MotoAmerica: Gagne Vs. Petrucci Title Fight Heads To PittRace (Updated)

David Swarts

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August 17, 2022

MotoAmerica: Gagne Vs. Petrucci Title Fight Heads To PittRace (Updated)

It’s Game On In MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship As Pitt Race Beckons

Looks Like A Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) Vs. Jake Gagne (Yamaha) Battle To The End

IRVINE, CA (August 17, 2022) – While last year’s MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship was predictable, the 2022 series is predictable only in its unpredictability as the series heads to Pittsburgh International Race Complex for the Superbikes At Pittsburgh, Presented by LaRoche Aviation Services, round, August 19-21.

Last year Jake Gagne won 17 races, including 16 in a row. The only hiccups in his championship-winning season were a blown motor in the opener at Road Atlanta and a crash and remount to 12th place in the pouring rain at Barber Motorsports Park after he’d already wrapped up the title. When you watched a MotoAmerica race, you assumed Gagne was going to win and 85 percent of the time he did. That’s predictability.

Fast forward to 2022.

Gagne and his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing YZF-R1 have won eight of the 14 races, or 57 percent. He’s crashed out of the lead in two races and suffered a mechanical issue that knocked him out of the first race of the year, for the second year in a row. Gagne looked to be on a roll heading into race two at Brainerd International Raceway with five wins in a row and a lead in the championship for the first time all season. With his high-speed race-two crash in Minnesota, all that was gone. The win streak and the points lead. Goodbye, predictability.

Hello, Mr. Petrucci.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Danilo Petrucci led the point standings all the way up to the 13th race of the year when he lost it to Gagne by three points after the latter’s race-one win at Brainerd. With Gagne crashing at high speed and making his Yamaha look like it went through a woodchipper in race two, Petrucci was there to capitalize with his fourth win of the year and his first since April. And the points lead went back to the Italian. Predictable? Hardly.

Which brings us to the Superbikes At Pittsburgh, Presented by LaRoche Aviation Services, round at Pittsburgh International Race Complex this coming weekend, August 19-21. The bottom line: 13 points now separate the two at the top of the standings in the Petrucci vs. Gagne, Ducati vs. Yamaha showdown with six Medallia Superbike races still to run.

Petrucci’s and Gagne’s seasons have been polar opposites. While Gagne has been dominant in the races that he’s won and has earned pole position in every race but one, his major flaw has been the two crashes (Road Atlanta and Brainerd). Petrucci, on the other hand, with the exception being the series opener at COTA, hasn’t shown the pace yet to beat Gagne in a straight fight, but he’s been there in nearly every race and has picked up the pieces whenever Gagne has left them on the table.

Petrucci hasn’t made any race-ending mistakes thus far, which is impressive given that he has next to no knowledge of the tracks. His only non-points score was his DNF at Road Atlanta when the Ducati failed him. Otherwise, he’s scored gobs of points in every round with four wins and eight podium finishes in the 14 races. That translates to the former MotoGP star standing on the podium in 85 percent of the races thus far.

Although he’s had the best year of his career with his new team and as Gagne’s teammate, Cameron Petersen is on the outside looking in when it comes to his championship chances. Mathematically, he’s still in the hunt but making up 38 points on Petrucci and 25 on Gagne is imaginable, but not probable.

Petersen has been on a roll of late with seven podiums in a row a streak that started with his victory in iffy conditions at Road America. While Petersen is 38 points behind Petrucci, he has pulled clear of fellow South African Mathew Scholtz.

While Petersen is on a good roll, Scholtz’s is the opposite. With six podiums (including a victory) in the first seven races, Scholtz’s season started strong. But since that victory, also at Road America, his season has unraveled a bit and he’s gone the past seven races without a podium. All that has left him 70 points behind Petrucci and 32 points behind Petersen in the battle for third.

Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Hector Barbera is fifth in the championship as he has been for the entire season and is 14 points ahead of his teammate PJ Jacobsen, the latter coming off a second podium of the year at Brainerd.

Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki’s Richie Escalante’s first Superbike season was picking up speed heading into the Brainerd round, but a crash and the concussion that went with it, put him out of the points in both races. He is seventh, 15 points behind Jacobsen and 13 points ahead of his teammate Jake Lewis, who returned from injury to finish ninth and seventh in the two races at BIR.

Aftercare Hayes Scheibe Racing’s Ashton Yates is ninth, three points behind Lewis and 11 points ahead of Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim, who rounds out the top 10 heading to Pitt Race.

The two MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races at Pitt Race will take place at 3:10 p.m. (Eastern) on Saturday and Sunday.

Pitt Race Superbike Notes…

Seems like only yesterday: MotoAmerica will hold a round at Pittsburgh International Race Complex for the sixth straight year after making its debut at the circuit in 2017. The 2.78-mile, 19-turn track, which was built in 2002, has become a favorite of the riders, teams, and fans.

Six riders have won the 10 MotoAmerica Superbike races held at Pitt Race: Cameron Beaubier (3), Toni Elias (2), Jake Gagne (2), Roger Hayden (1), Josh Herrin (1) and Garrett Gerloff (1).

Cameron Beaubier, who now competes in the Moto2 World Championship, still holds the lap record at Pitt Race with the Californian setting the outright lap record during Superpole in 2019 – a 1:39.472. Beaubier also holds the race lap record with his 1:40.550 set during his race-two victory in 2020.

Jake Gagne earned pole position for last year’s two Medallia Superbike races with his 1:39.921 set in Qualifying 2. Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Loris Baz joined Gagne on the front row.

Gagne topped his temporary teammate Toni Elias and Westby’s Scholtz in race one last year the day prior to besting Scholtz and M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bobby Fong in race two.

Four riders have won Medallia Superbike races thus far in 2022. Jake Gagne leads the way with eight wins, Danilo Petrucci has four and both Cameron Petersen and Mathew Scholtz have a win apiece. Eight riders, meanwhile, have stood on the podium in 2022: Petrucci, Gagne, Petersen, Scholtz, Hector Barbera, PJ Jacobsen, Jake Lewis and Kyle Wyman.

Jake Gagne’s victory in race one at Brainerd International Raceway three weeks ago was the 25th of his AMA Superbike career. Gagne is seventh on the all-time AMA Superbike win list, three victories behind former AMA and World Superbike Champion Ben Spies.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More, from a press release issued by Westby Racing:

Westby Racing Ready To Invoke Their Iron Will In The Steel City This Weekend

Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.

Tulsa, OK – August 17, 2022 – Round eight of the 2022 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship starts this Friday at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PittRace) in Wampum, Pennsylvania.

Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz has effectively recovered from the injuries he suffered at Brainerd International Raceway during the previous round of the championship. Specifically, a bruised shoulder and fractures to his left wrist, which prevented him from lining up for Sunday’s race two at Brainerd.

The past couple of weeks of rest and rehabilitation have done wonders for Mathew’s fitness, however, and he and the team are ready to fight for strong results this weekend. Mathew notched two podium finishes, including a runner-up result, last year at PittRace, and the 2.78-mile, 19-turn road course suits him well.

“Pittsburgh has always been a good track for me and the Westby Racing team,” Mathew said. “It just seems to suit me and the bike really well. We’ve always seemed to be very dialed-in up there. It’s been a difficult past few race weekends for me and the team, but I know we can bounce back from it. We are more than capable of running up front, and the team has a really good package for this round with the engine and suspension. I’m looking forward to fighting up at the front. It’s going to be a challenging weekend for me with my injuries from Brainerd, but I feel strong and feel that I am able to push and be up front where we should be. I want to show that we are still one of the best teams out there.”

Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:15 a.m. ET. Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast via tape delay on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) at 8:30 p.m. ET. Superbike race two is on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast LIVE on FS2.

For all the action from PittRace, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.

Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More

Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11 to 11:40 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Pitt Race. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.

Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Eazi-Grip Racing Products and MWR Air Filters are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.

For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit https://www.WestbyRacing.com

Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.

More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:

Danilo Petrucci and Ducati Head to PittRace Leading The Championship With Three Rounds to Go

The Pittsburgh International Race Complex hosts round eight as Petrucci and Gagne square off

Sunnyvale, Calif., August 17, 2022 — In a season that has seen more twists and turns than the undulating PittRace venue that will play host to round eight of the 2022 Medallia MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, Danilo Petrucci will once again head the points standings with three crucial rounds still to play for.

