David Muñoz led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Muñoz used his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM to lap the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track in 1:40.211 to lead the field of 26.
His teammate, David Almansa was second-best with a time of 1:40.225.
Marco Morelli, piloting his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:40.296.
Hakim Danish got fourth on his MT Helmets MSI KTM with a time of 1:40.443.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte finished the session fifth with a lap time of 1:40.598.
Muñoz shines at Le Mans for Friday honours in France. In the victory hunt here 12 months ago and a podium finisher last time out at Jerez, the Spaniard headed home his teammate on the opening day of the French GP.
It was a fine showing from David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) to top the first day of Moto3 action at Le Mans, France. The French GP never lets us down and Muñoz, who was in contention for victory last year, will be looking to bag a first win of his 2026 campaign as he laid down the gauntlet.
The #64 was inside the leading positions for most of the session before deposing teammate David Almansa from top spot in the closing stages. Almansa had been in P1 for the majority of the session before Muñoz rocketed up the order late on; Almansa suffered a fall on his final flying lap at Turn 8 but was all OK. Completing the top three, Argentinean star Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) who was in good Friday form.
Just behind the top three, Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) was a strong fourth ahead of a late-charging Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jerez podium finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing). Other headlines in the top ten were Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) in seventh for his team’s home GP and Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in P8 despite an early fall at Turn 6. It was a strong Friday for the Gryd – MLav Racing outfit with both Joel Kelso and Eddie O’Shea moving into Q2 directly.
There were major names who found themselves out of the top 14 at the chequered flag and therefore going into Q1. COTA winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) was only 15th after a crash whilst a crash for Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who is second in the standings and who led the opening FP1 session at Le Mans, could only manage P17. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) has been on the front two rows in the last three GPs but will need to go through Q1 to keep that streak alive.
Luca Marini topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One Friday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Michelin-shod Honda HRC Castrol RC213V, the Italian rider turned a lap of 1:30.857 around the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track and led the 22-rider field.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was second-best with a 1:30.911 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Pedro Acosta was third with a lap of 1:31.065 on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16.
2025 race winner, Johann Zarco finished the first session fourth with a time of 1:31.109 on his Castrol Honda LCR RC213V.
Raul Fernandez got fifth on his Aprilia Trackhouse RS-GP26 with a time of 1:31.224.
Marini leads Acosta and Zarco in Le Mans FP1. It’s HRC from KTM to kickstart the weekend at the French GP, with title race leader Bezzecchi outside the top 10.
Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) produced the goods on fresh rubber to top the MotoGP FP1 timesheets at the Michelin® Grand Prix of France thanks to a 1:30.857. Completing the opening top three of the weekend under beautiful blue skies in Le Mans – how long will we be able to say that for? – were Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and 2025 French GP winner Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) – one of two home crowd favourites this weekend.
The top three were split by 0.252s, with Zarco making it two Hondas in the top three. A promising start for the Japanese manufacturer. But it was arguably Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) who impressed the most after the Italian ended the session in P4, 0.268s away from Marini, without pitting from new Michelin tyres. The Italian, who sits P3 in the championship, led for the majority of FP1 before the flurry of times at the close of play.
Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) completed the top five, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) enjoying a more fruitful session in P6. Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was P7, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) took away P9 from Friday morning, while World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) ended FP1 in P14, one place ahead of nearest title rival and teammate Jorge Martin. Work to do for the factory Aprilia duo? Or simply a session of getting dialled in before turning up the wick in Practice? We’ll find out in a few hours.
The crucial, hour-long Practice in Le Mans is coming up at 15:00 local time – tune in!
Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice One Friday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP Kalex on the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:34.740 to lead the field of 28 riders.
Izan Guevara was the best of the rest with a 1:34.823 on his Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
Celestino Vietti was third-fastest with a 1:34.841 on his Folladore SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro.
American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 16th with a 1:35.579 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Alvaro Carpe was quickest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Red Bull Ajo KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) road course in 1:41.252, topping the field of 26 riders.
David Almansa was the best of the rest with a 1:41.311 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Adrian Fernandez was third with a lap time of 1:41.547 on his Leopard Racing Honda.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Aprilia Racing in Le Mans for the fifth GP of the season. Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin up to the challenge on the historic French track.
Aprilia Racing makes a stop in Le Mans on the historic Bugatti Circuit for the Grand Prix of France – the fifth round of the Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing Championship season.
Fresh from a streak of four consecutive podium finishes, Marco Bezzecchi is headed to France intent on improving his result from last season and confirming the competitiveness he has demonstrated during the start of this championship. After the intense weekend in Jerez, Jorge Martín is tackling the Le Mans round with the goal of further consolidating his feeling astride the RS-GP26.
The Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans stands out for its slow turns which alternate with fast sections featuring harsh braking and abrupt deceleration. The layout winds its way along 4,190 metres, with a total of 14 turns – 9 right-handers and 5 left-handers.
Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I’m extremely happy to be racing in Le Mans. It is a fantastic circuit and there are always a lot of fans. I’m quite keen to continue doing well, so we’ll try to put in a good weekend. We’ll be working with the team to be competitive throughout the weekend and to leave with a good race result.”
Jorge Martin (89) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Jorge Martin: “I’m confident for this weekend. The Jerez tests were positive and now the goal is to confirm the progress made on different tracks as well. This will be highly important in order to validate the new technical solutions. I feel rather good physically, even better than in recent races, and I’m convinced that we’ll be able to take another step forward here.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
The Ducati Lenovo Team traveling to Le Mans.
The fifth round of the 2026 season is just around the corner for the Ducati Lenovo Team, on its way to Le Mans, the historic French track that is well-suited to the characteristics of the Desmosedici GP. The first triumph came in 2020 with Petrucci and the official team, followed by the victories from Miller (’21), Bastianini (’22), Bezzecchi (’23), and Martin (’24). The French track is the only one where all Ducati Teams have achieved the maximum result.
Excellent prospects to best face the weekend for Marc Márquez, winner of the Sprint in 2025 and second under the checkered flag on Sunday. Coming from a P1 in Saturday’s race in Jerez and satisfied with what was tested in the post-GP test, he wants to be a protagonist.
A positive test session also for Pecco Bagnaia, second in the Sprint in Andalusia, but unlucky in the race while he was recovering. The goal is to get closer to the strongest guys on this legendary track where he has climbed the podium only once in 2024 (third).
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team): “Le Mans is a track that I like and where I was already very fast with the Desmosedici GP last year. It will be a weekend with many unknowns: the weather might give us some surprises. In any case, at Jerez we worked well. Aside from the crash, we were competitive and also on Monday we made a good step forward”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team): “I am happy to go to Le Mans; on paper, it’s the kind of track that can best enhance the character of the Desmosedici GP. After the test, I remained satisfied; we tried some convincing solutions that can give us a hand not only here but also on other types of tracks. We hope for good weather and continue to work to get closer to the strongest”.
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Lead on to Le Mans – Honda HRC Castrol ready for French GP.
Home of Honda’s most recent premier class victory, the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix circuit is already shaping up to be another memorable affair for the Honda HRC Castrol team as Luca Marini and Joan Mir arrive off the back of a productive test.
Luca Marini (10) and Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Sitting some 200 kilometres south-west of France’s capital city, Paris, the Le Mans circuit has been a regular on the MotoGP World Championship calendar since 2000 after a series of upgrades and improvements. Characterised by fervent fans and wild weather, every French GP is accompanied with a hearty serving of unpredictability.
27 points in hand, Luca Marini’s objective for the French GP is clear: maximise his performance on Friday to secure a direct pass to Q2. Qualifying inside the top ten will greatly improve his chances in the race, removing the hurdle of coming through the field as the #10 showed on multiple occasions last year – such as in Hungary and Indonesia. If a strong grid position can be achieved, the possibilities on Saturday and Sunday afternoons greatly increase.
Joan Mir is looking to put together a straightforward weekend and avoid the issues which limited his potential in Jerez. Time and time again, the 2020 World Champion has shown his raw speed and overall pace on the Honda RC213V is formidable and it is simply a matter of time before his results reflect this potential.
On track action starts on Friday, May 08 at 10:45 Local Time, everything building towards the 27-lap French Grand Prix on Sunday, May 10 at 14:00 Local Time.
Luca Marini (10) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini:“I am looking forward to Le Mans after the positive test we had after Jerez, we have a few things to try during the race weekend to help us. Of course it’s a bit of a cliché to say, but a lot will depend on what happens with the weather. Our focus is really on getting into Q2 because this unlocks many more possibilities on Saturday and Sunday. We need to arrive quickly to our level and then work to make another step or two like our rivals.”
Joan Mir (36) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Joan Mir: “We arrive in France with a lot of motivation after a weekend in Spain where I thought we could have achieved more. Testing on Monday helped us to get a few things clear as well as find some new ideas for this next GP. Recently Le Mans hasn’t been the best track for me, but I know we can change our fortunes and deliver on the potential we have shown.”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Ready for Le Mans Madness.
Following a productive Jerez Test a little more than a week ago, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammates Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are looking forward to the fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, held at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit in France this weekend.
Recharged after the successful one-day Jerez Test, held immediately after the Spanish GP, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are full of motivation to get the action started at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit this weekend during the Grand Prix of France.
The French Grand Prix holds special significance for the team, as the fans will be rallying behind local hero Fabio Quartararo, who is eager to impress. El Diablo stood on the rostrum of the Bugatti track once before, having secured third place in 2021 with Yamaha. He is currently 16th in the championship standings and determined to build upon the findings from the Jerez Test.
Following that overall positive one-day IRTA test in Jerez, Álex Rins is keen to keep working on his Yamaha’s settings. Le Mans was a strong circuit for the Spaniard in the lower classes: he secured a third and two second places in the Moto3 class in 2012, 2013, and 2014 respectively as well as a victory in the Moto2 class in 2016. He is keen to score some MotoGP points on French soil this weekend to climb up from 19th place in the championship order.
The Bugatti Circuit was built in 1965, just a few kilometres from the city of Le Mans. MotoGP made its first visit to the iconic French track in the late sixties, and it remained a fixture until 1996. After some safety modifications, the 4.19km-long circuit was added back to the calendar in 2000. Its layout of five left and nine right corners places the emphasis on late braking, hard acceleration, and rear-end traction, which makes for some great battles.
Alex Rins (42) and Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Yamaha
Massimo Meregalli:“The Jerez Test gave us a welcome opportunity to evaluate several items in a structured way, and the riders’ feedback was encouraging. We now arrive in Le Mans with some possible updates that should help us continue this process, depending on the riders’ preferences. If the riders choose to use the new items, this Grand Prix will serve as a reference point for confirming our findings from the Jerez Test. We are looking forward to getting back to work. With a back-to-back schedule from Le Mans straight to Catalunya, followed by another IRTA test, we will have ample opportunity to collect data and cross-check our findings.”
Fabio Quartararo:“Le Mans is always one of the most special weekends of the year for me. The support from the fans is incredible and gives me extra motivation every time I ride here. After the work we did in Jerez, I’m curious to see how things feel on this track – and I also have something special in store for the fans this race weekend, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Alex Rins: “I really enjoy riding at Le Mans. It’s a circuit where I’ve made good memories in the past. The Jerez Test was positive and gave us new ideas, so this weekend is about continuing that work and seeing how the bike behaves here. I’m motivated to keep building step by step and push to be closer to the front.”
More from a press release issued by VR46 Racing Team:
Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli are back on track for the French GP, always a special and historic event where last year the attendance record for a race weekend was broken.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will race this weekend in the French GP, the fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP season. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli arrive at Le Mans – where the team secured victory in 2023 – with positive feelings following their podium finishes in Jerez (in the race and the Sprint respectively) and with the aim of confirming the progress made during the testing day two weeks ago.
Di Giannantonio heads to Le Mans with great optimism after securing a podium at the Spanish GP (his second of the season) and a solid test day in Jerez, concluded on a positive note. Fabio, who is third in the World Standings with 71 points, is determined to continue this positive momentum in France, where he won in 2017 (in Moto3) and has fought for the podium in recent editions.
