set his best time, a 1’31.130s, with his final lap to secure top spot in the first session of the weekend with Lecuona in second. However, in the final 10 minutes, Sam Lowes put in a 1’31.388s to usurp the #7 into second place and lap just 0.258s behind Bulega. The Brit lost valuable track time when he had a technical issue with his machine in the first 10 minutes, but he returned to the track after the red flag. Lecuona’s 1’31.443s meant he claimed P3, three tenths behind his teammate and less than a tenth behind the #14.

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) continued to show his speed with P4 in FP1 with a 1’31.560s, around a tenth behind Lecuona, while Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) was just behind the #5 in fifth. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) claimed top honours for Bimota with P6, although ‘El Bocia’ had been running in the top three throughout the first half of the session.

Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) finished as the lead Yamaha rider in P7, although it was a dramatic end to FP1 for the Turkish rider. The #54 set a 1’31.994s on his penultimate lap of FP1, but his session ended in the gravel on his next lap when he crashed at Turn 6. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was just 0.006s behind Sofuoglu, while Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) completed the top nine with a 1’32.010s. He crashed in the opening stages of FP1 at Turn 1, but the #31 was able to bring his bike back to the pits and returned to track action with 20 minutes remaining. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) completed the top ten with a 1’32.032s.

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) finished FP1 in 11th place after losing around 25 minutes of running and completing only five laps. The #22 had a crash at Turn 20 which brought out the red flags, with the British rider unable to get back out on track after the crash. His best time was a 1’32.057s. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) was another who crashed in FP1, losing the front at Turn 2. Like Gerloff, the #95 took his bike back to the pits and was back in action after the red flag. He finished in 18th place.

 

The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’31.130s

2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.258s

3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.313s

4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.430s

5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.589s

6. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.597s

 

Watch FP2 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED at 15:00 Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 30% off!

WorldSSP: Debise Quickest In Opening Practice At Most

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Valentin Debise (53) at Most. Photo courtesy Debise's social media.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was quickest during FIM Supersport World Championship Free practice Friday morning at Autodrom Most, in Czech Republic. Riding his Eastroc Evan Bros ZXMOTO 820RR on Pirelli control tires, the Frenchman covered the 2.61-mile (4.21 km) road course in 1:34.389, topping the field of 33 riders.

Can Oncu was the best of the rest with a 1:34.719 on his Pata Ten Kate Yamaha YZF-R9.

Ondrej Vostatek was third with a lap time of 1:34.753 on his Compos Racing Triumph Street Triple 765 RS. 

 

practice wssp

Moto2: Vietti Tops Opening Practice In Barcelona

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Celestino Vietti (13) and Senna Agius (81) in Le Mans. Photo courtesy SpeedRS Team.

Celestino Vietti was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Italian rider covered the 2.89-mile (4.66 km) road course in 1:42.028, topping the field of 27 riders.

Senna Agius was the best of the rest with a 1:42.453 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

Alex Escrig was third-fastest with a 1:42.567 on his KLINT Racing Team Forward. 

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 20th with a 1:43.786 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

fp1 moto2

Moto3: Danish Quickest In Opening Practice At Montmelo

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Hakim Danish (13) in Le Mans. Photo courtesy MSI Team.

Hakim Danish was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his AEON Credit MT Helmets MSI KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Malaysian rider covered the 2.89-mile (4.66 km) road course in 1:47.478, topping the field of 26 riders.

Adrian Fernandez was the best of the rest with a 1:47.679 on his Leopard Racing Honda.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was third with a lap time of 1:47.708.

 

fp1 moto3

MotoAmerica: Pietri Racing at Barber with Coatzymoto LatinWe

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Robertino Pietri (311). Photo courtesy CoatzyMoto LatinWe.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, May 14, 2026 – COATZYMOTO LATINWE, backed by internationally acclaimed actress and entrepreneur Sofía Vergara, continues its 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan campaign this weekend with experienced Venezuelan rider Robertino Pietri at the legendary Barber Motorsports Park.

Following a solid season opener in Daytona, where Pietri secured consistent Top 10 finishes in both races, the team arrived at Barber aiming to continue developing the project and further refining the Yamaha XSR900 built alongside Giaccmoto.

Widely regarded as one of North America’s premier road racing facilities, Barber Motorsports Park presents another exciting challenge for Pietri, whose extensive racing background includes Moto2, World Superbike, AMA and FIM CEV competition. Pietri also currently serves as a MotoGP and MotoAmerica TV analyst for ESPN Latin America and as a senior instructor at Yamaha Champions Riding School.

