BREMBO: 700 TIMES AT THE TOP, THE PASSION NEVER STOPS
From rugged roads to legendary circuits, Brembo continues to make Motorsport history
Brembo, leader in the production of braking systems, celebrates a successful 2024: with 69 titles won, the company confirms its undisputed leadership in the braking systems sector. A year full of triumphs, with some truly memorable moments. In particular, in Formula 1, Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing) won his fourth consecutive world
championship, using Brembo calipers and discs.
A Brembo MotoGP caliper. Brembo photo.
Another view of a Brembo MotoGP caliper. Brembo photo.
Speaking of other championships, notable mentions include Jorge Martin’s (PrimaPramac Racing) success in MotoGP with the entire Brembo braking system and Marchesini wheels, and the WorldSBK championship in which Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WSBK Team) returned to triumph. Not to forget the victories of Ai Ogura (MT Helmets MSI) in Moto2 and David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in Moto3.
Thierry Neuville’s first WRC World Championship (Hyundai Motorsport) highlights the reliability and performance of Brembo braking systems in asphalt and dirt competitions. The strength of the Italian company is also evident in Gen-7 Car, in which all drivers and teams use components from the Brembo Group, such as AP Racing, demonstrating their reliability at high speeds on oval tracks.
As a Solution Provider, Brembo leverages its many years of experience in motorsport competitions to develop innovative and sustainable technological solutions. Thanks to a constant process of research and development, Brembo is able to offer cutting-edge products to major car and motorcycle manufacturers, ensuring maximum performance and safety. The numerous victories achieved not only by Brembo but also by Group companies such as Marchesini, AP Racing, SBS Friction, and J.Juan confirm the Group’s technological leadership in the sector.
Brembo has once again dominated Formula 1: all 24 races of 2024 were won by cars equipped with its brakes. Since 1975, the Bergamo-based company has collected 531 victories out of 851 Grand Prix races, winning 30 drivers’ titles and 34 constructors’ titles together with the strongest teams in the Circus.
The undisputed dominance in MotoGP continues, with successes extending to Moto2, Moto3, and World Superbike (also with Marchesini). Since 1978, a remarkable 592 victories in the premier class (500 and MotoGP) testify to Brembo’s excellence. For the ninth consecutive year, all MotoGP riders have chosen the performance and safety of Brembo components. With 36 riders’ titles and 37 constructors’ titles won with top teams, Brembo is synonymous with innovation and victory in the world of two wheels.
2024 consolidates Brembo’s dominance in electric motorsport as well. For the sixth consecutive season, all 22 full electric Gen3 single-seaters of the FIA Formula E and the 18 electric Ducati of the FIM MotoE World Cup have relied on the excellence of Brembo braking systems. In addition to the already mentioned championships of Formula 1, Formula E, MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, and WSBK, it is also worth mentioning the WEC, GT, IMSA, EWC, Gen-7 Car, MXGP, Enduro, Trial, Formula 2, Formula 3, WRC, Super Formula, MotoAmerica, Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, and many others, for a total of over 700 world titles won from 1975 to today in various categories.
About Brembo
Brembo leads the world in the design and production of high-performance braking systems and components for top-flight manufacturers of cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles. Founded in 1961 in Italy, Brembo has a long-standing reputation for providing innovative solutions for OEMs and aftermarket. Brembo also competes in the most challenging motorsport championships in the world and has won over 700 titles. Guided by its strategic vision – “Turning Energy into Inspiration” – Brembo’s ambition is to help shape the future of mobility through cutting-edge, digital and sustainable solutions. With over 16,000 people across 15 countries, 32 production and business sites, 9 R&D centers and with a turnover of € 3,849 million in 2023, Brembo is the trusted solution provider for everyone who demands the best driving experience.
In Advance of the 2025 Season, Monster Energy Supercross Boldly Proclaims “Saturday Is Race Day”
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, part of the SMX World Championship Series has unveiled a rebrand campaign that transforms Saturdays into the ultimate celebration of racing. With the launch of its “Saturday Is Race Day” campaign, Supercross is staking its claim as the ultimate form of motorsport competition while also embracing the global fandom that surrounds this storied American-born sport.
The campaign is a bold declaration that every Saturday—henceforth known as Race Day—belongs to Supercross fans. Featuring an electrifying new visual identity, a custom “Race Day” song, and an omnichannel ticketing initiative, the campaign is designed to immerse fans in the raw energy, excitement, and culture of Supercross events like never before. Across mobile, social, digital, and video—not to mention its own theme song—the campaign brings to life the experience beyond the race: a full-day, fan-first extravaganza packed with fun for the whole family.
“This campaign amplifies everything we love about Race Day and invites even more fans to join us in the experience,” said Dave Prater, Vice President – Supercross, Feld Motor Sports. “Supercross brings together the world’s best athletes at the pinnacle of off-road motorcycle racing, showcasing unmatched levels of skill, bravery, strength, and endurance. Seeing the sport up close and meeting these remarkable athletes at FanFest, while being part of the crowd takes the excitement to a whole new level. This campaign is an invitation to experience Supercross live and in person in an entirely new way.”
The new campaign is built around the momentum of Supercross’s record-breaking 2024 season, which marked the second year of the SMX World Championship. This groundbreaking series unified both disciplines of Supercross and Pro Motocross, culminating in the SMX World Championship Playoffs—a three-week postseason format—in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 21. The event saw generational talents Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan both secure their second consecutive world championship titles in the 450 and 250 classes, respectively. With 2025 shaping up to be even bigger, the rebrand combines dynamic visuals with cutting-edge storytelling capturing the heart-pounding action and electric atmosphere of Supercross events.
“Supercross is all about community, energy, and the unforgettable feeling of being trackside,” said Sam Gomez, Senior Vice President of Digital Media and Communications at Feld Entertainment. “This campaign encapsulates the passion of our fans and the spirit of the sport while making it easier than ever for people to be part of the action. Thanks to Gupta Media’s storytelling and creative execution, we’re expanding our reach and delivering a campaign that lives up to the thrill of Supercross.”
Part of the crowd at a Supercross held in Charlotte. North Carolina last season. Feld photo.
Supercross FanFest typically draws NHL arena-sized audiences at each round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and is a big part of the overall Supercross experience.
“We knew that a campaign for Supercross had to match the intensity and passion of the sport itself,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder of Gupta Media, which developed the creative campaign in partnership with Feld Motor Sports. “Our team set out to create a campaign that not only drives ticket sales but also connects with fans on an emotional level, capturing the essence of what makes Supercross unforgettable.”
“Creating the ‘Saturday Is Race Day’ campaign was about capturing the raw energy and passion that make Supercross so special,” said Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Gupta Media. “We wanted to create something that not only resonates with fans but inspires them to engage and make it their own. Whether it’s through sharing their favorite Race Day moments with their families and friends or creating their own takes on the Race Day chant on social media, this is a rallying cry for the Supercross community to unite and amplify what they love about Race Day.”
A series ad featuring the new tag line, “Saturday Is Race Day.” The first Supercross of 2025 will be held at Angel Stadium on January 11th. Feld graphic.
Fans can expect to see the new Supercross campaign rolling out across digital channels, television, and social media in the coming weeks. Tickets for the upcoming Supercross season are available now at SupercrossLIVE.com. The 17-race Supercross schedule is poised to visit 16 cities across 13 states, from California and Arizona to Alabama and Pennsylvania, which includes four rounds in the Northeast as the SMX League continues to drive growth of the sport within the region. Additional stops include Tampa at Raymond James Stadium and East Rutherford, N.J. at MetLife Stadium. New to the schedule this season is a stop at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Penn, home to the six-time Superbowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers.
2024 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES WRAPS UP IN STYLE
The 2024 Suzuki International Series wrapped up in style on Whanganui’s world-famous Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, December 26th.
With drizzle wetting the public street circuit early on Thursday morning, fears were held that this may dampen not only the twisty tarmac, but also the enthusiasm of the riders and spectators.
But this was not the case and, particularly as the circuit dried out brilliantly just before the first official races, the riders responded by producing some of the closest racing in the event’s history, with record-setting times recorded in many of the classes, and the crowds showed up anyway in large numbers for the post-Christmas blow-out.
The Cemetery Circuit street motorcycle racing event was the much-anticipated finale of the three-round annual Suzuki International Series and it was not hard to see why the annual motorcycling spectacle each December has a huge following, both domestically and internationally too.
The first two rounds were staged on purpose-built race tracks, in Taupo and Manfeild respectively, in the two weekends preceding Boxing Day and there riders had set themselves up for a thrilling final showdown at Whanganui.
The public street course at Whanganui is unique in world road-racing circles, affectionately regarded as the “Isle of Man of the Southern Hemisphere”, taking the speeding riders past headstones in the inner-city graveyard, not to mention the competitors zooming close to road-side curbs, across white-painted lines, over railway lines and near to traffic islands. It takes your breath away just to think about it, although serious safety measures were in place.