Morbidelli is also ready to be back on track with renewed confidence after finishing third in the Jerez Sprint, his first Top3 of the season. Franco arrives at Le Mans aiming to consistently fight for top positions again. The Italo-Brazilian rider arrives at the circuit where he won in 2017 (in Moto2) in thirteenth place in the World Standing with 25 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will hit the track on Friday for free practice, while qualifying will take place on Saturday (10:50 local time). The Sprint race will start at 15:00 (local time) on Saturday, while the French GP will conclude on Sunday with the race, starting at 14:00 (local time).
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Michelin
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO: “I’m very happy to be back to Le Mans, a unique track with an incredible atmosphere. We arrive in France with great enthusiasm after the excellent results in these first races of the season. In addition, the tests we did in Jerez two weeks ago were very positive, and we can’t wait to confirm the updates we tested in Spain also in race conditions and on another track. To this day, rain is forecast for the Le Mans weekend, but we proved that we can be very competitive in all conditions, so we’re ready in any case. The goal is to continue this positive momentum.”
Franco Morbidelli (21) in Brazil. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI: “The Le Mans weekend will be very important for us. I like the track and I’ve had some great races and strong comebacks here. The first races of the season haven’t been easy, but the Sprint podium in Jerez gave us a lot of motivation. During the test day we worked a lot, and we arrive in France eager to do well and with the goal of consistently fighting for the top positions again. It looks like rain will play a key role this weekend, but we’ll adapt to any situation and we will work to take another step forward.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Heads to Le Mans for French Grand Prix.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrive at the historic Le Mans circuit aiming to build on their ongoing development and return to the points in a notoriously unpredictable race.
Le Mans is one of the most iconic venues in motorsport and has been a regular presence on the MotoGP calendar since 2000, combining rich history with one of the most passionate atmospheres of the season. Regularly attracting record crowds, the French Grand Prix stands out not only for its energy but also for its highly unpredictable weather, where changing conditions can quickly transform the race and open the door to unexpected outcomes.
For Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, the weekend represents another important step in the development phase of the Yamaha YZR-M1 project. The focus remains on continuing to refine the package and making further progress, with both riders targeting a return to the points as they work towards closing the gap to the front.
It will be a very different experience for the two riders. Jack Miller arrives with strong knowledge of the circuit and positive memories, including his victory here in 2021. His experience at Le Mans will be key in guiding the team through a track that often demands adaptability and precision.
For Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the French Grand Prix will mark a completely new challenge, as he has never raced at Le Mans. The Turkish rider approaches the weekend with enthusiasm, seeing it as an opportunity to start fresh on a new circuit and continue adapting his riding style to the demands of MotoGP machinery.
Le Mans is a 4.19 km circuit featuring 14 corners (9 right and 5 left) and is traditionally considered a stop-and-go layout, with heavy braking zones and strong acceleration points. While top speed plays a role, stability under braking and traction on corner exit are key performance factors. Combined with frequently changing weather conditions, this makes Le Mans one of the most technically demanding and unpredictable rounds of the championship.
Jack Miller (on the left) and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (on the right). Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Gino Borsoi:“We‘re ready to face another demanding but exciting European track, coming off a very productive test in Jerez. It was an important session for both riders, and we came away with some clear indications and a direction that we hope will translate into improved performance.
We expect to start the weekend in a better position compared to the previous races. Jack was able to make a slightly bigger step during the test, but we gathered valuable information for both riders, which should help us move forward.
Le Mans is always unpredictable, especially because of the weather, but that can also play in our favour. So far we‘ve shown that we can be competitive in wet conditions, and if that scenario presents itself again, we‘ll be ready to make the most of it.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu:“Finally I get to race in Le Mans, and I‘m really happy about it. It‘s a legendary circuit that I‘ve only watched until now, so it‘s exciting to experience it for the first time.
I‘m more excited than concerned. Of course it‘s a new track and another thing to learn, but at the same time I see it as an opportunity. On the circuits we‘ve raced at so far, I naturally went back to my Superbike riding style because they were familiar to me — it almost came instinctively.
Here, starting from zero, I‘m hoping to approach the track with the right mindset from the beginning and focus fully on adapting to the MotoGP riding style. That‘s something I‘ve been working on a lot, and this could be a good opportunity to make another step in that direction.”
Mert Lawwill in 1980. Photo copyright 2026 by Mush Emmons, all rights reserved.
Famed photographer Mush Emmons pays tribute to Mert Lawwill with some favorite photos he took of the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion and star of the movie On Any Sunday.
Mert Lawwill in his garage, 2019. Photo copyright 2026 by Mush Emmons, all rights reserved.
Mert Lawwill: Motorcycle Icon, Suspension Pioneer, Grand National Champion, Innovator, And Inductee Into 5 Halls of Fame
Boise, ID, May 6th, 2026
Mert Lawwill, star of On Any Sunday and 1969 AMA Motorcycle Grand National Champion, has passed away at the age of 85 in his home state of Idaho, surrounded by family and friends.
There has been much written about Mert Lawwill, and for good reason.
A 1969 Grand National Champion and inductee into both the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Lawwill built a legacy that bridged motorcycles and bicycles—becoming a motorcycle icon and a pioneering force in modern bicycle suspension design—while inspiring a devoted following that spans generations.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Mert was never one to follow the rules. The son of a house painter and a schoolteacher, both talented artists, and one of seven children, he quickly developed a reputation for finding creative ways to avoid chores—channeling that ingenuity into a life defined by motion, mechanics, and independence.
Mert Lawwill (1) starred in the iconic movie On Any Sunday. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
That spirit found its outlet when his older brother Roy introduced motorcycles into the picture. From that moment on, Mert was hooked.
As captured in the song “Cycle Racin’ Man” from the album Motor-Cycle Man by Buddy Mize: “Little Mert, Little Squirt got a tricycle they say… rode it down through the town saying watch for me some day, in his heart from the start grew a very special plan, little guys about this size make a mighty big cycle racing man….”
In Boise, alongside close friends including Al Russell, Dean Huskey, and Al Kozak, Lawwill immersed himself in riding and racing. What began as a tight-knit group of local riders evolved into the foundation of a career that would take him to the pinnacle of American motorcycle racing.
Mert Lawwill (18) circa 1968. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
As a longtime factory racer for Harley-Davidson, Lawwill rose through one of the most competitive eras in the sport. Early in his career, the support of Dudley Perkins in San Francisco provided Mert with the opportunity to pursue racing full time, a turning point that helped launch his professional career. He would go on to capture the 1969 AMA Grand National Championship. Known for his smooth style and mechanical intuition, he was not only a champion rider but also a technical pioneer. Lawwill developed his own racing chassis design, which became the benchmark for professional dirt track racing throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
His story reached a broader audience through his appearance in the landmark film On Any Sunday, directed by Bruce Brown. Brown’s decision to feature Lawwill introduced him to a global audience—many discovering Mert for the first time through the film—and helped define the culture of motorcycling for generations. Beyond the film, Brown and Lawwill developed a close friendship that endured over the years, a relationship that Mert valued deeply.
Mert Lawwill (left) and fellow On Any Sunday stars Malcolm Smith (center) and Steve McQueen (right). Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Following his racing career, Lawwill brought that same engineering mindset into the bicycle industry, where he became a true pioneer of the sport’s early development. He is credited with producing one of the world’s first production mountain bikes, the PRO CRUISER, in 1977—well ahead of the category’s mainstream emergence.
Mert Lawwill (18) at Daytona circa 1968. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Lawwill also designed and patented a four-bar suspension system that was adopted by leading brands including Yeti Cycles and Schwinn. In addition, he developed the Lawwill Leader, a groundbreaking leading-link suspension fork that further demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to bicycle design. Throughout the 1990s, elite racers competing on those platforms achieved significant success, further validating Lawwill’s impact on modern mountain bike technology.
Yet among all his accomplishments, the work that meant the most to Mert was deeply personal.
Motivated by his close friend and fellow dirt track competitor Chris Draayer, who lost his arm in a racing accident but was determined to ride again, Lawwill set out to find a solution. The result was a prosthetic innovation known as “Mert’s Hands”—a device that allows riders who have lost a hand or arm to maintain a secure connection to the motorcycle while still being able to safely release in the event of a fall.
This work opened the door for countless adaptive athletes to return to riding and represented, in Mert’s eyes, his most meaningful contribution.
Mert Lawwill’s Wall of Fame. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
“From an early age, I understood that my father lived a life that was anything but ordinary. As I began to recognize the respect and admiration people had for Mert, the attention that came with it—even being asked for my own autograph as a child—felt surreal. I started calling him ‘Mert’ as a way to navigate that spotlight. As I grew older and pursued my own career in mountain bike racing, he remained my most steadfast supporter, always encouraging and standing behind me. It was never a question of pride—I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude and honor to call someone so impactful my father.”— Joe Lawwill
Despite his championships, innovations, and industry influence, those closest to Mert will remember something less tangible but equally enduring—his independence, creativity, and the unmistakable way he approached life on his own terms. Friends and family remember his unfailing good nature and sense of humor, which remained with him throughout his later years.
Mert Lawwill was preceded in death by his wife, June Lawwill.
He is survived by his son, Joe Lawwill; his daughter, Marcella Lawwill; his stepsons, Rick, Mike, and Tim Suchomel; three grandchildren; and extended family, friends, and a global community of riders and fans who were inspired by his life on and off the bike.
A celebration of life will be held, with the date and details to be announced at a later time.
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Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
Mert Lawwill (1) at Daytona circa 1969. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Mert Lawwill circa 1969. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
An official obituary issued by the Cloverdale Funeral Home:
R.I.P. Journalist, Enthusiast, Veteran Clem Salvador
Sorry to report that we have lost one of our great statesman in Clement “Clem” Salvadori.
Clement passed away the afternoon of May 1st at his home in Atascadero, California, actually in his garage with his motorcycles at hand. He recently had his 86th birthday. His beloved wife Sue passed somewhat unexpectedly a few months ago and he had recently had his last ride on his Triumph Bonneville.
He had been dealing with the usual issues of ageing and seemingly went quickly. Well known in the motorcycle world as a great writer in many moto magazines and quite a few books under his belt, in particular travel guides for Baja by motorcycle. He was a Green Beret serving in the Vietnam era and was a Harvard grade to boot. A good friend for those of us lucky enough to be in his inner circle. His outer circle was far reaching as I’m sure many here will have been influenced within.
Very sad. Have loved his writing about motorcycles and his adventures over the years, going back to his articles in Free 2 Wheel–a free publication available at popular motorcycle shops and hangouts, and also Rider magazine, amongst others. A true enthusiast and spokesman for the motorcycle community.
Rest in peace, Clem.
(The above notice was sent to us by Marvin Josephson of Cambria, California.)
Hunter Lawrence Wins Denver Supercross, Closes Gap to 1 Point Ahead of Finale.
Start-to-finish dominance for the Australian in the Mile High City
Winner-take-all scenario heading to last round in Salt Lake City
Coming into the penultimate race of the 2026 AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence found himself four points behind the championship leader, in a situation where performing was a must to keep his title hopes alive. The Australian delivered when it mattered, racing his CRF450RWE to a convincing victory and closing to within a single point, with just one round remaining.
Racing at altitude places added importance on starts, and the 450SX main event saw Lawrence get an epic launch down the start straight, although Jorge Prado was able to claim the actual holeshot by sneaking around the outside. Lawrence took over the lead by lap 2 and never looked back. As battles unfolded behind him, he leveraged his pace to steadily extend his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line with a 12.3-second advantage over second-place finisher and title-rival Ken Roczen.
Quad Lock Honda racer Dean Wilson finished ninth, while teammates Christian Craig and Shane McElrath completed the race in 12th and 16th, respectively.
In addition to closing the championship gap to just one point, Lawrence’s fifth victory of the season matches Roczen’s win total on the year, so the Australian now holds the advantage for a potential tiebreaker as the series heads into the final round in Salt Lake City.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Denver. Photo courtesy Honda.
NOTES
Hunter Lawrence was featured during Friday’s media day, where he handled interviews and later participated in riding sessions.
Peak Honda World, Colorado’s top Honda Powersports dealership, enhanced the fan experience within the Honda HRC Progressive pit area through a pop-up activation. Staff engaged directly with fans and customers at the display, which featured a CRF450R, CRF150R and CRF110F.