The Italian and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team hold a 13-point advantage over current champion Yamaha’s Jake Gagne after claiming the race two win at the previous round at Brainerd in Minnesota.

Petrucci spent the previous weekend getting well-acquainted with the 2.78-mile venue where Superbike speeds are expected to hit 190 mph on the front and back straights.

This will be a crucial venue for Petrucci and the team as they close in on the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship crown with just two rounds after PittRace remaining.

Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – Ducati #9): “I’m very motivated to race in Pittsburgh because we got the chance to race at the track on the Ducati Panigale V2 in an endurance race,” Petrucci said. “This information was helpful because the track is very narrow with many blind corners like many American tracks. But, for sure, I want to win again this weekend as we did in Brainerd’s second race. The title fight has swung back in our favor, but there is still a long way to go, so all that matters now is winning races.”

The Medallia MotoAmerica Superbike action from PittRace will kick off with practice at 10:35 am EDT on Friday, August 19. Race one is scheduled for Saturday, August 20 at 3:10 pm, and race two kicks off on Sunday, August 21 at 3:10 pm.

MV Agusta Factory Tour: The Phoenix Keeps Rising, In The August Issue

David Swarts

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August 17, 2022

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MV Agusta Factory Tour: The Phoenix Keeps Rising, In The August Issue

In the August 2022 issue of Roadracing World:

MV Agusta has its roots in a northern Italian airplane company started in 1923 by Sicilian Count Giovanni Agusta, who designed and built his first airplane in 1907. After his death in 1927, his son Domenico diversified the company into motorcycles.

WWII saw a brisk aircraft business for the Axis power-aligned Italy. Both BMW and Piaggio were also airplane engineering and manufacturing firms (as well as Kawasaki) but the treaty that ended the war barred Italy and Japan from continuing their aeronautics programs, which meant that all of that airplane defense engineering potential would be refocused on motorcycles.

Hence, the Allies won the war, but the Axis powers made all the best motorcycle…

The Phoenix Keeps Rising, by Sam Q. Fleming.

The Meccanica Verghera Agusta brand and the first MV 98 motorcycle were both born in 1945, the year the Second World War ended. Now, 77 years later, Sam Q. Fleming takes a tour of the factory where MV Agusta is still producing its iconic fast, distinctive and beautiful motorcycles. Read about (and see) the process–it’s in the latest print issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

PREVIEW the August 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

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Read the August 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

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American Flat Track: Dunlop Continuing As Official Tire Through 2025

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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American Flat Track: Dunlop Continuing As Official Tire Through 2025

Progressive AFT Announces Three-Year Extension with Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 16, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track is excited to announce a three-year extension to its agreement with Dunlop Motorcycle Tires to remain the Official Tire of Progressive AFT through the 2025 season. The agreement will extend Dunlop’s support of Progressive AFT to more than ten years, but more importantly will show an increase in their commitment to the sport, the specifics of which will be announced ahead of the 2023 season.

Dunlop has been an instrumental partner to the sport for decades, with the most notably with the 2020 introduction of the DT4 – the first new flat track tire in four decades – which now serves as the spec tire across all three Progressive American Flat Track classes. Since its arrival, the DT4 has lived up to Dunlop’s promise of delivering quality and durability, without losing any of the trademark feel that made its predecessor the benchmark for professional flat track for decades.

“Progressive American Flat Track has seen tremendous growth and exposure over the past eight years since we began supplying Dunlop tires. Developing and building tires in the U.S. has been a key component of our strategy and Progressive AFT has provided an opportunity to showcase that to an audience of passionate enthusiasts,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop’s Senior VP of Sales, Marketing, and R&D. “We look forward to evolving and expanding our support of this truly American sport.”

Dunlop Motorcycle Tire has been developing and manufacturing tires in its Buffalo, New York, manufacturing facility for over one hundred years. Known throughout the world for its innovative R&D capabilities and tire technology, Dunlop routinely exceeds even the highest expectations of riders on the street and the track.

