Factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi made up for his mistake in the Saturday Sprint race in the best possible way on Sunday, leading from lights to flag and setting records along the way. Bezzecchi has now won five straight Grand Prix races, joining an elite club of five-in-a-row Grand Prix winners. Aprilia has gone 1-2 in the last two Grand Prix races, a new mark for the company. And Bezzecchi re-took the Championship points lead. Teammate Jorge Martin, who finished second, has been on the last four podiums (counting Sprint and Grand Prix races) and is in second, four points behind Bezzecchi in the Championship points.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo by Michael Gougis.
KTM’s Pedro Acosta was again the best of the non-Aprilia rest, taking his second podium of the year. Acosta sits third in the points, with 60, behind Bezzecchi with 81 and Martin with 77.
Pedro Acosta. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the top-finishing Ducati rider, but the Pertamina Enduro VR46 star could do no better than fourth and was fortunate to finish that high, as Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura had passed him and was pulling away when Ogura’s Aprilia broke.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Ducati’s Marc Marquez started his day sitting outside of the medical office next to COTA’s media center, alone and in the dark. He served a long-lap penalty and finished fifth after a battle with Enea Bastianini.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Fermin Aldeguer finished the weekend with a 10th place in the Sprint race and 11th in the Grand Prix race. It was remarkable considering that the Gresini Ducati rider is still walking with a cane as he recovers from a broken leg suffered in pre-season testing.
Fermin Aldeguer. Photo by Michael Gougis.
A seven-rider pileup forced officials to red-flag the Moto2 race. Senna Agius took the win in the restarted 10-lap sprint. American Joe Roberts, one of the riders involved in the multi-bike crash, took the restart and finished ninth.
Senna Agius (81). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Joe Roberts (16) was caught up in the first-lap crash that caused the Moto2 race to be red flagged. He finished ninth. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Guido Pini came out on top of a four-rider last-corner scramble and took the Moto3 race win. He became the first Italian rider to win a Moto3 race since Dennis Foggia in 2022.
Guido Pini (94). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Oscar Gutierrez won the second Harley-Davidson World Bagger Cup race of the weekend, rebounding from his last-place finish in Saturday’s race.
Oscar Gutierrez (99). Photo by Michael Gougis.
The main grandstands as seen on Sunday at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Ducati had no answer for the pace of the factory Aprilia machines and riders. So far this season, Ducati has had only four podiums in six Sprint and Grand Prix races and the highest ranking Ducati rider is Fabio Di Giannantonio in fourth, 31 points out of the lead. After the Sprint race, Alex Marquez, who is riding a current-spec Ducati for the first time in his career, estimated that he was only getting 80% out of the 2026 Ducati, and that it still needed development.
Luigi “Gigi” Dall’Igna. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, left, chats with KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister on the grid for the Sprint race, on Saturday at Circuit of The Americas.
Yamaha’s struggles continued at COTA, with the four YZR-M1s mired at the back of the field in a pack. Here Fabio Quartararo (20) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (07), Alex Rins (42) and Jack Miller (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Marco Bezzecchi won the MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Circuit of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian rider won the 20-lap race by 2.036 seconds.
Bezzecchi is the first rider to win five consecutive Grands Prix when leading every lap in the modern area.
His teammate and Sprint race winner, Jorge Martin, was the runner-up.
Pedro Acosta placed third on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.
Pole-sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio crossed the finish line fourth on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Seven-time MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez, took fifth on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship with 81 points, 4 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 77 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 60 points.
Record-breaker Bezzecchi claims COTA crown with Sunday stunner. Martin makes it an Aprilia 1-2 in Austin, Acosta joins the Noale duo on the podium as Marc Marquez claims P5 following his Long Lap penalty.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) just can’t stop breaking records. The #72 has won an incredible fifth Grand Prix in a row, only the third Italian rider ever to do it, and has won the first three GPs of a season for the first time since Marc Marquez did it in 2014. It was also an Aprilia 1-2 for the second time in succession as Jorge Martin followed up Tissot Sprint Gold with a Sunday podium, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) taking third.
Acosta got an almighty launch off the front row for the holeshot, with Bezzecchi also steaming forwards to take over in second. Even more so Martin as he shot up into third. Early drama then saw Acosta deep into Turn 11, with Bezzecchi cutting up the inside on the tighter line. On the exit the two were side-by-side and the two bashed fairings – with a piece of Aprilia breaking off and flying off behind them. Bez retained the lead following that, with Acosta recovering quickly despite the bash and Martin hovering third too.
Marc Marquez (93), Francesco Bagnaia (63) and Enea Bastianini (23) during the MotoGP race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Behind, it was all heating up in the group. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) vs Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) first, with the yellow machine ahead, before Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was then also able to pick his way past the #93 – followed swiftly by Honda HRC Castrol’s Joan Mir.
By then, it was new record time: crossing the line ahead for each lap until the start of Lap 4, Bezzecchi has officially led more consecutive Grand Prix laps than anyone else in the modern era. The previous record was 103 held by Jorge Lorenzo in 2015, Lap 4 in COTA made it 104 for Bezzecchi.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was out of the heat of battle and into the Long Lap area. The #93 had the penalty for his incidentB with Di Giannantonio in the Sprint, and he completed that with no drama. Then Mir was given a Long Lap for a shortcut taken when in the heat of that battle for fourth, but the #36 crashed out not long after.
Meanwhile at the front, Martin had made one luge on Acosta for second and been denied, and a couple of laps later had a huge moment at Turn 1. He saved it but dropped back into the clutches of Diggia, with Bagnaia also homing in on the back of the #49.
At half race distance, it was Bez leading Acosta by around a second, with Martin, Diggia and Bagnaia close behind. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had attacked Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) for sixth, with Sprint podium finisher Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) on their tail. Marc Marquez was down in P9 after his Long Lap, not making many inroads into the #23 ahead.
Ogura and Bastianini were the riders on the move. Ogura was homing in on Bagnaia and Bastianini on Alex Marquez. By Lap 12, the American Flag-liveried Trackhouse machine of Ogura was past Bagnaia in brutal but clean style. Next target: Diggia. The Japanese rider sliced up the inside at Turn 12, another brutal but clean move.
Just after that, Acosta had a moment at Turn 1 – wide or looking for a bike to follow for tyre pressure? Martin was able to just sweep past the KTM, making it an Aprilia 1-2, with Ogura on the march too.
MotoGP Race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Meanwhile in the fight for sixth, the Bagnaia – Bastianini – Alex Marquez – Marc Marquez quartet was heating up, and drama hit for Ogura. As Marc Marquez elbowed past Alex Marquez and then past Bastianini to tag onto the back of Bagnaia, Ogura was slowing and pulling over out of the group’s way – a technical issue putting paid to his incredible charge.
Bagnaia vs Marc Marquez was then game on for fifth – but not according to Bastianiani. The #23 attacked Marquez first instead of took sixth. The #93 responded. Bastianini wasn’t done, sending it at the end of the back straight. Marquez got him on the cutback. It settled briefly before Marquez attacked Bagnaia, and Bastianini barreled straight through to follow the #93.
Meanwhile at the front, Bezzecchi was just about keeping enough in hand over Martin, and onto the last lap he eked it out to cross the line 1.7 seconds clear. He extended that lap-leading run to an even bigger record of 121 and becomes only the third Italian rider ever to win five in a row after Hall of Famers Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini. He’s also the first rider to win the first three GPs of the season since Marc Marquez did it in 2014.
Jorge Martin (left) and Marco Bezzecchi (right) in the parc fermé after the MotoGP race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Martin makes it an Aprilia 1-2, the first time the factory has achieved that twice in a row, and only just loses that Championship lead gained with his Sprint Gold medal. Acosta held on to third place for a podium on Sunday to add a trophy to replace the medal lost on Saturday.