Hunter Lawrence participated in a private autograph session in the Honda HRC Progressive pits during FanFest, creating a premium fan experience.
Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom appeared on Race Day Live, answering questions from Chase Cook relating to the altitude.
During the broadcast, Mikayla Nielsen (SLR Honda) and Charli Cannon (Quad Lock Honda) were interviewed by Jason Thomas and Will Christien ahead of the WMX Championship, which will kick off at Hangtown June 6. Nielsen was also interviewed on Race Day Live.
In 250SX West combined qualifying, participating Red Riders included SLR Honda’s Justin Rodbell in 14th, Next Level’s Hunter Schlosser in 17th, Western Honda Racing’s Ty Freehill in 27th, and Lasting Impressions’ Ronnie Orres in 28th. Rodbell and Schlosser qualified for the main event by finishing fifth and ninth in their respective heat races.
Lawrence had the second-fastest time in 450SX qualifying. Quad Lock Honda riders Christian Craig, Dean Wilson and Shane McElrath qualified in 10th, 12th and 14th, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) was 27th, John Short IV (Short Racing) was 28th, and privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 30th.
Joey Savatgy went down during the first qualifying session and was transported to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a dislocated wrist. He will undergo further evaluation this week. Savatgy has shown strong speed and impressive results this season, and American Honda wishes him a speedy recovery.
Lawrence topped the first heat race, with Craig (fourth), Wilson (seventh) and McElrath (eighth) also advancing directly to the main event.
Heading into the last race of AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence sits only one point behind points-leader Ken Roczen, setting up an exciting showdown at the season finale.
Jett Lawrence, who is recovering from injury but plans to return for the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross series, attended the Formula 1 race in Miami over the weekend.
Honda HRC Progressive heads to the final round of AMA Supercross in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 9.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Denver. Photo courtesy Honda.
Hunter Lawrence:“The bike was working good, giving me what I needed. It was a really tough track, not much traction out there; I had to kind of pick and choose where I made my arcs in the corners and bank off stuff whenever I was turning. My starts weren’t amazing all day today; we were kind of fiddling, massaging some things, and we got them sorted for the main. I love having to work for it a little bit during the day. I feel like that’s when I have my best days, and I love working with the team; I feel like we work so great together, and it brings the best out in me. Everyone knows what I needed to do—win the last two rounds—and we checked the first box. Now we need to go to Salt Lake City and try to do the same thing. I’d rather be in the position I’m in now than seven points down if Kenny had won. This is my title to lose, and I feel like under pressure, I’ve been the best guy this year. So, we’ll go to Salt Lake City and enjoy it.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager: “What a race! There’s nobody I’d rather have on my side going into these pressure-cooker races than Hunter; he just oozes confidence, and it bleeds into the entire team. We did our due diligence to give him the best advantage possible, on the track and on the start, and it seems that it worked out. His start in the main was quite possibly the most awesome start I’ve seen by our guys in SX; he just rocketed out of the gate and down the straight! The help from the IndyCar/IMSA team and the Honda Turbo Hybrid system was really cooking, haha—kidding, of course! We’re excited for the last race and will work on anything else that we can do to help Hunter have an advantage to win.”
More from a press release issued by Suzuki:
Suzuki’s Ken Roczen defends points lead at Denver Supercross.Roczen Earns Second Place at the Penultimate Round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The 5280-foot elevation of Empower Field at Mile High brought thin-air restrictions to the teams and riders at the Denver Supercross, Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The hardpack track featured two sets of whoops with a tricky sand corner that followed one whoops pad. With only one more Supercross round remaining after Denver, the excitement was high and the packed stadium of fans was treated to great racing.
Race Highlights:
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
450 Class
Ken Roczen battled forward into second place and held the spot to protect his championship points lead.
Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
450 Class
Colt Nichols continues to gain speed in his return to racing and scored championship points at the Denver round.
Ken Roczen (94) delivered his twelfth podium of the season with a second-place result in Denver. Photo courtesy Suzuki.
Ken Roczen (94) started the day with incredible speed; he set the fastest lap time in the second qualifying session, which stood as the fastest overall lap time in qualifying. In his heat race, Roczen crossed the holeshot stripe in eighth position then pushed his way into fourth within the first lap. Before the race’s midpoint Roczen had taken over third place, which he held to the finish. In the main event, Roczen held a tight inside line around the first corner and emerged in sixth. Two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race, Roczen blitzed the whoops and passed the third-place rider entering the track’s sand turn. Less than a lap later, Roczen took over second place and used his whoop speed to instantly distance himself from the pack. As the dry track lost traction, Roczen managed the race and strategized for the title. Roczen pulled a five second gap over the rider behind him then rode clean laps to maintain the cushion and earn second-place points. The performance protected Roczen’s championship lead heading into the final round.
“Overall, we had a really good day,” said Roczen. “Being back at the altitude – the last time I was here it was at the 2023 [race] – it is always a surprise [regarding] the equipment [and] how much slower it is. Obviously, we’re all [of the teams] dealing with it, but it takes a lot getting used to it. From Q2 we had P-1 and went first [gate pick into] the night show. I had just an alright heat race; it was a third place, but I was really trying to figure out the track. I feel like we rode the best in the main event when it really counted. I wasn’t fast enough to get with [the rider in the lead], but I got into second place and just kind of maintained. Yeah, just wasn’t good enough for first, but good enough for second [tonight], so now we’re one point ahead and it’s really fun to see how this unfolds. Overall, I would say we had a really good day with a second place and we’re going into the last round happy and stoked to be in this position and we’re going to give this a shot.”
Colt Nichols (45) showed strong speed while gaining positions in his heat race at Empower Field at Mile High. Photo courtesy Suzuki.
Colt Nichols (45) crossed the holeshot stripe of his heat race in sixth place, but first-lap chaos put him further back once the pack sorted itself out. Nichols put his head down and gained back positions to secure a direct transfer to the main. In the main, Nichols rounded the first corner outside the top fifteen. Nichols clicked off fast, steady laps and eared one track position before the checkered flag flew.
“Round 16, Denver Supercross, done and dusted and it was kind of a struggle day once again,” stated Nichols. “I’m still struggling to get myself fully healthy, and altitude sickness got me a little bit this weekend as well, so it’s kind of a double whammy. But overall, I just need to be a lot better than what I was today; but one more round to go to finish off the season strong, so I’m looking forward to that.”
“A great night tonight for the team,” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal for Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “Ken qualified first and then [got] third in the heat race, which was great to see. In the main we got a sixth-place start and then got up to second, which is what we needed to do. We retained a one-point lead and the red plate, so we have a chance to win this next week at the final round, which is all that we could hope for going into this week. So, [we’re] very stoked on the way that Ken rode. Once we got into second, he managed the race, did very well to limit the mistakes, so it was great to see… I feel like we’re going into next week with a great team and a great group of people around us and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Colt had a so-so day. We’re really looking for more from him, but the good news is that I know he has it. Seventeenth in the main tonight, battled the altitude, so we’re going to go to the drawing board with him this week and see how we can help him get over that. So hopefully we finish the season strong and hopefully we finish it with a #1 plate. But [there are] a lot of tough guys out there so we’ll have to go racing.”
Based on the fan reaction for Ken Roczen during opening ceremonies in Denver, Suzuki and Roczen have incredible fan support to take the title. Roczen leads the season by a single point, but the AMA tiebreaker would not favor Roczen so it’s a true “winner take all” between Roczen and one other rider. The final Supercross of 2026 takes place on Saturday night inside Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Suzuki riders, team members, and an army of race fans will pull together to try to put Ken Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z450 into the history books as the 2026 Supercross champion.
Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing return to 450SX podium in Denver.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made a timely return to the 450SX podium with third position in Denver at Round 16 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night, as teammate Jorge Prado posted a solid P6 result after winning his Heat race.
Two-time premier class champion Tomac returned from injury for his home state race in Colorado after missing Philadelphia altogether, setting the sixth-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in dry, technical track conditions.
Tomac finished fifth in his Heat Race, before completing the opening lap of the Main Event in fourth position, and in a strong place to race forward. A brief stall in the sand section then dropped him back to P7, however, he charged through the remainder of the race to secure a P3 finish.
Denver marks Cortez, Colorado, native Tomac’s ninth podium of the 2026 season – including four victories – and sees him ranked fourth in the 450SX standings with a single round remaining.
Eli Tomac (3) at Denver. Photo courtesy KTM.
Eli Tomac: “I’m glad to land on this podium for the Colorado fans! I was so bummed when I stalled it in the sand. I just happened to stomp on my rear brake there and then, honestly, like double-stalled. Anyway, I was able to claw back there, had some fun on this track, and that was just a good bounce back. I’m happy to get back for these last two rounds, and love being on the West Coast, too – of course, home state in Colorado – and we’ll try to get another podium next week.”
Four-time world champion Prado set the seventh-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION within Empower Field at Mile High, before capturing the holeshot and a convincing fourth Heat Race victory of the year.
Jorge Prado (26) at Denver. Photo courtesy KTM.
After securing the Main Event holeshot, the 25-year-old ran inside the top-five for the race’s duration, including a mid-race battle with teammate Tomac for third position, before ultimately claiming a hard-fought sixth-place result. He is positioned 10th in the 450SX championship points tally.
Jorge Prado: “I would say Denver was a pretty positive weekend for me – especially after a couple of tough weekends, it was nice to get back towards the front with a Heat Race win. I adapted to the track well for the night program, and small achievements like that Heat Race are a big confidence booster for me. And then in the Main Event, I got a good start and tried to race with the guys up front – their pace was a little stronger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on. I made a small mistake before the triple, which cost me, so I’d say 95 percent of the race was good, just that last five wasn’t perfect. P6 for the night was decent and now we have one round to go.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Husqvarna:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco races to Denver podium. 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claims a well-earned fourth-place finish in Colorado.
Ryder DiFrancesco and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing raced to an impressive third-place result at Round 16 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Denver tonight, where 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claimed P4 inside Empower Field at Mile High.
DiFrancesco was in form from the outset at altitude in Colorado, posting the third-fastest qualifying time via a 51.562s lap time, before powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to second place in 250SX West Heat 2.
A strong start to the Main Event saw the Californian run fifth on the opening lap, before climbing to third during the race’s early stages. From there, Ryder D maintained a measured pace to secure third place on the podium – his third of the 2026 SMX World Championship season.
Ryder DiFrancesco (34) at Denver. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
DiFrancesco currently holds fourth in the 250SX West championship standings – only one point out of P3 overall and within reach of second – with a single Supercross round remaining next weekend in Salt Lake City.
“It was a good night in Denver,”reflected DiFrancesco.“The main goal these last couple of weeks is to get to P2 – obviously the championship is wrapped up, so second would be ideal. Tonight, once I got into third, there wasn’t much more that I could do, so I just brought it home from there. It was a good night and now we’ll go to Salt Lake, try to stack some points, and go for second in the championship.”
Malcolm Stewart (27) at Denver. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
Meanwhile, Stewart qualified 11th in 450SX, before a challenging Heat Race onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier, where the 33-year-old took the win to transfer into the Main Event.
An ongoing battle throughout the Main Event saw Stewart charging forward inside the top 10 as the race progressed, with a sequence of decisive late-race passes seeing him climb to fourth position, and he maintains eighth in the 450SX standings.
“Every time we come to Denver, the track is tough,”Stewart reflected.“There was a lot going on in that race – you could’ve thrown a blanket over all of us! There was a lot of carnage, but at the end of the day, I guess Christmas came in May for me for a fourth! We’ve just got to continue moving forward. I struggled a little bit tonight and went to the LCQ, which I haven’t been to in a minute, but we just tried to ride our race [in the Main Event] and get it done.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Levi Kitchen returns to the podium in Denver.
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen charged to a podium finish as the Western Division returned for Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Denver. Kitchen’s impressive podium result comes after a brief stint off the bike to manage a lingering back injury. The Kawasaki rider resumed riding earlier in the week in preparation for his return to racing in the Mile High City. Teammate Cameron McAdoo made his return to racing after sustaining an injury at Round 6 in Seattle, with the No. 142 Kawasaki battling through a challenging night to claim 13th. Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks delivered consistent performances throughout the day, earning fifth and seventh, respectively.