“Dunlop is more than just a sponsor or tire provider, they are a strategic partner of Progressive American Flat Track,” said Gene Crouch, COO of AMA Pro Racing. “The quality and consistency of the Dunlop DT4 tire is one of the key components behind the incredible on-track action at Progressive AFT events. We appreciate Dunlop’s continued commitment and look forward to showcasing their world-class racing tires as we embark on the next era of growth for the sport.”

For more information on Dunlop Motorcycle Tires visit https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.

American Flat Track: Four-Way Title Fight Heads To Sacramento Mile

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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American Flat Track: Four-Way Title Fight Heads To Sacramento Mile

Title Fights Take the Spotlight as Progressive AFT Arrives at Legendary Sacramento Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 16, 2022) – An intense four-way championship battle headlines Progressive American Flat Track’s arrival at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, for this weekend’s Mission Legendary Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers on Saturday, August 20.

Four Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle superstars are separated by less than the 25 points that will be awarded for this weekend’s Main Event win, led by defending class champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).

The Sacramento Mile has long been ruled by experienced aces who are able to successfully merge innate skill with strategic acumen. Mees’ effectively took the baton from Bryan Smith in that regard to become the venue’s reigning chess master in 2018, following up Smith’s stretch of seven consecutive wins from 2011-2017 with his own active streak of four Sacramento Mile victories in succession. The factory Indian hero’s Cal Expo exploits are representative of his broader Mile mastery in recent seasons, and he’ll be eyed as the favorite heading into the weekend for good reason.

However, it’s been a while since Mees stood atop the podium this season, his last win coming seven races ago at the Mission Red Mile II. And it’s worth recalling that Mees was pushed to the absolute limit in Lexington by Estenson Racing Yamaha teammates Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Both riders could easily prove to be contenders again this weekend aboard a pair of very fast Yamahas.

Of course, second-ranked Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) should not be discounted either. Bauman has long sought to unlock the secrets necessary to overcome Mees’ Mile advantage, but he’s been riding as well as anyone in the paddock over the season’s second half.

Meanwhile, teammates Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) are locked in a tight intra-team fight for fifth in the points and both have the potential to factor up front this weekend. Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) is not far behind them in the standings and no doubt eager to claw his way back up into podium contention.

Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines

Over the past four rounds, momentum in the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines class has shifted decidedly in favor of Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R).

The Wisconsin native has been in commanding form during that run, topping five of five practices, eight of eight qualifying sessions, three of four Semis, and three of four Main Events. As a result, he’s transformed what was a seven-point deficit into a 14-point advantage.

In fact, it’s a credit to the tenacious Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) that Janisch doesn’t have a bigger lead as a result of his remarkable recent form. Considering all that, the Sacramento Mile couldn’t have come at a better time for defending champion Texter, who enjoyed Janisch-like dominance at Cal Expo a season ago en route to a doubleheader sweep.

While the championship has been rendered a two-rider affair, several others have the capability to play the role of spoiler, including race winners Michael Rush (No. 15 Hellipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Billy Ross (No. 109 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07).

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Despite still enjoying a massive 46-point Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER championship advantage, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) could use a big weekend following three consecutive weeks of logging season’s worst results.

It’s more a matter of stringing together a solid Main Event than it is a search to rediscover pace, as Kopp has been more than quick enough to continue his winning ways in recent weeks, even if the races didn’t play out that way.

Kopp, along with teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), will be expected to contend for victory again this weekend, although they may not go in considered as the leading race favorites for a change.

In last season’s Sacramento Mile, Turner Racing Honda and then-pilot Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) were the preeminent force at the track, combining to sweep both Main Events.

Despite now being adversaries, both the team and the rider come back to Cal Expo in top form. Estenson Racing ace Brunner has a win, a second, and a third in his last three outings, while his former teammate, Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) happens to be the rider who edged him for victory this past weekend.

And while Brunner is Estenson Racing’s sole rider in the class, Gauthier is joined by a pair of extremely talented teammates in Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), who could also contend for victory.

