Famed photographer Mush Emmons pays tribute to Mert Lawwill with some favorite photos he took of the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion and star of the movie On Any Sunday.
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Tribute To Mert Lawwill: Favorite Photos By Mush Emmons
R.I.P. Mert Lawwill, On Any Sunday Star, Grand National Champion
Mert Lawwill: Motorcycle Icon, Suspension Pioneer, Grand National Champion, Innovator, And Inductee Into 5 Halls of Fame
Boise, ID, May 6th, 2026
Mert Lawwill, star of On Any Sunday and 1969 AMA Motorcycle Grand National Champion, has passed away at the age of 85 in his home state of Idaho, surrounded by family and friends.
There has been much written about Mert Lawwill, and for good reason.
A 1969 Grand National Champion and inductee into both the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Lawwill built a legacy that bridged motorcycles and bicycles—becoming a motorcycle icon and a pioneering force in modern bicycle suspension design—while inspiring a devoted following that spans generations.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Mert was never one to follow the rules. The son of a house painter and a schoolteacher, both talented artists, and one of seven children, he quickly developed a reputation for finding creative ways to avoid chores—channeling that ingenuity into a life defined by motion, mechanics, and independence.
That spirit found its outlet when his older brother Roy introduced motorcycles into the picture. From that moment on, Mert was hooked.
As captured in the song “Cycle Racin’ Man” from the album Motor-Cycle Man by Buddy Mize: “Little Mert, Little Squirt got a tricycle they say… rode it down through the town saying watch for me some day, in his heart from the start grew a very special plan, little guys about this size make a mighty big cycle racing man….”
In Boise, alongside close friends including Al Russell, Dean Huskey, and Al Kozak, Lawwill immersed himself in riding and racing. What began as a tight-knit group of local riders evolved into the foundation of a career that would take him to the pinnacle of American motorcycle racing.
As a longtime factory racer for Harley-Davidson, Lawwill rose through one of the most competitive eras in the sport. Early in his career, the support of Dudley Perkins in San Francisco provided Mert with the opportunity to pursue racing full time, a turning point that helped launch his professional career. He would go on to capture the 1969 AMA Grand National Championship. Known for his smooth style and mechanical intuition, he was not only a champion rider but also a technical pioneer. Lawwill developed his own racing chassis design, which became the benchmark for professional dirt track racing throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
His story reached a broader audience through his appearance in the landmark film On Any Sunday, directed by Bruce Brown. Brown’s decision to feature Lawwill introduced him to a global audience—many discovering Mert for the first time through the film—and helped define the culture of motorcycling for generations. Beyond the film, Brown and Lawwill developed a close friendship that endured over the years, a relationship that Mert valued deeply.
Following his racing career, Lawwill brought that same engineering mindset into the bicycle industry, where he became a true pioneer of the sport’s early development. He is credited with producing one of the world’s first production mountain bikes, the PRO CRUISER, in 1977—well ahead of the category’s mainstream emergence.
Lawwill also designed and patented a four-bar suspension system that was adopted by leading brands including Yeti Cycles and Schwinn. In addition, he developed the Lawwill Leader, a groundbreaking leading-link suspension fork that further demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to bicycle design. Throughout the 1990s, elite racers competing on those platforms achieved significant success, further validating Lawwill’s impact on modern mountain bike technology.
Yet among all his accomplishments, the work that meant the most to Mert was deeply personal.
Motivated by his close friend and fellow dirt track competitor Chris Draayer, who lost his arm in a racing accident but was determined to ride again, Lawwill set out to find a solution. The result was a prosthetic innovation known as “Mert’s Hands”—a device that allows riders who have lost a hand or arm to maintain a secure connection to the motorcycle while still being able to safely release in the event of a fall.
This work opened the door for countless adaptive athletes to return to riding and represented, in Mert’s eyes, his most meaningful contribution.
“From an early age, I understood that my father lived a life that was anything but ordinary. As I began to recognize the respect and admiration people had for Mert, the attention that came with it—even being asked for my own autograph as a child—felt surreal. I started calling him ‘Mert’ as a way to navigate that spotlight. As I grew older and pursued my own career in mountain bike racing, he remained my most steadfast supporter, always encouraging and standing behind me. It was never a question of pride—I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude and honor to call someone so impactful my father.”— Joe Lawwill
Despite his championships, innovations, and industry influence, those closest to Mert will remember something less tangible but equally enduring—his independence, creativity, and the unmistakable way he approached life on his own terms. Friends and family remember his unfailing good nature and sense of humor, which remained with him throughout his later years.
Mert Lawwill was preceded in death by his wife, June Lawwill.
He is survived by his son, Joe Lawwill; his daughter, Marcella Lawwill; his stepsons, Rick, Mike, and Tim Suchomel; three grandchildren; and extended family, friends, and a global community of riders and fans who were inspired by his life on and off the bike.
A celebration of life will be held, with the date and details to be announced at a later time.
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Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
An official obituary issued by the Cloverdale Funeral Home:
https://www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Mert-Lawwill?obId=48325925
R.I.P. Clem Salvadori, Journalist, Enthusiast, Veteran
R.I.P. Journalist, Enthusiast, Veteran Clem Salvador
Sorry to report that we have lost one of our great statesman in Clement “Clem” Salvadori.
Clement passed away the afternoon of May 1st at his home in Atascadero, California, actually in his garage with his motorcycles at hand. He recently had his 86th birthday. His beloved wife Sue passed somewhat unexpectedly a few months ago and he had recently had his last ride on his Triumph Bonneville.
He had been dealing with the usual issues of ageing and seemingly went quickly. Well known in the motorcycle world as a great writer in many moto magazines and quite a few books under his belt, in particular travel guides for Baja by motorcycle. He was a Green Beret serving in the Vietnam era and was a Harvard grade to boot. A good friend for those of us lucky enough to be in his inner circle. His outer circle was far reaching as I’m sure many here will have been influenced within.
Very sad. Have loved his writing about motorcycles and his adventures over the years, going back to his articles in Free 2 Wheel–a free publication available at popular motorcycle shops and hangouts, and also Rider magazine, amongst others. A true enthusiast and spokesman for the motorcycle community.
Rest in peace, Clem.
(The above notice was sent to us by Marvin Josephson of Cambria, California.)
Supercross: More From Teams At Denver, CO
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Hunter Lawrence Wins Denver Supercross, Closes Gap to 1 Point Ahead of Finale.
- Start-to-finish dominance for the Australian in the Mile High City
- Winner-take-all scenario heading to last round in Salt Lake City
Coming into the penultimate race of the 2026 AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence found himself four points behind the championship leader, in a situation where performing was a must to keep his title hopes alive. The Australian delivered when it mattered, racing his CRF450RWE to a convincing victory and closing to within a single point, with just one round remaining.
Racing at altitude places added importance on starts, and the 450SX main event saw Lawrence get an epic launch down the start straight, although Jorge Prado was able to claim the actual holeshot by sneaking around the outside. Lawrence took over the lead by lap 2 and never looked back. As battles unfolded behind him, he leveraged his pace to steadily extend his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line with a 12.3-second advantage over second-place finisher and title-rival Ken Roczen.
Quad Lock Honda racer Dean Wilson finished ninth, while teammates Christian Craig and Shane McElrath completed the race in 12th and 16th, respectively.
In addition to closing the championship gap to just one point, Lawrence’s fifth victory of the season matches Roczen’s win total on the year, so the Australian now holds the advantage for a potential tiebreaker as the series heads into the final round in Salt Lake City.
NOTES
- Hunter Lawrence was featured during Friday’s media day, where he handled interviews and later participated in riding sessions.
- Peak Honda World, Colorado’s top Honda Powersports dealership, enhanced the fan experience within the Honda HRC Progressive pit area through a pop-up activation. Staff engaged directly with fans and customers at the display, which featured a CRF450R, CRF150R and CRF110F.
- Hunter Lawrence participated in a private autograph session in the Honda HRC Progressive pits during FanFest, creating a premium fan experience.
- Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom appeared on Race Day Live, answering questions from Chase Cook relating to the altitude.
- During the broadcast, Mikayla Nielsen (SLR Honda) and Charli Cannon (Quad Lock Honda) were interviewed by Jason Thomas and Will Christien ahead of the WMX Championship, which will kick off at Hangtown June 6. Nielsen was also interviewed on Race Day Live.
- In 250SX West combined qualifying, participating Red Riders included SLR Honda’s Justin Rodbell in 14th, Next Level’s Hunter Schlosser in 17th, Western Honda Racing’s Ty Freehill in 27th, and Lasting Impressions’ Ronnie Orres in 28th. Rodbell and Schlosser qualified for the main event by finishing fifth and ninth in their respective heat races.
- Lawrence had the second-fastest time in 450SX qualifying. Quad Lock Honda riders Christian Craig, Dean Wilson and Shane McElrath qualified in 10th, 12th and 14th, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) was 27th, John Short IV (Short Racing) was 28th, and privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 30th.
- Joey Savatgy went down during the first qualifying session and was transported to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a dislocated wrist. He will undergo further evaluation this week. Savatgy has shown strong speed and impressive results this season, and American Honda wishes him a speedy recovery.
- Lawrence topped the first heat race, with Craig (fourth), Wilson (seventh) and McElrath (eighth) also advancing directly to the main event.
- Heading into the last race of AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence sits only one point behind points-leader Ken Roczen, setting up an exciting showdown at the season finale.
- Jett Lawrence, who is recovering from injury but plans to return for the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross series, attended the Formula 1 race in Miami over the weekend.
- Honda HRC Progressive heads to the final round of AMA Supercross in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 9.
Hunter Lawrence: “The bike was working good, giving me what I needed. It was a really tough track, not much traction out there; I had to kind of pick and choose where I made my arcs in the corners and bank off stuff whenever I was turning. My starts weren’t amazing all day today; we were kind of fiddling, massaging some things, and we got them sorted for the main. I love having to work for it a little bit during the day. I feel like that’s when I have my best days, and I love working with the team; I feel like we work so great together, and it brings the best out in me. Everyone knows what I needed to do—win the last two rounds—and we checked the first box. Now we need to go to Salt Lake City and try to do the same thing. I’d rather be in the position I’m in now than seven points down if Kenny had won. This is my title to lose, and I feel like under pressure, I’ve been the best guy this year. So, we’ll go to Salt Lake City and enjoy it.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager: “What a race! There’s nobody I’d rather have on my side going into these pressure-cooker races than Hunter; he just oozes confidence, and it bleeds into the entire team. We did our due diligence to give him the best advantage possible, on the track and on the start, and it seems that it worked out. His start in the main was quite possibly the most awesome start I’ve seen by our guys in SX; he just rocketed out of the gate and down the straight! The help from the IndyCar/IMSA team and the Honda Turbo Hybrid system was really cooking, haha—kidding, of course! We’re excited for the last race and will work on anything else that we can do to help Hunter have an advantage to win.”
More from a press release issued by Suzuki:
Suzuki’s Ken Roczen defends points lead at Denver Supercross.Roczen Earns Second Place at the Penultimate Round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The 5280-foot elevation of Empower Field at Mile High brought thin-air restrictions to the teams and riders at the Denver Supercross, Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The hardpack track featured two sets of whoops with a tricky sand corner that followed one whoops pad. With only one more Supercross round remaining after Denver, the excitement was high and the packed stadium of fans was treated to great racing.
Race Highlights:
- Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Ken Roczen battled forward into second place and held the spot to protect his championship points lead.
- 450 Class
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Colt Nichols continues to gain speed in his return to racing and scored championship points at the Denver round.
- 450 Class
Ken Roczen (94) started the day with incredible speed; he set the fastest lap time in the second qualifying session, which stood as the fastest overall lap time in qualifying. In his heat race, Roczen crossed the holeshot stripe in eighth position then pushed his way into fourth within the first lap. Before the race’s midpoint Roczen had taken over third place, which he held to the finish. In the main event, Roczen held a tight inside line around the first corner and emerged in sixth. Two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race, Roczen blitzed the whoops and passed the third-place rider entering the track’s sand turn. Less than a lap later, Roczen took over second place and used his whoop speed to instantly distance himself from the pack. As the dry track lost traction, Roczen managed the race and strategized for the title. Roczen pulled a five second gap over the rider behind him then rode clean laps to maintain the cushion and earn second-place points. The performance protected Roczen’s championship lead heading into the final round.
