Navarra, Spain – September 3, 2025 – American motorcycle racer Julian Correa continued his impressive international campaign this past weekend, securing a hard-fought podium finish in the highly competitive ESBK SuperSport 300 series at the Circuito de Navarra. Competing as a wild card entry with Pons Motorsport Italika Racing, Correa demonstrated exceptional skill and determination to battle his way to a top-three result in Race 2.
After a challenging qualifying session, Correa started from P7 for Race 1, but showcased his racecraft by carving his way through the field to a commendable P5 finish which got him a P3 in the Kawasaki Spirit Cup and his first podium in the ESBK Series. The performance was a testament to his adaptability and speed, as he quickly gelled with his new team and machine.
Building on that momentum, Correa delivered a standout performance in Race 2. The race was a tense affair, with a large pack of riders all fighting for position. Correa stayed cool under pressure, navigating the on-track battles with precision and strategy. His calculated moves and consistent pace paid off, as he crossed the finish line to miss a second podium by .004. He matched the lap times of the lead group and battled against WSBK riders using the ESBK as a training series.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with this result,” said Julian Correa. “The team worked so hard all weekend to give me a great bike, and to reward them with a podium is an amazing feeling. The competition here is incredibly tough, and I learned so much with every lap. This result gives me a lot of confidence.”
The podium finish at Navarra underscores Correa’s potential as a rising star in motorcycle racing. His ability to perform at a high level on unfamiliar tracks and with a new team highlights his remarkable talent and dedication. The team is incredibly proud of Julian’s performance and is confident in his ability to continue his strong progression.
Correa’s next races will be announced at a later date, as he returns to his British Talent Cup and MotoAmerica Talent Cup campaigns.
It’s official: the Italian-Brazilian rider and the Tavullia-based team will continue racing together next season.
The journey continues: Franco Morbidelli will continue to wear Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team colours next season, after a taste of podium success already in 2025. With Fabio Di Giannantonio already confirmed, the team’s line-up for 2026 is now complete.
Morbidelli was the first rider in the VR46 Riders Academy and the first from the project to win a World Championship, in Moto2 in 2017. After seven seasons in MotoGP, including three wins, six podiums and a runner-up finish in 2020, he joined the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025. He has already secured two Grand Prix podiums with the team, in Argentina and Qatar, and two Sprint podiums in Qatar and Hungary.
Franco Morbidelli: “My love for this team is very deep. I feel great here and have an amazing relationship with every single member. It will be a pleasure to race with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team next year as well. It’s fantastic to announce something so special. I hope to experience many more great days like the ones we’ve had this year, because we truly deserve it. We have almost a year and a half ahead of us to keep showing the great potential we have together. I want to thank the whole team, with Vale, Uccio, and Pablo leading the way, the partners, the VR46 Riders Academy, and my people.”
Alessio Salucci, Team Director: “We are happy to confirm Franco for the next season too. He integrated with the team right from the start, building an excellent personal and professional relationship that has led to important results. Franco has been part of the VR46 Riders Academy since the very beginning and seeing him wear the colors of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has a special meaning for us, it feels like coming full circle. This year, with two podiums in the main races and two more in the Sprint, we showed what we can do; in this last part of the season and in the next one, the goal is to improve even more. His experience has been an added value and, together with the team’s expertise and Ducati’s support, we’re excited to continue this journey together in 2026 as well.”
It’s always great news when good people in our MotoAmerica paddock get together, and that’s absolutely the case with today’s news that Flo4Law Racing is teaming up with ADR Motorsports for the remainder of the Superbike season, and with solid plans to continue the relationship in 2026.
Flo4Law Racing and its two riders, Benjamin Smith and Bobby Davies, have enlisted the expertise and resources of long-time MotoAmerica racer, team owner, and bike developer “Aussie” David Anthony.
Flo4Law, the Texas law firm well-known for punching above its weight, is excited to expand their motorcycle road racing operation through its partnership with ADR Motorsports.
Flo4Law Racing will be putting Smith on a Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike that is built to compete with the best of the best in MotoAmerica’s premier race class. In addition, Davies, who was sidelined at the recent Mid-Ohio round by an injury, will return to action at his home track, Circuit of The Americas (COTA), for the final round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship on September 12 through 14.
Mr. Smith and his Flo4Law Racing team—including Smith’s girlfriend Cassandra Melnick keeping a watchful eye in the background—are excited about the new partnership with David Anthony and ADR Motorsports. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Smith.
Smith will test the team’s new R1 Superbike at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway on September 6-7, focusing on fine-tuning the bike for peak performance and dialing in the settings for the upcoming rounds at COTA and New Jersey Motorsports Park as he and the team look to wrap up the 2025 season on a high note.
“Flo4Law Racing is about proving that small teams can deliver big results,” team owner Florencio “Flo” Moreno said. “With ADR Motorsports and their R1 joining us, Ben is ready to show his mettle. Bobby is back, too, and ready to fight his way up the field.”
Smith commented, “I’m looking forward to getting the bike dialed in at Chuckwalla and be ready for COTA. Thanks to Flo, Matt (Moreno), and ADR Motorsports for this opportunity.”
Davies added, “Mid-Ohio was tough, but I am healed up and hungry to keep moving forward in Stock 1000 at COTA.”
Flo4Law Racing is powered by Flo4Law, a Texas personal injury firm that thrives on turning grit into results both in the MotoAmerica series, as well in the courtroom.
HOT HEADLINES: can anyone halt Marc Marquez from homing in on history? Seven in a row and aiming for gr(eight)ness at home, the #93 is the target – and his is to complete the greatest comeback in sporting history.
From the new battleground of Balaton Park to a classic battleground in Barcelona, Round 15 is now upon us. A home Grand Prix for many, this is a venue that never disappoints and 2025 is sure to live up to its legacy. But in the fight for the very top step, can anyone stop Marc Marquez(Ducati Lenovo Team) on his home turf? This weekend, the #93 can set himself up for a championship point in Misano. Yes. Misano.
175 POINTS AHEAD: Marc leads Alex for Barcelona homecoming
That said, this is a circuit where Marc Marquez is without a win since 2019. That said, he’s also taken seven Grand Prix and Sprint wins in a row, stretching out his Championship lead over brother Alex Marquez(BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) to 175 points. If he gains 10 or more on him in Barcelona, he’ll have a real – although long – shot at the crown at the San Marino GP. Aiming to pot the 8-ball at home, it’s down to the #73 to stand in his way and he’s not been on the podium since Germany, so the Gresini rider is aiming for a lot more.
BEZZECCHI CLOSING IN: P3 fight tightens as Aprilia shine
Having confirmed last time out that it was his hardest weekend in factory Ducati colours, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is the most recent winner in Barcelona, with a double win in last year’s Solidarity Grand Prix as well as the earlier Catalan GP. Like Alex, Pecco is without a podium since Germany and is starting to face pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) in the standings. The #72 has been one of the main challengers to Marc Marquez since Assen, on the podium in all-but-one Grand Prix since. 31 points split them with eight rounds to go, so it’s game on for bronze.
