Kakeru and Sakchai selected to compete in Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale at Estoril
Two of the leading riders from the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship have been selected to race in the R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale.
Japan’s Kakeru Okunuke and Thailand’s Sakchai Kongduangdee will line up with contemporaries from all across the world in the R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale, which will be run at the 11th round of the FIM World Superbike Championship in Estoril, Portugal on October 11-13.
With five out of six rounds completed, Kakeru leads the APAC series, having mounted the podium 5 times, with 4 wins and one second. Sakchai has also achieved 5 podium finishes, with two wins, a second and two thirds. He is third in the standings. The selection of Kakeru and Sakchai gives the pair an early and exciting taste of life in the FIM World Superbike paddock.
Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship point leader Kakeru Okunuke (31) has been selected to compete in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale October 11-13 at Estoril. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Thailand.
The Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship is open to riders from 12 to 18 and provides a shot at world championship racing. The winner of the APAC title receives full support to race in the 2025 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup, which runs in conjunction with the FIM World Superbike Championship. Following on from that, the World Cup winner gets Yamaha support to race in the FIM World Supersport 300 Championship.The final round of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship is scheduled for the weekend of November 8-10 at The Bend in South Australia. It joins the program for Round 7 of the Australian Superbike Championship. For more information please visit https://www.yamahablucruasiapacific.com
Thailand’s Sakchai Kongduangdee (left) and Japan’s Kakeru Okunuke (right) have been selected to compete in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale October 11-13 at Estoril. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Thailand.
Pata Prometeon Yamaha Field All-Italian Line-Up for Cremona, Rea Aiming for Aragon Return
Pata Prometeon Yamaha will feature an all-Italian rider line-up for Round 9 of the FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend at Cremona near Milan, from 20-22 September.
Spearheading the attack will be Andrea Locatelli – who is aiming for a strong weekend in front of the Italian fans, including many from his home town in Bergamo also nearby.
Based on current medical advice, both from his surgeon in France and local medical team in Northern Ireland, Jonathan Rea will miss the Italian Round in order to allow the skin graft and internal repairs to his right thumb to fully heal – with eyes firmly fixed on a return in Aragon next week. Rea withdrew from the French Round in Magny-Cours following a crash at the end of Lap 1 in Race 1 and underwent emergency surgery in Clermont-Ferrand on 7 September. The Northern Irishman has since focused on recovery at home, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions to assist healing.
Yamaha’s Official Test and Development Rider, Niccolò Canepa, will ride the Pata Prometeon Yamaha R1 WorldSBK in Cremona – joining the team for one final dance before his retirement from professional racing. Last weekend, Canepa finished third with his teammates for the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team at the 24-hour Bol d’Or race at Paul Ricard.
Canepa will join the pit box with Crew Chief Andrew Pitt, who provides an overview of the new WorldSBK venue in Italy from a technical point of view, citing the main ingredient to be competitive across the weekend.
“Cremona is not a “typical” World Championship-style circuit, it’s a tight and twisty little track where the riders use first gear a lot and it is quite short,” Pitt explains. “Qualifying will be the most important part of the weekend, it will be critical to be at front because overtaking is going to be very difficult. We only did half a day of testing with Jonathan for familiarisation, but Loka knew the circuit already and was fast. We should be able to really use the best strengths of the R1 WorldSBK for the braking and turns – so, if we can qualify well, we should be in a position to be able to fight for some good results!”
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship returns in Cremona as well, with Beatriz Neila and the #36 Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha entry. Neila finished fourth place in both races in Portimão last month and is fired up to fight for the podium once again, with three rounds remaining in the inaugural season of the series exclusively for women.
A jam-packed weekend schedule awaits, beginning with Free Practice for WorldWCR at 9:40 CEST on Friday, WorldSBK FP1 at 10:20, WorldWCR Superpole at 14:10 and WorldSBK FP2 at 15:00.
Andrea Locatelli
“I’m excited to be back on track, especially in Cremona because at the test we did a really good job. I hope that we can find immediately a good feeling on the bike and on track. Honestly, this week I think the Italian riders especially will race for Luca Salvadori. Luca was a special guy, a well-liked YouTuber and rider with the same passion as us – I am so sorry about what happened to him and the news of his passing was a shock to everyone, so for sure this week we will give something more also for this reason. Cremona is our closest “home race” and I think we will see a lot of warmth from the fans for this event. Magny-Cours was a difficult weekend in tricky conditions, but I want to be positive and I am excited to be back on track and to give my all for everyone – for Yamaha, for Pata Snack, for Prometeon and for the team and the fans. We will enjoy the races like always, but it is also important to take some good results and this is our target, so let’s see!”
Niccolò Canepa
“The news may come as a bit of a surprise since I announced my retirement a couple of weeks ago! But, to be honest, I am really proud to do one more race weekend – especially with this team, Pata Prometeon Yamaha, Crescent and Yamaha’s official R1 WorldSBK with this crew. I am really sorry for what happened with Jonathan and I wish him a speedy recovery. On the other side I am thankful to Yamaha for this opportunity. It’s always great to race for this team and to race for Yamaha in WorldSBK. Cremona is a track that I don’t know so well, I just did a few laps one day with the Yamaha R7 for the WorldWCR shakedown and I am aware that it is going to be a challenging weekend in terms of performance. For my job as the WorldSBK test rider, we may have something to test and if I can give feedback to help the other Yamaha riders on track then it will be “mission accomplished”. I am really happy and looking forward to the “very last” race weekend of my career now, so let’s see what we can do!”
STRONG RESULTS FOR SUZUKI ACROSS ALL CLASSES IN TEXAS
A Win, and Multiple Podium Finishes for Suzuki Racers at the Circuit of the Americas
Brea, CA — The official MotoAmerica entries of Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) collected some serious trophy hardware at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend, scoring podium finishes across all three of its classes.
Race Highlights
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Superbike
Richie Escalante finished on the box for the second time in his premier-class career in only his second weekend back from injury.
Brandon Paasch enjoyed a strong weekend, scooping up two sixths and a seventh.
Supersport
Tyler Scott was in dynamic form, battling up front en route to second- and fourth-place finishes.
Teagg Hobbs endured a difficult weekend in Austin.
Joel Ohman continued to gain experience and speed as the weekend progressed
Twins Cup
Rossi Moor bravely fought back following a devastating Saturday crash to finish as the race runner-up on Sunday.
Altus Motorsports
Supersport
Jake Lewis takes the Supersport Race 1 victory on his GSX-R750.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines
Twins Cup
Rocco Landers had a weekend to forget in Twins Cup action but still wound up second in the final championship standings aboard the all-new GSX-8R.
Richie Escalante (54) has returned to form post injury despite low personal expectations. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
It didn’t take long for Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike ace Richie Escalante to return to peak form after missing the bulk of the ‘24 campaign due to an injury suffered in the season opener. The Mexican raced near the front aboard his GSX-R1000R all weekend long, highlighted by a third-place finish in Race 1 that marked his second-career MotoAmerica Superbike podium. While he crashed out of fifth in Race 2, Escalante finished out the weekend with an excellent run to fourth in Race 3.
“I’m super happy to finish on the podium – especially this season where I wasn’t expecting to be able to do it,” Escalante said. “My goal was just to get back out there and race these final three weekends to prepare for next year. I love this track, and my bike and crew worked so well this weekend.”
Brandon Paasch (96) ran inside the top 10 all weekend on his GSX-R1000R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Escalante’s premier-class teammate, Brandon Paasch, rounded out an all-around strong weekend for the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike crew, stringing together finishes of seventh, sixth, and sixth aboard his GSX-R1000R.
“The second race on Sunday was really nice, running at the front end of the field,” said Paasch. “I didn’t have a lot left in the tank the last couple of laps, but I felt confident being up there. The bike felt good, and they weren’t getting away. That’s the closest I have been to the winner in a Superbike race although not the best result. We have one more event at my home track and maybe we can build on this.”
Tyler Scott (70) earned his spot on the podium on Sunday aboard the next-generation GSX-R750. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Supersport ace Tyler Scott took a starring role this weekend himself, qualifying second quick aboard the next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750 and then tussling for the podium in both outings. He came up just short of a top-three on Saturday, finishing fourth in what was a five-rider melee for second. Scott got his revenge on Sunday, successfully defending his position over a tense final few laps to hold on for second.
Scott said, “I wasn’t really happy with fourth – we’re trying to be on the top of the box, but today was a lot better. I have to give thanks to the whole Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for all the hard work they put in over the second half of the season to get the bike dialed in. I couldn’t ask much more out of the bike today – I had a great feeling on it.”
Scott’s Supersport teammate, Teagg Hobbs, found the going considerably more difficult in Texas. Hobbs finished 16th on Saturday and then suffered a DNF on Sunday.
“We were having a problem slowing down the bike in both races,” Hobbs said. “I couldn’t slow down going into the corners, and I pulled in about halfway. I wasn’t able to ride around it, and we weren’t getting good data. We will work hard to get it fixed for the next race.”
The squad’s third Supersport pilot, Joel Ohman, continued to accumulate experience, twice improving upon his qualifying position in the races.
Ohman said, “I went 1.8 seconds faster than last year, and my race pace was better. We are still working on setup, and I didn’t feel I could fully battle with the bike yet. But we are improving and the lap times are the real story. We have a strong idea of what to address for New Jersey so we can still keep making more solid progress.”
Rossi Moor (92) proved to be unwavering this weekend with a spectacular crash on Saturday, followed by a second-place finish on Sunday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki’s Rossi Moor showed serious grit, determination and speed aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R in Twins Cup action. Moor’s race on Saturday ended in prematurely due to a terrifying highside crash suffered while holding down second position. Undaunted, the young gun came back out on Sunday to earn a runner-up result. Doing so secured him fifth in the class’ final championship standings on the strength of four podiums.
“I’m still a little banged and bruised, but nothing ever stopped me,” Moor said. “It was a great race – it was definitely a hot one. I’m glad to be on the podium, and I can’t thank my team enough. It’s been a great year developing this bike. It’s been a bit up and down, but looking back on it, it was worth all the hard work we put in, especially finishing up with a second-place finish.”
Jake Lewis (85) utilized his Altus Motorsports GSX-R750 to get a win this weekend. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Suzuki congratulates Jake Lewis and Altus Motorsports on their Supersport Race 1 victory. Lewis was able to capitalize on his great start and finished out front with a near three second lead on his GSX-R750.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines star Rocco Landers had a similarly difficult Saturday but was less fortunate in his hopes of a successful rebound on Sunday. Landers crashed twice in Saturday’s race, resulting in a DNF, while Sunday’s rematch saw him forced to retire due to mechanical issues. Despite the disappointing Twins Cup finale, Landers wrapped up the season ranked second in the points with four victories and seven total podiums.
Rocco Landers (97) had a hard weekend on track without finishing a race, but his strong season keeps him ranked in second for points. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
“I had a small mistake in Race 1 that cost me a good finish, and we had a mechanical in Race 2. The team was great all weekend, anything that went wrong was on me. It was a great season, and the bike performed way better than I expected. It’s the most fun twin I have ever ridden. I learned a lot of great lessons this year and am looking forward to what the future holds.”
While the Twins Cup season is now complete, the official Suzuki Superbike and Supersport runners will conclude their season at the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season finale, which will be waged at New Jersey Motorsports Park on September 27-29.
For more information and updates on Team Hammer, visit teamhammer.com.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 373 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:
Petersen Concludes MotoAmerica Superbike Tripleheader at Texas with Pair of Top-10 Finishes
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen finished seventh and 10th on the final day of racing at COTA
Attack Performance/Progressive Yamaha’s Cameron Petersen (45) and Xavi Fores (34). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Yamaha.
MARIETTA, Ga. – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen scored a pair of top-10 finishes, crossing the line seventh and 10th, respectively, in Sunday’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 and Race 3 at the Circuit of The Americas. Fill-in rider Xavi Forés battled in the tricky conditions and finished eighth in the first race of the day, but unfortunately had to withdraw from the final race of the weekend.
It was another hot day making for challenging conditions on the newly resurfaced track in Austin, Texas. After a tough start to the tripleheader weekend, Petersen had a much better start from the fourth row of the grid in Race 2 and was ninth on the opening lap. He then passed his teammate on the following lap to move to eighth and gained another position when a rider ahead crashed. From there it was a four-rider battle for sixth, with riders jockeying for position. On the final lap, Petersen made the move to seventh, where he would finish.
In Race 3, Petersen got a great start in fifth, but unfortunately the race was redflagged after the opening lap with oil on track leading into the first turn. After the complete restart of the shortened 10-lap race, the South African was eighth and advanced to seventh, but was struggling with grip and shuffled to 13th on the following lap. Petersen continued to fight despite the challenges and made his way back to 10th, salvaging points on a tough weekend.
Forés had another good start in Race 2, slotting into the top five, but found himself eighth on that opening lap after running wide in the greasy track conditions. He then found himself further back in ninth, but the Spaniard regrouped and made his way to eighth before the halfway mark. In that four-rider battle for sixth, Forés exchanged positions and moved to sixth with two laps to go, but would ultimately cross the line eighth. After the complete restart of the final race of the weekend, Forés was ninth. He did what he could to maintain the position despite dealing with a technical issue but had to withdraw from the race with four laps remaining.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team heads to Millville, New Jersey, in two weeks’ time for the MotoAmerica season finale at the New Jersey Motorsports Park on September 27-29.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“It was an unfortunate situation at COTA. We did the best we could with the cards that we were dealt. We’re moving on to New Jersey and look to finish the season strong.”
Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45
“It was a challenging weekend for the team. We did everything we could to make the most out of what we had, but just couldn’t make it work. We will bounce back for Jersey.”
Xavi Forés – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #34
“It was a pretty tough weekend for all the Yamahas out there. The maximum we could do is fight for a top six. We struggled a lot with grip, especially in Race 3 where we had an issue and had to retire. It wasn’t what we were expecting before the weekend, but it is what it is. I want to say thanks to the team because they worked so hard to give me the best bike possible today. I’m looking forward to New Jersey, which I think is a track that will suit our bike better, and I will try to make some improvements on myself now that I am more familiar with the bike.”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Indian Motorcycle Racing and Troy Herfoss Win at Circuit of the Americas, Now Two Points Back in King of the Baggers Championship Standings
Three-Time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss Goes 1-2 Aboard S&S Indian Challenger, Eyes Potential First-Career King of the Baggers Championship as Final Round Approaches
S&S Indian’s Troy Herfoss (17). Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
AUSTIN, TX. – Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing delivered a remarkable performance this weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Down 14 points heading into the eighth round of the 2024 King of the Baggers (KOTB) season, Indian Motorcycle factory rider Troy Herfoss delivered the results needed to make a final push for his first-career KOTB championship – piloting his No. 17 S&S Indian Challenger to his sixth win and sixth second-place finish of the season.
Herfoss started the weekend off hot, winning the Mission Foods Challenge, its $5,000 prize, and qualifying for the pole position for the weekend’s KOTB doubleheader. Race 1 saw both Indian Motorcycle factory riders run in the front pack, as Herfoss took second and Tyler O’Hara successfully edged out Harley-Davidson factory rider Kyle Wyman for third – further widening the point differential between Herfoss and Wyman. In Race 2, Herfoss showcased his racing prowess, leading all six laps with precision and successfully capping off the weekend with his sixth KOTB victory.
“This was a great team effort, as S&S had the Indian Challengers dialed in to near perfection while Troy and Tyler worked together to fully maximize this important weekend at COTA,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re riding a high after that performance and carrying momentum into New Jersey that will put us in great position to fight for the No. 1 plate.”
MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers season concludes with a doubleheader at New Jersey Motorsports Park September 27-29. The 2024 season has seen an intense battle between the two factory teams, as both Herfoss and Wyman each have six wins and six second-place finishes this season. Since bagger racing’s debut in 2020, when O’Hara won the inaugural race aboard the S&S Indian Challenger, each American V-Twin factory team has earned one KOTB series championship, with Indian Motorcycle winning in 2022 and Harley-Davidson in 2021.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram. Indian Motorcycle Racing and the S&S Indian Challenger is sponsored by S&S, Progressive, Mission Foods, Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, and Performance Finance.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
ABOUT S&S® CYCLE
S&S® Cycle was born from a passion for racing and has spent over six decades building performance for the powersports market. Their unwavering focus on quality, reliability and top shelf power has made S&S® Cycle the absolute leader in high performance on the street and track.
More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
MotoAmerica: Altus Motorsports Results from Circuit of the Americas
(Austin, TX) Successful weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas for the Altus Motorsports team.