“Overall, we had a really good day,” said Roczen. “Being back at the altitude – the last time I was here it was at the 2023 [race] – it is always a surprise [regarding] the equipment [and] how much slower it is. Obviously, we’re all [of the teams] dealing with it, but it takes a lot getting used to it. From Q2 we had P-1 and went first [gate pick into] the night show. I had just an alright heat race; it was a third place, but I was really trying to figure out the track. I feel like we rode the best in the main event when it really counted. I wasn’t fast enough to get with [the rider in the lead], but I got into second place and just kind of maintained. Yeah, just wasn’t good enough for first, but good enough for second [tonight], so now we’re one point ahead and it’s really fun to see how this unfolds. Overall, I would say we had a really good day with a second place and we’re going into the last round happy and stoked to be in this position and we’re going to give this a shot.”
Colt Nichols (45) crossed the holeshot stripe of his heat race in sixth place, but first-lap chaos put him further back once the pack sorted itself out. Nichols put his head down and gained back positions to secure a direct transfer to the main. In the main, Nichols rounded the first corner outside the top fifteen. Nichols clicked off fast, steady laps and eared one track position before the checkered flag flew.
“Round 16, Denver Supercross, done and dusted and it was kind of a struggle day once again,” stated Nichols. “I’m still struggling to get myself fully healthy, and altitude sickness got me a little bit this weekend as well, so it’s kind of a double whammy. But overall, I just need to be a lot better than what I was today; but one more round to go to finish off the season strong, so I’m looking forward to that.”
“A great night tonight for the team,” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal for Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “Ken qualified first and then [got] third in the heat race, which was great to see. In the main we got a sixth-place start and then got up to second, which is what we needed to do. We retained a one-point lead and the red plate, so we have a chance to win this next week at the final round, which is all that we could hope for going into this week. So, [we’re] very stoked on the way that Ken rode. Once we got into second, he managed the race, did very well to limit the mistakes, so it was great to see… I feel like we’re going into next week with a great team and a great group of people around us and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Colt had a so-so day. We’re really looking for more from him, but the good news is that I know he has it. Seventeenth in the main tonight, battled the altitude, so we’re going to go to the drawing board with him this week and see how we can help him get over that. So hopefully we finish the season strong and hopefully we finish it with a #1 plate. But [there are] a lot of tough guys out there so we’ll have to go racing.”
Based on the fan reaction for Ken Roczen during opening ceremonies in Denver, Suzuki and Roczen have incredible fan support to take the title. Roczen leads the season by a single point, but the AMA tiebreaker would not favor Roczen so it’s a true “winner take all” between Roczen and one other rider. The final Supercross of 2026 takes place on Saturday night inside Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Suzuki riders, team members, and an army of race fans will pull together to try to put Ken Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z450 into the history books as the 2026 Supercross champion.
For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or pipesmotorsportsgroup.com.
More from a press release issued by KTM:
Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing return to 450SX podium in Denver.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made a timely return to the 450SX podium with third position in Denver at Round 16 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night, as teammate Jorge Prado posted a solid P6 result after winning his Heat race.
Two-time premier class champion Tomac returned from injury for his home state race in Colorado after missing Philadelphia altogether, setting the sixth-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in dry, technical track conditions.
Tomac finished fifth in his Heat Race, before completing the opening lap of the Main Event in fourth position, and in a strong place to race forward. A brief stall in the sand section then dropped him back to P7, however, he charged through the remainder of the race to secure a P3 finish.
Denver marks Cortez, Colorado, native Tomac’s ninth podium of the 2026 season – including four victories – and sees him ranked fourth in the 450SX standings with a single round remaining.
Eli Tomac: “I’m glad to land on this podium for the Colorado fans! I was so bummed when I stalled it in the sand. I just happened to stomp on my rear brake there and then, honestly, like double-stalled. Anyway, I was able to claw back there, had some fun on this track, and that was just a good bounce back. I’m happy to get back for these last two rounds, and love being on the West Coast, too – of course, home state in Colorado – and we’ll try to get another podium next week.”
Four-time world champion Prado set the seventh-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION within Empower Field at Mile High, before capturing the holeshot and a convincing fourth Heat Race victory of the year.
After securing the Main Event holeshot, the 25-year-old ran inside the top-five for the race’s duration, including a mid-race battle with teammate Tomac for third position, before ultimately claiming a hard-fought sixth-place result. He is positioned 10th in the 450SX championship points tally.
Jorge Prado: “I would say Denver was a pretty positive weekend for me – especially after a couple of tough weekends, it was nice to get back towards the front with a Heat Race win. I adapted to the track well for the night program, and small achievements like that Heat Race are a big confidence booster for me. And then in the Main Event, I got a good start and tried to race with the guys up front – their pace was a little stronger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on. I made a small mistake before the triple, which cost me, so I’d say 95 percent of the race was good, just that last five wasn’t perfect. P6 for the night was decent and now we have one round to go.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Husqvarna:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco races to Denver podium. 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claims a well-earned fourth-place finish in Colorado.
Ryder DiFrancesco and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing raced to an impressive third-place result at Round 16 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Denver tonight, where 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claimed P4 inside Empower Field at Mile High.
DiFrancesco was in form from the outset at altitude in Colorado, posting the third-fastest qualifying time via a 51.562s lap time, before powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to second place in 250SX West Heat 2.
A strong start to the Main Event saw the Californian run fifth on the opening lap, before climbing to third during the race’s early stages. From there, Ryder D maintained a measured pace to secure third place on the podium – his third of the 2026 SMX World Championship season.
DiFrancesco currently holds fourth in the 250SX West championship standings – only one point out of P3 overall and within reach of second – with a single Supercross round remaining next weekend in Salt Lake City.
“It was a good night in Denver,” reflected DiFrancesco. “The main goal these last couple of weeks is to get to P2 – obviously the championship is wrapped up, so second would be ideal. Tonight, once I got into third, there wasn’t much more that I could do, so I just brought it home from there. It was a good night and now we’ll go to Salt Lake, try to stack some points, and go for second in the championship.”
Meanwhile, Stewart qualified 11th in 450SX, before a challenging Heat Race onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier, where the 33-year-old took the win to transfer into the Main Event.
An ongoing battle throughout the Main Event saw Stewart charging forward inside the top 10 as the race progressed, with a sequence of decisive late-race passes seeing him climb to fourth position, and he maintains eighth in the 450SX standings.
“Every time we come to Denver, the track is tough,” Stewart reflected. “There was a lot going on in that race – you could’ve thrown a blanket over all of us! There was a lot of carnage, but at the end of the day, I guess Christmas came in May for me for a fourth! We’ve just got to continue moving forward. I struggled a little bit tonight and went to the LCQ, which I haven’t been to in a minute, but we just tried to ride our race [in the Main Event] and get it done.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Levi Kitchen returns to the podium in Denver.
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen charged to a podium finish as the Western Division returned for Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Denver. Kitchen’s impressive podium result comes after a brief stint off the bike to manage a lingering back injury. The Kawasaki rider resumed riding earlier in the week in preparation for his return to racing in the Mile High City. Teammate Cameron McAdoo made his return to racing after sustaining an injury at Round 6 in Seattle, with the No. 142 Kawasaki battling through a challenging night to claim 13th. Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks delivered consistent performances throughout the day, earning fifth and seventh, respectively.
In 250SX Qualifying, both Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders came out swinging at altitude, consistently dropping lap times as the track developed throughout the day. Kitchen traded the top spot throughout the second session before ultimately claiming second fastest in the class, only three tenths of a second off the leader’s time. McAdoo put in a solid effort to qualify eighth overall heading into the night show.
In 250 Heat 1, McAdoo got a strong jump off the gate sitting just outside the Top 5, while Kitchen was shuffled towards the back of the field. Following the opening lap, McAdoo went down after the finish line. Buried in the field, he was forced to charge his way forward in the short six-minute race format. Kitchen flew by his competitors one by one while recording the fastest lap of the heat race. The No. 47 Kawasaki crossed the line in fourth place, setting up a strong gate pick for the main event. After dropping to last, McAdoo was able to pass 11 riders to move into ninth place. Although crossing the line in a transfer position, McAdoo was issued a two-position penalty for jumping on a red cross flag, forcing him into the last chance qualifier.
In the 250 LCQ, McAdoo pulled another strong start inside the Top 5. Within the opening lap, he moved into third and had his eyes set on the lead. McAdoo applied pressure on the riders in front of him and was able to make up two positions to move into the lead on Lap 3 and secure his spot in the main event with the LCQ win.
In the 250 Main Event, Kitchen redeemed his start from the heat race, rounding the first turn inside the Top 10 and quickly moving into podium position before the end of the opening lap. McAdoo’s far inside gate pick led to him being squeezed off down the start straight after contact with another rider resulted in a tipover. He remounted and put his head down to charge back through the field. Up front, Kitchen searched for an opportunity to move into second on the difficult-to-pass track. The unique layout in Denver featured two whoop sections, which Kitchen used to his advantage as he made a decisive pass to move into the runner-up position. Although outpacing the leader’s lap times, Kitchen was unable to close the gap to first and took home a well-earned second-place finish. McAdoo faced a demanding and fast-paced race, as he charged past an impressive nine riders to claim 13th place.
Levi Kitchen: “I’m actually really happy with this result. I took quite a bit of time off the bike to recover and rode for the first time on Monday this week. I felt good, so Mitch [Payton] and I had a conversation and decided to race Denver. This was a pretty last-minute decision, so to come in and have a good weekend like this feels great. In the main event, I got into second and just focused on putting in solid laps. The track was really difficult and could catch you pretty quick, so it was all about staying consistent. Overall, after a full race day, my back finally feels good again, and I’m relieved, especially with outdoors just a few weeks away. I really appreciate everyone sticking behind me through it. I’m looking forward to finishing strong next weekend in Salt Lake and moving on to outdoors.”
Cameron Mcadoo: “It wasn’t the day I was looking for, but it felt good to be back racing. We had some things go wrong early that put me behind right away, and from there it was just damage control all day. Going through the LCQ and having to fight from the back in the main definitely made it tough, but I just kept putting my head down and getting laps in. There are a few positives to take from it, especially just being back behind the gate and getting a full day in. We’ll keep working and focus on getting better.”
In 450 Qualifying, both Kawasaki riders put down fast laps in the opening session. Sexton laid it all out on the final lap to secure the fastest qualifying time in the first session. In the second session, both riders improved their times, with Sexton once again putting on a heater for the final lap, placing him third overall, less than three tenths of a second off the fastest time. Marchbanks backed up his pace with two consistent sessions to qualify ninth overall.
In 450 Heat 2, Sexton and Marchbanks both got off to commanding starts, running third and fifth, respectively. On the opening laps, Sexton set the fastest lap time while holding off pressure from behind and started to close in on the leader. As the battle intensified, Sexton’s corner speed allowed him to close right up to the rear tire of the leader and made brief contact as the leader cut down before the whoops section. The bobble forced Sexton to take a calculated approach and settle for second place at the line. Marchbanks would ultimately get shuffled back a few positions on the intense opening laps. The No. 36 Kawasaki regrouped to get back near the Top 5 fight, regaining positions to finish sixth in the heat race.
In the 450 Main Event, Marchbanks pulled a strong start inside the Top 10, while Sexton was pinched off going into the first turn. Both riders worked their way through the field, briefly linking up midway to make forward progress together. In the closing laps of the race, two separate racing incidents unfolded in front of the teammates, allowing both riders to make up ground on their competition. Both Kawasaki riders rode strong to push through to the checkered flag, with Sexton passing 11 riders to secure fifth and Marchbanks seventh. Marchbanks’ finish ties his career-best result from Daytona earlier this year.
Chase Sexton: “I had a good start to the day with fastest qualifier in the first session. I didn’t expect to go to the top in the final lap, but it felt good to back up there. The track having two sets of whoops played into my favor a bit. I felt good in the heat race, but played it safe to finish in second place. I had a bad start in the main event. I had to work my way through the field and struggled to feel comfortable. The last few laps, I was able to capitalize on a few guys that went down, putting me fifth on the night.”
Garrett Marchbanks: “I had a good day here in Denver. Qualifying went well, and the bike felt good. I didn’t have to make any changes throughout the day. I qualified ninth overall and felt good going into the heat race. It took me a little bit of time in the heat race to get comfortable. I had to adapt to how much the track had changed since qualifying. I got another solid start in the main event and just focused on putting in some good laps. Once Chase [Sexton] got around me, I just latched on and knew if I could stay with him, we’d make some passes, and that’s what we did. We got helped out a bit with some guys tipping over at the end, but that’s part of it. Another seventh-place finish, which I’m pretty pumped on.”
