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MotoGP: Bagnaia Beats Lap Record, Takes Pole Position At Assen

MotoGP Comb Qual

 

GP11_NED_22_Miller_MGP_43_Slow_on_line

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bagnaia beats Quartararo to pole to reignite the title fight at Assen

Four riders broke the old lap record at the Motul TT Assen, but it’s Bagnaia fastest of all on Saturday

Saturday, 25 June 2022

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has a new all-time lap record to add to his growing collection. The number 63 shaved three tenths off the old in setting the new, and after an eventful Q2 he has key rival – and 2021 Assen winner – Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) alongside him on the grid for the Motul TT Assen. The first rider through the barrier of the old lap record, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), completes the front row.

Q1

It was Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and KTM teammate Brad Binder on to move through after the first runs, with some drama for Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as he crawled to a halt at pit exit with an issue. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) then had a tip off at Turn 5, but got back on track to continue.

With a minute and a half left on the clock, Brad Binder turned the tables on his teammate to sit top and by just 0.065. Mir couldn’t quite find enough and ended the session fourth, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) pipping the 2020 Champion to line up in P13.

Q2

Martin was on provisional pole after the first flurry, setting a new lap record ahead of Quartararo in second. But Bagnaia headed out and immediately took over by a couple of tenths, laying down the gauntlet once again. Quartararo closed in, but remained second.

Drama then hit for Martin as the number 89 slid out at Turn 5, a slow one but putting a dent in his session – and bring out yellow flags too, cancelling laps for Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). After a crash for Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) the same complication hit for a few more riders, and then a different one for Quartararo.

On his final attempt the Frenchman had an out-the-seat moment at Turn 5, just able to stay on board but the lap gone. That meant it would be Bagnaia on pole, with fellow challengers unable to improve either as a combination of yellow flags and the simple fact the Italian had scorched in a new lap record keeping him a nice tenth clear on pole.

The Grid

Bagnaia vs Quartararo vs Martin, the latter within only 0.088 of the reigning Champion, makes for a tantalising front row for the Motul TT Assen.

Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) continued his impressive rookie speed with fourth place, under the lap record and having also gone straight through to Q2, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) looking for more from fifth. Miller lines up sixth, and there was no harm done in his slow off – but there was a little after, as the Ducati rider was slow on line, disturbed Viñales and was given a Long Lap for the race given it’s the second similar incident this season.

Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) had a more under the radar session but as ever showed some good form with seventh, ahead of Oliveira, Rins and Binder. All three will want more from the race but after a tough run of qualifying in 2022 so far for KTM – usually remedied on race day with some serious comebacks – into Q2 and in the top 10 is solid Saturday step.

Viñales, after some serious speed in Free Practice, will have to start 11th, and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) lines up in P12.

Mir and Bastianini will be two riders especially eager to charge through once the lights go out, with an especially interesting grid awaiting us on Sunday at the Motul TT Assen. Can Pecco start a comeback before the summer break? Will Quartararo put in another masterclass? Or can someone else take to the top step at the Cathedral? We’ll find out from 14:00 (GMT +2)!

Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m very happy because we did a great step in front from this morning. I didn’t feel good this morning so we did a step in front. From the start of FP4, I felt better, and to do the pole position in a track like this that for sure it’s not the best for our bike, so I’m very happy.”

MotoGP: Pol Espargaro Withdraws From Dutch Grand Prix

Espargaro withdraws from Dutch GP

Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro will not participate in the remainder of the Dutch GP due to his injuries sustained at the Sachsenring.

Since suffering his fall in Free Practice 1 at the German GP, Pol Espargaro has tried his maximum in order to recover and be fit for Round 11 of the MotoGP World Championship. After Free Practice 2 on Friday, Espargaro was still in intense pain and discomfort. Consequently, he feels he is not capable of racing a MotoGP bike and together with the Repsol Honda Team has elected to sit out the race in Assen.

The Repsol Honda Team is looking forward to welcoming a fully fit Pol Espargaro back in Silverstone after the Summer Break. Stefan Bradl will continue to contest the Dutch GP with the Repsol Honda Team.