“We continue working on improving the bike. Daytona was a very positive starting point and now we arrive at Barber with a better understanding of the Yamaha XSR900 and a lot of motivation to keep moving forward”, said Pietri. “Barber is a very technical and physically demanding circuit, which plays in our favor. As always, the Mission Super Hooligan category is extremely competitive and full of talent, but we’ll aim to be competitive, achieve a strong result and, above all, have fun.”

COATZYMOTO LATINWE was founded by Luis Balaguer and Fernando Barboza and has established itself over the years as a recognized name within international motorcycle and off-road racing.

The team will compete this weekend in rounds three and four of the 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan Championship at Barber Motorsports Park.

MotoGP: Teams Are Ready for Barcelona

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MotoGP race start at Le Mans. Photo courtesy MotoGP.

More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:

Everything is ready for Aprilia Racing in Montmeló. 

Aprilia Racing returns to the track on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, fresh from the historic Le Mans weekend that ended with a one-two-three finish by Jorge Martín, Marco Bezzecchi, and Ai Ogura. The weekend will also be followed by the second official tests of the season, scheduled for Monday on the Catalan track.

Marco Bezzecchi is headed to Spain after another highly competitive weekend where he finished on the podium in Le Mans both in the sprint race and in the long race. Jorge Martín, on the other hand, will be tackling his home GP fresh from an extremely high-level performance on the French track where he took victory in the sprint race, as well as in the long race, 588 days after his last win, confirming his increasingly competitive feeling on the RS-GP26.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a highly technical track where handling turns smoothly proves to be a decisive factor. It is 4.66 km long, with 8 right-handed turns and 6 left-handers. The first braking section is also significant – one of the most demanding in the championship – partly due to the 1,047 metres leading up to it.

 

apriliaracing catalangp06 2026 preview 03
Marco Bezzecchi (72) in Le Mans. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

 

Marco Bezzecchi: “It’s great to be back in Barcelona and, above all, to have two race weekends in a row, because I really can’t wait to get back on track. It’s a fantastic circuit and the fans are always incredibly passionate, so we’ll try to give our best.”

 

apriliaracing catalangp06 2026 preview 05
Jorge Martin (89) in Le Mans. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

Jorge Martin: “I’m extremely pleased about how things are going. Barcelona is a challenging track, and it was particularly difficult for us last year. The goal will therefore be to work hard to figure out which changes to make so we can be as competitive as possible.”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:

Catalan Round for the Ducati Lenovo Team: Where It All Began. 

The Catalan GP has always been one of the most beloved races for all Ducatisti. In Barcelona, ​​in 2003, Loris Capirossi scored Borgo Panigale’s first MotoGP victory. This marked a milestone in Ducati Corse’s history and an equally important milestone in the celebrations for Ducati’s centenary (1926-2026).

Overall, the Desmosedici GP has won six times at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: the historic 2003 victory was followed by Stoner in 2007, Dovizioso in 2017, Lorenzo in 2018, Bagnaia in 2024, and Alex Márquez in 2025 with Gresini Racing, in the weekend where we secured the seventh constructors’ title, the sixth in a row.

The Ducati Lenovo Team will feature an unusual lineup, competing in its sixth race of 2026, with Marc Márquez recovering in Madrid from double surgery on his right foot and shoulder of the last Sunday, the result of a the high-side he suffered during the Sprint at Le Mans. Pecco Bagnaia will be on track, ready to bounce back after his crash in the French GP, a bitter end to a weekend that, up until that point, had seen him among the protagonists, finishing second in Saturday’s race and taking pole position. Pecco’s commitment will continue on the Monday following the GP with a day of testing.

 

image

Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team): “Considering how the weekend ended in France, I’m happy to get back on track. Barcelona is a track that has always brought out the best of the Desmosedici GP. I’ll take all the positives from Le Mans: we were fast right from the start, always in touch with the strongest riders, even taking the pole. Then, in the race, we kept the pace of the best riders as much as possible, in the podium positions. We’ll start from here, continue working throughout the weekend, and make the most of Monday’s test”.

 

 


More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Hyped Up for the Catalan GP. 

After a boost from some positive results at the French GP, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP have travelled straight to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for this weekend’s Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya. Fabio Quartararo, Álex Rins, and the whole team are extra motivated for Round 6 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship as they share the title sponsor, and it’s also Rins’ home GP.