Elsewhere in Aprilia colours, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) returns to the site of his 2024 title and off the back of a fine Hungarian Grand Prix which saw him storm through from P16 to P4. The podium is getting closer for ‘The Martinator’ and who is to say that 2025 won’t be added to Barcelona’s happy memories?
KTM’S SURGE: Acosta leads the Austrian manufacturer’s charge
Four podiums across the last three Sprints and Grands Prix mean that Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has elevated himself into fifth overall in the standings after an impressive ride from P7 to P2 in Hungary. It’s not just him though, with teammate Brad Binder back in the top eight over the course of the last four Grands Prix, hailing the front-end improvements to the RC16. Then, there’s Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), who has clicked with the bike and is now a regular feature inside the top ten battle, even if his Hungary results don’t represent that after some bad luck and trouble. His teammate Maverick Viñales is hoping to be back in action for his home Grand Prix too, his attendance subject to a Thursday medical check.
P6 BATTLE: the scrap intensifies
Acosta’s rise in form has been coupled with difficulties and, in the case of Balaton Park, misfortune for Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). He’s now P7 overall after teammate Franco Morbidelli leapfrogged him last weekend too. ‘Diggia’ was sixth last year in the Catalan GP whilst teammate Franky has a pole to his name from 2020. Just 28 points further back, Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continues to close in on the #49, although Hungary was a tougher on than his run on glory in Austria.
PAST MASTERS: they surprised in Barcelona before, they aim to repeat
Tenth in the standings and in a difficult period of 2025, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) has happy memories from Catalunya, with his first GP win in any class coming in Moto2™ in 2018. A year later, his first MotoGP podium and then in 2020, a winner, backed up in 2022. He’ll be expecting to be much more in the fight this weekend. One spot ahead of him overall, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) has two MotoGP podiums here, aiming to move back up the order after a tougher run of late and with a new contract in his pocket. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) led the Sprint in 2024 before crashing and has had some consistent form in 2025. All three have points to prove this weekend.
EYES ON PRIZES: riders with points to prove
After a best finish with Honda and fresh from a new contract for 2026, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) heads to Barcelona to back it up as teammate Joan Mir goes to the track where he got his last top four finish back in 2022. Honda have impressed a lot in recent rounds, expect both to be in the top ten fight. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) has struggled lately but always performs on Sunday; can he improve in qualifying? He won the Moto2 encounter here last year.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) has a previous podium from 2021 and after a turbulent Austria and Hungary, aims to return to the top ten; the same can be said for teammate Miguel Oliveira. For Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), it’s a home GP, bringing even more motivation to move forward. Finally, Somkiat Chantra’s (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) presence is subject to a medical check but the Thai rider is expected to return to the fold to make it a full house of 22 full-timers on the grid.
Barcelona has everything: a stunning city on the Mediterranean coupled with a classic racetrack that always delivers a show. Tune in this weekend for the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia!
Moto2 race start at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto2™: 31 points split top three as we land in Barcelona
That was some Moto2 race in Hungary. The brilliant David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) earned his debut win in the class, while title rivals Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) went elbow to elbow to finish P2 and P3 to see the championship gap between the front three close a little more.
Next on the agenda: Barcelona. A circuit all the riders know well, and one Alonso won at last year in Moto3. Has the Colombian’s phenomenal victory paved the way for the floodgates to open? You wouldn’t bet against it, but Alonso isn’t in the 2025 title race. Although he could have a big say in how it plays out. Gonzalez leads the championship chase by 25 points, with Aron Canet’s (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) P6 at Balaton Park costing him some crucial ground.
That gap back to Moreira is where the 31 points come from, and in the last two outings, that’s come down 29 points in favour of the Brazilian. Gonzalez is without a win since Italy, Canet is without a win since Qatar, and although all three look consistent, the momentum, as things stand, is with Moreira. Will that continue in Barcelona?
Elsewhere, Jake Dixon’s (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) P4 was a very solid return to form, and the British rider will be hoping to at least repeat his 2024 Catalan GP podium score this weekend as he chases down fourth place overall, Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego). If results go their way, Baltus and Dixon might still have an outside chance of being in this fascinating title race.
A home round for many, let’s see how Round 15 plays out in Moto2, shall we?
Moto3 race start at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto3™: Rueda’s chasers on song ahead of home turf rodeo
A Moto3 race rarely disappoints, and the Hungarian GP certainly didn’t. Outstanding rookie Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) grabbed his second victory to beat another brilliant rookie in Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), while David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) continued his career-best streak with a fifth successive podium.
And in P4, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) chipped away at Jose Antonio Rueda’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) championship lead to see the gap stand at 69 points as the top four in the standings land on home turf for Round 15. Last year, Rueda bagged P3, and a repeat would do just nicely after the #99 has gone back-to-back races without a rostrum.
69 points with eight rounds to go is still a sizable margin, but the likes of Piqueras, Quiles and Muñoz are sniffing a small opportunity. Quiles now sits alone in P3 overall after six podiums in his first 10 outings, with the #28 17 points back on Piqueras. Muñoz, meanwhile, is nine points behind Quiles and comes to Barcelona fresh off the back of signing a new contract with his current team. Future secured, now full focus on racing.
Rueda still holds the cards, but all is not lost just yet for Piqueras, Quiles and Muñoz, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) hoping to rediscover his pre-summer mojo on familiar territory. Does a twist lie ahead in Barcelona, or can Rueda extend his points lead again? Who knows – that’s the beauty of Moto3 and motorcycle racing.
I released a new video to my YouTube Channel about learning a new race track. I took a trip up to Thunderhill and did a video about the process I used when riding a track for the first time. I had never ridden Thunderhill before and found it to be a very challenging track. I had a great time up there and would encourage anyone to ride it if they get the opportunity.
Gaige Herrera won the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals for the second year in a row and clinched his third straight Pro Stock Motorcycle regular-season championship aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis on Sunday.
Race Highlights:
Gaige Herrera qualified first, set a new elapsed time track record, won the U.S. Nationals for the second year in a row and clinched the regular-season championship for the third straight year.
Richard Gadson qualified second, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and advanced to the semi-final round.
Gaige Herrera powers his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa to victory at the U.S. Nationals. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
After a five-week layoff following the penultimate regular season race in Sonoma, Gaige Herrera broke his own existing elapsed time track record with a 6.738-second/201.16 mph run on Sunday during the expanded five-round qualifying format at the U.S. Nationals to claim the top qualifying position for the fourth time this year and 27th time in his career.
Herrera also clinched the season championship in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, earning a cash purse and bonus points in the specialty race contested during qualification rounds throughout the NHRA regular season.