It was memorable again this year as Bay of Plenty father and son duo Tony and Mitch Rees led the way in the premier Formula One/Superbike class, the two men shading a couple of 2024 Isle of Man title winners from the United Kingdom, Davey Todd and Peter Hickman, as the competitors arrived in Whanganui on Boxing Day morning.
And, after a long day of intense action, featuring racing in 14 separate bike classes, that’s how the F1 class did end up, Rees junior No.1 and Rees senior No.2, followed by international stars Todd and Hickman.
This meant the just-turned 32-year-old Mitch Rees had made it four F1 title wins in a row in this popular Christmas-time series.
Mitch Rees previously won the Formula One class overall in the Suzuki International Series in 2020, 2022 and 2023 (the series was not run in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
It also meant he had added the Robert Holden Memorial feature race win to the ones he had celebrated in 2022 and last year too, now making it three wins in a row for this prestigious trophy.
The Robert Holden Memorial trophy probably holds a special place in the Rees family home, with Mitch Rees’ late younger brother Damon Rees having also won it in 2020 and it has been won their father Tony Rees on seven occasions (between 1990 and 2016), the now 57-year-old showing that age truly is just a number.
Hickman had won this trophy also on his previous visit to New Zealand in 2018.
There were plenty of stand-outs in the Suzuki International Series this year, but there was no going past the double-class wins achieved by young Aucklander Tyler King (the 18-year-old from Silverdale who won both the Formula Three and Supersport 300 classes) and home-town hero Richie Dibben (the Whanganui 35-year-old who won both the Supermoto class, for modified dirt bikes, and the inaugural Adventure Bikes class as well).
The Supermoto class was a crowd favourite on the public streets of Whanganui on Boxing Day, with UK rider Davey Todd (Suzuki RM-Z450 letter D) and local Whanganui hero Richie Dibben (Suzuki RM-Z450 No.1) close through every twist and turn. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
“It has been a fantastic series again this year, with great racing throughout the classes,” said Suzuki International Series organiser Allan ‘Flea’ Willacy.
“The competition has been good and we have seen some great crowds. The overseas competitors did not let us down and they really put on a great show.”
Meanwhile, German rider Wolfi Schuster and Frenchman Timothee Monot also added to the international flavour of racing this year, both of these riders entered in the Formula Two/600cc class, although Monot was at Whanganui only. Stuttgart’s Schuster finished a creditable third overall in the F2 class at Whanganui, behind Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood and Wanaka’s Seth Devereux, while Brittany resident Montot claimed 11th overall in the class on Boxing Day.
Class winners in the 2024 Suzuki International Series, which wrapped up in Whanganui on Boxing Day, are Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (Formula One/Superbikes class); Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood (Formula Two/Supersport 600); Auckland’s Tyler King (in both the Formula Three and Supersport 300 classes); Wellington’s Malcolm Beilski (Formula Sport, Senior); Whanganui’s Jeff Croot (Formula Sport, Junior); Glen Eden’s Daniel Mettam (Post Classics, Pre 95, Senior); Tauranga’s Darrick Kattenberg (Post Classics, Pre 95, Junior); Hastings’ Gian Louie (Post Classics, Pre 89, Senior); Lower Hutt’s Dean Bentley (Post Classics, Pre 89, Junior); Panmure’s Adam Unsworth and Whanganui’s Bryce Rose (Formula One Sidecars; Whanganui’s Tracey Bryan and Auckland’s Kendal Dunlop (Formula Two sidecars); and Whanganui’s Richie Dibben (in both the Supermoto and Adventure Bike classes).
Robert Holden Memorial feature race Top Five:
1. Mitch Rees
2. Davey Todd
3. Tony Rees
4. Morgan McLaren-Wood
5. Wellington’s Rogan Chandler.
More Results Follow Below
F1/Superbike Results and Points from the season Finale weekendF1/Superbike Class Series Final Points from all three 2024 eventsRobert Holden Memorial Race results
Supermoto class Round 3 Whanganui results 2024
Supermoto class series results 2024
The Suzuki International Series is supported by Suzuki New Zealand, Mondiale VGL, Auto Super Shoppe Tawa, Givi, I-Tools, Bridgestone tyres, Sharp As Linehaul Ltd Whanganui, TSS Motorcycles, Ipone, Inferno Design and Digital, Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance Specialists, Cemetery Circuit Ltd.
DATES FOR 2024 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES:
• Round 1, Taupo, Dec 7th and 8th;
• Round 2, Manfeild, Feilding, Dec 14th and 15th;
• Round 3, Whanganui’s Cemetery Circuit, Dec 26th.
American Kristian Daniel Jr. returns to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2025, following his successful first season (2024) in the program, in which he finished 11th in points.
Red Bull Rookies chasing World Champions in 2025 – Entry List
26 of the world’s best young riders representing 19 different nations will contest the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2025. Of the 13 newcomers, Yaroslav Karpushin adds Kyrgyzstan to the list of Cup nations, Luca Agostinelli represents Vietnam, Kerman Tinez Venezuela and Gabriel Tesini is from San Marino. So in the Cup’s 19th season, the 265 Rookies that are the Cup’s history represent 43 nations. Alejandra Garcia is the 4th female to join the Cup.
Of the Rookies that have graduated from the Cup, more than 50% have made a start in the World Championship and of those, 30% have won a GP. 11 ex Rookies have won 15 World Championships including this year’s MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martín, Rookies class of 2014. Ai Ogura, Class of 2017, has this season’s Moto2 title and David Alonso, Class of 2021, is Moto3 World Champion.
While Martín defends his MotoGP crown in 2025 he is joined in the premier class by Ogura as Alonso moves up to Moto2. Five of last year’s Rookies Cup graduates are all set to race in the Moto3 World Championship led by our 2024 champion Álvaro Carpe. He is joined by Valentin Perrone, Màximo Quiles, Ruche Moodley and Guido Pini.
American Kristian Daniel, Jr. Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies.American Kristian Daniel Jr. (70), as seen during the 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup test at Jerez. Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies.American Kristian Daniel, Jr. (70) leads a group of riders at Le Mans during the 2024 season. Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies.
The population of Whanganui, New Zealand is set to explode Thursday as the lower North Island city again hosts one of the most famous street races in the world.
The Cemetery Circuit street motorcycle racing event is the much-anticipated finale of the three-round annual Suzuki International Series and it’s set to blast off on Whanganui’s world-renowned Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, December 26th, Thursday this week.
It’s not hard to see why the annual Suzuki International Series each December has a huge following, both domestically and internationally, too.
However, while the first two rounds of the 2024 edition of this motorcycle road-racing series have now been staged, it’s worth remembering that the best is always saved for last.
All that remains now for the 2024 Suzuki International Series to wrap up is for the world-renowned Cemetery Circuit races on Boxing Day, the massive annual post-Christmas festival of speed always a popular final blow-out before New Year celebrations begin.
The racing on the twists and turns of Whanganui’s public streets – with part of the circuit actually zig-zagging the riders past the Suzuki New Zealand headquarters on Heads Road – attracts worldwide interest every year, especially since this is one of the very few motorcycle street fights still being run anywhere in the world.
And, yes, the course does take the speeding riders past headstones in the inner-city graveyard, not to mention the competitors zooming close to road-side curbs, across white-painted lines, over railway lines and near to traffic islands. It takes your breath away just to think about it, although serious safety measures are in place.
Can Whakatane’s Mitch Rees win again on the famous streets of Whanganui on Boxing Day? Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
It may be memorable again this year as Bay of Plenty father and son duo Tony and Mitch Rees get set to bang handlebars once more in the premier Formula One/Superbike class and as Whanganui’s home-town hero Richie Dibben attempts to dish it up to international star Davey Todd in the Supermoto class (for modified dirt bikes).
With dual-class hero Todd also racing alongside fellow Brit and fellow 2024 Isle of Man winner Peter Hickman and Christchurch’s former national superbike champion Alastair Hoogenboezem in the F1 class, you just know there will be fireworks.
Whakatane’s Mitch Rees leads the way in this premier class, but he may be as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs on Thursday when he calculates the risks and rewards in his attempt to achieve a four-in-a-row win streak on Boxing Day.
Mitch Rees previously won the formula one class overall in the Suzuki International Series in 2020, 2022 and 2023 (the series was not run in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Meanwhile, the Robert Holden Memorial (RHM) feature race will no doubt be one of the highlights of Whanganui’s finale on the Cemetery Circuit.
It is a prestigious race that was won by Mitch Rees in 2022 and 2023, by his late brother Damon Rees in 2020 and by their father Tony Rees on seven occasions (between 1990 and 2016).
