Progressive AFT Returns to Missouri for Inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – The 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season resumes this weekend with the inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City on Saturday, April 23 in Odessa, Missouri.
The stop at the newly revived I-70 Motorsports Park represents Progressive AFT’s long-awaited return to Missouri, some 17 seasons after the championship last visited Sedalia. To celebrate that return, along with Saturday’s championship round, Kansas City-area fans are invited to come out to the venue on Friday, April 22 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. local time to attend the day’s test session free of admission.
The young ‘22 season has already taken on an interesting shape. It was widely expected that the premier Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle class would once again be a battle for supremacy waged by reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and his great rival, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).
That has proven true to an extent, as the Indian Wrecking Crew superstars have split the season’s two available wins and are currently separated by a single point atop the championship standings.
However, the efforts to level the playing field have yielded early dividends, as five different riders out of a possible six, representing three different manufacturers, have stood upon the podium already in 2022.
In fact, it’s Yamaha-mounted JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who stands as the only rider with a perfect podium record thus far. And his teammate, heralded rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), has proven nearly as successful, and the two threaten to collect race wins in the near future.
That sort of parity and unpredictability has added an extra dimension to the season’s title fight, and promises to continue this weekend on a track new to the tour.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), who put Harley-Davidson back up on the box in the season opener, Mission Roof Systems teammates Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and last year’s finale winner, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), are just a sampling of the riders with the potential to factor up front this weekend.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines king Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) rebounded like a champion at the Texas Half-Mile following a difficult opener. Despite tricky conditions and a series of stoppages, Texter controlled the Main Event at Texas Motor Speedway to remind everyone exactly why he’s the one brandishing the #1 plate on his machine.
That said, Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) provided evidence that his virtuoso performance at the opening round was no fluke, logging a fourth-place result as an encore. That result puts him in front of the early-season championship chase heading into Odessa.
Meanwhile, a number of the category’s usual suspects – Ben Lowe (No. 25 Helipower Racing/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction, Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) – have already marked up podium finishes this season.
Some others have yet to break into the top three, but it’s likely only a matter of time before the likes of multi-race winners Chad Cose (No. 49 DPC Racing/Voodoo Ranger Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Ryan Varnes (No. 68 Schaeffer’s Motorsports/Rausch Fuel & Oil KTM 890 Duke) make their presences felt in a major way.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Top honors Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER are seemingly always up for grabs, as the class features a deep pool of both hard-charging youngsters and battle-proven veterans aboard a range of equipment backed with factory support from multiple manufacturers.
However, while the list of potential winners extends into the double digits, an early pecking order headlined by the preseason favorites is already starting to take shape.
Sophomore ace Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and his two-time class runner-up teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), currently sit first and third in the championship standings.
Meanwhile, American Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) – the riders many would have pegged as the most likely to prevent this year’s title hunt from turning into a factory KTM intrateam affair – are currently ranked second and fourth.
While those four expect to continue to jockey for position as the championship campaign develops, a number of others could easily work their way into the mix as well.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R), Michael Inderbitzin (No. 54 1st Impressions Services of Florida Honda CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and Brandon Kitchen (No. 80 Vance & Hines/Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna FC450), among several others, all have the requisite speed and ability to walk away from I-70 Motorsports Park with the winner’s trophy.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well. Along with numerous vendors, food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone, the high-energy three-piece group Pompous Jack, will be performing their blend of ‘80s rock, blues, and country. And the night will conclude in fitting fashion thanks to a post-event fireworks display.
Along with the action at the track on Saturday night and the free test day on Friday, fans are invited to attend the I-70 Half-Mile American Flat Track Rider Meet & Greet at RideNow Kansas City in Olathe, Kansas, where fans can meet their favorite riders and enjoy Mission Foods chips and salsa, on Thursday, April 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Fans who would like seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, including seat-backs in all sections, can select seats in the Reserved Grandstand for just $10 more. The Indoor Suite Reservation ticket provides exclusive viewing above the grandstand in private, climate-controlled accommodations for $150.
Paddock Access Upgrades are available for purchase (and come included with Indoor Suite Reservation tickets), which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the racebikes and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Other options include the Party Deck Add-On for fans 21+ and a range of Multi-Day Camping Passes.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. local time with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event.
The I-70 Half-Mile will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET/7:00 a.m. PT., including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
Schneider starts the Northern Talent Cup season on top
The German was quickest on both days of testing, with Moor for closest company on the timesheets
Tuesday, 19 April 2022
The Northern Talent Cup recently concluded two days of pre-season testing at Oschersleben, with the class of 2022 now ready to race and looking ahead to the season opener alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans.
Two days of dry weather gave the grid – with a whole host of rookies joining this season – chance to maximise track time, but it was Dustin Schneider (Goblin Racing) top of the pile on both days as the German threw down the gauntlet early in 2022 in terms of laptime.
Germany’s Dustin Schneider (20), seen here leading Martin Vincze (12) and others, posted the quickest lap time during the Northern Talent Cup pre-season test. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The field also did a race simulation on Day 2, and once again it was Schneider on top – pulling away by some margin. Second went to a stunning rookie performance from Rocco Sessler (MCA Racing), with experienced Hungarian Tibor Varga (Forty Racing) completing the podium.
Day 1
Schneider was quickest with a 1:36.024 to lay a marker down on the first day of action, with Rossi Moor (Fairium Next Generation Riders Team) second but only 0.073 off. Valentino Herrlich (Busch und Wagner Racing Team) was third on Saturday, although a full second further back as the order got much closer behind the leading duo.
Loris Veneman (TeamNL Open Line) was within a tenth of Herrlich, and it was a rookie completing the top five as Sessler started impressing early to end the day 0.060 off the more veteran Dutchman ahead of him.
There were a number of crashes and some technical incidents on Day 1, but all riders ok.
Day 2
Schneider made it both days on top as the German improved his best laptime down to a 1:35.913, becoming the only rider into the 1:35s at the test. Herrlich improved to a 1:36.567 to go second on Day 2, and although he remained third overall, the gap got cut in half in a good step forward.
Varga moved up into third quickest on the second day of action, the Hungarian another in a group of riders who all managed to get into the mid or high 1:36s. Veneman was fourth once again on Day 2, with Lennoxx Phommara (Team Phommara) completing the top five. From second to tenth, however, was split by only half a second.
Some big news saw Moor suffer a crash that ended his testing early, rider ultimately ok following a full check up at local hospital. The number 92 is already looking ahead to Le Mans, hoping to be back fully fit.
Danish rookie Julius Frellsen (Frellsen RR) and Swiss rookie Levin Phommara (Team Phommara) also crashed and headed for the Medical Centre, riders both passed fit.
That’s a wrap on first touch with 2022, now it’s time for the field to go into race mode as the NTC saddles up for the first time alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans. Don’t miss it!
Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools in the bottom left corner to better see all pages and all sessions, including the race simulation, of the result sheets.
Kawasaki Ninja® Models To Be Featured In “Top Gun: Maverick”
Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell returns to the big screen, once again riding a Kawasaki Ninja®.
There are few motorcycle movie scenes more iconic than Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell riding his Kawasaki Ninja®GPZ 900R along the flight line at United States Navy Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California back in 1986. That scene helped cement Mitchell’s “Maverick” image as a TOPGUN hero. 36 years later, Maverick is not only back at TOPGUN, but back riding a Kawasaki, only today he chooses to ride the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2™ Carbon in the new Paramount Pictures blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” opening May 27th, 2022.
“Working with the “Top Gun: Maverick” team has been amazing,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Vice President, Marketing, Chris Brull. “When we had the chance to jump onboard and see our Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles on the big screen again, we had to be involved. We know that Maverick is a dedicated Kawasaki rider and we made sure he had a full garage of Kawasaki models.”
To celebrate “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kawasaki has partnered with Paramount Consumer Products to launch limited edition t-shirts exclusively sold at participating Kawasaki dealers in the U.S.A. These t-shirts feature both the iconic Ninja GPZ 900R featured in the original Top Gun as well as the supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon. Visit your local Kawasaki dealer while supplies last.
A total of four supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon machines and two restored Ninja GPZ 900R motorcycles were provided to the “Top Gun: Maverick” production team along with some additional surprise models that may appear in Maverick’s personal hanger featured in the film.
“Top Gun: Maverick” will premiere in theaters nationwide on May 27th, 2022 and fans can now experience the breathtaking power of the world’s only supercharged production hypersport motorcycles by owning a Ninja H2™, Ninja H2 Carbon or Ninja H2™R.
About Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and JET SKI® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and Showtime. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. Additionally, Paramount Consumer Products oversees the online direct-to-consumer business for CBS and Showtime programming merchandise, as well as standalone branded ecommerce websites for Star Trek, SpongeBob, South Park, and MTV.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Rossi Moor. Photo courtesy Northern Talent Cup.
Rossi Moor
Age: 14.
Current home: Budapest, Hungary (originally from Portland, Oregon).
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, finished 3rd in Northern Talent Cup Championship (3 wins and 6 total podiums in 14 races), finished 22nd while racing as a wild card in the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship event at Valencia; 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM Ohvale 190 Mini Road Racing Championship; 2019 season, placed 2nd in CIV (Italian) Ohvale GP-0 190 National Championship, won MotoAmerica Ohvale Talent Cup at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won Ohvale GP-0 190 races in Hungarian National Championship, earned pole position and led a race at Ohvale World Championship, finished 25th in European Talent Cup race at Jerez (was youngest participant).
2022 racing goal: Win Northern Talent Cup Championship.
Racing career goals: Win World Championships in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP.
Race Registration for 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Presented by Royal Enfield, is Now Open
AMA VMD race registration, schedules and information available
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycles Days, presented by Royal Enfield, is fast approaching, and race registration is now open for those looking to be part of all the vintage-racing action.
AMA VMD offers everyone — from weekend warriors to Hall of Famers to pro riders — a chance to go back in time and compete on the beloved two-wheeled machines of the past.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship, running in conjunction with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, includes motocross, hare scrambles, road racing and trials — as well as a round of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series — and class winners in each discipline are recognized as AMA national champions.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship also crowns the AMA Vintage Grand Champion and the AMA Vet/Senior Vintage Grand Champion, special recognitions that combine the points from the off-road disciplines — motocross, trials and hare scrambles.
All racers must have general admission tickets in their possession prior to gate entry, and only pre-registered riders with entry confirmation will receive access to Mid-Ohio on Thursday, July 21, at 9 a.m. Gates open for general admission at 5 p.m.
Participating racers compete on vintage motorcycles from across different eras in the many different racing disciplines showcased each year at AMA VMD. Vintage racing includes motocross, road racing, hare scrambles, trials, flat track and pit bike racing. Be aware that pit bike racing has moved from its usual Saturday slot to Friday evening.
Youth riders can also participate in the action. The age requirement for competitors in each discipline is as follows:
Trials: 4 years and up
Motocross and Hare Scrambles: 9 years and up
Flat Track: 12 years and up (Youth riders are not allowed to participate in the dirt-track brakeless class)
Road Race: 14 years and up
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the preeminent — and longest-running — vintage motorcycle event in the country, with over 40,000 attendees each year enjoying off-road and road racing, bike shows, AMA Hall of Fame exhibits, camping, Laps For History on the legendary Mid-Ohio circuit and, of course, the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet.
Running from July 22-24, this year’s event promises to be the best yet, with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz serving as Grand Marshal.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Strap in! MotoGP™ revved up and ready for the rollercoaster
The paddock returns to Portugal after an incredible first four races, with Bastianini back in the hot seat
Monday, 18 April 2022
As the dust settles after a headline maker in Austin, the European leg of the season is just around the corner. The destination is the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as the first of a back-to-back sees the paddock head for Portugal, and there is plenty to talk about on the way in after another shake-up last time out.
Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the natural place to start as the ‘Beast’ blasted back to the top step in style in Texas. In so doing, the Italian also took back the Championship lead and made quite a statement taking Ducati’s first win at the track, backing up a season opener in Qatar that was impressive but on Borgo Panigale happy hunting grounds. COTA was different, and Bastianini is, according to Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller with whom he shared the podium in Austin, also different – with rider not machine making the difference on, amongst other things, tyre life. That bodes well as the Bologna bullets face down Portimão.
The aforementioned Miller took his first podium of the season last time out though, and it wasn’t a win but it was a nevertheless impressive and hard-fought third place. He has been on the podium twice in Portugal too, and after it more being bad luck denting his place in the standings so far, he’ll want to stay in the podium postcode. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, also has two podiums at the track and one was a win – with the Italian having proven a masterful opponent last season. As he rebuilds some good form after a a fairly nightmare first two races, will familiar and successful turf see him take another step forward?
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) had a likewise difficult opening two races before then fighting for the win in Argentina, but COTA saw both he and teammate Johann Zarco fade slightly in the latter stages. Martin will want to put bad memories of the venue to bed as well as get back in the podium fight as he pushes to make up lost ground, and the number 89 can never be counted out – especially on Saturdays, where he’s on quite a run of front rows.
The man who beat Miller to that second place will also feel more confident heading into Portimão. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pitched it to perfection to get Suzuki to 500 Grand Prix podiums and open his count for the season, on top of some solid consistency from the Hamamatsu factory overall this season. He’s had incredible speed on the Algarve before, before disaster struck, but the 2022 GSX-RR seems to have reset those limits Rins was all too often overstepping in 2021, allowing the Spaniard’s pace to shine again.
2020 Champion Joan Mir will also feel confident heading into Portugal. Although still looking for that first podium of the season, the number 36 has been close and, just like Rins, consistent. His record at the rollercoaster is an impressive one too, with two podiums from our two visits to the track last year. Is the time now for Mir’s classic consistency to kick up a gear as we head into Europe?