Diggia takes fourth, in an ultimately lonely ride to the flag but comes home as top Ducati. Marc Marquez did hold on to fifth ahead of Bastianini – just – with Alex Marquez taking P7. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP team) slots into eighth, with he and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) getting past Bagnaia late on.
After a dramatic weekend in Texas, the grid now has time to recharge and reload for Jerez. The Spanish GP is in a few weeks, so come back for more as MotoGP heads over to Europe for another classic race weekend – with Aprilia very much in control in the title fight.
Senna Agius won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, Agius won the 10-lap race by 0.497 second.
The race was red-flagged following a crash involving multiple riders and was subsequently reduced from 16 laps to 10.
Celestino Vietti was the runner-up on his HDR SpeedRS Boscoscuro.
Izan Guevara was a close third on his Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
David Alonso finished fourth on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Kalex.
Agius’ teammate and championship point leader, Manuel Gonzalez took fifth.
American Joe Roberts finished Sunday’s race in 9th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Manuel Gonzalez leads the championship with 39.5 points, 3.5 ahead of Izan Guevara who has 36 points. Daniel Holgado is third with 33 points.
Agius fends off Vietti for Moto2 honours at COTA. The Australian got the job done during a red-flagged Grand Prix in the USA.
Having had a difficult opening couple of rounds, Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) put in a determined ride to take a third career victory in Moto2. The #81 resisted a late charge from Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) with the #13 taking a first podium of the season whilst the rostrum was completed by Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2).
The holeshot honours went to Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) but all eyes were behind as a collision at Turn 1 ended Championship leader Daniel Holgado’s (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) Grand Prix. However, there was then a big incident at Turn 11 on the opening lap involving Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI), David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), bringing out the red flag. All riders were reported conscious and the Grand Prix restarted for 10 laps – all riders who crashed were eligible to restart but Piqueras and Ferrandez were taken to the medical centre.
Ahead of the restart, a raft of contenders were handed Long Lap Penalties – Holgado for causing a crash at Turn 1 whilst Muñoz and Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) for unsafe changes of direction from the original start. Elsewhere, Deniz Öncü (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed on the sighting lap but did start. On the restart itself, Lopez grabbed the holeshot before Baltus came through on him at Turn 13 but still had to serve his Long Lap Penalty. Behind, Agius made his move to get into P2 ahead of Lopez before pouncing on leader Baltus on Lap 3 into Turn 12.
Onto Lap 4, Vietti was on the charge and having dispatched of Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), he got ahead of Lopez at Turn 1, the Spaniard now dropping back. On Lap 5, Baltus briefly took the lead back at Turn 12 on Agius but then came into serve his LLP, slotting back into P7 and just ahead of Alonso, with the Colombian soon getting ahead of the Belgian before he also got ahead of Lopez and was now sitting in fifth with four to go. A lap later at Turn 1, the #80 got into fourth, a stunning comeback from 17th on the grid.
Back at the front and Vietti took over at the front on the run down the 1.2km backstraight, only for Agius to attempt to respond at Turn 19 but he was unable to make it stick. Two laps to go, the gloves had come off as Agius pulled a bold move to hit the front going into Turn 3 and then the Australian pulled the pin to start the final lap of the Grand Prix. Despite a mega final lap from Vietti, it was Agius who took an emotional third career victory ahead of the Italian, whilst Guevara put in a cracking performance to bag a second podium of 2026 in P3.
17th to fourth, a fine Sunday for Alonso whilst Gonzalez was a solid fifth, enough to assume the Championship lead. After his Long Lap Penalty, Baltus was sixth ahead of Lopez whilst Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) fended off home-hero Roberts for eighth, with the #16 restarting to get his best result of the season whilst it was Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) rounded out the top ten.
Next stop, the European tour begins! Moto2 returns to Jerez!
Guido Pini won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Using his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda, the Italian rider won the 14-lap race by just 0.056 second, making it his first Moto3 victory.
Maximo Quiles was the runner-up on his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team KTM.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was third, just 0.254 second behind race winner Pini.
Valentin Perrone crossed the finish line fourth on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine and Pini’s teammate, Adrian Fernandez got fifth.
Maximo Quiles leads the championship with 65 points, 23 ahead of Alvaro Carpe who has 42 points. Valentin Perrone is third with 38 points.
Pini pockets last corner win in Moto3 COTA classic. The Italian takes his maiden victory as the podium fight delivers a show to remember – right to the wire.
Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) is a Moto3 Grand Prix winner! The Italian came out on top in final corner fisticuffs at COTA, claiming victory by just 0.056. Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) took second, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the podium after his final corner attack on Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) saw both head wide and lose out on a 1-2.
Carpe took the holeshot from pole ahead of Perrone, with Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) losing out off the start as Quiles went full send into Turn 1 and grabbed third. The two orange machines were streaking away in the lead early doors, but Quiles got the hammer down to tag back on, with the Leopard Racing duo of Pini and Adrian Fernandez next up the road.
Guido Pini in the parc fermé after chis victory at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
After it had been a seven-rider fight early doors, Joel Esteban (LEVELUP – MTA) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) were out of that with 10 to go as Pratama crashed out and Esteban couldn’t avoid the bike. Both riders were ok but the group was down to five before Fernandez started to fade, leaving four riders fighting for three places on the podium.
By three to go, the gloves started to come off. Pini attacked Quiles at Turn 11 and got the lead momentarily before being denied and then tried again at Turn 12 – this time hooking it up and keeping it. With that shuffle at the front, Carpe was right back in it and the four-rider fight really started to heat up.
Onto the last lap, Perrone led Pini, but Carpe slotted into second early doors. Pini then lost out to Quiles at Turn 11, with the long back straight seeing everyone absolutely pinned – but it was Carpe who led out of 12. Then Perrone attacked at 13, Carpe repaid him through 17-18, Perrone was back through in style at Turn 19 and Carpe took it back again a corner later. But it all went down to the final corner.
Carpe went for the win and sliced up the inside, with Perrone pushed out wide and the #83 only just keeping it on track too. The door was open for the duo behind them, and neither Pini nor Quiles needed a second invitation. In their drag race to the line, Pini took it by 0.056, with Quiles second and Carpe holding on to third. Perrone, after a stunning race, was forced to settle for fourth.
Fernandez took fifth, with a huge fight behind going to the wire too. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) took P6 right at the line as rookie Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) got bumped aside at the finish line, allowing fellow rookie Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) to just steal P7 too. Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP – MTA) took ninth ahead of Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), with compatriot Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – Mlav Racing) just missing out on the top ten but taking his best Moto3 finish yet. Front row starter O’Gorman crashed out from that group.
Moto3 race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Check out full results from Moto3 at the Red Bull US GP here. Now we wait for the Spanish GP with a few weekends off – chance for the field to recharge and come back out swinging on turf that’s much more familiar for many. Will the order shuffle again? Join us in Jerez to find out!
Oscar Gutierrez won the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Race Two Sunday morning at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Niti Racing Harley-Davidson on Dunlop control tires, the Spaniard won the 7-lap race by 3.020 seconds.
Eric Granado was the runner-up on his Joe Rascal Racing Harley-Davidson and his teammate, Archie Mcdonald finished third.
Archie Macdonald crossed the finish line in 2nd place but received a three-second penalty for failing to comply with the long lap penalty after exceeding track limits.
Riding for Saddlemen Racing Harley-Davidson, American teammates Jake Lewis was 4th, Cory West finished the race in 6th and Travis Wyman suffered technical issues on his bike.
Cody Wyman did not start the race on his Joe Rascal Racing Harley-Davidson.