Cameron Mcadoo (142) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 250SX Qualifying, both Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders came out swinging at altitude, consistently dropping lap times as the track developed throughout the day. Kitchen traded the top spot throughout the second session before ultimately claiming second fastest in the class, only three tenths of a second off the leader’s time. McAdoo put in a solid effort to qualify eighth overall heading into the night show.
Levi Kitchen (47) and Cameron Mcadoo (142) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 250 Heat 1, McAdoo got a strong jump off the gate sitting just outside the Top 5, while Kitchen was shuffled towards the back of the field. Following the opening lap, McAdoo went down after the finish line. Buried in the field, he was forced to charge his way forward in the short six-minute race format. Kitchen flew by his competitors one by one while recording the fastest lap of the heat race. The No. 47 Kawasaki crossed the line in fourth place, setting up a strong gate pick for the main event. After dropping to last, McAdoo was able to pass 11 riders to move into ninth place. Although crossing the line in a transfer position, McAdoo was issued a two-position penalty for jumping on a red cross flag, forcing him into the last chance qualifier.
Cameron Mcadoo (142) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In the 250 LCQ, McAdoo pulled another strong start inside the Top 5. Within the opening lap, he moved into third and had his eyes set on the lead. McAdoo applied pressure on the riders in front of him and was able to make up two positions to move into the lead on Lap 3 and secure his spot in the main event with the LCQ win.
Levi Kitchen (47) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In the 250 Main Event, Kitchen redeemed his start from the heat race, rounding the first turn inside the Top 10 and quickly moving into podium position before the end of the opening lap. McAdoo’s far inside gate pick led to him being squeezed off down the start straight after contact with another rider resulted in a tipover. He remounted and put his head down to charge back through the field. Up front, Kitchen searched for an opportunity to move into second on the difficult-to-pass track. The unique layout in Denver featured two whoop sections, which Kitchen used to his advantage as he made a decisive pass to move into the runner-up position. Although outpacing the leader’s lap times, Kitchen was unable to close the gap to first and took home a well-earned second-place finish. McAdoo faced a demanding and fast-paced race, as he charged past an impressive nine riders to claim 13th place.
Levi Kitchen:“I’m actually really happy with this result. I took quite a bit of time off the bike to recover and rode for the first time on Monday this week. I felt good, so Mitch [Payton] and I had a conversation and decided to race Denver. This was a pretty last-minute decision, so to come in and have a good weekend like this feels great. In the main event, I got into second and just focused on putting in solid laps. The track was really difficult and could catch you pretty quick, so it was all about staying consistent. Overall, after a full race day, my back finally feels good again, and I’m relieved, especially with outdoors just a few weeks away. I really appreciate everyone sticking behind me through it. I’m looking forward to finishing strong next weekend in Salt Lake and moving on to outdoors.”
Cameron Mcadoo:“It wasn’t the day I was looking for, but it felt good to be back racing. We had some things go wrong early that put me behind right away, and from there it was just damage control all day. Going through the LCQ and having to fight from the back in the main definitely made it tough, but I just kept putting my head down and getting laps in. There are a few positives to take from it, especially just being back behind the gate and getting a full day in. We’ll keep working and focus on getting better.”
Chase Sexton (4) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 450 Qualifying, both Kawasaki riders put down fast laps in the opening session. Sexton laid it all out on the final lap to secure the fastest qualifying time in the first session. In the second session, both riders improved their times, with Sexton once again putting on a heater for the final lap, placing him third overall, less than three tenths of a second off the fastest time. Marchbanks backed up his pace with two consistent sessions to qualify ninth overall.
Garrett Marchbanks (36) and Chase Sexton (4) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 450 Heat 2, Sexton and Marchbanks both got off to commanding starts, running third and fifth, respectively. On the opening laps, Sexton set the fastest lap time while holding off pressure from behind and started to close in on the leader. As the battle intensified, Sexton’s corner speed allowed him to close right up to the rear tire of the leader and made brief contact as the leader cut down before the whoops section. The bobble forced Sexton to take a calculated approach and settle for second place at the line. Marchbanks would ultimately get shuffled back a few positions on the intense opening laps. The No. 36 Kawasaki regrouped to get back near the Top 5 fight, regaining positions to finish sixth in the heat race.
Garrett Marchbanks at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In the 450 Main Event, Marchbanks pulled a strong start inside the Top 10, while Sexton was pinched off going into the first turn. Both riders worked their way through the field, briefly linking up midway to make forward progress together. In the closing laps of the race, two separate racing incidents unfolded in front of the teammates, allowing both riders to make up ground on their competition. Both Kawasaki riders rode strong to push through to the checkered flag, with Sexton passing 11 riders to secure fifth and Marchbanks seventh. Marchbanks’ finish ties his career-best result from Daytona earlier this year.
Chase Sexton:“I had a good start to the day with fastest qualifier in the first session. I didn’t expect to go to the top in the final lap, but it felt good to back up there. The track having two sets of whoops played into my favor a bit. I felt good in the heat race, but played it safe to finish in second place. I had a bad start in the main event. I had to work my way through the field and struggled to feel comfortable. The last few laps, I was able to capitalize on a few guys that went down, putting me fifth on the night.”
Garrett Marchbanks:“I had a good day here in Denver. Qualifying went well, and the bike felt good. I didn’t have to make any changes throughout the day. I qualified ninth overall and felt good going into the heat race. It took me a little bit of time in the heat race to get comfortable. I had to adapt to how much the track had changed since qualifying. I got another solid start in the main event and just focused on putting in some good laps. Once Chase [Sexton] got around me, I just latched on and knew if I could stay with him, we’d make some passes, and that’s what we did. We got helped out a bit with some guys tipping over at the end, but that’s part of it. Another seventh-place finish, which I’m pretty pumped on.”
More from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Late Race Chaos Derails Results for Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper in Denver. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper finish 11th and 13th, respectively, at Denver Supercross.
As the saying goes, sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. Denver Supercross was one of those nights. At the penultimate round of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, things didn’t quite come together for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper. Despite good starts and flashes of speed inside Empower Field at Mile High, both riders saw promising main event rides unravel late.
The hard-packed, technical track challenged riders all day. Webb got off to a strong start to his heat race in third and battled with Ken Roczen before ultimately finishing fourth. In the main event, the reigning 450SX Champion quickly moved to third, but it was an intense race with multiple riders in the mix. Webb ultimately dropped back to fifth but continued to fight, holding off his teammate who closed in the latter half of the main event. In the final laps, he and Jorge Prado came together with Webb going down. He rejoined in 11th and, with little time left, would finish there.
Cooper Webb (1) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“Denver was a tough day all around, honestly,” said Webb. “From qualifying, to the heat, to the main event – we just struggled all day. It was one of those days where you’re just off. I was around fifth and trying to make the pass on (Jorge) Prado. We were playing a lot of cat and mouse, and he kind of came over, and we locked bars. My front brake got stuck, and I ended up going down. So that ended my night results-wise. It was an overall bummer.”
Justin Cooper also showed determination throughout the night. He started fourth in his heat race, moved into third, and after a red flag reset shuffled him back, fought his way once again to a third-place finish. In the main event, Cooper didn’t get the start he was hoping for but quickly went to work, charging from around 15th to sixth by the halfway point. On the heels of his teammate, he made his move, but Webb reclaimed the position shortly after. It then turned into a multi-rider fight for fourth. With four laps to go, he and Dylan Ferrandis came together in the sand, with both riders going down. Cooper rejoined in 13th, where he would ultimately finish.
Justin Cooper (32) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was really hard-packed today, which is typical Denver,” said Cooper. “So we were challenged all day with that. It was a really tough track, honestly. I was third in the heat, but just didn’t get the greatest of starts in the main. I think I started around 15th and got up to sixth. I just got caught behind Coop (Webb) there for a little bit, and went back and forth with him. I got stuck in a battle with him, Jorge, and then Dylan (Ferrandis) caught up there. We came together, and that was kind of it. I made some really good progress. I really felt like I had the speed to continue moving forward, but as you move up, the competition gets harder to pass. I gotta be better there. We’ll move on to the last one.”
“A bit of a rough day here in Denver,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “The guys were just a little bit off, but there were some positives. We had decent starts. Justin rode really well in the main event. He came from 15th and caught up to his teammate. The speed he showed and how he rode, in that main event, I’m happy with that. We have these nights in racing, so we’ll just regroup and try to be back on the podium next weekend.”
The team heads to Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and Round 17 of the Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship on May 9. Webb remains third in the standings, with Cooper holding fifth, as both look to finish the season strong.
Haiden Deegan Dominance Continues in Denver. Deegan’s victory secures a record-breaking season win total for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing.
With the 250SX Western Division returning to action at Empower Field at Mile High, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan picked up right where he left off – winning. His seventh victory of the season also secured a record-breaking 15th 250SX win for Yamaha and the team – the most by any manufacturer or team in a single season.
Adding to the standout night were a pair of heat race wins and all three riders finishing inside the top five, with Max Anstie fourth and Kayden Minear fifth in his Monster Energy AMA Supercross pro debut.
“Honestly, it was a big night for us,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “It’s nice to get another win with Haiden, but breaking the record tonight for manufacturer wins and team wins was really cool. And with Minear showing up for his first pro supercross race, and having all three guys in the top five – we’re stoked.”
Haiden Deegan (1W) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
It was another perfect day for Deegan. He earned his seventh fastest qualifier honor of the season, then went on to claim his eighth heat race win of the year. After getting a solid start, he took over the lead on Lap 2 and built a comfortable gap to kick off the night show with a victory. In the main event, he narrowly missed the holeshot but quickly took control, claiming the lead and riding away to earn his 14th-career 250SX win.
“Today was solid,” said Deegan. “I qualified first, P1 in the heat, and then the main event was solid. Another perfect day, which is pretty nice. I got a good start, which makes the race a lot easier, especially here, where it’s going to be really hard to pass. It’s really one-lined and hard-packed. So, I’m glad I was able to get a good start and bring her on home.”
Max Anstie (61) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
After qualifying fourth, Anstie got a strong start in the first heat race, slotting into second before taking the lead on Lap 2. From there, he went unchallenged to earn his second heat race win of the season.
In the main event, Anstie grabbed the holeshot but was passed shortly after by Deegan and shuffled back to fourth. After briefly losing another position, he regrouped and reclaimed fourth a couple laps later, maintaining a strong pace to finish there. Anstie heads into the season finale third in the 250SX West standings, just seven points shy of second.
“It was a decent night,” said Anstie. “I ended up fourth in the main and got the win in my heat. I’m looking forward to the final round in Salt Lake next weekend.”
Kayden Minear (99) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
Minear’s pro debut was a roller coaster from start to finish. The young Australian was eighth after the start of his heat race and worked his way up to fourth, holding the position for much of the race. However, in the closing moments, he was pushed wide and did not cross the finish line jump at the checkered flag, and was credited with a 12th-place finish, requiring a trip to the LCQ.
In the LCQ, Minear showed resilience. After a crash in the sand while pushing toward the front, he quickly regrouped and charged back to finish second and transfer to the main event. Despite that less-than-ideal gate pick, he got a good start to the main event in 11th and quickly made his way through to sixth by Lap 3. Breaking into the top five with five laps remaining, Minear went on to secure a fifth-place finish.
“I made my pro debut in Denver this weekend, and wow, what a roller coaster of emotions,” said Minear. “Having to go through the LCQ because of an unfortunate incident in the heat race, and then the main event went really well. I felt like I proved what I was capable of doing.”
Next up is the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and East-West Showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 9. With both 250SX titles already secured by Deegan and Cole Davies, the stage is set for a final showdown and bragging rights between East and West.
I’ve released a new video on my YouTube channel. This latest video is a wrap-up of the CVMA round 7 race weekend. In the video, I provide an overview of the weekend and interview several racers.
David Muñoz (64) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy IntactGP.
David Muñoz led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Muñoz used his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM to lap the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track in 1:40.211 to lead the field of 26.
His teammate, David Almansa was second-best with a time of 1:40.225.
Marco Morelli, piloting his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:40.296.
Hakim Danish got fourth on his MT Helmets MSI KTM with a time of 1:40.443.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brian Uriarte finished the session fifth with a lap time of 1:40.598.