In round one of eliminations on Monday, Herrera defeated Chris Bostick (6.895 seconds/195.00 mph) with a 6.744-second/200.65 mph run to earn his 39th straight first round victory, which ties Dave Shultz for the second-longest streak in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Angelle Sampey currently holds the record with 46 first round victories in a row.
Herrera defeated Angie Smith (6.853 seconds/197.33 mph) with a 6.778-second/199.79 mph run in round two before knocking off championship rival Matt Smith (foul) in the semi-final round with a 6.825-second/199.02 mph pass.
In the final round, Herrera faced off against rookie standout Brayden Davis, who in four starts this season riding a Vance & Hines rental Hayabusa, has qualified number one twice and advanced to at least the semi-final round three times.
But as Herrera has done against the rest of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class for the past three seasons, the defending world champion asserted his dominance on the starting line by posting a near-perfect 0.003 reaction time combined with a 6.834-second/199.32 mph pass to produce a hole shot win that scuttled the hopes of the young rookie, who ran 6.799-seconds at 198.93 mph. Herrera’s back-to-back Indy victory is his fifth this season and the 26th of his career.
Herrera now heads into the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs with the boost of confidence and momentum that comes from winning the coveted U.S. Nationals and a $15,000 bonus as the regular season champion.
“I felt like I was in the groove all weekend. My Hayabusa was running great, and even though I didn’t have the elapsed time in the final round to match Brayden, I did my job on the starting line, and it paid off. Brayden is young and hungry and he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future, but after he beat my teammate in the semis, I felt I needed to redeem our team, even though he is running one of our bikes,” Herrera said. “Winning here at the ‘Big Go’ gives us a lot of momentum going into the Countdown. Having Richard and Matt on my heels throughout the regular season has prepared me well for the Countdown, and I feel like I’m more locked in than I have been the last two seasons. It’s going to be a dog fight to the end, but I know I have the machine and team behind me to get it done.”
Richard Gadson set a career-best elapsed time, qualified second, and won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the U.S. Nationals. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Richard Gadson qualified second with a 6.744-second/201.01 mph run on Sunday and won the season’s final Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge race, which is contested during qualification rounds between semi-finalists from the most recent national event. It was Gadson’s second Challenge win this season and the third of his career.
In round one, Gadson posted a 6.774-second/200.80 mph to defeat Malcolm Phillips Jr. (6.905 seconds/196.33 mph), then advanced to the semi-finals with a 6.824-second/199.70 mph victory over Chase Van Sant (foul).
Although Gadson left the starting line in the semi-finals ahead of Brayden Davis (6.813 seconds/199.11 mph), his 6.867-second/198.64 mph run wasn’t quick enough to advance to what would have been a fourth straight final round appearance. Despite the loss, Gadson finished the regular season in second place behind Herrera and starts the Countdown as a strong contender for a championship run.
“I qualified well, won the Mission Challenge and solidified second place in the points. The only thing that could have made my weekend better was to win the U.S. Nationals, which I knew was going to be tough. I did my job in the semi, but we spun the tire a good bit because the track conditions were going away from us. That’s racing. There’s no guarantees here, but at least we lost to another Vance & Hines Suzuki,” Gadson said. “I had a blast this weekend and I’m ready to rock for the Countdown. I feel like I have as much a shot at the championship as anybody right now. It’s going to be a tough fight over the next six races, but I’ll be in it to win it.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said the five-day format of the U.S. Nationals, which features many additional Sportsman racing classes in addition to the four regular professional classes, means track conditions constantly change as the NHRA safety crew frequently grooms and preps the track throughout the weekend to keep up with heavy usage.
“Towards the end we got stuck with track conditions that were deteriorating faster than our tuning could keep up with, but Gaige ultimately saved us. He races smart and doesn’t take chances trying to cut a great light when he doesn’t have to, but when it came down to the final, I told him, ‘You better hit that tree hard because you’ll need everything you can get against our other bike.’ It proves why Gaige is the champion he is. When you win Indy by five-thousands of a second, that will go down in the annals of class history,” Hines said. “We feel good as a team going into the Countdown. We put 200 mph runs on the board with all three of our motorcycles this weekend, so I think we’ll see three strong Vance & Hines Suzukis out here all through the Countdown.”
At the conclusion of the nine-race regular season, Herrera topped the regular season championship standings with 988 points. Championship points for the top ten riders in the Countdown are reset ahead of the six-race playoffs. Herrera opens the Countdown as the top seed with 2,113 points. Gadson is second with 2,090 points.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team returns to action September 11-14 at the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals Presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA.
The maker of the world’s fastest motocross bike closed an invite-only round, injecting capital from an invite-only round of existing owners with strategic value to the firm.
BARCELONA, Spain, 2 SEP 2025 – Stark Future, the fastest-growing Spanish company ever in history, just closed a new investment round, to fund growth and continue its expansion of the model platforms. While Eicher Motors led the last round, this investment mainly came from the company’s existing shareholders, along with a select group of new high-profile investors from the world of MotoGP.
“We decided to close this internal investment round at a very attractive valuation in order to do it quickly while offering very competitive terms to the people that have already supported the business in previous rounds,” Said Anton Wass, CEO & Founder. “We managed to close it within a couple of weeks, which is a strong testament to the results our team has created. We also used this as an opportunity to invite a few selected external investors that we’d like to have in our team.”
Stark Headquarter. Photo courtesy Stark.
Stark is one of the very few EV companies that has achieved sustained profitability. And this is already within its 6th year of business, and 2 years after its first delivery. With continuous innovation and margin and margin improvements, the company expects to continue increasing both revenue and profit at a record-breaking pace.
“We are on a mission to prove that electric motorcycles can outperform ICE in every way,” Wass continued. “Each new model from Stark will be the leader within its category.”
The evidence supporting Stark’s claims are so far the fastest motocross and enduro motorcycles ever produced, thousands of riders have switched to the superior electric models, and tens of millions of combined kilometers ridden all over the world. With this latest round of funding as working capital, the firm will accelerate its continued growth past the 70 countries it already distributes to, with some very exciting new products planned.
About Stark Future :
Stark Future is a Barcelona-based electric motorcycle manufacturer redefining performance and sustainability in the powersports industry. Founded in 2020, the company has grown to become the fastest-growing Spanish company in history, combining cutting-edge technology with world-class design and engineering. Stark’s flagship model, the VARG, is the most powerful motocross bike ever created—delivering unmatched power, precision, and sustainability. With a rapidly expanding global presence, Stark Future’s mission is clear: to inspire the motorcycle industry toward a sustainable future by building better motorcycles.
American Nathan Gouker finished 5th on a Frando Honda and fellow American Mahdi Salem-Abuawad finished 15th on an ETG Racing Honda during a Spanish Superbike Championship Talent Cup Race Sunday afternoon at Circuito de Navarra, in Spain.
Mahdi Salem-Abuawad:“Race 2 had a decent run, finished P15. Unfortunately it got red-flagged with a couple laps to go, but overall happy with the progress. Ready for Portugal in couple weeks time!”