More from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Late Race Chaos Derails Results for Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper in Denver. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper finish 11th and 13th, respectively, at Denver Supercross.
As the saying goes, sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. Denver Supercross was one of those nights. At the penultimate round of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, things didn’t quite come together for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper. Despite good starts and flashes of speed inside Empower Field at Mile High, both riders saw promising main event rides unravel late.
The hard-packed, technical track challenged riders all day. Webb got off to a strong start to his heat race in third and battled with Ken Roczen before ultimately finishing fourth. In the main event, the reigning 450SX Champion quickly moved to third, but it was an intense race with multiple riders in the mix. Webb ultimately dropped back to fifth but continued to fight, holding off his teammate who closed in the latter half of the main event. In the final laps, he and Jorge Prado came together with Webb going down. He rejoined in 11th and, with little time left, would finish there.
“Denver was a tough day all around, honestly,” said Webb. “From qualifying, to the heat, to the main event – we just struggled all day. It was one of those days where you’re just off. I was around fifth and trying to make the pass on (Jorge) Prado. We were playing a lot of cat and mouse, and he kind of came over, and we locked bars. My front brake got stuck, and I ended up going down. So that ended my night results-wise. It was an overall bummer.”
Justin Cooper also showed determination throughout the night. He started fourth in his heat race, moved into third, and after a red flag reset shuffled him back, fought his way once again to a third-place finish. In the main event, Cooper didn’t get the start he was hoping for but quickly went to work, charging from around 15th to sixth by the halfway point. On the heels of his teammate, he made his move, but Webb reclaimed the position shortly after. It then turned into a multi-rider fight for fourth. With four laps to go, he and Dylan Ferrandis came together in the sand, with both riders going down. Cooper rejoined in 13th, where he would ultimately finish.
“It was really hard-packed today, which is typical Denver,” said Cooper. “So we were challenged all day with that. It was a really tough track, honestly. I was third in the heat, but just didn’t get the greatest of starts in the main. I think I started around 15th and got up to sixth. I just got caught behind Coop (Webb) there for a little bit, and went back and forth with him. I got stuck in a battle with him, Jorge, and then Dylan (Ferrandis) caught up there. We came together, and that was kind of it. I made some really good progress. I really felt like I had the speed to continue moving forward, but as you move up, the competition gets harder to pass. I gotta be better there. We’ll move on to the last one.”
“A bit of a rough day here in Denver,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “The guys were just a little bit off, but there were some positives. We had decent starts. Justin rode really well in the main event. He came from 15th and caught up to his teammate. The speed he showed and how he rode, in that main event, I’m happy with that. We have these nights in racing, so we’ll just regroup and try to be back on the podium next weekend.”
The team heads to Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and Round 17 of the Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship on May 9. Webb remains third in the standings, with Cooper holding fifth, as both look to finish the season strong.
Haiden Deegan Dominance Continues in Denver. Deegan’s victory secures a record-breaking season win total for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing.
With the 250SX Western Division returning to action at Empower Field at Mile High, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan picked up right where he left off – winning. His seventh victory of the season also secured a record-breaking 15th 250SX win for Yamaha and the team – the most by any manufacturer or team in a single season.
Adding to the standout night were a pair of heat race wins and all three riders finishing inside the top five, with Max Anstie fourth and Kayden Minear fifth in his Monster Energy AMA Supercross pro debut.
“Honestly, it was a big night for us,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “It’s nice to get another win with Haiden, but breaking the record tonight for manufacturer wins and team wins was really cool. And with Minear showing up for his first pro supercross race, and having all three guys in the top five – we’re stoked.”
It was another perfect day for Deegan. He earned his seventh fastest qualifier honor of the season, then went on to claim his eighth heat race win of the year. After getting a solid start, he took over the lead on Lap 2 and built a comfortable gap to kick off the night show with a victory. In the main event, he narrowly missed the holeshot but quickly took control, claiming the lead and riding away to earn his 14th-career 250SX win.
“Today was solid,” said Deegan. “I qualified first, P1 in the heat, and then the main event was solid. Another perfect day, which is pretty nice. I got a good start, which makes the race a lot easier, especially here, where it’s going to be really hard to pass. It’s really one-lined and hard-packed. So, I’m glad I was able to get a good start and bring her on home.”
After qualifying fourth, Anstie got a strong start in the first heat race, slotting into second before taking the lead on Lap 2. From there, he went unchallenged to earn his second heat race win of the season.
In the main event, Anstie grabbed the holeshot but was passed shortly after by Deegan and shuffled back to fourth. After briefly losing another position, he regrouped and reclaimed fourth a couple laps later, maintaining a strong pace to finish there. Anstie heads into the season finale third in the 250SX West standings, just seven points shy of second.
“It was a decent night,” said Anstie. “I ended up fourth in the main and got the win in my heat. I’m looking forward to the final round in Salt Lake next weekend.”
Minear’s pro debut was a roller coaster from start to finish. The young Australian was eighth after the start of his heat race and worked his way up to fourth, holding the position for much of the race. However, in the closing moments, he was pushed wide and did not cross the finish line jump at the checkered flag, and was credited with a 12th-place finish, requiring a trip to the LCQ.
In the LCQ, Minear showed resilience. After a crash in the sand while pushing toward the front, he quickly regrouped and charged back to finish second and transfer to the main event. Despite that less-than-ideal gate pick, he got a good start to the main event in 11th and quickly made his way through to sixth by Lap 3. Breaking into the top five with five laps remaining, Minear went on to secure a fifth-place finish.
“I made my pro debut in Denver this weekend, and wow, what a roller coaster of emotions,” said Minear. “Having to go through the LCQ because of an unfortunate incident in the heat race, and then the main event went really well. I felt like I proved what I was capable of doing.”
Next up is the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and East-West Showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 9. With both 250SX titles already secured by Deegan and Cole Davies, the stage is set for a final showdown and bragging rights between East and West.
Stuman Rides Video: Inside The Grid For CVMA Round 7
By Stuart Smith:
I’ve released a new video on my YouTube channel. This latest video is a wrap-up of the CVMA round 7 race weekend. In the video, I provide an overview of the weekend and interview several racers.
RACEMoto Launches 49th Season at Shannonville
RACEMoto opens 49th Season of Ontario Provincial Racing at Shannonville. Elie Daccche aims to extend streak as top 1000cc class S.M.P. Regional racer.
Shannonville Motorsport Park has served as the principal location for Ontario motorcycle roadracers since its opening on Thanksgiving weekend, 1976. During the 1980s Regional events were run by the locally based RACE Organization, before new venue ownership took over in the COVID-interrupted early 2020s.
This weekend’s opening RACEMoto Regional round at Shannonville Motorsport Park marks the 49th straight season of Regional motorcycle competition at the popular circuit, home to more National-level races than any other Canadian track. S.M.P. is unique in oVering four layouts for competition.
David Grummett competed as an Amateur and a Pro at Shannonville in the 1980s and ‘90s and volunteered at the venue for the recent Regional action reboot, along with partner Jill and daughter Allison. In late 2024, this trio formed the RACEMoto organization and took over race activities at Shannonville.
“This is our second year with the series,” explained Grummett prior to round one at S.M.P. May 8-10. “Our big focus this year is on our final event, September 25-27, that will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of motorcycle racing at Shannonville, or what was then known as Nelson International Raceway.”
Born in Ireland, John Nelson moved to Canada to pursue his motorcycle interests, opening shops and eventually focusing on Honda. In 1974 his family bought the Shannonville property, just east of Belleville, Ontario, on the main Highway 401 trans-Canada artery, and built a small rental go-kart facility.
That tiny venue was updated in late 1976 in preparation for a successful first Regional event. Full time Regional racing started in 1977, with Shannonville at one point hosting 13 Regional events for two different eastern sanctioning bodies.
“Our aim is to grow the Series, and last year we were up about ten percent,” continued Grummett, preparing for this weekend’s opener on the perimeter Pro track layout option. “If we can continue in that direction, we can make the Series sustainable.”
The recent top gun in Regional Shannonville action has been Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike pilot Elie Daccache, who has dominated the premier Feature class action this decade at S.M.P. Last season, Daccache won the Lou-Ann Printing Pro Superbike division title with five of a possible ten Saturday/Sunday victories.
Champ Daccache completed last season with a total of 234 points in Superbike, while runner up Michel Leon (Royal Distributing/Pro Six BMW S1000RR) netted 153 points, with three wins but a coupe of crashes and DNS (Did Not Start) results.
The Almaguin Sprint Cup oVers competitors on 1000cc Superbikes a second Regional class, and Daccache also won that crown with six victories (out of a possible ten) and 228 points, while Leon was second overall at 147 points and two successes.
Top gun in middleweight Supersport class action was Yamaha YZF-R6 mounted National star Matt Simpson taking the crown with 181 points, ahead of Rob Massicotte (Yam R6) with 153 points.
National middleweight ace Alex Michel joined the Supersport series mid-season, winning a race, and battled Simpson to place third in the points; Michel is expected to compete in the Superbike Feature category on a Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja this season, starting this weekend; established as an unofficial warm-up for the Bridgestone CSBK National opening round at Shannonville May 14-17.
The 2026 RACEMoto Season kicked oV with the traditional eastern Canada opener Test Day and School event at S.M.P. last weekend, with cool weather but a good participant turn-out. Expert instructors Michel Leon, Jordan Decarie, Drew Weaver, Kana Matsumoto and Toni Sharpless collaborating with attendees.
NEMRR: Adam Guyer Wins Big At Loudon
The 2026 NEMRR season fired up under challenging conditions at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 2-3. Saturday’s morning races went green in the dry, but with temperatures stuck below 50 degrees F the paddock was anything but comfortable. By the afternoon the rain arrived, and it stayed for the rest of the day — rewriting the script for everything that followed, including the headline Dash for Cash. Sunday brought clear skies but kept the chill, with highs only reaching the low 50s. Welcome back to spring in New England!
The Seacoast Sport Cycle / Dunlop Dash for Cash (Heavyweight Grand Prix) delivered the storyline of the weekend. Off the line it was Ian Beam scoring the holeshot on his Triumph, but a mistake in tire choice for the wet conditions caught up with him almost immediately — he got sideways through Turn 1a and again through Turn 2, opening the door for Eric Wood and Adam Guyer to slip past between Turns 2 and 3. From there, Guyer was gone. Riding his Seacoast Sport Cycle Ducati Streetfighter V2, Guyer set a blistering pace from the very first lap and stretched his lead to a several second margin by the halfway point. Wood, on his Yamaha R6, found another gear in the second half of the race and dropped his lap times into the low 1:21 range — fast enough to match Guyer pace-for-pace, but the gap had already been built and there was no clawing it back. Sam Martin recovered from a poor start to pick his way through the field on his own Yamaha R6, taking third to round out the podium.
For Guyer it was the perfect season debut. After taking the Overall #1 plate in 2025, his entry into the heavweight class on a true large displacement bike was one of the storylines fans were watching for in 2026 — and he answered with the loudest possible statement. In addition to the Dash, Guyer collected wins in GTL, Lightweight Grand Prix, Lightweight Superbike and Thunderbike, splitting time between the Ducati and his Aprilia RS-660 in the smaller-displacement classes. He added a pair of wins in the combined Heavyweight Streetfighter and Supertwins classes for good measure. Seven wins in his first weekend as the #1 plate holder — and a clear early signal that the Streetfighter platform NEMRR has been building support for is genuinely competitive at the front of the field.
Eric Wood was the only rider in the paddock who came close to that pace, collecting four Expert wins of his own — Formula 40 Unlimited, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited Grand Prix and Unlimited Superbike — all on his Yamaha R6. The middleweight-versus-heavyweight equipment debate that emerged at the end of 2025 looks set to be a season-long theme, with Wood once again proving that a well-ridden 600cc machine can hold its own against bigger displacement bikes.
Other multi-win Experts included Brett Guyer (F40 Lightweight and Formula 50 Lightweight), Adam Muscaro (Motard and Ultra-lightweight Superbike), Jacob Crossman (Middleweight Superbike and Middleweight Supersport) and Fletcher Rood (500 Supersport and Moto 3). Notable single-class wins came from Justin Landry in F40 Middleweight, Jared Mileika in Heavyweight Supersport — picking up where his strong 2024 amateur season left off — and Ben Gloddy in Unlimited Supersport.