Muñoz shines at Le Mans for Friday honours in France. In the victory hunt here 12 months ago and a podium finisher last time out at Jerez, the Spaniard headed home his teammate on the opening day of the French GP.
It was a fine showing from David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) to top the first day of Moto3 action at Le Mans, France. The French GP never lets us down and Muñoz, who was in contention for victory last year, will be looking to bag a first win of his 2026 campaign as he laid down the gauntlet.
The #64 was inside the leading positions for most of the session before deposing teammate David Almansa from top spot in the closing stages. Almansa had been in P1 for the majority of the session before Muñoz rocketed up the order late on; Almansa suffered a fall on his final flying lap at Turn 8 but was all OK. Completing the top three, Argentinean star Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) who was in good Friday form.
Just behind the top three, Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) was a strong fourth ahead of a late-charging Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jerez podium finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing). Other headlines in the top ten were Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) in seventh for his team’s home GP and Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in P8 despite an early fall at Turn 6. It was a strong Friday for the Gryd – MLav Racing outfit with both Joel Kelso and Eddie O’Shea moving into Q2 directly.
There were major names who found themselves out of the top 14 at the chequered flag and therefore going into Q1. COTA winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) was only 15th after a crash whilst a crash for Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who is second in the standings and who led the opening FP1 session at Le Mans, could only manage P17. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) has been on the front two rows in the last three GPs but will need to go through Q1 to keep that streak alive.
Luca Marini (10) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Luca Marini topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One Friday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Michelin-shod Honda HRC Castrol RC213V, the Italian rider turned a lap of 1:30.857 around the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track and led the 22-rider field.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was second-best with a 1:30.911 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Pedro Acosta was third with a lap of 1:31.065 on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16.
2025 race winner, Johann Zarco finished the first session fourth with a time of 1:31.109 on his Castrol Honda LCR RC213V.
Raul Fernandez got fifth on his Aprilia Trackhouse RS-GP26 with a time of 1:31.224.
Marini leads Acosta and Zarco in Le Mans FP1. It’s HRC from KTM to kickstart the weekend at the French GP, with title race leader Bezzecchi outside the top 10.
Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) produced the goods on fresh rubber to top the MotoGP FP1 timesheets at the Michelin® Grand Prix of France thanks to a 1:30.857. Completing the opening top three of the weekend under beautiful blue skies in Le Mans – how long will we be able to say that for? – were Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and 2025 French GP winner Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) – one of two home crowd favourites this weekend.
The top three were split by 0.252s, with Zarco making it two Hondas in the top three. A promising start for the Japanese manufacturer. But it was arguably Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) who impressed the most after the Italian ended the session in P4, 0.268s away from Marini, without pitting from new Michelin tyres. The Italian, who sits P3 in the championship, led for the majority of FP1 before the flurry of times at the close of play.
Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) completed the top five, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) enjoying a more fruitful session in P6. Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was P7, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) took away P9 from Friday morning, while World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) ended FP1 in P14, one place ahead of nearest title rival and teammate Jorge Martin. Work to do for the factory Aprilia duo? Or simply a session of getting dialled in before turning up the wick in Practice? We’ll find out in a few hours.
The crucial, hour-long Practice in Le Mans is coming up at 15:00 local time – tune in!
Manuel Gonzalez (18) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice One Friday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP Kalex on the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:34.740 to lead the field of 28 riders.
Izan Guevara was the best of the rest with a 1:34.823 on his Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
Celestino Vietti was third-fastest with a 1:34.841 on his Folladore SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro.
American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 16th with a 1:35.579 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Alvaro Carpe (83) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy KTM Ajo.
Alvaro Carpe was quickest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Red Bull Ajo KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) road course in 1:41.252, topping the field of 26 riders.
David Almansa was the best of the rest with a 1:41.311 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Adrian Fernandez was third with a lap time of 1:41.547 on his Leopard Racing Honda.
MotoGP Race Start at Jerez. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Aprilia Racing in Le Mans for the fifth GP of the season. Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin up to the challenge on the historic French track.
Aprilia Racing makes a stop in Le Mans on the historic Bugatti Circuit for the Grand Prix of France – the fifth round of the Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing Championship season.
Fresh from a streak of four consecutive podium finishes, Marco Bezzecchi is headed to France intent on improving his result from last season and confirming the competitiveness he has demonstrated during the start of this championship. After the intense weekend in Jerez, Jorge Martín is tackling the Le Mans round with the goal of further consolidating his feeling astride the RS-GP26.
The Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans stands out for its slow turns which alternate with fast sections featuring harsh braking and abrupt deceleration. The layout winds its way along 4,190 metres, with a total of 14 turns – 9 right-handers and 5 left-handers.
Marco Bezzecchi (72) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I’m extremely happy to be racing in Le Mans. It is a fantastic circuit and there are always a lot of fans. I’m quite keen to continue doing well, so we’ll try to put in a good weekend. We’ll be working with the team to be competitive throughout the weekend and to leave with a good race result.”
Jorge Martin (89) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Jorge Martin: “I’m confident for this weekend. The Jerez tests were positive and now the goal is to confirm the progress made on different tracks as well. This will be highly important in order to validate the new technical solutions. I feel rather good physically, even better than in recent races, and I’m convinced that we’ll be able to take another step forward here.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
The Ducati Lenovo Team traveling to Le Mans.
The fifth round of the 2026 season is just around the corner for the Ducati Lenovo Team, on its way to Le Mans, the historic French track that is well-suited to the characteristics of the Desmosedici GP. The first triumph came in 2020 with Petrucci and the official team, followed by the victories from Miller (’21), Bastianini (’22), Bezzecchi (’23), and Martin (’24). The French track is the only one where all Ducati Teams have achieved the maximum result.
Excellent prospects to best face the weekend for Marc Márquez, winner of the Sprint in 2025 and second under the checkered flag on Sunday. Coming from a P1 in Saturday’s race in Jerez and satisfied with what was tested in the post-GP test, he wants to be a protagonist.
A positive test session also for Pecco Bagnaia, second in the Sprint in Andalusia, but unlucky in the race while he was recovering. The goal is to get closer to the strongest guys on this legendary track where he has climbed the podium only once in 2024 (third).
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team): “Le Mans is a track that I like and where I was already very fast with the Desmosedici GP last year. It will be a weekend with many unknowns: the weather might give us some surprises. In any case, at Jerez we worked well. Aside from the crash, we were competitive and also on Monday we made a good step forward”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team): “I am happy to go to Le Mans; on paper, it’s the kind of track that can best enhance the character of the Desmosedici GP. After the test, I remained satisfied; we tried some convincing solutions that can give us a hand not only here but also on other types of tracks. We hope for good weather and continue to work to get closer to the strongest”.
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Lead on to Le Mans – Honda HRC Castrol ready for French GP.
Home of Honda’s most recent premier class victory, the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix circuit is already shaping up to be another memorable affair for the Honda HRC Castrol team as Luca Marini and Joan Mir arrive off the back of a productive test.
Luca Marini (10) and Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Sitting some 200 kilometres south-west of France’s capital city, Paris, the Le Mans circuit has been a regular on the MotoGP World Championship calendar since 2000 after a series of upgrades and improvements. Characterised by fervent fans and wild weather, every French GP is accompanied with a hearty serving of unpredictability.
27 points in hand, Luca Marini’s objective for the French GP is clear: maximise his performance on Friday to secure a direct pass to Q2. Qualifying inside the top ten will greatly improve his chances in the race, removing the hurdle of coming through the field as the #10 showed on multiple occasions last year – such as in Hungary and Indonesia. If a strong grid position can be achieved, the possibilities on Saturday and Sunday afternoons greatly increase.
Joan Mir is looking to put together a straightforward weekend and avoid the issues which limited his potential in Jerez. Time and time again, the 2020 World Champion has shown his raw speed and overall pace on the Honda RC213V is formidable and it is simply a matter of time before his results reflect this potential.
On track action starts on Friday, May 08 at 10:45 Local Time, everything building towards the 27-lap French Grand Prix on Sunday, May 10 at 14:00 Local Time.
Luca Marini (10) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini:“I am looking forward to Le Mans after the positive test we had after Jerez, we have a few things to try during the race weekend to help us. Of course it’s a bit of a cliché to say, but a lot will depend on what happens with the weather. Our focus is really on getting into Q2 because this unlocks many more possibilities on Saturday and Sunday. We need to arrive quickly to our level and then work to make another step or two like our rivals.”
Joan Mir (36) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Joan Mir: “We arrive in France with a lot of motivation after a weekend in Spain where I thought we could have achieved more. Testing on Monday helped us to get a few things clear as well as find some new ideas for this next GP. Recently Le Mans hasn’t been the best track for me, but I know we can change our fortunes and deliver on the potential we have shown.”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Ready for Le Mans Madness.
Following a productive Jerez Test a little more than a week ago, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammates Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are looking forward to the fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, held at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit in France this weekend.
Recharged after the successful one-day Jerez Test, held immediately after the Spanish GP, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are full of motivation to get the action started at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit this weekend during the Grand Prix of France.
The French Grand Prix holds special significance for the team, as the fans will be rallying behind local hero Fabio Quartararo, who is eager to impress. El Diablo stood on the rostrum of the Bugatti track once before, having secured third place in 2021 with Yamaha. He is currently 16th in the championship standings and determined to build upon the findings from the Jerez Test.
Following that overall positive one-day IRTA test in Jerez, Álex Rins is keen to keep working on his Yamaha’s settings. Le Mans was a strong circuit for the Spaniard in the lower classes: he secured a third and two second places in the Moto3 class in 2012, 2013, and 2014 respectively as well as a victory in the Moto2 class in 2016. He is keen to score some MotoGP points on French soil this weekend to climb up from 19th place in the championship order.
The Bugatti Circuit was built in 1965, just a few kilometres from the city of Le Mans. MotoGP made its first visit to the iconic French track in the late sixties, and it remained a fixture until 1996. After some safety modifications, the 4.19km-long circuit was added back to the calendar in 2000. Its layout of five left and nine right corners places the emphasis on late braking, hard acceleration, and rear-end traction, which makes for some great battles.
Alex Rins (42) and Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Yamaha
Massimo Meregalli:“The Jerez Test gave us a welcome opportunity to evaluate several items in a structured way, and the riders’ feedback was encouraging. We now arrive in Le Mans with some possible updates that should help us continue this process, depending on the riders’ preferences. If the riders choose to use the new items, this Grand Prix will serve as a reference point for confirming our findings from the Jerez Test. We are looking forward to getting back to work. With a back-to-back schedule from Le Mans straight to Catalunya, followed by another IRTA test, we will have ample opportunity to collect data and cross-check our findings.”
Fabio Quartararo:“Le Mans is always one of the most special weekends of the year for me. The support from the fans is incredible and gives me extra motivation every time I ride here. After the work we did in Jerez, I’m curious to see how things feel on this track – and I also have something special in store for the fans this race weekend, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Alex Rins: “I really enjoy riding at Le Mans. It’s a circuit where I’ve made good memories in the past. The Jerez Test was positive and gave us new ideas, so this weekend is about continuing that work and seeing how the bike behaves here. I’m motivated to keep building step by step and push to be closer to the front.”
More from a press release issued by VR46 Racing Team:
Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli are back on track for the French GP, always a special and historic event where last year the attendance record for a race weekend was broken.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will race this weekend in the French GP, the fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP season. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli arrive at Le Mans – where the team secured victory in 2023 – with positive feelings following their podium finishes in Jerez (in the race and the Sprint respectively) and with the aim of confirming the progress made during the testing day two weeks ago.
Di Giannantonio heads to Le Mans with great optimism after securing a podium at the Spanish GP (his second of the season) and a solid test day in Jerez, concluded on a positive note. Fabio, who is third in the World Standings with 71 points, is determined to continue this positive momentum in France, where he won in 2017 (in Moto3) and has fought for the podium in recent editions.
Morbidelli is also ready to be back on track with renewed confidence after finishing third in the Jerez Sprint, his first Top3 of the season. Franco arrives at Le Mans aiming to consistently fight for top positions again. The Italo-Brazilian rider arrives at the circuit where he won in 2017 (in Moto2) in thirteenth place in the World Standing with 25 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will hit the track on Friday for free practice, while qualifying will take place on Saturday (10:50 local time). The Sprint race will start at 15:00 (local time) on Saturday, while the French GP will conclude on Sunday with the race, starting at 14:00 (local time).