Behind the Ducati-Suzuki lock out of the top five at COTA came an almighty comeback from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The number 93 – never previously defeated if reaching the finish line in Austin – suffered a mechanical problem on his Honda that dropped him to dead last off the line, and then came a choice: a conservative return to competition as hinted at ahead of the event (and which may even have been enough to fight for the win without the extra hurdle) or a somewhat more rocket-fuelled push back to the front? Marc Marquez is Marc Marquez, and what followed was a goosebumps-inducer.
The number 93 got back into the top ten with speed that those he was passing could have considered a professional affront, but it wasn’t quite enough to get back into the podium postcode. Bastianini’s win was the fastest ever at COTA by a margin, so it was by no means going to be easy had the problem not occurred, but Marquez did end up in another great battle against reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
It was seemingly not simply about taking that sixth place in one race, with plenty more on the line in something akin to a 2019 rematch. For those watching, a round of it at a more Diablo-ruled venue would be a welcome second bout too, because it lit the latter stages on fire ahead of Rins’ launch on Miller. Marquez vs Portimão will most definitely be an interesting one though, as it’s a venue the number 93 has not yet mastered as he has so many. What will he have in the locker? And can Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) get back those Qatar podium vibes?
If there ever was a Diablo-ruled venue though, the Algarve has been such. When Quartararo won at the track in the Portuguese GP last season, it looked effortless – with five seconds in hand by the flag for a statement win. Then, later in the year the points were much more precious than a full push for glory. So what will the number 20 have in store this time around? It’s one podium so far after a difficult start to the season for Yamaha, and Quartararo has so far been a lonely presence in the upper echelons for the Iwata marque. Will the return to Europe hail a little more for the factory, and its reigning Champion? Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will also be hoping so after a tough start to the season, and the number 21 is no stranger to the podium in Portugal.
That can also be said of another up and down starter to the season: home hero Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 88 has that awe-inspiring wet win under his belt from Indonesia, but has otherwise had a tougher time of it so far compared to teammate Brad Binder. KTM overall also had a tougher time of it in Texas, with the top ten remaining out of reach on race day. Oliveira absolutely gassed it on first touch with his home track though, disappearing in a real masterclass – so can he find more form on home turf and, perhaps importantly for KTM, can they find consistency again at a venue where they have a few more laps? Binder’s position in the Championship took a dent last time out, and they’ll want to make sure it’s one duff weekend only seeing a handful of points slip away.
Aprilia also had a tougher time of it in Texas. The Noale factory have struggled at the venue before but, coming from victory, they will still have wanted more than 10th and 11th. Having said that, just like KTM, an outlier if remaining an outlier is no reason to expect that form to continue on European turf. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) tasted the highs of winning and being Championship leader, now sure to be aiming to get back amongst the podium fight, but teammate Maverick Viñales also made an important step in Texas despite it being a tougher result on paper: he finished ahead of the number 41. What will they have in their arsenal as the paddock returns to Portugal?
It’s been said many a time that it’s when the European leg of the season starts that the picture really starts to become clearer, and after a record breaking range of riders on the podium already this season there’s certainly room for many to find some better consistency. But the show is guaranteed to remain a stunner as MotoGP™ heads to the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal and the golden era continues, so make sure to tune in as the lights go out on Sunday at 13:00 local time (GMT +1), which is 14:00 in much of Europe but an hour earlier for Lisbon and London.
MotoGP™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – 61
Moto2 racers Aron Canet (40), Celestino Vietti (13), Tony Arbolino (14), and Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Early pacesetters vs maiden success: Moto2™ resets for the rollercoaster
The intermediate class heads for Portimão with some new podium players and the two early favourites looking to bounce back
The Circuit of the Americas saw some milestones for two Moto2™ riders: Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took his Moto2™ maiden win – incidentally also his first visit to the rostrum in the class – and Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) took a maiden Grand Prix podium in any class. Arbolino has been quick before as a rookie but has taken a definitive step forward this season, and Dixon has been there or thereabouts a few times before bad luck and trouble put paid to the podium. This time, the battle between bringing it home and pushing on to fight it out – in this case with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – saw the Brit tick the box and complete an impressive trajectory from British Superbike to Moto2™ podium.
That makes for an interesting conundrum as to what to expect on the Algarve. Arbolino and Dixon will arrive with a shot of confidence, and the latter certainly has a weight off knowing that first part of the job is done. So can they fight at the front again? It wasn’t just COTA where they were quick, so all signs point to yes. Dixon, in fact, eyes Portugal as a good chance to achieve even more.
Ogura can’t be counted out either. The Japanese rider has made a habit of bothering the podium fight all year and if in doubt, will send – having also unburdened himself fairly early of the need to tick that first Moto2™ podium box. He’s now second in the standings too, although he seems to want a win more than much else, so if in doubt, will still send. Teammate Somkiat Chantra, meanwhile, arrives from a little too much send as the Thai rider came crashing back down to Earth from a stunning first couple of races, and he’ll want to bounce back and overcome his Long Lap Penalty given for that incident as quickly as he can. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), one high profile name caught up in it, will also be keen to head back onto familiar turf and stake a claim back on the frontrunners.
Speaking of bouncing back, Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up) is on a mission to do the same having similarly overcooked it in Texas, although having been judged to have had a lot less time to react after the Chantra incident ahead. It’s now a lot of speed and a lot of bad luck for the 54 so far in 2022, but the key is the first bit because the second seldom lasts forever. Portimão is turf he knows much better too, so that is a warning sign for the rest if ever there was.
And now, Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40). Having tipped themselves favourites to fight for the crown throughout the season, Texas was the first big hurdle for both. First, it seemed like Canet’s lucky day in the standings as his main rival faced his first DNF of the season, and then the pendulum swung swiftly back and the chance was lost – of gaining serious ground and of taking that first Moto2™ win. It’s likely both will be straight back at the sharp end though and Vietti still leads the standings, with the gap between the two unchanged but a few riders gaining ground in between. What can they do on the Algarve? Their past form at a venue seems to matter little so far in 2022, although Canet has already visited the podium, so don’t bet against it.
Finally, Red Bull KTM Ajo. 2022 has been a far cry from 2021 so far, but the season is early and the time is plenty. Augusto Fernandez will likely be looking for a points haul in Portugal and to keep it within the limits as he looks to rebuild some consistency, and rookie teammate Pedro Acosta will be an interesting watch. This is the venue the number 51 blitzed in pre-season, and a venue he’s already more than mastered in Moto3™. If the more difficult start to Moto2™ has left Acosta feeling he needs to pull a rabbit out the hat, the Algarve seems to set a good stage for him to try.
Moto2™ race last this time around, with the schedule a little different to the usual. The lights go out for the intermediate class at 14:30 local time, which is GMT +1 as summer time begins – an hour behind much of Europe as Lisbon lines up with London.
Moto2™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – Kalex – 70
2 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – 56
3 Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – Kalex – 54
Moto3 racers Jaume Masia (5), Dennis Foggia (7), Andrea Migno (16) and others in action. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Can Foggia, Migno and Masia keep it pinned in Portugal?
The first two have form and the latter arrives from his first win of the year, but if some rookies have already been gaining headlines so far, we’re now heading onto more familiar turf…
The Moto3™ race in Texas boiled up into another classic encounter, and from the unique COTA the grid now heads for the differently unique Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) arrives having put some bad luck to bed and fresh from the top step, and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) was likewise back on the podium – with the two making amends from a more dramatic encounter in Argentina. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), meanwhile, was once again fast, consistent and drama free – something he’s making a habit of in 2022, and something that’s put him 16 points clear in the standings.
Portimão has already been a good hunting ground for the Italian too, with his speed having been consistently impressive and any bad luck purely that. Migno has also been on the rostrum in Portugal more than once and will be hoping to repeat the feat, and it’s now Masia who arrives looking to prove flashes of speed at the venue can return some big points this time around.
On the other side of the coin, Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) is looking to bounce back from bad luck at COTA and find some more podium form on the Algarve, and teammate Izan Guevara will want to be right back in that rostrum fight. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) heads in with his form seemingly ironed out and shouldn’t be discounted, and the names of the potential frontrunners go on. But then there are the rookies.
There have been some standout performers so far, but on speed alone the honours until this point have to go to Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The Brazilian has had a mix of bad luck and mistakes, to be expected in a first World Championship season, but the pace has been stunning – and the veterans on the grid will be sarcastically pleased to know that on his debut in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season in Portimão, he promptly put it on pole and then came second in the first race. That’s a good omen, and he’ll be hoping to arrive in good shape after his crash in Texas left him needing to be passed fit ahead of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal.
Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) is also putting together a quietly impressive campaign and gaining traction, and he’ll want more on more familiar ground. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), meanwhile, has had some serious speed of late – but also a few extra and unwanted adventures. He’ll want to iron that out and make pace pay for points in Portugal.
The schedule is another slightly different one this weekend, but Moto3™ are racing first once again as the European leg of the season begins. The lights go out at 11:20 in GMT +1, which is Lisbon and London time.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Yandel Medina. Photo courtesy Yandel Medina.
Yandel Medina
Age: 14.
Current home: Bronx, New York.
Current height/weight: 5’6”/125 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2019, Palm Beach, Florida, CCS, Moto3 Novice, 1st place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuner/mechanic: Juaner Ortiz (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CCS.
Top sponsors: New York Safety Track, Heroic Apparel, Edwin Design, Sunblue Window Film, Hope Farm, Carlo’s Track Day, Certified Knee Draggers, Mark Tenn, Street & Competition, Moto-D, Spears Racing, Robert Mechanic, Ride On Time Limousine, Shellbys Powersport.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, won Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won 4 CCS National Championships (Moto3, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike, GT500), won 2 AMA Grand Championships (500 Supersport & 500 Superbike), finished 2nd in AMA Moto3 Grand Championship race, won ASRA Moto3 race at Daytona, won CCS Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic overall Regional Championships, won 4 CCS Atlantic class Championships (Moto3, GT500, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike).
2022 racing goals: Win MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, race in European Talent Cup, race as a wild card in Supersport 300 World Championship.
Racing career goal: Race in MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Jorge Martin.
Favorite track: Roebling Road Raceway.
Favorite hobby: Cycling.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A baseball player.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Terrific treble for Glenn Irwin and Honda Racing UK at Silverstone opener
Jason O’Halloran (22) leads the start of a British Superbike race Sunday at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin celebrated his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone today, following up his win in yesterday’s opening race to score a sensational double for Honda Racing UK as the Japanese manufacturer celebrates their 30th anniversary year of the Honda Fireblade.
Glenn Irwin had claimed the opening race win of the season yesterday, and in the second race of the weekend, he held off an incredible last lap attack from Kyle Ryde to win the drag to the line by just 0.079s.
Glenn Irwin had carved his way through the pack and was handed the lead courtesy of Bradley Ray crashing dramatically out of the lead, with Ryde and Rory Skinner in close contention.
Ryde was piling on the pressure, but Glenn Irwin was defensive and did just enough to hold him off to the chequered flag.
Skinner claimed FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s first podium finish of the season with a strong third place, whilst his FS teammate Lee Jackson secured fourth after getting ahead of Andrew Irwin on the leading SYNETIQ BMW.
Jason O’Halloran completed the top six, breaking away from Peter Hickman, Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan as Christian Iddon completed the top ten.
In the final race of the weekend, the target was on Glenn Irwin’s back, but he was able to hold off his rivals to celebrate his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Skinner had launched into the lead on the opening lap from his front row start ahead of his Honda rival and Andrew Irwin.
On lap four, Glenn Irwin captured the lead as his brother Andrew moved into second place two laps later as they bid to make it a family affair at the front of the field.
The leading group was a freight train of seven riders with McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha pairing of Ray, Ryde plus Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan.
Ray had been dicing with Andrew Irwin throughout the closing stages, but the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider emerged ahead. Ray had enough pace to hold off Andrew Irwin who became the fifth different podium finisher of the opening round.
Buchan was also in the mix and trying to move ahead of his SYNETIQ BMW teammate, but on the penultimate lap, he ran wide at Brooklands and lost ground. Skinner and O’Halloran seized their opportunity to move ahead and the pair held on to fourth and fifth ahead of Buchan as they crossed the line for the final time.
Bridewell was seventh on the leading Ducati to hold off Lee Jackson whilst Peter Hickman and Kyle Ryde completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.079s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.994s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.032s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +4.321s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +4.979s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +7.798s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +8.586s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +8.642s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.553s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.864s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.487s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +2.550s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.693s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.969s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +4.183s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.242s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.017s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.257s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 75
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 46
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 42
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) 37
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 36
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 32
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 28
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 26
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin on the podium at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK
“Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and today is a new day’.
“I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this.
“I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – all positive in great team work – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes.
“Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
“To come away with three wins, we rewrote the script this weekend. I am buying the beers tonight!”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing UK:
Hat-trick for Honda Racing UK at Silverstone
The opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship has been a dream start to the season for Honda Racing UK, with Glenn Irwin dominating the weekend and winning all three races at Silverstone’s National Circuit aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Claiming victory in yesterday’s first race of the weekend in superb style leading from start to finish, Glenn started today’s second race from the second row of the grid in fourth place. Moving through the pack and making up places with just ten laps to go Glenn was second and fast closing the gap to race leader Bradley Ray, who just two laps later crashed out of the lead. With a clear track ahead, and a chasing Superbike field behind, Glenn crossed the line making it a double win.