Archie McDonald leads the championship with 41 points, 8 ahead of Oscar Gutierrez who has 33 points. Jake Lewis is third with 33 points.
More from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
Two winners, intense battles and history made at Bagger World Cup Opener in Austin.
AUSTIN, Texas — The opening round of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup delivered intense on-track battles and dramatic moments at the Circuit of the Americas, as the new global championship in partnership with MotoGP™ officially came to life alongside the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of the Americas.
Both the races of the weekend were fought until the final laps, producing the first two winners in the history of the category. Archie McDonald (Joe Rascal Racing) claimed victory in Race 1 on Saturday, while Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing) secured the win in Race 2 on Sunday.
Race 1:
At the start of the first race in championship history, young Australian Archie McDonald launched perfectly from the grid, getting the better of teammate Eric Granado, who had secured pole position in qualifying with a lap time of 2:12.387. The battle between the two intensified at mid-race, with Granado taking the lead after a mistake from McDonald. However, the Australian responded shortly after, reclaiming the position when Granado lost the front under braking and dropped back through the field. Jake Lewis (Saddlemen Race Development) delivered a strong and consistent ride to take second place, showcasing experience and control across the race distance, while Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team) secured third with a composed and disciplined performance to round out the podium.
Race 2:
McDonald and Granado were once again protagonists at the start of Race 2, with the Australian repeating his strong launch off the line. The two Joe Rascal Racing riders immediately set a fast pace, but were unable to break away from Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing), who steadily increased his rhythm lap after lap. The Spanish rider closed the gap and executed two clean overtakes to take the lead, going on to secure victory at the checkered flag. On lap five, Gutiérrez also set a new benchmark for the category at the Austin circuit with a time of 2:12.348, establishing both the race lap record and the all-time lap record for the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup at Circuit of the Americas. Second at the finish line was Archie McDonald, but a three-second penalty for failing to complete the prescribed Long Lap after twice exceeding track limits dropped the Australian to third in the final classification, promoting Eric Granado to second.
Jeffrey Schuessler – Director of Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson: “This weekend delivered exactly what we set out to build. Close racing, battles decided in the final laps, and riders pushing these machines to the limit from the very start. The level of competition showed up immediately, and that’s a strong indication of where this championship is headed. We also saw different riding styles coming together on track, with riders finding their own way to be fast on these bikes. That created some really interesting race dynamics and showed how competitive and adaptable this grid already is from the first round. What’s been especially powerful is the global nature of the championship, with riders and teams from different parts of the world coming together to be part of something new. That’s a significant step forward for the series. And then there’s the emotion. You feel it in the sound, the torque, and the presence of these bikes on track. It’s raw, it’s different, and it’s real. This is not just racing. We’re building something new here, a global platform that brings a different kind of energy to the MotoGP stage and connects with fans in a way that is authentic to Harley-Davidson.”
Archie McDonald – Joe Rascal Racing – Race 1 Winner: “History. That’s the first word that comes to my mind. It was the first race in the history of the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, and I took the first win, hopefully the first of many. I’m really happy. There has been a lot of preparation behind this project, from myself, the team and Harley-Davidson, so this result feels amazing. I had a strong start, even if leading early wasn’t ideal. Granado passed me after a mistake, I stayed with him, and then he made a mistake and I took the lead again. My plan was to wait until the final laps to make a move, but in the end I didn’t need to. I’m sorry about Eric’s crash, as it’s not the way I wanted to win, but I’m still enjoying the moment. I’m really proud of my team and Harley-Davidson for making history with me, and I thank them all.”
Oscar Gutiérrez – Niti Racing –Race 2 Winner: “I’m very happy with this win. We did a great job regaining our focus after Race 1, and this was the best way to finish the Austin weekend. Already this morning I felt we had the potential to do it. I had a great feeling with the bike from the sighting lap and told my team that today was the right day. During the race I took my time to study Archie and Eric in front of me and understand where I could attack them. Then there was a moment when I clearly felt stronger, so I decided to increase the pace and make my moves. It’s a great victory, but we need to keep working well because the championship may look short, but it is still long with many races to go. We are already looking ahead to Mugello and continuing on this path. One area where I still need to improve is the start. At the beginning of the race I had to push to recover because McDonald and Granado started very strong. But I knew that if I stayed calm I could come back, and that’s what I did. I stayed patient for a couple of laps, then when I felt I had more pace I made the overtakes and in the end took a win that makes me very happy.”
Following the opening round, Archie McDonald leads the championship standings with 41 points, ahead of Oscar Gutiérrez and Jake Lewis, both on 33 points.
Championship Standings:
Archie McDonald (AUS) – 41 (25 / 16)
Oscar Gutiérrez (SPA) – 33 (8 / 25)
Jake Lewis (USA) – 33 (20 / 13)
Eric Granado (BRA) – 30 (10 / 20)
Filippo Rovelli (ITA) – 27 (16 / 11)
Cory West (USA) – 23 (13 / 10)
Travis Wyman (USA) – 11 (11 / -)
Cody Wyman (USA) – 9 (9 / -)
Dimas Ekky Pratama (INA) – 9 (- / 9)
The next round of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will take place at the Mugello International Circuit during the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Italy, from May 29–31.
DETROIT – A common adage in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has long been that anything can happen at any given moment, and that sentiment reigned true during Round 11 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship inside Ford Field. An exceptionally challenging racetrack, anchored by the most treacherous and demanding whoop section of the season, pushed the most talented racers on the planet to the limit and ultimately resulted in a dramatic shakeup of the 450SMX Class title fight as Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen enjoyed a dominant performance for the landmark 25th victory of his career.
Ken Roczen’s Dominant Victory Headlines Wild Night in Detroit as Monster Energy Supercross Title Fight Shakes Up.
The 20 Minute + 1 Lap 450SMX Class Main Event kicked off with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado capturing his fifth holeshot of the season ahead of Roczen and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton, who made his return to action after missing three races. Championship leader Hunter Lawrence started deep inside the top 10 aboard his Honda HRC Progressive machine, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac, second in points, started outside the top 10. Back up front, Prado was able to fend off heavy pressure from Roczen for several laps, but the German native seized control of the race lead just a few minutes into the action. Prado then battled briefly with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the reigning Supercross champion, but the two came together and went down, which dropped them deep in the field.
Roczen quickly built a multi-second lead over Sexton, who moved into second, while Lawrence overcame one of his worst starts of the season to claw his way up to third. The top three settled in through the middle portion of the Main Event, with each finding a consistent rhythm that kept the lead trio within three seconds of each other. Just before the halfway point of the moto, when both Sexton and Lawrence had made inroads on Roczen’s lead, Lawrence crashed hard exiting the whoops. He remounted but was forced to have his bike attended to in the mechanics area, which lost him a lap.
Roczen extended his lead once more to end the threat from Sexton, while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart moved into third ahead of Tomac. Roczen continued to pull away and easily took home his second win of the season in his 173rd career start by a margin of 7.7 seconds over Sexton. Stewart broke through with his first podium result of the season in third, followed by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in fourth, ahead of Tomac in fifth. Lawrence, meanwhile, soldiered through another fall to salvage 18th place.
A dramatic shakeup in the championship has moved Tomac back atop standings for the first time since the fourth race of the season, as he now holds a four-point lead over Lawrence with six races remaining. Roczen’s win moved him to within 14 points of the lead to establish a three-rider battle for the championship’s stretch run.