Mahdi Salem-Abuawad (91) riding his ETG RACING Honda at Circuit de Navarra. Photo by Dast Media.
Gouker finished 8th and Salem-Abuawad finished 23rd in Saturday’s race.
Mahdi Salem-Abuawad:“Qualifying- didn’t go my way today, couldn’t put together that one clean lap and ended up P23. Race 1 was a tough one too, just couldn’t find the feeling with the bike and got p23. Head down and ready to bounce back tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Phillip Gouker:
Nathan Gouker Shows Pace and Resilience at Circuito de Navarra
ESBK Championship Round 5 at Circuito de Navarra, Spain – August 31, 2025 – Rising racing talent Nathan Gouker delivered a weekend of determination and progress at Circuito de Navarra, showcasing both speed and grit across two competitive races.
On Saturday, Gouker qualified just 0.4 seconds off pole position, securing P6 on the grid. In Race 1, he launched an impressive start, surging to the lead on the opening laps. However, rear-end grip issues early in the race prevented him from maintaining peak pace, ultimately finishing P8. Despite the challenges, Gouker’s performance demonstrated his ability to fight at the front of the field.
On Sunday, Gouker and the team made key improvements, resulting in a much stronger feeling with the motorcycle in Race 2. He delivered a consistent and confident drive to finish P5, closing to within just 1.5 seconds of the leader. The improved balance allowed him to push harder, showing the potential for even bigger results in the rounds ahead.
Reflecting on the weekend, Nathan Gouker said: “We leave Navarra wanting more but remain humble to be here competing. The pace was there in qualifying, and Race 2 felt much stronger after the adjustments we made. I’m proud of the progress we showed across the weekend.”
Gouker was quick to recognize the people who continue to make his racing career possible:
“Racing at this level isn’t something you can do alone, and I’m extremely grateful for the support around me. To my sponsors — thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to chase my dream. To my team — your hard work and dedication make all the difference every weekend. A special thank you to Dale Quarterley for helping during these last few weekends. Analyzing my races and giving feedback has been immensely helpful and has pushed me to become a better rider every time I get on track.”
Currently sitting 5th in the championship standings, Gouker now prepares for the final stretch of the season. With just two rounds remaining — at Estoril and Jerez — he is determined to carry the lessons from Navarra into even stronger performances and finish the season on a high note.
Estenson Racing’s Tom Drane secures his first American Flat Track title two rounds early with an emphatic overall victory in the AFT Singles Mission Triple Challenge.
Estenson Racing’s Tom Drane was crowned the 2025 AFT Singles Champion with a commanding overall victory on day one of the Springfield Mile doubleheader in Springfield, Illinois. In addition to etching his name into the sport’s history books as the first international rider to win an American Flat Track Championship, the Australian enjoyed a stellar weekend at the legendary track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, adding two more victories to his season tally.
The Springfield Mile is renowned for its close racing, with multiple riders battling all the way to the finish. This year was no exception, with Drane coming out on top in all three main events at Round 14 of the championship, also the final Mission Triple Challenge event of the season. His perfect score claimed the overall victory and clinched his first AFT Singles title, marking the fourth championship in the class for the Estenson Racing team.
Then at Sunday’s penultimate round of the championship, which was the traditional one main event format, Drane once again delivered a masterclass performance. He edged out the competition by just 0.028 seconds to claim his fifth win in six tries at the historic venue. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a standout 2025 season, earning seven wins and 14 podium finishes so far. He also achieved a rare dirt track grand slam, with victories across all four disciplines – Short Track, Half-Mile, Mile, and TT.
In two weeks’ time, the Estenson Racing squad heads to Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri, on September 13, where Drane’s teammate Dallas Daniels looks to secure the AFT SuperTwins crown. Daniels enters the season finale with a 13-point advantage in the hotly contested premier-class championship.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“I am really proud of Tom and the whole team for the season they have put together. Wrapping up the championship with two races remaining is a testament to his speed and consistency all year. Tom and his family made a big commitment and sacrificed a lot to come to the U.S. and chase this title, so it means a lot to me to see them accomplish this.”
Tom Drane – Estenson Racing #59
“It’s been a very emotional ride. Over the last three years, we’ve put everything into chasing this championship. My family has made so many sacrifices, and for Estenson to give me this opportunity, I’ll be forever grateful. There are no words to truly describe the feeling I have right now.”
CASTROL Honda LCR is proud to announce that French rider Johann Zarco will extend his collaboration with the team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Following two years of close cooperation under a Honda HRC factory rider contract, the Japanese manufacturer has recognized that Zarco and LCR together represent a highly competitive sporting and technical package, combining extensive experience with consistently strong performance for Honda.
A key element of this continuation is that Johann Zarco’s agreement, which remains directly with HRC as in previous seasons, secures his status as a factory rider. This guarantees him access to the same technical specifications as the official factory team, with updates and developments provided in parallel. Furthermore, he will continue to represent the brand as an official rider in the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours.
These factors make CASTROL Honda LCR both honored and committed to continuing its collaboration with Johann Zarco. Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he achieved milestones of great significance for the team, including his victory at Le Mans in May and a podium at Silverstone. His experience, professionalism, and determination reflect the core values of CASTROL Honda LCR and Honda itself, and the team looks forward to building on this foundation to pursue further success together in the coming years.
Johann Zarco – CASTROL Honda LCR rider
“I’m very pleased to confirm that I will stay with LCR for the next two years. This is important because we have big goals to achieve and great opportunities looking ahead to 2027. When I signed with Honda at the end of 2023, I didn’t expect to find that second wind, which gave me the energy to secure another two-year contract with them. We already achieved one victory with Lucio and the team, and it would be fantastic to experience that again, so we are determined to keep pushing for strong results. Over the past two years, Honda has provided LCR with great support, and we believe we can continue growing and developing the bike through our hard work. I’d like to thank HRC, LCR, and everybody supporting us.”
Lucio Cecchinello – CASTROL Honda LCR Team Principal
“Working with Johann is simply extraordinary; his professionalism is impeccable both on and off the track. We are pleased that HRC has renewed its trust in him for the next two years, and we are confident that his contribution to the development of the RCV in 2026 and 2027 will be crucial in our mission to bring Honda back to the top of the rankings. We are also proud to have been confirmed as a trusted partner of HRC in managing Johann and to continue being part of the Honda family.”
Julian Correa on the podium at Circuito de Navarra, in Spain. Photo by Life be Lucky Photography
Navarra, Spain – September 3, 2025 – American motorcycle racer Julian Correa continued his impressive international campaign this past weekend, securing a hard-fought podium finish in the highly competitive ESBK SuperSport 300 series at the Circuito de Navarra. Competing as a wild card entry with Pons Motorsport Italika Racing, Correa demonstrated exceptional skill and determination to battle his way to a top-three result in Race 2.
