World Superbike: Davies P1, Gerloff P4 During Testing At Motorland Aragon

David Swarts

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April 12, 2021

World Superbike: Davies P1, Gerloff P4 During Testing At Motorland Aragon

Davies edges factory Ducatis as just 0.111s separates top three at Aragon

The first day of action at MotorLand Aragon was topped by Team GoEleven’s
Chaz Davies with ten WorldSBK riders taking to the track

Teams and riders headed west from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to MotorLand Aragon for two more days off vital off-season action ahead of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season, as the first of two days of action in Alcañiz kicked off with Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) topping the timesheets as he continues to get accustomed to his new surroundings.

The day’s running got off to a slow start following rain yesterday and cold track conditions in the morning, but the action got going around an hour into the scheduled running time. Davies, who moved to Team GoEleven for the 2021 campaign, posted a time of 1’49.878s in the afternoon session as he looked to work on the chassis balance of his Ducati Panigale V4 R as well as on electronic settings while using the qualifying tyre as he looks to refine his package for the 2021 campaign. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) was in second place as he also continues to adjust to his new team after switching from Team GoEleven to the Aruba.It Racing – Ducati outfit. Rinaldi posted a time of 1’49.947s, completing 70 laps, as he worked on his bike setup as well as improving chassis items, although the Italian had a crash at Turn 12 in the afternoon session but was okay following the incident.

Scott Redding (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) put in a late lap to claim third place on the opening day after focusing on some electronic changes as well as hoping to work on some long runs throughout the two-day test. Redding completed 64 laps throughout the first of two days of action at MotorLand Aragon as he looks to build up a title charge in 2021. Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) was fourth and the lead Yamaha rider on day one, just over half-a-second away from Davies’ best time, with the American working on the base setup of his Yamaha YZF R1 ahead of the season-opening Round at MotorLand Aragon in May.

Rookie Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) was fifth for the day with the 2014 Moto2™ World Champion completing the most laps of anyone on day one with 91 completed. After making the switch from MotoGP™ to WorldSBK for the 2021 season, Rabat keeps putting in valuable mileage on his Panigale V4 R ahead of his maiden WorldSBK campaign. Reigning WorldSSP Champion Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) was in sixth after only running in the afternoon session, with the Italian opting to not complete any laps during the cooler morning conditions but still managing a total of 51 laps for the day. For Locatelli, the Aragon test is about more adjustment and developing ahead of his maiden WorldSBK campaign and learning to get the best from his YZF R1 on different circuits, as well as looking to take another step forward. The Italian did, however, have a small crash at Turn 4 but was able to return to the track with the spare bike shortly afterwards.

Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) followed Locatelli with the youngest rider on the WorldSBK grid finishing in seventh place for the day, as the Italian rookie gears up for his maiden WorldSBK campaign. Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) took to the MotorLand Aragon circuit for the first time ever and put in 60 laps on his way to eighth fastest for the day, losing a bit of track time in the morning when his YZF R1 stopped on track.

Christophe Ponsson (Alstare Yamaha) took to the track with his team’s striking new yellow and blue livery unveiled on his Yamaha YZF R1 ahead of full-time WorldSBK campaign after sporadic appearances in 2020. Ponsson, like Locatelli, avoided the cooler morning conditions altogether and only took to the track in the afternoon, and was working with a new seat to try and improve his position on the bike to reduce movement. He completed 50 laps in the four-hour afternoon window with a best lap time of 1’53.348s. Rounding out the WorldSBK field was Yamaha’s rider coach and test rider Niccolo Canepa (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) with the Italian rider standing in for Toprak Razgatlioglu while the Turkish star completes his self-isolation period. Canepa completed 36 laps throughout the day as he completed some fitness analysis on himself after a recent crash while also undertaking some fundamental testing work for Yamaha.