MotoAmerica: Petrucci Penalized For Running Into Scholtz After Q1

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider Danilo Petrucci has been issued two rider penalty points and a three-position grid penalty in his next race for his actions at the end of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Ridge Motorsports Park.

It was a troubled day for the former MotoGP race winner. At the end of Free Practice One on Friday morning, his Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike went up in a cloud of smoke and he pulled off the track.

When it came time for Qualifying One, Petrucci didn’t immediately go out on track as his crew was apparently still finishing repairs or possibly a motor swap in his bike and then he had an issue with his clutch on pit lane.

Petrucci finally got out on track with just under 18 minutes remaining in the 40-minute Q1 session.

Once out on track, Petrucci and Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz ended up running together trying to follow each other.

After the checkered flag ended the session, Scholtz and Max Flinders stopped side-by-side in the designated Practice Start area of the track to do practice starts, but before they could Petrucci rode into the narrow space between the two riders, making hard contact with both and bending Flinders’ right handlebar.

Petrucci then turned and gave Scholtz the middle finger while looking back at him.

This was all shown live on the MotoAmerica Live+ streaming service followed by several replays from multiple angles.

Scholtz responded by raising his hands as if to ask, “What?”

“In the qualifying session, he was trying to follow me and I was trying to follow him, nothing out of the ordinary,” Scholtz told Roadracingworld.com. “And then on the cool-down lap I just passed him normally, I went to do a practice start, and then he just came through and elbowed me and Max Flinders.

“Then he accused me of clipping his handlebar on the cool-down lap, but unfortunately that’s not true. We’ve got video footage [showing] I wasn’t even remotely close to him.

“I know emotions are running high. It’s just one of those things. I know he is a good guy. We’re obviously racing for the Championship, and people just get caught up.”

MotoAmerica Race Direction spoke to both riders after the incident, reviewed video from the session, and then penalized Petrucci. In short, MotoAmerica ruled that Petrucci was not riding in a “responsible manner.” See MotoAmerica’s full Notice of Sanction below.

Petrucci did not respond to an attempt by Roadracingworld.com to contact him prior to post time.

If Petrucci accumulates four rider penalty points within a 365-day period he will be forced to start his next race from the back of the grid.

 

Event 28 - Danilo Petrucci (1)

2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000, Cyber Warrior Streetfighter

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Featured In the June 2022 issue of Roadracing World:

               “The human mind can perform multiple tasks at once, but only one of them can be language. In other words, you can’t listen to more than one conversation at a time, or you can’t read and listen at the same time. If you try, your brain switches back and forth between the two language inputs, ignoring one while de-encrypting the other. (All language is symbolic encryption, but that’s a topic for another motorcycle review.)

             “So when I’m grading student submissions, I listen to instrumental music. Lately it’s been techno cyberpunk mixes on You Tube. And on one of my latest favorite mixes, something called ‘Neo Tokyo—Cyberpunk Mix,’ someone commented: ‘To fully appreciate this music, I need a black leather jacket with some bright LED lights on it, a sick futuristic motorcycle that talks in Japanese, and a light saber katana (I can use) to kill the local cyber thug robots.’

            “I read that and thought—I have that bike sitting in the garage. And in a very real way, it speaks Japanese. Suzuki has upgraded the GSX-S1000 for 2022 with better electronic rider aids—notably a quickshifter that works in both directions—and with a new look…”

—Quick Look: 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000, by Michael Gougis

 

The new Suzuki GSX-S1000 is unabashedly angular and harsh, with MotoGP styling cues, and the look might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely a design with a focused artistic vision. After riding it on the street and on the track, I found a solid bike that shows its GSX-R1000R roots, is easy to ride fast, encourages enthusiastic behavior and is quite practical. Read the details of Suzuki’s latest super-standard in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

 

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

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

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

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

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world

North America Talent Cup: Di Mario Earns Pole Position At Ridge (Updated)

22_6_RIDGE_NATC_Q2_res

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by North America Talent Cup:

ROUND 3 OF NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP SERIES GETS UNDERWAY WITH MOTOAMERICA AT THE RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK IN WASHINGTON

For the third round of the 2022 North America Talent Cup the young up-and-coming road racers will be a part of the MotoAmerica™ race weekend at The Ridge.