Despite a busy race weekend in Le Mans, France, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are full of energy ahead of Round 6 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. As the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya shares the title sponsor with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team and it’s also Álex Rins’ home race weekend, the crew and riders are all the more eager to put on a show.

Fabio Quartararo ranks 16th in the championship standings after a positive French GP and hopes to continue the momentum this weekend. El Diablo has had his fair share of success at the Catalan GP, visiting the rostrum numerous times. He secured a win there in 2018 in the Moto2 class and followed it up with a second place in the premier class in 2019 and MotoGP wins in 2020 and 2022. Last year he also added a second place Sprint result to his tally.

Rins had a more challenging outing in Le Mans and is hoping to bounce back in front of his home crowd. The local hero is no stranger to the Montmeló podium. He stood on the Catalan premier class rostrum in 2020 for a third place, his best MotoGP finish at this track. He also secured two second places in Moto2 in 2015 and 2016, and a Moto3 second place in 2013. This weekend, he aims to score solid points again and move up from 19th in the overall rankings.

Work to create the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya began in 1989. Two years later, the track was opened and it soon became a crowd favourite after hosting its first MotoGP race in 1992. With an exciting 4.66km layout consisting of 14 corners (six left, eight right), the Catalan round is known to produce thrilling races.

 

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Alex Rins (42) and Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Yamaha

 

Fabio Quartararo: “I was really pleased with how I was feeling on the bike during the Le Mans Saturday and Sunday, and the results were pretty good. Montmeló is a track I like, and this weekend will be a good test to understand if the setting that we found at the Jerez Test also works well here. I’m focused and motivated, as always, so I’ll be pushing to get the best possible results again.”

 

Alex Rins: “I always enjoy the round in Catalonia. We have the opportunity to really work on the bike’s set-up in Montmeló as we also have the test after the race weekend, so this will allow us to dive a bit deeper into the data and try more options. The goal for the race weekend is to find the feeling again that I had on the French GP Friday and then let’s see what we can do.”

 

Massimo Meregalli – Team Director: “After collecting more data in Le Mans, we arrive in Catalonia. This back-to-back race is followed by a one-day IRTA Test. Both occasions give us the opportunity to continue our development programme and collect data for bike development. This circuit is not only a track that the riders and the team like, but it also has characteristics that provide a good benchmark for evaluating bike updates and confirming the direction we are taking. The Catalan GP is extra special for our team as we share a title sponsor with this event, so we can’t wait to get started!”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:

Catalunya calls the Honda HRC Castrol Team.

Luca Marini and Joan Mir arrive straight to Barcelona, the pair with points to prove as the 2026 season continues to progress at pace.

The Honda HRC Castrol team have travelled some 1,000 kilometres south from Le Mans, France to Barcelona, Spain for the next stop on the MotoGP World Championship tour. Home to a number of titanic battles over the years, Honda have won ten premier class races at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since 1996. 4.66 kilometres long and featuring eight right and six left corners, the Barcelona circuit is often used for testing due to its varied and demanding layout.

A steady flow of top ten finishes and points in every Sunday race sees Luca Marini lead the four Honda riders in the World Championship standings as he arrives at round six. But now he is targeting more, the Italian keen to recapture the form he showed towards the end of 2025 where he regularly challenged the top five. The #10 took a solid eighth place at the Barcelona circuit back in 2025, a repeat result certainly on the cards if the Italian can conquer Q2. Marini is scheduled to make his 100th premier class start at the Catalan GP on Sunday.

Walking away from France with a laceration to his right hand after a heavy fall, Joan Mir is looking to dig deep and give his home fans something to cheer about. The Mallorcan has consistently shown impressive speed aboard the Honda RC213V and regularly leads the Honda charge on track in both Qualifying and the races. Converting this speed to points in Barcelona could mark a key turning point in the 2020 MotoGP World Champion’s season.

 

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Joan Mir (36) and Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Honda HRC

 

Luca Marini: “Straight back to work in a very intense part of the season, but I am looking forward to it. We didn’t deliver on our potential in France, so it is a good opportunity to show this was just a one-off weekend and we can be there fighting further forward. The plan is similar to normal; we need to capitalise on our work early in the weekend and make it into Q2. I am confident we can have a better showing on Saturday and Sunday than in Le Mans.”

 

Joan Mir: “The hand is more or less OK after the crash, I just needed a few stitches. For sure there is some pain and we need to check a bit how it will be but I am not too concerned. I want to put in a big effort this weekend for the Catalan GP, not only because it’s my home race but because I know that we have the ability to put in a good result. In France we had very good speed compared to the other Honda riders and I am eager to show our pace again.”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:

Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Heads to Catalunya Looking to Build on Recent Progress. 