Jake Lewis brought home a win for the Altus Motorsports team. He qualified with the 4th fastest Supersport time on his GSX-R750. Jake took the lead on lap 1 of Saturday’s race and never looked back. The win was a great reward for Lewis and the team after a challenging season. In Race 2, he crossed the finish line in 5th, just a tenth of a second out of 4th place.
Jake Lewis (85). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Jake Lewis: “It felt so good to win my first Supersport race in 10 years. The team has worked so hard all year, and the bike felt really good. In Race 2, the pace was faster, and it was my 5th race of the weekend in the brutal heat. Halfway through, I just got physically exhausted, which was a bit of a bummer. We’re still 3rd in points with just the finale left, so it’ll be time to give it my all again at New Jersey.”
Coming into the weekend, the team decided to change the suspension hardware on Jaret Nassaney’s GSX-R to match the setup that Lewis is running. With that, they also consolidated the setup decisions within the team. This created more parity and allowed for better data sharing between teammates. The changes worked for Jaret. He leaves Texas with a 15th on Saturday and a 14th on Sunday. While not where he wants to be, he goes to New Jersey with confidence.
Jaret Nassaney (59). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Jaret Nassaney: “Really happy with the direction we are headed and looking forward to carrying it forward to New Jersey. I love that track and can’t wait to apply the progress we made at COTA.”
Torin Collins qualified 17th in the crowded Supersport class, which featured 32 riders. In Race 1, he fought his way to an impressive 9th-place finish. During Race 2, Collins engaged in a tight three-bike battle for 7th place but ultimately finished in 9th.
Torin Collins (171). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Torin Collins: “Very fun weekend. We didn’t get the top 5 I wanted, but I can’t complain with two top-ten finishes after starting 17th. We are definitely on the right path and I’m looking forward to ending the season strong.”
George Nassaney: “This year has been tough, but we finally had a weekend where everything clicked. All our riders performed exceptionally well, and the crew is truly coming together as a team. We’re celebrating Jake’s win and are excited to carry this momentum into New Jersey to close out the season on a high note. It was also great to have our sponsors Buy A Jet From Steve Main, SBS, and Moto Liberty/Taichi spend the weekend with our team.”
Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, WPS, Firepower, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Barnett, Evol Technology, Maxima Oils, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Pit Bull Products, GB Racing, Ohlins, K-Tech, Puig Racing, RS Taichi, Arai, Core Moto, Pro Bolt, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, Law Tigers Oklahoma, and Altus Factory Racing.
More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:
Cameron does the double whilst JD and Stefano show front running pace at COTA
Tytlers Cycle Racing are still in with a shot of lifting the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike title thanks to Cameron Beaubier’s double win and second place finish in the penultimate round of the series at the Circuit of the Americas.
Dominating practice, the #6 BMW M1000RR rider broke the outright circuit record in qualifying to take pole position for all three races, his team mate JD Beach also riding well to secure a third row of the grid start in eighth.
Saturday’s opening race saw Beaubier locked in an incredible battle with his closest rival for the title Josh Herrin and Sean Dylan Kelly. Trading fastest laps the race became a two-rider affair following SDK’s retirement with Cameron pulling away in the closing stages to claim victory.
Race two was an equally thrilling affair with the same three riders swapping positions several times a lap. Cameron crossed the line second but importantly ahead of Herrin to keep the pressure on in terms of the championship fight.
In temperatures of almost one hundred degrees, race three was for many the highlight of the weekend with the three aforementioned riders once again covered by the narrowest of margins from start to finish. At the flag Beaubier got the nod taking his second win of the weekend to ensure the title fight goes to the final round in New Jersey in a fortnight.
JD Beach produced solid results crossing the line fifth, ninth and seventh in three races respectively, leaving COTA eighth overall in the championship.
The team’s other rider Stefano Mesa was also back in action in both Supersport and Super Hooligans. The #37 races to seventh and eighth place finishes aboard his Kawasaki in Supersport, whilst on the Energica in the Hooligans class he crossed the line eleventh and ninth.
Cameron Beaubier (6). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
Cameron Beaubier: “It was good to ride COTA again on a superbike, especially on the BMW M1000 RR. The team got the bike working good around the place and they made progress with the setup every race.in all three races we had good battles, and it felt good going 1-2-1. It was a hot one. The championship is out of sight now but with what I have been through this year I am content. We will give it our all at jersey!”
JD Beach (95). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
JD Beach: “COTA race weekend was a hot one, but I always love going there. The track is a lot of fun and we had to work hard since there were three superbike races. Friday was a rough day with a mechanical problem, starting our weekend on the backfoot. My crew worked hard and gave me a great bike for first qualifying. We didn’t have our best qualifying, but we got some good data going into Saturday. For race one I got a great start and was able to latch onto the leaders and up my pace a bit. After a race long battle with Loris Baz, we were able to get a fifth. Races two and three weren’t as good for us. Picking up a ninth and seventh. I know the crew and I gave it our all, but we just couldn’t get the job done. We are not done yet and I am looking forward to NJMP.”
Stefano Mesa (37). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
Stefano Mesa: “Cota was a hot one this past weekend. It started on a positive note and the team worked hard to give me the best bikes possible. The hooligan weekend on the Energica was all progress every session out. We found some time and figured out the bike a bit more. I was able to go three seconds faster than last year by Q2 and we got closer to the pack of factory bikes. Both races were good. We had solid races running in P7 for the whole race, but unfortunately the heat was so bad we had to slow down on the last lap just a bit to finish the races. We ended race one P11 and P9 in race two. It’s the end of the season for this class and we sure will miss it. We did solid steps forward at every round and the class keeps getting more stacked. Big thanks to the Tytlers & Energica boys for making all this work out and hopefully we will be back next year for some more. It was the first time around COTA on a Supersport bike for me. We made some good times through FP and Q1 on Friday. For Q2 we did a big chassis change to see if we could go quicker but unfortunately, we went backwards so we ended up racing on what we knew would work. Race one we got a good start, and I was able to run with the front pack for a few laps. I ended up in a good battle for the podium with six other riders an ended up P7 at the flag. In race two we struggled a bit and fell back off the start, but we kept working and passed a few guys. It was another good battle, and we ended up P8.”
TRIUMPH REVEALS NEW SPEED TWIN 1200 RS AND NEXT GENERATION SPEED TWIN 1200
Triumph Motorcycles launches two new Speed Twin models for 2025, including a new, even more dynamic 1200 RS model
Chassis upgrades and extra technology including Optimized Cornering ABS and traction control, enhance its engaging, focused and dynamic handling
Thrilling sports performance, with an extra 5HP peak power
Refreshed styling that blends contemporary sports features with classic design elements
Triumph Motorcycles has announced significant updates to its Speed Twin 1200, as well as the launch of a new Speed Twin 1200 RS, which is more focused, more engaging and with even sharper responses.
Available in dealers around the world beginning December 2024, the new Speed Twin 1200 features chassis upgrades including Marzocchi forks and twin Marzocchi rear suspension units, further enhancing the engaging and dynamic handling, taking corners in a balanced, natural and confidence-inspiring way.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS at speed. Photo courtesy Triumph.
This sophisticated handling is coupled with extra performance, with an extra 5HP peak power to deliver added character and sports thrills. New technologies, like Optimized Cornering ABS and traction control, are integrated seamlessly and sensitively.
The styling has been refreshed to blend a bright, contemporary sports style with modern classic design DNA, and features beautiful design details that showcase Triumph’s exceptional build quality.
The new RS model will offer riders even more. Sportier ergonomics, courtesy of repositioned handlebars and rear-set footpegs, are matched with an exceptional level of specification, including fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and top-spec Öhlins rear suspension units, as well as Brembo Stylema calipers. A pair of Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires are fitted as standard, and Triumph Shift Assist is included for the first time on a Modern Classic.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS at rest. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Steve Sargent – Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles
“The new Speed Twin 1200 RS is more focused, more engaging and with even sharper responses. It’s designed for riders who want the absolute best in dynamic performance, with classic sporty looks.
The updates to the new Speed Twin 1200 are a significant evolution for this much-loved model, and as always, we’ve made sure we retain the superior handling and classic style that everyone admires, while introducing extra power and technology that improves the riding experience seamlessly.”
CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC SPORTS STYLE
The new tank is more sculpted, with raked lines and deep front cutouts, and there is a new flip-up fuel cap. The side panels are simpler and styled to integrate into the new minimal throttle body covers with their brushed aluminum finisher.
Many classic-inspired details have been refined and updated, including new black powder-coated engine casings, which are now leaner and more angular. More compact silencers add to the timeless beauty of the uninterrupted exhaust run.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 at speed. Photo courtesy Triumph.
The elegant round headlight is housed within a new brushed aluminum bezel and stylish cast aluminum finishers.
The stunning one-piece bench seat has been reprofiled to be shallower and more sculpted, matching the sporty styling, and is narrower at the front, facilitating an easier stand over position for riders. The RS seat gains a sporty and stylish napped finish with exceptional stitch detailing.
New cast aluminum wheels perfectly complement the new bodywork with seven pairs of slim spokes angled in a sporty turbine pattern.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 at rest. Photo courtesy Triumph.
For the Speed Twin 1200, two split-color designs accentuate the modern feel further, with a bold ‘1200’ tank graphic separating either a Crystal White or Carnival Red upper from a Sapphire black lower that creates a sleeker look by making the tank appear shallower and longer. There’s also a more classically inspired Aluminum Silver option with discreet ‘1200’ numbering and twin black stripes.
The Speed Twin 1200 RS comes in two choices; a bright Baja Orange or subtle Sapphire Black, both with RS decals in gold which complement the anodized suspension components.
FOCUSED DYNAMIC HANDLING
Increasing choice for riders, each Speed Twin 1200 model has its own specific riding position, creating a distinct feel and personality.
Creating a more spacious feel while riding, the bars on the new Speed Twin 1200 are higher and further forward than the previous model. The 1.7” (43mm) diameter Marzocchi forks and twin Marzocchi rear suspension units have been upgraded and now feature remote reservoirs in addition to adjustable preload on the back. These upgrades to the chassis increase the agility of the dynamic Speed Twin 1200, while ensuring a smooth, high-quality ride in real-world conditions. New Triumph-branded radial calipers mounted to twin 12.6” (320mm) discs provide excellent stopping power, together with all-round Metzeler Sportec M9RR tires, fitted as standard.
For riders looking for an even more dynamic performance and extra thrills, the new Speed Twin 1200 RS has a more engaged and focused riding position. With the rear of the bike raised, the seat height increases slightly. The handlebars remain at the same height as the previous generation, but move further forwards, while the footpegs are slightly raised and further back.
Top specification suspension matches the dynamic attitude of the RS, with fully-adjustable Marzocchi forks and Öhlins rear suspension units. Added finesse is provided by twin Brembo Stylema calipers on 12.6” (320mm) discs and high performance Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires as standard.
THRILLING SPORTS PERFORMANCE
An extra 5HP of peak power has been achieved from Triumph’s impressive high-compression Bonneville 1200 twin engine, reaching 103.5HP at 7750rpm, pulling harder for longer up to the rev limit. The 270-degree firing order and low inertia crankshaft provide instant response with distinct and characterful power pulses and retains a rich torque delivery throughout the rev range, peaking at 82.6 LB-FT (112 Nm).
BLENDING LATEST TECHNOLOGY WITH CLASSIC DESIGN
Combining modern performance with classic personality, riders can tailor the engine response with Road and Rain riding modes, and now benefit from Optimized Cornering ABS and traction control, which are fitted as standard on both models. The focused Speed Twin 1200 RS has an additional Sport riding mode, which sharpens the throttle response and optimizes the traction control settings, adding to the bike’s powerful and dynamic feel.
In a first for the Bonneville platform, and unique to this version, the Speed Twin 1200 RS will be fitted with Triumph Shift Assist, an up and down quickshifter that perfectly complements the power delivery and character of the bike. Discreetly placed behind the gear-shifter, the bike’s modern classic styling is maintained.
New LCD and TFT displays have been meticulously encased in a classic circular dial, improving visibility and functionality, while retaining the Speed Twin’s timeless look. This enables compatibility with turn-by-turn navigation and phone connectivity, as well as concealing a convenient USB-C charging socket.
PREMIUM FINISH AND DETAILING
Riders taking a closer look will be rewarded with examples of Triumph’s acute attention to detail. From the re-styled heel guards and headlight bezel to the embellishers on the new side panels, these details are crafted from aluminum, with a brushed finish, and the aluminum swingarm and the new headlight brackets are clear-anodized to ensure that quality finish is even more durable. The Speed Twin 1200 RS comes with the special addition of brushed aluminum front and rear mudguards.
ACCESSORIES
More than 70% of Speed Twin customers add Triumph accessories to their bike, reflecting their personal style, which is why there is the option to add over 50 genuine accessories, including clip-on bars, a quilted bullet seat or a seat cowl, for those seeking a modern café racer.
AVAILABILITY & PRICE
The new Speed Twin 1200 will be available from $13,595 USD / $15,495 CAD and the new Speed Twin 1200 RS will be available from $15,995 / $18,395 CAD. Customers can configure their own or find out more at triumphmotorcycles.com. Bikes will be arriving in dealerships beginning mid-December 2024.
SPECIFICATION – SPEED TWIN 1200 RS
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Type
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 2700 firing order
Capacity
1200 cc
Bore
3.84” (97.6 mm)
Stroke
3.15: (80.0 mm)
Compression
12.1:1
Maximum Power
105 PS / 103.5 bhp (77.2 kW) @ 7,750 rpm
Maximum Torque
82.6 lb-ft (112 Nm) @ 4,250 rpm
Fuel System
Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes.
Exhaust
Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers
Final Drive
X-ring chain
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist
Gearbox
6-speed
CHASSIS
Frame
Tubular steel, with steel cradles
Swingarm
Twin sided aluminum
Front Wheel
Cast aluminum alloy 17” x 3.5”
Rear Wheel
Cast aluminum alloy 17” x 5.0”
Front Tire
120/70 R17
Rear Tire
160/60 R17
Front Suspension
1.69” (43mm) upside-down Marzocchi forks, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 4.72” (120 mm) wheel travel
Rear Suspension
Twin Öhlins RSUs with external reservoirs, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 4.84” (123 mm) wheel travel
Single 8.66” (220mm) fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS
Instruments
LCD multi-function instruments with integrated color TFT screen
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Length
81.6” (2073 mm)
Width (Handlebars)
31.2” (792 mm)
Height Without Mirrors
44.4” (1127 mm)
Seat Height
31.9” (810 mm)
Wheelbase
55.7” (1414 mm)
Rake
22.6 °
Trail
3.62” (92 mm)
Wet weight
476 lbs (216 kg)
Fuel Tank Capacity
3.83 gallons (14.5 liters)
SERVICE
Service Interval
10,000 miles (16,000km) / 12 months
CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS (EU)
Fuel Consumption
TBC
Emissions
EURO 5+
CO2 emissions and fuel consumption data are measured according to regulation 168/2013/EC. Figures for fuel consumption are derived from specific test conditions and are for comparative purposes only. They may not reflect real driving results.
SPECIFICATION – SPEED TWIN 1200
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Type
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 2700 firing order
Capacity
1200 cc
Bore
3.84” (97.6 mm)
Stroke
3.15” (80.0 mm)
Compression
12.1:1
Maximum Power
105 PS / 103.5 bhp (77.2 kW) @ 7,750 rpm
Maximum Torque
82.6 lb-ft (112 Nm) @ 4,250 rpm
Fuel System
Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes.
Exhaust
Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers
Single 8.66” (220mm) fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS
Instruments
LCD multi-function instruments with integrated color TFT screen
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Length
81.5” (2070 mm)
Width (Handlebars)
31.2” (792 mm)
Height Without Mirrors
44.9” (1140 mm)
Seat Height
31.7” (805 mm)
Wheelbase
55.6” (1413 mm)
Rake
22.4 °
Trail
3.58” (91 mm)
Wet weight
476 lbs (216 kg)
Fuel Tank Capacity
3.83 gallons (14.5 liters)
SERVICE
Service Interval
10,000 miles (16,000km) / 12 months
CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS (EU)
Fuel Consumption
TBC
Emissions
EURO 5+
CO2 emissions and fuel consumption data are measured according to regulation 168/2013/EC. Figures for fuel consumption are derived from specific test conditions and are for comparative purposes only. They may not reflect real driving results.