WorldSBK unofficial results from day 1

1.) Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) 1’49.878s, 63 laps

2.) Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) 1’49.947s, 70 laps

3.) Scott Redding (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) 1’49.989s, 64 laps

4.) Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’50.527s, 52 laps

5.) Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) 1’50.740s, 91 laps

6.) Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK), 51 laps

7.) Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), 1’51.482s, 68 laps

8.) Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’51.711s, 60 laps

9.) Christophe Ponsson (Alstare Yamaha), 1’53.348s, 50 laps

10.) Niccolo Canepa (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK), 1’53.685s, 36 laps

More, from a press release issued by Team GoEleven:

CHAZ DAVIES CONCLUDES FIRST DAY AT THE TOP AT MOTORLAND ARAGON!

A cold and windy Motorland Aragon, on the first day, hosted the protagonists of the Superbike circus. For the event, the complete Ducati and Yamaha line-ups are present, and will be back on track again tomorrow.

In the morning, the freezing wind and low asphalt temperatures forced Chaz Davies to wait a couple of hours before leaving the pit lane with his light-blue Ducati. Once the engines were warmed up, the work focused on the geometry and balance of the bike. In the afternoon the track was considerably faster, so much so that the times got closer to those of last year’s races. The Go Eleven Team was thus able to carry out various comparative tests between the different set-up solutions on the two Panigale V4RS, looking for a good balance in view of the first race of the season, which will be held on the Aragon circuit, on 22 / 23 May. At the end of the day, Chaz Davies was the fastest rider, breaking the wall of 1.50, with the best lap of 1.49.878, obtained with relative ease of riding. The laptime it’s always not so important in pre-season tests, but it certainly helps to create a beautiful harmony within the team!

Tomorrow there will be another eight hours of work on the track, where the team will try to further improve Chaz’s feeling on the bike!

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):

“We kept on the work started in Barcelona test, here in Aragon. The harmony inside the team is really nice and Chaz is giving us correct, precise and interesting feedbacks. Now we are focused on bike balance and geometry. I am really satisfied after this first day, not just for the final result but for positive rider and team’s feelings, too, even if the first position is always amazing!”

Chaz Davies (Rider):

“Today we tried a different balance on the bike, and we find an interesting direction, but we just started the work. The feedback was quite positive, we compared the bike to the one I used in the past two years here in Aragon. The best thing about today is that I feel quite comfortable with every tyre, and I felt good on the bike. It’s a good step forward compared to Barcelona test, a couple of weeks ago. I think we have a good plan also for tomorrow and some other areas to start to explore!”

MotoAmerica: Roach Riding Westby Racing Yamaha In Junior Cup

David Swarts

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April 12, 2021

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MotoAmerica: Roach Riding Westby Racing Yamaha In Junior Cup

Westby Racing Teams Up With JR12 Racing And Rider Jack Roach For 2021 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship

Tulsa, OK – April 12, 2021 – Westby Racing is proud to announce that they have entered into an agreement with JR12 Racing and 17-year-old rider Jack Roach. Together, the combined team, with Jack in the saddle of #12 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R3, will compete in the 2021 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship. The announcement was made by Chuck Giacchetto, team manager for Westby Racing.

“For 2021, we’ve decided to change up the Westby Racing Junior Cup program a little bit,” Chuck said. “We’ve joined forces with JR12 Racing as our technical partner and Jack Roach as our rider. The Westby Racing Yamaha R3 will be prepared and maintained by us at Westby Racing, but JR12 Racing will have its own presence in the MotoAmerica paddock with technical assistance from Westby Racing.

“We hope and expect this to be the start of a long relationship with Jack. Also, we’re excited to have his father John Roach as crew chief and technical director for the team. In addition, we are fortunate to have technical assistance and support from YMUS (Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.), which will help us tremendously with the performance and development of our Yamaha R3.”

Born in England, Jack Roach and his family moved to British Columbia, Canada, when he was four years old. He started motorcycle road racing at the age of 14 in 2017 at a local kart track in Canada and, in 2018, he competed aboard a 300cc motorcycle in various club races all over California. In 2019, he trained at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway on a 400cc machine and then competed in a full race season in the Dickies British Junior Supersport Championship where he finished 10th on the season with a best race result of fourth at Silverstone.