SHELTON, WA, June 24, 2022 – After completing two action packed weekends, the third round of the 2022 season of the North America Talent Cup will join MotoAmerica™ and America’s top professional road racers for the Dynapac Superbikes round at The Ridge Motorsports Park, June 24-26.

The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders aged between 13 and 16 in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.

The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.

The current points leader is Jesse James Shedden with 95 points. With 77 points, Alessandro Di Mario needs to take the fight to Shedden straight away and prevent him from getting out front early on. A consistent and calculating Jayden Fernandez rounds out the top three with 56 points.

We’ve seen incredible action in all four races over the first two race weekends. The technical layout of The Ridge will offer new challenges for the young talents. There is no telling who will rise to the top step on their RS250 SP2. With the added pressure of racing in front of America’s best, it can be anyone’s race to win.

The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner with America’s premier road racing series, MotoAmerica™, to support the future of American road racing talent.

“We’re excited to watch the North America Talent Cup competitors race this weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park,” said Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica COO. “This series is important to give young riders additional exposure and track time as they work toward the professional ranks. Hopefully, the championship comes down to the final round when they join us again at our season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in September.”

About the FIM North America 

FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.

MotoGP: Bagnaia Beats Lap Record, Takes Pole Position At Assen

Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Ducati.
MotoGP Comb Qual

 

GP11_NED_22_Miller_MGP_43_Slow_on_line

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bagnaia beats Quartararo to pole to reignite the title fight at Assen

Four riders broke the old lap record at the Motul TT Assen, but it’s Bagnaia fastest of all on Saturday

Saturday, 25 June 2022

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has a new all-time lap record to add to his growing collection. The number 63 shaved three tenths off the old in setting the new, and after an eventful Q2 he has key rival – and 2021 Assen winner – Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) alongside him on the grid for the Motul TT Assen. The first rider through the barrier of the old lap record, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), completes the front row.

Q1

It was Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and KTM teammate Brad Binder on to move through after the first runs, with some drama for Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as he crawled to a halt at pit exit with an issue. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) then had a tip off at Turn 5, but got back on track to continue.

With a minute and a half left on the clock, Brad Binder turned the tables on his teammate to sit top and by just 0.065. Mir couldn’t quite find enough and ended the session fourth, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) pipping the 2020 Champion to line up in P13.

Q2

Martin was on provisional pole after the first flurry, setting a new lap record ahead of Quartararo in second. But Bagnaia headed out and immediately took over by a couple of tenths, laying down the gauntlet once again. Quartararo closed in, but remained second.

Drama then hit for Martin as the number 89 slid out at Turn 5, a slow one but putting a dent in his session – and bring out yellow flags too, cancelling laps for Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). After a crash for Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) the same complication hit for a few more riders, and then a different one for Quartararo.

On his final attempt the Frenchman had an out-the-seat moment at Turn 5, just able to stay on board but the lap gone. That meant it would be Bagnaia on pole, with fellow challengers unable to improve either as a combination of yellow flags and the simple fact the Italian had scorched in a new lap record keeping him a nice tenth clear on pole.

The Grid

Bagnaia vs Quartararo vs Martin, the latter within only 0.088 of the reigning Champion, makes for a tantalising front row for the Motul TT Assen.

Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) continued his impressive rookie speed with fourth place, under the lap record and having also gone straight through to Q2, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) looking for more from fifth. Miller lines up sixth, and there was no harm done in his slow off – but there was a little after, as the Ducati rider was slow on line, disturbed Viñales and was given a Long Lap for the race given it’s the second similar incident this season.

Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) had a more under the radar session but as ever showed some good form with seventh, ahead of Oliveira, Rins and Binder. All three will want more from the race but after a tough run of qualifying in 2022 so far for KTM – usually remedied on race day with some serious comebacks – into Q2 and in the top 10 is solid Saturday step.

Viñales, after some serious speed in Free Practice, will have to start 11th, and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) lines up in P12.