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Jerez. Photo courtesy Michelin
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO: “I’m very happy to be back to Le Mans, a unique track with an incredible atmosphere. We arrive in France with great enthusiasm after the excellent results in these first races of the season. In addition, the tests we did in Jerez two weeks ago were very positive, and we can’t wait to confirm the updates we tested in Spain also in race conditions and on another track. To this day, rain is forecast for the Le Mans weekend, but we proved that we can be very competitive in all conditions, so we’re ready in any case. The goal is to continue this positive momentum.”
Franco Morbidelli (21) in Brazil. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI: “The Le Mans weekend will be very important for us. I like the track and I’ve had some great races and strong comebacks here. The first races of the season haven’t been easy, but the Sprint podium in Jerez gave us a lot of motivation. During the test day we worked a lot, and we arrive in France eager to do well and with the goal of consistently fighting for the top positions again. It looks like rain will play a key role this weekend, but we’ll adapt to any situation and we will work to take another step forward.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Heads to Le Mans for French Grand Prix.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrive at the historic Le Mans circuit aiming to build on their ongoing development and return to the points in a notoriously unpredictable race.
Le Mans is one of the most iconic venues in motorsport and has been a regular presence on the MotoGP calendar since 2000, combining rich history with one of the most passionate atmospheres of the season. Regularly attracting record crowds, the French Grand Prix stands out not only for its energy but also for its highly unpredictable weather, where changing conditions can quickly transform the race and open the door to unexpected outcomes.
For Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, the weekend represents another important step in the development phase of the Yamaha YZR-M1 project. The focus remains on continuing to refine the package and making further progress, with both riders targeting a return to the points as they work towards closing the gap to the front.
It will be a very different experience for the two riders. Jack Miller arrives with strong knowledge of the circuit and positive memories, including his victory here in 2021. His experience at Le Mans will be key in guiding the team through a track that often demands adaptability and precision.
For Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the French Grand Prix will mark a completely new challenge, as he has never raced at Le Mans. The Turkish rider approaches the weekend with enthusiasm, seeing it as an opportunity to start fresh on a new circuit and continue adapting his riding style to the demands of MotoGP machinery.
Le Mans is a 4.19 km circuit featuring 14 corners (9 right and 5 left) and is traditionally considered a stop-and-go layout, with heavy braking zones and strong acceleration points. While top speed plays a role, stability under braking and traction on corner exit are key performance factors. Combined with frequently changing weather conditions, this makes Le Mans one of the most technically demanding and unpredictable rounds of the championship.
Jack Miller (on the left) and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (on the right). Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Gino Borsoi:“We‘re ready to face another demanding but exciting European track, coming off a very productive test in Jerez. It was an important session for both riders, and we came away with some clear indications and a direction that we hope will translate into improved performance.
We expect to start the weekend in a better position compared to the previous races. Jack was able to make a slightly bigger step during the test, but we gathered valuable information for both riders, which should help us move forward.
Le Mans is always unpredictable, especially because of the weather, but that can also play in our favour. So far we‘ve shown that we can be competitive in wet conditions, and if that scenario presents itself again, we‘ll be ready to make the most of it.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu:“Finally I get to race in Le Mans, and I‘m really happy about it. It‘s a legendary circuit that I‘ve only watched until now, so it‘s exciting to experience it for the first time.
I‘m more excited than concerned. Of course it‘s a new track and another thing to learn, but at the same time I see it as an opportunity. On the circuits we‘ve raced at so far, I naturally went back to my Superbike riding style because they were familiar to me — it almost came instinctively.
Here, starting from zero, I‘m hoping to approach the track with the right mindset from the beginning and focus fully on adapting to the MotoGP riding style. That‘s something I‘ve been working on a lot, and this could be a good opportunity to make another step in that direction.”
Mert Lawwill and Kenny Roberts, 1982. Photo copyright 2026 by Mush Emmons, all rights reserved.
Mert Lawwill in 1980. Photo copyright 2026 by Mush Emmons, all rights reserved.
Famed photographer Mush Emmons pays tribute to Mert Lawwill with some favorite photos he took of the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion and star of the movie On Any Sunday.
Mert Lawwill in his garage, 2019. Photo copyright 2026 by Mush Emmons, all rights reserved.
Mert Lawwill circa 1969. Photo courtesy Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Mert Lawwill: Motorcycle Icon, Suspension Pioneer, Grand National Champion, Innovator, And Inductee Into 5 Halls of Fame
Boise, ID, May 6th, 2026
Mert Lawwill, star of On Any Sunday and 1969 AMA Motorcycle Grand National Champion, has passed away at the age of 85 in his home state of Idaho, surrounded by family and friends.
There has been much written about Mert Lawwill, and for good reason.
A 1969 Grand National Champion and inductee into both the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Lawwill built a legacy that bridged motorcycles and bicycles—becoming a motorcycle icon and a pioneering force in modern bicycle suspension design—while inspiring a devoted following that spans generations.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Mert was never one to follow the rules. The son of a house painter and a schoolteacher, both talented artists, and one of seven children, he quickly developed a reputation for finding creative ways to avoid chores—channeling that ingenuity into a life defined by motion, mechanics, and independence.
Mert Lawwill (1) starred in the iconic movie On Any Sunday. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
That spirit found its outlet when his older brother Roy introduced motorcycles into the picture. From that moment on, Mert was hooked.
As captured in the song “Cycle Racin’ Man” from the album Motor-Cycle Man by Buddy Mize: “Little Mert, Little Squirt got a tricycle they say… rode it down through the town saying watch for me some day, in his heart from the start grew a very special plan, little guys about this size make a mighty big cycle racing man….”
In Boise, alongside close friends including Al Russell, Dean Huskey, and Al Kozak, Lawwill immersed himself in riding and racing. What began as a tight-knit group of local riders evolved into the foundation of a career that would take him to the pinnacle of American motorcycle racing.
Mert Lawwill (18) circa 1968. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
As a longtime factory racer for Harley-Davidson, Lawwill rose through one of the most competitive eras in the sport. Early in his career, the support of Dudley Perkins in San Francisco provided Mert with the opportunity to pursue racing full time, a turning point that helped launch his professional career. He would go on to capture the 1969 AMA Grand National Championship. Known for his smooth style and mechanical intuition, he was not only a champion rider but also a technical pioneer. Lawwill developed his own racing chassis design, which became the benchmark for professional dirt track racing throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
His story reached a broader audience through his appearance in the landmark film On Any Sunday, directed by Bruce Brown. Brown’s decision to feature Lawwill introduced him to a global audience—many discovering Mert for the first time through the film—and helped define the culture of motorcycling for generations. Beyond the film, Brown and Lawwill developed a close friendship that endured over the years, a relationship that Mert valued deeply.
Mert Lawwill (left) and fellow On Any Sunday stars Malcolm Smith (center) and Steve McQueen (right). Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Following his racing career, Lawwill brought that same engineering mindset into the bicycle industry, where he became a true pioneer of the sport’s early development. He is credited with producing one of the world’s first production mountain bikes, the PRO CRUISER, in 1977—well ahead of the category’s mainstream emergence.
Mert Lawwill (18) at Daytona circa 1968. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Lawwill also designed and patented a four-bar suspension system that was adopted by leading brands including Yeti Cycles and Schwinn. In addition, he developed the Lawwill Leader, a groundbreaking leading-link suspension fork that further demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to bicycle design. Throughout the 1990s, elite racers competing on those platforms achieved significant success, further validating Lawwill’s impact on modern mountain bike technology.
Yet among all his accomplishments, the work that meant the most to Mert was deeply personal.
Motivated by his close friend and fellow dirt track competitor Chris Draayer, who lost his arm in a racing accident but was determined to ride again, Lawwill set out to find a solution. The result was a prosthetic innovation known as “Mert’s Hands”—a device that allows riders who have lost a hand or arm to maintain a secure connection to the motorcycle while still being able to safely release in the event of a fall.
This work opened the door for countless adaptive athletes to return to riding and represented, in Mert’s eyes, his most meaningful contribution.
Mert Lawwill’s Wall of Fame. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
“From an early age, I understood that my father lived a life that was anything but ordinary. As I began to recognize the respect and admiration people had for Mert, the attention that came with it—even being asked for my own autograph as a child—felt surreal. I started calling him ‘Mert’ as a way to navigate that spotlight. As I grew older and pursued my own career in mountain bike racing, he remained my most steadfast supporter, always encouraging and standing behind me. It was never a question of pride—I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude and honor to call someone so impactful my father.”— Joe Lawwill
Despite his championships, innovations, and industry influence, those closest to Mert will remember something less tangible but equally enduring—his independence, creativity, and the unmistakable way he approached life on his own terms. Friends and family remember his unfailing good nature and sense of humor, which remained with him throughout his later years.
Mert Lawwill was preceded in death by his wife, June Lawwill.
He is survived by his son, Joe Lawwill; his daughter, Marcella Lawwill; his stepsons, Rick, Mike, and Tim Suchomel; three grandchildren; and extended family, friends, and a global community of riders and fans who were inspired by his life on and off the bike.
A celebration of life will be held, with the date and details to be announced at a later time.
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Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
Mert Lawwill (1) at Daytona circa 1969. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Mert Lawwill circa 1969. Photo courtesy of Joe Lawwill and the Lawwill family.
Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
An official obituary issued by the Cloverdale Funeral Home:
R.I.P. Journalist, Enthusiast, Veteran Clem Salvador
Sorry to report that we have lost one of our great statesman in Clement “Clem” Salvadori.
Clement passed away the afternoon of May 1st at his home in Atascadero, California, actually in his garage with his motorcycles at hand. He recently had his 86th birthday. His beloved wife Sue passed somewhat unexpectedly a few months ago and he had recently had his last ride on his Triumph Bonneville.
He had been dealing with the usual issues of ageing and seemingly went quickly. Well known in the motorcycle world as a great writer in many moto magazines and quite a few books under his belt, in particular travel guides for Baja by motorcycle. He was a Green Beret serving in the Vietnam era and was a Harvard grade to boot. A good friend for those of us lucky enough to be in his inner circle. His outer circle was far reaching as I’m sure many here will have been influenced within.
Very sad. Have loved his writing about motorcycles and his adventures over the years, going back to his articles in Free 2 Wheel–a free publication available at popular motorcycle shops and hangouts, and also Rider magazine, amongst others. A true enthusiast and spokesman for the motorcycle community.
Rest in peace, Clem.
(The above notice was sent to us by Marvin Josephson of Cambria, California.)
Honda HRC Progressive's Hunter Lawrence captured a dominant and crucial victory in the historically close 450SMX Class title fight. Photo courtesy SMX
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Hunter Lawrence Wins Denver Supercross, Closes Gap to 1 Point Ahead of Finale.
Start-to-finish dominance for the Australian in the Mile High City
Winner-take-all scenario heading to last round in Salt Lake City
Coming into the penultimate race of the 2026 AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence found himself four points behind the championship leader, in a situation where performing was a must to keep his title hopes alive. The Australian delivered when it mattered, racing his CRF450RWE to a convincing victory and closing to within a single point, with just one round remaining.
Racing at altitude places added importance on starts, and the 450SX main event saw Lawrence get an epic launch down the start straight, although Jorge Prado was able to claim the actual holeshot by sneaking around the outside. Lawrence took over the lead by lap 2 and never looked back. As battles unfolded behind him, he leveraged his pace to steadily extend his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line with a 12.3-second advantage over second-place finisher and title-rival Ken Roczen.
Quad Lock Honda racer Dean Wilson finished ninth, while teammates Christian Craig and Shane McElrath completed the race in 12th and 16th, respectively.
In addition to closing the championship gap to just one point, Lawrence’s fifth victory of the season matches Roczen’s win total on the year, so the Australian now holds the advantage for a potential tiebreaker as the series heads into the final round in Salt Lake City.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Denver. Photo courtesy Honda.
NOTES
Hunter Lawrence was featured during Friday’s media day, where he handled interviews and later participated in riding sessions.