Following encouraging signs in Jerez and Le Mans, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrives at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya aiming to continue closing the gap and confirming the positive direction shown in recent races.

Another historic European venue awaits Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP as the team heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the next round of the MotoGP World Championship. First introduced to the calendar in 1992, the Catalan Grand Prix has become one of the most iconic and best-attended events in modern MotoGP history, with passionate record crowds creating one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the entire season.

For Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, the Barcelona weekend represents another important opportunity to continue the development path that began to show encouraging signs during the Jerez test and was further confirmed throughout the French Grand Prix weekend at Le Mans. Both Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu arrive in Catalunya motivated by the progress made in recent weeks and determined to continue reducing the gap to the midfield group.

Razgatlıoğlu returns to a circuit that holds positive memories from his WorldSBK career, where he achieved important victories in the past. The Turkish rider hopes that his growing understanding of the Yamaha YZR-M1 and the riding style required in MotoGP can help him make another important step forward this weekend. Miller, meanwhile, aims to continue building on the stronger feeling he developed with the bike over the last two race weekends.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is widely regarded as one of the most technical and demanding tracks on the calendar. Its long, fast corners place enormous stress on both tyres — especially the left side — while grip levels often decrease significantly throughout the weekend because of the hot temperatures and abrasive asphalt. The flowing nature of the circuit also makes front-end confidence and corner speed particularly important, making it a demanding test both for riders and machine setup.

 

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Jack Miller (on the left) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (on the right). Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.

 

Jack Miller: “I‘m looking forward to the quick turnaround and getting back on track in Barcelona. There is still a lot of work to do both on the bike and also on my side, but after the progress we showed in Jerez and Le Mans we arrive here with a more positive feeling.
 The goal now is to continue building on that small momentum we created over the last few weekends and try to take another step forward. Barcelona is always a demanding circuit, especially with tyre management and long corners, so it will be another good test for us and for the development of the bike.”

 

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “I like this track very much, but it is always difficult to ride here because grip is usually very low. This will also be my first time riding here with a MotoGP bike, and from what we have understood so far, we still need to improve the turning of the bike quite a lot. We learned many things in Le Mans and in Barcelona we want to use that experience and maybe even try some different setup directions because obviously Fabio‘s setup was working much better than ours. I have very good memories here from my victories in Superbike, so of course I hope I can start making good memories with Yamaha in MotoGP as well. But I know this is a very demanding track because you need to manage both the rear and the front tyre carefully throughout the race.
As always, I will try my best again.”

 

Gino Borsoi: “We approach the Barcelona weekend with optimism because I believe we have started moving in a clear direction, especially with Toprak regarding his riding style and adaptation to the MotoGP bike. As we saw in Le Mans, the gap to the front is still important, but race after race we are reducing it, and this is the key point for us at the moment. Of course, changing riding habits and adapting to a completely different style is not easy for Toprak, and there will still be difficult moments ahead, but Barcelona could represent another small step forward both for him and for Jack as well. We also have some new ideas that could help us reduce the gap a little bit more. We don‘t need to dream too big right now — the important thing is to continue taking seconds away weekend after weekend and keep building steadily.”

 

 


More from a press release issued by Tech3:

Viñales returns for Catalan GP after successful recovery.

Red Bull KTM Tech3 is pleased to confirm that Maverick Viñales will return to MotoGP™ action this weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix, marking a highly anticipated comeback following a period of recovery from shoulder surgery.

The Spaniard has been sidelined since withdrawing from the Grand Prix of the United States. Due to complications relating to a previously sustained shoulder injury, Viñales had to undergo corrective surgery at the end of March.

Viñales subsequently missed the rounds in Jerez and Le Mans as he focused on regaining full fitness, with the team prioritising his long-term health and performance over an early return.

After completing an intensive rehabilitation programme and receiving clearance following final medical evaluations, Viñales is now ready to rejoin the team aboard the KTM RC16.

Viñales’ return comes at a crucial stage of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, as Tech3 continues to build momentum through the European leg of the season. In his absence, team-mate Enea Bastianini has delivered consistent Top Ten performances, while Jonas Folger stepped in last week to support the French squad during its home Grand Prix.

With Viñales back alongside Bastianini, Tech3 heads into the Catalan Grand Prix with a full rider line-up and renewed determination to fight at the front.

 

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Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Tech3.