Mir and Bastianini will be two riders especially eager to charge through once the lights go out, with an especially interesting grid awaiting us on Sunday at the Motul TT Assen. Can Pecco start a comeback before the summer break? Will Quartararo put in another masterclass? Or can someone else take to the top step at the Cathedral? We’ll find out from 14:00 (GMT +2)!

Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m very happy because we did a great step in front from this morning. I didn’t feel good this morning so we did a step in front. From the start of FP4, I felt better, and to do the pole position in a track like this that for sure it’s not the best for our bike, so I’m very happy.”

Moto3: Sasaki Snags Pole Position At Assen

Ayumu Sasaki. Photo courtesy Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing Team.
Ayumu Sasaki. Photo courtesy Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing Team.
Moto3 Comb Qual

Moto2: Fernandez P1, Roberts Top American & P7 In FP3 At Assen

Augusto Fernandez (37), as seen during wet FP1 at Assen. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Moto2 FP3

MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro Leads FP3 At Assen

Aleix Espargaro (41), as seen during FP1 at Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Aleix Espargaro (41), as seen during FP1 at Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoGP FP3

MotoGP: Pol Espargaro Withdraws From Dutch Grand Prix

Pol Espargaro. Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Pol Espargaro. Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.

Espargaro withdraws from Dutch GP

Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro will not participate in the remainder of the Dutch GP due to his injuries sustained at the Sachsenring.

Since suffering his fall in Free Practice 1 at the German GP, Pol Espargaro has tried his maximum in order to recover and be fit for Round 11 of the MotoGP World Championship. After Free Practice 2 on Friday, Espargaro was still in intense pain and discomfort. Consequently, he feels he is not capable of racing a MotoGP bike and together with the Repsol Honda Team has elected to sit out the race in Assen.

The Repsol Honda Team is looking forward to welcoming a fully fit Pol Espargaro back in Silverstone after the Summer Break. Stefan Bradl will continue to contest the Dutch GP with the Repsol Honda Team.

MotoAmerica: Petrucci Penalized For Running Into Scholtz After Q1

Mathew Scholtz (11) and Danilo Petrucci (9) on track together Friday at Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mathew Scholtz (11) and Danilo Petrucci (9) on track together Friday at Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider Danilo Petrucci has been issued two rider penalty points and a three-position grid penalty in his next race for his actions at the end of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Ridge Motorsports Park.

It was a troubled day for the former MotoGP race winner. At the end of Free Practice One on Friday morning, his Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike went up in a cloud of smoke and he pulled off the track.

When it came time for Qualifying One, Petrucci didn’t immediately go out on track as his crew was apparently still finishing repairs or possibly a motor swap in his bike and then he had an issue with his clutch on pit lane.

Petrucci finally got out on track with just under 18 minutes remaining in the 40-minute Q1 session.

Once out on track, Petrucci and Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz ended up running together trying to follow each other.

After the checkered flag ended the session, Scholtz and Max Flinders stopped side-by-side in the designated Practice Start area of the track to do practice starts, but before they could Petrucci rode into the narrow space between the two riders, making hard contact with both and bending Flinders’ right handlebar.

Petrucci then turned and gave Scholtz the middle finger while looking back at him.

This was all shown live on the MotoAmerica Live+ streaming service followed by several replays from multiple angles.

Scholtz responded by raising his hands as if to ask, “What?”

“In the qualifying session, he was trying to follow me and I was trying to follow him, nothing out of the ordinary,” Scholtz told Roadracingworld.com. “And then on the cool-down lap I just passed him normally, I went to do a practice start, and then he just came through and elbowed me and Max Flinders.

“Then he accused me of clipping his handlebar on the cool-down lap, but unfortunately that’s not true. We’ve got video footage [showing] I wasn’t even remotely close to him.

“I know emotions are running high. It’s just one of those things. I know he is a good guy. We’re obviously racing for the Championship, and people just get caught up.”

MotoAmerica Race Direction spoke to both riders after the incident, reviewed video from the session, and then penalized Petrucci. In short, MotoAmerica ruled that Petrucci was not riding in a “responsible manner.” See MotoAmerica’s full Notice of Sanction below.

Petrucci did not respond to an attempt by Roadracingworld.com to contact him prior to post time.