This year’s Sacramento Mile will celebrate its incredible history with a special “Legends Meet and Greet” autograph session set for 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT to 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds grandstand area. Among the incredible line-up of flat track superstars who will be signing the special “Legends” poster available to purchase for $5, are Scott Parker, Jay Springsteen, Mike Kidd, Bryan Smith, Brad Baker, Joe Kopp, and many more.

Along with all the associated activities, there will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the venue, including numerous vendors, a variety of food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone.

Click here to reserve your tickets today. General Admission tickets are just $25 with a wide range of upgraded seating options to choose from. Paddock Access Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.

Gates will open for fans at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT ahead of the day’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.

The Mission Legendary Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 27, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT, including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.

American Matsudaira On The Moto5 Podium Again In Spain

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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American Matsudaira On The Moto5 Podium Again In Spain

American Kensei Matsudaira Scores Fourth Consecutive Podium in Moto5 Spanish Championship

August 13-14, 2022

Kensei Matsudaira continued his podium streak in the Moto5 category with a second place finish in Race One held on August 14, 2022 in the fourth round of the Cuna de Campeones and RFME Copa de España Championships at the As Pontes Circuit in A Coruña, Spain.

Despite it being his first time at the circuit, Kensei topped the combined free practice timesheet on Saturday. During the final qualifying, Kensei experienced an engine failure bringing his qualifying session to a premature end, but he was still able to set a lap time just 0.2s from pole to start the races on Sunday in fourth position.

In Race One Kensei quickly worked his way from P4 to P2 and would stay in that position until the end.

With a strong finish in Race One, Kensei knew he could fight for the win the second race and took the lead in lap four. He set the fastest lap of the race, but unfortunately two laps later, contact was made by the rider in second position from behind, and Kensei’s race was over.

“It was really disappointing to have Race Two end the way it did since there was nothing I could do and it potentially cost me the championship, but this is racing,” Kensei said after the weekend. “But honestly after losing the engine and crashing in qualifying, just being able to line up on the grid for the races was like a miracle, and then having the pace to fight at the top in both races was really satisfying. Just being right there to fight for the win is what I’m here for, so I’m happy. Big thanks to my team – JR, Juanito, and David for working all night on Saturday to fix my bike to make it perfect to race on Sunday!”

Kensei will now return to the US to race at Round Three of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul championship at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. He is currently third in the Ohvale GP-0 160 category and leads the championship in the Ohvale GP-2 190 category.

Kensei’s next appearance in the Moto5 category in Spain will be at Round Six of the Cuna de Campeones Spanish Championship on September 11, 2022 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.

Kensei would like to thank all of his sponsors for their support to help him race both at home and abroad:

American Racing Team & Academy, Fresh N Lean, Evike.com, Shoei Helmets, Dave Designs, AGV Sport, VNM Sport, D.I.D Chain, Galfer USA, Yoshimura R&D, Suspension Matters, TechSpec, The Starting Grid, Moto Tecnica, Mad Labs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, Bickle Racing, Vortex Racing, Landers Racing, Boyko Racing, Apex Racing Center, Live 100 Moto, DRT Racing, Karen E. Ott Photography, Hans King, Moto Survival School, California Superbike School, and Toni Elias School USA.

Results - As Pontes (Moto5 Races)

How Aprilia Turned The V4 RS-GP Into A Winner, In The August Issue

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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How Aprilia Turned The V4 RS-GP Into A Winner, In The August Issue

In the August 2022 issue of Roadracing World:

Aprilia’s moment of MotoGP revolution came in 2019, when parent company Piaggio decided that it must go big or go home. In other words, start spending proper money on MotoGP or quit.

The result of that change of philosophy was a huge technical advance, when the Noale factory created its 2020 RS-GP, the first iteration with a 90-degree V4 engine. Switching from a narrow-angle Vee to a wider-angle Vee changed everything and made perfect sense, because Ducati and Honda were dominating with their own 90-degree V4s.

Aleix Espargaró, who scored the company’s first MotoGP victory at this year’s Argentine GP, remembers the moment he first rode the new bike, during 2020 pre-season testing at Sepang.

“I did three laps, came into the garage and I was crying,” recalls the 32-year-old Spaniard…

“MotoGP Analysis,” by Mat Oxley.