VANCE & HINES HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACER ROCCO LANDERS SCORES FIRST KING OF THE BAGGERS VICTORY AT COTA; HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACER KYLE WYMAN HOLDS KOTB SERIES POINTS LEAD HEADING INTO SERIES FINALE
Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Racer Cory West Claims Super Hooligan Championship
MILWAUKEE (September 16, 2024) – RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson® rider Rocco Landers scored his first series victory and Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman maintained his series points lead in a double-header weekend of MotoAmerica® Mission King of the Baggers racing action at Circuit of the Americas in Travis County, Texas. Landers won the Saturday race and finished third on Sunday. With a fourth-place finish on Saturday and second place on Sunday, Wyman holds a two-point championship lead heading into the final double-header weekend of the season.
Cory West (back row holding #1 plate) won the 2024 MotoAmerica Super Hooligan Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
West Crowned Mission Super Hooligan Champion
Team Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson rider Cory West on Sunday won the 10-race Mission Super Hooligan championship aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle. A consistent front-runner all season, West scored three series race wins and was on the podium in six other races. The veteran racer from Eureka Springs, Ark., took over the points lead with a win and a second-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on September 18. At Circuit of the Americas, West locked up the title with a third-place finish on Saturday and second place on Sunday, holding off the challenge of the defending Super Hooligan champion, S&S Indian rider Tyler O’Hara.
“The Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Pan America, I can’t say enough. That bike worked awesome,” said West after locking up the title. “This was a really stressful race. I had to finish at least third and I knew Tyler was going to go out and try to win it. I just kept my head down and did what I could. This is a dream come true. It’s something you always wanted when you were a kid and started racing. To be a champion, it’s just complete. I really have to thank everybody. Dave, Amy, Chris. My beautiful wife, who is due in eight days. Jake, Taylor, Kento, Eric, Matty, Fury, Ricky, everybody. I love you guys. My family is here this weekend. I’ve got so many friends. We brought home the number-one plate, and I couldn’t be happier.”
For the season, West scored 183 points to take the title. O’Hara finished second with 179 points, followed by Team Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson rider Jake Lewis with 146 points.
Rocco Landers (97) leads Troy Herfoss (17) during a King Of The Baggers race at COTA. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
Landers Breaks Through
The race win by 19-year-old Landers followed a string of four consecutive Mission King of the Bagger podium finishes. Landers qualified third at Circuit of the Americas and led each of the six laps in Saturday’s main event on the 3.472-mile, 20-turn road course. Landers held off the determined challenge of Factory Indian riders Troy Herfoss and Tyler O’Hara to win by 1.347 seconds.
“I got a decent start and then took advantage of some of the other riders getting caught up in traffic,” said Landers. “Everyone on the Vance & Hines team has been working so hard all season, so a big shout-out to the team and my family for all the support.”
On Sunday Wyman was in second place and chasing Herfoss when the race was stopped for fluid leaked on the track by Factory Indian rider O’Hara. The race was re-started with five laps remaining, and Herfoss again took the lead with Wyman trailing by less than a second as the pair opened a gap on Landers, Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider James Rispoli and RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim. Wyman trailed Herfoss by 0.445 seconds at the finish, with Landers third, Gillim fourth and Rispoli fifth.
“I’m happy with the ride today,” said Wyman after Sunday’s race. “We had a slow build all weekend, and today I had good pace in a couple of spots on the track but not enough to risk a pass for the lead. We’ll leave here with the points lead. I’ve got some great memories from previous races at New Jersey, so let’s go back there make a few more.”
On the opening lap of Sunday’s race, Rispoli suspected a flat rear tire and pulled off the track on the second lap.
“We had podium pace all weekend,” said Rispoli. “We have really found a great setting and I am getting confident on the bike. The finishing positions don’t show the potential we have, and we hope to put the final pieces of the puzzle together at New Jersey.”
After 16 of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Wyman has 315 points to 313 for Herfoss. Gillim is in third place with 213 points, followed by O’Hara with 198 points, Landers with 179 points, and Rispoli with 175 points.
The final race in the Mission King of the Baggers series is September 27-29 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results – Circuit of the Americas Race 1
ALESSANDRO DI MARIO IS 2024 MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP CHAMPION
The 15-year-old rookie Alessandro Di Mario is the new Twins Cup Champion in MotoAmerica, riding the Aprilia RS 660 for Team Rodio Racing — Powered by Robem Engineering. At the recent Circuit of the Americas race weekend, Di Mario secured the pole position and won both races to become the second rider to win the Twins Cup title, a class dedicated to twin-cylinder bikes, on an Aprilia RS 660.
Di Mario arrived at COTA 19 points behind the championship leader and clinched the title after a dominant weekend. He was the fastest rider in every practice session and qualifying, winning both Twins Cup races with significant margins and securing the title with a 31-point lead.
Di Mario, the 15-year-old from Kentucky, completed his rookie season in Twins Cup with three wins, six additional podium finishes and three pole positions in 12 races, becoming the second rider to win a Twins Cup title on an Aprilia RS 660.
Aprilia has now won half of the championships it has contested since homologating the RS 660 for MotoAmerica Twins Cup in 2021, where it won the championship in its first year. The RS 660 continues to deliver high levels of performance and competitiveness, as shown by its excellent results in MotoAmerica. In the 2024 season, it secured 17 podiums finishes over 12 races and has achieved over 70 podiums in the Twins Cup Championship since its debut four seasons ago. In the final 2024 Twins Cup championship standings, five of the Top 10 riders raced an Aprilia RS 660.
ALESSANDRO DI MARIO
“I am extremely happy to have won the championship. I couldn’t have done it without the support of all my sponsors, my fantastic team, and the Aprilia RS 660, which has proven to be a winner once again. Thank you all!.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA
“I would like to congratulate Alessandro Di Mario and the Rodio Racing Team Powered by Robem Engineering for winning the Twins Cup title in MotoAmerica. Despite being only 15 years old, Alessandro has shown great speed, talent, and the ability to fight. The combination with the Aprilia RS 660 was perfect, winning the championship for the second time in its four years of participation in the Twins Cup. This is the best way to consolidate a path that will take it to world competitions soon.”
More, from a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Di Mario claims pole, wins two races to clinch the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup title
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering rider, Twins Cup rookie caps off season with dominant performance Sept. 13-15 at Circuit of the Americas
Alessandro Di Mario, the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy Aprilia.
AUSTIN, Texas – It turned out to be a dream rookie campaign for Alessandro Di Mario in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup. The Kentuckian and 2022 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner capped off his first year racing in Twins Cup with a perfect weekend – pole position, two race wins and a come-from-behind effort to capture the 2024 Twins Cup title.
Di Mario started the Sept. 13-15 round at the Circuit of the Americas with a 19-point deficit in the Twins Cup points standings, but his dominant form – along with his chief rival in the championship battle enduring several setbacks – enabled Di Mario to win the title by a 31-point margin. The title is a testament to Di Mario’s consistently strong results this season despite racing in a new class. In the 12 Twins Cup contests held in 2024, Di Mario scored three victories, six additional podium finishes and three pole positions.
The championship also marked the second Twins Cup title won by an Aprilia rider in the last four years. The Robem Engineering team won the 2021 title with rider Kaleb De Keyrel in Aprilia’s debut season in the class.
Di Mario’s teammate, Gus Rodio, also had a positive end to what turned into a challenging season. He qualified just off the front row in fourth place and earned third- and fourth-place finishes in the races on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, to finish the season fourth in the points standings.
Both Di Mario and Rodio showed strong pace from the start of the weekend. Di Mario topped the time sheets in Friday morning practice with a 2:18.270 lap time, and Rodio ended that session sixth-fastest. Di Mario’s pace improved later Friday in Qualifying 1, where he lowered his best time of the weekend to a 2:17.742 — which was 2.280 seconds faster than the next-fastest rider in the session. Rodio showed an even bigger improvement as he shaved more than two seconds off his best time from practice to provisionally qualify fourth.
Qualifying wrapped up Saturday morning with Di Mario having claimed pole position. He went more than half a second faster than in Qualifying 1 to take pole by 0.812 seconds. Rodio lowered his best lap time of the weekend to a 2:20.827, which was good enough for fourth place on the starting grid for the round’s two Twins Cup contests.
Later Saturday in Race 1, Di Mario didn’t get the best jump off the line but quickly made his way to the front before the field had reached Turn 1. Di Mario was in firm control of the race lead when the race was stopped on Lap 4 due to a crash. When racing resumed with five laps to go, Di Mario again led the field at the end of Lap 1 – and every lap thereafter. He went on to take the win by almost seven seconds – his second victory of the season – and assumed the points lead for the first time in his Twins Cup career. Rodio also had a very good race, as he joined his teammate on the podium with a third-place finish.
Sunday afternoon’s Race 2 had Di Mario’s dominant form on full, uninterrupted display as he capped off his title-winning season on the top step of the podium. Di Mario and his chief rival raced each other hard for the first few corners of the opening lap, but Di Mario’s fast and consistent pace allowed him to gradually pull away and build a large gap to the rest of the field. Di Mario’s margin of victory was more than 6.5 seconds, and a technical problem for his chief rival’s motorcycle allowed Di Mario to finish the season with a 31-point advantage in the championship standings.
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 27
“I am extremely happy to have won the championship. I couldn’t have done it without all my sponsors and my amazing team. Thank you everyone!”
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy Aprilia.
Gus Rodio / No. 96
“I had a great day on my Aprilia RS 660 on Saturday. We missed a lot of track time earlier in the weekend, so we were super happy to get a podium finish. We struggled very hard this weekend, but it was so nice to get my bike back to feeling like one with it. I’m also happy with the season overall. It was one of those seasons that makes you appreciate when everything goes smooth that much more. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I want to thank the whole Robem team and my Rodio side of the team. I know Robem will be in my corner with anything I need for the rest of my career, and I’m so thankful to have built such a strong relationship with the team.”
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2024 season include Spellcaster Productions, Luxestar VIP, Geoscape Solar, MAR Contractors, Blud Lubricants, Spiegler Performance, Woodcraft Technologies, Dymag Performance Wheels, Millennium Technologies, Sprint Filter, Dunlop, SC Project, MVR Endeavor, GRG Designs, REB Graphics, NGK Spark Plugs, EvolveGT, Bitubo Suspension and N2 Racing
Editorial Note: A second MotoGP event was scheduled at Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli after the Grand Prix of Kazakhstan was cancelled due to flooding and related problems in the region of the new venue.
Reload for Emilia-Romagna: can the home heroes take back their territory?
There’s a lot on the line as the paddock returns to the fabulous Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – from the Constructors’ crown to some Ducati milestones
Monday, 16 September 2024
Buckle up for more MotoGP™ as we get ready for the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna, with season silverware on the line already and plenty of extra bragging rights to race for. The biggest is the Constructors’ crown, with Ducati able to wrap that up on Sunday after their stunning form so far. They’re 229 points clear of KTM and 239 ahead of Aprilia, with 222 the golden number by the flag on Sunday to wrap it up. They could also win it in style, as their next victory would be their 100th MotoGP™ win. With the top two in the title fight – Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – split by only seven points, and so much on the line between them and those they’ll likely be racing most closely at the front, all that’s on offer promises a serious show.
THE SHOW WILL GO ON
Martin will want to prove a serious point, for himself after that flag-to-flag gamble didn’t pay off, and for the points to extend that gap at the top. And for the future when it comes to the Constructors’ crown and that milestone 100th MotoGP™ win. If that’s not enough motivation, he’d also like to beat the Italian riders on their home turf and take the glory for his Italian team, who title sponsor the event. Coming out swinging probably won’t cover it, and he still knows he won in 2023 when the weather threw no curveballs.
Bagnaia, meanwhile, arrives with more margin to play with now the gap is back down to single digits in the Championship. But he also arrives preparing for his own milestone: his 100th MotoGP™ start, and on home turf for him and the Ducati Lenovo Team. As their double and reigning World Champion, those milestones must speak to him too. Constructors’ crown secured on home turf in his 100th MotoGP™ race, by taking Ducati’s 100th MotoGP™ win? The stars have aligned if Bagnaia can make it happen. This time round, he’ll also be closer to full fitness – something he hasn’t been at Misano since 2022.
On to Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). Now confirmed alongside Bagnaia in the factory squad next season, he’ll be keen to start inking in some Ducati milestones ahead of the switch. Force that territory to be shared. He’ll also be keen to stop Bagnaia doing so as the two prepare to share a garage, and on the #1’s home turf. Having now won two in a row, if Marquez wins a third it’s the first time he’ll have taken three or more consecutive MotoGP™ GP wins since 2019. It would also extend his record as the most winning rider at Misano on the current grid… and close that Championship gap to the top two even more.
And then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). He’s got a 100% podium record in MotoGP™ races he’s started at Misano, which is no mean feat. He shares some of his rivals’ motivation – home turf, for one – and that 100th MotoGP™ win for Ducati would probably feel pretty sweet. He’s also still well in contention in the title fight, and only nine points behind Marc Marquez. Qualifying further up would only intensify the Jaws music for those he was chasing down last time out.
ON THE CHASE
Saturday at the San Marino GP proved once again there are plenty of rivals for the top four in the Championship though. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) has been gaining speed throughout 2024, and in the Tissot Sprint last time out took his first Saturday rostrum finish. He was also fast on Sunday before crashing out. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) also took a front row and top five in the GP race, and a better launch off the line could improve those fortunes even more on take two. Teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will have had longer to recover as we get back on track, and Alex Marquez’ (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) Sunday at San Marino was a solid one. Can they move forward?
At KTM and GASGAS there was also good speed on Sunday, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) coming home fourth after both he and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) had a solid Sprint. Acosta will want to minimise those mistakes, and it’ll be interesting as he races at a venue for the second time in his rookie season. It went well for him in the 2021 Doha GP. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a good weekend last time out too, taking his best Sunday finish since Portimão, on top of scoring in the Sprint. More of that will be the minimum aim for the Aussie, and more points the aim for Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) after a tougher one at Misano on our first visit.
CHAPEAU!
Meanwhile at Yamaha, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) must be in the conversation for rider of the weekend last time out, having equalled his best Sunday finish so far in 2024 and scored in the Sprint to make it his equal best weekend for points. The Iwata factory and their 2021 World Champion want to be racing for more than seventh, but the world-beating form they’ve both shown before is built – or rebuilt – over time. Quartararo and teammate Alex Rins have tested at Misano a few weeks ago, done the San Marino GP, and now pocketed some more track time in the Monday test, in which Quartararo was fifth quickest. So can they make another step forward this time out?
BACK IN THE SADDLE
Steps forward is likewise the aim at Aprilia as the Noale factory suffer a tougher patch of form. Neither Maverick Viñales nor Aprilia Racing teammate Aleix Espargaro took any points at the San Marino GP, so that’s a clear aim this time out. They’ll also hope that work at the Monday Test – focused on the here and now – will help to turn those fortunes around. Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing), meanwhile, DID score – five points on Sunday to come home top Noale machine. He’ll want more, the factory wants more, the factory riders will want to beat him, and teammate Raul Fernandez will also want to hit back.
Finally, at Honda it’s a first full weekend at Misano for Repsol Honda Team’s Joan Mir and Luca Marini. Both suffering with illness sidelining them last time out, they did get back out for the Monday test so they’ll hope that sets them up to get back in the mix at the Grand Prix. Meanwhile at IDEMITSU and CASTROL Honda LCR, there were some solid points for Takaaki Nakagami and Johann Zarco, respectively. Notably, they’re now on an equal total this season – and Nakagami is ahead in the standings thanks to that P11 finish in Aragon. They’ll want to beat each other and beat the Repsol Honda duo, and to continue adding information and kilometres to Honda’s mission to move forward. What can they do with a full line-up and after the extra track time of the Misano Test?
We’ll find out this weekend as another 37 points go into play – and a whole lot more.
SHOWTIME
Saturday
Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2)
Sunday
Grand Prix: 13:00 (UTC +2)
What’s happening at the #EmiliaRomagnaGP?
Festivities kick off on Wednesday for the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna. To take MotoGP™ even closer to our passionate fanbase in Italy, there will be a fan event on Wednesday evening in the city centre of Rimini, headlined by Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) – including a Q&A for the fans in attendance.
On Thursday afternoon, MotoGP™ podcast Last On The Brakes will welcome Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli.
Then we’re into the press conferences, with the first set to host Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Then, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will be joined by Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) for the second.
Moto2™: Can Ogura double down on take two?
Thanks to a third win of 2024, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) ensured he sits as the new Championship leader heading into Round 14 of the year. Following a difficult trio of races in Silverstone, Austria – where he picked up a right-hand fracture – and Aragon, the Japanese star was back on the box for the first time since his German GP P3.