After a challenging qualifying session, Correa started from P7 for Race 1, but showcased his racecraft by carving his way through the field to a commendable P5 finish which got him a P3 in the Kawasaki Spirit Cup and his first podium in the ESBK Series. The performance was a testament to his adaptability and speed, as he quickly gelled with his new team and machine.
Building on that momentum, Correa delivered a standout performance in Race 2. The race was a tense affair, with a large pack of riders all fighting for position. Correa stayed cool under pressure, navigating the on-track battles with precision and strategy. His calculated moves and consistent pace paid off, as he crossed the finish line to miss a second podium by .004. He matched the lap times of the lead group and battled against WSBK riders using the ESBK as a training series.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with this result,” said Julian Correa. “The team worked so hard all weekend to give me a great bike, and to reward them with a podium is an amazing feeling. The competition here is incredibly tough, and I learned so much with every lap. This result gives me a lot of confidence.”
The podium finish at Navarra underscores Correa’s potential as a rising star in motorcycle racing. His ability to perform at a high level on unfamiliar tracks and with a new team highlights his remarkable talent and dedication. The team is incredibly proud of Julian’s performance and is confident in his ability to continue his strong progression.
Correa’s next races will be announced at a later date, as he returns to his British Talent Cup and MotoAmerica Talent Cup campaigns.
It’s official: the Italian-Brazilian rider and the Tavullia-based team will continue racing together next season.
The journey continues: Franco Morbidelli will continue to wear Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team colours next season, after a taste of podium success already in 2025. With Fabio Di Giannantonio already confirmed, the team’s line-up for 2026 is now complete.
Morbidelli was the first rider in the VR46 Riders Academy and the first from the project to win a World Championship, in Moto2 in 2017. After seven seasons in MotoGP, including three wins, six podiums and a runner-up finish in 2020, he joined the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025. He has already secured two Grand Prix podiums with the team, in Argentina and Qatar, and two Sprint podiums in Qatar and Hungary.
Franco Morbidelli: “My love for this team is very deep. I feel great here and have an amazing relationship with every single member. It will be a pleasure to race with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team next year as well. It’s fantastic to announce something so special. I hope to experience many more great days like the ones we’ve had this year, because we truly deserve it. We have almost a year and a half ahead of us to keep showing the great potential we have together. I want to thank the whole team, with Vale, Uccio, and Pablo leading the way, the partners, the VR46 Riders Academy, and my people.”
Alessio Salucci, Team Director: “We are happy to confirm Franco for the next season too. He integrated with the team right from the start, building an excellent personal and professional relationship that has led to important results. Franco has been part of the VR46 Riders Academy since the very beginning and seeing him wear the colors of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has a special meaning for us, it feels like coming full circle. This year, with two podiums in the main races and two more in the Sprint, we showed what we can do; in this last part of the season and in the next one, the goal is to improve even more. His experience has been an added value and, together with the team’s expertise and Ducati’s support, we’re excited to continue this journey together in 2026 as well.”
Benjamin Smith will be aboard Flo4Law Racing’s new ADR Motorsports-sourced Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike at COTA on September 12 through 14. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Smith.
By Sean Bice/MotoAmerica.com:
It’s always great news when good people in our MotoAmerica paddock get together, and that’s absolutely the case with today’s news that Flo4Law Racing is teaming up with ADR Motorsports for the remainder of the Superbike season, and with solid plans to continue the relationship in 2026.
Flo4Law Racing and its two riders, Benjamin Smith and Bobby Davies, have enlisted the expertise and resources of long-time MotoAmerica racer, team owner, and bike developer “Aussie” David Anthony.
Flo4Law, the Texas law firm well-known for punching above its weight, is excited to expand their motorcycle road racing operation through its partnership with ADR Motorsports.
Flo4Law Racing will be putting Smith on a Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike that is built to compete with the best of the best in MotoAmerica’s premier race class. In addition, Davies, who was sidelined at the recent Mid-Ohio round by an injury, will return to action at his home track, Circuit of The Americas (COTA), for the final round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship on September 12 through 14.
Mr. Smith and his Flo4Law Racing team—including Smith’s girlfriend Cassandra Melnick keeping a watchful eye in the background—are excited about the new partnership with David Anthony and ADR Motorsports. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Smith.
Smith will test the team’s new R1 Superbike at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway on September 6-7, focusing on fine-tuning the bike for peak performance and dialing in the settings for the upcoming rounds at COTA and New Jersey Motorsports Park as he and the team look to wrap up the 2025 season on a high note.
“Flo4Law Racing is about proving that small teams can deliver big results,” team owner Florencio “Flo” Moreno said. “With ADR Motorsports and their R1 joining us, Ben is ready to show his mettle. Bobby is back, too, and ready to fight his way up the field.”
Smith commented, “I’m looking forward to getting the bike dialed in at Chuckwalla and be ready for COTA. Thanks to Flo, Matt (Moreno), and ADR Motorsports for this opportunity.”
Davies added, “Mid-Ohio was tough, but I am healed up and hungry to keep moving forward in Stock 1000 at COTA.”
Flo4Law Racing is powered by Flo4Law, a Texas personal injury firm that thrives on turning grit into results both in the MotoAmerica series, as well in the courtroom.
MotoGP race start at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
HOT HEADLINES: can anyone halt Marc Marquez from homing in on history? Seven in a row and aiming for gr(eight)ness at home, the #93 is the target – and his is to complete the greatest comeback in sporting history.
From the new battleground of Balaton Park to a classic battleground in Barcelona, Round 15 is now upon us. A home Grand Prix for many, this is a venue that never disappoints and 2025 is sure to live up to its legacy. But in the fight for the very top step, can anyone stop Marc Marquez(Ducati Lenovo Team) on his home turf? This weekend, the #93 can set himself up for a championship point in Misano. Yes. Misano.
175 POINTS AHEAD: Marc leads Alex for Barcelona homecoming
That said, this is a circuit where Marc Marquez is without a win since 2019. That said, he’s also taken seven Grand Prix and Sprint wins in a row, stretching out his Championship lead over brother Alex Marquez(BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) to 175 points. If he gains 10 or more on him in Barcelona, he’ll have a real – although long – shot at the crown at the San Marino GP. Aiming to pot the 8-ball at home, it’s down to the #73 to stand in his way and he’s not been on the podium since Germany, so the Gresini rider is aiming for a lot more.
BEZZECCHI CLOSING IN: P3 fight tightens as Aprilia shine
Having confirmed last time out that it was his hardest weekend in factory Ducati colours, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is the most recent winner in Barcelona, with a double win in last year’s Solidarity Grand Prix as well as the earlier Catalan GP. Like Alex, Pecco is without a podium since Germany and is starting to face pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) in the standings. The #72 has been one of the main challengers to Marc Marquez since Assen, on the podium in all-but-one Grand Prix since. 31 points split them with eight rounds to go, so it’s game on for bronze.