Earlier this year Aprilia won its first MotoGP race, after decades of trying. This is the epic story, from the two-stroke 500cc V-Twin of 1994-2000 to today’s 90-degree four-stroke V-4 beast–all in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

PREVIEW the August 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Read the August 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

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Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

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Canadian Superbike: More From The Season Finale At Mosport

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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Canadian Superbike: More From The Season Finale At Mosport

YOUNG WINS 2022 CSBK NATIONAL TITLE

Ben Young won the 2022 Canadian Superbike Championship title this weekend after an exciting weekend of racing. Alongside his second national title, Young also broke the qualifying lap record and race lap record at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

The weekend’s success began on Friday during part one of qualifying, where Young would top the time sheets aboard his Van Dolder Home Team BMW. During the second superpole qualifying session, the top 10 riders have a better chance of a clear track and can utilize a special Dunlop “Q” tire, specially built for one flying lap. Young took full advantage, setting a blistering new lap record of 1:20:369, beating the previous fastest lap by almost 2 tenths of a second. This pole position secured Young the season-long battle for the BS Battery Pole Award.

During the first race of the triple-header weekend, Young took the lead early and would hold on to it for much of the race, with championship title defender, Alex Dumas close behind in second. On the penultimate lap, Young and Dumas would cross the line with nothing between them (the timing showing a gap of 0.000). In dramatic fashion, Young regained the lead of the race on the last lap at the last corner, clinching the win and stretching his comfortable championship lead. To win the championship, Young merely needed to finish on the podium in the next race.

The first race on Sunday brought more close racing. Young was fighting hard for the win, despite only needing the podium to take the championship. Young and Dumas would each take the lead multiple times throughout the race, but Young would ultimately cross the line in second position, though doing more than enough to win his second national Superbike title aboard his BMW M1000RR. He took the race lap record on the final lap of the race – an impressive feat given the physical effort required paired with a well-worn tire. Young’s finish would also bring the 125th podium for BMW in their Canadian Superbike Championship history.

On his championship title, Young had this to say: “After race one being a last corner, last lap pass I knew Alex would be defending that line. I tried for the win but with the championship being the bigger picture, I knew it was safe to hold back and finish second. It feels great to secure my second championship. This year was the first full CSBK season since my last championship in 2019, and we enjoyed being able to get back other tracks to take off where we left them last.”

The second race of the day would come to an unfortunately short end due to a red flag incident during the second race after just 3 laps were complete. It was shaping up to be a great battle, with Young and Dumas swapping positions for the lead again keeping fans entertained. The race result was called with only 3 laps complete and half championship points given. Young would podium in second position, completing the 2022 Canadian Superbike championship with a 29.5 point lead.

“I was really looking forward to letting loose and going bar-to-bar in race 3 but unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to. It’s been a pleasure to go toe-to-toe with Alex the past two seasons. We have been inseparable on many occasions and I never expected anything different this weekend. Hope the fans enjoyed it as much as we did. Big thanks to my team and sponsors for a great year.”

With a strong performance from all BMW riders including Young over the year, the Constructors Championship title went to BMW. The icing on the cake for the weekend was that the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW race team would win the coveted CSBK Team of the Year award.

Young’s partners for his 2022 CSBK Championship season include; BMW Motorrad Canada, Van Dolder’s Home Team, Scot-Build Developments Inc, Parts Canada, HJC Helmets, Alpinestars, Hindle Exhaust, Barrie Trim and Mouldings, Clearlite, Primitive Patterns, DP Brakes, Alpha Racing and Vass Performance Cycle.

To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.BenYoungRacing.com, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter and Instagram: @benyoung_86.

American Flat Track: More From The Castle Rock TT

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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American Flat Track: More From The Castle Rock TT

WHALE DELIVERS A THIRD-PLACE PODIUM FINISH AT CASTLE ROCK TT

Round 12 – American Flat Track Championship

CASTLE ROCK, Wa. – The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team had a good showing at Round 12 of the 2022 American Flat Track Championship in Castle Rock, Washington. Team rider Max Whale navigated a hectic AFT Singles Main Event to finish on the third step of the podium, while teammate Kody Kopp fought hard to come back from a near race-ending crash to clinch a valuable 10th-place finish at the Castle Rock TT.