Ogura beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.6s to earn a nine-point lead over teammate Sergio Garcia, whose weekend ended with a commendable comeback to P12 after a Friday and Saturday to forget for the Spaniard. The title race pendulum has certainly swung from one side of the garage to the other down at MT Helmets – MSI, now we’ll see how Garcia bounces back.
Ogura and Canet were joined on the podium by Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) who bagged a second podium in a row. The Italian looks somewhat back to his best after a tricky opening half to the season, and another home race rostrum would go down very nicely before the flyaways begin.
Elsewhere, Manuel Gonzalez’s P4 (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) was a solid effort from the Spaniard, as Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) admitted his P5 “felt like a win” after the Briton clawed his way back from P14 on the grid to earn some more decent points in his quest for the title.In addition, home hero Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be seeking redemption after his late crash from P4, and so will Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) after the Spaniard slid out of contention on Lap 1.
The ever-changing Moto2™ title race landscape is a fascinating one to keep tabs on. What will unfold as we land back at Misano?
Moto3™: Can the chasers keep up the pressure?
We witnessed a comeback for the ages in Moto3™ last time out as Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) clinched a phenomenal win despite taking not one, but two Long Lap penalties. The rookie’s debut win was sublime, so will the #36 be able to go back-to-back when he lands at the same venue this weekend?
Piqueras will certainly be hoping so. And if there are no long laps to contend with, that will make his life a lot easier – but as we know, it won’t be as simple as that. One rider who will be out to stop his compatriot from doubling up is Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). The #96 has returned to form with two podiums in the last three outings seeing the Spaniard climb to P2 in the overall standings.
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) responded to his disappointing Aragon outing by grabbing a seventh podium of the year, as the Spaniard edged out Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) by less than a tenth. The Japanese star and fifth place finisher Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) were two riders who picked their way past a frustrated David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) on the final lap, as the Colombian finished in P7 following a drop one place penalty for exceeding track limits in the last lap too. That promoted Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) to P6 as Alonso finished off the podium in consecutive races for the first time this season.
That said, the #80 still boasts a commanding 70-point lead in the Championship chase, but he will be hunting revenge in Emilia-Romagna. Can he bounce back?
From sun to soaked: Frost and Correa weather the Oulton challenge
The R&G British Talent Cup rolled into Oulton Park for the penultimate round of the season, with 50 points up for grabs
Monday, 16 September 2024
The penultimate round of the season was split down the middle in terms of weather for the R&G British Talent Cup field. Race 1 took place in ideal race conditions and delivered one of the most competitive and entertaining bouts of the season. Championship leader Lucas Brown (SENCAT Talent Team / Mortimer Racing), starting from pole, was immediately challenged by Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing) and Filip Surowiak (Honda – Team City Lifting/RS Racing), who launched off the line to seize the early lead.
Julian Correa (40) led Race One but ultimately ended up finishing second, 0.182 second behind winner Ryan Frost (24). Photo courtesy BTC.
Contender Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) began strong but soon struggled with his pace and setup, slipping down the order. Dropping down to 10th on the opening lap was but a minor setback for Brown, who quickly tore through the pack, carving his way back into contention.
An exchange of blows between Correa and Surowiak allowed Ryan Frost (Fibre Tec Honda) to close in, while Brown, joined in a series of intense battles with Frost and Surowiak. Correa held firm at the front, fending off constant threats.
Biding his time behind Correa, Frost made a perfect pass at Lodge Corner on the final lap, snatching the lead. Correa pushed hard to retake the position but couldn’t match Frost’s acceleration out of the final corner. With that, Frost secured his fourth win of the season, while Brown completed a remarkable comeback to finish third on the podium.
The R&G British Talent Cup is streamed live on YouTube in 2024! Watch Race 1 HERE and Race 2 HERE.
Wet conditions levelled the playing field in Race 2 and rounded out another exciting chapter in the 2024 R&G British Talent Cup.
Ryan Frost (24) leads Lucas Brown (29), Julian Correa (40), and the rest of the field early in wet Race Two. Photo courtesy BTC.
Starting from pole, Ryan Frost got a strong launch, but it was Lucas Brown who seemed poised to take the early advantage. However, a wobble from Ronnie Harris (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) coming out of the Britten Chicane led to chaos on the first lap, causing the championship leader to crash out. With Brown out of the race, the door was wide open for his rivals to capitalise and close the gap in the standings.
As the race settled in, a battle for the lead emerged between Frost, Filip Surowiak, and Julian Correa. Surowiak initially took control, leading the pack through most of the opening laps—not despite the wet conditions but thriving because of them. But Frost and Correa made sure he wouldn’t get too comfortable.
The final laps saw multiple changes for the lead, with Correa finally making a decisive pass at Druids and holding off Surowiak’s last-lap challenge to claim his second victory of the season for Microlise Cresswell Racing. Surowiak finished a close second, just 0.182 behind. Meanwhile, Amanuel Brinton, with eyes on the podium, launched a thrilling late charge to snatch third place from Fibre Tec Honda’s Harley McCabe at the line by just 0.121 seconds.
Further back, the race was no less eventful. Frost, after an impressive start, struggled in the latter stages and was involved in an incident with Charlie Barnes (SENCAT Talent Team / Mortimer Racing), leading to a Long Lap penalty. Despite this, he managed to finish in fifth place, salvaging some valuable points.
With that, Brown clings to his title race lead, thanks to that Race 1 podium. Brinton sits 28 points adrift, with Frost and Correa close in the top three fight, just five and six points behind Brinton respectively.
Next time out a triple-header, with 75 points up for grabs, at Donington Park on the 28th and 29th of September for the final round of the 2024 R&G British Talent Cup.
With four rounds to go, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) remains the championship leader despite being ruled out of the previous round after an injury sustained in FP1. His 365 points mean he still has a 55-point advantage over Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who holds 310 points. Another exciting battle to watch is for third place in the standings.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is currently in third with 243 points, 122 behind Toprak and 67 behind his teammate. With no points scored in the last two races for Bautista (DNF in the Tissot Superpole Race and declared unfit for Race 2), Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is now only eight points behind the reigning World Champion.
A New Circuit
It will be the first time the WorldSBK paddock races at the Cremona Circuit, a track most of the grid tested earlier this season.
Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the fastest rider in the first test, clocking a 1’28.860 lap time. However, Razgatlioglu managed to beat Gardner’s time by a few tenths during a second private test at the same track.
Recent Form
Nicolo Bulega achieved his first back-to-back victories this season. Notably, in all three races where Bulega won, Razgatlioglu was not on the podium.
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), the leading Independent rider, secured three podium finishes in all three races at Magny-Cours for the first time in his career.
Declared unfit during the French Round
Toprak Razgatlioglu was ruled out of the French Round following a Free Practice 2 crash on Friday. He suffered a mild traumatic pneumothorax.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) crashed at the last chicane on Lap 1 in Race 1 at Magny-Cours and underwent surgery to repair a deep abrasion to his right thumb.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was ruled out of Race 2 at the French Round following a crash in the Tissot Superpole Race. Bautista was diagnosed with a fracture to his eighth rib on the left side.
Further update on their recoveries will be issued ahead of the Acerbis Italian Round on worldsbk.com
Race report: Yoshimura SERT Motul takes EWC title glory with Bol d’Or victory
Yoshimura SERT Motul (12) won the Bol d’Or 24-hour race and the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
Suzuki-powered team triumphs twice after 24 hours of dramatic EWC action
KM 99 completes 2024 as the leading EWC independent team with second place
Niccolò Canepa retires from racing with YART Yamaha battling back to third
Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore finishes first in Superstock
National Motos Honda FMA secures Dunlop-supplied FIM Endurance World Cup
For immediate release (15 September 2024): Yoshimura SERT Motul banked a win double in the FIM Endurance World Championship today (Sunday), coming out on top of an epic EWC title showdown by landing back-to-back Bol d’Or victories at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The Suzuki-powered outfit’s riding trio of Gregg Black, Dan Linfoot and Étienne Masson performed without error to secure Yoshimura SERT Motul’s second EWC crown – the first since 2021 – to go with the 11 titles won when the France-based squad ran under the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team banner.
By finishing first, Suzuki has now triumphed in the legendary Bol d’Or 24-hour race 20 times with Black and Masson becoming four-time winners of the long-standing EWC event.
“Of course when you join a team like Yoshimura SERT Motul you expect to have the results to fight for the championship but to win the championship in the first year is a dream for me,” said Linfoot, the only Yoshimura SERT Motul rider to have finished on the podium in all four EWC races this season. “To win Le Mans, second in Spa, third in Suzuka and finally winning the Bol d’Or to take the championship is an incredible experience. To work with this fantastic team and my incredible team-mates, all the staff, it’s been a fantastic year. It’s an amazing moment.”
Black, who recovered from injury to race in the Bol d’Or, said: “Injuring my wrist was a pretty difficult moment after winning Le Mans and getting a podium at Spa. The injury in the Suzuka test was quite a complicated break and put me out for the race. But Cocoro, Dan and Albert [Arenas] did a great job and got some important points for the championship. It’s been two complicated months for me, getting my wrist back into condition and trying to have the mental and physical strength to get back on the bike. A lot of strength goes through the wrist on a bike, and I wasn’t sure 100 per cent if I would be back, but I did all my 10 stints in the race, tried to keep up the pace and be as fast as possible.”
Gregg Black: “It’s been two complicated months for me, getting my wrist back into condition and trying to have the mental and physical strength to get back on the bike. I wasn’t sure 100 per cent if I would be back, but I did all my 10 stints in the race, tried to keep up the pace and be as fast as possible”
Yamaha-powered KM 99 scored its first EWC podium in only its second year in the championship with second place for Randy de Puniet, Jérémy Guarnoni and Florian Marino to end 2024 as the top independent EWC team.
“It was a really good race for us,” ex-MotoGP racer de Puniet said. “In the beginning of the year we made some mistakes but after Suzuka we didn’t make any more. We had some luck during this race, SERT was too fast, the pace was incredible, the BMW too, but they had some trouble at the end of the race and that’s why we finished second. For the team it’s a perfect result, for me too, even if one day I would like to win an endurance race.”
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team began the Bol d’Or title decider leading the standings as one of four teams in championship contention. Although it completed the Formula EWC podium in third, it fell short in its efforts to defend the EWC title it won in 2023 after two time-consuming unscheduled pitstops.
The result meant YART rider Niccolò Canepa, who was partnered by Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika, will retire from racing without the third world title he craved. But he’ll nevertheless go down in history as one of the all-time EWC greats.
“This is not exactly the race we were hoping for, we were hoping to battle a bit more with SERT and make their life a bit more difficult,” said Canepa. “Unfortunately, we had a problem in the first stint and we never fight for the victory in this race. Because of the problem we had in the first stint we kept having problems through the race. But we never expected to be on the podium today, so we must be happy for this third place because it’s been a tough race for us.”
Despite being held back by technical issues, National Motos Honda FMA won the FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams with riders Guillaume Raymond, Sébastien Suchet and Valentin Suchet. That was after Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore took Bol d’Or honours in the Dunlop-supplied category in a fine fourth overall with a line-up consisting of Enzo De La Vega, Baptiste Guittet, Maxim Pellizotti and Mathieu Gines, the 2014 EWC champion.
“For sure we didn’t expect it, but we tried to make the best race with all my team-mates and the team,” Gines said. “We did a good race with very constant stints. It was a very good performance, perhaps less performance than the team that topped the qualifying but, in the end, this team stopped the race. We finished a perfect race with a nice bike.”
New FIM Endurance World Cup winner Valentin Suchet, who lost out on the title in the final 20 minutes of last year’s Bol d’Or due to a technical issue, said: “Honestly, it was a really tough race, especially mentally. We went into it thinking it would be straightforward, no pressure, just run our race – but that’s not how it turned out. It was an emotional rollercoaster. At first, we thought it was just a minor mechanical issue. We lost a lap, no big deal, we got going again… then another issue, and another, and another – then the chain, then the radiator, and everything that came with it. After the chain broke, I damaged the shifter, had to bring it back in, and that even messed up the brake caliper. By the time I came back for the third time and went out for the fourth, I had tears under my helmet. We were exhausted, completely drained, and in my head, I thought it was over. It was an absolute nightmare of a race, but in the end, we were rewarded for all the hard work we’ve put in these past two years.”
Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda finished second to secure the runner-up spot in the title table as TRT27 AZ Moto took the chequered flag in third place. Outgoing champion squad Team 33 Louit April Moto placed fourth with 3ART Best of Bike in fifth and JMA Racing Action Bike completing the top-six Superstock finishers.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team started the Bol d’Or on pole position for the third year running as one of four overall title chasers. After a new race lap record from Markus Reiterberger – a 1m52.517s – helped BMW move into the lead in the early hours of Sunday morning, a crash for squad newcomer Hannes Soomer put Yoshimura SERT Motul back ahead. It also left the Estonian sidelined with a shoulder injury and forced Reiterberger and Illya Mykhalchyk to complete the race as a duo, albeit substantially delayed due to mechanical issues.
There was also frustration for Tati Team Beringer Racing and F.C.C. TSR Honda France, which both failed to go the distance due to engine failures having led early in the race. Honda Viltaïs Racing was on course to complete the podium after a lengthy battle with KM99 but dropped out of contention with an engine issue.
Maco Racing Team, Wójcik Racing Team and Mana-au Competition took season-best finishes of fifth, sixth and seventh respectively in Formula EWC but Motobox Kremer Racing retired.
Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, which had been in the top 10, stopped with a broken engine after 18h15. Meanwhile, ADSS 97 withdrew its Kawasaki due an overheating issue, while BMRT3D maxxwss Nevers, Honda No Limits, Tati Team Beringer Racing, Team Bolliger Switzerland and Uniserv Moto82 Team all dropped out during the night.
Having impressed throughout qualifying and having also led the Superstock category in the early stages, EWC newcomer Hungarian Endurance Racing Team by Moto-Jungle suffered Bol d’Or heartbreak when engine failure put it out shortly before 17h45. Superstock qualifying pacesetter Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team and Team Aviobike by M2 Revo were firmly in the top-three battle when they hit trouble. Team Étoile was leading its class when it retired on Sunday morning.
Superstock squads Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki, Slider Endurance, Pitlane Endurance – JP3, Team Players, Team Racing 85 by Soleane all finished but Honda No Limits, Team TCP Racing and Team 202 were less fortunate.
NEW PYRAMID TO CREATE PATHWAY TO THE TOP IN EWC
In partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe, which is marking 10 years as promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2024, is excited to set out a clear pathway to the top in the EWC with a new entry-level category, a key component as the build-up to 2025 begins.
WBD Sports’ commitment to further widening the appeal – and thereby increasing entry numbers – of international motorcycle racing’s toughest discipline is centred on a pyramid that gives riders and their teams alternative platforms to compete on, regardless of their level of experience and financial means. Utilising FIM-homologated 1000cc production-based motorcycles, the EWC’s ladder or progression starts with the all-new FIM Production World Trophy, continues with the Superstock class for more modified machinery and reaches its peak with Formula EWC, the fastest and most technically advanced tier.
YAMAHA R7 ENDURANCE SERIES TO JOIN TWO EWC WEEKENDS AS A SUPPORT RACE
In addition to the new FIM Production World Trophy, the new-for-2025 Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will be a support race at two European rounds of the EWC, serving as a potential starting point for riders and teams considering climbing the EWC pyramid in the future.
The all-new Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will provide a platform for riders and teams to progress from national to international level. Using the Yamaha R7 motorcycle on tyres from a controlled supplier, the Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will be contested over long-distance races at two European EWC events in 2025. This will give contenders the chance to experience an EWC event with the view of entering the championship as permanent teams in future seasons. The Yamaha R7 Endurance Series is open to all regardless of age and experience, either racing for a team or on a purely privateer basis.
Thailand’s Sakchai Kongduangdee (54), a race winner in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship, is heading to the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale in Portugal. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Thailand.
Kakeru and Sakchai selected to compete in Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale at Estoril
Two of the leading riders from the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship have been selected to race in the R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale.
Japan’s Kakeru Okunuke and Thailand’s Sakchai Kongduangdee will line up with contemporaries from all across the world in the R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale, which will be run at the 11th round of the FIM World Superbike Championship in Estoril, Portugal on October 11-13.