2020 marked Jack’s MotoAmerica debut and his rookie season in the Junior Cup class where he learned the tracks and finished seventh in the Championship. At Barber Motorsports Park last September, he finished a season-high fourth in Junior Cup race one.

This year, Jack will compete aboard the #12 gold-and-black Westby Racing Yamaha R3 in his sophomore season of MotoAmerica Junior Cup competition.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity that Westby Racing has given me,” Jack said. “The Yamaha R3 is a very competitive bike that has proven itself in the World Supersport Championship. So, my aim is to show that the R3 is as good, if not better, than the other competitors’ bikes in Junior Cup.”

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

Be sure to follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites

MotoAmerica: Mission Foods Is Title Sponsor Of King Of The Baggers

David Swarts

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April 12, 2021

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MotoAmerica: Mission Foods Is Title Sponsor Of King Of The Baggers

Mission Foods Secures Naming Rights For 2021 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Series

The World’s Leading Brand Of Tortillas And Wraps Set For Title Sponsorship Of Three-Round Series

IRVINE, CA (April 12, 2021) – Tortilla chips, wraps, dips, salsas… and King of the Baggers V-twin motorcycle road racing. Does it get any better than that? MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce Mission Foods, the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps, as the title sponsor of its highly anticipated three-round 2021 Mission King of the Baggers Series.

Last year, the class made its debut as an invitational race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and that event’s incredible popularity with the motorcycle industry, racers and fans has led to the class now being featured in a three-race championship.

The opening round of the Mission King of the Baggers Series will kick off at the 2021 MotoAmerica season opener at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, April 30-May 2. Round two will take place at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, June 11-13, with the series finale set for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, July 9-11.

“Mission Foods is a well-known brand in homes across the U.S. and a supporter of various types of racing,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “We are really happy to have them on board to help further the growth of the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Series. It’s a great fit as camping, tailgating and eating are key activities for road racing fans. This season will feature the first three-round championship for King of the Baggers and it’s awesome that Mission will be the title sponsor.”

Mission Foods has also shown its commitment to motorsport with the recent release of its new Racing Style chips. The new chips will be sampled to fans at all MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers events.

“We are very excited to partner with MotoAmerica for 2021 and become the official entitlement sponsor of the King of the Baggers class under the name ‘Mission King of the Baggers,’ “ said Juan Gonzalez, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mission Foods. “As a leading global food brand, it is a great opportunity to not only interact with our consumers in a fun and exciting environment but also support the motorcycle sport community. I strongly believe that our partnership will create unforgettable moments for all race fans.”

2021 MotoAmerica Series Schedule

*April 30-May 2 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, Georgia

May 21-23 Virginia International Raceway Alton, Virginia

*June 11-13 Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

June 25-27 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, Washington

*July 9-11 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, California

July 30-August 1 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, Minnesota

August 13-15 Pitt Race Wampum, Pennsylvania

September 10-12 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, New Jersey

September 17-19 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, Alabama

*King of the Baggers rounds

For the complete 2021 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE

To purchase tickets to any of the 2021 series rounds, click HERE

For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica Series, click HERE

About MotoAmerica

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

MotoGP: Lecuona Undergoes “Arm Pump” Surgery

David Swarts

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April 12, 2021

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MotoGP: Lecuona Undergoes “Arm Pump” Surgery

Lecuona and Petrucci eagerly await European opening of the 2021 season

With sweet memories still quite fresh in the mind of the entire crew, the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team is arriving in Portimao with high hopes and impatient to start the Grande Premio de Portugal with FP1 this Friday at 9.55 local time (10:55 CET). The joyful anticipation rises even more in light of the difficulties faced at the Losail International Circuit for the start of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.

While suffering from pain given by his right underarm, Iker Lecuona couldn’t exploit his full potential in Qatar. Yet he went straight to have surgery in order to solve his arm pump issue and being ready for the third round, aiming to improve and getting closer to the points scoring positions this time.