Elsewhere in Aprilia colours, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) returns to the site of his 2024 title and off the back of a fine Hungarian Grand Prix which saw him storm through from P16 to P4. The podium is getting closer for ‘The Martinator’ and who is to say that 2025 won’t be added to Barcelona’s happy memories?
KTM’S SURGE: Acosta leads the Austrian manufacturer’s charge
Four podiums across the last three Sprints and Grands Prix mean that Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has elevated himself into fifth overall in the standings after an impressive ride from P7 to P2 in Hungary. It’s not just him though, with teammate Brad Binder back in the top eight over the course of the last four Grands Prix, hailing the front-end improvements to the RC16. Then, there’s Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), who has clicked with the bike and is now a regular feature inside the top ten battle, even if his Hungary results don’t represent that after some bad luck and trouble. His teammate Maverick Viñales is hoping to be back in action for his home Grand Prix too, his attendance subject to a Thursday medical check.
P6 BATTLE: the scrap intensifies
Acosta’s rise in form has been coupled with difficulties and, in the case of Balaton Park, misfortune for Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). He’s now P7 overall after teammate Franco Morbidelli leapfrogged him last weekend too. ‘Diggia’ was sixth last year in the Catalan GP whilst teammate Franky has a pole to his name from 2020. Just 28 points further back, Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continues to close in on the #49, although Hungary was a tougher on than his run on glory in Austria.
PAST MASTERS: they surprised in Barcelona before, they aim to repeat
Tenth in the standings and in a difficult period of 2025, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) has happy memories from Catalunya, with his first GP win in any class coming in Moto2™ in 2018. A year later, his first MotoGP podium and then in 2020, a winner, backed up in 2022. He’ll be expecting to be much more in the fight this weekend. One spot ahead of him overall, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) has two MotoGP podiums here, aiming to move back up the order after a tougher run of late and with a new contract in his pocket. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) led the Sprint in 2024 before crashing and has had some consistent form in 2025. All three have points to prove this weekend.
EYES ON PRIZES: riders with points to prove
After a best finish with Honda and fresh from a new contract for 2026, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) heads to Barcelona to back it up as teammate Joan Mir goes to the track where he got his last top four finish back in 2022. Honda have impressed a lot in recent rounds, expect both to be in the top ten fight. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) has struggled lately but always performs on Sunday; can he improve in qualifying? He won the Moto2 encounter here last year.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) has a previous podium from 2021 and after a turbulent Austria and Hungary, aims to return to the top ten; the same can be said for teammate Miguel Oliveira. For Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), it’s a home GP, bringing even more motivation to move forward. Finally, Somkiat Chantra’s (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) presence is subject to a medical check but the Thai rider is expected to return to the fold to make it a full house of 22 full-timers on the grid.
Barcelona has everything: a stunning city on the Mediterranean coupled with a classic racetrack that always delivers a show. Tune in this weekend for the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia!
Moto2 race start at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto2™: 31 points split top three as we land in Barcelona
That was some Moto2 race in Hungary. The brilliant David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) earned his debut win in the class, while title rivals Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) went elbow to elbow to finish P2 and P3 to see the championship gap between the front three close a little more.
Next on the agenda: Barcelona. A circuit all the riders know well, and one Alonso won at last year in Moto3. Has the Colombian’s phenomenal victory paved the way for the floodgates to open? You wouldn’t bet against it, but Alonso isn’t in the 2025 title race. Although he could have a big say in how it plays out. Gonzalez leads the championship chase by 25 points, with Aron Canet’s (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) P6 at Balaton Park costing him some crucial ground.
That gap back to Moreira is where the 31 points come from, and in the last two outings, that’s come down 29 points in favour of the Brazilian. Gonzalez is without a win since Italy, Canet is without a win since Qatar, and although all three look consistent, the momentum, as things stand, is with Moreira. Will that continue in Barcelona?
Elsewhere, Jake Dixon’s (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) P4 was a very solid return to form, and the British rider will be hoping to at least repeat his 2024 Catalan GP podium score this weekend as he chases down fourth place overall, Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego). If results go their way, Baltus and Dixon might still have an outside chance of being in this fascinating title race.
A home round for many, let’s see how Round 15 plays out in Moto2, shall we?
Moto3 race start at Balaton Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto3™: Rueda’s chasers on song ahead of home turf rodeo
A Moto3 race rarely disappoints, and the Hungarian GP certainly didn’t. Outstanding rookie Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) grabbed his second victory to beat another brilliant rookie in Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), while David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) continued his career-best streak with a fifth successive podium.
And in P4, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) chipped away at Jose Antonio Rueda’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) championship lead to see the gap stand at 69 points as the top four in the standings land on home turf for Round 15. Last year, Rueda bagged P3, and a repeat would do just nicely after the #99 has gone back-to-back races without a rostrum.
69 points with eight rounds to go is still a sizable margin, but the likes of Piqueras, Quiles and Muñoz are sniffing a small opportunity. Quiles now sits alone in P3 overall after six podiums in his first 10 outings, with the #28 17 points back on Piqueras. Muñoz, meanwhile, is nine points behind Quiles and comes to Barcelona fresh off the back of signing a new contract with his current team. Future secured, now full focus on racing.
Rueda still holds the cards, but all is not lost just yet for Piqueras, Quiles and Muñoz, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) hoping to rediscover his pre-summer mojo on familiar territory. Does a twist lie ahead in Barcelona, or can Rueda extend his points lead again? Who knows – that’s the beauty of Moto3 and motorcycle racing.
I released a new video to my YouTube Channel about learning a new race track. I took a trip up to Thunderhill and did a video about the process I used when riding a track for the first time. I had never ridden Thunderhill before and found it to be a very challenging track. I had a great time up there and would encourage anyone to ride it if they get the opportunity.
Gaige Herrera Wins NHRA U.S. Nationals and Clinches Pro Stock Motorcycle Regular Season Championship. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Gaige Herrera won the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals for the second year in a row and clinched his third straight Pro Stock Motorcycle regular-season championship aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis on Sunday.
Race Highlights:
Gaige Herrera qualified first, set a new elapsed time track record, won the U.S. Nationals for the second year in a row and clinched the regular-season championship for the third straight year.
Richard Gadson qualified second, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and advanced to the semi-final round.
Gaige Herrera powers his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa to victory at the U.S. Nationals. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
After a five-week layoff following the penultimate regular season race in Sonoma, Gaige Herrera broke his own existing elapsed time track record with a 6.738-second/201.16 mph run on Sunday during the expanded five-round qualifying format at the U.S. Nationals to claim the top qualifying position for the fourth time this year and 27th time in his career.
Herrera also clinched the season championship in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, earning a cash purse and bonus points in the specialty race contested during qualification rounds throughout the NHRA regular season.