With five out of six rounds completed, Kakeru leads the APAC series, having mounted the podium 5 times, with 4 wins and one second. Sakchai has also achieved 5 podium finishes, with two wins, a second and two thirds. He is third in the standings. The selection of Kakeru and Sakchai gives the pair an early and exciting taste of life in the FIM World Superbike paddock.
Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship point leader Kakeru Okunuke (31) has been selected to compete in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale October 11-13 at Estoril. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Thailand.
The Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship is open to riders from 12 to 18 and provides a shot at world championship racing. The winner of the APAC title receives full support to race in the 2025 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup, which runs in conjunction with the FIM World Superbike Championship. Following on from that, the World Cup winner gets Yamaha support to race in the FIM World Supersport 300 Championship.The final round of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Championship is scheduled for the weekend of November 8-10 at The Bend in South Australia. It joins the program for Round 7 of the Australian Superbike Championship. For more information please visit https://www.yamahablucruasiapacific.com
Thailand’s Sakchai Kongduangdee (left) and Japan’s Kakeru Okunuke (right) have been selected to compete in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale October 11-13 at Estoril. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing Thailand.
Niccolo Canepa (1), as seen during the 2024 Bol d'Or 24-hour World Endurance race.. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Pata Prometeon Yamaha Field All-Italian Line-Up for Cremona, Rea Aiming for Aragon Return
Pata Prometeon Yamaha will feature an all-Italian rider line-up for Round 9 of the FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend at Cremona near Milan, from 20-22 September.
Spearheading the attack will be Andrea Locatelli – who is aiming for a strong weekend in front of the Italian fans, including many from his home town in Bergamo also nearby.
Based on current medical advice, both from his surgeon in France and local medical team in Northern Ireland, Jonathan Rea will miss the Italian Round in order to allow the skin graft and internal repairs to his right thumb to fully heal – with eyes firmly fixed on a return in Aragon next week. Rea withdrew from the French Round in Magny-Cours following a crash at the end of Lap 1 in Race 1 and underwent emergency surgery in Clermont-Ferrand on 7 September. The Northern Irishman has since focused on recovery at home, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions to assist healing.
Yamaha’s Official Test and Development Rider, Niccolò Canepa, will ride the Pata Prometeon Yamaha R1 WorldSBK in Cremona – joining the team for one final dance before his retirement from professional racing. Last weekend, Canepa finished third with his teammates for the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team at the 24-hour Bol d’Or race at Paul Ricard.
Canepa will join the pit box with Crew Chief Andrew Pitt, who provides an overview of the new WorldSBK venue in Italy from a technical point of view, citing the main ingredient to be competitive across the weekend.
“Cremona is not a “typical” World Championship-style circuit, it’s a tight and twisty little track where the riders use first gear a lot and it is quite short,” Pitt explains. “Qualifying will be the most important part of the weekend, it will be critical to be at front because overtaking is going to be very difficult. We only did half a day of testing with Jonathan for familiarisation, but Loka knew the circuit already and was fast. We should be able to really use the best strengths of the R1 WorldSBK for the braking and turns – so, if we can qualify well, we should be in a position to be able to fight for some good results!”
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship returns in Cremona as well, with Beatriz Neila and the #36 Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha entry. Neila finished fourth place in both races in Portimão last month and is fired up to fight for the podium once again, with three rounds remaining in the inaugural season of the series exclusively for women.
A jam-packed weekend schedule awaits, beginning with Free Practice for WorldWCR at 9:40 CEST on Friday, WorldSBK FP1 at 10:20, WorldWCR Superpole at 14:10 and WorldSBK FP2 at 15:00.
Andrea Locatelli
“I’m excited to be back on track, especially in Cremona because at the test we did a really good job. I hope that we can find immediately a good feeling on the bike and on track. Honestly, this week I think the Italian riders especially will race for Luca Salvadori. Luca was a special guy, a well-liked YouTuber and rider with the same passion as us – I am so sorry about what happened to him and the news of his passing was a shock to everyone, so for sure this week we will give something more also for this reason. Cremona is our closest “home race” and I think we will see a lot of warmth from the fans for this event. Magny-Cours was a difficult weekend in tricky conditions, but I want to be positive and I am excited to be back on track and to give my all for everyone – for Yamaha, for Pata Snack, for Prometeon and for the team and the fans. We will enjoy the races like always, but it is also important to take some good results and this is our target, so let’s see!”
Niccolò Canepa
“The news may come as a bit of a surprise since I announced my retirement a couple of weeks ago! But, to be honest, I am really proud to do one more race weekend – especially with this team, Pata Prometeon Yamaha, Crescent and Yamaha’s official R1 WorldSBK with this crew. I am really sorry for what happened with Jonathan and I wish him a speedy recovery. On the other side I am thankful to Yamaha for this opportunity. It’s always great to race for this team and to race for Yamaha in WorldSBK. Cremona is a track that I don’t know so well, I just did a few laps one day with the Yamaha R7 for the WorldWCR shakedown and I am aware that it is going to be a challenging weekend in terms of performance. For my job as the WorldSBK test rider, we may have something to test and if I can give feedback to help the other Yamaha riders on track then it will be “mission accomplished”. I am really happy and looking forward to the “very last” race weekend of my career now, so let’s see what we can do!”
Josh Herrin (2) leads Cameron Beaubier (6), Sean Dylan Kelly (40), and the rest of the field at the start of MotoAmerica Superbike Race Three at COTA. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
STRONG RESULTS FOR SUZUKI ACROSS ALL CLASSES IN TEXAS
A Win, and Multiple Podium Finishes for Suzuki Racers at the Circuit of the Americas
Brea, CA — The official MotoAmerica entries of Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) collected some serious trophy hardware at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend, scoring podium finishes across all three of its classes.
Race Highlights
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Superbike
Richie Escalante finished on the box for the second time in his premier-class career in only his second weekend back from injury.
Brandon Paasch enjoyed a strong weekend, scooping up two sixths and a seventh.
Supersport
Tyler Scott was in dynamic form, battling up front en route to second- and fourth-place finishes.
Teagg Hobbs endured a difficult weekend in Austin.
Joel Ohman continued to gain experience and speed as the weekend progressed
Twins Cup
Rossi Moor bravely fought back following a devastating Saturday crash to finish as the race runner-up on Sunday.
Altus Motorsports
Supersport
Jake Lewis takes the Supersport Race 1 victory on his GSX-R750.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines
Twins Cup
Rocco Landers had a weekend to forget in Twins Cup action but still wound up second in the final championship standings aboard the all-new GSX-8R.
Richie Escalante (54) has returned to form post injury despite low personal expectations. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
It didn’t take long for Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike ace Richie Escalante to return to peak form after missing the bulk of the ‘24 campaign due to an injury suffered in the season opener. The Mexican raced near the front aboard his GSX-R1000R all weekend long, highlighted by a third-place finish in Race 1 that marked his second-career MotoAmerica Superbike podium. While he crashed out of fifth in Race 2, Escalante finished out the weekend with an excellent run to fourth in Race 3.
“I’m super happy to finish on the podium – especially this season where I wasn’t expecting to be able to do it,” Escalante said. “My goal was just to get back out there and race these final three weekends to prepare for next year. I love this track, and my bike and crew worked so well this weekend.”
Brandon Paasch (96) ran inside the top 10 all weekend on his GSX-R1000R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Escalante’s premier-class teammate, Brandon Paasch, rounded out an all-around strong weekend for the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike crew, stringing together finishes of seventh, sixth, and sixth aboard his GSX-R1000R.
“The second race on Sunday was really nice, running at the front end of the field,” said Paasch. “I didn’t have a lot left in the tank the last couple of laps, but I felt confident being up there. The bike felt good, and they weren’t getting away. That’s the closest I have been to the winner in a Superbike race although not the best result. We have one more event at my home track and maybe we can build on this.”
Tyler Scott (70) earned his spot on the podium on Sunday aboard the next-generation GSX-R750. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Supersport ace Tyler Scott took a starring role this weekend himself, qualifying second quick aboard the next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750 and then tussling for the podium in both outings. He came up just short of a top-three on Saturday, finishing fourth in what was a five-rider melee for second. Scott got his revenge on Sunday, successfully defending his position over a tense final few laps to hold on for second.
Scott said, “I wasn’t really happy with fourth – we’re trying to be on the top of the box, but today was a lot better. I have to give thanks to the whole Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for all the hard work they put in over the second half of the season to get the bike dialed in. I couldn’t ask much more out of the bike today – I had a great feeling on it.”
Scott’s Supersport teammate, Teagg Hobbs, found the going considerably more difficult in Texas. Hobbs finished 16th on Saturday and then suffered a DNF on Sunday.
“We were having a problem slowing down the bike in both races,” Hobbs said. “I couldn’t slow down going into the corners, and I pulled in about halfway. I wasn’t able to ride around it, and we weren’t getting good data. We will work hard to get it fixed for the next race.”
The squad’s third Supersport pilot, Joel Ohman, continued to accumulate experience, twice improving upon his qualifying position in the races.
Ohman said, “I went 1.8 seconds faster than last year, and my race pace was better. We are still working on setup, and I didn’t feel I could fully battle with the bike yet. But we are improving and the lap times are the real story. We have a strong idea of what to address for New Jersey so we can still keep making more solid progress.”
Rossi Moor (92) proved to be unwavering this weekend with a spectacular crash on Saturday, followed by a second-place finish on Sunday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki’s Rossi Moor showed serious grit, determination and speed aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R in Twins Cup action. Moor’s race on Saturday ended in prematurely due to a terrifying highside crash suffered while holding down second position. Undaunted, the young gun came back out on Sunday to earn a runner-up result. Doing so secured him fifth in the class’ final championship standings on the strength of four podiums.
“I’m still a little banged and bruised, but nothing ever stopped me,” Moor said. “It was a great race – it was definitely a hot one. I’m glad to be on the podium, and I can’t thank my team enough. It’s been a great year developing this bike. It’s been a bit up and down, but looking back on it, it was worth all the hard work we put in, especially finishing up with a second-place finish.”
Jake Lewis (85) utilized his Altus Motorsports GSX-R750 to get a win this weekend. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Suzuki congratulates Jake Lewis and Altus Motorsports on their Supersport Race 1 victory. Lewis was able to capitalize on his great start and finished out front with a near three second lead on his GSX-R750.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines star Rocco Landers had a similarly difficult Saturday but was less fortunate in his hopes of a successful rebound on Sunday. Landers crashed twice in Saturday’s race, resulting in a DNF, while Sunday’s rematch saw him forced to retire due to mechanical issues. Despite the disappointing Twins Cup finale, Landers wrapped up the season ranked second in the points with four victories and seven total podiums.
Rocco Landers (97) had a hard weekend on track without finishing a race, but his strong season keeps him ranked in second for points. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
“I had a small mistake in Race 1 that cost me a good finish, and we had a mechanical in Race 2. The team was great all weekend, anything that went wrong was on me. It was a great season, and the bike performed way better than I expected. It’s the most fun twin I have ever ridden. I learned a lot of great lessons this year and am looking forward to what the future holds.”
While the Twins Cup season is now complete, the official Suzuki Superbike and Supersport runners will conclude their season at the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season finale, which will be waged at New Jersey Motorsports Park on September 27-29.
For more information and updates on Team Hammer, visit teamhammer.com.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 373 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:
Petersen Concludes MotoAmerica Superbike Tripleheader at Texas with Pair of Top-10 Finishes
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen finished seventh and 10th on the final day of racing at COTA
Attack Performance/Progressive Yamaha’s Cameron Petersen (45) and Xavi Fores (34). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Yamaha.
MARIETTA, Ga. – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen scored a pair of top-10 finishes, crossing the line seventh and 10th, respectively, in Sunday’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 and Race 3 at the Circuit of The Americas. Fill-in rider Xavi Forés battled in the tricky conditions and finished eighth in the first race of the day, but unfortunately had to withdraw from the final race of the weekend.
It was another hot day making for challenging conditions on the newly resurfaced track in Austin, Texas. After a tough start to the tripleheader weekend, Petersen had a much better start from the fourth row of the grid in Race 2 and was ninth on the opening lap. He then passed his teammate on the following lap to move to eighth and gained another position when a rider ahead crashed. From there it was a four-rider battle for sixth, with riders jockeying for position. On the final lap, Petersen made the move to seventh, where he would finish.
In Race 3, Petersen got a great start in fifth, but unfortunately the race was redflagged after the opening lap with oil on track leading into the first turn. After the complete restart of the shortened 10-lap race, the South African was eighth and advanced to seventh, but was struggling with grip and shuffled to 13th on the following lap. Petersen continued to fight despite the challenges and made his way back to 10th, salvaging points on a tough weekend.
Forés had another good start in Race 2, slotting into the top five, but found himself eighth on that opening lap after running wide in the greasy track conditions. He then found himself further back in ninth, but the Spaniard regrouped and made his way to eighth before the halfway mark. In that four-rider battle for sixth, Forés exchanged positions and moved to sixth with two laps to go, but would ultimately cross the line eighth. After the complete restart of the final race of the weekend, Forés was ninth. He did what he could to maintain the position despite dealing with a technical issue but had to withdraw from the race with four laps remaining.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team heads to Millville, New Jersey, in two weeks’ time for the MotoAmerica season finale at the New Jersey Motorsports Park on September 27-29.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“It was an unfortunate situation at COTA. We did the best we could with the cards that we were dealt. We’re moving on to New Jersey and look to finish the season strong.”
Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45
“It was a challenging weekend for the team. We did everything we could to make the most out of what we had, but just couldn’t make it work. We will bounce back for Jersey.”
Xavi Forés – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #34
“It was a pretty tough weekend for all the Yamahas out there. The maximum we could do is fight for a top six. We struggled a lot with grip, especially in Race 3 where we had an issue and had to retire. It wasn’t what we were expecting before the weekend, but it is what it is. I want to say thanks to the team because they worked so hard to give me the best bike possible today. I’m looking forward to New Jersey, which I think is a track that will suit our bike better, and I will try to make some improvements on myself now that I am more familiar with the bike.”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Indian Motorcycle Racing and Troy Herfoss Win at Circuit of the Americas, Now Two Points Back in King of the Baggers Championship Standings
Three-Time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss Goes 1-2 Aboard S&S Indian Challenger, Eyes Potential First-Career King of the Baggers Championship as Final Round Approaches
S&S Indian’s Troy Herfoss (17). Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
AUSTIN, TX. – Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing delivered a remarkable performance this weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Down 14 points heading into the eighth round of the 2024 King of the Baggers (KOTB) season, Indian Motorcycle factory rider Troy Herfoss delivered the results needed to make a final push for his first-career KOTB championship – piloting his No. 17 S&S Indian Challenger to his sixth win and sixth second-place finish of the season.
Herfoss started the weekend off hot, winning the Mission Foods Challenge, its $5,000 prize, and qualifying for the pole position for the weekend’s KOTB doubleheader. Race 1 saw both Indian Motorcycle factory riders run in the front pack, as Herfoss took second and Tyler O’Hara successfully edged out Harley-Davidson factory rider Kyle Wyman for third – further widening the point differential between Herfoss and Wyman. In Race 2, Herfoss showcased his racing prowess, leading all six laps with precision and successfully capping off the weekend with his sixth KOTB victory.
“This was a great team effort, as S&S had the Indian Challengers dialed in to near perfection while Troy and Tyler worked together to fully maximize this important weekend at COTA,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re riding a high after that performance and carrying momentum into New Jersey that will put us in great position to fight for the No. 1 plate.”
MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers season concludes with a doubleheader at New Jersey Motorsports Park September 27-29. The 2024 season has seen an intense battle between the two factory teams, as both Herfoss and Wyman each have six wins and six second-place finishes this season. Since bagger racing’s debut in 2020, when O’Hara won the inaugural race aboard the S&S Indian Challenger, each American V-Twin factory team has earned one KOTB series championship, with Indian Motorcycle winning in 2022 and Harley-Davidson in 2021.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram. Indian Motorcycle Racing and the S&S Indian Challenger is sponsored by S&S, Progressive, Mission Foods, Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, and Performance Finance.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
ABOUT S&S® CYCLE
S&S® Cycle was born from a passion for racing and has spent over six decades building performance for the powersports market. Their unwavering focus on quality, reliability and top shelf power has made S&S® Cycle the absolute leader in high performance on the street and track.
More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
MotoAmerica: Altus Motorsports Results from Circuit of the Americas
(Austin, TX) Successful weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas for the Altus Motorsports team.