Meanwhile the team’s newcomer Danilo Petrucci faced a tricky Qatar and Doha GP as well, after testing his new KTM RC16 just a few days ahead of the season opener. He arrives at the Algarve circuit with confidence to build on his latest feeling, still working on his right sore shoulder following his crash during the first round.

Iker Lecuona

Championship: 18th

Points: –

“For me it will be the very first time with the MotoGP machine in Portimao, as I missed the finale last year. Therefore, I’m like a rookie there. I know the circuit from 2016, but for sure, the asphalt is different and the KTM RC16 is obviously a completely different bike.”

“After my surgery last Tuesday, my right arm feels better with each day. I’m already starting some exercises with it. I’m looking forward to arrive in Portugal and I’m sure I’ll be close to 100 percent there.”

Danilo Petrucci

Championship: 21st

Points: –

“It’s quite clear, that I’m not happy about the result in Doha. I expected to be faster, but it has been only my first race with the KTM RC16. I gained quite a lot of experience and now I know a little bit better what is going on with the bike and where we still need to work on.”

“In Portimao, the bike has been very, very competitive last year. Until we arrive there, I’m working on my shoulder, which is not stable. I will do everything to be at 100 percent in Portimao. I can’t wait to ride there, as the circuit is completely different to Losail. My aim is to improve the bike and my results.”

Hervé Poncharal

Team Manager

“After the disappointment of the opening two races in Qatar, the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team is looking forward to go down to Portugal and reconnect with the Portimao circuit, where we’ve got great memories from our last visit. Sure, from a year to another, things change.”

“Firstly, we don’t know what the weather and the track conditions going to be like. We got a new riders line up, but we still believe, that we should be much more competitive than we were in Qatar. Iker got his arm pump surgery, that went well and he should be 100 percent without worrying about that. Danilo has got his first race on a KTM under his belt, therefore on paper nothing prevents us from a much stronger result.”

World Endurance: Le Mans Rescheduled, Oschersleben Postponed

David Swarts

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April 12, 2021

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World Endurance: Le Mans Rescheduled, Oschersleben Postponed

There are two changes to the calendar of the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship.

Initially scheduled for mid-April, the 44th edition of the 24 Heures Motos will now take place on 12 and 13 June on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The 8 Hours of Oschersleben cannot be held on 23 May in Germany. A later date is being sought.

Because of the current burden on hospitals, in early April the 24 Heures Motos organizer Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the International Motorcycling Federation FIM and Eurosport Events, the promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship, announced the postponement of the 24 Heures Motos, the opening race of the 2021 season.

The 24 Heures Motos 2021 has been rescheduled and will now take place on 12 and 13 June on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The race will be held behind closed doors, as in 2020, because of the public health situation.

As a result of stricter health restrictions in Germany, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben cannot be held as scheduled on 23 May. The organizer, the FIM and Eurosport Events are already looking at possible later dates in the summer so as to maintain the race on the 2021 calendar.

With the revision of the calendar, the 24 Heures Motos is once again the opening race of the 2021 FIM EWC season.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, organiser of the 24 Heures Motos

“Since the beginning of the crisis, our main objective has been to hold our races whenever possible. It is vital for the contestants and their partners and for the continuity of the championship that the race take place, even behind closed doors. We will once again do our utmost to ensure that this edition, which is set to be another very exciting race, gets maximum publicity.”

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events

“The new date for the 24 Heures Motos is essential for the FIM Endurance World Championship and for all the competing teams. Eurosport Events will go all out to make sure that the broadcast of this race behind closed doors is a thrilling experience for French fans as well as viewers around the world. We are also making every effort in Germany to find a later date for the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.”

Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM

“I would like to warmly thank the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, the promoter Eurosport Events and all the stakeholders involved for their continuous efforts to reorganise the dates of two major events in the FIM EWC. We really hope that it will be possible to postpone the 8 Hours of Oschersleben for as short a period as the health situation allows. We can’t wait for the season to start on 12-13 June at the Bugatti Circuit. This good news restores positive energy in these complicated times. The many registered teams will have another chance to fight soon for what promises to be an unforgettable edition of the 24 Hours Motos.”