Taking place in conjunction with an amateur event at Washington state’s Castle Rock Race Park, Saturday’s racing proved to be just as exciting as the atmosphere with a packed crowd on-site throughout the evening. In addition to guarding his AFT Singles Championship points lead late in the season, Washington native Kody Kopp had perhaps an additional incentive to fight for the top spot in front of a home-state crowd, and he started off strong with a second-place qualifying position. Whale, on the other hand, had a more tentative start to the day, qualifying ninth overall in the class. Starting on the second row in Semi 1, Whale was able to pick up one position early in the race to secure a fourth-place transfer into the Main Event. Kopp lined up in Semi 2 and he powered his KTM 450 SX-F to the front right off the start, commanding all eight laps to victory.

Whale had his work cut out for him with another second-row start in the Main Event but he put his head down and charged all race long, despite a trio of red-flag restarts unfolding over the course of the 23-lap race. Locking in third later in the race, the Aussie maintained a fast pace through the final stretch to secure his seventh podium finish of the 2022 season.

Max Whale: “It was an awesome track, a lot of fun, but it was really hard to pass on and hard to race on because it was super tight and one-lined. I ended the night with P3, which was awesome from where we started. I felt off the in the first session, not like myself, but I got better every session out there. Sitting second row going into the Main Event, I just rode smart and made a few passes and then a few incidents happened that helped me get up a spot or two and I ended up P3. I can’t thank my whole team enough!”

For Kopp, a bad start in the Main Event set him back early on but he fought through the first restart to bring himself up to second-place. Poised to engage in a battle for the lead, Kopp and the rest of the field endured a second red flag situation and he ended up losing a spot after the re-start. While pushing for the leaders, Kopp suffered a big crash that sent him and his machine catapulting into the air late in the race. The Red Bull KTM crew quickly went to work making repairs on the bike and the points leader was able to join the re-start on the last row, working his way up to a 10th-place finish. Salvaging valuable points, Kopp was able to further extend his lead by two with five rounds remaining in the series.

Kody Kopp (12) on his Red Bull KTM at the Castle Rock TT. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

Kody Kopp: “I got a terrible start in the Main Event and set myself up to have to fight through the pack on a track that you can’t really pass. After the first restart, we were back to fifth and I worked my way up to second and we were coming – we had a line figured out that we were making passes with and then had another red flag while sitting second. I got passed around the outside and got a little flustered so I pushed a little over my head and tucked the front on a right-hander and threw away my shot at the win. We had some work to do on the bike but luckily my team, they work really hard, and I want to thank them for everything. We were able to end up P10 on the night, which isn’t terrible considering we had a to start from dead last after the restart. We actually gained two points in the championship, so head-up going into Sacramento next weekend.”

Next Race: Sacramento Mile – Sacramento, California – August 20, 2022

Round 12 Results – Castle Rock TT

AFT Singles Main Event

1. Dalton Gauthier, Honda

2. Trevor Brunner, Yamaha

3. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

OTHER KTM

9. James Ott, KTM

10. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

AFT Singles Point Standings (After Round 12)

1. Kody Kopp, 243 points

2. Morgen Mischler, 197

3. Dalton Gauthier, 185

OTHER KTM

5. Max Whale, 173

8. James Ott, 100

10. Hunter Bauer, 74

17. Travis Petton IV, 54

N2/WERA Endurance: More From Pittsburgh International Race Complex

David Swarts

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August 16, 2022

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N2/WERA Endurance: More From Pittsburgh International Race Complex

TSR-Dunlop wins The N2/WERA National Endurance at Pitt Race.

Media, PA (August 2022) – TSR-Dunlop USA captured the overall win at round three of the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop at Pittsburgh International Race Complex with riders Hayden Gillim, Brandon Paasch and Brad Burns. In all, a record breaking 78 teams competed in the two-hour Ultralightweight and four-hour combined endurance race for a $23,000 event purse provided by Dunlop, N2 Track Days and Yamaha Motor USA.