 

Maverick Viñales: “I’m happy to be back and finally returning to racing. The last few weeks have not been easy. I’ve worked hard every day to recover, with close support from Red Bull at the APC, and I’m coming back in the best possible condition. Now I feel strong and motivated to get back on the bike. I want to thank the team for their support and patience, and I couldn’t be more excited to be starting again at my home grand prix in Catalunya.”

Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “We are very happy to welcome Maverick back this weekend. From the beginning, our priority has always been his health and ensuring he returns at 100%. His experience and speed will be key for the team as we continue to make progress, and Catalunya is the perfect place for him to restart. At the same time, we want to thank Jonas for stepping in at Le Mans. He did a fantastic job in a challenging situation and his contribution was truly valuable for the team.”

 

AFT: Tickets Now on Sale for Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile

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Dallas Daniels (No. 32) racing in the pack during the 2025 DuQuoin Mile. Photo by Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2026) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, announced today that tickets are now on sale for the Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile presented by Parts Unlimited, set for Saturday, July 4, at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois.

The Drag Specialties DuQuoin Mile presented by Parts Unlimited will bring the world’s elite flat track motorcycle racers to one of the discipline’s most historic venues for a high-speed Independence Day showdown. The holiday date gives race fans the opportunity to make DuQuoin a centerpiece of their Fourth of July weekend, pairing premier Progressive AFT competition with a classic summer tradition in Southern Illinois.

The event is scheduled as Round 11 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season and will feature both Mission AFT SuperTwins and KICKER AFT Singles competition on the famed Mile oval.

Ticket options include General Admission Grandstand seating, which offers open grandstand seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, for $35 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid Adult General Admission Grandstand ticket.

Fans can also purchase Reserved Grandstand seating along the front stretch of the racetrack for $45 for all ages.

Child tickets for General Admission Grandstand will be available as an add-on during the checkout process.

 

 

 

Next Up

Progressive American Flat Track returns to action this weekend with Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The four-day festival runs Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, with Saturday’s Progressive AFT round headlining a full weekend of motorsports, camping, fan activities and entertainment.

Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com for schedules, ticket information, camping details and the latest weekend updates. Tickets for Saturday’s Progressive AFT event are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353.

The series then heads to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 23, for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile at Williams Grove Speedway.

Tickets are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952.

 

How to Watch

  • FloRacing

For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

 

  • FS1

FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

Progressive AFT Goes Full Throttle at ThrottleFest

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Morgen Mischler (No. 13) at the 2026 Silver Dollar Short Track. Photo by Scott Hunter for AMA Pro Racing.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2026) – The Grand National Championship battle powers into the inaugural ThrottleFest, a unique moto festival with America’s Original Extreme Sport® at its core.

For four days, May 14-17, racing fans will revel at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland, the festivities of which all build up to Saturday, May 16th’s Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT, Round 6 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

 

Half-Mile, Not Half-Measure

Following five consecutive Short Tracks to open the ‘26 season, ThrottleFest will feature the first of four Half-Miles to be contested over the next five races, a run that is destined to play a crucial role in deciding this year’s Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight.

While TTs are very much their own discipline, Half-Miles sit squarely between the Short Tracks and Miles in more than mere length. Short Tracks are all about close-quarters combat, rewarding aggression and lightning quick reflexes. Miles, meanwhile, require prodigious acceleration and speed, wielded with high-level tactical acumen.

The Half-Mile combines all of these demands into a single discipline, making it the fullest test of rider and machine that dirt track racing has to offer.

Looking at the current crop of contenders, pinpointing who is likely to have the upper hand is not easily deciphered.

Harley-Davidson has reigned supreme at the Short Tracks, reeling in 11 of the most recent 12 ST wins dating back to last season. Yamaha, meanwhile, has held a decided advantage at the Miles, securing two of three wins and eight of nine podiums at the big tracks a year ago.

There’s a relative lack of recent HM results to go by, however. Despite Half-Miles being the traditional backbone of the series – and there have been far more Half-Miles than any other discipline throughout the history of the series – last year was something of an anomaly in that sense. There were just two Half-Miles on the ‘25 slate, both waged on Lima’s idiosyncratic pea gravel.

That weekend, the Yamaha MT-07 DT and Harely-Davidson XG750R split top honors. But more data is needed before we can begin to assess the relative merits of the machinery at that distance.

We can, however, take a closer look at the historical records of the pilots in question.