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen captured a milestone 25th victory in his 173rd career start amidst a shakeup in the title fight. Photo courtesy SMX
Ken Roczen – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“I don’t know what to say, but this is exactly what I was talking about [people overlooking my ability to win]. This was a tough Main Event. I was definitely not the fastest in the beginning. I was playing a little bit with the track. I knew they were gaining on me, so I switched up my rhythms slightly. It was tough, because I wasn’t necessarily lighting the world on fire [with my speed] but the track was so tough. The whoops were a 50-50 chance you were going to make it through or end up on your back. I am so excited, you have no idea. We closed up some points, but we still have a lot of racing to go.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton captured an impressive runner-up finish in his first race back from a recent injury that sidelined him for a month. Photo courtesy SMX
Chase Sexton – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“Those weeks at home watching the races, there were some dark times. Obviously, I didn’t want to get injured and didn’t want to sit on the couch, but I wanted to come back when I was ready. I felt pretty good tonight, but I also felt that couch about 10 minutes into the Main Event. I felt good in the beginning and got a little tight and a little winded. We’ll go back to work but definitely a great start to the comeback. It’s been a long year for the team and me, but we want to go up from here.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart broke through with his first podium finish of the season during his best outing of the year. Photo courtesy SMX
Malcolm Stewart – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It’s been tough [this season]. I had an unfortunate situation in Anaheim [getting injured at the first race]. I kind of just felt like I didn’t know if I’d get on the podium [this season]. That’s partly just not believing in yourself, and I realized I need to pull myself out of that. I want to give it up to my team, they’ve been in my ear all season telling me I can do this. I told them we’d pop some champagne before the end of the season, so huge shout out to them.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right): Chase Sexton, Ken Roczen, and Malcolm Stewart. Photo courtesy SMX
Eli Tomac – 5th Place – 450SMX Class Points Leader:
“Of course, I saw Hunter’s [Lawrence] crash and knew I was going to take advantage of that once I saw him a lap down, but overall, a bit of a frustrating day here. I’ve actually struggled here my past couple rides. I don’t know what it is. I haven’t had the best success at Detroit lately. Maybe I’ve been in kind of a midseason slump. We’ll do what we can to get better, improve, and get back to winning some races and be up at the front.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac regained control of the points lead following a fifth-place finish. Photo courtesy SMX
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence suffered two crashes in the Main Event and finished a lap down in 18th to lose control of the championship lead. Photo courtesy SMX
Cole Davies Storms to Third Straight 250SMX Class Win
The fifth 15 Minute + 1 Lap Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event of the season started with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher leading the field to the holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker and Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda. Behind them, championship leader Cole Davies was mired in 15th place aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine. Thrasher held onto the lead for a couple laps but then crashed out of contention in the whoops, which handed the lead to Hammaker. As the Kawasaki rider asserted his hold of the top spot over Shimoda, Davies was on a torrid march to the front. Thanks to an unparalleled level of speed through a challenging whoops section, the New Zealander easily broke into the top 10 and soon found his way into the top five before the halfway point. From there, Davies charged into podium position and made quick work of a pass by Shimoda to move into second place. He then proceeded to erase a four second deficit to Hammaker and fittingly made the winning pass coming out of the whoops with just under six minutes to go. From there, Davies checked out on the field. Hammaker easily held onto second, while Shimoda was forced to contend with ClubMX Yamaha’s Coty Schock, who initially got by his Japanese counterpart for a spot on the podium, only to give it back after a crash in the whoops.
Davies completed an incredible come-from-behind performance by a margin of 12.1 seconds over Hammaker for a third straight Main Event victory, while Shimoda rounded out the podium in third.
With his third consecutive win, Davies extended his lead in the championship standings to nine points over Hammaker, with Shimoda sitting 14 points back in third.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies overcame a start outside the top 10 to capture an impressive come-from-behind victory, his third in-a-row. Photo courtesy SMX
Cole Davies – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“When I don’t perform, I’m pretty hard on myself. Me, my family, and all the people around me put in so much hard work, so when I don’t perform like I know I can I’m pretty hard on myself. But I’m stoked with that Main Event. I know that’s how I can ride. I just put everything together well. I didn’t have a good start, but I made it happen, so I’m stoked with that.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker took advantage of a great start to lead laps and bring home a runner-up finish. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“That was a tough race. I got myself off to a pretty good start and was riding okay in the beginning. I knew Cole [Davies] was in the back of the pack but man, he was riding good. Gotta give it up to him. A solid second on the night. I’ve learned from the past not to throw the races away that aren’t there for me. I want to win more than anybody, but you’ve got to know when to pull back and second is what we had tonight.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda battled hard to capture a third-place finish. Photo courtesy SMX
Jo Shimoda – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“Honestly, I was just so bad all day. I just couldn’t figure it out. I just have to do better. Nothing was really good for me today, so I’m sorry to my team. We tested all week and I think we’re stepping in the right direction, so we’ve got to keep chasing. We’ll see next weekend.”
Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right): Seth Hammaker, Cole Davies, and Jo Shimoda. Photo courtesy SMX
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, April 4, with Round 12 from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis for the annual Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross honoring the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the fight against childhood cancer. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Peacock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Nicolo Bulega won FIM Superbike World Championship Race Two Sunday afternoon at Portimao, in Portugal. Bulega started from pole position and rode his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R to a 1.967-second margin of victory in the 20-lap race.
His teammate, Iker Lecuona was the runner-up, and Miguel Oliveira rode his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR to third.
Alex Lowes finished the race fourth on his Bimota by Kawasaki KB998 Rimini and Sam Lowes got fifth on his ELF Marc VDS Ducati Panigale V4R.
Danilo Petrucci crossed the finish line 7th on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR.
American Garrett Gerloff crashed his Kawasaki ZX-10RR on turn 15.
Nicolo Bulega leads the championship with 124 points, 56 ahead of Iker Lecuona who has 68 points. Axel Bassani is third with 60 points.
PORTIMAO PERFECTION: Bulega secures hat-trick on the rollercoaster ahead of Lecuona, Oliveira secures P3. The #11 made it two hat-tricks to start the 2026 season as he beat his teammate and home hero Oliveira.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a hat-trick at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as his perfect start to the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season continued. He defeated teammate Iker Lecuona for the third time this weekend while home hero Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will also leave the Pirelli Portuguese Round with three trophies after a third P3 finish.
HAT-TRICK HERO: Bulega’s winning run hits double figures
Bulega made it three holeshots for the weekend as he leapt off the grid to maintain P1, being trailed by Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and, before the #88 got ahead of the #22 at Turn 3 on Lap 2. Iker Lecuona made a slow start again but was back in the rostrum places when he got ahead of Alex Lowes at Turn 1 on Lap 3. A lap later and the #7 passed Oliveira for second at Turn 1 despite the Portuguese rider’s efforts to hang it around the outside at the right-hand corner. While Bulega and Lowes were pulling clear of Oliveira, the #88 had to defend from Alex Lowes in the final six laps of the race but dug deep as he secured his third P3 finish at his home round. Bulega’s winning streak is now 10 races and it’s the best start to a season since Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) won 11 races in a row in 2019. With Lecuona’s P2, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati become the first team to take three 1-2 finishes in a weekend; they were also 1-2 in Tissot Superpole.
ALEX AHEAD OF SAM: The twin brothers close together on track
With the British rider unable to pass Oliveira, despite finishing only 0.169s behind the BMW star, he had to settle for P4 ahead of twin brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who finished P5 for the fifth time this season; when he has seen the chequered flag in 2026, he has finished in this position. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) finished in sixth after fighting up the order, five seconds behind the #14 directly ahead.
COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: Petrucci defeats Bassani in late-race fight
Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had his strongest race of the weekend as he finished in P7 after a late-race battle with Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team). The #9 got ahead of his compatriot on the penultimate lap at Turn 1. Bassani finished just over a second behind Petrucci with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completing the top ten. They had been in a fight with Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) but the #31 crashed out of the race on the final lap.