Other Robert Holden Memorial feature race winners in the past, who will also be racing in Whanganui this week include Taupo’s Scott Moir (the RHM winner in 2017) and Hickman (RHM winner in 2018).
Many eyes will perhaps also be on the racing between Dibben and Todd, with these two international stars separated by no more than the thickness of their plastic fairings throughout the Supermoto action so far.
All the other various classes too will provide nail-biting excitement, the Formula Three class, the Supersport 300 and Formula Sports classes always close affairs, while it’s worth noting that Whanganui crews will be out in force in the Formula One, Formula Two and Pre-82 Classic Sidecars classes.
Rounds one and two, at Taupo and Manfeild respectively, have given bike fans, enthusiasts, supporters, sponsors and even the riders themselves plenty to salivate over and they’ve shown how highly they value and love the competition that they’ve shown up in great numbers to watch it live and personal.
“It’s been a fantastic series so far, with great racing throughout the classes,” said Suzuki International Series organiser Allan ‘Flea’ Willacy.
“The competition has been good. The weather’s been perfect and we’ve seen great crowds. The overseas competitors have not let us down and they’ve put on a great show.
“We’re all looking forward now to the final round.”
Class leaders after the second round of three in the 2024 Suzuki International Series at Manfeild are Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (formula one/superbikes class); Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood (formula two/Supersport 600); Auckland’s Tyler King (in both the formula three and Supersport 300 classes); Wellington’s Malcolm Beilski (Formula Sport, Senior); Whanganui’s Jeff Croot (Formula Sport, junior); Glen Eden’s Daniel Mettam (Post Classics, Pre 95, Senior); Tauranga’s Darrick Kattenberg (Post Classics, Pre 95, Junior); Hastings’ Gian Louie (Post Classics, Pre 89, Senior); Lower Hutt’s Dean Bentley (Post Classics, Pre 89, Junior); Panmure’s Adam Unsworth and Whanganui’s Bryce Rose (F1 sidecars); Whanganui’s Tracey Bryan and Auckland’s Kendal Dunlop (F2 sidecars); Whanganui’s Richie Dibben (in both the Supermoto and Adventure Bike classes).
The Suzuki International Series is supported by Suzuki New Zealand, Mondiale VGL, Auto Super Shoppe Tawa, Givi, I-Tools, Bridgestone tyres, Sharp As Linehaul Ltd Whanganui, TSS Motorcycles, Ipone, Inferno Design and Digital, Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance Specialists, Cemetery Circuit Ltd.
KTM PLOTS A PATH TO THE FUTURE AND TO MORE VICTORY
READY TO RACE is more than a slogan for KTM. It defines our existence. In competition, there are highs and lows, daring and disappointment, and victory and defeat. 2024 has been a year of conquests but also challenges for the company. Heading into 2025 and the future, there are more jumps, ruts, and bumps ahead – but we are not letting off the throttle.
2024 has been a remarkable year for KTM, marked by bold innovation, thrilling victories, and unwavering customer dedication. While challenges are part of any great journey, we see them as an opportunity to accelerate toward an even brighter future.
It is no secret that KTM AG is navigating a shifting economic landscape. However, as our READY TO RACE mantra suggests, we are embracing this moment to realign, refuel, and reinvigorate. KTM remains fully committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our current and future customers. We will continue to thrill and find our way to the top of the podium again.
Racing is where we show our brand, our engineering and our passion for the chase. Over the past year, our motorsport teams continued to achieve greatness. We started the season with a staggering 341 FIM World Championship Titles. The globe-trotting calendars involved more than 1,480 race starts and brought us 246 podiums and 150 wins across various disciplines. Of course, there were hardships and injuries—these go with the turf—but KTM impressively added 11 more hard-fought titles to the record.
Off the racing line, the KTM brand has also been extremely active this year. The brand unveiled 59 new models, hosted three international media launches with 152 media partners in attendance, successfully pulled off three customer events with 283 participants, and returned to EICMA, the world’s largest motorcycle show, with a massive 1,635 m² booth along with 17 new KTM products.
There has been a strong push behind these new motorcycles, as well as efforts to ensure we maintain momentum in the right areas.KTM is applying the same forward-thinking approach during this restructuring phase. Our goal over the next 90 days is to stabilize the business while setting the foundation for sustained growth and success.
Throughout this period, KTM guarantees the continuation of motorcycles being delivered through our Authorized KTM Dealer network. The same goes for our spare parts, technical accessories, customer service support and warranties which remain unchanged, ensuring ongoing and unwavering support throughout this period.
The work and the desire for the latest edgy, extreme and adventurous motorcycles goes on. KTM is preparing the launch of a brace of highly anticipated models, which will be in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2025. This again shows our pledge to remain as one of Europe’s leading motorcycle manufacturer well into the future.
Click HERE to watch a compelling video of the challenges and victories that have shaped the KTM brand.
More, from a news release issued by KTM, on its Supercross World Championship team:
A returning four-rider Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team will feature Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger in the 450 Class alongside 250 Class duo Tom Vialle and Julien Beaumer in the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), inclusive of the AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and SMX Finals series.
The Red Bull KTM Factory motocross 2025 team. Photo courtesy KTM.
Equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, the 31-round marathon will see 25-year-old Sexton out to reclaim the 450SX title that he earned in 2023, before he aims to defend his 450MX championship outdoors, and then will target a first-career 450SMX crown in the post-season. With a full season with Red Bull KTM complete, the pair are in a strong position to build upon their success together into the new year.
Chase Sexton: “We’re getting close to the season now and I had a good off-season, took around five weeks off of the bike, so I feel refreshed and we’ve made a lot of progress – compared to last year I’m in a much better spot for 2025. The goal this season is to win more races than last year, so I feel good, and I’m ready to start the season.”
Alongside Sexton, Plessinger, 28, is entering his fourth term with Red Bull KTM and is coming off the strongest season of his career in winning a Supercross Main Event in San Diego. ‘The Cowboy’ finished third overall in Pro Motocross, before racing to P4 at the conclusion of the SMX season. Those results mean that Plessinger will enter Anaheim 1 with confidence on his side and with even larger targets to achieve.
Aaron Plessinger: “I’m super-stoked for the 2025 season! I’m ready to start where we left off in Supercross last year, where I won my first Main Event, and I only think we’re going to get better this year. The bike’s good, I’m feeling strong both physically and mentally, so I’m ready to show these guys that I’m here to stick around and that it ain’t no game. I’m ready to see the fans and have a good time doing it!”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s 250 line-up will once again be headlined by the exciting combination of 24-year-old Vialle – the reigning 250SX East Champion – and talented young American prospect Beaumer, each competing aboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.
Already a two-time MX2 World Champion prior to his arrival in the United States, French standout Vialle will enter 2025 in search of a second 250SX title, while also firmly targeting his maiden American outdoor championship in 250MX. The Red Bull KTM rider placed runner-up in both Pro Motocross and SMX this year, showcasing his capabilities across the board during his second year being based in the U.S.
Tom Vialle: “Everything has been going good this off-season, I was able to win the Paris Supercross, and we have done a lot of testing with the team already. I’m really happy with the bike, the suspension, and also, we have some engine upgrades, so everything so far is working good together. I’m going into my third year of Supercross and was able to win the 250SX East Championship this year, and now I am working hard to try and defend it in 2025. I’m really happy to win my first title indoors and the goal is to win another one next season. It’s a little bit of extra pressure, but I wouldn’t say a lot.”
At 18 years of age, Beaumer is preparing to enter his second full season of professional competition after debuting with Red Bull KTM one year ago. He finished as Rookie of the Year in both 250SX and 250MX, before going on to capture a breakout 250SMX podium result during the SMX Playoffs. Added experience will be instrumental for ‘JuJu’ when the racing commences next season.
Julien Beaumer: “The off-season’s been going really good for me, I’m excited to get going, and the goal this year is to win. I’m in a spot right now where I’m confident that I have the fitness and speed to do that, because I’ve been feeling good on the bike and we’ve made a lot of progress. Last year I had speed, but I made quite a few rookie mistakes, so I have been learning to eliminate those and I’m confident that this upcoming season will be a lot better for me.”
Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “We’ve had a good off-season to prepare so far, and we are ready to start our second year with Chase, so hopefully we can expand on our success and get even better with him for 2025. Aaron had his best season ever this past year, and the plan is to improve on that too. Tom is the defending champion in 250SX East, it will be great to see the number 1 on our bike when the Eastern Region begins. Julien is going into his second season with us, so we are hoping that after a strong pre-season he will be in a position to really shine also. It’s always an exciting time leading up to Anaheim 1 and we are ready for the challenge ahead.”
Supercross will host its traditional opening round at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, January 11th, set to span 17 rounds. Teams will later turn their attention to the Pro Motocross Championship from Saturday, May 24th, at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, for an 11-round journey, before the three-round SMX Finals are due to take off in September.