Prior to his Indian-era all-around excellence and late-career Mile mastery, 10-time Grand National Champion Jared Mees assembled a Hall of Fame-worthy career based largely on his status as a Half-Mile extraordinaire

Mees racked up multiple premier-class crowns by owning the Half-Miles and walked away from the sport with more HM wins (37) than any other rider in Progressive AFT history.

However, during their overlapping stints as factory Indian riders, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR Harley-Davidson XG750R) quite clearly eclipsed Mees in outright Half-Mile success – a fact Mees himself acknowledged.

In terms of the numbers, from 2019-2022, Bauman claimed 11 Half-Mile wins to Mees’ six.

However – and somewhat unintuitively – being better than the best Half-Milers of all-time doesn’t automatically make Bauman the best Half-Milers going today.

Since reigning Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) stepped up to the premier class, he and Bauman sit level with four Half-Mile wins a piece.

And just because Bauman comes in with consecutive victories in hand while Daniels is seeking answers following a pair of (still thoroughly decent) results below his usual standard, that doesn’t automatically make Bauman the favorite this weekend.

For Daniels, the shift to HMs represents an opportunity to regroup, reset, and prepare to lock horns at venues less likely to play to his opponents’ favor. That notion alone could work wonders for his mindset.

Of course, we haven’t even mentioned the Mission AFT SuperTwins title leader, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R).

While this weekend will mark his maiden premier-class Half-Mile, that’s the distance at which he made his name in KICKER AFT Singles competition.

Kopp stands as the winningest Half-Miler in AFT Singles history, a fact that powered his back-to-back-to-back title runs. In 2022, five of his seven wins came at Half-Miles, along with four of eight in ‘23, and two of six in ‘24, adding up to 17 Half-Mile wins in all.

He already looks remarkably at home on the XG750R. If anything, the transition to slightly more expansive battlefields is likely to only enhance his comfort level.

 

Reversal of Fortune 

The current situation of Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) is pretty much the opposite of Daniels.

While the champ managed to net third- and fourth-place results despite struggling to tap into his typical speed and competitiveness in California, Fisher’s results masked his genuine strength.

The luckless Fisher suffered multiple mechanical issues during the West Coast swing, all of which combined to rob him of a pair of near-certain podium finishes, a potential win, and his only provisional start for the season.

On the bright side, the Rackley Racing runner is flying on his KTM 790 Duke when it allows him to do so, and his form suggests he could be in line to score a second career Half-Mile win with a bit of (good) luck. The fact that he’s 44 points out of first might even unshackle Fisher and allow him to go for broke.

 

On The Box

Also in search of a turnaround is the OTB Racing duo of Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07).

Price and Bender combined for three podiums among six top fives a year ago, despite neither rider contesting the full Mission AFT SuperTwins season. This year, however, they both rank outside the championship top 15 with just a single finish better than 10th between them.

You have to think that’s going to change and change in a hurry. Without a doubt, all involved would love for it to come this weekend in Maryland – the home state of both OTB Racing and Price.

 

Harley’s “Other” Rookie

While Kopp has garnered the lion’s share of the headlines, fellow rookie Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) has demanded his share of attention as well.

After flashing front-running speed on multiple occasions, RoosEvans made good on that promise by rounding out Harley-Davidson’s sweep of the podium at Silver Dollar Speedway.

That third was technically the first podium of RoosEvans’ Progressive AFT career. Yes, he did come home second in last year’s KICKER AFT Singles Main Event at the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT, however, that result was later stripped due to a fuel infraction.

While he did notch up several top fives during his KICKER AFT Singles days, it’s pretty remarkable that he went six seasons without a podium on a 450cc and now has one after just five races in Mission AFT SuperTwins.

Some riders are simply better suited to the bigger bike, and RoosEvans has immediately meshed with his XG750R mount. Additionally, the two- and four-wheel racer has traditionally been at his best at so-called “car tracks” like Senoia Raceway and Silver Dollar Speedway.

How he continues to develop as a premier-class contender moving forward merits close observation. Whatever happens, you almost already have to mark this season down as a smashing success.

 

Harley’s “New” Veteran

With Mission Roof Systems’ star Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) still recovering from a severe concussion suffered at Ventura Raceway, the team has recruited an ideal super-sub.

A Half-Mile winner himself, Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) is set to ride the Harley-Davidson at Budds Creek, and – provided he’s able to shake off any rust – he has it in him to be an immediate frontrunner.

Like his close friend Robinson, VanDerKooi can look back on an extensive history with the XG750R before the shift to an all-production-based ruleset saw it blossom into what may just be the most fancied bike in the field.

With that in mind, this opportunity could prove equal parts redemption and revenge.