SCORING POINTS: A birthday present for Manzi, Rea takes P12
Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was able to claim points on his birthday as he finished in P11, his best result in his fledgling WorldSBK career. He finished ahead of Jonathan Rea (Honda HRC) who took 12th ahead of Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates). It means Rea has now scored points in all 19 of his WorldSBK seasons. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) finished 14th despite a crash at Turn 5 on Lap 4, as did Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) on the same lap in a separate incident, but recovered to P14 with Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC) claiming the final point in Race 2; he served a Long Lap Penalty in Race 2 due to irresponsible riding in the Tissot Superpole Race.
HOUSEKEEPING: Several retirements from the final race of the weekend
There were five retirements from Race 2. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) crashed at Turn 13 on Lap 5 which ended his hopes of adding to his points tally, while Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) crashed a lap later at Turn 5. On Lap 8, Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) fell at Turn 13 while Bautista was also a faller at Turn 5, coming down a lap later to the despair of Team Manager Marco Barnabo. Mattia Rato (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) came down at Turn 4 on Lap 16 to end his race. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) rejoined the race despite crashing at the same time as Vierge in a separate incident at Turn 5, and while he entered the pits initially, he rejoined the track but was not classified after being six laps down.
The top six from WorldSBK Race 2, full results here:
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.967s
3. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +7.096s
4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +7.265s
5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +10.079s
6. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +15.105s
Fastest lap: Iker Lecuona, Ducati – 1’39.792s
Championship standings:
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 124 points
2. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 68
3. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) 60
4. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 56
5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) 48
6. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) 43
Next up for WorldSBK is the ‘Cathedral of Speed’! Watch all the action from the TT Circuit Assen using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Marco Bezzecchi was fastest in the MotoGP Warm Up session Sunday morning at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian led the 21-rider field with a time of 2:01.631 around the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) circuit.
Marc Marquez was second-best with a 2:01.720 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26, and Fabio Di Giannantonio jumped up the order to third with a time of 2:02.093 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
The full-length MotoGP race is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Local Time.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise won FIM Supersport World Championship Race Two Sunday at Portimao, in Portugal. Riding his Evan Bros Racing ZXMOTO 820RR, the Frenchman won the 17-lap race by 0.720 second.
Jaume Masia was the runner-up on his Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati Panigale V2, just 0.767 second ahead of third-place finisher Albert Arenas, who rode his AS BluCru Racing Yamaha YZF-R9.
Lucas Mahias crossed the finish line fourth on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R9 and his teammate, Roberto Garcia, got fifth.
Jaume Masia leads the championship with 71 points, 6 ahead of Albert Arenas who has 65 points. Valentin Debise is third with 50 points.
DEBISE’S DOUBLE: Two races in Portimao, two wins for ZXMOTO while Masia makes a miraculous podium comeback. Masia takes the Championship lead with his third podium of the year, ahead of Arenas and Debise.
The FIM Supersport World Championship sent the rollercoaster round out with a bang at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, where they ran their final Race 2 of the Pirelli Portuguese Round. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) took his fourth win of the season, and the second win for his ZXMOTO manufacturer, whose bike has only ever participated in two WorldSSP rounds. Behind him in P2, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) completed a surgical late run to land his eighth podium, the 120th WorldSSP podium for Ducati. On the bottom step of the rostrum, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) takes his second podium after his Phillip Island Race 2 win.
DEBISE UNDETERRED: Nothing could keep the #53 and his ZXMOTO 820RR off the top step of the podium
Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) sniped Debise off the line, stealing the holeshot from his countryman. Leading the contest’s opening laps, the #53 was able to find a way through. Mahias clung to Debise like a shadow until the race’s midpoint, where the #94 began to lose time marginally, lap after lap. He looked to be cruising to his second race win of the weekend until he ran wide near the end of Lap 3 when he ran wide and the riders behind him could close up the gap. Masia chained together a clutch series of late laps, capped off by back-to-back overtakes on Turns 6 and 7 to shoot from P4 to P2. Debise was able to recover from his mistake, sending ZXMOTO again to the top of the podium for the second time on the weekend. Jaume Masia went for his second podium of the season. Albert Arenas flexed his racecraft to prevail over Mahias and Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) for his second podium in two rounds.
ODD MAN OUT: Mahias is unfortunate not to take his second podium from Portimao
Mahias will be shaking his head at not having ended the contest on the podium after leading the first lap; he takes solid points in P4 away from the round and will look ahead to Assen. Mahias’s teammate, Roberto Garcia, had a steadfast performance as he would not be deterred from a P5 finish despite being bundled aside twice by Arenas. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) had started the race well, jumping up to fourth from his sixth-place grid start. His progress was short-lived, however, as he finished the race back in his original P6 place.
SPUTTERING START FROM ONCU: The Turk’s best finish in four races is P5
After his daunting Race 1 recovery run, Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) had his hands full to keep his position within the top ten after the riders ahead of him had put two seconds between them and him by Lap 4. As the race went on, the Spaniard caught back up with the group fighting for the top eight and overcame Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) and Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) for P7. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) will go back to the drawing board after he was hailed by many as the title leader in the pre-season, yet two rounds in, he is without a podium. Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) was assessed an Irresponsible riding penalty, which, while he did serve, he let through Oettl, not Oncu through, as was intended by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards, and before corrective action could be taken, Oncu had lost a further two positions. Perolari saw his pace drop in the final laps, falling to P9. Four races into his new WorldSSP career, Zaccone again lands a top ten finish in P10 to close Portimao.
The top six from the WorldSSP Race 2: Full results here!
That’s all she wrote from Portimao! Relive all the action from the last two rounds with full OnDemand uploads, and watch the action in Assen on April 17th live with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Paola Ramos won FIM World Women’s Circuit Racing Race 2 Sunday morning at Portimao, in Portugal. Riding her Klint Racing Yamaha YZF-R7 on Pirelli control tires, Ramos won the 11-lap race by just 0.053 second.
Maria Herrera was the runner-up on her Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha YZF-R7, and Beatriz Neila got third on her Ampito Crescent Yamaha YZF-R7.
American Mallory Dobbs got 17th on her YVS Sabadell Diva Racing Yamaha YZF-R7.
Ramos stuns defending Champion Herrera with a last-lap overtake to win Race 2 at Portimao. A hotly-contested three-horse race broke out in the final WorldWCR contest of the round.
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship’s season-opening weekend is officially in the books! Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) sent her first round as a permanent rider out with a bang, winning the race with a dramatic last- lap overtake for her second career win. Joining her on the podium, Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) caps off a dominant performance at the Pirelli Portuguese Round’s Autodromo Internacional do Algarve from P2 for her 21st WorldWCR podium. Taking home the bronze medal and capping off the all-Spanish rostrum, Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) took P3.
PICKING HER MOMENT: Ramos showed the composure beyond her years as she struck in the last lap for the race win
Ramos chased Herrera into T1 after she took the holeshot. The front three of Herrera, Ramos, and Neila stacked up on the timesheet in the early running in the same way they finished Race 1. By the start of Lap 7, the trio had put more than five seconds between the podium positions and the rest of the pack. Neila had fallen back by a few bike lengths, while with five laps left to ride, Ramos lurked just a tenth behind Herrera, waiting for her moment to strike. That moment came on Turn 11 of the final lap, a clever feigned move to the outside, then cutting inside to take P1 from Herrera caught the defending Champion lacking. Ramos held off the #6 as she charged across the line; Herrera was, as a result, shuffled to P2 on the rostrum ahead of Beatriz Neila, who took home her 16th consecutive podium as she landed in P3 for the second time this weekend.