More, from another news release issued by KTM, on its 2025 Dakar RallyGP team:
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s three-man team of Kevin Benavides, Luciano Benavides, and Daniel Sanders are all set to take on the 2025 Dakar Rally in the RallyGP class. After a strong program of testing and training, the experienced trio are raring to go ahead of the world’s toughest rally-raid. Starting January 3, the event will commence with a short prologue, after which competitors will tackle 12 stages spanning nearly 8,000 km across Saudi Arabia.
Red Bull KTM Dakar team. Photo by Sebas Romero.
Heading into the 2025 edition as a two-time Dakar champion, Kevin Benavides is fully focused on success. The Argentinian endured a difficult 2024 season, with injuries leaving him sidelined from competition for most of the year. However, after an intense program of training and recovery, Kevin aims to be as fit as possible for the upcoming Dakar as he hopes to claim a third win at the iconic event.
Kevin Benavides: “My preparation and training has been really positive, as I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym and cycling and I have prioritized recovery too. Combining that with time on my bike has worked well, and I’m feeling ready to go! Ahead of Dakar, I don’t have many expectations because I like to surprise myself every day, but the fight to win is now greater than ever, that’s for sure. I will give 100% every day and see where we go from there. Over the past two years I have learned the importance of keeping myself fit and riding smart to avoid injuries, because I want to keep doing what I love for as long as possible. I’m really excited to race with this amazing team and people, especially alongside Luciano, and I can’t wait to get going in January!”
Fresh off a solid third place result at the Rallye du Maroc, his first outing back riding the KTM 450 RALLY, Luciano Benavides is fired-up and ready to tackle the 2025 Dakar Rally. Despite suffering a leg injury in June, Luciano has worked hard to bounce back and prepare for Dakar as best as possible. As the 2023 FIM Rally-Raid World Champion and a multiple Dakar stage winner, the Argentinian has a wealth of experience to draw on to achieve his goal of finishing on the top step of the podium.
Luciano Benavides: “Testing went really well, and I’m feeling ready for the big one! I’ve been super busy preparing and training for Dakar with a lot of bike time in the desert in Argentina, Chile, and America, as well as a lot of cycling. My first goal for this Dakar is to arrive feeling 100%, because then I know I can perform at the top. It’s a long race, so we have to take it day by day, but I want to be competitive throughout. From my experience of previous Dakars, I know that you have to be able to bounce back from any bad days, stay focused and remember the ultimate goal, which is to win. Heading into the 2025 Dakar, I feel great and have put so much work in both mentally and physically to be up for it. It’s going to be a great race, and I can’t wait to get to Saudi and get started!”
Fired-up from his recent victory at the Rally du Maroc, Daniel Sanders is keen to carry his momentum into the 2025 Dakar Rally. As a stage winner at previous Dakars, the Australian is determined to push hard from the start. Having finished eighth in the last edition, Daniel is focused on building on his strong form and achieving a top result in Saudi Arabia in January.
Daniel Sanders: “We had some really great training as a team in America, with a lot of roadbook work over pretty demanding terrain to get us ready for Dakar. I feel even more comfortable on the bike since Morocco, and physically I’m feeling fit and strong too. The team have put in a lot of hard work to get the bike completely dialed in and I’ve spent a lot of hours on it testing and making sure it’s perfect. I think I have a really good chance of getting on the podium this year at Dakar, but of course you have to take it day by day. The first week looks tough and quite intense with both the chrono and marathon stages, but I am really looking forward to it. I’m more determined than ever to put KTM back on the top step, so my win in Morocco was a huge confidence boost in that sense. I can’t wait to get to Saudi and start the new year with a bang!”
For its 47th edition, this year’s Dakar Rally will be hosted in the Middle East for the sixth consecutive year. Setting off on January 3 from Bisha, riders will face a short, timed prologue, which will set the tone for the following 12 stages in the Saudi Arabian desert. Competitors will cover nearly 8,000 km, with 5,000 km raced against the clock in timed special stages. In an exciting twist for 2025, the race will feature the grueling 48-hour chrono stage on days two and three, followed almost instantly by the marathon stage, leaving competitors little time to catch their breath. A rest day in Ha’il on January 10 will be welcomed by all, with seven stages through the Empty Quarter then standing between the riders and the finish in Shubaytah on January 17.
Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “Now we’re ready to race the 2025 Dakar! We have a really strong team, especially after Daniel’s win in Morocco, which proved that we have what it takes to be back on the podium. Daniel and Luciano have been training hard and are super motivated, and Kevin is a fighter so even though it will be tough, we have every faith that all three of them can perform. We can’t wait to get started!”
More, from another news release issued by KTM, on its 2025 Dakar Rally2 entrys:
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Edgar Canet to contest the 2025 Dakar Rally. The promising young talent will join the team to compete in the Rally2 class this coming January. Joining the experienced line-up of Kevin Benavides, Daniel Sanders, and Luciano Benavides, Canet will no doubt benefit from the trio’s expertise and advice throughout the event as he takes on Dakar for the first time.
Edgar Canet. Photo courtesy KTM.
Canet has had a busy year of competition, contesting the Rally Portugal, Rallye du Maroc, Desafio Ruta 40, Oasis Rally, and Baja Aragon in order to gain valuable experience and qualify for the 2025 Dakar Rally. Making his world championship debut at the age of 19 in the 2024 Rally Portugal, Edgar impressed by securing third place in his very first prologue stage. He went on to finish the event in 11th overall and claimed an impressive third place in the Rally2 category.
Set to compete in his first ever Dakar Rally, the young Spaniard is fully focused on getting to know the race and successfully reaching the finish line, while a strong result in the Rally2 category would be an incredible bonus. Drawing on his extensive roadbook and navigation work, as well as his time spent training with Luciano, Daniel, and Kevin in America, Edgar is eager to get underway at the iconic event in the new year.
Edgar Canet: “I’m really excited to have qualified for Dakar 2025 and to be supported by KTM for my debut in the world’s most demanding rally is a dream come true. I’ve been racing on a KTM since I was four years old, so to join the factory team now is amazing. I spent a few days riding in the USA with my new teammates Luciano, Kevin and Daniel, and they helped me so much. I have adapted really well to the KTM 450 RALLY, which I know is a winning bike, so I can’t wait to race it at the Dakar. My goal is to get to the finish line and learn as much about the race as possible, and I feel mentally and physically ready for what is to come. Thank you to KTM for the support, and I can’t wait to get underway in Saudi Arabia!”
Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “We’re super happy to announce that Edgar Canet is joining us in Rally2 for Dakar! He has done a great job this season and is a very promising young talent. At only 19 years old, he is performing really well and we’re looking forward to supporting him through his first Dakar.”
After a highly successful debut in 2024, MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has announced that it will once again host the 2025 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup National Final at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10.
The 2025 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup National Final will be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10.
Champions will be crowned in six classes: Stock 50 (ages 6-8), Stock 110 (ages 8-12), GP110 (ages 8-12), GP160 (ages 10-14), GP190 (ages 10-14) and Street GP (ages 14 and up). The Stock 125 class has been replaced by GP 110.
“Our inaugural Mission Mini Cup National Final went extremely well,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “It was our first season of running regional qualifiers for the National, and we had young racers qualify from all over the country. Riders who compete in their local qualifiers will again automatically earn 10 bonus points toward the accumulation of points that contribute to their tally in the National Final. We hope to build on the success of the 2024 event with even more regional races, and we’re excited to see what the future holds.”
In 2024, there were 18 Qualifier events held across 11 states, allowing young riders from diverse regions of the country to compete for a spot in the National Final. MotoAmerica is committed to expanding this program in 2025, with the goal of increasing the number of Qualifiers and providing even more opportunities for emerging talent. In case you missed last year’s Final, be sure to check it out on MotoAmerica’s YouTube channel.
In addition to crowning National Champions at the Mission Mini Cup National Final, Dunlop will select riders for the 2026 Team Dunlop Road Race Elite amateur program based on results from the Road America event. Select Champions from the National Final who intend to move up will also gain free entries into the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Series.
For more information on becoming a Mini Cup National Qualifier host, email [email protected].
2024 MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin (89) in action, with Brembo brakes on his GP24 Ducati . Photo courtesy Dorna.
BREMBO: 700 TIMES AT THE TOP, THE PASSION NEVER STOPS
From rugged roads to legendary circuits, Brembo continues to make Motorsport history
Brembo, leader in the production of braking systems, celebrates a successful 2024: with 69 titles won, the company confirms its undisputed leadership in the braking systems sector. A year full of triumphs, with some truly memorable moments. In particular, in Formula 1, Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing) won his fourth consecutive world
championship, using Brembo calipers and discs.
A Brembo MotoGP caliper. Brembo photo.