 

Spoilers Ahead

It’s not just Daniels who should be welcoming the arrival of the Half-Miles. The same could be said of several podium threats who have yet to stand on the box yet this season.

Any given weekend could be the next time Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) stands atop the box.

Meanwhile, Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke) has been rounding into form as he and Fisher continue to develop the KTM 790 Duke into a serious flat track weapon.

And don’t discount the chances of Logan Mcgrane (No. 14 Schaffers MotorSports/RVR Racing KTM 790 Duke), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Parts Bros/D&D Cycles/Fairway Ford Aprilia Tuareg 660), Evan Renshaw (No. 95 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), or Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), all of whom have broken into the top ten and have the potential to do considerably more damage than that.

 

Full Throttle. Full Festival

ThrottleFest is a motorsports and music festival unlike any other. With Progressive American Flat Track at its center, Budds Creek Motocross Park will be loaded up with two-wheeled racing all day for four days, including amateur flat track, motocross, pit bike racing, endurocross, hare scrambles, and a stunt show.

And that’s only half the fun. ThrottleFest will also bring it with live music, contests, mechanical bull riding, Stacyc and RC racing, interactive games, food trucks, vendor areas, and more.

ThrottleFest is ready. Are you?

 

Don’t Miss This One

General Admission Standing Room Only tickets for Saturday start at $65 with Reserved Grandstand tickets available for $90 and Premium Reserved Grandstand tickets $120. Tickets for kids five and under are just $5 in any section, while children 6-12 get their tickets 60% off.

The Saturday VIP at ThrottleFest ticket can be had for $205, complete with Premium Reserved seating, complimentary food and refreshments, and paddock access to rub elbows with the best dirt trackers on the planet while getting a close-up view of their racebikes.

Fans can also purchase single day tickets for Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, as well as two-, three-, or four-day ticket packages.

Camping is available for $100 per vehicle (event passes sold separately), with free parking for all attendees.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353 to choose your adventure today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on Saturday with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT.

 

  • Next Up

Progressive American Flat Track returns to action this weekend with Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The four-day festival runs Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, with Saturday’s Progressive AFT round headlining a full weekend of motorsports, camping, fan activities and entertainment.

Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com for schedules, ticket information, camping details and the latest weekend updates. Tickets for Saturday’s Progressive AFT event are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353.

The series then heads to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 23, for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile at Williams Grove Speedway.

Tickets are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952.

 

How to Watch

  • FloRacing

For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

 

  • FS1

FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

2026 Aprilia Racers Days Schedule

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Aprilia Racers Days Event at COTA. Photo courtesy Aprilia

Aprilia Americas and Factory Motorcycle Training Partner For a Track Event Series Featuring Data-Proven Training Curriculum Aboard World-Class Motorcycles.

New York, NY, – Aprilia Racers Days returns in 2026, in partnership with Factory Motorcycle Training, with a nationwide series of premium track training experiences built for passionate riders. Learn to ride some of the world’s most advanced motorcycles the way they were engineered to be ridden, on track, with world-class instructors and a world-class curriculum. Ride your own motorcycle, test the latest Aprilia models, and experience high- performance riding in a controlled, safe, professional environment.

 

Event Dates

 

High Plains Raceway | Deer Trail, CO | June 29–30

2-Day Event

 

Laguna Seca | Monterey, CA | July 27

1-Day Event

 

Autobahn | Joliet, IL | August 31 – September 1

2-Day Event

 

New Jersey Motorsports Park | Millville, NJ | September 14–15

2-Day Event

 

Carolina Motorsports Park | Kershaw, SC | September 28

1-Day Event

 

For more details and to register, visit: https://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/aprilia-racers-days-2026/

 

This Isn’t a Track Day. It’s an Aprilia Experience.

Aprilia builds the most advanced motorcycles in the world, but performance without understanding is just potential. Aprilia Racers Days in partnership with Factory Motorcycle Training is designed to bridge that gap.

This is your opportunity to learn to ride your Aprilia the way it was engineered to be ridden using data-proven best practices as used by the best riders in the world. The best way to build safer riders is to build better riders. If you learn to ride your Aprilia the way it was engineered to be ridden, you will have more fun, ride safer, ride longer, and ride better.

Aprilia Racers Days are held at nationally recognized race facilities. These controlled environments are built around precision, safety, and performance. Whether you’re new to the track or a seasoned rider, you’ll leave with more confidence, more control, and a deeper connection to the Aprilia brand.