The final race of the weekend Glenn lined up fifth, but once the race started he quickly made his way into second place. On the fourth lap, the Honda-man made his move on Rory Skinner to take over the lead, where again he dominated proceedings to cross the line picking up his first treble victory. After the success of the weekend the Honda Racing squad head into the next round at Oulton Park leading the BSB championship with 75 points.
Meanwhile teammate and BSB rookie Tom Neave had a solid point scoring weekend finishing today’s races 14th and 12th respectively. Throughout all races Tom was battling in groups with experienced riders including Josh Brookes, Tom Sykes as well as Leon Haslam. Learning so much this weekend off and on-track, Tom leaves Round 1 13th overall in the championship.
After yesterday’s disappointment in Race 1 where he was forced to retire from the running, Ryo Mizuno enjoyed two race finishes today in 17th and 20th, while teammate Takumi Takahashi finished just outside the points in 16th and 17th places.
The team will now look forward to the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park across the May Bank Holiday weekend 30 April – 2 May.
#2 Glenn Irwin
Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and tomorrow is a new day’. I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this. I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes. Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I love all my teammates and I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
#88 Ryo Mizuno
It was a difficult weekend for me and I’m sorry to the team that I couldn’t bring out the best in both races today. I am very honoured that my teammate Glenn has won three races in a row. Congratulations to Glenn. The only way to break through is to keep going, so we’ll just keep trying to make progress.
#13 Takumi Takahashi
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone in the team who helped me complete my bike in the short time between Race 2 and Race 3. In the second race, I lost position after the start and I couldn’t make a good pace and it was difficult. In the final race, of course, it’s still not enough, including the results, but I had a bit of a feeling I could race in BSB for the first time. I felt that last year’s experience was not in vain. I want to improve on what I’m missing for the next race.
#68 Tom Neave
I really don’t know where to start, it’s been an unbelievable weekend, I’ve hit all my goals and expectations I had of Superbike racing, I’ve actually exceeded them a little. Sitting behind Josh [Brookes], Tom [Sykes] and Leon [Haslam] for some laps, not only did I learn so much from them, but also in myself and where I can be stronger than them. I followed them in Race 2 and wasn’t able to pass, but to be able to pick them off one by one in Race 3 just felt unbelievable with their experience and career history, it really boosted my confidence. The Honda team has been amazing and I absolutely love the new team environment and working with all the guys.
More, from a press release issued by Buildbase Suzuki:
Points on the board for Iddon at Silverstone
Christian Iddon leaves the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone with some points on the board and more data gathered from three solid days of track action, after missing out on valuable testing time in preseason.
The Buildbase Suzuki rider looked good throughout free practice, and felt he had a good rhythm ahead of the races, despite qualifying 11th with a crash in the session.
From the fourth row of the grid in race one he made a lightning start and after six laps he was holding fifth place. However, as the race progressed he dropped a few positions, and eventually crossed the line in eighth.
Sunday’s two races followed a similar pattern, as he made strong getaways off the line and battled for the top six early on, but was unable to maintain the pace and dropped back to take 10th and 11th at the flag.
Christian Iddon, “The weekend started really positively, I felt we had a good rhythm and I was genuinely looking forward to the races. In race one I was aggressive early on to try and get up to the group that I felt we should be in, but I couldn’t maintain the pace, lost that rhythm, and it was difficult. We made some changes this morning but they didn’t have the impact we were hoping for, and then you start riding differently and try and pinch a tenth here and there and lose two or three. But the pace is so hot, we’ve seen some big guns struggle this weekend.
“I felt we were more racey in the last one. We were just off that front group of riders and hanging in there. We picked up an electrical issue which cost a couple of spots in the end, and dropped us outside of the top 10. It would have been nice to have crossed the line and seen the podium positions at least, but it is what it is is. I expected more this weekend but I’m aiming high; I know there’s more potential in the bike and in me. It’s only round one, but next week’s test will be important, I’m keen to get to that and see how the bike behaves on a circuit that’s different in every aspect.”
Danny Kent made his return to racing for the first time after missing the second half of last season with injury. Already on the back foot, a lack of testing time only exacerbated the fact.
Still, he worked hard and made improvements over the course of the weekend, and fought for points in the three races. He finished 17th, 18th, and 15th.
Danny Kent, “It wasn’t the weekend I was hoping to start the year off with. I had higher expectations going into this weekend, even after missing the two-day test, but the pace was really fast compared to previous years. The positive we can take is that we kept closing the gap in each race. The team made some changes for the final race that made the biggest difference, and it was the best the bike felt all weekend. Of course the results aren’t what we want but it was good to race the bike again and get some laps in. The focus is now the Oulton test and look at where we need to improve.”
Race one: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Bradley Ray, 8. Christian Iddon, 17. Danny Kent
Race two: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Rory Skinner, 10. Christian Iddon, 18. Danny Kent
Race three: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Bradley Ray, 3. Andrew Irwin, 11. Christian Iddon, 15. Danny Kent
More, from a press release issued by FIM EWC Press Office:
Race report: Japanese joy made in France as Yoshimura SERT Motul wins EWC 24 Heures Motos
April 17 2022
*Le Mans-based squad takes victory, combined event attendance of 62,000 recorded
*Japanese team starts defence of FIM Endurance World Championship in style
*Result a big boost for Belgian rider Siméon ahead of EWC’s return to Spa in June
*Dunlop Superstock Trophy privateers pack out top 10 places
*Category win goes to Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore after all-action race
*Pole-sitting Yamaha-powered YART finishes second overall
*F.C.C. TSR Honda France completes podium after delays end victory hopes
*First of three 24-hour EWC races for 2022 broadcast live around the world
Yoshimura SERT Motul has made it back-to-back wins in the 24 Heures Motos to begin the defence of its FIM Endurance World Championship title in style.
Riders Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Siméon were supreme for the Le Mans-based squad to win the 45th edition of an event that welcomed fans back after two years of COVID-19 restrictions and resulted in a combined attendance of 62,000.
Always quick, always consistent, the trio combined perfectly and never faltered, the only major scare coming when their Bridgestone-equipped Suzuki GSXR-1000 ran short of fuel during a lengthy safety car period late on Saturday afternoon.
Otherwise, it was a result that reflected Yoshimura SERT Motul’s professionalism and meticulous preparation during 24 challenging hours, an approach that was visible up and down the pitlane as tireless human endeavour – mainly by volunteers – took centre stage.
“It’s an incredible victory and much harder than last year,” said British-born Frenchman Black, who was able to take the traditional running start despite breaking his heel during the Le Mans Pre-Test last month. “The other teams were really, really strong so we had to keep pushing for 24 hours, so the stints were intense, fast and the pace was absolutely incredible. My team-mates did a great job, we’re really happy and proud.”
Yoshimura SERT Motul Team Director Yohei Kato said: “Last year we won the 24 Heures Motos and Bol d’Or and this year we have three 24-hour races. We developed the bike and make our team work focused on the 24 hours, so to achieve this win I am very satisfied with our team, our bike and our riders.”
YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC started the EWC season opener on pole position for the third year running after Karel Hanika set a new lap record during Friday morning’s Second Qualifying session. But when the Yamaha YZF-R1 wouldn’t fire up at the start, the Czech rider joined team-mates Niccolò Canepa and Marvin Fritz in engaging in a heroic charge through the field to finish second, despite the starting issue remaining a hindrance throughout the race.
F.C.C. TSR Honda France, with Mike Di Meglio, Josh Hook and Gino Rea riding, was in front after eight hours, but the squad’s challenge soon unravelled with costly pitstops required to fix firstly a gear selector issue and then to replace a broken silencer. A ride-through penalty caused further delay, while team newcomer Rea fell on Sunday morning, but was able to bring the Honda CB R1000 RR-R back to the pits for repair. Although the delay briefly dropped F.C.C. TSR Honda France out of the podium places, it wasn’t long before the position was reclaimed.
Viltaïs Racing Igol ran as high as third and was in a comfortable fourth place as the best independent outfit when a technical failure led to a heart-breaking exit for the French team.
Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore hit back from delays caused by a broken oil filter to convert its Dunlop Superstock Trophy pole position into the category win in a fine fourth overall with its production-spec Yamaha. However, BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers, National Motos, No Limits Motor Team and Team 33 Louit April Moto all enjoyed spells at the front of the category with the top three often running in close proximity to each other. It was the ultimate advert for the Dunlop Superstock Trophy, which is contested by smaller, lesser funded teams.
No Limits Motor Team eventually finished second in the Dunlop Superstock Trophy in fifth overall following a flurry of late position changes with National Motos next ahead of 33 Louit April Moto. Kawasaki-powered Formula EWC squad Team Bolliger Switzerland took eighth as Pitlane Endurance and Team LH Racing rounded out the top 10.
Myriad delays restricted Tati Team Beringer Racing to P11, while ERC Endurance Ducati’s fightback following a crash when Xavi Forès avoided a backmarker in the seventh hour was slowed by a lengthy pit stop on Sunday.
Wójcik Racing Team was forced to retire its #77 entry following a mechanical failure and an accident. A holed radiator ended BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team’s hopes of what was shaping up to be a strong bid for a podium finish.
Webike SRC Kawasaki France was had podium hopes of its own but they were dashed when the team was forced to spend more than one hour in the pits during the night.
It was a dramatic start to the race on Saturday when Christophe Seigneur was unable to avoid colliding with a slow-moving Bradley Smith. Seigneur was able to walk back to the pits, but ex-MotoGP rider Smith was taken to hospital for medical checks as a result of the substantial rear impact, having received immediate medical attention at the side of the track when the field circulated under safety car conditions. Smith suffered no serious injuries but will remain in hospital for a period of observation. His team MOTO AIN, worked furiously to repair the damage but with the Yamaha not running in perfect order when it returned and with only two drivers available for the full 24-hour duration, the French outfit made the tough decision to withdraw.
RIDER QUOTES
Formula EWC, Sylvain Guintoli (Yoshimura SERT Motul): “It was fantastic, it was really, really tiring with a lot of pace from the competitors so we had to keep pushing all the way. It was 24 hours full speed with a very small margin to try to control the race, but we go home with the big trophy. Endurance is a team sport and without everybody in the team on the technical side, my team-mates you can’t achieve anything so I feel verry lucky to be part of this team. We’ve done well and I hope it carries on.”
Dunlop Superstock Trophy, Philipp Steinmayr (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore: “It’s really awesome, it’s a dream come true and is just the result of really good work from the whole team. They were fast in the pitstops and my team-mates were very fast on the track and we made up the time we lost during the night. It was really hard, my toughest race until now but it’s really nice to get a victory.”
WHAT’S NEXT? 24H SPA EWC Motos, Belgium, June 2-5
A track as legendary as it is demanding hosts international-level motorbike racing for the first time since 2001 when the 24H SPA EWC Motos revives the spirit of the 24 Heures de Liège, once an EWC calendar mainstay. The iconic circuit has undergone extensive safety upgrades mandated by FIM and FMB specifically for the EWC’s return. Central to the changes, which have been ratified by the FIA in line with car racing requirements, are expanded run-off areas at several corners, the repositioning of safety barriers in some sections, plus the minor realignment of Turn 9, for bike use only. More information: https://www.24hspamotos.com/en/
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL WINS LE MANS EWC OPENER
Gregg Black (1) on the Yoshimura SERT Motul Suzuki GSX-R1000. Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.
Yoshimura SERT Motul: Suzuki GSX-R1000R – 1st
Defending World Champion Yoshimura Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Motul raced to victory at the 24 Heures Motos EWC season opener in Le Mans, France today.
Yoshimura SERT Motul riders Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Simeon completed a total of 840 laps at the Bugatti Circuit, 1:45.582 minutes ahead of nearest rivals YART and took 23 pit stops, under favourable weather conditions and in front of a large crowd.
Fast starter Black, from second on the grid, took the holeshot aboard the team’s GSX-R1000R Suzuki and was able to get the better of his opponents right out of the first corner. After spending much of the race in third, the team moved to the front on Saturday evening; a position they dominated with a strong race plan, reliable machine and fast, efficient pit stops by the Yoshimura SERT Motul technical staff.
Through the night, the trio of riders remained fixed on the plan and Black took the event lap record at daybreak with a time of 1.36.195. Always focused on its goals, the Franco-Japanese team gave everything to maintain its lead in the race against strong competition.
On the track, the Suzuki riders did not make any mistakes, maintaining control throughout the challenging 24 hour event, which witnessed the deployment of a safety car no less than eight times. The team even overcame a tricky incident during the outing of the second safety car when Guintoli ran out of fuel but, as ever, in the pits, the technical team provided the perfect back-up until the chequered flag fell.
In addition to the extra 23 points acquired in qualifying, and at the 8th and 16th hours of the race, 40 points were earned for the victory which gave Yoshimura SERT Motul a total of 63 points.
• Italian Suzuki team No Limits Motor Team finished fifth overall and second in the Superstock class aboard their privateer GSX-R1000R.
The Yoshimura SERT Motul team will now head to Belgium on June 4th and 5th for the 24 Hours of Spa.
Damien SAULNIER – Team Manager:
“What a week! What a race! I was impressed by the level of performance of all the teams. I am really admiring the work of our three riders. I am also very proud of the whole technical team around me, with Yohei, with the Yoshimura staff in Japan, with the SERT team in Le Mans. I think we are all happy with this race, which was exceptional and fantastic.”
Yohei KATO – Team Director:
“I am glad to start the second season with such a brilliant result and I am very satisfied with the work done by the whole team. We put a lot of effort into preparing for the 2022 season over the winter and it has paid off. We have the same team as when we won the 24 Heures Motos last year, and their hard work has once again been rewarded by a victory!”