In round one of eliminations on Monday, Herrera defeated Chris Bostick (6.895 seconds/195.00 mph) with a 6.744-second/200.65 mph run to earn his 39th straight first round victory, which ties Dave Shultz for the second-longest streak in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Angelle Sampey currently holds the record with 46 first round victories in a row.
Herrera defeated Angie Smith (6.853 seconds/197.33 mph) with a 6.778-second/199.79 mph run in round two before knocking off championship rival Matt Smith (foul) in the semi-final round with a 6.825-second/199.02 mph pass.
In the final round, Herrera faced off against rookie standout Brayden Davis, who in four starts this season riding a Vance & Hines rental Hayabusa, has qualified number one twice and advanced to at least the semi-final round three times.
But as Herrera has done against the rest of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class for the past three seasons, the defending world champion asserted his dominance on the starting line by posting a near-perfect 0.003 reaction time combined with a 6.834-second/199.32 mph pass to produce a hole shot win that scuttled the hopes of the young rookie, who ran 6.799-seconds at 198.93 mph. Herrera’s back-to-back Indy victory is his fifth this season and the 26th of his career.
Herrera now heads into the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs with the boost of confidence and momentum that comes from winning the coveted U.S. Nationals and a $15,000 bonus as the regular season champion.
“I felt like I was in the groove all weekend. My Hayabusa was running great, and even though I didn’t have the elapsed time in the final round to match Brayden, I did my job on the starting line, and it paid off. Brayden is young and hungry and he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future, but after he beat my teammate in the semis, I felt I needed to redeem our team, even though he is running one of our bikes,” Herrera said. “Winning here at the ‘Big Go’ gives us a lot of momentum going into the Countdown. Having Richard and Matt on my heels throughout the regular season has prepared me well for the Countdown, and I feel like I’m more locked in than I have been the last two seasons. It’s going to be a dog fight to the end, but I know I have the machine and team behind me to get it done.”
Richard Gadson set a career-best elapsed time, qualified second, and won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the U.S. Nationals. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Richard Gadson qualified second with a 6.744-second/201.01 mph run on Sunday and won the season’s final Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge race, which is contested during qualification rounds between semi-finalists from the most recent national event. It was Gadson’s second Challenge win this season and the third of his career.
In round one, Gadson posted a 6.774-second/200.80 mph to defeat Malcolm Phillips Jr. (6.905 seconds/196.33 mph), then advanced to the semi-finals with a 6.824-second/199.70 mph victory over Chase Van Sant (foul).
Although Gadson left the starting line in the semi-finals ahead of Brayden Davis (6.813 seconds/199.11 mph), his 6.867-second/198.64 mph run wasn’t quick enough to advance to what would have been a fourth straight final round appearance. Despite the loss, Gadson finished the regular season in second place behind Herrera and starts the Countdown as a strong contender for a championship run.
“I qualified well, won the Mission Challenge and solidified second place in the points. The only thing that could have made my weekend better was to win the U.S. Nationals, which I knew was going to be tough. I did my job in the semi, but we spun the tire a good bit because the track conditions were going away from us. That’s racing. There’s no guarantees here, but at least we lost to another Vance & Hines Suzuki,” Gadson said. “I had a blast this weekend and I’m ready to rock for the Countdown. I feel like I have as much a shot at the championship as anybody right now. It’s going to be a tough fight over the next six races, but I’ll be in it to win it.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said the five-day format of the U.S. Nationals, which features many additional Sportsman racing classes in addition to the four regular professional classes, means track conditions constantly change as the NHRA safety crew frequently grooms and preps the track throughout the weekend to keep up with heavy usage.
“Towards the end we got stuck with track conditions that were deteriorating faster than our tuning could keep up with, but Gaige ultimately saved us. He races smart and doesn’t take chances trying to cut a great light when he doesn’t have to, but when it came down to the final, I told him, ‘You better hit that tree hard because you’ll need everything you can get against our other bike.’ It proves why Gaige is the champion he is. When you win Indy by five-thousands of a second, that will go down in the annals of class history,” Hines said. “We feel good as a team going into the Countdown. We put 200 mph runs on the board with all three of our motorcycles this weekend, so I think we’ll see three strong Vance & Hines Suzukis out here all through the Countdown.”
At the conclusion of the nine-race regular season, Herrera topped the regular season championship standings with 988 points. Championship points for the top ten riders in the Countdown are reset ahead of the six-race playoffs. Herrera opens the Countdown as the top seed with 2,113 points. Gadson is second with 2,090 points.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team returns to action September 11-14 at the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals Presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA.
The maker of the world’s fastest motocross bike closed an invite-only round, injecting capital from an invite-only round of existing owners with strategic value to the firm.
BARCELONA, Spain, 2 SEP 2025 – Stark Future, the fastest-growing Spanish company ever in history, just closed a new investment round, to fund growth and continue its expansion of the model platforms. While Eicher Motors led the last round, this investment mainly came from the company’s existing shareholders, along with a select group of new high-profile investors from the world of MotoGP.
“We decided to close this internal investment round at a very attractive valuation in order to do it quickly while offering very competitive terms to the people that have already supported the business in previous rounds,” Said Anton Wass, CEO & Founder. “We managed to close it within a couple of weeks, which is a strong testament to the results our team has created. We also used this as an opportunity to invite a few selected external investors that we’d like to have in our team.”
Stark Headquarter. Photo courtesy Stark.
Stark is one of the very few EV companies that has achieved sustained profitability. And this is already within its 6th year of business, and 2 years after its first delivery. With continuous innovation and margin and margin improvements, the company expects to continue increasing both revenue and profit at a record-breaking pace.
“We are on a mission to prove that electric motorcycles can outperform ICE in every way,” Wass continued. “Each new model from Stark will be the leader within its category.”
The evidence supporting Stark’s claims are so far the fastest motocross and enduro motorcycles ever produced, thousands of riders have switched to the superior electric models, and tens of millions of combined kilometers ridden all over the world. With this latest round of funding as working capital, the firm will accelerate its continued growth past the 70 countries it already distributes to, with some very exciting new products planned.
About Stark Future :
Stark Future is a Barcelona-based electric motorcycle manufacturer redefining performance and sustainability in the powersports industry. Founded in 2020, the company has grown to become the fastest-growing Spanish company in history, combining cutting-edge technology with world-class design and engineering. Stark’s flagship model, the VARG, is the most powerful motocross bike ever created—delivering unmatched power, precision, and sustainability. With a rapidly expanding global presence, Stark Future’s mission is clear: to inspire the motorcycle industry toward a sustainable future by building better motorcycles.
American Nathan Gouker (19) leads an ESBK Talent Cup Race at Navarra, before finishing fifth. Photo by Benaisa Photography/courtesy Phillip Gouker.
American Nathan Gouker finished 5th on a Frando Honda and fellow American Mahdi Salem-Abuawad finished 15th on an ETG Racing Honda during a Spanish Superbike Championship Talent Cup Race Sunday afternoon at Circuito de Navarra, in Spain.