If Petrucci accumulates four rider penalty points within a 365-day period he will be forced to start his next race from the back of the grid.

 

Event 28 - Danilo Petrucci (1)

2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000, Cyber Warrior Streetfighter

Big torque and easy handling make the Suzuki GSX-S1000 fun to ride at a track day. Dunlop Roadsport 2 radials provide enough grip for knee-down cornering, and deliver decent street mileage. Photos by Caliphotography.
Big torque and easy handling make the Suzuki GSX-S1000 fun to ride at a track day. Dunlop Roadsport 2 radials provide enough grip for knee-down cornering, and deliver decent street mileage. Photos by Caliphotography.

Featured In the June 2022 issue of Roadracing World:

               “The human mind can perform multiple tasks at once, but only one of them can be language. In other words, you can’t listen to more than one conversation at a time, or you can’t read and listen at the same time. If you try, your brain switches back and forth between the two language inputs, ignoring one while de-encrypting the other. (All language is symbolic encryption, but that’s a topic for another motorcycle review.)

             “So when I’m grading student submissions, I listen to instrumental music. Lately it’s been techno cyberpunk mixes on You Tube. And on one of my latest favorite mixes, something called ‘Neo Tokyo—Cyberpunk Mix,’ someone commented: ‘To fully appreciate this music, I need a black leather jacket with some bright LED lights on it, a sick futuristic motorcycle that talks in Japanese, and a light saber katana (I can use) to kill the local cyber thug robots.’

            “I read that and thought—I have that bike sitting in the garage. And in a very real way, it speaks Japanese. Suzuki has upgraded the GSX-S1000 for 2022 with better electronic rider aids—notably a quickshifter that works in both directions—and with a new look…”

—Quick Look: 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000, by Michael Gougis

 

The new Suzuki GSX-S1000 is unabashedly angular and harsh, with MotoGP styling cues, and the look might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely a design with a focused artistic vision. After riding it on the street and on the track, I found a solid bike that shows its GSX-R1000R roots, is easy to ride fast, encourages enthusiastic behavior and is quite practical. Read the details of Suzuki’s latest super-standard in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

 

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

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

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

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

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world

North America Talent Cup: Di Mario Earns Pole Position At Ridge (Updated)

Alessandro Di Mario (7). Photo courtesy North America Talent Cup.
Alessandro Di Mario (7). Photo by Karen E. Ott Photography, courtesy North America Talent Cup.
22_6_RIDGE_NATC_Q2_res

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by North America Talent Cup:

ROUND 3 OF NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP SERIES GETS UNDERWAY WITH MOTOAMERICA AT THE RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK IN WASHINGTON

For the third round of the 2022 North America Talent Cup the young up-and-coming road racers will be a part of the MotoAmerica™ race weekend at The Ridge.

SHELTON, WA, June 24, 2022 – After completing two action packed weekends, the third round of the 2022 season of the North America Talent Cup will join MotoAmerica™ and America’s top professional road racers for the Dynapac Superbikes round at The Ridge Motorsports Park, June 24-26.

The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders aged between 13 and 16 in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.

The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.

The current points leader is Jesse James Shedden with 95 points. With 77 points, Alessandro Di Mario needs to take the fight to Shedden straight away and prevent him from getting out front early on. A consistent and calculating Jayden Fernandez rounds out the top three with 56 points.

We’ve seen incredible action in all four races over the first two race weekends. The technical layout of The Ridge will offer new challenges for the young talents. There is no telling who will rise to the top step on their RS250 SP2. With the added pressure of racing in front of America’s best, it can be anyone’s race to win.

The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner with America’s premier road racing series, MotoAmerica™, to support the future of American road racing talent.

“We’re excited to watch the North America Talent Cup competitors race this weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park,” said Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica COO. “This series is important to give young riders additional exposure and track time as they work toward the professional ranks. Hopefully, the championship comes down to the final round when they join us again at our season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in September.”

About the FIM North America 

FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.

MotoAmerica: Schultz On Twins Cup Provisional Pole At Ridge

Hayden Schultz (49). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos.
Hayden Schultz (49). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos.
22_6_RIDGE_TWN_Q1_res