Peak Honda World, Colorado’s top Honda Powersports dealership, enhanced the fan experience within the Honda HRC Progressive pit area through a pop-up activation. Staff engaged directly with fans and customers at the display, which featured a CRF450R, CRF150R and CRF110F.
Hunter Lawrence participated in a private autograph session in the Honda HRC Progressive pits during FanFest, creating a premium fan experience.
Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom appeared on Race Day Live, answering questions from Chase Cook relating to the altitude.
During the broadcast, Mikayla Nielsen (SLR Honda) and Charli Cannon (Quad Lock Honda) were interviewed by Jason Thomas and Will Christien ahead of the WMX Championship, which will kick off at Hangtown June 6. Nielsen was also interviewed on Race Day Live.
In 250SX West combined qualifying, participating Red Riders included SLR Honda’s Justin Rodbell in 14th, Next Level’s Hunter Schlosser in 17th, Western Honda Racing’s Ty Freehill in 27th, and Lasting Impressions’ Ronnie Orres in 28th. Rodbell and Schlosser qualified for the main event by finishing fifth and ninth in their respective heat races.
Lawrence had the second-fastest time in 450SX qualifying. Quad Lock Honda riders Christian Craig, Dean Wilson and Shane McElrath qualified in 10th, 12th and 14th, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) was 27th, John Short IV (Short Racing) was 28th, and privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 30th.
Joey Savatgy went down during the first qualifying session and was transported to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a dislocated wrist. He will undergo further evaluation this week. Savatgy has shown strong speed and impressive results this season, and American Honda wishes him a speedy recovery.
Lawrence topped the first heat race, with Craig (fourth), Wilson (seventh) and McElrath (eighth) also advancing directly to the main event.
Heading into the last race of AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence sits only one point behind points-leader Ken Roczen, setting up an exciting showdown at the season finale.
Jett Lawrence, who is recovering from injury but plans to return for the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross series, attended the Formula 1 race in Miami over the weekend.
Honda HRC Progressive heads to the final round of AMA Supercross in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 9.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Denver. Photo courtesy Honda.
Hunter Lawrence:“The bike was working good, giving me what I needed. It was a really tough track, not much traction out there; I had to kind of pick and choose where I made my arcs in the corners and bank off stuff whenever I was turning. My starts weren’t amazing all day today; we were kind of fiddling, massaging some things, and we got them sorted for the main. I love having to work for it a little bit during the day. I feel like that’s when I have my best days, and I love working with the team; I feel like we work so great together, and it brings the best out in me. Everyone knows what I needed to do—win the last two rounds—and we checked the first box. Now we need to go to Salt Lake City and try to do the same thing. I’d rather be in the position I’m in now than seven points down if Kenny had won. This is my title to lose, and I feel like under pressure, I’ve been the best guy this year. So, we’ll go to Salt Lake City and enjoy it.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager: “What a race! There’s nobody I’d rather have on my side going into these pressure-cooker races than Hunter; he just oozes confidence, and it bleeds into the entire team. We did our due diligence to give him the best advantage possible, on the track and on the start, and it seems that it worked out. His start in the main was quite possibly the most awesome start I’ve seen by our guys in SX; he just rocketed out of the gate and down the straight! The help from the IndyCar/IMSA team and the Honda Turbo Hybrid system was really cooking, haha—kidding, of course! We’re excited for the last race and will work on anything else that we can do to help Hunter have an advantage to win.”
More from a press release issued by Suzuki:
Suzuki’s Ken Roczen defends points lead at Denver Supercross.Roczen Earns Second Place at the Penultimate Round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The 5280-foot elevation of Empower Field at Mile High brought thin-air restrictions to the teams and riders at the Denver Supercross, Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The hardpack track featured two sets of whoops with a tricky sand corner that followed one whoops pad. With only one more Supercross round remaining after Denver, the excitement was high and the packed stadium of fans was treated to great racing.
Race Highlights:
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
450 Class
Ken Roczen battled forward into second place and held the spot to protect his championship points lead.
Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
450 Class
Colt Nichols continues to gain speed in his return to racing and scored championship points at the Denver round.
Ken Roczen (94) delivered his twelfth podium of the season with a second-place result in Denver. Photo courtesy Suzuki.
Ken Roczen (94) started the day with incredible speed; he set the fastest lap time in the second qualifying session, which stood as the fastest overall lap time in qualifying. In his heat race, Roczen crossed the holeshot stripe in eighth position then pushed his way into fourth within the first lap. Before the race’s midpoint Roczen had taken over third place, which he held to the finish. In the main event, Roczen held a tight inside line around the first corner and emerged in sixth. Two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race, Roczen blitzed the whoops and passed the third-place rider entering the track’s sand turn. Less than a lap later, Roczen took over second place and used his whoop speed to instantly distance himself from the pack. As the dry track lost traction, Roczen managed the race and strategized for the title. Roczen pulled a five second gap over the rider behind him then rode clean laps to maintain the cushion and earn second-place points. The performance protected Roczen’s championship lead heading into the final round.
“Overall, we had a really good day,” said Roczen. “Being back at the altitude – the last time I was here it was at the 2023 [race] – it is always a surprise [regarding] the equipment [and] how much slower it is. Obviously, we’re all [of the teams] dealing with it, but it takes a lot getting used to it. From Q2 we had P-1 and went first [gate pick into] the night show. I had just an alright heat race; it was a third place, but I was really trying to figure out the track. I feel like we rode the best in the main event when it really counted. I wasn’t fast enough to get with [the rider in the lead], but I got into second place and just kind of maintained. Yeah, just wasn’t good enough for first, but good enough for second [tonight], so now we’re one point ahead and it’s really fun to see how this unfolds. Overall, I would say we had a really good day with a second place and we’re going into the last round happy and stoked to be in this position and we’re going to give this a shot.”
Colt Nichols (45) showed strong speed while gaining positions in his heat race at Empower Field at Mile High. Photo courtesy Suzuki.
Colt Nichols (45) crossed the holeshot stripe of his heat race in sixth place, but first-lap chaos put him further back once the pack sorted itself out. Nichols put his head down and gained back positions to secure a direct transfer to the main. In the main, Nichols rounded the first corner outside the top fifteen. Nichols clicked off fast, steady laps and eared one track position before the checkered flag flew.
“Round 16, Denver Supercross, done and dusted and it was kind of a struggle day once again,” stated Nichols. “I’m still struggling to get myself fully healthy, and altitude sickness got me a little bit this weekend as well, so it’s kind of a double whammy. But overall, I just need to be a lot better than what I was today; but one more round to go to finish off the season strong, so I’m looking forward to that.”
“A great night tonight for the team,” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal for Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “Ken qualified first and then [got] third in the heat race, which was great to see. In the main we got a sixth-place start and then got up to second, which is what we needed to do. We retained a one-point lead and the red plate, so we have a chance to win this next week at the final round, which is all that we could hope for going into this week. So, [we’re] very stoked on the way that Ken rode. Once we got into second, he managed the race, did very well to limit the mistakes, so it was great to see… I feel like we’re going into next week with a great team and a great group of people around us and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Colt had a so-so day. We’re really looking for more from him, but the good news is that I know he has it. Seventeenth in the main tonight, battled the altitude, so we’re going to go to the drawing board with him this week and see how we can help him get over that. So hopefully we finish the season strong and hopefully we finish it with a #1 plate. But [there are] a lot of tough guys out there so we’ll have to go racing.”
Based on the fan reaction for Ken Roczen during opening ceremonies in Denver, Suzuki and Roczen have incredible fan support to take the title. Roczen leads the season by a single point, but the AMA tiebreaker would not favor Roczen so it’s a true “winner take all” between Roczen and one other rider. The final Supercross of 2026 takes place on Saturday night inside Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Suzuki riders, team members, and an army of race fans will pull together to try to put Ken Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z450 into the history books as the 2026 Supercross champion.
Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing return to 450SX podium in Denver.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made a timely return to the 450SX podium with third position in Denver at Round 16 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night, as teammate Jorge Prado posted a solid P6 result after winning his Heat race.
Two-time premier class champion Tomac returned from injury for his home state race in Colorado after missing Philadelphia altogether, setting the sixth-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in dry, technical track conditions.
Tomac finished fifth in his Heat Race, before completing the opening lap of the Main Event in fourth position, and in a strong place to race forward. A brief stall in the sand section then dropped him back to P7, however, he charged through the remainder of the race to secure a P3 finish.
Denver marks Cortez, Colorado, native Tomac’s ninth podium of the 2026 season – including four victories – and sees him ranked fourth in the 450SX standings with a single round remaining.
Eli Tomac (3) at Denver. Photo courtesy KTM.
Eli Tomac: “I’m glad to land on this podium for the Colorado fans! I was so bummed when I stalled it in the sand. I just happened to stomp on my rear brake there and then, honestly, like double-stalled. Anyway, I was able to claw back there, had some fun on this track, and that was just a good bounce back. I’m happy to get back for these last two rounds, and love being on the West Coast, too – of course, home state in Colorado – and we’ll try to get another podium next week.”
Four-time world champion Prado set the seventh-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION within Empower Field at Mile High, before capturing the holeshot and a convincing fourth Heat Race victory of the year.
Jorge Prado (26) at Denver. Photo courtesy KTM.
After securing the Main Event holeshot, the 25-year-old ran inside the top-five for the race’s duration, including a mid-race battle with teammate Tomac for third position, before ultimately claiming a hard-fought sixth-place result. He is positioned 10th in the 450SX championship points tally.
Jorge Prado: “I would say Denver was a pretty positive weekend for me – especially after a couple of tough weekends, it was nice to get back towards the front with a Heat Race win. I adapted to the track well for the night program, and small achievements like that Heat Race are a big confidence booster for me. And then in the Main Event, I got a good start and tried to race with the guys up front – their pace was a little stronger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on. I made a small mistake before the triple, which cost me, so I’d say 95 percent of the race was good, just that last five wasn’t perfect. P6 for the night was decent and now we have one round to go.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Husqvarna:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco races to Denver podium. 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claims a well-earned fourth-place finish in Colorado.
Ryder DiFrancesco and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing raced to an impressive third-place result at Round 16 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Denver tonight, where 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claimed P4 inside Empower Field at Mile High.
DiFrancesco was in form from the outset at altitude in Colorado, posting the third-fastest qualifying time via a 51.562s lap time, before powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to second place in 250SX West Heat 2.
A strong start to the Main Event saw the Californian run fifth on the opening lap, before climbing to third during the race’s early stages. From there, Ryder D maintained a measured pace to secure third place on the podium – his third of the 2026 SMX World Championship season.
Ryder DiFrancesco (34) at Denver. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
DiFrancesco currently holds fourth in the 250SX West championship standings – only one point out of P3 overall and within reach of second – with a single Supercross round remaining next weekend in Salt Lake City.
“It was a good night in Denver,”reflected DiFrancesco.“The main goal these last couple of weeks is to get to P2 – obviously the championship is wrapped up, so second would be ideal. Tonight, once I got into third, there wasn’t much more that I could do, so I just brought it home from there. It was a good night and now we’ll go to Salt Lake, try to stack some points, and go for second in the championship.”
Malcolm Stewart (27) at Denver. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
Meanwhile, Stewart qualified 11th in 450SX, before a challenging Heat Race onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier, where the 33-year-old took the win to transfer into the Main Event.
An ongoing battle throughout the Main Event saw Stewart charging forward inside the top 10 as the race progressed, with a sequence of decisive late-race passes seeing him climb to fourth position, and he maintains eighth in the 450SX standings.
“Every time we come to Denver, the track is tough,”Stewart reflected.“There was a lot going on in that race – you could’ve thrown a blanket over all of us! There was a lot of carnage, but at the end of the day, I guess Christmas came in May for me for a fourth! We’ve just got to continue moving forward. I struggled a little bit tonight and went to the LCQ, which I haven’t been to in a minute, but we just tried to ride our race [in the Main Event] and get it done.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Levi Kitchen returns to the podium in Denver.