Another view of a Brembo MotoGP caliper. Brembo photo.
Speaking of other championships, notable mentions include Jorge Martin’s (PrimaPramac Racing) success in MotoGP with the entire Brembo braking system and Marchesini wheels, and the WorldSBK championship in which Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WSBK Team) returned to triumph. Not to forget the victories of Ai Ogura (MT Helmets MSI) in Moto2 and David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in Moto3.
Thierry Neuville’s first WRC World Championship (Hyundai Motorsport) highlights the reliability and performance of Brembo braking systems in asphalt and dirt competitions. The strength of the Italian company is also evident in Gen-7 Car, in which all drivers and teams use components from the Brembo Group, such as AP Racing, demonstrating their reliability at high speeds on oval tracks.
As a Solution Provider, Brembo leverages its many years of experience in motorsport competitions to develop innovative and sustainable technological solutions. Thanks to a constant process of research and development, Brembo is able to offer cutting-edge products to major car and motorcycle manufacturers, ensuring maximum performance and safety. The numerous victories achieved not only by Brembo but also by Group companies such as Marchesini, AP Racing, SBS Friction, and J.Juan confirm the Group’s technological leadership in the sector.
Brembo has once again dominated Formula 1: all 24 races of 2024 were won by cars equipped with its brakes. Since 1975, the Bergamo-based company has collected 531 victories out of 851 Grand Prix races, winning 30 drivers’ titles and 34 constructors’ titles together with the strongest teams in the Circus.
The undisputed dominance in MotoGP continues, with successes extending to Moto2, Moto3, and World Superbike (also with Marchesini). Since 1978, a remarkable 592 victories in the premier class (500 and MotoGP) testify to Brembo’s excellence. For the ninth consecutive year, all MotoGP riders have chosen the performance and safety of Brembo components. With 36 riders’ titles and 37 constructors’ titles won with top teams, Brembo is synonymous with innovation and victory in the world of two wheels.
2024 consolidates Brembo’s dominance in electric motorsport as well. For the sixth consecutive season, all 22 full electric Gen3 single-seaters of the FIA Formula E and the 18 electric Ducati of the FIM MotoE World Cup have relied on the excellence of Brembo braking systems. In addition to the already mentioned championships of Formula 1, Formula E, MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, and WSBK, it is also worth mentioning the WEC, GT, IMSA, EWC, Gen-7 Car, MXGP, Enduro, Trial, Formula 2, Formula 3, WRC, Super Formula, MotoAmerica, Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, and many others, for a total of over 700 world titles won from 1975 to today in various categories.
About Brembo
Brembo leads the world in the design and production of high-performance braking systems and components for top-flight manufacturers of cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles. Founded in 1961 in Italy, Brembo has a long-standing reputation for providing innovative solutions for OEMs and aftermarket. Brembo also competes in the most challenging motorsport championships in the world and has won over 700 titles. Guided by its strategic vision – “Turning Energy into Inspiration” – Brembo’s ambition is to help shape the future of mobility through cutting-edge, digital and sustainable solutions. With over 16,000 people across 15 countries, 32 production and business sites, 9 R&D centers and with a turnover of € 3,849 million in 2023, Brembo is the trusted solution provider for everyone who demands the best driving experience.
A sold-out crowd at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California where the 2025 series will start anew on January 11th. Feld Motorsports photo.
In Advance of the 2025 Season, Monster Energy Supercross Boldly Proclaims “Saturday Is Race Day”
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, part of the SMX World Championship Series has unveiled a rebrand campaign that transforms Saturdays into the ultimate celebration of racing. With the launch of its “Saturday Is Race Day” campaign, Supercross is staking its claim as the ultimate form of motorsport competition while also embracing the global fandom that surrounds this storied American-born sport.
The campaign is a bold declaration that every Saturday—henceforth known as Race Day—belongs to Supercross fans. Featuring an electrifying new visual identity, a custom “Race Day” song, and an omnichannel ticketing initiative, the campaign is designed to immerse fans in the raw energy, excitement, and culture of Supercross events like never before. Across mobile, social, digital, and video—not to mention its own theme song—the campaign brings to life the experience beyond the race: a full-day, fan-first extravaganza packed with fun for the whole family.
“This campaign amplifies everything we love about Race Day and invites even more fans to join us in the experience,” said Dave Prater, Vice President – Supercross, Feld Motor Sports. “Supercross brings together the world’s best athletes at the pinnacle of off-road motorcycle racing, showcasing unmatched levels of skill, bravery, strength, and endurance. Seeing the sport up close and meeting these remarkable athletes at FanFest, while being part of the crowd takes the excitement to a whole new level. This campaign is an invitation to experience Supercross live and in person in an entirely new way.”
The new campaign is built around the momentum of Supercross’s record-breaking 2024 season, which marked the second year of the SMX World Championship. This groundbreaking series unified both disciplines of Supercross and Pro Motocross, culminating in the SMX World Championship Playoffs—a three-week postseason format—in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 21. The event saw generational talents Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan both secure their second consecutive world championship titles in the 450 and 250 classes, respectively. With 2025 shaping up to be even bigger, the rebrand combines dynamic visuals with cutting-edge storytelling capturing the heart-pounding action and electric atmosphere of Supercross events.
“Supercross is all about community, energy, and the unforgettable feeling of being trackside,” said Sam Gomez, Senior Vice President of Digital Media and Communications at Feld Entertainment. “This campaign encapsulates the passion of our fans and the spirit of the sport while making it easier than ever for people to be part of the action. Thanks to Gupta Media’s storytelling and creative execution, we’re expanding our reach and delivering a campaign that lives up to the thrill of Supercross.”
Part of the crowd at a Supercross held in Charlotte. North Carolina last season. Feld photo.
Supercross FanFest typically draws NHL arena-sized audiences at each round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and is a big part of the overall Supercross experience.
“We knew that a campaign for Supercross had to match the intensity and passion of the sport itself,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder of Gupta Media, which developed the creative campaign in partnership with Feld Motor Sports. “Our team set out to create a campaign that not only drives ticket sales but also connects with fans on an emotional level, capturing the essence of what makes Supercross unforgettable.”
“Creating the ‘Saturday Is Race Day’ campaign was about capturing the raw energy and passion that make Supercross so special,” said Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Gupta Media. “We wanted to create something that not only resonates with fans but inspires them to engage and make it their own. Whether it’s through sharing their favorite Race Day moments with their families and friends or creating their own takes on the Race Day chant on social media, this is a rallying cry for the Supercross community to unite and amplify what they love about Race Day.”
A series ad featuring the new tag line, “Saturday Is Race Day.” The first Supercross of 2025 will be held at Angel Stadium on January 11th. Feld graphic.
Fans can expect to see the new Supercross campaign rolling out across digital channels, television, and social media in the coming weeks. Tickets for the upcoming Supercross season are available now at SupercrossLIVE.com. The 17-race Supercross schedule is poised to visit 16 cities across 13 states, from California and Arizona to Alabama and Pennsylvania, which includes four rounds in the Northeast as the SMX League continues to drive growth of the sport within the region. Additional stops include Tampa at Raymond James Stadium and East Rutherford, N.J. at MetLife Stadium. New to the schedule this season is a stop at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Penn, home to the six-time Superbowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers.
Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (92) cracked the ‘double’ once again, winning both the premier Formula one/Superbike class overall and taking the Robert Holden Memorial feature race win as well. He is congratulated here by visiting UK rider Davey Todd (D). Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
2024 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES WRAPS UP IN STYLE
The 2024 Suzuki International Series wrapped up in style on Whanganui’s world-famous Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, December 26th.
With drizzle wetting the public street circuit early on Thursday morning, fears were held that this may dampen not only the twisty tarmac, but also the enthusiasm of the riders and spectators.
But this was not the case and, particularly as the circuit dried out brilliantly just before the first official races, the riders responded by producing some of the closest racing in the event’s history, with record-setting times recorded in many of the classes, and the crowds showed up anyway in large numbers for the post-Christmas blow-out.
The Cemetery Circuit street motorcycle racing event was the much-anticipated finale of the three-round annual Suzuki International Series and it was not hard to see why the annual motorcycling spectacle each December has a huge following, both domestically and internationally too.
The first two rounds were staged on purpose-built race tracks, in Taupo and Manfeild respectively, in the two weekends preceding Boxing Day and there riders had set themselves up for a thrilling final showdown at Whanganui.
The public street course at Whanganui is unique in world road-racing circles, affectionately regarded as the “Isle of Man of the Southern Hemisphere”, taking the speeding riders past headstones in the inner-city graveyard, not to mention the competitors zooming close to road-side curbs, across white-painted lines, over railway lines and near to traffic islands. It takes your breath away just to think about it, although serious safety measures were in place.