Jake Lewis brought home a win for the Altus Motorsports team. He qualified with the 4th fastest Supersport time on his GSX-R750. Jake took the lead on lap 1 of Saturday’s race and never looked back. The win was a great reward for Lewis and the team after a challenging season. In Race 2, he crossed the finish line in 5th, just a tenth of a second out of 4th place.
Jake Lewis (85). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Jake Lewis: “It felt so good to win my first Supersport race in 10 years. The team has worked so hard all year, and the bike felt really good. In Race 2, the pace was faster, and it was my 5th race of the weekend in the brutal heat. Halfway through, I just got physically exhausted, which was a bit of a bummer. We’re still 3rd in points with just the finale left, so it’ll be time to give it my all again at New Jersey.”
Coming into the weekend, the team decided to change the suspension hardware on Jaret Nassaney’s GSX-R to match the setup that Lewis is running. With that, they also consolidated the setup decisions within the team. This created more parity and allowed for better data sharing between teammates. The changes worked for Jaret. He leaves Texas with a 15th on Saturday and a 14th on Sunday. While not where he wants to be, he goes to New Jersey with confidence.
Jaret Nassaney (59). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Jaret Nassaney: “Really happy with the direction we are headed and looking forward to carrying it forward to New Jersey. I love that track and can’t wait to apply the progress we made at COTA.”
Torin Collins qualified 17th in the crowded Supersport class, which featured 32 riders. In Race 1, he fought his way to an impressive 9th-place finish. During Race 2, Collins engaged in a tight three-bike battle for 7th place but ultimately finished in 9th.
Torin Collins (171). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Torin Collins: “Very fun weekend. We didn’t get the top 5 I wanted, but I can’t complain with two top-ten finishes after starting 17th. We are definitely on the right path and I’m looking forward to ending the season strong.”
George Nassaney: “This year has been tough, but we finally had a weekend where everything clicked. All our riders performed exceptionally well, and the crew is truly coming together as a team. We’re celebrating Jake’s win and are excited to carry this momentum into New Jersey to close out the season on a high note. It was also great to have our sponsors Buy A Jet From Steve Main, SBS, and Moto Liberty/Taichi spend the weekend with our team.”
Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, WPS, Firepower, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Barnett, Evol Technology, Maxima Oils, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Pit Bull Products, GB Racing, Ohlins, K-Tech, Puig Racing, RS Taichi, Arai, Core Moto, Pro Bolt, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, Law Tigers Oklahoma, and Altus Factory Racing.
More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:
Cameron does the double whilst JD and Stefano show front running pace at COTA
Tytlers Cycle Racing are still in with a shot of lifting the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike title thanks to Cameron Beaubier’s double win and second place finish in the penultimate round of the series at the Circuit of the Americas.
Dominating practice, the #6 BMW M1000RR rider broke the outright circuit record in qualifying to take pole position for all three races, his team mate JD Beach also riding well to secure a third row of the grid start in eighth.
Saturday’s opening race saw Beaubier locked in an incredible battle with his closest rival for the title Josh Herrin and Sean Dylan Kelly. Trading fastest laps the race became a two-rider affair following SDK’s retirement with Cameron pulling away in the closing stages to claim victory.
Race two was an equally thrilling affair with the same three riders swapping positions several times a lap. Cameron crossed the line second but importantly ahead of Herrin to keep the pressure on in terms of the championship fight.
In temperatures of almost one hundred degrees, race three was for many the highlight of the weekend with the three aforementioned riders once again covered by the narrowest of margins from start to finish. At the flag Beaubier got the nod taking his second win of the weekend to ensure the title fight goes to the final round in New Jersey in a fortnight.
JD Beach produced solid results crossing the line fifth, ninth and seventh in three races respectively, leaving COTA eighth overall in the championship.
The team’s other rider Stefano Mesa was also back in action in both Supersport and Super Hooligans. The #37 races to seventh and eighth place finishes aboard his Kawasaki in Supersport, whilst on the Energica in the Hooligans class he crossed the line eleventh and ninth.
Cameron Beaubier (6). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
Cameron Beaubier: “It was good to ride COTA again on a superbike, especially on the BMW M1000 RR. The team got the bike working good around the place and they made progress with the setup every race.in all three races we had good battles, and it felt good going 1-2-1. It was a hot one. The championship is out of sight now but with what I have been through this year I am content. We will give it our all at jersey!”
JD Beach (95). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
JD Beach: “COTA race weekend was a hot one, but I always love going there. The track is a lot of fun and we had to work hard since there were three superbike races. Friday was a rough day with a mechanical problem, starting our weekend on the backfoot. My crew worked hard and gave me a great bike for first qualifying. We didn’t have our best qualifying, but we got some good data going into Saturday. For race one I got a great start and was able to latch onto the leaders and up my pace a bit. After a race long battle with Loris Baz, we were able to get a fifth. Races two and three weren’t as good for us. Picking up a ninth and seventh. I know the crew and I gave it our all, but we just couldn’t get the job done. We are not done yet and I am looking forward to NJMP.”
Stefano Mesa (37). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
Stefano Mesa: “Cota was a hot one this past weekend. It started on a positive note and the team worked hard to give me the best bikes possible. The hooligan weekend on the Energica was all progress every session out. We found some time and figured out the bike a bit more. I was able to go three seconds faster than last year by Q2 and we got closer to the pack of factory bikes. Both races were good. We had solid races running in P7 for the whole race, but unfortunately the heat was so bad we had to slow down on the last lap just a bit to finish the races. We ended race one P11 and P9 in race two. It’s the end of the season for this class and we sure will miss it. We did solid steps forward at every round and the class keeps getting more stacked. Big thanks to the Tytlers & Energica boys for making all this work out and hopefully we will be back next year for some more. It was the first time around COTA on a Supersport bike for me. We made some good times through FP and Q1 on Friday. For Q2 we did a big chassis change to see if we could go quicker but unfortunately, we went backwards so we ended up racing on what we knew would work. Race one we got a good start, and I was able to run with the front pack for a few laps. I ended up in a good battle for the podium with six other riders an ended up P7 at the flag. In race two we struggled a bit and fell back off the start, but we kept working and passed a few guys. It was another good battle, and we ended up P8.”
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS followed by a 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200. Photo courtesy Triumph.
TRIUMPH REVEALS NEW SPEED TWIN 1200 RS AND NEXT GENERATION SPEED TWIN 1200
Triumph Motorcycles launches two new Speed Twin models for 2025, including a new, even more dynamic 1200 RS model
Chassis upgrades and extra technology including Optimized Cornering ABS and traction control, enhance its engaging, focused and dynamic handling
Thrilling sports performance, with an extra 5HP peak power
Refreshed styling that blends contemporary sports features with classic design elements
Triumph Motorcycles has announced significant updates to its Speed Twin 1200, as well as the launch of a new Speed Twin 1200 RS, which is more focused, more engaging and with even sharper responses.
Available in dealers around the world beginning December 2024, the new Speed Twin 1200 features chassis upgrades including Marzocchi forks and twin Marzocchi rear suspension units, further enhancing the engaging and dynamic handling, taking corners in a balanced, natural and confidence-inspiring way.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS at speed. Photo courtesy Triumph.
This sophisticated handling is coupled with extra performance, with an extra 5HP peak power to deliver added character and sports thrills. New technologies, like Optimized Cornering ABS and traction control, are integrated seamlessly and sensitively.
The styling has been refreshed to blend a bright, contemporary sports style with modern classic design DNA, and features beautiful design details that showcase Triumph’s exceptional build quality.
The new RS model will offer riders even more. Sportier ergonomics, courtesy of repositioned handlebars and rear-set footpegs, are matched with an exceptional level of specification, including fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and top-spec Öhlins rear suspension units, as well as Brembo Stylema calipers. A pair of Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires are fitted as standard, and Triumph Shift Assist is included for the first time on a Modern Classic.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS at rest. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Steve Sargent – Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles
“The new Speed Twin 1200 RS is more focused, more engaging and with even sharper responses. It’s designed for riders who want the absolute best in dynamic performance, with classic sporty looks.
The updates to the new Speed Twin 1200 are a significant evolution for this much-loved model, and as always, we’ve made sure we retain the superior handling and classic style that everyone admires, while introducing extra power and technology that improves the riding experience seamlessly.”
CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC SPORTS STYLE
The new tank is more sculpted, with raked lines and deep front cutouts, and there is a new flip-up fuel cap. The side panels are simpler and styled to integrate into the new minimal throttle body covers with their brushed aluminum finisher.
Many classic-inspired details have been refined and updated, including new black powder-coated engine casings, which are now leaner and more angular. More compact silencers add to the timeless beauty of the uninterrupted exhaust run.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 at speed. Photo courtesy Triumph.
The elegant round headlight is housed within a new brushed aluminum bezel and stylish cast aluminum finishers.
The stunning one-piece bench seat has been reprofiled to be shallower and more sculpted, matching the sporty styling, and is narrower at the front, facilitating an easier stand over position for riders. The RS seat gains a sporty and stylish napped finish with exceptional stitch detailing.
New cast aluminum wheels perfectly complement the new bodywork with seven pairs of slim spokes angled in a sporty turbine pattern.
A 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 at rest. Photo courtesy Triumph.
For the Speed Twin 1200, two split-color designs accentuate the modern feel further, with a bold ‘1200’ tank graphic separating either a Crystal White or Carnival Red upper from a Sapphire black lower that creates a sleeker look by making the tank appear shallower and longer. There’s also a more classically inspired Aluminum Silver option with discreet ‘1200’ numbering and twin black stripes.
The Speed Twin 1200 RS comes in two choices; a bright Baja Orange or subtle Sapphire Black, both with RS decals in gold which complement the anodized suspension components.
FOCUSED DYNAMIC HANDLING
Increasing choice for riders, each Speed Twin 1200 model has its own specific riding position, creating a distinct feel and personality.
Creating a more spacious feel while riding, the bars on the new Speed Twin 1200 are higher and further forward than the previous model. The 1.7” (43mm) diameter Marzocchi forks and twin Marzocchi rear suspension units have been upgraded and now feature remote reservoirs in addition to adjustable preload on the back. These upgrades to the chassis increase the agility of the dynamic Speed Twin 1200, while ensuring a smooth, high-quality ride in real-world conditions. New Triumph-branded radial calipers mounted to twin 12.6” (320mm) discs provide excellent stopping power, together with all-round Metzeler Sportec M9RR tires, fitted as standard.
For riders looking for an even more dynamic performance and extra thrills, the new Speed Twin 1200 RS has a more engaged and focused riding position. With the rear of the bike raised, the seat height increases slightly. The handlebars remain at the same height as the previous generation, but move further forwards, while the footpegs are slightly raised and further back.
Top specification suspension matches the dynamic attitude of the RS, with fully-adjustable Marzocchi forks and Öhlins rear suspension units. Added finesse is provided by twin Brembo Stylema calipers on 12.6” (320mm) discs and high performance Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires as standard.
THRILLING SPORTS PERFORMANCE
An extra 5HP of peak power has been achieved from Triumph’s impressive high-compression Bonneville 1200 twin engine, reaching 103.5HP at 7750rpm, pulling harder for longer up to the rev limit. The 270-degree firing order and low inertia crankshaft provide instant response with distinct and characterful power pulses and retains a rich torque delivery throughout the rev range, peaking at 82.6 LB-FT (112 Nm).
BLENDING LATEST TECHNOLOGY WITH CLASSIC DESIGN
Combining modern performance with classic personality, riders can tailor the engine response with Road and Rain riding modes, and now benefit from Optimized Cornering ABS and traction control, which are fitted as standard on both models. The focused Speed Twin 1200 RS has an additional Sport riding mode, which sharpens the throttle response and optimizes the traction control settings, adding to the bike’s powerful and dynamic feel.
In a first for the Bonneville platform, and unique to this version, the Speed Twin 1200 RS will be fitted with Triumph Shift Assist, an up and down quickshifter that perfectly complements the power delivery and character of the bike. Discreetly placed behind the gear-shifter, the bike’s modern classic styling is maintained.
New LCD and TFT displays have been meticulously encased in a classic circular dial, improving visibility and functionality, while retaining the Speed Twin’s timeless look. This enables compatibility with turn-by-turn navigation and phone connectivity, as well as concealing a convenient USB-C charging socket.
PREMIUM FINISH AND DETAILING
Riders taking a closer look will be rewarded with examples of Triumph’s acute attention to detail. From the re-styled heel guards and headlight bezel to the embellishers on the new side panels, these details are crafted from aluminum, with a brushed finish, and the aluminum swingarm and the new headlight brackets are clear-anodized to ensure that quality finish is even more durable. The Speed Twin 1200 RS comes with the special addition of brushed aluminum front and rear mudguards.
ACCESSORIES
More than 70% of Speed Twin customers add Triumph accessories to their bike, reflecting their personal style, which is why there is the option to add over 50 genuine accessories, including clip-on bars, a quilted bullet seat or a seat cowl, for those seeking a modern café racer.
AVAILABILITY & PRICE
The new Speed Twin 1200 will be available from $13,595 USD / $15,495 CAD and the new Speed Twin 1200 RS will be available from $15,995 / $18,395 CAD. Customers can configure their own or find out more at triumphmotorcycles.com. Bikes will be arriving in dealerships beginning mid-December 2024.
SPECIFICATION – SPEED TWIN 1200 RS
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Type
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 2700 firing order
Capacity
1200 cc
Bore
3.84” (97.6 mm)
Stroke
3.15: (80.0 mm)
Compression
12.1:1
Maximum Power
105 PS / 103.5 bhp (77.2 kW) @ 7,750 rpm
Maximum Torque
82.6 lb-ft (112 Nm) @ 4,250 rpm
Fuel System
Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes.
Exhaust
Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers
Final Drive
X-ring chain
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate, slip & assist
Gearbox
6-speed
CHASSIS
Frame
Tubular steel, with steel cradles
Swingarm
Twin sided aluminum
Front Wheel
Cast aluminum alloy 17” x 3.5”
Rear Wheel
Cast aluminum alloy 17” x 5.0”
Front Tire
120/70 R17
Rear Tire
160/60 R17
Front Suspension
1.69” (43mm) upside-down Marzocchi forks, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 4.72” (120 mm) wheel travel
Rear Suspension
Twin Öhlins RSUs with external reservoirs, adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping. 4.84” (123 mm) wheel travel
Single 8.66” (220mm) fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS
Instruments
LCD multi-function instruments with integrated color TFT screen
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Length
81.6” (2073 mm)
Width (Handlebars)
31.2” (792 mm)
Height Without Mirrors
44.4” (1127 mm)
Seat Height
31.9” (810 mm)
Wheelbase
55.7” (1414 mm)
Rake
22.6 °
Trail
3.62” (92 mm)
Wet weight
476 lbs (216 kg)
Fuel Tank Capacity
3.83 gallons (14.5 liters)
SERVICE
Service Interval
10,000 miles (16,000km) / 12 months
CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS (EU)
Fuel Consumption
TBC
Emissions
EURO 5+
CO2 emissions and fuel consumption data are measured according to regulation 168/2013/EC. Figures for fuel consumption are derived from specific test conditions and are for comparative purposes only. They may not reflect real driving results.
SPECIFICATION – SPEED TWIN 1200
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Type
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, 8 valve, SOHC, 2700 firing order
Capacity
1200 cc
Bore
3.84” (97.6 mm)
Stroke
3.15” (80.0 mm)
Compression
12.1:1
Maximum Power
105 PS / 103.5 bhp (77.2 kW) @ 7,750 rpm
Maximum Torque
82.6 lb-ft (112 Nm) @ 4,250 rpm
Fuel System
Multipoint fuel injection with electronic throttle control. Two rider modes.
Exhaust
Brushed stainless steel 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin brushed stainless steel silencers
Single 8.66” (220mm) fixed disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, OCABS
Instruments
LCD multi-function instruments with integrated color TFT screen
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Length
81.5” (2070 mm)
Width (Handlebars)
31.2” (792 mm)
Height Without Mirrors
44.9” (1140 mm)
Seat Height
31.7” (805 mm)
Wheelbase
55.6” (1413 mm)
Rake
22.4 °
Trail
3.58” (91 mm)
Wet weight
476 lbs (216 kg)
Fuel Tank Capacity
3.83 gallons (14.5 liters)
SERVICE
Service Interval
10,000 miles (16,000km) / 12 months
CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS (EU)
Fuel Consumption
TBC
Emissions
EURO 5+
CO2 emissions and fuel consumption data are measured according to regulation 168/2013/EC. Figures for fuel consumption are derived from specific test conditions and are for comparative purposes only. They may not reflect real driving results.
Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson's Cory West (13) and Jake Lewis (85) during a MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race at COTA. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
VANCE & HINES HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACER ROCCO LANDERS SCORES FIRST KING OF THE BAGGERS VICTORY AT COTA; HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACER KYLE WYMAN HOLDS KOTB SERIES POINTS LEAD HEADING INTO SERIES FINALE
Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Racer Cory West Claims Super Hooligan Championship
MILWAUKEE (September 16, 2024) – RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson® rider Rocco Landers scored his first series victory and Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman maintained his series points lead in a double-header weekend of MotoAmerica® Mission King of the Baggers racing action at Circuit of the Americas in Travis County, Texas. Landers won the Saturday race and finished third on Sunday. With a fourth-place finish on Saturday and second place on Sunday, Wyman holds a two-point championship lead heading into the final double-header weekend of the season.
Cory West (back row holding #1 plate) won the 2024 MotoAmerica Super Hooligan Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
West Crowned Mission Super Hooligan Champion
Team Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson rider Cory West on Sunday won the 10-race Mission Super Hooligan championship aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle. A consistent front-runner all season, West scored three series race wins and was on the podium in six other races. The veteran racer from Eureka Springs, Ark., took over the points lead with a win and a second-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on September 18. At Circuit of the Americas, West locked up the title with a third-place finish on Saturday and second place on Sunday, holding off the challenge of the defending Super Hooligan champion, S&S Indian rider Tyler O’Hara.
“The Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Pan America, I can’t say enough. That bike worked awesome,” said West after locking up the title. “This was a really stressful race. I had to finish at least third and I knew Tyler was going to go out and try to win it. I just kept my head down and did what I could. This is a dream come true. It’s something you always wanted when you were a kid and started racing. To be a champion, it’s just complete. I really have to thank everybody. Dave, Amy, Chris. My beautiful wife, who is due in eight days. Jake, Taylor, Kento, Eric, Matty, Fury, Ricky, everybody. I love you guys. My family is here this weekend. I’ve got so many friends. We brought home the number-one plate, and I couldn’t be happier.”
For the season, West scored 183 points to take the title. O’Hara finished second with 179 points, followed by Team Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson rider Jake Lewis with 146 points.
Rocco Landers (97) leads Troy Herfoss (17) during a King Of The Baggers race at COTA. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
Landers Breaks Through
The race win by 19-year-old Landers followed a string of four consecutive Mission King of the Bagger podium finishes. Landers qualified third at Circuit of the Americas and led each of the six laps in Saturday’s main event on the 3.472-mile, 20-turn road course. Landers held off the determined challenge of Factory Indian riders Troy Herfoss and Tyler O’Hara to win by 1.347 seconds.
“I got a decent start and then took advantage of some of the other riders getting caught up in traffic,” said Landers. “Everyone on the Vance & Hines team has been working so hard all season, so a big shout-out to the team and my family for all the support.”
On Sunday Wyman was in second place and chasing Herfoss when the race was stopped for fluid leaked on the track by Factory Indian rider O’Hara. The race was re-started with five laps remaining, and Herfoss again took the lead with Wyman trailing by less than a second as the pair opened a gap on Landers, Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider James Rispoli and RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim. Wyman trailed Herfoss by 0.445 seconds at the finish, with Landers third, Gillim fourth and Rispoli fifth.
“I’m happy with the ride today,” said Wyman after Sunday’s race. “We had a slow build all weekend, and today I had good pace in a couple of spots on the track but not enough to risk a pass for the lead. We’ll leave here with the points lead. I’ve got some great memories from previous races at New Jersey, so let’s go back there make a few more.”
On the opening lap of Sunday’s race, Rispoli suspected a flat rear tire and pulled off the track on the second lap.
“We had podium pace all weekend,” said Rispoli. “We have really found a great setting and I am getting confident on the bike. The finishing positions don’t show the potential we have, and we hope to put the final pieces of the puzzle together at New Jersey.”
After 16 of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Wyman has 315 points to 313 for Herfoss. Gillim is in third place with 213 points, followed by O’Hara with 198 points, Landers with 179 points, and Rispoli with 175 points.
The final race in the Mission King of the Baggers series is September 27-29 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results – Circuit of the Americas Race 1
Alessandro Di Mario (27). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy Aprilia.
Aprilia RS 660 conquers America
ALESSANDRO DI MARIO IS 2024 MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP CHAMPION
The 15-year-old rookie Alessandro Di Mario is the new Twins Cup Champion in MotoAmerica, riding the Aprilia RS 660 for Team Rodio Racing — Powered by Robem Engineering. At the recent Circuit of the Americas race weekend, Di Mario secured the pole position and won both races to become the second rider to win the Twins Cup title, a class dedicated to twin-cylinder bikes, on an Aprilia RS 660.
Di Mario arrived at COTA 19 points behind the championship leader and clinched the title after a dominant weekend. He was the fastest rider in every practice session and qualifying, winning both Twins Cup races with significant margins and securing the title with a 31-point lead.
Di Mario, the 15-year-old from Kentucky, completed his rookie season in Twins Cup with three wins, six additional podium finishes and three pole positions in 12 races, becoming the second rider to win a Twins Cup title on an Aprilia RS 660.
Aprilia has now won half of the championships it has contested since homologating the RS 660 for MotoAmerica Twins Cup in 2021, where it won the championship in its first year. The RS 660 continues to deliver high levels of performance and competitiveness, as shown by its excellent results in MotoAmerica. In the 2024 season, it secured 17 podiums finishes over 12 races and has achieved over 70 podiums in the Twins Cup Championship since its debut four seasons ago. In the final 2024 Twins Cup championship standings, five of the Top 10 riders raced an Aprilia RS 660.
ALESSANDRO DI MARIO
“I am extremely happy to have won the championship. I couldn’t have done it without the support of all my sponsors, my fantastic team, and the Aprilia RS 660, which has proven to be a winner once again. Thank you all!.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA
“I would like to congratulate Alessandro Di Mario and the Rodio Racing Team Powered by Robem Engineering for winning the Twins Cup title in MotoAmerica. Despite being only 15 years old, Alessandro has shown great speed, talent, and the ability to fight. The combination with the Aprilia RS 660 was perfect, winning the championship for the second time in its four years of participation in the Twins Cup. This is the best way to consolidate a path that will take it to world competitions soon.”
More, from a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Di Mario claims pole, wins two races to clinch the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup title
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering rider, Twins Cup rookie caps off season with dominant performance Sept. 13-15 at Circuit of the Americas
Alessandro Di Mario, the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy Aprilia.
AUSTIN, Texas – It turned out to be a dream rookie campaign for Alessandro Di Mario in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup. The Kentuckian and 2022 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner capped off his first year racing in Twins Cup with a perfect weekend – pole position, two race wins and a come-from-behind effort to capture the 2024 Twins Cup title.
Di Mario started the Sept. 13-15 round at the Circuit of the Americas with a 19-point deficit in the Twins Cup points standings, but his dominant form – along with his chief rival in the championship battle enduring several setbacks – enabled Di Mario to win the title by a 31-point margin. The title is a testament to Di Mario’s consistently strong results this season despite racing in a new class. In the 12 Twins Cup contests held in 2024, Di Mario scored three victories, six additional podium finishes and three pole positions.
The championship also marked the second Twins Cup title won by an Aprilia rider in the last four years. The Robem Engineering team won the 2021 title with rider Kaleb De Keyrel in Aprilia’s debut season in the class.
Di Mario’s teammate, Gus Rodio, also had a positive end to what turned into a challenging season. He qualified just off the front row in fourth place and earned third- and fourth-place finishes in the races on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, to finish the season fourth in the points standings.
Both Di Mario and Rodio showed strong pace from the start of the weekend. Di Mario topped the time sheets in Friday morning practice with a 2:18.270 lap time, and Rodio ended that session sixth-fastest. Di Mario’s pace improved later Friday in Qualifying 1, where he lowered his best time of the weekend to a 2:17.742 — which was 2.280 seconds faster than the next-fastest rider in the session. Rodio showed an even bigger improvement as he shaved more than two seconds off his best time from practice to provisionally qualify fourth.
Qualifying wrapped up Saturday morning with Di Mario having claimed pole position. He went more than half a second faster than in Qualifying 1 to take pole by 0.812 seconds. Rodio lowered his best lap time of the weekend to a 2:20.827, which was good enough for fourth place on the starting grid for the round’s two Twins Cup contests.
Later Saturday in Race 1, Di Mario didn’t get the best jump off the line but quickly made his way to the front before the field had reached Turn 1. Di Mario was in firm control of the race lead when the race was stopped on Lap 4 due to a crash. When racing resumed with five laps to go, Di Mario again led the field at the end of Lap 1 – and every lap thereafter. He went on to take the win by almost seven seconds – his second victory of the season – and assumed the points lead for the first time in his Twins Cup career. Rodio also had a very good race, as he joined his teammate on the podium with a third-place finish.
Sunday afternoon’s Race 2 had Di Mario’s dominant form on full, uninterrupted display as he capped off his title-winning season on the top step of the podium. Di Mario and his chief rival raced each other hard for the first few corners of the opening lap, but Di Mario’s fast and consistent pace allowed him to gradually pull away and build a large gap to the rest of the field. Di Mario’s margin of victory was more than 6.5 seconds, and a technical problem for his chief rival’s motorcycle allowed Di Mario to finish the season with a 31-point advantage in the championship standings.
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 27
“I am extremely happy to have won the championship. I couldn’t have done it without all my sponsors and my amazing team. Thank you everyone!”
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy Aprilia.
Gus Rodio / No. 96
“I had a great day on my Aprilia RS 660 on Saturday. We missed a lot of track time earlier in the weekend, so we were super happy to get a podium finish. We struggled very hard this weekend, but it was so nice to get my bike back to feeling like one with it. I’m also happy with the season overall. It was one of those seasons that makes you appreciate when everything goes smooth that much more. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I want to thank the whole Robem team and my Rodio side of the team. I know Robem will be in my corner with anything I need for the rest of my career, and I’m so thankful to have built such a strong relationship with the team.”
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2024 season include Spellcaster Productions, Luxestar VIP, Geoscape Solar, MAR Contractors, Blud Lubricants, Spiegler Performance, Woodcraft Technologies, Dymag Performance Wheels, Millennium Technologies, Sprint Filter, Dunlop, SC Project, MVR Endeavor, GRG Designs, REB Graphics, NGK Spark Plugs, EvolveGT, Bitubo Suspension and N2 Racing
The start of the full-length MotoGP race at Misano with Francesco Bagnaia (1) leading the way. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Editorial Note: A second MotoGP event was scheduled at Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli after the Grand Prix of Kazakhstan was cancelled due to flooding and related problems in the region of the new venue.
Reload for Emilia-Romagna: can the home heroes take back their territory?
There’s a lot on the line as the paddock returns to the fabulous Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – from the Constructors’ crown to some Ducati milestones
Monday, 16 September 2024
Buckle up for more MotoGP™ as we get ready for the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna, with season silverware on the line already and plenty of extra bragging rights to race for. The biggest is the Constructors’ crown, with Ducati able to wrap that up on Sunday after their stunning form so far. They’re 229 points clear of KTM and 239 ahead of Aprilia, with 222 the golden number by the flag on Sunday to wrap it up. They could also win it in style, as their next victory would be their 100th MotoGP™ win. With the top two in the title fight – Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – split by only seven points, and so much on the line between them and those they’ll likely be racing most closely at the front, all that’s on offer promises a serious show.
THE SHOW WILL GO ON
Martin will want to prove a serious point, for himself after that flag-to-flag gamble didn’t pay off, and for the points to extend that gap at the top. And for the future when it comes to the Constructors’ crown and that milestone 100th MotoGP™ win. If that’s not enough motivation, he’d also like to beat the Italian riders on their home turf and take the glory for his Italian team, who title sponsor the event. Coming out swinging probably won’t cover it, and he still knows he won in 2023 when the weather threw no curveballs.
Bagnaia, meanwhile, arrives with more margin to play with now the gap is back down to single digits in the Championship. But he also arrives preparing for his own milestone: his 100th MotoGP™ start, and on home turf for him and the Ducati Lenovo Team. As their double and reigning World Champion, those milestones must speak to him too. Constructors’ crown secured on home turf in his 100th MotoGP™ race, by taking Ducati’s 100th MotoGP™ win? The stars have aligned if Bagnaia can make it happen. This time round, he’ll also be closer to full fitness – something he hasn’t been at Misano since 2022.
On to Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). Now confirmed alongside Bagnaia in the factory squad next season, he’ll be keen to start inking in some Ducati milestones ahead of the switch. Force that territory to be shared. He’ll also be keen to stop Bagnaia doing so as the two prepare to share a garage, and on the #1’s home turf. Having now won two in a row, if Marquez wins a third it’s the first time he’ll have taken three or more consecutive MotoGP™ GP wins since 2019. It would also extend his record as the most winning rider at Misano on the current grid… and close that Championship gap to the top two even more.
And then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). He’s got a 100% podium record in MotoGP™ races he’s started at Misano, which is no mean feat. He shares some of his rivals’ motivation – home turf, for one – and that 100th MotoGP™ win for Ducati would probably feel pretty sweet. He’s also still well in contention in the title fight, and only nine points behind Marc Marquez. Qualifying further up would only intensify the Jaws music for those he was chasing down last time out.
ON THE CHASE
Saturday at the San Marino GP proved once again there are plenty of rivals for the top four in the Championship though. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) has been gaining speed throughout 2024, and in the Tissot Sprint last time out took his first Saturday rostrum finish. He was also fast on Sunday before crashing out. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) also took a front row and top five in the GP race, and a better launch off the line could improve those fortunes even more on take two. Teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will have had longer to recover as we get back on track, and Alex Marquez’ (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) Sunday at San Marino was a solid one. Can they move forward?
At KTM and GASGAS there was also good speed on Sunday, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) coming home fourth after both he and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) had a solid Sprint. Acosta will want to minimise those mistakes, and it’ll be interesting as he races at a venue for the second time in his rookie season. It went well for him in the 2021 Doha GP. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a good weekend last time out too, taking his best Sunday finish since Portimão, on top of scoring in the Sprint. More of that will be the minimum aim for the Aussie, and more points the aim for Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) after a tougher one at Misano on our first visit.
CHAPEAU!
Meanwhile at Yamaha, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) must be in the conversation for rider of the weekend last time out, having equalled his best Sunday finish so far in 2024 and scored in the Sprint to make it his equal best weekend for points. The Iwata factory and their 2021 World Champion want to be racing for more than seventh, but the world-beating form they’ve both shown before is built – or rebuilt – over time. Quartararo and teammate Alex Rins have tested at Misano a few weeks ago, done the San Marino GP, and now pocketed some more track time in the Monday test, in which Quartararo was fifth quickest. So can they make another step forward this time out?
BACK IN THE SADDLE
Steps forward is likewise the aim at Aprilia as the Noale factory suffer a tougher patch of form. Neither Maverick Viñales nor Aprilia Racing teammate Aleix Espargaro took any points at the San Marino GP, so that’s a clear aim this time out. They’ll also hope that work at the Monday Test – focused on the here and now – will help to turn those fortunes around. Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing), meanwhile, DID score – five points on Sunday to come home top Noale machine. He’ll want more, the factory wants more, the factory riders will want to beat him, and teammate Raul Fernandez will also want to hit back.
Finally, at Honda it’s a first full weekend at Misano for Repsol Honda Team’s Joan Mir and Luca Marini. Both suffering with illness sidelining them last time out, they did get back out for the Monday test so they’ll hope that sets them up to get back in the mix at the Grand Prix. Meanwhile at IDEMITSU and CASTROL Honda LCR, there were some solid points for Takaaki Nakagami and Johann Zarco, respectively. Notably, they’re now on an equal total this season – and Nakagami is ahead in the standings thanks to that P11 finish in Aragon. They’ll want to beat each other and beat the Repsol Honda duo, and to continue adding information and kilometres to Honda’s mission to move forward. What can they do with a full line-up and after the extra track time of the Misano Test?
We’ll find out this weekend as another 37 points go into play – and a whole lot more.
SHOWTIME
Saturday
Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2)
Sunday
Grand Prix: 13:00 (UTC +2)
What’s happening at the #EmiliaRomagnaGP?
Festivities kick off on Wednesday for the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna. To take MotoGP™ even closer to our passionate fanbase in Italy, there will be a fan event on Wednesday evening in the city centre of Rimini, headlined by Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) – including a Q&A for the fans in attendance.
On Thursday afternoon, MotoGP™ podcast Last On The Brakes will welcome Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli.