Mahdi Salem-Abuawad:“Race 2 had a decent run, finished P15. Unfortunately it got red-flagged with a couple laps to go, but overall happy with the progress. Ready for Portugal in couple weeks time!”
Mahdi Salem-Abuawad (91) riding his ETG RACING Honda at Circuit de Navarra. Photo by Dast Media.
Gouker finished 8th and Salem-Abuawad finished 23rd in Saturday’s race.
Mahdi Salem-Abuawad:“Qualifying- didn’t go my way today, couldn’t put together that one clean lap and ended up P23. Race 1 was a tough one too, just couldn’t find the feeling with the bike and got p23. Head down and ready to bounce back tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Phillip Gouker:
Nathan Gouker Shows Pace and Resilience at Circuito de Navarra
ESBK Championship Round 5 at Circuito de Navarra, Spain – August 31, 2025 – Rising racing talent Nathan Gouker delivered a weekend of determination and progress at Circuito de Navarra, showcasing both speed and grit across two competitive races.
On Saturday, Gouker qualified just 0.4 seconds off pole position, securing P6 on the grid. In Race 1, he launched an impressive start, surging to the lead on the opening laps. However, rear-end grip issues early in the race prevented him from maintaining peak pace, ultimately finishing P8. Despite the challenges, Gouker’s performance demonstrated his ability to fight at the front of the field.
On Sunday, Gouker and the team made key improvements, resulting in a much stronger feeling with the motorcycle in Race 2. He delivered a consistent and confident drive to finish P5, closing to within just 1.5 seconds of the leader. The improved balance allowed him to push harder, showing the potential for even bigger results in the rounds ahead.
Reflecting on the weekend, Nathan Gouker said: “We leave Navarra wanting more but remain humble to be here competing. The pace was there in qualifying, and Race 2 felt much stronger after the adjustments we made. I’m proud of the progress we showed across the weekend.”
Gouker was quick to recognize the people who continue to make his racing career possible:
“Racing at this level isn’t something you can do alone, and I’m extremely grateful for the support around me. To my sponsors — thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to chase my dream. To my team — your hard work and dedication make all the difference every weekend. A special thank you to Dale Quarterley for helping during these last few weekends. Analyzing my races and giving feedback has been immensely helpful and has pushed me to become a better rider every time I get on track.”
Currently sitting 5th in the championship standings, Gouker now prepares for the final stretch of the season. With just two rounds remaining — at Estoril and Jerez — he is determined to carry the lessons from Navarra into even stronger performances and finish the season on a high note.
Tom Drane and Estenson Racing Team celebrating 2025 Singles Champion Title. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corporation
Estenson Racing’s Tom Drane secures his first American Flat Track title two rounds early with an emphatic overall victory in the AFT Singles Mission Triple Challenge.
Estenson Racing’s Tom Drane was crowned the 2025 AFT Singles Champion with a commanding overall victory on day one of the Springfield Mile doubleheader in Springfield, Illinois. In addition to etching his name into the sport’s history books as the first international rider to win an American Flat Track Championship, the Australian enjoyed a stellar weekend at the legendary track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, adding two more victories to his season tally.
The Springfield Mile is renowned for its close racing, with multiple riders battling all the way to the finish. This year was no exception, with Drane coming out on top in all three main events at Round 14 of the championship, also the final Mission Triple Challenge event of the season. His perfect score claimed the overall victory and clinched his first AFT Singles title, marking the fourth championship in the class for the Estenson Racing team.
Then at Sunday’s penultimate round of the championship, which was the traditional one main event format, Drane once again delivered a masterclass performance. He edged out the competition by just 0.028 seconds to claim his fifth win in six tries at the historic venue. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a standout 2025 season, earning seven wins and 14 podium finishes so far. He also achieved a rare dirt track grand slam, with victories across all four disciplines – Short Track, Half-Mile, Mile, and TT.
In two weeks’ time, the Estenson Racing squad heads to Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri, on September 13, where Drane’s teammate Dallas Daniels looks to secure the AFT SuperTwins crown. Daniels enters the season finale with a 13-point advantage in the hotly contested premier-class championship.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“I am really proud of Tom and the whole team for the season they have put together. Wrapping up the championship with two races remaining is a testament to his speed and consistency all year. Tom and his family made a big commitment and sacrificed a lot to come to the U.S. and chase this title, so it means a lot to me to see them accomplish this.”
Tom Drane – Estenson Racing #59
“It’s been a very emotional ride. Over the last three years, we’ve put everything into chasing this championship. My family has made so many sacrifices, and for Estenson to give me this opportunity, I’ll be forever grateful. There are no words to truly describe the feeling I have right now.”
Johann Zarco and his team celebrating victory at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Honda LCR.
CASTROL Honda LCR is proud to announce that French rider Johann Zarco will extend his collaboration with the team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Following two years of close cooperation under a Honda HRC factory rider contract, the Japanese manufacturer has recognized that Zarco and LCR together represent a highly competitive sporting and technical package, combining extensive experience with consistently strong performance for Honda.
A key element of this continuation is that Johann Zarco’s agreement, which remains directly with HRC as in previous seasons, secures his status as a factory rider. This guarantees him access to the same technical specifications as the official factory team, with updates and developments provided in parallel. Furthermore, he will continue to represent the brand as an official rider in the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours.
These factors make CASTROL Honda LCR both honored and committed to continuing its collaboration with Johann Zarco. Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he achieved milestones of great significance for the team, including his victory at Le Mans in May and a podium at Silverstone. His experience, professionalism, and determination reflect the core values of CASTROL Honda LCR and Honda itself, and the team looks forward to building on this foundation to pursue further success together in the coming years.
Johann Zarco – CASTROL Honda LCR rider
“I’m very pleased to confirm that I will stay with LCR for the next two years. This is important because we have big goals to achieve and great opportunities looking ahead to 2027. When I signed with Honda at the end of 2023, I didn’t expect to find that second wind, which gave me the energy to secure another two-year contract with them. We already achieved one victory with Lucio and the team, and it would be fantastic to experience that again, so we are determined to keep pushing for strong results. Over the past two years, Honda has provided LCR with great support, and we believe we can continue growing and developing the bike through our hard work. I’d like to thank HRC, LCR, and everybody supporting us.”
Lucio Cecchinello – CASTROL Honda LCR Team Principal
“Working with Johann is simply extraordinary; his professionalism is impeccable both on and off the track. We are pleased that HRC has renewed its trust in him for the next two years, and we are confident that his contribution to the development of the RCV in 2026 and 2027 will be crucial in our mission to bring Honda back to the top of the rankings. We are also proud to have been confirmed as a trusted partner of HRC in managing Johann and to continue being part of the Honda family.”
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Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode 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
Improves website's visuals
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
Helps to focus on specific content
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
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
April 27, 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