It was memorable again this year as Bay of Plenty father and son duo Tony and Mitch Rees led the way in the premier Formula One/Superbike class, the two men shading a couple of 2024 Isle of Man title winners from the United Kingdom, Davey Todd and Peter Hickman, as the competitors arrived in Whanganui on Boxing Day morning.
And, after a long day of intense action, featuring racing in 14 separate bike classes, that’s how the F1 class did end up, Rees junior No.1 and Rees senior No.2, followed by international stars Todd and Hickman.
This meant the just-turned 32-year-old Mitch Rees had made it four F1 title wins in a row in this popular Christmas-time series.
Mitch Rees previously won the Formula One class overall in the Suzuki International Series in 2020, 2022 and 2023 (the series was not run in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
It also meant he had added the Robert Holden Memorial feature race win to the ones he had celebrated in 2022 and last year too, now making it three wins in a row for this prestigious trophy.
The Robert Holden Memorial trophy probably holds a special place in the Rees family home, with Mitch Rees’ late younger brother Damon Rees having also won it in 2020 and it has been won their father Tony Rees on seven occasions (between 1990 and 2016), the now 57-year-old showing that age truly is just a number.
Hickman had won this trophy also on his previous visit to New Zealand in 2018.
There were plenty of stand-outs in the Suzuki International Series this year, but there was no going past the double-class wins achieved by young Aucklander Tyler King (the 18-year-old from Silverdale who won both the Formula Three and Supersport 300 classes) and home-town hero Richie Dibben (the Whanganui 35-year-old who won both the Supermoto class, for modified dirt bikes, and the inaugural Adventure Bikes class as well).
The Supermoto class was a crowd favourite on the public streets of Whanganui on Boxing Day, with UK rider Davey Todd (Suzuki RM-Z450 letter D) and local Whanganui hero Richie Dibben (Suzuki RM-Z450 No.1) close through every twist and turn. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
“It has been a fantastic series again this year, with great racing throughout the classes,” said Suzuki International Series organiser Allan ‘Flea’ Willacy.
“The competition has been good and we have seen some great crowds. The overseas competitors did not let us down and they really put on a great show.”
Meanwhile, German rider Wolfi Schuster and Frenchman Timothee Monot also added to the international flavour of racing this year, both of these riders entered in the Formula Two/600cc class, although Monot was at Whanganui only. Stuttgart’s Schuster finished a creditable third overall in the F2 class at Whanganui, behind Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood and Wanaka’s Seth Devereux, while Brittany resident Montot claimed 11th overall in the class on Boxing Day.
Class winners in the 2024 Suzuki International Series, which wrapped up in Whanganui on Boxing Day, are Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (Formula One/Superbikes class); Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood (Formula Two/Supersport 600); Auckland’s Tyler King (in both the Formula Three and Supersport 300 classes); Wellington’s Malcolm Beilski (Formula Sport, Senior); Whanganui’s Jeff Croot (Formula Sport, Junior); Glen Eden’s Daniel Mettam (Post Classics, Pre 95, Senior); Tauranga’s Darrick Kattenberg (Post Classics, Pre 95, Junior); Hastings’ Gian Louie (Post Classics, Pre 89, Senior); Lower Hutt’s Dean Bentley (Post Classics, Pre 89, Junior); Panmure’s Adam Unsworth and Whanganui’s Bryce Rose (Formula One Sidecars; Whanganui’s Tracey Bryan and Auckland’s Kendal Dunlop (Formula Two sidecars); and Whanganui’s Richie Dibben (in both the Supermoto and Adventure Bike classes).
Robert Holden Memorial feature race Top Five:
1. Mitch Rees
2. Davey Todd
3. Tony Rees
4. Morgan McLaren-Wood
5. Wellington’s Rogan Chandler.
More Results Follow Below
F1/Superbike Results and Points from the season Finale weekendF1/Superbike Class Series Final Points from all three 2024 eventsRobert Holden Memorial Race results
Supermoto class Round 3 Whanganui results 2024
Supermoto class series results 2024
The Suzuki International Series is supported by Suzuki New Zealand, Mondiale VGL, Auto Super Shoppe Tawa, Givi, I-Tools, Bridgestone tyres, Sharp As Linehaul Ltd Whanganui, TSS Motorcycles, Ipone, Inferno Design and Digital, Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance Specialists, Cemetery Circuit Ltd.
DATES FOR 2024 SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL SERIES:
• Round 1, Taupo, Dec 7th and 8th;
• Round 2, Manfeild, Feilding, Dec 14th and 15th;
• Round 3, Whanganui’s Cemetery Circuit, Dec 26th.
Red Bull Rookies line up in 2024. Kristian Daniel Jr. is the only American in the program for 2025. Red Bull photo.
American Kristian Daniel Jr. returns to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2025, following his successful first season (2024) in the program, in which he finished 11th in points.
Red Bull Rookies chasing World Champions in 2025 – Entry List
26 of the world’s best young riders representing 19 different nations will contest the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2025. Of the 13 newcomers, Yaroslav Karpushin adds Kyrgyzstan to the list of Cup nations, Luca Agostinelli represents Vietnam, Kerman Tinez Venezuela and Gabriel Tesini is from San Marino. So in the Cup’s 19th season, the 265 Rookies that are the Cup’s history represent 43 nations. Alejandra Garcia is the 4th female to join the Cup.
Of the Rookies that have graduated from the Cup, more than 50% have made a start in the World Championship and of those, 30% have won a GP. 11 ex Rookies have won 15 World Championships including this year’s MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martín, Rookies class of 2014. Ai Ogura, Class of 2017, has this season’s Moto2 title and David Alonso, Class of 2021, is Moto3 World Champion.
While Martín defends his MotoGP crown in 2025 he is joined in the premier class by Ogura as Alonso moves up to Moto2. Five of last year’s Rookies Cup graduates are all set to race in the Moto3 World Championship led by our 2024 champion Álvaro Carpe. He is joined by Valentin Perrone, Màximo Quiles, Ruche Moodley and Guido Pini.
American Kristian Daniel, Jr. Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies.American Kristian Daniel Jr. (70), as seen during the 2024 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup test at Jerez. Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies.American Kristian Daniel, Jr. (70) leads a group of riders at Le Mans during the 2024 season. Photo courtesy Red Bull Rookies.
The Supermoto class is sure to be a crowd favorite on the public streets of Whanganui on Boxing Day, especially if UK rider Davey Todd (Suzuki RM-Z450 letter D) and local hero Richie Dibben (Suzuki RM-Z450 No.1) have anything to do with it. This is an image from the Cemetery Circuit last season. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
WHANGANUI CITY BRACED FOR A MASSIVE STREET FIGHT
The population of Whanganui, New Zealand is set to explode Thursday as the lower North Island city again hosts one of the most famous street races in the world.
The Cemetery Circuit street motorcycle racing event is the much-anticipated finale of the three-round annual Suzuki International Series and it’s set to blast off on Whanganui’s world-renowned Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day, December 26th, Thursday this week.
It’s not hard to see why the annual Suzuki International Series each December has a huge following, both domestically and internationally, too.
However, while the first two rounds of the 2024 edition of this motorcycle road-racing series have now been staged, it’s worth remembering that the best is always saved for last.
All that remains now for the 2024 Suzuki International Series to wrap up is for the world-renowned Cemetery Circuit races on Boxing Day, the massive annual post-Christmas festival of speed always a popular final blow-out before New Year celebrations begin.
The racing on the twists and turns of Whanganui’s public streets – with part of the circuit actually zig-zagging the riders past the Suzuki New Zealand headquarters on Heads Road – attracts worldwide interest every year, especially since this is one of the very few motorcycle street fights still being run anywhere in the world.
And, yes, the course does take the speeding riders past headstones in the inner-city graveyard, not to mention the competitors zooming close to road-side curbs, across white-painted lines, over railway lines and near to traffic islands. It takes your breath away just to think about it, although serious safety measures are in place.
Can Whakatane’s Mitch Rees win again on the famous streets of Whanganui on Boxing Day? Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
It may be memorable again this year as Bay of Plenty father and son duo Tony and Mitch Rees get set to bang handlebars once more in the premier Formula One/Superbike class and as Whanganui’s home-town hero Richie Dibben attempts to dish it up to international star Davey Todd in the Supermoto class (for modified dirt bikes).
With dual-class hero Todd also racing alongside fellow Brit and fellow 2024 Isle of Man winner Peter Hickman and Christchurch’s former national superbike champion Alastair Hoogenboezem in the F1 class, you just know there will be fireworks.
Whakatane’s Mitch Rees leads the way in this premier class, but he may be as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs on Thursday when he calculates the risks and rewards in his attempt to achieve a four-in-a-row win streak on Boxing Day.
Mitch Rees previously won the formula one class overall in the Suzuki International Series in 2020, 2022 and 2023 (the series was not run in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Meanwhile, the Robert Holden Memorial (RHM) feature race will no doubt be one of the highlights of Whanganui’s finale on the Cemetery Circuit.