TSR-Dunlop won the race at PittRace after breaking their Suzuki GSX-R1000R in half at the last round at Roebling Road. The team was up until three in the morning the night before the event and only got one session on Friday to confirm the GSX-R was going to work. The hard work paid off with a victory and taking the points lead in the Heavyweight class.

The 2022 PittRace Round of the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop was the biggest endurance event held since N2/WERA resurrected the series in 2018. The race started with perfect weather and a stacked field. Lead off riders Josh Hayes, Hayden Gillim, Chris Peris, Stefano Mesa, and Danilo Petrucci took the green flag for the four-hour contest and set a blistering pace. The race was remarkable in that it was unremarkable with zero red flags, yet the racing was incredibly close with the leaders battling well into the third hour. Ultimately, the team with the least number of problems took victory with TSR-Dunlop winning by a little over a lap from Army of Darkness. TSR-Dunlop is the points leader in the Heavyweight Class by the slimmest of margins, but Army of Darkness is the overall points leader going into the next round at Road Atlanta.

TopBox Racing won the Middleweight Class was with Doug Royce, Tony McKnight, and Caleb Odom on a Dunlop-equipped Yamaha YZF-R6. Consistent pace, clean pit stops, and a trouble-free race allowed TopBox to score their second victory in a row. Despite having dominate pace, Alpha Omega finished second after losing several laps to a mechanical issue. Mi Scusi SDK finished third.

Blake Davis and Michael Henao won the lightweight class on a Dunlop-equipped Yamaha YZF-R7 for B&A Racing. The Brown family team of Brown Town Racing finishing second with Team Yo! finishing third.

The Relay Class was extremely successful at Pitt Race with ten teams competing. Team Keep it on the Pipe took the victory with riders Alex Irzyk and Patrick Plowman on a pair of Kawasaki ZX-10R’s. Crash Bandicoots finished second and We R1 Endurance Team finished third.

The 2-Hour Ultralightweight Endurance was stacked with Junior Cup and North America Talent Cup Competitors. Gus Rodio, Max Van and Joe LiMandri battled the entire two hours with Rodio getting the victory on a Dunlop-equipped Rodio Racing Ninja 400.

Round 4 of the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop will be held at Road Atlanta on September 3rd. Learn more at https://www.n2td.org/endurance/

About N2:

N2 – Ride, Learn, Race.

Founded in 2014, N2’s mission is to build a sustainable motorcycle community through safe, structured motorcycle track days, advanced rider training programs based on Yamaha Champions Riding School teaching methods, with a strong affinity for motorcycle road racing. N2 successfully resurrected Motorcycle Endurance Racing in America partnering with WERA Roadracing and creating the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop. N2 is a premier participant in the MotoAmerica Pro Racing Series with a multi-rider team competing in several classes. N2 is also a major contributor to the Roadracing World Action Fund through fundraising efforts and support from its large member base.

The N2 National Endurance Series is proudly sponsored by: Dunlop Motorcycle Tire, Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Dainese, BobbleHeadMoto, WERA Road Racing, KYT Helmets America, Innovative Motorsports, R.E.B Graphics, Millennium Technologies, Wiseco Pistons, JE Pistons, Rise Moto, Ghetto Customs and Yamaha Champions Riding School.

For More Information: www.n2td.org

Video: Behind The Scenes At The 2022 Yamaha MT-10 Intro

David Swarts

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August 15, 2022

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Video: Behind The Scenes At The 2022 Yamaha MT-10 Intro

2022 Yamaha MT-10 Behind The Scenes Riding Review

Roadracing World sent Sam Fleming to ride the new 2022 Yamaha MT-10 in the mountain roads near Asheville, North Carolina. Sam was uniquely qualified for this as he rides a 2007 Yamaha FZ1 daily and has built up three full-race 2020 Yamaha R1s, winning two N2/WERA National Endurance Championships along the way.

The review article will be in the September 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, but Sam recorded some thoughts and technical points on the bike for this video.

Also some pretty riding footage!

@roadracingworld @Vanson Leathers @Yamaha Motor USA @YCRS BIKERS

MotoAmerica: Gagne Vs. Petrucci Title Fight Heads To PittRace (Updated)

August 17, 2022

Danilo Petrucci (9), the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship point leader heading into PittRace. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.