The standout of the Amateur ranks was Matthew Sweeney, and his weekend deserves a closer look. Sweeney won four Amateur classes — 500 Superbike, 500 Supersport, Moto 3 and Ultra-lightweight Superbike — but it was Sunday’s combined Expert/Amateur Moto 3 race that turned heads. Running from the Amateur wave, Sweeney’s pace was strong enough that he beat the entire Expert wave as well, effectively winning the Expert class from his Amateur grid spot. That kind of performance from an Amateur is the unmistakable signal of a rider headed for advancement — look for Sweeney to be tested at the Expert level very soon.
Christopher O’Shea matched Sweeney’s four-win tally with victories in F40 Lightweight, GTL, Lightweight Superbike and Thunderbike. In the Amateur Dash for Cash (Amateur Heavyweight Grand Prix), Thomas Dixon took the win and added the Amateur Heavyweight Superbike class for good measure — a strong opening weekend for the veteran.
The Novice ranks featured a pair of dominant performances. Jason Neuman swept all three Novice Lightweight Grand Prix waves, while Mark Roberto did the same in the Novice Middleweight Grand Prix waves — a clean three-for-three for each rider in their respective ladders. Both look like riders to keep an eye on as the season unfolds.
In Super Street, Derek Wood took both Lightweight rounds, while Stephen Holubiak picked up the Unlimited A win. As always, the NEMRR Super Street class is the perfect low-pressure entry into road racing, allowing track-day riders the chance to mix it up on the same weekend as the rest of the paddock.
Round 2 of the NEMRR series will be held May 27-28 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Information is available at www.nemrr.com.
MotoGP: Preview of the Michelin Grand Prix of France
HOT HEADLINES: ready for the roar of Le Mans?
From one legend to the next, MotoGP arrives in France to greet another roaring crowd.
Jerez to Le Mans. From one legendary venue to another. Round 5 of the 2026 MotoGP season brings us back to one of the most famous stages of them all – and one which hosted an unforgettable 2025 edition after home hero Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) became the first-ever French MotoGP winner at the French Grand Prix since 1954.
HRC’s #5 and his compatriot Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will soak up a loud and passionate majority of the support in front of another capacity Le Mans crowd, but a host of storylines are building nicely in this compelling early season title race in MotoGP.
HOMECOMING HEROES
We’ll get to that in a moment, but a lot of focus will be on last year’s winner Zarco and the ever-popular Quartararo. Zarco rolled out his best weekend of the season so far in Jerez after bagging a front row start, and then a very solid P7 in Sunday’s encounter. A top five was on the cards if he had held on for another few laps, but it was a lovely injection of confidence for a rider who is very much looking forward to being back at a venue which owns such special memories.
A positive Jerez Test for Quartararo hopefully gives the #20 a better chance of producing some magic on home turf, but given Yamaha’s development journey, expectations will remain guarded before a wheel is turned in anger at Le Mans. However, if anyone can pull a rabbit out of the hat when needed, El Diablo is a top contender.
APRILIA & BEZZECCHI MARCH ON
That history-making unbeaten Sunday run may have ended in Jerez, but Marco Bezzecchiand Aprilia Racing land in Le Mans as the package to beat. Still. The Italian was a winner here back in 2023 on the VR46 Ducati, so he’s got form around the 4.1km layout – not good news for the rest.
Bezzecchi’s P2 in Andalusia saw his championship points lead rise to 11 points over teammate Jorge Martin, who continues to churn out the consistent results. It was P4 from 10th on the grid in front of his home fans in Jerez, and after crucial kilometres were gained on Monday in Jerez, Martin – the 2024 French GP winner – arrives with added weapons in his already stacked arsenal.
To add fuel to another fantastic weekend for Aprilia, Sunday saw all four of their full-time machines finish in the top six. Ai Ogura’s last-race charge saw him dispense teammate Raul Fernandez on the final lap, with a P5 and P6 for the Trackhouse MotoGP Team keeping the American outfit second in the Teams’ standings.
DIGGIA FRONTS DUCATI FLEET
It’s safe to say there were contrasting emotions down in the Ducati boxes in Jerez. While Saturday’s Tissot Sprint 1-2 gave Ducati Lenovo Team something to shout about, Sunday’s double DNF didn’t. Marc Marquez’s Lap 2 crash and Francesco Bagnaia’s technical problem saw them lose further ground in the championship, with the reigning World Champion now 44 points adrift of Bezzecchi. A response is craved on French soil, a circuit where Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller, Enea Bastianini, Bezzecchi, and Martin have won on the Ducati since Marc Marquez’s 2019 victory with Honda.
While spirits were low in the red corner, the blue and yellow corners certainly enjoyed their Sunday outings. Alex Marquez’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) fourth MotoGP victory was his second in a row at the Spanish GP, and that flawless ride to a maximum points haul was needed after a low-key start to the season. Now he’ll want to back it up. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) P3 in Jerez meant he retook control the Ducati reins in the championship off Marc Marquez, with Diggia’s great launch into 2026 seeing him also climb to P3 in the title race.
A rain-soaked Le Mans was the scene of Fermin Aldeguer’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) debut MotoGP podium last season, so the rider who’s still getting back up to speed after his pre-season femur fracture will have happy memories of the French GP. And having pocketed a Sprint medal in Jerez, can Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) find the missing ingredients he needs to be back challenging at the front in France?
KTM SEEK ROUND 5 RESPONSE
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) coming home as the fastest KTM rider in P8 wasn’t what the Austrian factory would have been expecting in Jerez last time out. Not because it was Bastianini spearheading the RC16s, but because they were some way off that podium fight after a start to the season that saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) lead the Championship earlier in the year. In Jerez it was a P10 result for Acosta, one place ahead of his teammate Brad Binder, and that saw the #37 relinquish P3 in the championship to Di Giannantonio. However, important questions sounded like they were answered at the Jerez Test. Fingers crossed that’s the case. We had our fingers crossed Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) would be able to get back in the saddle at the Tech3 team’s home race too, but the team say it’s just a few days too early so it’s Jonas Folger stepping in.
HRC & YAMAHA AIM TO LEVEL UP IN LE MANS
Luca Marini and Honda HRC Castrol teammate Joan Mir didn’t have their most enjoyable Sundays in Jerez. The former suffered damage in the opening exchanges and nursed his RC213V to the chequered flag in P13, while a double Long Lap penalty, garnered earlier in the weekend, for the latter saw chances of a top 10 diminish. The duo will be gunning for a turnaround in fortunes in France.
Zarco’s P7 was some solid points and another clear sign of progress being made in the HRC stable, while Diogo Moreira’s (Pro Honda LCR) mission will be to get back into the points.
The leading light for Yamaha in Jerez was Quartararo, but a P14 won’t cut the French mustard. He’ll be aiming for even more. Meanwhile, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), 2021 French GP winner Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and his teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu will all be looking to get back into the points in Le Mans as they continue to work on moving back towards the front.
Le Mans is legendary for its pure noise and passion, and 2026 will be no different. Can Aprilia hit back? Will rain come into play? It could be another huge twist just around the corner so tune in for the Michelin® Grand Prix of France!
Sportbike Track Time: Upcoming Track Days
You work hard. You deserve to have fun.
The daily grind—the meetings, the commutes, the deadlines—it all stays at the gate. It might be Tuesday, but we’re looking forward to the weekends with STT!
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally take your bike to the limit, this is it. You deserve the excitement that only a closed course can provide!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
GRATTAN RACEWAY
Race Certificate Class available Sunday
GRATTAN RACEWAY
Novice class not offered
Race Certificate Class available
PUTNAM PARK
1 on 1 Instruction add-on available Saturday & Sunday
Garages for this event are sold out.
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
AUTOBAHN COUNTRY CLUB
Novice group sold out
Race Certificate Class available
Sunday, May 24
All groups sold out
1:1 Instruction available
GINGERMAN RACEWAY BIKE NIGHT
GINGERMAN RACEWAY
Race Certificate Class available
1:1 Instruction available
Race Certificate Class available
1:1 Instruction available
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Are you a female rider looking for a supportive space for your first track day? Do you know a female rider who’s contemplated a track day but has yet to take the plunge? Are you an experienced female rider looking to have fun and encourage other female riders to join the sport you love?
Join us at one of our Ladies First events! These events are designed to create a supportive and encouraging environment for women to get on the track. The Advanced and Intermediate groups are combined to allow for more Novice availability.
T-Shirt size guarantee has now been extended until Friday, May 8! Register before the deadline to guarantee your Ladies First t-shirt.
Bagger World Cup: Iannone Joining Niti Racing
Former MotoGP™ and WorldSBK race winner expands Niti Racing line-up and brings the grid to ten riders.
Milwaukee, WI (May 5, 2026) — The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup takes another step forward with the addition of Andrea Iannone as tenth rider in the entry list, who will join the championship from the Italian GP at Mugello with Niti Racing.
Following a highly competitive opening round in Austin, highlighted by Oscar Gutiérrez’s victory in Race 2, Niti Racing further strengthens its line-up by bringing in the experienced Italian rider, expanding to a three-bike effort alongside Gutiérrez and Dimas Ekky Pratama.
One of the most recognizable names in modern motorcycle racing, Iannone is a former race winner in both MotoGP™ and the FIM Superbike World Championship, bringing with him top-level experience, natural speed, and a bold competitive mindset. Known for his aggressive riding style and strong race instincts, he is expected to be an immediate contender at the front.
Iannone’s arrival brings the total number of riders on the Bagger World Cup grid to ten, reinforcing the depth and competitiveness of the inaugural season. He will make his debut on the race-prepared Harley- Davidson machines at the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Italy at Mugello from May 29–31, and is set to compete in the remaining rounds of the championship through to the season finale in Austria.
At a venue already known for delivering one of the most engaging spectator experiences in motorsport, the presence of Andrea Iannone, alongside fellow Italian Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team), adds a further layer of excitement to the Mugello weekend. Italian supporters will have even more reasons to connect with the championship and its protagonists. From the Harley-Davidson Village to the unique opportunity to access the Bagger World Cup garages, which are open to the public, and the dedicated grandstand at Correntaio, the experience is designed to bring people closer than ever to the action, offering a truly immersive and distinctly Harley-Davidson way to live MotoGP™.
Andrea Iannone – Niti Racing rider: “I like challenges, especially when they take you out of your comfort zone. This is something completely different, and that’s exactly why I said yes. I’m truly excited to begin this new chapter, as I’ve always admired Harley-Davidson and its iconic riders’ community, which plays such an important role in the scene. It’s a category that embodies adrenaline, spectacle, and a genuine passion for riding and for life. These bikes have a strong personality, you have to respect them, but at the same time you can push them hard. In that sense, we are quite similar, and I think that’s why this project fits me well. I’m also approaching this first race without having tested the bike, and with one less test than the others. That reflects my mindset, I embrace challenges and actively look for them. Mugello is the perfect place to start, in front of the Italian fans, on a track I know very well. I’m not coming here just to participate. I want to understand the bike quickly and be competitive straight away. Let’s see what we can do. On a more personal note, I feel a strong connection with Indonesia. I truly appreciate its people, and I’m excited to begin this journey together with Niti Racing and this community.”
Angela Khuu – Team Manager, Niti Racing: “After a very positive start to the season in Austin, adding Andrea to our line-up is a natural step to keep building momentum. We already have a strong base with Oscar and Dimas, and bringing in a rider with Andrea’s experience and speed gives us an additional dimension as a team. We are excited to see how quickly he adapts to the bike and to start working together already in Mugello.”
Jeffrey Schuessler – Director of Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson: “Bringing a rider like Andrea into the championship is a strong statement about what we are building with the Bagger World Cup. He’s a proven race winner at the highest level, with the kind of talent and personality that adds even more energy to the grid. This is exactly the type of profile we want to attract as the championship continues to grow. Mugello will be a great place to see him start this new chapter on Niti Racing’s third bike, further strengthening an already competitive line-up alongside Oscar Gutiérrez and Dimas Ekky Pratama.”
About FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the first global championship exclusively dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, organized by Harley-Davidson in partnership with MotoGP™ and officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The series is contested at selected international circuits alongside the MotoGP™ calendar, bringing Harley-Davidson’s iconic machines into a premier global racing environment. The championship combines heritage, technical innovation, and on-track competition, extending the brand’s racing legacy onto the world stage. Learn more on the dedicated FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup page at www.harley-davidson.com.
About Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.
MotoGP™ Background
Welcome to the most exciting sport on earth. The fastest bikes. The most forward-thinking manufacturers. The world’s most fearless riders. Come with us to the edge of possibility and the edge of your seat. MotoGP™. Faster. Forward. Fearless.
Tribute To Mert Lawwill: Favorite Photos By Mush Emmons
Famed photographer Mush Emmons pays tribute to Mert Lawwill with some favorite photos he took of the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion and star of the movie On Any Sunday.