Gregg BLACK:
“I was expected to do the start because I usually do pretty well. This year it was a bit different. I crashed heavily in the preparatory practice a few days ago where I broke my heel. In the end I managed to get over it and ensure a good start. Then it was an incredible race, with a very strong pace from the beginning to the end. We had to push as hard as we could in every stint because we had some really strong competitors. My teammates were also very strong and the whole team did a great job.”
Xavier SIMÉON:
“The team really did a great job on the strategy to allow us to do a maximum of laps and a minimum of pit stops. On the track, the bike showed an extraordinary potential. We were able to set some incredible lap times. In fact, Gregg broke the absolute record in the race. But it was still a tough race because we had to push hard to the finish line.”
Sylvain GUINTOLI:
This is a very different victory to 2021. The race was difficult. We need the speed, the strategy, the whole team in the box that worked perfectly. Our fuel consumption was also better than our opponents and that also played an important role. We gave everything this weekend, and today we can be proud to go home with the trophy.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
YART Yamaha Score Sensational Second at Le Mans
The Yamalube YART Yamaha Official EWC Team of Karel Hanika, Niccolo Canepa, and Marvin Fritz started their 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship season stunningly by securing a podium at the opening round, the 45th edition of the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos in France.
The YART Yamaha team started the weekend by ending Thursday’s Free Practice in second before securing a third consecutive pole position at the iconic Bugatti Circuit in North-West France on Friday. Glorious weather greeted the riders for the entirety of the 24-hour race, as the passionate French fans returned to Le Mans for the first time since 2019 due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic.
Czech rider Karel Hanika, who celebrated his 26th Birthday on Thursday, lined up for the traditional endurance starting procedure, but an unfortunate technical issue meant he could not get his bike started on the grid and dropped down to last place.
Confounding this issue was a nasty crash at the start that saw the safety car deployed immediately, meaning that Hanika could not begin a charge through the pack until the safety car pulled in after eight laps. Undeterred, the former Moto3 rider started to battle his way through the crowded field, and by the end of the first hour, he handed the YART Yamaha R1 over to his teammate Marin Fritz in fifth. The German rider kept this momentum going with some superb riding, and by the end of his first stint, the team were up to third.
Italian Niccolo Canepa took the third stint, and by the time he came in to swap the bike, the team had clawed an impressive amount of time and were now in second and involved in the battle for victory just 15 seconds behind the leaders. Sadly, more drama was to follow, as, in the EWC, two safety cars feature for each incident. On Hanika’s second stint, he was stuck behind a different safety car than the leaders, losing 45 precious seconds.
Once again, adversity brought out the true character of the YART Yamaha team, as all three riders got their heads down and applied themselves in their efforts to hunt down the race leaders. What followed was an intriguing endurance battle, with two teams using different tactics in an attempt to win the race. The YART Yamaha team had the pace, but their rivals appeared to be able to make the Bridgestone tyres last longer.
For the rest of the race, a fascinating pit-stop cat and mouse game ensued, with all three of the YART Yamaha riders performing faultlessly throughout the night and on Sunday morning to give the team a chance of victory. They continued to reduce the deficit to the leaders during every stint, only to see them open a one-lap gap again after each round of pit stops. They responded by riding flawlessly, not placing a wheel off track during the entire 24 hours and maintaining an impressive pace throughout, with all three riders pushing to the limit.
As the hours passed, the race looked like it would go down to the wire. YART continued to pressure their rivals to force them into a mistake. With just 25 minutes remaining on the clock, Canepa returned to the pits for a “splash and dash” strategy and handed the reigns of the R1 to Hanika to set up a dramatic finish.
Unfortunately, a crash during the start saw the safety car deployed. That was how the race would finish, with the team finishing on 840 laps in second place, 1:45.582s behind the winner and securing their first podium at Le Mans since the 2016-2017 season. It was an excellent start to the championship, and the team managed to secure 55 points from the race and qualifying, leaving them only eight points behind the leaders with three more races left on the calendar, two of which are 24-hour races.
There was more joy for Yamaha as the Team 18 Sapeus Pompiers CMS Motostore of Hugo Clare, Baptiste Guittet, and Phillip Steinmayr claimed the Dunlop Superstock Trophy victory after finishing fourth overall. The Maco Racing Team of Anthony West, Enzo Boulom, and Richard Bodis fought valiantly despite several issues to finish the race in 32nd. At the same time, the Viltais Racing Igol team, made up of Florian Alt, Erwan Nigon, and Steven Odendaal was looking on course for a podium until disaster struck. A technical fault saw them forced to retire from the race in hour 19. Team Moto Ain’s British rider Bradley Smith got hit from behind during the start incident and was taken to hospital for further check and the team withdrew from the race during the third hour. There were also retirements for the Wojcik Racing Team after 14 hours due to a crash, and the 3ART Best of Bike team as the demanding Bugatti Circuit took no prisoners over the 24 hours.
Up next on the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship calendar is the Spa EWC Motos at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on the 2nd-5th of June.
Karel Hanika
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I am happy as this is my first podium in a 24-hour race! It is a great feeling to achieve this. I am very proud of the team because we did not make a single mistake apart from our issue at the start. We were the fastest riders on track in pretty much every session, the mechanics did an amazing job with the pit stops, and we did not have to visit the box once. After the last couple of years, many people have doubted our ability in the 24-hour races, so it was great to show them our potential. I think we can build on this result and be even stronger in the next races.”
Marvin Frits
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“Of course, we always want to win, but honestly, this second place feels like a dream because we have not managed to finish a 24-hour race for two years, so it was an amazing feeling to finish this race, secure a podium, and score as many points as we have at the first race of the season. We know what we have to work on, but it was an almost perfect race as a team. Each rider did an amazing job, and honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of the team, and now we are ready and can’t wait for Spa!”
Niccolo Canepa
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“We are delighted; due to some issues and lots of bad luck, we haven’t been able to finish a 24-hour race for a couple of years. So, to taste the champagne on the podium with my teammates is amazing. We know that we have the total package we need to fight for the championship. We are only eight points behind the leader, so the title race is still open, and we know that we can push hard at Spa to bring the victory home!”
Mandy Kainz
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team – Team Manager
“Our target was to get off to a good start for the season. We did not enjoy a great start during the race, but we fought back superbly to ensure we scored as many points as possible, which is the most important thing. It has been a while since we finished a 24-hour race. So, this result gives us confidence with the bike and the team for the rest of the season, especially in the two 24-hour races. The next race is at Spa, and we are ready to take the top step of the podium. I am thrilled because our riders, team, and bike performed perfectly apart from the issue at the start. In 24 hours, not one rider ran off track, we did not have one bad pit stop, and apart from the start, the bike was perfect. We have to be happy, as we are just 8 points behind the leaders and already have more points than the winner of Suzuka will get, so we are happy!”
More, from a press release issued by F.C.C. TSR Honda France:
F.C.C. TSR Honda France finishes third at the 24 Heures Motos
The 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the 2022 FIM EWC championship, started on Saturday 16 April at the Bugatti circuit with promising results for the Honda teams, F.C.C. TSR Honda France and National Motos. Both teams finished on the third step of the podium in their respective categories.
F.C.C. TSR Honda France started the 24-hour race from the third place on the starting grid with the Frenchman Mike Di Meglio, based on the combined results achieved during good qualifying sessions.
Immediately after the start, a collision forced the entrance of the safety car during the first eight laps, but as soon as the race was resumed, Di Meglio placed the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the lead and completed his first stint in 2nd place.
In the first stint for Gino Rea, he did a great lap at the beginning of the race and managed to take over the lead. Rea created a gap of 3 seconds before the stint of Josh Hook, and the Australian extended more the lead in the next pit stop.
With very consistent and solid laps, the #5 Fireblade led the race until the eight-hour race, with a very solid pace but unscheduled pitstops forced the team to step back into third position.
Just entering the last quarter of the race, Gino Rea’s crash made the team do an amazing job by fixing the bike, losing only 11 minutes approximately at the pit box without consequence on the position. The F.C.C. TSR Honda France demonstrated a true endurance spirit and fought until the end to secure the podium.
Leading the race during the first 8 hours and being 3rd at the 16th hour, it gives to the team 18 intermediate points in addition to the 3 points for the qualifying. The team leaves Le Mans with 49 points and third in the provisional FIM EWC Championship with this third result.
Last year’s winners, National Motos Honda, enjoyed a strong race with a new ride line-up. The Superstock team, who started in 13th place on the grid (2nd in Superstock class), finished claiming the third place on the podium.
The Fireblade #55 was able to keep his second position, but a minor issue with the lighting at the end of the first quarter made the team enter the pits and stand in fourth place.
The team managed to secure the podium with very consistent stints by the National Motos Honda riders and crossed the chequered flag in the third position in the Superstock category.
Honda privateer team RAC 41 Chromeburner had a tough weekend with the injury of the Belgium rider Gregory Fastré on Friday and the early retirement during the race due to mechanical issues with the bike. The Honda #41 leaves Le Mans with positive feelings as all riders had a good rhythm during all the week with a very competitive Fireblade.
The next round of the 2022 FIM EWC Championship will take place at the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, which will host the 24 Hours of Spa on June 4 and 5.
Gino Rea 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
This podium is a great way to start in this new team. There were some great things during the 24 Heures Motos, like leading the race by a minute, and others that could have been costly. We are lucky to have been able to keep this 3rd place until the finish. But overall, it was a very positive experience. I am very happy; we take big points and have a very good pace.
Josh Hook 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
It was a tough race. The Yamaha and the Suzuki had an extremely fast pace. We probably also had the pace to win, but some problems put us a bit behind. Nevertheless, we can be satisfied with this result because we took valuable points for the championship.
Mike Di Meglio 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
It’s a good result for the championship because there are a lot of points to grab over the three 24-hour races. Of course, there is a little disappointment because I think that the victory was within our reach. We showed what we were capable of. The bike is competitive; my teammates and the team did a great job during the refueling. I can’t wait for the next race to take our revenge!
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
A stone in the radiator: unfortunate retirement from the 24h Le Mans for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.
Season-opener in the FIM Endurance World Championship 2022. BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team battling in the leading packing with the #37 BMW M 1000 RR in the early hours of the race.
After four and a half hours, the team is forced to retire due to a stone lodged in the radiator. Le Mans. The 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA), the season-opener in the FIM Endurance World Championship 2022, began according to plan for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Starting from fourth place, Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA), Markus Reiterberger (GER) and Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) were battling in the leading pack during the early hours of the race, putting themselves in a good position for another podium finish in the FIM EWC. However, a stone lodged in the radiator was the cause of an unfortunate retirement after four and a half hours.
The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team had already shown in practice and qualifying sessions that it remains one of the best teams in the FIM EWC this season. The pace with the race set-up was particularly promising and the team was brimming with optimism at the start of the 24-hour race on Saturday afternoon. Starting rider Guarnoni, Reiterberger and Mikhalchik kept the #37 BMW M 1000 RR consistently in the top four. The plan was to work their way gradually up through the field as the race progressed.
However, Guarnoni was forced to make an unexpected pit stop after four and a half hours. A stone had pierced the radiator and the subsequent overheating damaged the engine so severely that it was impossible to continue the race.
The team and riders are now fully focused on the second stop for the FIM EWC 2022, the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) on the first weekend in June.
Reactions to the 24h Le Mans. Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Of course, that early retirement was hard for us to swallow. Another top result would have been more than deserved for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. This confirmed that the hard work that we put in with the team over the winter had paid off. The overall package was fast, the racing pace was spot on and the fuel consumption, which is an important factor in endurance racing, was very efficient. The riders also gave a superb performance and the team worked superbly in the pits. It is extremely bad luck for a stone to hit the radiator and cause a chain reaction that ended the race for the #37. However, that can happen. Now we have to build on the many positive aspects and on what we learned from Le Mans. Preparations are underway for the next race. Spa will be a home race for the team and we would all like to convert the good performance into the result it deserves.”
Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team: “The race was good – until we had a big stone in our radiator. The water was straight out, the oil temperature went up and the engine broke. It was very disappointing for everybody that the race ended that way. For the riders, for the team, the mechanics, they all had worked so hard this winter to prepare the bike. We were very well prepared but this was something that nobody could foresee. We have a big protector in front of our radiator but this stone was at least two centimetres big and when it hits the radiator at 260 km/h then nothing helps. This happens, we are very disappointed but we will come back!”
Markus Reiterberger: “We started pretty well into the race and were able to constantly be within the top-four. We expected to benefit from our efficient fuel consumption after nine or ten hours and that our pace would improve even more during the cooler night stints but unfortunately we did not get that far. It of course is a bitter pill to swallow that a stone in the radiator ended our race early but no one could foresee this, this was just bad luck. It is a pity and we just take two points from qualifying away. But we don’t give up, we still have two 24-hour races and at least one eight-hour race this season. I feel sorry for the entire team who had worked so hard over winter to give us the best possible package. It really would have deserved to get a top result.”
Ilya Mikhalchik: “Overall, the race week was quite positive for us because we showed our speed over the entire week and the bike was particularly good for the race. For the first four and a half hours, we were fighting for the podium positions with a really good feeling. Unfortunately, we had bad luck and a stone decided to stop our race. But I already said last year after the Bol d’Or: we lose together and we win together. And afterwards, we have won at Most. So I am confident that more success is coming in the future. I am looking forward to getting back on this bike and fight again for top positions at my team’s home race at Spa.”
Progressive AFT Returns to Missouri for Inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – The 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season resumes this weekend with the inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City on Saturday, April 23 in Odessa, Missouri.