With expert coaching, professional photography, and direct support from Aprilia-trained technicians and brand representatives, every rider gets an immersive and tailored experience. Enthusiasts are also invited to demo the full Aprilia street lineup, including the RSV4, Tuono V4, RS 660, Tuono 660, and RS 457, on track. There is simply no better opportunity to test ride an Aprilia motorcycle.

 

What to Expect – Built for Performance. Designed for Control.

Each event is a master class in two-wheeled vehicle dynamics based on data-proven best practices and taught by world-class instructors.

These events are about more than speed; they’re about control.

The difference between struggling and thriving on a motorcycle isn’t horsepower. It’s understanding how to manage grip, braking, direction, and throttle with precision.

That’s why each Aprilia Racers Days event is structured to give riders the space to safely explore performance, without the chaos of the street or a crowded open track day.

 

Learn more about Factory Motorcycle Training here: https://www.factorymotorcycletraining.com/

 

2-Day Events:

Data-Proven Best Practices as Used By the Best Riders in the World.

Based on the Champ School Curriculum with world-class instructors.

Exclusive and intimate – 4:1 Student to Instructor ratio.

Max 28 students per event.

Two groups of 14 based on pace, experience, and riding goals.

Individual groups of 3 – 4 with your own instructor.

All experience levels are welcome – new riders or racers.

The entire event is catered.

All brands of bikes are welcome!

Aprilia demo opportunities available for all riders.

Photography will be included at no additional charge.

 

1-Day Events:

Data-Proven Best Practices as Used By the Best Riders in the World.

Based on the Champ School Curriculum with world-class instructors.

Exclusive – 6:1 Student to Instructor ratio.

Max 60 students per event.

Three groups of 20 based on pace, experience, and riding goals.

Individual groups of 5 – 6 with your own instructor.

All experience levels are welcome. New riders or racers.

Lunch is catered.

All brands of bikes are welcome.

Aprilia demo opportunities available for all riders.

Photography will be included at no additional charge.

 

Your Instructors:

Chris Peris – 8x Endurance Champion, AMA Supersport winner, World Supersport Rider

Cody Wyman – MotoAmerica Jr. Cup National Champion, 2x Endurance Champion

Eziah Davis – MotoAmerica Podium Finisher, 3x Endurance Champion

Hunter Dunham – MotoAmerica Racer, 2x Endurance Champion

Ryan Burke – MRA Champion, MotoAmerica Racer, MotoAmerica Crew Chief

Stefano Mesa – MotoAmerica Race winner, Multi-Time ASAR Champion, 17 Lap Records

Dominic Doyle – MotoAmerica Race Winner, MotoAmerica SuperSport Racer.

Michael Henao – MotoAmerica Racer, Pikes Peak Hill Climb Lap Record Holder

 

Who Should Attend?

Aprilia Racers Days are not just for racers! Riders of all experience levels and all riding goals are welcome. Our coaches believe that new riders should hear anything different than experienced riders. The motorcycle was engineered to be ridden a very specific way by an expert rider. The closer we can ride to that expert rider, the better the motorcycle will work and the safer we will be.

Street riders ready to explore the track

Track day riders looking to improve

Aprilia owners and brand enthusiasts

Riders considering their first high-performance motorcycle

Tickets are Limited, Sign Up Now!

 

For registration and more details, visit: https://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/aprilia-racers-days-2026/

For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].

MotoGP: INSIDE Ducati Lenovo Team – Episode 05

Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez (93) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Ducati.

This isn’t just another episode.

You’ve seen Marc win, but you’ve never seen him like this.

This #FrenchGP is the story of a weekend that reminded us why we live and breathe racing. Racing is made of pulses, passion, and sometimes, heartbreak. The momentum. The SPRINT changed everything, leading into a Sunday of “what ifs”. The crash, the injury, and the GP that ended in an undeniably bitter way for our Pecco.

This episode takes you deep into the garage for an unprecedented, open-hearted look at Marc. Since the moment he stepped into our garage in 2025, he hasn’t just brought his talent; he brought a renewed sense of belief and an injection of pure confidence that transformed us as a Team.

We are a family in RED, we must give Marc every ounce of our support. In the same way as him inspired us.

Beyond the highside crash, the weekend started with pure adrenaline and we need to take the positive.

  • A Q1 Masterclass: A spectacular, heart-stopping track record.
  • Front Row Lockdown: A brilliant 1-2 in qualifying for our boys.
  • Sprint Success: An incredible P2 for Pecco.

See you in a bit at #CatalanGP

 

 

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