Then we’re into the press conferences, with the first set to host Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Then, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will be joined by Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) for the second.
Moto2™: Can Ogura double down on take two?
Thanks to a third win of 2024, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) ensured he sits as the new Championship leader heading into Round 14 of the year. Following a difficult trio of races in Silverstone, Austria – where he picked up a right-hand fracture – and Aragon, the Japanese star was back on the box for the first time since his German GP P3.
Ogura beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.6s to earn a nine-point lead over teammate Sergio Garcia, whose weekend ended with a commendable comeback to P12 after a Friday and Saturday to forget for the Spaniard. The title race pendulum has certainly swung from one side of the garage to the other down at MT Helmets – MSI, now we’ll see how Garcia bounces back.
Ogura and Canet were joined on the podium by Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) who bagged a second podium in a row. The Italian looks somewhat back to his best after a tricky opening half to the season, and another home race rostrum would go down very nicely before the flyaways begin.
Elsewhere, Manuel Gonzalez’s P4 (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) was a solid effort from the Spaniard, as Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) admitted his P5 “felt like a win” after the Briton clawed his way back from P14 on the grid to earn some more decent points in his quest for the title.In addition, home hero Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be seeking redemption after his late crash from P4, and so will Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) after the Spaniard slid out of contention on Lap 1.
The ever-changing Moto2™ title race landscape is a fascinating one to keep tabs on. What will unfold as we land back at Misano?
Moto3™: Can the chasers keep up the pressure?
We witnessed a comeback for the ages in Moto3™ last time out as Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) clinched a phenomenal win despite taking not one, but two Long Lap penalties. The rookie’s debut win was sublime, so will the #36 be able to go back-to-back when he lands at the same venue this weekend?
Piqueras will certainly be hoping so. And if there are no long laps to contend with, that will make his life a lot easier – but as we know, it won’t be as simple as that. One rider who will be out to stop his compatriot from doubling up is Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). The #96 has returned to form with two podiums in the last three outings seeing the Spaniard climb to P2 in the overall standings.
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) responded to his disappointing Aragon outing by grabbing a seventh podium of the year, as the Spaniard edged out Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) by less than a tenth. The Japanese star and fifth place finisher Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) were two riders who picked their way past a frustrated David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) on the final lap, as the Colombian finished in P7 following a drop one place penalty for exceeding track limits in the last lap too. That promoted Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) to P6 as Alonso finished off the podium in consecutive races for the first time this season.
That said, the #80 still boasts a commanding 70-point lead in the Championship chase, but he will be hunting revenge in Emilia-Romagna. Can he bounce back?
American Julian Correa (40) on British Talent Cup (BTC) Race Two at Oulton Park. Photo courtesy BTC.
From sun to soaked: Frost and Correa weather the Oulton challenge
The R&G British Talent Cup rolled into Oulton Park for the penultimate round of the season, with 50 points up for grabs
Monday, 16 September 2024
The penultimate round of the season was split down the middle in terms of weather for the R&G British Talent Cup field. Race 1 took place in ideal race conditions and delivered one of the most competitive and entertaining bouts of the season. Championship leader Lucas Brown (SENCAT Talent Team / Mortimer Racing), starting from pole, was immediately challenged by Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing) and Filip Surowiak (Honda – Team City Lifting/RS Racing), who launched off the line to seize the early lead.
Julian Correa (40) led Race One but ultimately ended up finishing second, 0.182 second behind winner Ryan Frost (24). Photo courtesy BTC.
Contender Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) began strong but soon struggled with his pace and setup, slipping down the order. Dropping down to 10th on the opening lap was but a minor setback for Brown, who quickly tore through the pack, carving his way back into contention.
An exchange of blows between Correa and Surowiak allowed Ryan Frost (Fibre Tec Honda) to close in, while Brown, joined in a series of intense battles with Frost and Surowiak. Correa held firm at the front, fending off constant threats.
Biding his time behind Correa, Frost made a perfect pass at Lodge Corner on the final lap, snatching the lead. Correa pushed hard to retake the position but couldn’t match Frost’s acceleration out of the final corner. With that, Frost secured his fourth win of the season, while Brown completed a remarkable comeback to finish third on the podium.
The R&G British Talent Cup is streamed live on YouTube in 2024! Watch Race 1 HERE and Race 2 HERE.
Wet conditions levelled the playing field in Race 2 and rounded out another exciting chapter in the 2024 R&G British Talent Cup.
Ryan Frost (24) leads Lucas Brown (29), Julian Correa (40), and the rest of the field early in wet Race Two. Photo courtesy BTC.
Starting from pole, Ryan Frost got a strong launch, but it was Lucas Brown who seemed poised to take the early advantage. However, a wobble from Ronnie Harris (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) coming out of the Britten Chicane led to chaos on the first lap, causing the championship leader to crash out. With Brown out of the race, the door was wide open for his rivals to capitalise and close the gap in the standings.
As the race settled in, a battle for the lead emerged between Frost, Filip Surowiak, and Julian Correa. Surowiak initially took control, leading the pack through most of the opening laps—not despite the wet conditions but thriving because of them. But Frost and Correa made sure he wouldn’t get too comfortable.
The final laps saw multiple changes for the lead, with Correa finally making a decisive pass at Druids and holding off Surowiak’s last-lap challenge to claim his second victory of the season for Microlise Cresswell Racing. Surowiak finished a close second, just 0.182 behind. Meanwhile, Amanuel Brinton, with eyes on the podium, launched a thrilling late charge to snatch third place from Fibre Tec Honda’s Harley McCabe at the line by just 0.121 seconds.
Further back, the race was no less eventful. Frost, after an impressive start, struggled in the latter stages and was involved in an incident with Charlie Barnes (SENCAT Talent Team / Mortimer Racing), leading to a Long Lap penalty. Despite this, he managed to finish in fifth place, salvaging some valuable points.
With that, Brown clings to his title race lead, thanks to that Race 1 podium. Brinton sits 28 points adrift, with Frost and Correa close in the top three fight, just five and six points behind Brinton respectively.
Next time out a triple-header, with 75 points up for grabs, at Donington Park on the 28th and 29th of September for the final round of the 2024 R&G British Talent Cup.
The Cremona Circuit near Milan, Italy, will host the Superbike World Championship this coming weekend. Photo courtesy Dorna.
WorldSBK set to tackle new challenge in Cremona
What to look out for in Cremona
Championship Standings
With four rounds to go, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) remains the championship leader despite being ruled out of the previous round after an injury sustained in FP1. His 365 points mean he still has a 55-point advantage over Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who holds 310 points. Another exciting battle to watch is for third place in the standings.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is currently in third with 243 points, 122 behind Toprak and 67 behind his teammate. With no points scored in the last two races for Bautista (DNF in the Tissot Superpole Race and declared unfit for Race 2), Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is now only eight points behind the reigning World Champion.
A New Circuit
It will be the first time the WorldSBK paddock races at the Cremona Circuit, a track most of the grid tested earlier this season.
Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the fastest rider in the first test, clocking a 1’28.860 lap time. However, Razgatlioglu managed to beat Gardner’s time by a few tenths during a second private test at the same track.
Recent Form
Nicolo Bulega achieved his first back-to-back victories this season. Notably, in all three races where Bulega won, Razgatlioglu was not on the podium.
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), the leading Independent rider, secured three podium finishes in all three races at Magny-Cours for the first time in his career.
Declared unfit during the French Round
Toprak Razgatlioglu was ruled out of the French Round following a Free Practice 2 crash on Friday. He suffered a mild traumatic pneumothorax.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) crashed at the last chicane on Lap 1 in Race 1 at Magny-Cours and underwent surgery to repair a deep abrasion to his right thumb.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was ruled out of Race 2 at the French Round following a crash in the Tissot Superpole Race. Bautista was diagnosed with a fracture to his eighth rib on the left side.
Further update on their recoveries will be issued ahead of the Acerbis Italian Round on worldsbk.com
Race report: Yoshimura SERT Motul takes EWC title glory with Bol d’Or victory
Yoshimura SERT Motul (12) won the Bol d’Or 24-hour race and the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
Suzuki-powered team triumphs twice after 24 hours of dramatic EWC action
KM 99 completes 2024 as the leading EWC independent team with second place
Niccolò Canepa retires from racing with YART Yamaha battling back to third
Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore finishes first in Superstock
National Motos Honda FMA secures Dunlop-supplied FIM Endurance World Cup
For immediate release (15 September 2024): Yoshimura SERT Motul banked a win double in the FIM Endurance World Championship today (Sunday), coming out on top of an epic EWC title showdown by landing back-to-back Bol d’Or victories at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The Suzuki-powered outfit’s riding trio of Gregg Black, Dan Linfoot and Étienne Masson performed without error to secure Yoshimura SERT Motul’s second EWC crown – the first since 2021 – to go with the 11 titles won when the France-based squad ran under the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team banner.
By finishing first, Suzuki has now triumphed in the legendary Bol d’Or 24-hour race 20 times with Black and Masson becoming four-time winners of the long-standing EWC event.
“Of course when you join a team like Yoshimura SERT Motul you expect to have the results to fight for the championship but to win the championship in the first year is a dream for me,” said Linfoot, the only Yoshimura SERT Motul rider to have finished on the podium in all four EWC races this season. “To win Le Mans, second in Spa, third in Suzuka and finally winning the Bol d’Or to take the championship is an incredible experience. To work with this fantastic team and my incredible team-mates, all the staff, it’s been a fantastic year. It’s an amazing moment.”
Black, who recovered from injury to race in the Bol d’Or, said: “Injuring my wrist was a pretty difficult moment after winning Le Mans and getting a podium at Spa. The injury in the Suzuka test was quite a complicated break and put me out for the race. But Cocoro, Dan and Albert [Arenas] did a great job and got some important points for the championship. It’s been two complicated months for me, getting my wrist back into condition and trying to have the mental and physical strength to get back on the bike. A lot of strength goes through the wrist on a bike, and I wasn’t sure 100 per cent if I would be back, but I did all my 10 stints in the race, tried to keep up the pace and be as fast as possible.”
Gregg Black: “It’s been two complicated months for me, getting my wrist back into condition and trying to have the mental and physical strength to get back on the bike. I wasn’t sure 100 per cent if I would be back, but I did all my 10 stints in the race, tried to keep up the pace and be as fast as possible”
Yamaha-powered KM 99 scored its first EWC podium in only its second year in the championship with second place for Randy de Puniet, Jérémy Guarnoni and Florian Marino to end 2024 as the top independent EWC team.
“It was a really good race for us,” ex-MotoGP racer de Puniet said. “In the beginning of the year we made some mistakes but after Suzuka we didn’t make any more. We had some luck during this race, SERT was too fast, the pace was incredible, the BMW too, but they had some trouble at the end of the race and that’s why we finished second. For the team it’s a perfect result, for me too, even if one day I would like to win an endurance race.”
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team began the Bol d’Or title decider leading the standings as one of four teams in championship contention. Although it completed the Formula EWC podium in third, it fell short in its efforts to defend the EWC title it won in 2023 after two time-consuming unscheduled pitstops.
The result meant YART rider Niccolò Canepa, who was partnered by Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika, will retire from racing without the third world title he craved. But he’ll nevertheless go down in history as one of the all-time EWC greats.
“This is not exactly the race we were hoping for, we were hoping to battle a bit more with SERT and make their life a bit more difficult,” said Canepa. “Unfortunately, we had a problem in the first stint and we never fight for the victory in this race. Because of the problem we had in the first stint we kept having problems through the race. But we never expected to be on the podium today, so we must be happy for this third place because it’s been a tough race for us.”
Despite being held back by technical issues, National Motos Honda FMA won the FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams with riders Guillaume Raymond, Sébastien Suchet and Valentin Suchet. That was after Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore took Bol d’Or honours in the Dunlop-supplied category in a fine fourth overall with a line-up consisting of Enzo De La Vega, Baptiste Guittet, Maxim Pellizotti and Mathieu Gines, the 2014 EWC champion.
“For sure we didn’t expect it, but we tried to make the best race with all my team-mates and the team,” Gines said. “We did a good race with very constant stints. It was a very good performance, perhaps less performance than the team that topped the qualifying but, in the end, this team stopped the race. We finished a perfect race with a nice bike.”
New FIM Endurance World Cup winner Valentin Suchet, who lost out on the title in the final 20 minutes of last year’s Bol d’Or due to a technical issue, said: “Honestly, it was a really tough race, especially mentally. We went into it thinking it would be straightforward, no pressure, just run our race – but that’s not how it turned out. It was an emotional rollercoaster. At first, we thought it was just a minor mechanical issue. We lost a lap, no big deal, we got going again… then another issue, and another, and another – then the chain, then the radiator, and everything that came with it. After the chain broke, I damaged the shifter, had to bring it back in, and that even messed up the brake caliper. By the time I came back for the third time and went out for the fourth, I had tears under my helmet. We were exhausted, completely drained, and in my head, I thought it was over. It was an absolute nightmare of a race, but in the end, we were rewarded for all the hard work we’ve put in these past two years.”
Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda finished second to secure the runner-up spot in the title table as TRT27 AZ Moto took the chequered flag in third place. Outgoing champion squad Team 33 Louit April Moto placed fourth with 3ART Best of Bike in fifth and JMA Racing Action Bike completing the top-six Superstock finishers.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team started the Bol d’Or on pole position for the third year running as one of four overall title chasers. After a new race lap record from Markus Reiterberger – a 1m52.517s – helped BMW move into the lead in the early hours of Sunday morning, a crash for squad newcomer Hannes Soomer put Yoshimura SERT Motul back ahead. It also left the Estonian sidelined with a shoulder injury and forced Reiterberger and Illya Mykhalchyk to complete the race as a duo, albeit substantially delayed due to mechanical issues.
There was also frustration for Tati Team Beringer Racing and F.C.C. TSR Honda France, which both failed to go the distance due to engine failures having led early in the race. Honda Viltaïs Racing was on course to complete the podium after a lengthy battle with KM99 but dropped out of contention with an engine issue.
Maco Racing Team, Wójcik Racing Team and Mana-au Competition took season-best finishes of fifth, sixth and seventh respectively in Formula EWC but Motobox Kremer Racing retired.
Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, which had been in the top 10, stopped with a broken engine after 18h15. Meanwhile, ADSS 97 withdrew its Kawasaki due an overheating issue, while BMRT3D maxxwss Nevers, Honda No Limits, Tati Team Beringer Racing, Team Bolliger Switzerland and Uniserv Moto82 Team all dropped out during the night.
Having impressed throughout qualifying and having also led the Superstock category in the early stages, EWC newcomer Hungarian Endurance Racing Team by Moto-Jungle suffered Bol d’Or heartbreak when engine failure put it out shortly before 17h45. Superstock qualifying pacesetter Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team and Team Aviobike by M2 Revo were firmly in the top-three battle when they hit trouble. Team Étoile was leading its class when it retired on Sunday morning.
Superstock squads Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki, Slider Endurance, Pitlane Endurance – JP3, Team Players, Team Racing 85 by Soleane all finished but Honda No Limits, Team TCP Racing and Team 202 were less fortunate.
NEW PYRAMID TO CREATE PATHWAY TO THE TOP IN EWC
In partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe, which is marking 10 years as promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2024, is excited to set out a clear pathway to the top in the EWC with a new entry-level category, a key component as the build-up to 2025 begins.
WBD Sports’ commitment to further widening the appeal – and thereby increasing entry numbers – of international motorcycle racing’s toughest discipline is centred on a pyramid that gives riders and their teams alternative platforms to compete on, regardless of their level of experience and financial means. Utilising FIM-homologated 1000cc production-based motorcycles, the EWC’s ladder or progression starts with the all-new FIM Production World Trophy, continues with the Superstock class for more modified machinery and reaches its peak with Formula EWC, the fastest and most technically advanced tier.
YAMAHA R7 ENDURANCE SERIES TO JOIN TWO EWC WEEKENDS AS A SUPPORT RACE
In addition to the new FIM Production World Trophy, the new-for-2025 Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will be a support race at two European rounds of the EWC, serving as a potential starting point for riders and teams considering climbing the EWC pyramid in the future.
The all-new Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will provide a platform for riders and teams to progress from national to international level. Using the Yamaha R7 motorcycle on tyres from a controlled supplier, the Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will be contested over long-distance races at two European EWC events in 2025. This will give contenders the chance to experience an EWC event with the view of entering the championship as permanent teams in future seasons. The Yamaha R7 Endurance Series is open to all regardless of age and experience, either racing for a team or on a purely privateer basis.
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