R.I.P. Mert Lawwill, On Any Sunday Star, Grand National Champion
Mert Lawwill: Motorcycle Icon, Suspension Pioneer, Grand National Champion, Innovator, And Inductee Into 5 Halls of Fame
Boise, ID, May 6th, 2026
Mert Lawwill, star of On Any Sunday and 1969 AMA Motorcycle Grand National Champion, has passed away at the age of 85 in his home state of Idaho, surrounded by family and friends.
There has been much written about Mert Lawwill, and for good reason.
A 1969 Grand National Champion and inductee into both the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Lawwill built a legacy that bridged motorcycles and bicycles—becoming a motorcycle icon and a pioneering force in modern bicycle suspension design—while inspiring a devoted following that spans generations.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Mert was never one to follow the rules. The son of a house painter and a schoolteacher, both talented artists, and one of seven children, he quickly developed a reputation for finding creative ways to avoid chores—channeling that ingenuity into a life defined by motion, mechanics, and independence.
That spirit found its outlet when his older brother Roy introduced motorcycles into the picture. From that moment on, Mert was hooked.
As captured in the song “Cycle Racin’ Man” from the album Motor-Cycle Man by Buddy Mize: “Little Mert, Little Squirt got a tricycle they say… rode it down through the town saying watch for me some day, in his heart from the start grew a very special plan, little guys about this size make a mighty big cycle racing man….”
In Boise, alongside close friends including Al Russell, Dean Huskey, and Al Kozak, Lawwill immersed himself in riding and racing. What began as a tight-knit group of local riders evolved into the foundation of a career that would take him to the pinnacle of American motorcycle racing.
As a longtime factory racer for Harley-Davidson, Lawwill rose through one of the most competitive eras in the sport. Early in his career, the support of Dudley Perkins in San Francisco provided Mert with the opportunity to pursue racing full time, a turning point that helped launch his professional career. He would go on to capture the 1969 AMA Grand National Championship. Known for his smooth style and mechanical intuition, he was not only a champion rider but also a technical pioneer. Lawwill developed his own racing chassis design, which became the benchmark for professional dirt track racing throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
His story reached a broader audience through his appearance in the landmark film On Any Sunday, directed by Bruce Brown. Brown’s decision to feature Lawwill introduced him to a global audience—many discovering Mert for the first time through the film—and helped define the culture of motorcycling for generations. Beyond the film, Brown and Lawwill developed a close friendship that endured over the years, a relationship that Mert valued deeply.
Following his racing career, Lawwill brought that same engineering mindset into the bicycle industry, where he became a true pioneer of the sport’s early development. He is credited with producing one of the world’s first production mountain bikes, the PRO CRUISER, in 1977—well ahead of the category’s mainstream emergence.
Lawwill also designed and patented a four-bar suspension system that was adopted by leading brands including Yeti Cycles and Schwinn. In addition, he developed the Lawwill Leader, a groundbreaking leading-link suspension fork that further demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to bicycle design. Throughout the 1990s, elite racers competing on those platforms achieved significant success, further validating Lawwill’s impact on modern mountain bike technology.
Yet among all his accomplishments, the work that meant the most to Mert was deeply personal.
Motivated by his close friend and fellow dirt track competitor Chris Draayer, who lost his arm in a racing accident but was determined to ride again, Lawwill set out to find a solution. The result was a prosthetic innovation known as “Mert’s Hands”—a device that allows riders who have lost a hand or arm to maintain a secure connection to the motorcycle while still being able to safely release in the event of a fall.
This work opened the door for countless adaptive athletes to return to riding and represented, in Mert’s eyes, his most meaningful contribution.
“From an early age, I understood that my father lived a life that was anything but ordinary. As I began to recognize the respect and admiration people had for Mert, the attention that came with it—even being asked for my own autograph as a child—felt surreal. I started calling him ‘Mert’ as a way to navigate that spotlight. As I grew older and pursued my own career in mountain bike racing, he remained my most steadfast supporter, always encouraging and standing behind me. It was never a question of pride—I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude and honor to call someone so impactful my father.”— Joe Lawwill
Despite his championships, innovations, and industry influence, those closest to Mert will remember something less tangible but equally enduring—his independence, creativity, and the unmistakable way he approached life on his own terms. Friends and family remember his unfailing good nature and sense of humor, which remained with him throughout his later years.
Mert Lawwill was preceded in death by his wife, June Lawwill.
He is survived by his son, Joe Lawwill; his daughter, Marcella Lawwill; his stepsons, Rick, Mike, and Tim Suchomel; three grandchildren; and extended family, friends, and a global community of riders and fans who were inspired by his life on and off the bike.
A celebration of life will be held, with the date and details to be announced at a later time.
________________________________________
Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
Photo Credits: Archival photography courtesy of the Lawwill family archives, including images believed to be from photographers such as Walt and Dan Mahony and others whose work documented Mert’s racing career over the years. We sincerely appreciate the photographers who helped capture and preserve these moments. Additional credit information will gladly be updated as needed.
An official obituary issued by the Cloverdale Funeral Home:
https://www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Mert-Lawwill?obId=48325925
R.I.P. Clem Salvadori, Journalist, Enthusiast, Veteran
R.I.P. Journalist, Enthusiast, Veteran Clem Salvador
Sorry to report that we have lost one of our great statesman in Clement “Clem” Salvadori.
Clement passed away the afternoon of May 1st at his home in Atascadero, California, actually in his garage with his motorcycles at hand. He recently had his 86th birthday. His beloved wife Sue passed somewhat unexpectedly a few months ago and he had recently had his last ride on his Triumph Bonneville.
He had been dealing with the usual issues of ageing and seemingly went quickly. Well known in the motorcycle world as a great writer in many moto magazines and quite a few books under his belt, in particular travel guides for Baja by motorcycle. He was a Green Beret serving in the Vietnam era and was a Harvard grade to boot. A good friend for those of us lucky enough to be in his inner circle. His outer circle was far reaching as I’m sure many here will have been influenced within.
Very sad. Have loved his writing about motorcycles and his adventures over the years, going back to his articles in Free 2 Wheel–a free publication available at popular motorcycle shops and hangouts, and also Rider magazine, amongst others. A true enthusiast and spokesman for the motorcycle community.
Rest in peace, Clem.
(The above notice was sent to us by Marvin Josephson of Cambria, California.)
Supercross: More From Teams At Denver, CO
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Hunter Lawrence Wins Denver Supercross, Closes Gap to 1 Point Ahead of Finale.
- Start-to-finish dominance for the Australian in the Mile High City
- Winner-take-all scenario heading to last round in Salt Lake City
Coming into the penultimate race of the 2026 AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence found himself four points behind the championship leader, in a situation where performing was a must to keep his title hopes alive. The Australian delivered when it mattered, racing his CRF450RWE to a convincing victory and closing to within a single point, with just one round remaining.
Racing at altitude places added importance on starts, and the 450SX main event saw Lawrence get an epic launch down the start straight, although Jorge Prado was able to claim the actual holeshot by sneaking around the outside. Lawrence took over the lead by lap 2 and never looked back. As battles unfolded behind him, he leveraged his pace to steadily extend his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line with a 12.3-second advantage over second-place finisher and title-rival Ken Roczen.
Quad Lock Honda racer Dean Wilson finished ninth, while teammates Christian Craig and Shane McElrath completed the race in 12th and 16th, respectively.
In addition to closing the championship gap to just one point, Lawrence’s fifth victory of the season matches Roczen’s win total on the year, so the Australian now holds the advantage for a potential tiebreaker as the series heads into the final round in Salt Lake City.
NOTES
- Hunter Lawrence was featured during Friday’s media day, where he handled interviews and later participated in riding sessions.
- Peak Honda World, Colorado’s top Honda Powersports dealership, enhanced the fan experience within the Honda HRC Progressive pit area through a pop-up activation. Staff engaged directly with fans and customers at the display, which featured a CRF450R, CRF150R and CRF110F.
- Hunter Lawrence participated in a private autograph session in the Honda HRC Progressive pits during FanFest, creating a premium fan experience.
- Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom appeared on Race Day Live, answering questions from Chase Cook relating to the altitude.
- During the broadcast, Mikayla Nielsen (SLR Honda) and Charli Cannon (Quad Lock Honda) were interviewed by Jason Thomas and Will Christien ahead of the WMX Championship, which will kick off at Hangtown June 6. Nielsen was also interviewed on Race Day Live.
- In 250SX West combined qualifying, participating Red Riders included SLR Honda’s Justin Rodbell in 14th, Next Level’s Hunter Schlosser in 17th, Western Honda Racing’s Ty Freehill in 27th, and Lasting Impressions’ Ronnie Orres in 28th. Rodbell and Schlosser qualified for the main event by finishing fifth and ninth in their respective heat races.
- Lawrence had the second-fastest time in 450SX qualifying. Quad Lock Honda riders Christian Craig, Dean Wilson and Shane McElrath qualified in 10th, 12th and 14th, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) was 27th, John Short IV (Short Racing) was 28th, and privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 30th.
- Joey Savatgy went down during the first qualifying session and was transported to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a dislocated wrist. He will undergo further evaluation this week. Savatgy has shown strong speed and impressive results this season, and American Honda wishes him a speedy recovery.
- Lawrence topped the first heat race, with Craig (fourth), Wilson (seventh) and McElrath (eighth) also advancing directly to the main event.
- Heading into the last race of AMA Supercross season, Hunter Lawrence sits only one point behind points-leader Ken Roczen, setting up an exciting showdown at the season finale.
- Jett Lawrence, who is recovering from injury but plans to return for the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross series, attended the Formula 1 race in Miami over the weekend.
- Honda HRC Progressive heads to the final round of AMA Supercross in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 9.
Hunter Lawrence: “The bike was working good, giving me what I needed. It was a really tough track, not much traction out there; I had to kind of pick and choose where I made my arcs in the corners and bank off stuff whenever I was turning. My starts weren’t amazing all day today; we were kind of fiddling, massaging some things, and we got them sorted for the main. I love having to work for it a little bit during the day. I feel like that’s when I have my best days, and I love working with the team; I feel like we work so great together, and it brings the best out in me. Everyone knows what I needed to do—win the last two rounds—and we checked the first box. Now we need to go to Salt Lake City and try to do the same thing. I’d rather be in the position I’m in now than seven points down if Kenny had won. This is my title to lose, and I feel like under pressure, I’ve been the best guy this year. So, we’ll go to Salt Lake City and enjoy it.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager: “What a race! There’s nobody I’d rather have on my side going into these pressure-cooker races than Hunter; he just oozes confidence, and it bleeds into the entire team. We did our due diligence to give him the best advantage possible, on the track and on the start, and it seems that it worked out. His start in the main was quite possibly the most awesome start I’ve seen by our guys in SX; he just rocketed out of the gate and down the straight! The help from the IndyCar/IMSA team and the Honda Turbo Hybrid system was really cooking, haha—kidding, of course! We’re excited for the last race and will work on anything else that we can do to help Hunter have an advantage to win.”
More from a press release issued by Suzuki:
Suzuki’s Ken Roczen defends points lead at Denver Supercross.Roczen Earns Second Place at the Penultimate Round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The 5280-foot elevation of Empower Field at Mile High brought thin-air restrictions to the teams and riders at the Denver Supercross, Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The hardpack track featured two sets of whoops with a tricky sand corner that followed one whoops pad. With only one more Supercross round remaining after Denver, the excitement was high and the packed stadium of fans was treated to great racing.
Race Highlights:
- Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Ken Roczen battled forward into second place and held the spot to protect his championship points lead.
- 450 Class
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Colt Nichols continues to gain speed in his return to racing and scored championship points at the Denver round.
- 450 Class
Ken Roczen (94) started the day with incredible speed; he set the fastest lap time in the second qualifying session, which stood as the fastest overall lap time in qualifying. In his heat race, Roczen crossed the holeshot stripe in eighth position then pushed his way into fourth within the first lap. Before the race’s midpoint Roczen had taken over third place, which he held to the finish. In the main event, Roczen held a tight inside line around the first corner and emerged in sixth. Two minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race, Roczen blitzed the whoops and passed the third-place rider entering the track’s sand turn. Less than a lap later, Roczen took over second place and used his whoop speed to instantly distance himself from the pack. As the dry track lost traction, Roczen managed the race and strategized for the title. Roczen pulled a five second gap over the rider behind him then rode clean laps to maintain the cushion and earn second-place points. The performance protected Roczen’s championship lead heading into the final round.