The stop at the newly revived I-70 Motorsports Park represents Progressive AFT’s long-awaited return to Missouri, some 17 seasons after the championship last visited Sedalia. To celebrate that return, along with Saturday’s championship round, Kansas City-area fans are invited to come out to the venue on Friday, April 22 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. local time to attend the day’s test session free of admission.
The young ‘22 season has already taken on an interesting shape. It was widely expected that the premier Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle class would once again be a battle for supremacy waged by reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and his great rival, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).
That has proven true to an extent, as the Indian Wrecking Crew superstars have split the season’s two available wins and are currently separated by a single point atop the championship standings.
However, the efforts to level the playing field have yielded early dividends, as five different riders out of a possible six, representing three different manufacturers, have stood upon the podium already in 2022.
In fact, it’s Yamaha-mounted JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who stands as the only rider with a perfect podium record thus far. And his teammate, heralded rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), has proven nearly as successful, and the two threaten to collect race wins in the near future.
That sort of parity and unpredictability has added an extra dimension to the season’s title fight, and promises to continue this weekend on a track new to the tour.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), who put Harley-Davidson back up on the box in the season opener, Mission Roof Systems teammates Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and last year’s finale winner, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), are just a sampling of the riders with the potential to factor up front this weekend.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines king Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) rebounded like a champion at the Texas Half-Mile following a difficult opener. Despite tricky conditions and a series of stoppages, Texter controlled the Main Event at Texas Motor Speedway to remind everyone exactly why he’s the one brandishing the #1 plate on his machine.
That said, Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) provided evidence that his virtuoso performance at the opening round was no fluke, logging a fourth-place result as an encore. That result puts him in front of the early-season championship chase heading into Odessa.
Meanwhile, a number of the category’s usual suspects – Ben Lowe (No. 25 Helipower Racing/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction, Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) – have already marked up podium finishes this season.
Some others have yet to break into the top three, but it’s likely only a matter of time before the likes of multi-race winners Chad Cose (No. 49 DPC Racing/Voodoo Ranger Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Ryan Varnes (No. 68 Schaeffer’s Motorsports/Rausch Fuel & Oil KTM 890 Duke) make their presences felt in a major way.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Top honors Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER are seemingly always up for grabs, as the class features a deep pool of both hard-charging youngsters and battle-proven veterans aboard a range of equipment backed with factory support from multiple manufacturers.
However, while the list of potential winners extends into the double digits, an early pecking order headlined by the preseason favorites is already starting to take shape.
Sophomore ace Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and his two-time class runner-up teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), currently sit first and third in the championship standings.
Meanwhile, American Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) – the riders many would have pegged as the most likely to prevent this year’s title hunt from turning into a factory KTM intrateam affair – are currently ranked second and fourth.
While those four expect to continue to jockey for position as the championship campaign develops, a number of others could easily work their way into the mix as well.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R), Michael Inderbitzin (No. 54 1st Impressions Services of Florida Honda CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and Brandon Kitchen (No. 80 Vance & Hines/Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna FC450), among several others, all have the requisite speed and ability to walk away from I-70 Motorsports Park with the winner’s trophy.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well. Along with numerous vendors, food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone, the high-energy three-piece group Pompous Jack, will be performing their blend of ‘80s rock, blues, and country. And the night will conclude in fitting fashion thanks to a post-event fireworks display.
Along with the action at the track on Saturday night and the free test day on Friday, fans are invited to attend the I-70 Half-Mile American Flat Track Rider Meet & Greet at RideNow Kansas City in Olathe, Kansas, where fans can meet their favorite riders and enjoy Mission Foods chips and salsa, on Thursday, April 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Fans who would like seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, including seat-backs in all sections, can select seats in the Reserved Grandstand for just $10 more. The Indoor Suite Reservation ticket provides exclusive viewing above the grandstand in private, climate-controlled accommodations for $150.
Paddock Access Upgrades are available for purchase (and come included with Indoor Suite Reservation tickets), which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the racebikes and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Other options include the Party Deck Add-On for fans 21+ and a range of Multi-Day Camping Passes.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. local time with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event.
The I-70 Half-Mile will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET/7:00 a.m. PT., including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
Hungarian-American Rossi Moor (92) in action during the Northern Talent Cup pre-season test at Oschersleben. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Schneider starts the Northern Talent Cup season on top
The German was quickest on both days of testing, with Moor for closest company on the timesheets
Tuesday, 19 April 2022
The Northern Talent Cup recently concluded two days of pre-season testing at Oschersleben, with the class of 2022 now ready to race and looking ahead to the season opener alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans.
Two days of dry weather gave the grid – with a whole host of rookies joining this season – chance to maximise track time, but it was Dustin Schneider (Goblin Racing) top of the pile on both days as the German threw down the gauntlet early in 2022 in terms of laptime.
Germany’s Dustin Schneider (20), seen here leading Martin Vincze (12) and others, posted the quickest lap time during the Northern Talent Cup pre-season test. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The field also did a race simulation on Day 2, and once again it was Schneider on top – pulling away by some margin. Second went to a stunning rookie performance from Rocco Sessler (MCA Racing), with experienced Hungarian Tibor Varga (Forty Racing) completing the podium.
Day 1
Schneider was quickest with a 1:36.024 to lay a marker down on the first day of action, with Rossi Moor (Fairium Next Generation Riders Team) second but only 0.073 off. Valentino Herrlich (Busch und Wagner Racing Team) was third on Saturday, although a full second further back as the order got much closer behind the leading duo.
Loris Veneman (TeamNL Open Line) was within a tenth of Herrlich, and it was a rookie completing the top five as Sessler started impressing early to end the day 0.060 off the more veteran Dutchman ahead of him.
There were a number of crashes and some technical incidents on Day 1, but all riders ok.
Day 2
Schneider made it both days on top as the German improved his best laptime down to a 1:35.913, becoming the only rider into the 1:35s at the test. Herrlich improved to a 1:36.567 to go second on Day 2, and although he remained third overall, the gap got cut in half in a good step forward.
Varga moved up into third quickest on the second day of action, the Hungarian another in a group of riders who all managed to get into the mid or high 1:36s. Veneman was fourth once again on Day 2, with Lennoxx Phommara (Team Phommara) completing the top five. From second to tenth, however, was split by only half a second.
Some big news saw Moor suffer a crash that ended his testing early, rider ultimately ok following a full check up at local hospital. The number 92 is already looking ahead to Le Mans, hoping to be back fully fit.
Danish rookie Julius Frellsen (Frellsen RR) and Swiss rookie Levin Phommara (Team Phommara) also crashed and headed for the Medical Centre, riders both passed fit.
That’s a wrap on first touch with 2022, now it’s time for the field to go into race mode as the NTC saddles up for the first time alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans. Don’t miss it!
Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools in the bottom left corner to better see all pages and all sessions, including the race simulation, of the result sheets.
A restored Kawasaki Ninja GPZ 900R and a Kawasaki Ninja H2 Carbon will be seen in the new "Top Gun: Maverick" feature film. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Kawasaki Ninja® Models To Be Featured In “Top Gun: Maverick”
Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell returns to the big screen, once again riding a Kawasaki Ninja®.
There are few motorcycle movie scenes more iconic than Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell riding his Kawasaki Ninja®GPZ 900R along the flight line at United States Navy Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California back in 1986. That scene helped cement Mitchell’s “Maverick” image as a TOPGUN hero. 36 years later, Maverick is not only back at TOPGUN, but back riding a Kawasaki, only today he chooses to ride the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2™ Carbon in the new Paramount Pictures blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” opening May 27th, 2022.
“Working with the “Top Gun: Maverick” team has been amazing,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Vice President, Marketing, Chris Brull. “When we had the chance to jump onboard and see our Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles on the big screen again, we had to be involved. We know that Maverick is a dedicated Kawasaki rider and we made sure he had a full garage of Kawasaki models.”
To celebrate “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kawasaki has partnered with Paramount Consumer Products to launch limited edition t-shirts exclusively sold at participating Kawasaki dealers in the U.S.A. These t-shirts feature both the iconic Ninja GPZ 900R featured in the original Top Gun as well as the supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon. Visit your local Kawasaki dealer while supplies last.
A total of four supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon machines and two restored Ninja GPZ 900R motorcycles were provided to the “Top Gun: Maverick” production team along with some additional surprise models that may appear in Maverick’s personal hanger featured in the film.
“Top Gun: Maverick” will premiere in theaters nationwide on May 27th, 2022 and fans can now experience the breathtaking power of the world’s only supercharged production hypersport motorcycles by owning a Ninja H2™, Ninja H2 Carbon or Ninja H2™R.
About Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and JET SKI® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and Showtime. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. Additionally, Paramount Consumer Products oversees the online direct-to-consumer business for CBS and Showtime programming merchandise, as well as standalone branded ecommerce websites for Star Trek, SpongeBob, South Park, and MTV.
Rossi Moor (92) won Northern Talent Cup Race Two at Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Rossi Moor. Photo courtesy Northern Talent Cup.
Rossi Moor
Age: 14.
Current home: Budapest, Hungary (originally from Portland, Oregon).
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, finished 3rd in Northern Talent Cup Championship (3 wins and 6 total podiums in 14 races), finished 22nd while racing as a wild card in the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship event at Valencia; 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM Ohvale 190 Mini Road Racing Championship; 2019 season, placed 2nd in CIV (Italian) Ohvale GP-0 190 National Championship, won MotoAmerica Ohvale Talent Cup at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won Ohvale GP-0 190 races in Hungarian National Championship, earned pole position and led a race at Ohvale World Championship, finished 25th in European Talent Cup race at Jerez (was youngest participant).
2022 racing goal: Win Northern Talent Cup Championship.
Racing career goals: Win World Championships in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP.
Motocross riders at the starting gate during a past AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (VMD) at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Stephanie Vetterly, courtesy AMA.
Race Registration for 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Presented by Royal Enfield, is Now Open
AMA VMD race registration, schedules and information available
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycles Days, presented by Royal Enfield, is fast approaching, and race registration is now open for those looking to be part of all the vintage-racing action.
AMA VMD offers everyone — from weekend warriors to Hall of Famers to pro riders — a chance to go back in time and compete on the beloved two-wheeled machines of the past.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship, running in conjunction with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, includes motocross, hare scrambles, road racing and trials — as well as a round of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series — and class winners in each discipline are recognized as AMA national champions.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship also crowns the AMA Vintage Grand Champion and the AMA Vet/Senior Vintage Grand Champion, special recognitions that combine the points from the off-road disciplines — motocross, trials and hare scrambles.
All racers must have general admission tickets in their possession prior to gate entry, and only pre-registered riders with entry confirmation will receive access to Mid-Ohio on Thursday, July 21, at 9 a.m. Gates open for general admission at 5 p.m.
Participating racers compete on vintage motorcycles from across different eras in the many different racing disciplines showcased each year at AMA VMD. Vintage racing includes motocross, road racing, hare scrambles, trials, flat track and pit bike racing. Be aware that pit bike racing has moved from its usual Saturday slot to Friday evening.
Youth riders can also participate in the action. The age requirement for competitors in each discipline is as follows:
Trials: 4 years and up
Motocross and Hare Scrambles: 9 years and up
Flat Track: 12 years and up (Youth riders are not allowed to participate in the dirt-track brakeless class)
Road Race: 14 years and up
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the preeminent — and longest-running — vintage motorcycle event in the country, with over 40,000 attendees each year enjoying off-road and road racing, bike shows, AMA Hall of Fame exhibits, camping, Laps For History on the legendary Mid-Ohio circuit and, of course, the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet.
Running from July 22-24, this year’s event promises to be the best yet, with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz serving as Grand Marshal.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Enea Bastianini (23) taking the checkered flag at COTA. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Strap in! MotoGP™ revved up and ready for the rollercoaster
The paddock returns to Portugal after an incredible first four races, with Bastianini back in the hot seat
Monday, 18 April 2022
As the dust settles after a headline maker in Austin, the European leg of the season is just around the corner. The destination is the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as the first of a back-to-back sees the paddock head for Portugal, and there is plenty to talk about on the way in after another shake-up last time out.
Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the natural place to start as the ‘Beast’ blasted back to the top step in style in Texas. In so doing, the Italian also took back the Championship lead and made quite a statement taking Ducati’s first win at the track, backing up a season opener in Qatar that was impressive but on Borgo Panigale happy hunting grounds. COTA was different, and Bastianini is, according to Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller with whom he shared the podium in Austin, also different – with rider not machine making the difference on, amongst other things, tyre life. That bodes well as the Bologna bullets face down Portimão.
The aforementioned Miller took his first podium of the season last time out though, and it wasn’t a win but it was a nevertheless impressive and hard-fought third place. He has been on the podium twice in Portugal too, and after it more being bad luck denting his place in the standings so far, he’ll want to stay in the podium postcode. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, also has two podiums at the track and one was a win – with the Italian having proven a masterful opponent last season. As he rebuilds some good form after a a fairly nightmare first two races, will familiar and successful turf see him take another step forward?
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) had a likewise difficult opening two races before then fighting for the win in Argentina, but COTA saw both he and teammate Johann Zarco fade slightly in the latter stages. Martin will want to put bad memories of the venue to bed as well as get back in the podium fight as he pushes to make up lost ground, and the number 89 can never be counted out – especially on Saturdays, where he’s on quite a run of front rows.
The man who beat Miller to that second place will also feel more confident heading into Portimão. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pitched it to perfection to get Suzuki to 500 Grand Prix podiums and open his count for the season, on top of some solid consistency from the Hamamatsu factory overall this season. He’s had incredible speed on the Algarve before, before disaster struck, but the 2022 GSX-RR seems to have reset those limits Rins was all too often overstepping in 2021, allowing the Spaniard’s pace to shine again.