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Sean Dylan Kelly

David Swarts

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April 12, 2021

0

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Sean Dylan Kelly

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 25^th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races and Championships, including nine MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (10 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 2021 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.

Sean Dylan Kelly

Age: 18.

Current home: Hollywood, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/145 pounds.

Current school grade level: 12^th grade.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race: 2008, Florida, FLAMRA, Minis, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R600.

Current tuner/mechanic: Jeremy Toye.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Top sponsors: M4 Performance Exhaust, ECSTAR, Suzuki, Arai, RST, Hotbodies, Shorai, Vortex, EK Chains, R&G, Venhill, SportbikeTrackGear.com, Hagerty, TechSpec, Fresh N’ Lean.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2020 season, finished runner-up in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (5 wins and 16 podiums in 18 races); 2019 season, finished 4^th in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (2 wins, 7 podium finishes), youngest rider ever to earn pole position for Daytona 200, finished 2^nd in Daytona 200, qualified 27^th for Moto2 World Championship race at Valencia (DNF race); 2018 season, won ASRA Team Challenge race during Race of Champions at Daytona, placed 10^th in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship (best race finish was 6^th at Assen); 2017 season, finished 17th in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship (best race finish was 7th – twice); 2016 season, placed 22nd in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup (best race finish was 13th); 2015 season, placed 2nd in KTM RC Cup World Final (1 win, 2 podiums), won the Mexican KTM RC Cup Championship.

2021 racing goal: Win the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Racing career goal: Be MotoGP World Champion.

Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.

Favorite tracks: Valencia, Pittsburgh International Race Complex.

Favorite hobby: Outdoor activities.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Pursuing a career in business.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Damian Jigalov

David Swarts

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April 11, 2021

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Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Damian Jigalov

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 25^th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races and Championships, including nine MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (10 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 2021 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.

Damian Jigalov

Age: 16.

Current home: East Dundee, Illinois.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/140 pounds.

Current school grade level: 11^th grade.

Began riding at age: 3 years.

First road race: 2013, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Northwoods GP, Ultralight Superstock, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Honda CBR1000RR SP2.

Current tuner/mechanic: DSP Honda.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Stock 1000, WERA.

Top sponsors: DSP Honda, Arch Motorcycle Co., OneX USA, Shoei, WERA, Podium Motorsports, Pirelli, and Pop Shadow Decals.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2020 season, raced in European Talent Cup (best race finish was 22^nd); 2019 season, finished 7^th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 6 top-5 finishes); 2018 season, finished 12^th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 Championship (best race finish of 6th), finished 13^th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup (best race finish was 2^nd, twice), won WERA Sportsman D Superstock National Championship, won 18 WERA races; 2017 season, placed 8th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 4T Championship (best race finish was 5th), placed 4th in Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Cup Final; 2016 season, placed 10th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 Championship (best race finish was 5th).

2021 racing goal: Finish in top 10 in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship.

Racing career goal: Win the MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Marc Marquez.

Favorite track: Algarve International Circuit.

Favorite hobby: Skiing.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Pursuing a career in business.

MotoGP: Marc Marquez Cleared To Race!

David Swarts

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April 10, 2021

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Marquez cleared to return

In the review carried out on Marc Marquez by the Hospital Ruber Internacional medical team, four months after surgery, led by Doctors Samuel Antuña and Ignacio Roger de Oña, and made up of Doctors De Miguel, Ibarzabal and García Villanueva, for an infected pseudoarthrosis of the right humerus, a very satisfactory clinical condition was found, with evident progress in the bone consolidation process. In the current situation, Marquez can return to competition, assuming the reasonable risk implicit in his sporting activity.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Teagg Hobbs

David Swarts

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April 10, 2021

0

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Teagg Hobbs

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 25^th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races and Championships, including nine MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (10 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 2021 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.

Teagg Hobbs

Age: 18.

Current home: Manchester, New Hampshire.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/155 pounds.