“Overall, we had a really good day,” said Roczen. “Being back at the altitude – the last time I was here it was at the 2023 [race] – it is always a surprise [regarding] the equipment [and] how much slower it is. Obviously, we’re all [of the teams] dealing with it, but it takes a lot getting used to it. From Q2 we had P-1 and went first [gate pick into] the night show. I had just an alright heat race; it was a third place, but I was really trying to figure out the track. I feel like we rode the best in the main event when it really counted. I wasn’t fast enough to get with [the rider in the lead], but I got into second place and just kind of maintained. Yeah, just wasn’t good enough for first, but good enough for second [tonight], so now we’re one point ahead and it’s really fun to see how this unfolds. Overall, I would say we had a really good day with a second place and we’re going into the last round happy and stoked to be in this position and we’re going to give this a shot.”
Colt Nichols (45) crossed the holeshot stripe of his heat race in sixth place, but first-lap chaos put him further back once the pack sorted itself out. Nichols put his head down and gained back positions to secure a direct transfer to the main. In the main, Nichols rounded the first corner outside the top fifteen. Nichols clicked off fast, steady laps and eared one track position before the checkered flag flew.
“Round 16, Denver Supercross, done and dusted and it was kind of a struggle day once again,” stated Nichols. “I’m still struggling to get myself fully healthy, and altitude sickness got me a little bit this weekend as well, so it’s kind of a double whammy. But overall, I just need to be a lot better than what I was today; but one more round to go to finish off the season strong, so I’m looking forward to that.”
“A great night tonight for the team,” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal for Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “Ken qualified first and then [got] third in the heat race, which was great to see. In the main we got a sixth-place start and then got up to second, which is what we needed to do. We retained a one-point lead and the red plate, so we have a chance to win this next week at the final round, which is all that we could hope for going into this week. So, [we’re] very stoked on the way that Ken rode. Once we got into second, he managed the race, did very well to limit the mistakes, so it was great to see… I feel like we’re going into next week with a great team and a great group of people around us and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Colt had a so-so day. We’re really looking for more from him, but the good news is that I know he has it. Seventeenth in the main tonight, battled the altitude, so we’re going to go to the drawing board with him this week and see how we can help him get over that. So hopefully we finish the season strong and hopefully we finish it with a #1 plate. But [there are] a lot of tough guys out there so we’ll have to go racing.”
Based on the fan reaction for Ken Roczen during opening ceremonies in Denver, Suzuki and Roczen have incredible fan support to take the title. Roczen leads the season by a single point, but the AMA tiebreaker would not favor Roczen so it’s a true “winner take all” between Roczen and one other rider. The final Supercross of 2026 takes place on Saturday night inside Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Suzuki riders, team members, and an army of race fans will pull together to try to put Ken Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z450 into the history books as the 2026 Supercross champion.
For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or pipesmotorsportsgroup.com.
More from a press release issued by KTM:
Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing return to 450SX podium in Denver.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made a timely return to the 450SX podium with third position in Denver at Round 16 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night, as teammate Jorge Prado posted a solid P6 result after winning his Heat race.
Two-time premier class champion Tomac returned from injury for his home state race in Colorado after missing Philadelphia altogether, setting the sixth-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in dry, technical track conditions.
Tomac finished fifth in his Heat Race, before completing the opening lap of the Main Event in fourth position, and in a strong place to race forward. A brief stall in the sand section then dropped him back to P7, however, he charged through the remainder of the race to secure a P3 finish.
Denver marks Cortez, Colorado, native Tomac’s ninth podium of the 2026 season – including four victories – and sees him ranked fourth in the 450SX standings with a single round remaining.
Eli Tomac: “I’m glad to land on this podium for the Colorado fans! I was so bummed when I stalled it in the sand. I just happened to stomp on my rear brake there and then, honestly, like double-stalled. Anyway, I was able to claw back there, had some fun on this track, and that was just a good bounce back. I’m happy to get back for these last two rounds, and love being on the West Coast, too – of course, home state in Colorado – and we’ll try to get another podium next week.”
Four-time world champion Prado set the seventh-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION within Empower Field at Mile High, before capturing the holeshot and a convincing fourth Heat Race victory of the year.
After securing the Main Event holeshot, the 25-year-old ran inside the top-five for the race’s duration, including a mid-race battle with teammate Tomac for third position, before ultimately claiming a hard-fought sixth-place result. He is positioned 10th in the 450SX championship points tally.
Jorge Prado: “I would say Denver was a pretty positive weekend for me – especially after a couple of tough weekends, it was nice to get back towards the front with a Heat Race win. I adapted to the track well for the night program, and small achievements like that Heat Race are a big confidence booster for me. And then in the Main Event, I got a good start and tried to race with the guys up front – their pace was a little stronger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on. I made a small mistake before the triple, which cost me, so I’d say 95 percent of the race was good, just that last five wasn’t perfect. P6 for the night was decent and now we have one round to go.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Husqvarna:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco races to Denver podium. 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claims a well-earned fourth-place finish in Colorado.
Ryder DiFrancesco and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing raced to an impressive third-place result at Round 16 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Denver tonight, where 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart claimed P4 inside Empower Field at Mile High.
DiFrancesco was in form from the outset at altitude in Colorado, posting the third-fastest qualifying time via a 51.562s lap time, before powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to second place in 250SX West Heat 2.
A strong start to the Main Event saw the Californian run fifth on the opening lap, before climbing to third during the race’s early stages. From there, Ryder D maintained a measured pace to secure third place on the podium – his third of the 2026 SMX World Championship season.
DiFrancesco currently holds fourth in the 250SX West championship standings – only one point out of P3 overall and within reach of second – with a single Supercross round remaining next weekend in Salt Lake City.
“It was a good night in Denver,” reflected DiFrancesco. “The main goal these last couple of weeks is to get to P2 – obviously the championship is wrapped up, so second would be ideal. Tonight, once I got into third, there wasn’t much more that I could do, so I just brought it home from there. It was a good night and now we’ll go to Salt Lake, try to stack some points, and go for second in the championship.”
Meanwhile, Stewart qualified 11th in 450SX, before a challenging Heat Race onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier, where the 33-year-old took the win to transfer into the Main Event.
An ongoing battle throughout the Main Event saw Stewart charging forward inside the top 10 as the race progressed, with a sequence of decisive late-race passes seeing him climb to fourth position, and he maintains eighth in the 450SX standings.
“Every time we come to Denver, the track is tough,” Stewart reflected. “There was a lot going on in that race – you could’ve thrown a blanket over all of us! There was a lot of carnage, but at the end of the day, I guess Christmas came in May for me for a fourth! We’ve just got to continue moving forward. I struggled a little bit tonight and went to the LCQ, which I haven’t been to in a minute, but we just tried to ride our race [in the Main Event] and get it done.”
Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
More from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Levi Kitchen returns to the podium in Denver.
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen charged to a podium finish as the Western Division returned for Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Denver. Kitchen’s impressive podium result comes after a brief stint off the bike to manage a lingering back injury. The Kawasaki rider resumed riding earlier in the week in preparation for his return to racing in the Mile High City. Teammate Cameron McAdoo made his return to racing after sustaining an injury at Round 6 in Seattle, with the No. 142 Kawasaki battling through a challenging night to claim 13th. Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks delivered consistent performances throughout the day, earning fifth and seventh, respectively.
In 250SX Qualifying, both Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders came out swinging at altitude, consistently dropping lap times as the track developed throughout the day. Kitchen traded the top spot throughout the second session before ultimately claiming second fastest in the class, only three tenths of a second off the leader’s time. McAdoo put in a solid effort to qualify eighth overall heading into the night show.
In 250 Heat 1, McAdoo got a strong jump off the gate sitting just outside the Top 5, while Kitchen was shuffled towards the back of the field. Following the opening lap, McAdoo went down after the finish line. Buried in the field, he was forced to charge his way forward in the short six-minute race format. Kitchen flew by his competitors one by one while recording the fastest lap of the heat race. The No. 47 Kawasaki crossed the line in fourth place, setting up a strong gate pick for the main event. After dropping to last, McAdoo was able to pass 11 riders to move into ninth place. Although crossing the line in a transfer position, McAdoo was issued a two-position penalty for jumping on a red cross flag, forcing him into the last chance qualifier.
In the 250 LCQ, McAdoo pulled another strong start inside the Top 5. Within the opening lap, he moved into third and had his eyes set on the lead. McAdoo applied pressure on the riders in front of him and was able to make up two positions to move into the lead on Lap 3 and secure his spot in the main event with the LCQ win.
In the 250 Main Event, Kitchen redeemed his start from the heat race, rounding the first turn inside the Top 10 and quickly moving into podium position before the end of the opening lap. McAdoo’s far inside gate pick led to him being squeezed off down the start straight after contact with another rider resulted in a tipover. He remounted and put his head down to charge back through the field. Up front, Kitchen searched for an opportunity to move into second on the difficult-to-pass track. The unique layout in Denver featured two whoop sections, which Kitchen used to his advantage as he made a decisive pass to move into the runner-up position. Although outpacing the leader’s lap times, Kitchen was unable to close the gap to first and took home a well-earned second-place finish. McAdoo faced a demanding and fast-paced race, as he charged past an impressive nine riders to claim 13th place.
Levi Kitchen: “I’m actually really happy with this result. I took quite a bit of time off the bike to recover and rode for the first time on Monday this week. I felt good, so Mitch [Payton] and I had a conversation and decided to race Denver. This was a pretty last-minute decision, so to come in and have a good weekend like this feels great. In the main event, I got into second and just focused on putting in solid laps. The track was really difficult and could catch you pretty quick, so it was all about staying consistent. Overall, after a full race day, my back finally feels good again, and I’m relieved, especially with outdoors just a few weeks away. I really appreciate everyone sticking behind me through it. I’m looking forward to finishing strong next weekend in Salt Lake and moving on to outdoors.”
Cameron Mcadoo: “It wasn’t the day I was looking for, but it felt good to be back racing. We had some things go wrong early that put me behind right away, and from there it was just damage control all day. Going through the LCQ and having to fight from the back in the main definitely made it tough, but I just kept putting my head down and getting laps in. There are a few positives to take from it, especially just being back behind the gate and getting a full day in. We’ll keep working and focus on getting better.”
In 450 Qualifying, both Kawasaki riders put down fast laps in the opening session. Sexton laid it all out on the final lap to secure the fastest qualifying time in the first session. In the second session, both riders improved their times, with Sexton once again putting on a heater for the final lap, placing him third overall, less than three tenths of a second off the fastest time. Marchbanks backed up his pace with two consistent sessions to qualify ninth overall.
In 450 Heat 2, Sexton and Marchbanks both got off to commanding starts, running third and fifth, respectively. On the opening laps, Sexton set the fastest lap time while holding off pressure from behind and started to close in on the leader. As the battle intensified, Sexton’s corner speed allowed him to close right up to the rear tire of the leader and made brief contact as the leader cut down before the whoops section. The bobble forced Sexton to take a calculated approach and settle for second place at the line. Marchbanks would ultimately get shuffled back a few positions on the intense opening laps. The No. 36 Kawasaki regrouped to get back near the Top 5 fight, regaining positions to finish sixth in the heat race.
In the 450 Main Event, Marchbanks pulled a strong start inside the Top 10, while Sexton was pinched off going into the first turn. Both riders worked their way through the field, briefly linking up midway to make forward progress together. In the closing laps of the race, two separate racing incidents unfolded in front of the teammates, allowing both riders to make up ground on their competition. Both Kawasaki riders rode strong to push through to the checkered flag, with Sexton passing 11 riders to secure fifth and Marchbanks seventh. Marchbanks’ finish ties his career-best result from Daytona earlier this year.
Chase Sexton: “I had a good start to the day with fastest qualifier in the first session. I didn’t expect to go to the top in the final lap, but it felt good to back up there. The track having two sets of whoops played into my favor a bit. I felt good in the heat race, but played it safe to finish in second place. I had a bad start in the main event. I had to work my way through the field and struggled to feel comfortable. The last few laps, I was able to capitalize on a few guys that went down, putting me fifth on the night.”
Garrett Marchbanks: “I had a good day here in Denver. Qualifying went well, and the bike felt good. I didn’t have to make any changes throughout the day. I qualified ninth overall and felt good going into the heat race. It took me a little bit of time in the heat race to get comfortable. I had to adapt to how much the track had changed since qualifying. I got another solid start in the main event and just focused on putting in some good laps. Once Chase [Sexton] got around me, I just latched on and knew if I could stay with him, we’d make some passes, and that’s what we did. We got helped out a bit with some guys tipping over at the end, but that’s part of it. Another seventh-place finish, which I’m pretty pumped on.”