2020 Champion Joan Mir will also feel confident heading into Portugal. Although still looking for that first podium of the season, the number 36 has been close and, just like Rins, consistent. His record at the rollercoaster is an impressive one too, with two podiums from our two visits to the track last year. Is the time now for Mir’s classic consistency to kick up a gear as we head into Europe?
Behind the Ducati-Suzuki lock out of the top five at COTA came an almighty comeback from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The number 93 – never previously defeated if reaching the finish line in Austin – suffered a mechanical problem on his Honda that dropped him to dead last off the line, and then came a choice: a conservative return to competition as hinted at ahead of the event (and which may even have been enough to fight for the win without the extra hurdle) or a somewhat more rocket-fuelled push back to the front? Marc Marquez is Marc Marquez, and what followed was a goosebumps-inducer.
The number 93 got back into the top ten with speed that those he was passing could have considered a professional affront, but it wasn’t quite enough to get back into the podium postcode. Bastianini’s win was the fastest ever at COTA by a margin, so it was by no means going to be easy had the problem not occurred, but Marquez did end up in another great battle against reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
It was seemingly not simply about taking that sixth place in one race, with plenty more on the line in something akin to a 2019 rematch. For those watching, a round of it at a more Diablo-ruled venue would be a welcome second bout too, because it lit the latter stages on fire ahead of Rins’ launch on Miller. Marquez vs Portimão will most definitely be an interesting one though, as it’s a venue the number 93 has not yet mastered as he has so many. What will he have in the locker? And can Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) get back those Qatar podium vibes?
If there ever was a Diablo-ruled venue though, the Algarve has been such. When Quartararo won at the track in the Portuguese GP last season, it looked effortless – with five seconds in hand by the flag for a statement win. Then, later in the year the points were much more precious than a full push for glory. So what will the number 20 have in store this time around? It’s one podium so far after a difficult start to the season for Yamaha, and Quartararo has so far been a lonely presence in the upper echelons for the Iwata marque. Will the return to Europe hail a little more for the factory, and its reigning Champion? Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will also be hoping so after a tough start to the season, and the number 21 is no stranger to the podium in Portugal.
That can also be said of another up and down starter to the season: home hero Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 88 has that awe-inspiring wet win under his belt from Indonesia, but has otherwise had a tougher time of it so far compared to teammate Brad Binder. KTM overall also had a tougher time of it in Texas, with the top ten remaining out of reach on race day. Oliveira absolutely gassed it on first touch with his home track though, disappearing in a real masterclass – so can he find more form on home turf and, perhaps importantly for KTM, can they find consistency again at a venue where they have a few more laps? Binder’s position in the Championship took a dent last time out, and they’ll want to make sure it’s one duff weekend only seeing a handful of points slip away.
Aprilia also had a tougher time of it in Texas. The Noale factory have struggled at the venue before but, coming from victory, they will still have wanted more than 10th and 11th. Having said that, just like KTM, an outlier if remaining an outlier is no reason to expect that form to continue on European turf. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) tasted the highs of winning and being Championship leader, now sure to be aiming to get back amongst the podium fight, but teammate Maverick Viñales also made an important step in Texas despite it being a tougher result on paper: he finished ahead of the number 41. What will they have in their arsenal as the paddock returns to Portugal?
It’s been said many a time that it’s when the European leg of the season starts that the picture really starts to become clearer, and after a record breaking range of riders on the podium already this season there’s certainly room for many to find some better consistency. But the show is guaranteed to remain a stunner as MotoGP™ heads to the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal and the golden era continues, so make sure to tune in as the lights go out on Sunday at 13:00 local time (GMT +1), which is 14:00 in much of Europe but an hour earlier for Lisbon and London.
MotoGP™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – 61
Moto2 racers Aron Canet (40), Celestino Vietti (13), Tony Arbolino (14), and Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Early pacesetters vs maiden success: Moto2™ resets for the rollercoaster
The intermediate class heads for Portimão with some new podium players and the two early favourites looking to bounce back
The Circuit of the Americas saw some milestones for two Moto2™ riders: Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took his Moto2™ maiden win – incidentally also his first visit to the rostrum in the class – and Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) took a maiden Grand Prix podium in any class. Arbolino has been quick before as a rookie but has taken a definitive step forward this season, and Dixon has been there or thereabouts a few times before bad luck and trouble put paid to the podium. This time, the battle between bringing it home and pushing on to fight it out – in this case with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – saw the Brit tick the box and complete an impressive trajectory from British Superbike to Moto2™ podium.
That makes for an interesting conundrum as to what to expect on the Algarve. Arbolino and Dixon will arrive with a shot of confidence, and the latter certainly has a weight off knowing that first part of the job is done. So can they fight at the front again? It wasn’t just COTA where they were quick, so all signs point to yes. Dixon, in fact, eyes Portugal as a good chance to achieve even more.
Ogura can’t be counted out either. The Japanese rider has made a habit of bothering the podium fight all year and if in doubt, will send – having also unburdened himself fairly early of the need to tick that first Moto2™ podium box. He’s now second in the standings too, although he seems to want a win more than much else, so if in doubt, will still send. Teammate Somkiat Chantra, meanwhile, arrives from a little too much send as the Thai rider came crashing back down to Earth from a stunning first couple of races, and he’ll want to bounce back and overcome his Long Lap Penalty given for that incident as quickly as he can. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), one high profile name caught up in it, will also be keen to head back onto familiar turf and stake a claim back on the frontrunners.
Speaking of bouncing back, Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up) is on a mission to do the same having similarly overcooked it in Texas, although having been judged to have had a lot less time to react after the Chantra incident ahead. It’s now a lot of speed and a lot of bad luck for the 54 so far in 2022, but the key is the first bit because the second seldom lasts forever. Portimão is turf he knows much better too, so that is a warning sign for the rest if ever there was.
And now, Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40). Having tipped themselves favourites to fight for the crown throughout the season, Texas was the first big hurdle for both. First, it seemed like Canet’s lucky day in the standings as his main rival faced his first DNF of the season, and then the pendulum swung swiftly back and the chance was lost – of gaining serious ground and of taking that first Moto2™ win. It’s likely both will be straight back at the sharp end though and Vietti still leads the standings, with the gap between the two unchanged but a few riders gaining ground in between. What can they do on the Algarve? Their past form at a venue seems to matter little so far in 2022, although Canet has already visited the podium, so don’t bet against it.
Finally, Red Bull KTM Ajo. 2022 has been a far cry from 2021 so far, but the season is early and the time is plenty. Augusto Fernandez will likely be looking for a points haul in Portugal and to keep it within the limits as he looks to rebuild some consistency, and rookie teammate Pedro Acosta will be an interesting watch. This is the venue the number 51 blitzed in pre-season, and a venue he’s already more than mastered in Moto3™. If the more difficult start to Moto2™ has left Acosta feeling he needs to pull a rabbit out the hat, the Algarve seems to set a good stage for him to try.
Moto2™ race last this time around, with the schedule a little different to the usual. The lights go out for the intermediate class at 14:30 local time, which is GMT +1 as summer time begins – an hour behind much of Europe as Lisbon lines up with London.
Moto2™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – Kalex – 70
2 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – 56
3 Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – Kalex – 54
Moto3 racers Jaume Masia (5), Dennis Foggia (7), Andrea Migno (16) and others in action. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Can Foggia, Migno and Masia keep it pinned in Portugal?
The first two have form and the latter arrives from his first win of the year, but if some rookies have already been gaining headlines so far, we’re now heading onto more familiar turf…
The Moto3™ race in Texas boiled up into another classic encounter, and from the unique COTA the grid now heads for the differently unique Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) arrives having put some bad luck to bed and fresh from the top step, and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) was likewise back on the podium – with the two making amends from a more dramatic encounter in Argentina. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), meanwhile, was once again fast, consistent and drama free – something he’s making a habit of in 2022, and something that’s put him 16 points clear in the standings.
Portimão has already been a good hunting ground for the Italian too, with his speed having been consistently impressive and any bad luck purely that. Migno has also been on the rostrum in Portugal more than once and will be hoping to repeat the feat, and it’s now Masia who arrives looking to prove flashes of speed at the venue can return some big points this time around.
On the other side of the coin, Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) is looking to bounce back from bad luck at COTA and find some more podium form on the Algarve, and teammate Izan Guevara will want to be right back in that rostrum fight. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) heads in with his form seemingly ironed out and shouldn’t be discounted, and the names of the potential frontrunners go on. But then there are the rookies.
There have been some standout performers so far, but on speed alone the honours until this point have to go to Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The Brazilian has had a mix of bad luck and mistakes, to be expected in a first World Championship season, but the pace has been stunning – and the veterans on the grid will be sarcastically pleased to know that on his debut in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season in Portimão, he promptly put it on pole and then came second in the first race. That’s a good omen, and he’ll be hoping to arrive in good shape after his crash in Texas left him needing to be passed fit ahead of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal.
Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) is also putting together a quietly impressive campaign and gaining traction, and he’ll want more on more familiar ground. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), meanwhile, has had some serious speed of late – but also a few extra and unwanted adventures. He’ll want to iron that out and make pace pay for points in Portugal.
The schedule is another slightly different one this weekend, but Moto3™ are racing first once again as the European leg of the season begins. The lights go out at 11:20 in GMT +1, which is Lisbon and London time.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Yandel Medina. Photo courtesy Yandel Medina.
Yandel Medina
Age: 14.
Current home: Bronx, New York.
Current height/weight: 5’6”/125 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2019, Palm Beach, Florida, CCS, Moto3 Novice, 1st place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuner/mechanic: Juaner Ortiz (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CCS.
Top sponsors: New York Safety Track, Heroic Apparel, Edwin Design, Sunblue Window Film, Hope Farm, Carlo’s Track Day, Certified Knee Draggers, Mark Tenn, Street & Competition, Moto-D, Spears Racing, Robert Mechanic, Ride On Time Limousine, Shellbys Powersport.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, won Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won 4 CCS National Championships (Moto3, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike, GT500), won 2 AMA Grand Championships (500 Supersport & 500 Superbike), finished 2nd in AMA Moto3 Grand Championship race, won ASRA Moto3 race at Daytona, won CCS Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic overall Regional Championships, won 4 CCS Atlantic class Championships (Moto3, GT500, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike).
2022 racing goals: Win MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, race in European Talent Cup, race as a wild card in Supersport 300 World Championship.
Racing career goal: Race in MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Jorge Martin.
Favorite track: Roebling Road Raceway.
Favorite hobby: Cycling.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A baseball player.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Terrific treble for Glenn Irwin and Honda Racing UK at Silverstone opener
Jason O’Halloran (22) leads the start of a British Superbike race Sunday at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin celebrated his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone today, following up his win in yesterday’s opening race to score a sensational double for Honda Racing UK as the Japanese manufacturer celebrates their 30th anniversary year of the Honda Fireblade.
Glenn Irwin had claimed the opening race win of the season yesterday, and in the second race of the weekend, he held off an incredible last lap attack from Kyle Ryde to win the drag to the line by just 0.079s.
Glenn Irwin had carved his way through the pack and was handed the lead courtesy of Bradley Ray crashing dramatically out of the lead, with Ryde and Rory Skinner in close contention.
Ryde was piling on the pressure, but Glenn Irwin was defensive and did just enough to hold him off to the chequered flag.
Skinner claimed FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s first podium finish of the season with a strong third place, whilst his FS teammate Lee Jackson secured fourth after getting ahead of Andrew Irwin on the leading SYNETIQ BMW.
Jason O’Halloran completed the top six, breaking away from Peter Hickman, Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan as Christian Iddon completed the top ten.
In the final race of the weekend, the target was on Glenn Irwin’s back, but he was able to hold off his rivals to celebrate his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Skinner had launched into the lead on the opening lap from his front row start ahead of his Honda rival and Andrew Irwin.
On lap four, Glenn Irwin captured the lead as his brother Andrew moved into second place two laps later as they bid to make it a family affair at the front of the field.
The leading group was a freight train of seven riders with McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha pairing of Ray, Ryde plus Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan.
Ray had been dicing with Andrew Irwin throughout the closing stages, but the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider emerged ahead. Ray had enough pace to hold off Andrew Irwin who became the fifth different podium finisher of the opening round.
Buchan was also in the mix and trying to move ahead of his SYNETIQ BMW teammate, but on the penultimate lap, he ran wide at Brooklands and lost ground. Skinner and O’Halloran seized their opportunity to move ahead and the pair held on to fourth and fifth ahead of Buchan as they crossed the line for the final time.
Bridewell was seventh on the leading Ducati to hold off Lee Jackson whilst Peter Hickman and Kyle Ryde completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.079s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.994s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.032s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +4.321s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +4.979s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +7.798s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +8.586s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +8.642s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.553s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.864s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.487s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +2.550s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.693s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.969s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +4.183s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.242s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.017s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.257s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 75
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 46
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 42
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) 37
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 36
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 32
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 28
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 26
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin on the podium at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK
“Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and today is a new day’.
“I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this.
“I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – all positive in great team work – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes.
“Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
“To come away with three wins, we rewrote the script this weekend. I am buying the beers tonight!”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing UK:
Hat-trick for Honda Racing UK at Silverstone
The opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship has been a dream start to the season for Honda Racing UK, with Glenn Irwin dominating the weekend and winning all three races at Silverstone’s National Circuit aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Claiming victory in yesterday’s first race of the weekend in superb style leading from start to finish, Glenn started today’s second race from the second row of the grid in fourth place. Moving through the pack and making up places with just ten laps to go Glenn was second and fast closing the gap to race leader Bradley Ray, who just two laps later crashed out of the lead. With a clear track ahead, and a chasing Superbike field behind, Glenn crossed the line making it a double win.