PONZIANI THE BEST OF THE REST: The Italian takes P4 for the ninth time in her WorldWCR career
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team), Natalia Rivera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) and Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa) started on the second row and fought throughout the first half of the race until Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) and Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha) made a move on Yvonne Cerpa to shuffle the rookie to P8 on Lap 3. Later on, however, the French rider crashed on Turn 2 of the sixth Lap as she had nearly completed her move to pass Ruiz. Ponziani fought off Ruiz to defend her P4 finish, with Ruiz crossing the finish line in P5. While she had been shuffled aside by the #46 and #94 before the French rider’s unfortunate crash, Cerpa’s P6 is a strong result to take away from her first WorldWCR Race 2.
RIVERA GOES P7: The Spanish youngster records her second-best WorldWCR result
Natalia Rivera started well, clinging to her P5 grid position early on before Roberta Ponziani overtook her on Turn 8 of Lap 2. Rivera gradually slid backwards until she settled in P7, closing her weekend with a pair of finishes within the top eight. Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing) emerged victorious in a battle with Sara Sanchez (Hadden Racing Team) to take P8 from the final race of the weekend, crossing the finish line +0.217s faster than the #64 behind her. Rounding out the top ten, Muklada Sarauech (EEST NJT Racing Team) closed her wildcard weekend with a strong P10 finish after taking P11 in Race 1. The Thai rider will be one to keep an eye on in the future as her WorldWCR wild card appearance comes to a close. Farther back, Chloe Jones’s Race 2 started rough with a Jump Start penalty assessed by FIM WorldSBK Stewards, resulting in a 2x LLP, which sent her to an ignominious P14.
The top six from the WorldWCR Race 1: Full results here!
1. Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team)
2. Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) +0.053s
3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.238s
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) +17.808s
5. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +17.842s
6. Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa) +18.080s
Fastest lap: Beatriz Neila, 1’52.637s – new race lap record
Championship standings
1. Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) 45 points
2. Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) 45
3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 32
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) 23
5. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) 20
6. Sara Sanchez (Hadden Racing Team) 18
Rewatch all the action at Portimao and keep up with WorldWCR throughout 2026 by subscribing to theWorldWCR YouTube channel and following the Championship on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook! Be sure to tune in next round at Assen on April 17th!
Factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi made up for his mistake in the Saturday Sprint race in the best possible way on Sunday, leading from lights to flag and setting records along the way. Bezzecchi has now won five straight Grand Prix races, joining an elite club of five-in-a-row Grand Prix winners. Aprilia has gone 1-2 in the last two Grand Prix races, a new mark for the company. And Bezzecchi re-took the Championship points lead. Teammate Jorge Martin, who finished second, has been on the last four podiums (counting Sprint and Grand Prix races) and is in second, four points behind Bezzecchi in the Championship points.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo by Michael Gougis.
KTM’s Pedro Acosta was again the best of the non-Aprilia rest, taking his second podium of the year. Acosta sits third in the points, with 60, behind Bezzecchi with 81 and Martin with 77.
Pedro Acosta. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was the top-finishing Ducati rider, but the Pertamina Enduro VR46 star could do no better than fourth and was fortunate to finish that high, as Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura had passed him and was pulling away when Ogura’s Aprilia broke.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Ducati’s Marc Marquez started his day sitting outside of the medical office next to COTA’s media center, alone and in the dark. He served a long-lap penalty and finished fifth after a battle with Enea Bastianini.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Fermin Aldeguer finished the weekend with a 10th place in the Sprint race and 11th in the Grand Prix race. It was remarkable considering that the Gresini Ducati rider is still walking with a cane as he recovers from a broken leg suffered in pre-season testing.
Fermin Aldeguer. Photo by Michael Gougis.
A seven-rider pileup forced officials to red-flag the Moto2 race. Senna Agius took the win in the restarted 10-lap sprint. American Joe Roberts, one of the riders involved in the multi-bike crash, took the restart and finished ninth.
Senna Agius (81). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Joe Roberts (16) was caught up in the first-lap crash that caused the Moto2 race to be red flagged. He finished ninth. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Guido Pini came out on top of a four-rider last-corner scramble and took the Moto3 race win. He became the first Italian rider to win a Moto3 race since Dennis Foggia in 2022.
Guido Pini (94). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Oscar Gutierrez won the second Harley-Davidson World Bagger Cup race of the weekend, rebounding from his last-place finish in Saturday’s race.
Oscar Gutierrez (99). Photo by Michael Gougis.
The main grandstands as seen on Sunday at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Ducati had no answer for the pace of the factory Aprilia machines and riders. So far this season, Ducati has had only four podiums in six Sprint and Grand Prix races and the highest ranking Ducati rider is Fabio Di Giannantonio in fourth, 31 points out of the lead. After the Sprint race, Alex Marquez, who is riding a current-spec Ducati for the first time in his career, estimated that he was only getting 80% out of the 2026 Ducati, and that it still needed development.
Luigi “Gigi” Dall’Igna. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, left, chats with KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister on the grid for the Sprint race, on Saturday at Circuit of The Americas.
Yamaha’s struggles continued at COTA, with the four YZR-M1s mired at the back of the field in a pack. Here Fabio Quartararo (20) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (07), Alex Rins (42) and Jack Miller (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Marco Bezzecchi (72), Pedro Acosta (37), Marc Marquez (93), Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the MotoGP Race at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Marco Bezzecchi won the MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Circuit of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian rider won the 20-lap race by 2.036 seconds.
Bezzecchi is the first rider to win five consecutive Grands Prix when leading every lap in the modern area.
His teammate and Sprint race winner, Jorge Martin, was the runner-up.
Pedro Acosta placed third on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.
Pole-sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio crossed the finish line fourth on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Seven-time MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez, took fifth on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship with 81 points, 4 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 77 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 60 points.
Record-breaker Bezzecchi claims COTA crown with Sunday stunner. Martin makes it an Aprilia 1-2 in Austin, Acosta joins the Noale duo on the podium as Marc Marquez claims P5 following his Long Lap penalty.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) just can’t stop breaking records. The #72 has won an incredible fifth Grand Prix in a row, only the third Italian rider ever to do it, and has won the first three GPs of a season for the first time since Marc Marquez did it in 2014. It was also an Aprilia 1-2 for the second time in succession as Jorge Martin followed up Tissot Sprint Gold with a Sunday podium, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) taking third.
Acosta got an almighty launch off the front row for the holeshot, with Bezzecchi also steaming forwards to take over in second. Even more so Martin as he shot up into third. Early drama then saw Acosta deep into Turn 11, with Bezzecchi cutting up the inside on the tighter line. On the exit the two were side-by-side and the two bashed fairings – with a piece of Aprilia breaking off and flying off behind them. Bez retained the lead following that, with Acosta recovering quickly despite the bash and Martin hovering third too.
Marc Marquez (93), Francesco Bagnaia (63) and Enea Bastianini (23) during the MotoGP race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Behind, it was all heating up in the group. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) vs Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) first, with the yellow machine ahead, before Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was then also able to pick his way past the #93 – followed swiftly by Honda HRC Castrol’s Joan Mir.
By then, it was new record time: crossing the line ahead for each lap until the start of Lap 4, Bezzecchi has officially led more consecutive Grand Prix laps than anyone else in the modern era. The previous record was 103 held by Jorge Lorenzo in 2015, Lap 4 in COTA made it 104 for Bezzecchi.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was out of the heat of battle and into the Long Lap area. The #93 had the penalty for his incidentB with Di Giannantonio in the Sprint, and he completed that with no drama. Then Mir was given a Long Lap for a shortcut taken when in the heat of that battle for fourth, but the #36 crashed out not long after.
Meanwhile at the front, Martin had made one luge on Acosta for second and been denied, and a couple of laps later had a huge moment at Turn 1. He saved it but dropped back into the clutches of Diggia, with Bagnaia also homing in on the back of the #49.