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen charged to a podium finish as the Western Division returned for Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Denver. Kitchen’s impressive podium result comes after a brief stint off the bike to manage a lingering back injury. The Kawasaki rider resumed riding earlier in the week in preparation for his return to racing in the Mile High City. Teammate Cameron McAdoo made his return to racing after sustaining an injury at Round 6 in Seattle, with the No. 142 Kawasaki battling through a challenging night to claim 13th. Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks delivered consistent performances throughout the day, earning fifth and seventh, respectively.
Cameron Mcadoo (142) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 250SX Qualifying, both Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders came out swinging at altitude, consistently dropping lap times as the track developed throughout the day. Kitchen traded the top spot throughout the second session before ultimately claiming second fastest in the class, only three tenths of a second off the leader’s time. McAdoo put in a solid effort to qualify eighth overall heading into the night show.
Levi Kitchen (47) and Cameron Mcadoo (142) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 250 Heat 1, McAdoo got a strong jump off the gate sitting just outside the Top 5, while Kitchen was shuffled towards the back of the field. Following the opening lap, McAdoo went down after the finish line. Buried in the field, he was forced to charge his way forward in the short six-minute race format. Kitchen flew by his competitors one by one while recording the fastest lap of the heat race. The No. 47 Kawasaki crossed the line in fourth place, setting up a strong gate pick for the main event. After dropping to last, McAdoo was able to pass 11 riders to move into ninth place. Although crossing the line in a transfer position, McAdoo was issued a two-position penalty for jumping on a red cross flag, forcing him into the last chance qualifier.
Cameron Mcadoo (142) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In the 250 LCQ, McAdoo pulled another strong start inside the Top 5. Within the opening lap, he moved into third and had his eyes set on the lead. McAdoo applied pressure on the riders in front of him and was able to make up two positions to move into the lead on Lap 3 and secure his spot in the main event with the LCQ win.
Levi Kitchen (47) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In the 250 Main Event, Kitchen redeemed his start from the heat race, rounding the first turn inside the Top 10 and quickly moving into podium position before the end of the opening lap. McAdoo’s far inside gate pick led to him being squeezed off down the start straight after contact with another rider resulted in a tipover. He remounted and put his head down to charge back through the field. Up front, Kitchen searched for an opportunity to move into second on the difficult-to-pass track. The unique layout in Denver featured two whoop sections, which Kitchen used to his advantage as he made a decisive pass to move into the runner-up position. Although outpacing the leader’s lap times, Kitchen was unable to close the gap to first and took home a well-earned second-place finish. McAdoo faced a demanding and fast-paced race, as he charged past an impressive nine riders to claim 13th place.
Levi Kitchen:“I’m actually really happy with this result. I took quite a bit of time off the bike to recover and rode for the first time on Monday this week. I felt good, so Mitch [Payton] and I had a conversation and decided to race Denver. This was a pretty last-minute decision, so to come in and have a good weekend like this feels great. In the main event, I got into second and just focused on putting in solid laps. The track was really difficult and could catch you pretty quick, so it was all about staying consistent. Overall, after a full race day, my back finally feels good again, and I’m relieved, especially with outdoors just a few weeks away. I really appreciate everyone sticking behind me through it. I’m looking forward to finishing strong next weekend in Salt Lake and moving on to outdoors.”
Cameron Mcadoo:“It wasn’t the day I was looking for, but it felt good to be back racing. We had some things go wrong early that put me behind right away, and from there it was just damage control all day. Going through the LCQ and having to fight from the back in the main definitely made it tough, but I just kept putting my head down and getting laps in. There are a few positives to take from it, especially just being back behind the gate and getting a full day in. We’ll keep working and focus on getting better.”
Chase Sexton (4) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 450 Qualifying, both Kawasaki riders put down fast laps in the opening session. Sexton laid it all out on the final lap to secure the fastest qualifying time in the first session. In the second session, both riders improved their times, with Sexton once again putting on a heater for the final lap, placing him third overall, less than three tenths of a second off the fastest time. Marchbanks backed up his pace with two consistent sessions to qualify ninth overall.
Garrett Marchbanks (36) and Chase Sexton (4) at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In 450 Heat 2, Sexton and Marchbanks both got off to commanding starts, running third and fifth, respectively. On the opening laps, Sexton set the fastest lap time while holding off pressure from behind and started to close in on the leader. As the battle intensified, Sexton’s corner speed allowed him to close right up to the rear tire of the leader and made brief contact as the leader cut down before the whoops section. The bobble forced Sexton to take a calculated approach and settle for second place at the line. Marchbanks would ultimately get shuffled back a few positions on the intense opening laps. The No. 36 Kawasaki regrouped to get back near the Top 5 fight, regaining positions to finish sixth in the heat race.
Garrett Marchbanks at Denver. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
In the 450 Main Event, Marchbanks pulled a strong start inside the Top 10, while Sexton was pinched off going into the first turn. Both riders worked their way through the field, briefly linking up midway to make forward progress together. In the closing laps of the race, two separate racing incidents unfolded in front of the teammates, allowing both riders to make up ground on their competition. Both Kawasaki riders rode strong to push through to the checkered flag, with Sexton passing 11 riders to secure fifth and Marchbanks seventh. Marchbanks’ finish ties his career-best result from Daytona earlier this year.
Chase Sexton:“I had a good start to the day with fastest qualifier in the first session. I didn’t expect to go to the top in the final lap, but it felt good to back up there. The track having two sets of whoops played into my favor a bit. I felt good in the heat race, but played it safe to finish in second place. I had a bad start in the main event. I had to work my way through the field and struggled to feel comfortable. The last few laps, I was able to capitalize on a few guys that went down, putting me fifth on the night.”
Garrett Marchbanks:“I had a good day here in Denver. Qualifying went well, and the bike felt good. I didn’t have to make any changes throughout the day. I qualified ninth overall and felt good going into the heat race. It took me a little bit of time in the heat race to get comfortable. I had to adapt to how much the track had changed since qualifying. I got another solid start in the main event and just focused on putting in some good laps. Once Chase [Sexton] got around me, I just latched on and knew if I could stay with him, we’d make some passes, and that’s what we did. We got helped out a bit with some guys tipping over at the end, but that’s part of it. Another seventh-place finish, which I’m pretty pumped on.”
More from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Late Race Chaos Derails Results for Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper in Denver. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper finish 11th and 13th, respectively, at Denver Supercross.
As the saying goes, sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. Denver Supercross was one of those nights. At the penultimate round of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, things didn’t quite come together for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper. Despite good starts and flashes of speed inside Empower Field at Mile High, both riders saw promising main event rides unravel late.
The hard-packed, technical track challenged riders all day. Webb got off to a strong start to his heat race in third and battled with Ken Roczen before ultimately finishing fourth. In the main event, the reigning 450SX Champion quickly moved to third, but it was an intense race with multiple riders in the mix. Webb ultimately dropped back to fifth but continued to fight, holding off his teammate who closed in the latter half of the main event. In the final laps, he and Jorge Prado came together with Webb going down. He rejoined in 11th and, with little time left, would finish there.
Cooper Webb (1) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“Denver was a tough day all around, honestly,” said Webb. “From qualifying, to the heat, to the main event – we just struggled all day. It was one of those days where you’re just off. I was around fifth and trying to make the pass on (Jorge) Prado. We were playing a lot of cat and mouse, and he kind of came over, and we locked bars. My front brake got stuck, and I ended up going down. So that ended my night results-wise. It was an overall bummer.”
Justin Cooper also showed determination throughout the night. He started fourth in his heat race, moved into third, and after a red flag reset shuffled him back, fought his way once again to a third-place finish. In the main event, Cooper didn’t get the start he was hoping for but quickly went to work, charging from around 15th to sixth by the halfway point. On the heels of his teammate, he made his move, but Webb reclaimed the position shortly after. It then turned into a multi-rider fight for fourth. With four laps to go, he and Dylan Ferrandis came together in the sand, with both riders going down. Cooper rejoined in 13th, where he would ultimately finish.
Justin Cooper (32) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was really hard-packed today, which is typical Denver,” said Cooper. “So we were challenged all day with that. It was a really tough track, honestly. I was third in the heat, but just didn’t get the greatest of starts in the main. I think I started around 15th and got up to sixth. I just got caught behind Coop (Webb) there for a little bit, and went back and forth with him. I got stuck in a battle with him, Jorge, and then Dylan (Ferrandis) caught up there. We came together, and that was kind of it. I made some really good progress. I really felt like I had the speed to continue moving forward, but as you move up, the competition gets harder to pass. I gotta be better there. We’ll move on to the last one.”
“A bit of a rough day here in Denver,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “The guys were just a little bit off, but there were some positives. We had decent starts. Justin rode really well in the main event. He came from 15th and caught up to his teammate. The speed he showed and how he rode, in that main event, I’m happy with that. We have these nights in racing, so we’ll just regroup and try to be back on the podium next weekend.”
The team heads to Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and Round 17 of the Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship on May 9. Webb remains third in the standings, with Cooper holding fifth, as both look to finish the season strong.
Haiden Deegan Dominance Continues in Denver. Deegan’s victory secures a record-breaking season win total for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing.
With the 250SX Western Division returning to action at Empower Field at Mile High, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan picked up right where he left off – winning. His seventh victory of the season also secured a record-breaking 15th 250SX win for Yamaha and the team – the most by any manufacturer or team in a single season.
Adding to the standout night were a pair of heat race wins and all three riders finishing inside the top five, with Max Anstie fourth and Kayden Minear fifth in his Monster Energy AMA Supercross pro debut.
“Honestly, it was a big night for us,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “It’s nice to get another win with Haiden, but breaking the record tonight for manufacturer wins and team wins was really cool. And with Minear showing up for his first pro supercross race, and having all three guys in the top five – we’re stoked.”
Haiden Deegan (1W) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
It was another perfect day for Deegan. He earned his seventh fastest qualifier honor of the season, then went on to claim his eighth heat race win of the year. After getting a solid start, he took over the lead on Lap 2 and built a comfortable gap to kick off the night show with a victory. In the main event, he narrowly missed the holeshot but quickly took control, claiming the lead and riding away to earn his 14th-career 250SX win.
“Today was solid,” said Deegan. “I qualified first, P1 in the heat, and then the main event was solid. Another perfect day, which is pretty nice. I got a good start, which makes the race a lot easier, especially here, where it’s going to be really hard to pass. It’s really one-lined and hard-packed. So, I’m glad I was able to get a good start and bring her on home.”
Max Anstie (61) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
After qualifying fourth, Anstie got a strong start in the first heat race, slotting into second before taking the lead on Lap 2. From there, he went unchallenged to earn his second heat race win of the season.
In the main event, Anstie grabbed the holeshot but was passed shortly after by Deegan and shuffled back to fourth. After briefly losing another position, he regrouped and reclaimed fourth a couple laps later, maintaining a strong pace to finish there. Anstie heads into the season finale third in the 250SX West standings, just seven points shy of second.
“It was a decent night,” said Anstie. “I ended up fourth in the main and got the win in my heat. I’m looking forward to the final round in Salt Lake next weekend.”
Kayden Minear (99) at Denver. Photo courtesy Yamaha
Minear’s pro debut was a roller coaster from start to finish. The young Australian was eighth after the start of his heat race and worked his way up to fourth, holding the position for much of the race. However, in the closing moments, he was pushed wide and did not cross the finish line jump at the checkered flag, and was credited with a 12th-place finish, requiring a trip to the LCQ.
In the LCQ, Minear showed resilience. After a crash in the sand while pushing toward the front, he quickly regrouped and charged back to finish second and transfer to the main event. Despite that less-than-ideal gate pick, he got a good start to the main event in 11th and quickly made his way through to sixth by Lap 3. Breaking into the top five with five laps remaining, Minear went on to secure a fifth-place finish.
“I made my pro debut in Denver this weekend, and wow, what a roller coaster of emotions,” said Minear. “Having to go through the LCQ because of an unfortunate incident in the heat race, and then the main event went really well. I felt like I proved what I was capable of doing.”
Next up is the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and East-West Showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 9. With both 250SX titles already secured by Deegan and Cole Davies, the stage is set for a final showdown and bragging rights between East and West.
I’ve released a new video on my YouTube channel. This latest video is a wrap-up of the CVMA round 7 race weekend. In the video, I provide an overview of the weekend and interview several racers.
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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