The final race of the weekend Glenn lined up fifth, but once the race started he quickly made his way into second place. On the fourth lap, the Honda-man made his move on Rory Skinner to take over the lead, where again he dominated proceedings to cross the line picking up his first treble victory. After the success of the weekend the Honda Racing squad head into the next round at Oulton Park leading the BSB championship with 75 points.
Meanwhile teammate and BSB rookie Tom Neave had a solid point scoring weekend finishing today’s races 14th and 12th respectively. Throughout all races Tom was battling in groups with experienced riders including Josh Brookes, Tom Sykes as well as Leon Haslam. Learning so much this weekend off and on-track, Tom leaves Round 1 13th overall in the championship.
After yesterday’s disappointment in Race 1 where he was forced to retire from the running, Ryo Mizuno enjoyed two race finishes today in 17th and 20th, while teammate Takumi Takahashi finished just outside the points in 16th and 17th places.
The team will now look forward to the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park across the May Bank Holiday weekend 30 April – 2 May.
#2 Glenn Irwin
Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and tomorrow is a new day’. I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this. I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes. Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I love all my teammates and I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
#88 Ryo Mizuno
It was a difficult weekend for me and I’m sorry to the team that I couldn’t bring out the best in both races today. I am very honoured that my teammate Glenn has won three races in a row. Congratulations to Glenn. The only way to break through is to keep going, so we’ll just keep trying to make progress.
#13 Takumi Takahashi
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone in the team who helped me complete my bike in the short time between Race 2 and Race 3. In the second race, I lost position after the start and I couldn’t make a good pace and it was difficult. In the final race, of course, it’s still not enough, including the results, but I had a bit of a feeling I could race in BSB for the first time. I felt that last year’s experience was not in vain. I want to improve on what I’m missing for the next race.
#68 Tom Neave
I really don’t know where to start, it’s been an unbelievable weekend, I’ve hit all my goals and expectations I had of Superbike racing, I’ve actually exceeded them a little. Sitting behind Josh [Brookes], Tom [Sykes] and Leon [Haslam] for some laps, not only did I learn so much from them, but also in myself and where I can be stronger than them. I followed them in Race 2 and wasn’t able to pass, but to be able to pick them off one by one in Race 3 just felt unbelievable with their experience and career history, it really boosted my confidence. The Honda team has been amazing and I absolutely love the new team environment and working with all the guys.
More, from a press release issued by Buildbase Suzuki:
Points on the board for Iddon at Silverstone
Christian Iddon leaves the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone with some points on the board and more data gathered from three solid days of track action, after missing out on valuable testing time in preseason.
The Buildbase Suzuki rider looked good throughout free practice, and felt he had a good rhythm ahead of the races, despite qualifying 11th with a crash in the session.
From the fourth row of the grid in race one he made a lightning start and after six laps he was holding fifth place. However, as the race progressed he dropped a few positions, and eventually crossed the line in eighth.
Sunday’s two races followed a similar pattern, as he made strong getaways off the line and battled for the top six early on, but was unable to maintain the pace and dropped back to take 10th and 11th at the flag.
Christian Iddon, “The weekend started really positively, I felt we had a good rhythm and I was genuinely looking forward to the races. In race one I was aggressive early on to try and get up to the group that I felt we should be in, but I couldn’t maintain the pace, lost that rhythm, and it was difficult. We made some changes this morning but they didn’t have the impact we were hoping for, and then you start riding differently and try and pinch a tenth here and there and lose two or three. But the pace is so hot, we’ve seen some big guns struggle this weekend.
“I felt we were more racey in the last one. We were just off that front group of riders and hanging in there. We picked up an electrical issue which cost a couple of spots in the end, and dropped us outside of the top 10. It would have been nice to have crossed the line and seen the podium positions at least, but it is what it is is. I expected more this weekend but I’m aiming high; I know there’s more potential in the bike and in me. It’s only round one, but next week’s test will be important, I’m keen to get to that and see how the bike behaves on a circuit that’s different in every aspect.”
Danny Kent made his return to racing for the first time after missing the second half of last season with injury. Already on the back foot, a lack of testing time only exacerbated the fact.
Still, he worked hard and made improvements over the course of the weekend, and fought for points in the three races. He finished 17th, 18th, and 15th.
Danny Kent, “It wasn’t the weekend I was hoping to start the year off with. I had higher expectations going into this weekend, even after missing the two-day test, but the pace was really fast compared to previous years. The positive we can take is that we kept closing the gap in each race. The team made some changes for the final race that made the biggest difference, and it was the best the bike felt all weekend. Of course the results aren’t what we want but it was good to race the bike again and get some laps in. The focus is now the Oulton test and look at where we need to improve.”
Race one: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Bradley Ray, 8. Christian Iddon, 17. Danny Kent
Race two: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Rory Skinner, 10. Christian Iddon, 18. Danny Kent
Race three: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Bradley Ray, 3. Andrew Irwin, 11. Christian Iddon, 15. Danny Kent
More, from a press release issued by FIM EWC Press Office:
Race report: Japanese joy made in France as Yoshimura SERT Motul wins EWC 24 Heures Motos
April 17 2022
*Le Mans-based squad takes victory, combined event attendance of 62,000 recorded
*Japanese team starts defence of FIM Endurance World Championship in style
*Result a big boost for Belgian rider Siméon ahead of EWC’s return to Spa in June
*Dunlop Superstock Trophy privateers pack out top 10 places
*Category win goes to Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore after all-action race
*Pole-sitting Yamaha-powered YART finishes second overall
*F.C.C. TSR Honda France completes podium after delays end victory hopes
*First of three 24-hour EWC races for 2022 broadcast live around the world
Yoshimura SERT Motul has made it back-to-back wins in the 24 Heures Motos to begin the defence of its FIM Endurance World Championship title in style.
Riders Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Siméon were supreme for the Le Mans-based squad to win the 45th edition of an event that welcomed fans back after two years of COVID-19 restrictions and resulted in a combined attendance of 62,000.
Always quick, always consistent, the trio combined perfectly and never faltered, the only major scare coming when their Bridgestone-equipped Suzuki GSXR-1000 ran short of fuel during a lengthy safety car period late on Saturday afternoon.
Otherwise, it was a result that reflected Yoshimura SERT Motul’s professionalism and meticulous preparation during 24 challenging hours, an approach that was visible up and down the pitlane as tireless human endeavour – mainly by volunteers – took centre stage.
“It’s an incredible victory and much harder than last year,” said British-born Frenchman Black, who was able to take the traditional running start despite breaking his heel during the Le Mans Pre-Test last month. “The other teams were really, really strong so we had to keep pushing for 24 hours, so the stints were intense, fast and the pace was absolutely incredible. My team-mates did a great job, we’re really happy and proud.”
Yoshimura SERT Motul Team Director Yohei Kato said: “Last year we won the 24 Heures Motos and Bol d’Or and this year we have three 24-hour races. We developed the bike and make our team work focused on the 24 hours, so to achieve this win I am very satisfied with our team, our bike and our riders.”
YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC started the EWC season opener on pole position for the third year running after Karel Hanika set a new lap record during Friday morning’s Second Qualifying session. But when the Yamaha YZF-R1 wouldn’t fire up at the start, the Czech rider joined team-mates Niccolò Canepa and Marvin Fritz in engaging in a heroic charge through the field to finish second, despite the starting issue remaining a hindrance throughout the race.
F.C.C. TSR Honda France, with Mike Di Meglio, Josh Hook and Gino Rea riding, was in front after eight hours, but the squad’s challenge soon unravelled with costly pitstops required to fix firstly a gear selector issue and then to replace a broken silencer. A ride-through penalty caused further delay, while team newcomer Rea fell on Sunday morning, but was able to bring the Honda CB R1000 RR-R back to the pits for repair. Although the delay briefly dropped F.C.C. TSR Honda France out of the podium places, it wasn’t long before the position was reclaimed.
Viltaïs Racing Igol ran as high as third and was in a comfortable fourth place as the best independent outfit when a technical failure led to a heart-breaking exit for the French team.
Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore hit back from delays caused by a broken oil filter to convert its Dunlop Superstock Trophy pole position into the category win in a fine fourth overall with its production-spec Yamaha. However, BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers, National Motos, No Limits Motor Team and Team 33 Louit April Moto all enjoyed spells at the front of the category with the top three often running in close proximity to each other. It was the ultimate advert for the Dunlop Superstock Trophy, which is contested by smaller, lesser funded teams.
No Limits Motor Team eventually finished second in the Dunlop Superstock Trophy in fifth overall following a flurry of late position changes with National Motos next ahead of 33 Louit April Moto. Kawasaki-powered Formula EWC squad Team Bolliger Switzerland took eighth as Pitlane Endurance and Team LH Racing rounded out the top 10.
Myriad delays restricted Tati Team Beringer Racing to P11, while ERC Endurance Ducati’s fightback following a crash when Xavi Forès avoided a backmarker in the seventh hour was slowed by a lengthy pit stop on Sunday.
Wójcik Racing Team was forced to retire its #77 entry following a mechanical failure and an accident. A holed radiator ended BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team’s hopes of what was shaping up to be a strong bid for a podium finish.
Webike SRC Kawasaki France was had podium hopes of its own but they were dashed when the team was forced to spend more than one hour in the pits during the night.
It was a dramatic start to the race on Saturday when Christophe Seigneur was unable to avoid colliding with a slow-moving Bradley Smith. Seigneur was able to walk back to the pits, but ex-MotoGP rider Smith was taken to hospital for medical checks as a result of the substantial rear impact, having received immediate medical attention at the side of the track when the field circulated under safety car conditions. Smith suffered no serious injuries but will remain in hospital for a period of observation. His team MOTO AIN, worked furiously to repair the damage but with the Yamaha not running in perfect order when it returned and with only two drivers available for the full 24-hour duration, the French outfit made the tough decision to withdraw.
RIDER QUOTES
Formula EWC, Sylvain Guintoli (Yoshimura SERT Motul): “It was fantastic, it was really, really tiring with a lot of pace from the competitors so we had to keep pushing all the way. It was 24 hours full speed with a very small margin to try to control the race, but we go home with the big trophy. Endurance is a team sport and without everybody in the team on the technical side, my team-mates you can’t achieve anything so I feel verry lucky to be part of this team. We’ve done well and I hope it carries on.”
Dunlop Superstock Trophy, Philipp Steinmayr (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore: “It’s really awesome, it’s a dream come true and is just the result of really good work from the whole team. They were fast in the pitstops and my team-mates were very fast on the track and we made up the time we lost during the night. It was really hard, my toughest race until now but it’s really nice to get a victory.”
WHAT’S NEXT? 24H SPA EWC Motos, Belgium, June 2-5
A track as legendary as it is demanding hosts international-level motorbike racing for the first time since 2001 when the 24H SPA EWC Motos revives the spirit of the 24 Heures de Liège, once an EWC calendar mainstay. The iconic circuit has undergone extensive safety upgrades mandated by FIM and FMB specifically for the EWC’s return. Central to the changes, which have been ratified by the FIA in line with car racing requirements, are expanded run-off areas at several corners, the repositioning of safety barriers in some sections, plus the minor realignment of Turn 9, for bike use only. More information: https://www.24hspamotos.com/en/
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL WINS LE MANS EWC OPENER
Gregg Black (1) on the Yoshimura SERT Motul Suzuki GSX-R1000. Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.
Yoshimura SERT Motul: Suzuki GSX-R1000R – 1st
Defending World Champion Yoshimura Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Motul raced to victory at the 24 Heures Motos EWC season opener in Le Mans, France today.
Yoshimura SERT Motul riders Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Simeon completed a total of 840 laps at the Bugatti Circuit, 1:45.582 minutes ahead of nearest rivals YART and took 23 pit stops, under favourable weather conditions and in front of a large crowd.
Fast starter Black, from second on the grid, took the holeshot aboard the team’s GSX-R1000R Suzuki and was able to get the better of his opponents right out of the first corner. After spending much of the race in third, the team moved to the front on Saturday evening; a position they dominated with a strong race plan, reliable machine and fast, efficient pit stops by the Yoshimura SERT Motul technical staff.
Through the night, the trio of riders remained fixed on the plan and Black took the event lap record at daybreak with a time of 1.36.195. Always focused on its goals, the Franco-Japanese team gave everything to maintain its lead in the race against strong competition.
On the track, the Suzuki riders did not make any mistakes, maintaining control throughout the challenging 24 hour event, which witnessed the deployment of a safety car no less than eight times. The team even overcame a tricky incident during the outing of the second safety car when Guintoli ran out of fuel but, as ever, in the pits, the technical team provided the perfect back-up until the chequered flag fell.
In addition to the extra 23 points acquired in qualifying, and at the 8th and 16th hours of the race, 40 points were earned for the victory which gave Yoshimura SERT Motul a total of 63 points.
• Italian Suzuki team No Limits Motor Team finished fifth overall and second in the Superstock class aboard their privateer GSX-R1000R.
The Yoshimura SERT Motul team will now head to Belgium on June 4th and 5th for the 24 Hours of Spa.
Damien SAULNIER – Team Manager:
“What a week! What a race! I was impressed by the level of performance of all the teams. I am really admiring the work of our three riders. I am also very proud of the whole technical team around me, with Yohei, with the Yoshimura staff in Japan, with the SERT team in Le Mans. I think we are all happy with this race, which was exceptional and fantastic.”