At half race distance, it was Bez leading Acosta by around a second, with Martin, Diggia and Bagnaia close behind. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had attacked Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) for sixth, with Sprint podium finisher Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) on their tail. Marc Marquez was down in P9 after his Long Lap, not making many inroads into the #23 ahead.
Ogura and Bastianini were the riders on the move. Ogura was homing in on Bagnaia and Bastianini on Alex Marquez. By Lap 12, the American Flag-liveried Trackhouse machine of Ogura was past Bagnaia in brutal but clean style. Next target: Diggia. The Japanese rider sliced up the inside at Turn 12, another brutal but clean move.
Just after that, Acosta had a moment at Turn 1 – wide or looking for a bike to follow for tyre pressure? Martin was able to just sweep past the KTM, making it an Aprilia 1-2, with Ogura on the march too.
MotoGP Race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Meanwhile in the fight for sixth, the Bagnaia – Bastianini – Alex Marquez – Marc Marquez quartet was heating up, and drama hit for Ogura. As Marc Marquez elbowed past Alex Marquez and then past Bastianini to tag onto the back of Bagnaia, Ogura was slowing and pulling over out of the group’s way – a technical issue putting paid to his incredible charge.
Bagnaia vs Marc Marquez was then game on for fifth – but not according to Bastianiani. The #23 attacked Marquez first instead of took sixth. The #93 responded. Bastianini wasn’t done, sending it at the end of the back straight. Marquez got him on the cutback. It settled briefly before Marquez attacked Bagnaia, and Bastianini barreled straight through to follow the #93.
Meanwhile at the front, Bezzecchi was just about keeping enough in hand over Martin, and onto the last lap he eked it out to cross the line 1.7 seconds clear. He extended that lap-leading run to an even bigger record of 121 and becomes only the third Italian rider ever to win five in a row after Hall of Famers Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini. He’s also the first rider to win the first three GPs of the season since Marc Marquez did it in 2014.
Jorge Martin (left) and Marco Bezzecchi (right) in the parc fermé after the MotoGP race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Martin makes it an Aprilia 1-2, the first time the factory has achieved that twice in a row, and only just loses that Championship lead gained with his Sprint Gold medal. Acosta held on to third place for a podium on Sunday to add a trophy to replace the medal lost on Saturday.
Diggia takes fourth, in an ultimately lonely ride to the flag but comes home as top Ducati. Marc Marquez did hold on to fifth ahead of Bastianini – just – with Alex Marquez taking P7. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP team) slots into eighth, with he and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) getting past Bagnaia late on.
After a dramatic weekend in Texas, the grid now has time to recharge and reload for Jerez. The Spanish GP is in a few weeks, so come back for more as MotoGP heads over to Europe for another classic race weekend – with Aprilia very much in control in the title fight.
Barry Baltus (7), Alonso Lopez (21), Senna Agius (81), Izan Guevara (28),Celestino Vietti (13), Manuel Gonzalez (18) and Alex Escrig (11) during the Moto2 race at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Senna Agius won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex on Pirelli control tires, Agius won the 10-lap race by 0.497 second.
The race was red-flagged following a crash involving multiple riders and was subsequently reduced from 16 laps to 10.
Celestino Vietti was the runner-up on his HDR SpeedRS Boscoscuro.
Izan Guevara was a close third on his Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro.
David Alonso finished fourth on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Kalex.
Agius’ teammate and championship point leader, Manuel Gonzalez took fifth.
American Joe Roberts finished Sunday’s race in 9th on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Manuel Gonzalez leads the championship with 39.5 points, 3.5 ahead of Izan Guevara who has 36 points. Daniel Holgado is third with 33 points.
Agius fends off Vietti for Moto2 honours at COTA. The Australian got the job done during a red-flagged Grand Prix in the USA.
Having had a difficult opening couple of rounds, Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) put in a determined ride to take a third career victory in Moto2. The #81 resisted a late charge from Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) with the #13 taking a first podium of the season whilst the rostrum was completed by Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2).
The holeshot honours went to Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) but all eyes were behind as a collision at Turn 1 ended Championship leader Daniel Holgado’s (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) Grand Prix. However, there was then a big incident at Turn 11 on the opening lap involving Filip Salac (OnlyFans American Racing Team), Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI), David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Sergio Garcia (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) and Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), bringing out the red flag. All riders were reported conscious and the Grand Prix restarted for 10 laps – all riders who crashed were eligible to restart but Piqueras and Ferrandez were taken to the medical centre.
Ahead of the restart, a raft of contenders were handed Long Lap Penalties – Holgado for causing a crash at Turn 1 whilst Muñoz and Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) for unsafe changes of direction from the original start. Elsewhere, Deniz Öncü (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed on the sighting lap but did start. On the restart itself, Lopez grabbed the holeshot before Baltus came through on him at Turn 13 but still had to serve his Long Lap Penalty. Behind, Agius made his move to get into P2 ahead of Lopez before pouncing on leader Baltus on Lap 3 into Turn 12.
Onto Lap 4, Vietti was on the charge and having dispatched of Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), he got ahead of Lopez at Turn 1, the Spaniard now dropping back. On Lap 5, Baltus briefly took the lead back at Turn 12 on Agius but then came into serve his LLP, slotting back into P7 and just ahead of Alonso, with the Colombian soon getting ahead of the Belgian before he also got ahead of Lopez and was now sitting in fifth with four to go. A lap later at Turn 1, the #80 got into fourth, a stunning comeback from 17th on the grid.
Back at the front and Vietti took over at the front on the run down the 1.2km backstraight, only for Agius to attempt to respond at Turn 19 but he was unable to make it stick. Two laps to go, the gloves had come off as Agius pulled a bold move to hit the front going into Turn 3 and then the Australian pulled the pin to start the final lap of the Grand Prix. Despite a mega final lap from Vietti, it was Agius who took an emotional third career victory ahead of the Italian, whilst Guevara put in a cracking performance to bag a second podium of 2026 in P3.
17th to fourth, a fine Sunday for Alonso whilst Gonzalez was a solid fifth, enough to assume the Championship lead. After his Long Lap Penalty, Baltus was sixth ahead of Lopez whilst Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) fended off home-hero Roberts for eighth, with the #16 restarting to get his best result of the season whilst it was Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) rounded out the top ten.
Next stop, the European tour begins! Moto2 returns to Jerez!
Alvaro Carpe (83), Valentin Perrone (73), Maximo Quiles (28), Adrian Fernandez (31) and Joel Esteban (78) during the Moto3 race at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Guido Pini won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Using his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda, the Italian rider won the 14-lap race by just 0.056 second, making it his first Moto3 victory.
Maximo Quiles was the runner-up on his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team KTM.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was third, just 0.254 second behind race winner Pini.
Valentin Perrone crossed the finish line fourth on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine and Pini’s teammate, Adrian Fernandez got fifth.
Maximo Quiles leads the championship with 65 points, 23 ahead of Alvaro Carpe who has 42 points. Valentin Perrone is third with 38 points.
Pini pockets last corner win in Moto3 COTA classic. The Italian takes his maiden victory as the podium fight delivers a show to remember – right to the wire.
Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) is a Moto3 Grand Prix winner! The Italian came out on top in final corner fisticuffs at COTA, claiming victory by just 0.056. Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) took second, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the podium after his final corner attack on Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) saw both head wide and lose out on a 1-2.
Carpe took the holeshot from pole ahead of Perrone, with Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) losing out off the start as Quiles went full send into Turn 1 and grabbed third. The two orange machines were streaking away in the lead early doors, but Quiles got the hammer down to tag back on, with the Leopard Racing duo of Pini and Adrian Fernandez next up the road.