More from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Late Race Chaos Derails Results for Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper in Denver. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper finish 11th and 13th, respectively, at Denver Supercross.
As the saying goes, sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. Denver Supercross was one of those nights. At the penultimate round of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, things didn’t quite come together for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper. Despite good starts and flashes of speed inside Empower Field at Mile High, both riders saw promising main event rides unravel late.
The hard-packed, technical track challenged riders all day. Webb got off to a strong start to his heat race in third and battled with Ken Roczen before ultimately finishing fourth. In the main event, the reigning 450SX Champion quickly moved to third, but it was an intense race with multiple riders in the mix. Webb ultimately dropped back to fifth but continued to fight, holding off his teammate who closed in the latter half of the main event. In the final laps, he and Jorge Prado came together with Webb going down. He rejoined in 11th and, with little time left, would finish there.
“Denver was a tough day all around, honestly,” said Webb. “From qualifying, to the heat, to the main event – we just struggled all day. It was one of those days where you’re just off. I was around fifth and trying to make the pass on (Jorge) Prado. We were playing a lot of cat and mouse, and he kind of came over, and we locked bars. My front brake got stuck, and I ended up going down. So that ended my night results-wise. It was an overall bummer.”
Justin Cooper also showed determination throughout the night. He started fourth in his heat race, moved into third, and after a red flag reset shuffled him back, fought his way once again to a third-place finish. In the main event, Cooper didn’t get the start he was hoping for but quickly went to work, charging from around 15th to sixth by the halfway point. On the heels of his teammate, he made his move, but Webb reclaimed the position shortly after. It then turned into a multi-rider fight for fourth. With four laps to go, he and Dylan Ferrandis came together in the sand, with both riders going down. Cooper rejoined in 13th, where he would ultimately finish.
“It was really hard-packed today, which is typical Denver,” said Cooper. “So we were challenged all day with that. It was a really tough track, honestly. I was third in the heat, but just didn’t get the greatest of starts in the main. I think I started around 15th and got up to sixth. I just got caught behind Coop (Webb) there for a little bit, and went back and forth with him. I got stuck in a battle with him, Jorge, and then Dylan (Ferrandis) caught up there. We came together, and that was kind of it. I made some really good progress. I really felt like I had the speed to continue moving forward, but as you move up, the competition gets harder to pass. I gotta be better there. We’ll move on to the last one.”
“A bit of a rough day here in Denver,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “The guys were just a little bit off, but there were some positives. We had decent starts. Justin rode really well in the main event. He came from 15th and caught up to his teammate. The speed he showed and how he rode, in that main event, I’m happy with that. We have these nights in racing, so we’ll just regroup and try to be back on the podium next weekend.”
The team heads to Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and Round 17 of the Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship on May 9. Webb remains third in the standings, with Cooper holding fifth, as both look to finish the season strong.
Haiden Deegan Dominance Continues in Denver. Deegan’s victory secures a record-breaking season win total for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing.
With the 250SX Western Division returning to action at Empower Field at Mile High, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan picked up right where he left off – winning. His seventh victory of the season also secured a record-breaking 15th 250SX win for Yamaha and the team – the most by any manufacturer or team in a single season.
Adding to the standout night were a pair of heat race wins and all three riders finishing inside the top five, with Max Anstie fourth and Kayden Minear fifth in his Monster Energy AMA Supercross pro debut.
“Honestly, it was a big night for us,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “It’s nice to get another win with Haiden, but breaking the record tonight for manufacturer wins and team wins was really cool. And with Minear showing up for his first pro supercross race, and having all three guys in the top five – we’re stoked.”
It was another perfect day for Deegan. He earned his seventh fastest qualifier honor of the season, then went on to claim his eighth heat race win of the year. After getting a solid start, he took over the lead on Lap 2 and built a comfortable gap to kick off the night show with a victory. In the main event, he narrowly missed the holeshot but quickly took control, claiming the lead and riding away to earn his 14th-career 250SX win.
“Today was solid,” said Deegan. “I qualified first, P1 in the heat, and then the main event was solid. Another perfect day, which is pretty nice. I got a good start, which makes the race a lot easier, especially here, where it’s going to be really hard to pass. It’s really one-lined and hard-packed. So, I’m glad I was able to get a good start and bring her on home.”
After qualifying fourth, Anstie got a strong start in the first heat race, slotting into second before taking the lead on Lap 2. From there, he went unchallenged to earn his second heat race win of the season.
In the main event, Anstie grabbed the holeshot but was passed shortly after by Deegan and shuffled back to fourth. After briefly losing another position, he regrouped and reclaimed fourth a couple laps later, maintaining a strong pace to finish there. Anstie heads into the season finale third in the 250SX West standings, just seven points shy of second.
“It was a decent night,” said Anstie. “I ended up fourth in the main and got the win in my heat. I’m looking forward to the final round in Salt Lake next weekend.”
Minear’s pro debut was a roller coaster from start to finish. The young Australian was eighth after the start of his heat race and worked his way up to fourth, holding the position for much of the race. However, in the closing moments, he was pushed wide and did not cross the finish line jump at the checkered flag, and was credited with a 12th-place finish, requiring a trip to the LCQ.
In the LCQ, Minear showed resilience. After a crash in the sand while pushing toward the front, he quickly regrouped and charged back to finish second and transfer to the main event. Despite that less-than-ideal gate pick, he got a good start to the main event in 11th and quickly made his way through to sixth by Lap 3. Breaking into the top five with five laps remaining, Minear went on to secure a fifth-place finish.
“I made my pro debut in Denver this weekend, and wow, what a roller coaster of emotions,” said Minear. “Having to go through the LCQ because of an unfortunate incident in the heat race, and then the main event went really well. I felt like I proved what I was capable of doing.”
Next up is the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale and East-West Showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 9. With both 250SX titles already secured by Deegan and Cole Davies, the stage is set for a final showdown and bragging rights between East and West.
Stuman Rides Video: Inside The Grid For CVMA Round 7
By Stuart Smith:
I’ve released a new video on my YouTube channel. This latest video is a wrap-up of the CVMA round 7 race weekend. In the video, I provide an overview of the weekend and interview several racers.
RACEMoto Launches 49th Season at Shannonville
RACEMoto opens 49th Season of Ontario Provincial Racing at Shannonville. Elie Daccche aims to extend streak as top 1000cc class S.M.P. Regional racer.
Shannonville Motorsport Park has served as the principal location for Ontario motorcycle roadracers since its opening on Thanksgiving weekend, 1976. During the 1980s Regional events were run by the locally based RACE Organization, before new venue ownership took over in the COVID-interrupted early 2020s.
This weekend’s opening RACEMoto Regional round at Shannonville Motorsport Park marks the 49th straight season of Regional motorcycle competition at the popular circuit, home to more National-level races than any other Canadian track. S.M.P. is unique in oVering four layouts for competition.
David Grummett competed as an Amateur and a Pro at Shannonville in the 1980s and ‘90s and volunteered at the venue for the recent Regional action reboot, along with partner Jill and daughter Allison. In late 2024, this trio formed the RACEMoto organization and took over race activities at Shannonville.
“This is our second year with the series,” explained Grummett prior to round one at S.M.P. May 8-10. “Our big focus this year is on our final event, September 25-27, that will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of motorcycle racing at Shannonville, or what was then known as Nelson International Raceway.”
Born in Ireland, John Nelson moved to Canada to pursue his motorcycle interests, opening shops and eventually focusing on Honda. In 1974 his family bought the Shannonville property, just east of Belleville, Ontario, on the main Highway 401 trans-Canada artery, and built a small rental go-kart facility.
That tiny venue was updated in late 1976 in preparation for a successful first Regional event. Full time Regional racing started in 1977, with Shannonville at one point hosting 13 Regional events for two different eastern sanctioning bodies.
“Our aim is to grow the Series, and last year we were up about ten percent,” continued Grummett, preparing for this weekend’s opener on the perimeter Pro track layout option. “If we can continue in that direction, we can make the Series sustainable.”
The recent top gun in Regional Shannonville action has been Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike pilot Elie Daccache, who has dominated the premier Feature class action this decade at S.M.P. Last season, Daccache won the Lou-Ann Printing Pro Superbike division title with five of a possible ten Saturday/Sunday victories.
Champ Daccache completed last season with a total of 234 points in Superbike, while runner up Michel Leon (Royal Distributing/Pro Six BMW S1000RR) netted 153 points, with three wins but a coupe of crashes and DNS (Did Not Start) results.
The Almaguin Sprint Cup oVers competitors on 1000cc Superbikes a second Regional class, and Daccache also won that crown with six victories (out of a possible ten) and 228 points, while Leon was second overall at 147 points and two successes.
Top gun in middleweight Supersport class action was Yamaha YZF-R6 mounted National star Matt Simpson taking the crown with 181 points, ahead of Rob Massicotte (Yam R6) with 153 points.
National middleweight ace Alex Michel joined the Supersport series mid-season, winning a race, and battled Simpson to place third in the points; Michel is expected to compete in the Superbike Feature category on a Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja this season, starting this weekend; established as an unofficial warm-up for the Bridgestone CSBK National opening round at Shannonville May 14-17.
The 2026 RACEMoto Season kicked oV with the traditional eastern Canada opener Test Day and School event at S.M.P. last weekend, with cool weather but a good participant turn-out. Expert instructors Michel Leon, Jordan Decarie, Drew Weaver, Kana Matsumoto and Toni Sharpless collaborating with attendees.
NEMRR: Adam Guyer Wins Big At Loudon
The 2026 NEMRR season fired up under challenging conditions at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 2-3. Saturday’s morning races went green in the dry, but with temperatures stuck below 50 degrees F the paddock was anything but comfortable. By the afternoon the rain arrived, and it stayed for the rest of the day — rewriting the script for everything that followed, including the headline Dash for Cash. Sunday brought clear skies but kept the chill, with highs only reaching the low 50s. Welcome back to spring in New England!
The Seacoast Sport Cycle / Dunlop Dash for Cash (Heavyweight Grand Prix) delivered the storyline of the weekend. Off the line it was Ian Beam scoring the holeshot on his Triumph, but a mistake in tire choice for the wet conditions caught up with him almost immediately — he got sideways through Turn 1a and again through Turn 2, opening the door for Eric Wood and Adam Guyer to slip past between Turns 2 and 3. From there, Guyer was gone. Riding his Seacoast Sport Cycle Ducati Streetfighter V2, Guyer set a blistering pace from the very first lap and stretched his lead to a several second margin by the halfway point. Wood, on his Yamaha R6, found another gear in the second half of the race and dropped his lap times into the low 1:21 range — fast enough to match Guyer pace-for-pace, but the gap had already been built and there was no clawing it back. Sam Martin recovered from a poor start to pick his way through the field on his own Yamaha R6, taking third to round out the podium.
For Guyer it was the perfect season debut. After taking the Overall #1 plate in 2025, his entry into the heavweight class on a true large displacement bike was one of the storylines fans were watching for in 2026 — and he answered with the loudest possible statement. In addition to the Dash, Guyer collected wins in GTL, Lightweight Grand Prix, Lightweight Superbike and Thunderbike, splitting time between the Ducati and his Aprilia RS-660 in the smaller-displacement classes. He added a pair of wins in the combined Heavyweight Streetfighter and Supertwins classes for good measure. Seven wins in his first weekend as the #1 plate holder — and a clear early signal that the Streetfighter platform NEMRR has been building support for is genuinely competitive at the front of the field.
Eric Wood was the only rider in the paddock who came close to that pace, collecting four Expert wins of his own — Formula 40 Unlimited, Heavyweight Superbike, Unlimited Grand Prix and Unlimited Superbike — all on his Yamaha R6. The middleweight-versus-heavyweight equipment debate that emerged at the end of 2025 looks set to be a season-long theme, with Wood once again proving that a well-ridden 600cc machine can hold its own against bigger displacement bikes.
Other multi-win Experts included Brett Guyer (F40 Lightweight and Formula 50 Lightweight), Adam Muscaro (Motard and Ultra-lightweight Superbike), Jacob Crossman (Middleweight Superbike and Middleweight Supersport) and Fletcher Rood (500 Supersport and Moto 3). Notable single-class wins came from Justin Landry in F40 Middleweight, Jared Mileika in Heavyweight Supersport — picking up where his strong 2024 amateur season left off — and Ben Gloddy in Unlimited Supersport.