Current school grade level: 12^th grade.

Began riding at age: 13 years.

First road race: 2017, Canaan, New Hampshire, NESBC, Lightweight, 1^st place.

Current racebike: Suzuki SV650.

Current tuner/mechanic: Ryan Hobbs (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Twins Cup.

Top sponsors: Mike’s Imports Auto Sales, Innovative Motorsports, REB Graphics, Woodcraft, Penguin Racing School, First Trax Sports Shop, Bison Leathers.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2020 season, finished 9^th in MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 3 top-5 finishes); 2019 season, placed 8^th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (best race finish was 4^th, 7 top-10 finishes), won CCS Florida Middleweight Superbike Championship (15 CCS race wins); 2018 season, won 500 Supersport and 500 Superbike CCS National Championships, finished 2nd in 500 Superbike and 500 Supersport LRRS Championships, won NESBC Ultralight Championship; 2017 season, 3 race wins, 5 podium finishes and 1 lap record in first CCS Expert event, placed 2nd in ASRA Moto3 (Combined) National race at Daytona, earned 5 podium finishes in Expert/Amateur Combined CCS sprints at Race of Champions at Daytona, more than 20 podiums finishes with CCS/LRRS, 2 wins and 4 podiums with NESBC.

2021 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.

Racing career goal: Win MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.

Racing hero: Troy Bayliss.

Favorite track: Road America.

Favorite hobby: Riding mini-moto.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing ice hockey.

Dorna, FIM Officials Inspect Under-Construction Indonesian Track

David Swarts

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April 9, 2021

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Dorna, FIM Officials Inspect Under-Construction Indonesian Track

FIM and Dorna representatives visit Mandalika International Street Circuit

The new Indonesian track, on the Island of Lombok, is on course to welcome MotoGP™ and WorldSBK

Friday, 09 April 2021

Following the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha, representatives from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna Sports have undertaken an inspection of Mandalika International Street Circuit on Wednesday, 7th of April 2021. The visit to Lombok, where the circuit is under construction, was made by FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer Franco Uncini, Dorna Race Direction Representative Loris Capirossi and Dorna Sports Managing Director Carlos Ezpeleta in order to assess the progress made on the remarkable site.

During the inspection process, the representatives of the FIM and Dorna Sports, who were welcomed by President Director of PT Pengembangan Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero) or Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation / ITDC Abdulbar M. Mansoer and Chief Exec-utive Officer (CEO) of Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) Ricky Baheramsjah, were impressed by the evolution of the project as well as the safety standards implemented.

The target remains for the new Mandalika International Street Circuit to host the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship on the 14th of November 2021. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all parties involved agreed to hold the first FIM MotoGP™ World Championship Grand Prix at the track in the first part of the 2022 season, in principle during March. However, if MotoGP™ is able to hold events in South East Asia towards the end of 2021, efforts will be made to undertake a possible test of the MotoGP™ Class Teams at Mandalika International Street Circuit during that time period in anticipation of the track’s inclusion on the calendar in 2022.

Indonesia State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir stated, “I fully support the MotoGP™ event to be held in March 2022. This is in line with the Indonesian government’s accelerated national vaccination programme. We want to guarantee the safety of both domestic and international visitors.”

President Director of ITDC Abdulbar M. Mansoer stated, “We thank the FIM and Dorna for coming and conducting the technical visit which went well and met their expectations. By knowing the firm month for MotoGP™ event, we are assured of focusing on finishing the Mandalika International Street Circuit development project, while also maximizing the value that this world class sporting event has to offer.”

“The visit to Lombok was very successful and we can confirm that the Mandalika International Street Circuit will be one of the most important venues of the calendar in the future. We also know that the fans from Indonesia will attend massively and the GPs will become one of the most iconic ones of the whole season. Indonesia is a key market, not only for Dorna but for all the stakeholders of the Championship”, commented Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO.

Editorial Note: Watch a drone video lap of the under-construction circuit HERE.

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Chaz Davies (7). Photo courtesy Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.