It is a prestigious race that was won by Mitch Rees in 2022 and 2023, by his late brother Damon Rees in 2020 and by their father Tony Rees on seven occasions (between 1990 and 2016).
Other Robert Holden Memorial feature race winners in the past, who will also be racing in Whanganui this week include Taupo’s Scott Moir (the RHM winner in 2017) and Hickman (RHM winner in 2018).
Many eyes will perhaps also be on the racing between Dibben and Todd, with these two international stars separated by no more than the thickness of their plastic fairings throughout the Supermoto action so far.
All the other various classes too will provide nail-biting excitement, the Formula Three class, the Supersport 300 and Formula Sports classes always close affairs, while it’s worth noting that Whanganui crews will be out in force in the Formula One, Formula Two and Pre-82 Classic Sidecars classes.
Rounds one and two, at Taupo and Manfeild respectively, have given bike fans, enthusiasts, supporters, sponsors and even the riders themselves plenty to salivate over and they’ve shown how highly they value and love the competition that they’ve shown up in great numbers to watch it live and personal.
“It’s been a fantastic series so far, with great racing throughout the classes,” said Suzuki International Series organiser Allan ‘Flea’ Willacy.
“The competition has been good. The weather’s been perfect and we’ve seen great crowds. The overseas competitors have not let us down and they’ve put on a great show.
“We’re all looking forward now to the final round.”
Class leaders after the second round of three in the 2024 Suzuki International Series at Manfeild are Whakatane’s Mitch Rees (formula one/superbikes class); Cambridge’s Morgan McLaren-Wood (formula two/Supersport 600); Auckland’s Tyler King (in both the formula three and Supersport 300 classes); Wellington’s Malcolm Beilski (Formula Sport, Senior); Whanganui’s Jeff Croot (Formula Sport, junior); Glen Eden’s Daniel Mettam (Post Classics, Pre 95, Senior); Tauranga’s Darrick Kattenberg (Post Classics, Pre 95, Junior); Hastings’ Gian Louie (Post Classics, Pre 89, Senior); Lower Hutt’s Dean Bentley (Post Classics, Pre 89, Junior); Panmure’s Adam Unsworth and Whanganui’s Bryce Rose (F1 sidecars); Whanganui’s Tracey Bryan and Auckland’s Kendal Dunlop (F2 sidecars); Whanganui’s Richie Dibben (in both the Supermoto and Adventure Bike classes).
The Suzuki International Series is supported by Suzuki New Zealand, Mondiale VGL, Auto Super Shoppe Tawa, Givi, I-Tools, Bridgestone tyres, Sharp As Linehaul Ltd Whanganui, TSS Motorcycles, Ipone, Inferno Design and Digital, Kiwibike Motorcycle Insurance Specialists, Cemetery Circuit Ltd.
Pedro Acosta recently testing a 2025 KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike. Photo by Michael Gougis,
RISING THROUGH ADVERSITY:
KTM PLOTS A PATH TO THE FUTURE AND TO MORE VICTORY
READY TO RACE is more than a slogan for KTM. It defines our existence. In competition, there are highs and lows, daring and disappointment, and victory and defeat. 2024 has been a year of conquests but also challenges for the company. Heading into 2025 and the future, there are more jumps, ruts, and bumps ahead – but we are not letting off the throttle.
2024 has been a remarkable year for KTM, marked by bold innovation, thrilling victories, and unwavering customer dedication. While challenges are part of any great journey, we see them as an opportunity to accelerate toward an even brighter future.
It is no secret that KTM AG is navigating a shifting economic landscape. However, as our READY TO RACE mantra suggests, we are embracing this moment to realign, refuel, and reinvigorate. KTM remains fully committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our current and future customers. We will continue to thrill and find our way to the top of the podium again.
Racing is where we show our brand, our engineering and our passion for the chase. Over the past year, our motorsport teams continued to achieve greatness. We started the season with a staggering 341 FIM World Championship Titles. The globe-trotting calendars involved more than 1,480 race starts and brought us 246 podiums and 150 wins across various disciplines. Of course, there were hardships and injuries—these go with the turf—but KTM impressively added 11 more hard-fought titles to the record.
Off the racing line, the KTM brand has also been extremely active this year. The brand unveiled 59 new models, hosted three international media launches with 152 media partners in attendance, successfully pulled off three customer events with 283 participants, and returned to EICMA, the world’s largest motorcycle show, with a massive 1,635 m² booth along with 17 new KTM products.
There has been a strong push behind these new motorcycles, as well as efforts to ensure we maintain momentum in the right areas.KTM is applying the same forward-thinking approach during this restructuring phase. Our goal over the next 90 days is to stabilize the business while setting the foundation for sustained growth and success.
Throughout this period, KTM guarantees the continuation of motorcycles being delivered through our Authorized KTM Dealer network. The same goes for our spare parts, technical accessories, customer service support and warranties which remain unchanged, ensuring ongoing and unwavering support throughout this period.
The work and the desire for the latest edgy, extreme and adventurous motorcycles goes on. KTM is preparing the launch of a brace of highly anticipated models, which will be in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2025. This again shows our pledge to remain as one of Europe’s leading motorcycle manufacturer well into the future.
Click HERE to watch a compelling video of the challenges and victories that have shaped the KTM brand.
More, from a news release issued by KTM, on its Supercross World Championship team:
A returning four-rider Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team will feature Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger in the 450 Class alongside 250 Class duo Tom Vialle and Julien Beaumer in the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), inclusive of the AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and SMX Finals series.
The Red Bull KTM Factory motocross 2025 team. Photo courtesy KTM.
Equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, the 31-round marathon will see 25-year-old Sexton out to reclaim the 450SX title that he earned in 2023, before he aims to defend his 450MX championship outdoors, and then will target a first-career 450SMX crown in the post-season. With a full season with Red Bull KTM complete, the pair are in a strong position to build upon their success together into the new year.
Chase Sexton: “We’re getting close to the season now and I had a good off-season, took around five weeks off of the bike, so I feel refreshed and we’ve made a lot of progress – compared to last year I’m in a much better spot for 2025. The goal this season is to win more races than last year, so I feel good, and I’m ready to start the season.”
Alongside Sexton, Plessinger, 28, is entering his fourth term with Red Bull KTM and is coming off the strongest season of his career in winning a Supercross Main Event in San Diego. ‘The Cowboy’ finished third overall in Pro Motocross, before racing to P4 at the conclusion of the SMX season. Those results mean that Plessinger will enter Anaheim 1 with confidence on his side and with even larger targets to achieve.
Aaron Plessinger: “I’m super-stoked for the 2025 season! I’m ready to start where we left off in Supercross last year, where I won my first Main Event, and I only think we’re going to get better this year. The bike’s good, I’m feeling strong both physically and mentally, so I’m ready to show these guys that I’m here to stick around and that it ain’t no game. I’m ready to see the fans and have a good time doing it!”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s 250 line-up will once again be headlined by the exciting combination of 24-year-old Vialle – the reigning 250SX East Champion – and talented young American prospect Beaumer, each competing aboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.
Already a two-time MX2 World Champion prior to his arrival in the United States, French standout Vialle will enter 2025 in search of a second 250SX title, while also firmly targeting his maiden American outdoor championship in 250MX. The Red Bull KTM rider placed runner-up in both Pro Motocross and SMX this year, showcasing his capabilities across the board during his second year being based in the U.S.
Tom Vialle: “Everything has been going good this off-season, I was able to win the Paris Supercross, and we have done a lot of testing with the team already. I’m really happy with the bike, the suspension, and also, we have some engine upgrades, so everything so far is working good together. I’m going into my third year of Supercross and was able to win the 250SX East Championship this year, and now I am working hard to try and defend it in 2025. I’m really happy to win my first title indoors and the goal is to win another one next season. It’s a little bit of extra pressure, but I wouldn’t say a lot.”
At 18 years of age, Beaumer is preparing to enter his second full season of professional competition after debuting with Red Bull KTM one year ago. He finished as Rookie of the Year in both 250SX and 250MX, before going on to capture a breakout 250SMX podium result during the SMX Playoffs. Added experience will be instrumental for ‘JuJu’ when the racing commences next season.
Julien Beaumer: “The off-season’s been going really good for me, I’m excited to get going, and the goal this year is to win. I’m in a spot right now where I’m confident that I have the fitness and speed to do that, because I’ve been feeling good on the bike and we’ve made a lot of progress. Last year I had speed, but I made quite a few rookie mistakes, so I have been learning to eliminate those and I’m confident that this upcoming season will be a lot better for me.”
Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “We’ve had a good off-season to prepare so far, and we are ready to start our second year with Chase, so hopefully we can expand on our success and get even better with him for 2025. Aaron had his best season ever this past year, and the plan is to improve on that too. Tom is the defending champion in 250SX East, it will be great to see the number 1 on our bike when the Eastern Region begins. Julien is going into his second season with us, so we are hoping that after a strong pre-season he will be in a position to really shine also. It’s always an exciting time leading up to Anaheim 1 and we are ready for the challenge ahead.”
Supercross will host its traditional opening round at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, January 11th, set to span 17 rounds. Teams will later turn their attention to the Pro Motocross Championship from Saturday, May 24th, at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, for an 11-round journey, before the three-round SMX Finals are due to take off in September.
More, from another news release issued by KTM, on its 2025 Dakar RallyGP team:
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s three-man team of Kevin Benavides, Luciano Benavides, and Daniel Sanders are all set to take on the 2025 Dakar Rally in the RallyGP class. After a strong program of testing and training, the experienced trio are raring to go ahead of the world’s toughest rally-raid. Starting January 3, the event will commence with a short prologue, after which competitors will tackle 12 stages spanning nearly 8,000 km across Saudi Arabia.
Red Bull KTM Dakar team. Photo by Sebas Romero.
Heading into the 2025 edition as a two-time Dakar champion, Kevin Benavides is fully focused on success. The Argentinian endured a difficult 2024 season, with injuries leaving him sidelined from competition for most of the year. However, after an intense program of training and recovery, Kevin aims to be as fit as possible for the upcoming Dakar as he hopes to claim a third win at the iconic event.
Kevin Benavides: “My preparation and training has been really positive, as I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym and cycling and I have prioritized recovery too. Combining that with time on my bike has worked well, and I’m feeling ready to go! Ahead of Dakar, I don’t have many expectations because I like to surprise myself every day, but the fight to win is now greater than ever, that’s for sure. I will give 100% every day and see where we go from there. Over the past two years I have learned the importance of keeping myself fit and riding smart to avoid injuries, because I want to keep doing what I love for as long as possible. I’m really excited to race with this amazing team and people, especially alongside Luciano, and I can’t wait to get going in January!”
Fresh off a solid third place result at the Rallye du Maroc, his first outing back riding the KTM 450 RALLY, Luciano Benavides is fired-up and ready to tackle the 2025 Dakar Rally. Despite suffering a leg injury in June, Luciano has worked hard to bounce back and prepare for Dakar as best as possible. As the 2023 FIM Rally-Raid World Champion and a multiple Dakar stage winner, the Argentinian has a wealth of experience to draw on to achieve his goal of finishing on the top step of the podium.
Luciano Benavides: “Testing went really well, and I’m feeling ready for the big one! I’ve been super busy preparing and training for Dakar with a lot of bike time in the desert in Argentina, Chile, and America, as well as a lot of cycling. My first goal for this Dakar is to arrive feeling 100%, because then I know I can perform at the top. It’s a long race, so we have to take it day by day, but I want to be competitive throughout. From my experience of previous Dakars, I know that you have to be able to bounce back from any bad days, stay focused and remember the ultimate goal, which is to win. Heading into the 2025 Dakar, I feel great and have put so much work in both mentally and physically to be up for it. It’s going to be a great race, and I can’t wait to get to Saudi and get started!”
Fired-up from his recent victory at the Rally du Maroc, Daniel Sanders is keen to carry his momentum into the 2025 Dakar Rally. As a stage winner at previous Dakars, the Australian is determined to push hard from the start. Having finished eighth in the last edition, Daniel is focused on building on his strong form and achieving a top result in Saudi Arabia in January.
Daniel Sanders: “We had some really great training as a team in America, with a lot of roadbook work over pretty demanding terrain to get us ready for Dakar. I feel even more comfortable on the bike since Morocco, and physically I’m feeling fit and strong too. The team have put in a lot of hard work to get the bike completely dialed in and I’ve spent a lot of hours on it testing and making sure it’s perfect. I think I have a really good chance of getting on the podium this year at Dakar, but of course you have to take it day by day. The first week looks tough and quite intense with both the chrono and marathon stages, but I am really looking forward to it. I’m more determined than ever to put KTM back on the top step, so my win in Morocco was a huge confidence boost in that sense. I can’t wait to get to Saudi and start the new year with a bang!”
For its 47th edition, this year’s Dakar Rally will be hosted in the Middle East for the sixth consecutive year. Setting off on January 3 from Bisha, riders will face a short, timed prologue, which will set the tone for the following 12 stages in the Saudi Arabian desert. Competitors will cover nearly 8,000 km, with 5,000 km raced against the clock in timed special stages. In an exciting twist for 2025, the race will feature the grueling 48-hour chrono stage on days two and three, followed almost instantly by the marathon stage, leaving competitors little time to catch their breath. A rest day in Ha’il on January 10 will be welcomed by all, with seven stages through the Empty Quarter then standing between the riders and the finish in Shubaytah on January 17.
Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “Now we’re ready to race the 2025 Dakar! We have a really strong team, especially after Daniel’s win in Morocco, which proved that we have what it takes to be back on the podium. Daniel and Luciano have been training hard and are super motivated, and Kevin is a fighter so even though it will be tough, we have every faith that all three of them can perform. We can’t wait to get started!”
More, from another news release issued by KTM, on its 2025 Dakar Rally2 entrys:
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Edgar Canet to contest the 2025 Dakar Rally. The promising young talent will join the team to compete in the Rally2 class this coming January. Joining the experienced line-up of Kevin Benavides, Daniel Sanders, and Luciano Benavides, Canet will no doubt benefit from the trio’s expertise and advice throughout the event as he takes on Dakar for the first time.
Edgar Canet. Photo courtesy KTM.
Canet has had a busy year of competition, contesting the Rally Portugal, Rallye du Maroc, Desafio Ruta 40, Oasis Rally, and Baja Aragon in order to gain valuable experience and qualify for the 2025 Dakar Rally. Making his world championship debut at the age of 19 in the 2024 Rally Portugal, Edgar impressed by securing third place in his very first prologue stage. He went on to finish the event in 11th overall and claimed an impressive third place in the Rally2 category.
Set to compete in his first ever Dakar Rally, the young Spaniard is fully focused on getting to know the race and successfully reaching the finish line, while a strong result in the Rally2 category would be an incredible bonus. Drawing on his extensive roadbook and navigation work, as well as his time spent training with Luciano, Daniel, and Kevin in America, Edgar is eager to get underway at the iconic event in the new year.
Edgar Canet: “I’m really excited to have qualified for Dakar 2025 and to be supported by KTM for my debut in the world’s most demanding rally is a dream come true. I’ve been racing on a KTM since I was four years old, so to join the factory team now is amazing. I spent a few days riding in the USA with my new teammates Luciano, Kevin and Daniel, and they helped me so much. I have adapted really well to the KTM 450 RALLY, which I know is a winning bike, so I can’t wait to race it at the Dakar. My goal is to get to the finish line and learn as much about the race as possible, and I feel mentally and physically ready for what is to come. Thank you to KTM for the support, and I can’t wait to get underway in Saudi Arabia!”
Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “We’re super happy to announce that Edgar Canet is joining us in Rally2 for Dakar! He has done a great job this season and is a very promising young talent. At only 19 years old, he is performing really well and we’re looking forward to supporting him through his first Dakar.”
The 2025 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup National Final will be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10. Photo by Larry Lawrence
After a highly successful debut in 2024, MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has announced that it will once again host the 2025 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup National Final at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10.
The 2025 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup National Final will be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10.
Champions will be crowned in six classes: Stock 50 (ages 6-8), Stock 110 (ages 8-12), GP110 (ages 8-12), GP160 (ages 10-14), GP190 (ages 10-14) and Street GP (ages 14 and up). The Stock 125 class has been replaced by GP 110.
“Our inaugural Mission Mini Cup National Final went extremely well,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “It was our first season of running regional qualifiers for the National, and we had young racers qualify from all over the country. Riders who compete in their local qualifiers will again automatically earn 10 bonus points toward the accumulation of points that contribute to their tally in the National Final. We hope to build on the success of the 2024 event with even more regional races, and we’re excited to see what the future holds.”
In 2024, there were 18 Qualifier events held across 11 states, allowing young riders from diverse regions of the country to compete for a spot in the National Final. MotoAmerica is committed to expanding this program in 2025, with the goal of increasing the number of Qualifiers and providing even more opportunities for emerging talent. In case you missed last year’s Final, be sure to check it out on MotoAmerica’s YouTube channel.
In addition to crowning National Champions at the Mission Mini Cup National Final, Dunlop will select riders for the 2026 Team Dunlop Road Race Elite amateur program based on results from the Road America event. Select Champions from the National Final who intend to move up will also gain free entries into the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Series.
For more information on becoming a Mini Cup National Qualifier host, email [email protected].
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