The standout of the Amateur ranks was Matthew Sweeney, and his weekend deserves a closer look. Sweeney won four Amateur classes — 500 Superbike, 500 Supersport, Moto 3 and Ultra-lightweight Superbike — but it was Sunday’s combined Expert/Amateur Moto 3 race that turned heads. Running from the Amateur wave, Sweeney’s pace was strong enough that he beat the entire Expert wave as well, effectively winning the Expert class from his Amateur grid spot. That kind of performance from an Amateur is the unmistakable signal of a rider headed for advancement — look for Sweeney to be tested at the Expert level very soon.
Christopher O’Shea matched Sweeney’s four-win tally with victories in F40 Lightweight, GTL, Lightweight Superbike and Thunderbike. In the Amateur Dash for Cash (Amateur Heavyweight Grand Prix), Thomas Dixon took the win and added the Amateur Heavyweight Superbike class for good measure — a strong opening weekend for the veteran.
The Novice ranks featured a pair of dominant performances. Jason Neuman swept all three Novice Lightweight Grand Prix waves, while Mark Roberto did the same in the Novice Middleweight Grand Prix waves — a clean three-for-three for each rider in their respective ladders. Both look like riders to keep an eye on as the season unfolds.
In Super Street, Derek Wood took both Lightweight rounds, while Stephen Holubiak picked up the Unlimited A win. As always, the NEMRR Super Street class is the perfect low-pressure entry into road racing, allowing track-day riders the chance to mix it up on the same weekend as the rest of the paddock.
Round 2 of the NEMRR series will be held May 27-28 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Information is available at www.nemrr.com.
MotoGP: Preview of the Michelin Grand Prix of France
HOT HEADLINES: ready for the roar of Le Mans?
From one legend to the next, MotoGP arrives in France to greet another roaring crowd.
Jerez to Le Mans. From one legendary venue to another. Round 5 of the 2026 MotoGP season brings us back to one of the most famous stages of them all – and one which hosted an unforgettable 2025 edition after home hero Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) became the first-ever French MotoGP winner at the French Grand Prix since 1954.
HRC’s #5 and his compatriot Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will soak up a loud and passionate majority of the support in front of another capacity Le Mans crowd, but a host of storylines are building nicely in this compelling early season title race in MotoGP.
HOMECOMING HEROES
We’ll get to that in a moment, but a lot of focus will be on last year’s winner Zarco and the ever-popular Quartararo. Zarco rolled out his best weekend of the season so far in Jerez after bagging a front row start, and then a very solid P7 in Sunday’s encounter. A top five was on the cards if he had held on for another few laps, but it was a lovely injection of confidence for a rider who is very much looking forward to being back at a venue which owns such special memories.
A positive Jerez Test for Quartararo hopefully gives the #20 a better chance of producing some magic on home turf, but given Yamaha’s development journey, expectations will remain guarded before a wheel is turned in anger at Le Mans. However, if anyone can pull a rabbit out of the hat when needed, El Diablo is a top contender.
APRILIA & BEZZECCHI MARCH ON
That history-making unbeaten Sunday run may have ended in Jerez, but Marco Bezzecchiand Aprilia Racing land in Le Mans as the package to beat. Still. The Italian was a winner here back in 2023 on the VR46 Ducati, so he’s got form around the 4.1km layout – not good news for the rest.
Bezzecchi’s P2 in Andalusia saw his championship points lead rise to 11 points over teammate Jorge Martin, who continues to churn out the consistent results. It was P4 from 10th on the grid in front of his home fans in Jerez, and after crucial kilometres were gained on Monday in Jerez, Martin – the 2024 French GP winner – arrives with added weapons in his already stacked arsenal.
To add fuel to another fantastic weekend for Aprilia, Sunday saw all four of their full-time machines finish in the top six. Ai Ogura’s last-race charge saw him dispense teammate Raul Fernandez on the final lap, with a P5 and P6 for the Trackhouse MotoGP Team keeping the American outfit second in the Teams’ standings.
DIGGIA FRONTS DUCATI FLEET
It’s safe to say there were contrasting emotions down in the Ducati boxes in Jerez. While Saturday’s Tissot Sprint 1-2 gave Ducati Lenovo Team something to shout about, Sunday’s double DNF didn’t. Marc Marquez’s Lap 2 crash and Francesco Bagnaia’s technical problem saw them lose further ground in the championship, with the reigning World Champion now 44 points adrift of Bezzecchi. A response is craved on French soil, a circuit where Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller, Enea Bastianini, Bezzecchi, and Martin have won on the Ducati since Marc Marquez’s 2019 victory with Honda.
While spirits were low in the red corner, the blue and yellow corners certainly enjoyed their Sunday outings. Alex Marquez’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) fourth MotoGP victory was his second in a row at the Spanish GP, and that flawless ride to a maximum points haul was needed after a low-key start to the season. Now he’ll want to back it up. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) P3 in Jerez meant he retook control the Ducati reins in the championship off Marc Marquez, with Diggia’s great launch into 2026 seeing him also climb to P3 in the title race.
A rain-soaked Le Mans was the scene of Fermin Aldeguer’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) debut MotoGP podium last season, so the rider who’s still getting back up to speed after his pre-season femur fracture will have happy memories of the French GP. And having pocketed a Sprint medal in Jerez, can Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) find the missing ingredients he needs to be back challenging at the front in France?
KTM SEEK ROUND 5 RESPONSE
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) coming home as the fastest KTM rider in P8 wasn’t what the Austrian factory would have been expecting in Jerez last time out. Not because it was Bastianini spearheading the RC16s, but because they were some way off that podium fight after a start to the season that saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) lead the Championship earlier in the year. In Jerez it was a P10 result for Acosta, one place ahead of his teammate Brad Binder, and that saw the #37 relinquish P3 in the championship to Di Giannantonio. However, important questions sounded like they were answered at the Jerez Test. Fingers crossed that’s the case. We had our fingers crossed Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) would be able to get back in the saddle at the Tech3 team’s home race too, but the team say it’s just a few days too early so it’s Jonas Folger stepping in.
HRC & YAMAHA AIM TO LEVEL UP IN LE MANS
Luca Marini and Honda HRC Castrol teammate Joan Mir didn’t have their most enjoyable Sundays in Jerez. The former suffered damage in the opening exchanges and nursed his RC213V to the chequered flag in P13, while a double Long Lap penalty, garnered earlier in the weekend, for the latter saw chances of a top 10 diminish. The duo will be gunning for a turnaround in fortunes in France.
Zarco’s P7 was some solid points and another clear sign of progress being made in the HRC stable, while Diogo Moreira’s (Pro Honda LCR) mission will be to get back into the points.
The leading light for Yamaha in Jerez was Quartararo, but a P14 won’t cut the French mustard. He’ll be aiming for even more. Meanwhile, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), 2021 French GP winner Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and his teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu will all be looking to get back into the points in Le Mans as they continue to work on moving back towards the front.
Le Mans is legendary for its pure noise and passion, and 2026 will be no different. Can Aprilia hit back? Will rain come into play? It could be another huge twist just around the corner so tune in for the Michelin® Grand Prix of France!
Sportbike Track Time: Upcoming Track Days
You work hard. You deserve to have fun.
The daily grind—the meetings, the commutes, the deadlines—it all stays at the gate. It might be Tuesday, but we’re looking forward to the weekends with STT!
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally take your bike to the limit, this is it. You deserve the excitement that only a closed course can provide!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
GRATTAN RACEWAY
Race Certificate Class available Sunday
GRATTAN RACEWAY
Novice class not offered
Race Certificate Class available
PUTNAM PARK
1 on 1 Instruction add-on available Saturday & Sunday
Garages for this event are sold out.
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
AUTOBAHN COUNTRY CLUB
Novice group sold out
Race Certificate Class available
Sunday, May 24
All groups sold out
1:1 Instruction available
GINGERMAN RACEWAY BIKE NIGHT
GINGERMAN RACEWAY
Race Certificate Class available
1:1 Instruction available
Race Certificate Class available
1:1 Instruction available
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Are you a female rider looking for a supportive space for your first track day? Do you know a female rider who’s contemplated a track day but has yet to take the plunge? Are you an experienced female rider looking to have fun and encourage other female riders to join the sport you love?
Join us at one of our Ladies First events! These events are designed to create a supportive and encouraging environment for women to get on the track. The Advanced and Intermediate groups are combined to allow for more Novice availability.
T-Shirt size guarantee has now been extended until Friday, May 8! Register before the deadline to guarantee your Ladies First t-shirt.
Bagger World Cup: Iannone Joining Niti Racing
Former MotoGP™ and WorldSBK race winner expands Niti Racing line-up and brings the grid to ten riders.
Milwaukee, WI (May 5, 2026) — The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup takes another step forward with the addition of Andrea Iannone as tenth rider in the entry list, who will join the championship from the Italian GP at Mugello with Niti Racing.
Following a highly competitive opening round in Austin, highlighted by Oscar Gutiérrez’s victory in Race 2, Niti Racing further strengthens its line-up by bringing in the experienced Italian rider, expanding to a three-bike effort alongside Gutiérrez and Dimas Ekky Pratama.
One of the most recognizable names in modern motorcycle racing, Iannone is a former race winner in both MotoGP™ and the FIM Superbike World Championship, bringing with him top-level experience, natural speed, and a bold competitive mindset. Known for his aggressive riding style and strong race instincts, he is expected to be an immediate contender at the front.
Iannone’s arrival brings the total number of riders on the Bagger World Cup grid to ten, reinforcing the depth and competitiveness of the inaugural season. He will make his debut on the race-prepared Harley- Davidson machines at the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Italy at Mugello from May 29–31, and is set to compete in the remaining rounds of the championship through to the season finale in Austria.
At a venue already known for delivering one of the most engaging spectator experiences in motorsport, the presence of Andrea Iannone, alongside fellow Italian Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team), adds a further layer of excitement to the Mugello weekend. Italian supporters will have even more reasons to connect with the championship and its protagonists. From the Harley-Davidson Village to the unique opportunity to access the Bagger World Cup garages, which are open to the public, and the dedicated grandstand at Correntaio, the experience is designed to bring people closer than ever to the action, offering a truly immersive and distinctly Harley-Davidson way to live MotoGP™.
Andrea Iannone – Niti Racing rider: “I like challenges, especially when they take you out of your comfort zone. This is something completely different, and that’s exactly why I said yes. I’m truly excited to begin this new chapter, as I’ve always admired Harley-Davidson and its iconic riders’ community, which plays such an important role in the scene. It’s a category that embodies adrenaline, spectacle, and a genuine passion for riding and for life. These bikes have a strong personality, you have to respect them, but at the same time you can push them hard. In that sense, we are quite similar, and I think that’s why this project fits me well. I’m also approaching this first race without having tested the bike, and with one less test than the others. That reflects my mindset, I embrace challenges and actively look for them. Mugello is the perfect place to start, in front of the Italian fans, on a track I know very well. I’m not coming here just to participate. I want to understand the bike quickly and be competitive straight away. Let’s see what we can do. On a more personal note, I feel a strong connection with Indonesia. I truly appreciate its people, and I’m excited to begin this journey together with Niti Racing and this community.”
Angela Khuu – Team Manager, Niti Racing: “After a very positive start to the season in Austin, adding Andrea to our line-up is a natural step to keep building momentum. We already have a strong base with Oscar and Dimas, and bringing in a rider with Andrea’s experience and speed gives us an additional dimension as a team. We are excited to see how quickly he adapts to the bike and to start working together already in Mugello.”
Jeffrey Schuessler – Director of Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson: “Bringing a rider like Andrea into the championship is a strong statement about what we are building with the Bagger World Cup. He’s a proven race winner at the highest level, with the kind of talent and personality that adds even more energy to the grid. This is exactly the type of profile we want to attract as the championship continues to grow. Mugello will be a great place to see him start this new chapter on Niti Racing’s third bike, further strengthening an already competitive line-up alongside Oscar Gutiérrez and Dimas Ekky Pratama.”
About FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the first global championship exclusively dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, organized by Harley-Davidson in partnership with MotoGP™ and officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The series is contested at selected international circuits alongside the MotoGP™ calendar, bringing Harley-Davidson’s iconic machines into a premier global racing environment. The championship combines heritage, technical innovation, and on-track competition, extending the brand’s racing legacy onto the world stage. Learn more on the dedicated FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup page at www.harley-davidson.com.
About Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.
MotoGP™ Background
Welcome to the most exciting sport on earth. The fastest bikes. The most forward-thinking manufacturers. The world’s most fearless riders. Come with us to the edge of possibility and the edge of your seat. MotoGP™. Faster. Forward. Fearless.