Yohei KATO – Team Director:
“I am glad to start the second season with such a brilliant result and I am very satisfied with the work done by the whole team. We put a lot of effort into preparing for the 2022 season over the winter and it has paid off. We have the same team as when we won the 24 Heures Motos last year, and their hard work has once again been rewarded by a victory!”
Gregg BLACK:
“I was expected to do the start because I usually do pretty well. This year it was a bit different. I crashed heavily in the preparatory practice a few days ago where I broke my heel. In the end I managed to get over it and ensure a good start. Then it was an incredible race, with a very strong pace from the beginning to the end. We had to push as hard as we could in every stint because we had some really strong competitors. My teammates were also very strong and the whole team did a great job.”
Xavier SIMÉON:
“The team really did a great job on the strategy to allow us to do a maximum of laps and a minimum of pit stops. On the track, the bike showed an extraordinary potential. We were able to set some incredible lap times. In fact, Gregg broke the absolute record in the race. But it was still a tough race because we had to push hard to the finish line.”
Sylvain GUINTOLI:
This is a very different victory to 2021. The race was difficult. We need the speed, the strategy, the whole team in the box that worked perfectly. Our fuel consumption was also better than our opponents and that also played an important role. We gave everything this weekend, and today we can be proud to go home with the trophy.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
YART Yamaha Score Sensational Second at Le Mans
The Yamalube YART Yamaha Official EWC Team of Karel Hanika, Niccolo Canepa, and Marvin Fritz started their 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship season stunningly by securing a podium at the opening round, the 45th edition of the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos in France.
The YART Yamaha team started the weekend by ending Thursday’s Free Practice in second before securing a third consecutive pole position at the iconic Bugatti Circuit in North-West France on Friday. Glorious weather greeted the riders for the entirety of the 24-hour race, as the passionate French fans returned to Le Mans for the first time since 2019 due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic.
Czech rider Karel Hanika, who celebrated his 26th Birthday on Thursday, lined up for the traditional endurance starting procedure, but an unfortunate technical issue meant he could not get his bike started on the grid and dropped down to last place.
Confounding this issue was a nasty crash at the start that saw the safety car deployed immediately, meaning that Hanika could not begin a charge through the pack until the safety car pulled in after eight laps. Undeterred, the former Moto3 rider started to battle his way through the crowded field, and by the end of the first hour, he handed the YART Yamaha R1 over to his teammate Marin Fritz in fifth. The German rider kept this momentum going with some superb riding, and by the end of his first stint, the team were up to third.
Italian Niccolo Canepa took the third stint, and by the time he came in to swap the bike, the team had clawed an impressive amount of time and were now in second and involved in the battle for victory just 15 seconds behind the leaders. Sadly, more drama was to follow, as, in the EWC, two safety cars feature for each incident. On Hanika’s second stint, he was stuck behind a different safety car than the leaders, losing 45 precious seconds.
Once again, adversity brought out the true character of the YART Yamaha team, as all three riders got their heads down and applied themselves in their efforts to hunt down the race leaders. What followed was an intriguing endurance battle, with two teams using different tactics in an attempt to win the race. The YART Yamaha team had the pace, but their rivals appeared to be able to make the Bridgestone tyres last longer.
For the rest of the race, a fascinating pit-stop cat and mouse game ensued, with all three of the YART Yamaha riders performing faultlessly throughout the night and on Sunday morning to give the team a chance of victory. They continued to reduce the deficit to the leaders during every stint, only to see them open a one-lap gap again after each round of pit stops. They responded by riding flawlessly, not placing a wheel off track during the entire 24 hours and maintaining an impressive pace throughout, with all three riders pushing to the limit.
As the hours passed, the race looked like it would go down to the wire. YART continued to pressure their rivals to force them into a mistake. With just 25 minutes remaining on the clock, Canepa returned to the pits for a “splash and dash” strategy and handed the reigns of the R1 to Hanika to set up a dramatic finish.
Unfortunately, a crash during the start saw the safety car deployed. That was how the race would finish, with the team finishing on 840 laps in second place, 1:45.582s behind the winner and securing their first podium at Le Mans since the 2016-2017 season. It was an excellent start to the championship, and the team managed to secure 55 points from the race and qualifying, leaving them only eight points behind the leaders with three more races left on the calendar, two of which are 24-hour races.
There was more joy for Yamaha as the Team 18 Sapeus Pompiers CMS Motostore of Hugo Clare, Baptiste Guittet, and Phillip Steinmayr claimed the Dunlop Superstock Trophy victory after finishing fourth overall. The Maco Racing Team of Anthony West, Enzo Boulom, and Richard Bodis fought valiantly despite several issues to finish the race in 32nd. At the same time, the Viltais Racing Igol team, made up of Florian Alt, Erwan Nigon, and Steven Odendaal was looking on course for a podium until disaster struck. A technical fault saw them forced to retire from the race in hour 19. Team Moto Ain’s British rider Bradley Smith got hit from behind during the start incident and was taken to hospital for further check and the team withdrew from the race during the third hour. There were also retirements for the Wojcik Racing Team after 14 hours due to a crash, and the 3ART Best of Bike team as the demanding Bugatti Circuit took no prisoners over the 24 hours.
Up next on the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship calendar is the Spa EWC Motos at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on the 2nd-5th of June.
Karel Hanika
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I am happy as this is my first podium in a 24-hour race! It is a great feeling to achieve this. I am very proud of the team because we did not make a single mistake apart from our issue at the start. We were the fastest riders on track in pretty much every session, the mechanics did an amazing job with the pit stops, and we did not have to visit the box once. After the last couple of years, many people have doubted our ability in the 24-hour races, so it was great to show them our potential. I think we can build on this result and be even stronger in the next races.”
Marvin Frits
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“Of course, we always want to win, but honestly, this second place feels like a dream because we have not managed to finish a 24-hour race for two years, so it was an amazing feeling to finish this race, secure a podium, and score as many points as we have at the first race of the season. We know what we have to work on, but it was an almost perfect race as a team. Each rider did an amazing job, and honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of the team, and now we are ready and can’t wait for Spa!”
Niccolo Canepa
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“We are delighted; due to some issues and lots of bad luck, we haven’t been able to finish a 24-hour race for a couple of years. So, to taste the champagne on the podium with my teammates is amazing. We know that we have the total package we need to fight for the championship. We are only eight points behind the leader, so the title race is still open, and we know that we can push hard at Spa to bring the victory home!”
Mandy Kainz
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team – Team Manager
“Our target was to get off to a good start for the season. We did not enjoy a great start during the race, but we fought back superbly to ensure we scored as many points as possible, which is the most important thing. It has been a while since we finished a 24-hour race. So, this result gives us confidence with the bike and the team for the rest of the season, especially in the two 24-hour races. The next race is at Spa, and we are ready to take the top step of the podium. I am thrilled because our riders, team, and bike performed perfectly apart from the issue at the start. In 24 hours, not one rider ran off track, we did not have one bad pit stop, and apart from the start, the bike was perfect. We have to be happy, as we are just 8 points behind the leaders and already have more points than the winner of Suzuka will get, so we are happy!”
More, from a press release issued by F.C.C. TSR Honda France:
F.C.C. TSR Honda France finishes third at the 24 Heures Motos
The 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the 2022 FIM EWC championship, started on Saturday 16 April at the Bugatti circuit with promising results for the Honda teams, F.C.C. TSR Honda France and National Motos. Both teams finished on the third step of the podium in their respective categories.
F.C.C. TSR Honda France started the 24-hour race from the third place on the starting grid with the Frenchman Mike Di Meglio, based on the combined results achieved during good qualifying sessions.
Immediately after the start, a collision forced the entrance of the safety car during the first eight laps, but as soon as the race was resumed, Di Meglio placed the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the lead and completed his first stint in 2nd place.
In the first stint for Gino Rea, he did a great lap at the beginning of the race and managed to take over the lead. Rea created a gap of 3 seconds before the stint of Josh Hook, and the Australian extended more the lead in the next pit stop.
With very consistent and solid laps, the #5 Fireblade led the race until the eight-hour race, with a very solid pace but unscheduled pitstops forced the team to step back into third position.
Just entering the last quarter of the race, Gino Rea’s crash made the team do an amazing job by fixing the bike, losing only 11 minutes approximately at the pit box without consequence on the position. The F.C.C. TSR Honda France demonstrated a true endurance spirit and fought until the end to secure the podium.
Leading the race during the first 8 hours and being 3rd at the 16th hour, it gives to the team 18 intermediate points in addition to the 3 points for the qualifying. The team leaves Le Mans with 49 points and third in the provisional FIM EWC Championship with this third result.
Last year’s winners, National Motos Honda, enjoyed a strong race with a new ride line-up. The Superstock team, who started in 13th place on the grid (2nd in Superstock class), finished claiming the third place on the podium.
The Fireblade #55 was able to keep his second position, but a minor issue with the lighting at the end of the first quarter made the team enter the pits and stand in fourth place.
The team managed to secure the podium with very consistent stints by the National Motos Honda riders and crossed the chequered flag in the third position in the Superstock category.
Honda privateer team RAC 41 Chromeburner had a tough weekend with the injury of the Belgium rider Gregory Fastré on Friday and the early retirement during the race due to mechanical issues with the bike. The Honda #41 leaves Le Mans with positive feelings as all riders had a good rhythm during all the week with a very competitive Fireblade.
The next round of the 2022 FIM EWC Championship will take place at the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, which will host the 24 Hours of Spa on June 4 and 5.
Gino Rea 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
This podium is a great way to start in this new team. There were some great things during the 24 Heures Motos, like leading the race by a minute, and others that could have been costly. We are lucky to have been able to keep this 3rd place until the finish. But overall, it was a very positive experience. I am very happy; we take big points and have a very good pace.
Josh Hook 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
It was a tough race. The Yamaha and the Suzuki had an extremely fast pace. We probably also had the pace to win, but some problems put us a bit behind. Nevertheless, we can be satisfied with this result because we took valuable points for the championship.
Mike Di Meglio 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
It’s a good result for the championship because there are a lot of points to grab over the three 24-hour races. Of course, there is a little disappointment because I think that the victory was within our reach. We showed what we were capable of. The bike is competitive; my teammates and the team did a great job during the refueling. I can’t wait for the next race to take our revenge!
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
A stone in the radiator: unfortunate retirement from the 24h Le Mans for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.
Season-opener in the FIM Endurance World Championship 2022. BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team battling in the leading packing with the #37 BMW M 1000 RR in the early hours of the race.
After four and a half hours, the team is forced to retire due to a stone lodged in the radiator. Le Mans. The 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA), the season-opener in the FIM Endurance World Championship 2022, began according to plan for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Starting from fourth place, Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA), Markus Reiterberger (GER) and Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) were battling in the leading pack during the early hours of the race, putting themselves in a good position for another podium finish in the FIM EWC. However, a stone lodged in the radiator was the cause of an unfortunate retirement after four and a half hours.
The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team had already shown in practice and qualifying sessions that it remains one of the best teams in the FIM EWC this season. The pace with the race set-up was particularly promising and the team was brimming with optimism at the start of the 24-hour race on Saturday afternoon. Starting rider Guarnoni, Reiterberger and Mikhalchik kept the #37 BMW M 1000 RR consistently in the top four. The plan was to work their way gradually up through the field as the race progressed.
However, Guarnoni was forced to make an unexpected pit stop after four and a half hours. A stone had pierced the radiator and the subsequent overheating damaged the engine so severely that it was impossible to continue the race.
The team and riders are now fully focused on the second stop for the FIM EWC 2022, the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) on the first weekend in June.
Reactions to the 24h Le Mans. Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Of course, that early retirement was hard for us to swallow. Another top result would have been more than deserved for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. This confirmed that the hard work that we put in with the team over the winter had paid off. The overall package was fast, the racing pace was spot on and the fuel consumption, which is an important factor in endurance racing, was very efficient. The riders also gave a superb performance and the team worked superbly in the pits. It is extremely bad luck for a stone to hit the radiator and cause a chain reaction that ended the race for the #37. However, that can happen. Now we have to build on the many positive aspects and on what we learned from Le Mans. Preparations are underway for the next race. Spa will be a home race for the team and we would all like to convert the good performance into the result it deserves.”
Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team: “The race was good – until we had a big stone in our radiator. The water was straight out, the oil temperature went up and the engine broke. It was very disappointing for everybody that the race ended that way. For the riders, for the team, the mechanics, they all had worked so hard this winter to prepare the bike. We were very well prepared but this was something that nobody could foresee. We have a big protector in front of our radiator but this stone was at least two centimetres big and when it hits the radiator at 260 km/h then nothing helps. This happens, we are very disappointed but we will come back!”
Markus Reiterberger: “We started pretty well into the race and were able to constantly be within the top-four. We expected to benefit from our efficient fuel consumption after nine or ten hours and that our pace would improve even more during the cooler night stints but unfortunately we did not get that far. It of course is a bitter pill to swallow that a stone in the radiator ended our race early but no one could foresee this, this was just bad luck. It is a pity and we just take two points from qualifying away. But we don’t give up, we still have two 24-hour races and at least one eight-hour race this season. I feel sorry for the entire team who had worked so hard over winter to give us the best possible package. It really would have deserved to get a top result.”
Ilya Mikhalchik: “Overall, the race week was quite positive for us because we showed our speed over the entire week and the bike was particularly good for the race. For the first four and a half hours, we were fighting for the podium positions with a really good feeling. Unfortunately, we had bad luck and a stone decided to stop our race. But I already said last year after the Bol d’Or: we lose together and we win together. And afterwards, we have won at Most. So I am confident that more success is coming in the future. I am looking forward to getting back on this bike and fight again for top positions at my team’s home race at Spa.”
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Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 10, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