Guido Pini in the parc fermé after chis victory at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
After it had been a seven-rider fight early doors, Joel Esteban (LEVELUP – MTA) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) were out of that with 10 to go as Pratama crashed out and Esteban couldn’t avoid the bike. Both riders were ok but the group was down to five before Fernandez started to fade, leaving four riders fighting for three places on the podium.
By three to go, the gloves started to come off. Pini attacked Quiles at Turn 11 and got the lead momentarily before being denied and then tried again at Turn 12 – this time hooking it up and keeping it. With that shuffle at the front, Carpe was right back in it and the four-rider fight really started to heat up.
Onto the last lap, Perrone led Pini, but Carpe slotted into second early doors. Pini then lost out to Quiles at Turn 11, with the long back straight seeing everyone absolutely pinned – but it was Carpe who led out of 12. Then Perrone attacked at 13, Carpe repaid him through 17-18, Perrone was back through in style at Turn 19 and Carpe took it back again a corner later. But it all went down to the final corner.
Carpe went for the win and sliced up the inside, with Perrone pushed out wide and the #83 only just keeping it on track too. The door was open for the duo behind them, and neither Pini nor Quiles needed a second invitation. In their drag race to the line, Pini took it by 0.056, with Quiles second and Carpe holding on to third. Perrone, after a stunning race, was forced to settle for fourth.
Fernandez took fifth, with a huge fight behind going to the wire too. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) took P6 right at the line as rookie Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) got bumped aside at the finish line, allowing fellow rookie Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) to just steal P7 too. Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP – MTA) took ninth ahead of Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), with compatriot Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – Mlav Racing) just missing out on the top ten but taking his best Moto3 finish yet. Front row starter O’Gorman crashed out from that group.
Moto3 race at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Check out full results from Moto3 at the Red Bull US GP here. Now we wait for the Spanish GP with a few weekends off – chance for the field to recharge and come back out swinging on turf that’s much more familiar for many. Will the order shuffle again? Join us in Jerez to find out!
Archie Mcdonald (69), Eric Granado (51), Jake Lewis (85) and Oscar Gutierrez (99) during the Bagger World Cup Race 2 at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Oscar Gutierrez won the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Race Two Sunday morning at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Niti Racing Harley-Davidson on Dunlop control tires, the Spaniard won the 7-lap race by 3.020 seconds.
Eric Granado was the runner-up on his Joe Rascal Racing Harley-Davidson and his teammate, Archie Mcdonald finished third.
Archie Macdonald crossed the finish line in 2nd place but received a three-second penalty for failing to comply with the long lap penalty after exceeding track limits.
Riding for Saddlemen Racing Harley-Davidson, American teammates Jake Lewis was 4th, Cory West finished the race in 6th and Travis Wyman suffered technical issues on his bike.
Cody Wyman did not start the race on his Joe Rascal Racing Harley-Davidson.
Archie McDonald leads the championship with 41 points, 8 ahead of Oscar Gutierrez who has 33 points. Jake Lewis is third with 33 points.
More from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
Two winners, intense battles and history made at Bagger World Cup Opener in Austin.
AUSTIN, Texas — The opening round of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup delivered intense on-track battles and dramatic moments at the Circuit of the Americas, as the new global championship in partnership with MotoGP™ officially came to life alongside the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of the Americas.
Both the races of the weekend were fought until the final laps, producing the first two winners in the history of the category. Archie McDonald (Joe Rascal Racing) claimed victory in Race 1 on Saturday, while Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing) secured the win in Race 2 on Sunday.
Race 1:
At the start of the first race in championship history, young Australian Archie McDonald launched perfectly from the grid, getting the better of teammate Eric Granado, who had secured pole position in qualifying with a lap time of 2:12.387. The battle between the two intensified at mid-race, with Granado taking the lead after a mistake from McDonald. However, the Australian responded shortly after, reclaiming the position when Granado lost the front under braking and dropped back through the field. Jake Lewis (Saddlemen Race Development) delivered a strong and consistent ride to take second place, showcasing experience and control across the race distance, while Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team) secured third with a composed and disciplined performance to round out the podium.
Race 2:
McDonald and Granado were once again protagonists at the start of Race 2, with the Australian repeating his strong launch off the line. The two Joe Rascal Racing riders immediately set a fast pace, but were unable to break away from Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing), who steadily increased his rhythm lap after lap. The Spanish rider closed the gap and executed two clean overtakes to take the lead, going on to secure victory at the checkered flag. On lap five, Gutiérrez also set a new benchmark for the category at the Austin circuit with a time of 2:12.348, establishing both the race lap record and the all-time lap record for the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup at Circuit of the Americas. Second at the finish line was Archie McDonald, but a three-second penalty for failing to complete the prescribed Long Lap after twice exceeding track limits dropped the Australian to third in the final classification, promoting Eric Granado to second.
Jeffrey Schuessler – Director of Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson: “This weekend delivered exactly what we set out to build. Close racing, battles decided in the final laps, and riders pushing these machines to the limit from the very start. The level of competition showed up immediately, and that’s a strong indication of where this championship is headed. We also saw different riding styles coming together on track, with riders finding their own way to be fast on these bikes. That created some really interesting race dynamics and showed how competitive and adaptable this grid already is from the first round. What’s been especially powerful is the global nature of the championship, with riders and teams from different parts of the world coming together to be part of something new. That’s a significant step forward for the series. And then there’s the emotion. You feel it in the sound, the torque, and the presence of these bikes on track. It’s raw, it’s different, and it’s real. This is not just racing. We’re building something new here, a global platform that brings a different kind of energy to the MotoGP stage and connects with fans in a way that is authentic to Harley-Davidson.”
Archie McDonald – Joe Rascal Racing – Race 1 Winner: “History. That’s the first word that comes to my mind. It was the first race in the history of the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, and I took the first win, hopefully the first of many. I’m really happy. There has been a lot of preparation behind this project, from myself, the team and Harley-Davidson, so this result feels amazing. I had a strong start, even if leading early wasn’t ideal. Granado passed me after a mistake, I stayed with him, and then he made a mistake and I took the lead again. My plan was to wait until the final laps to make a move, but in the end I didn’t need to. I’m sorry about Eric’s crash, as it’s not the way I wanted to win, but I’m still enjoying the moment. I’m really proud of my team and Harley-Davidson for making history with me, and I thank them all.”
Oscar Gutiérrez – Niti Racing –Race 2 Winner: “I’m very happy with this win. We did a great job regaining our focus after Race 1, and this was the best way to finish the Austin weekend. Already this morning I felt we had the potential to do it. I had a great feeling with the bike from the sighting lap and told my team that today was the right day. During the race I took my time to study Archie and Eric in front of me and understand where I could attack them. Then there was a moment when I clearly felt stronger, so I decided to increase the pace and make my moves. It’s a great victory, but we need to keep working well because the championship may look short, but it is still long with many races to go. We are already looking ahead to Mugello and continuing on this path. One area where I still need to improve is the start. At the beginning of the race I had to push to recover because McDonald and Granado started very strong. But I knew that if I stayed calm I could come back, and that’s what I did. I stayed patient for a couple of laps, then when I felt I had more pace I made the overtakes and in the end took a win that makes me very happy.”
Following the opening round, Archie McDonald leads the championship standings with 41 points, ahead of Oscar Gutiérrez and Jake Lewis, both on 33 points.
Championship Standings:
Archie McDonald (AUS) – 41 (25 / 16)
Oscar Gutiérrez (SPA) – 33 (8 / 25)
Jake Lewis (USA) – 33 (20 / 13)
Eric Granado (BRA) – 30 (10 / 20)
Filippo Rovelli (ITA) – 27 (16 / 11)
Cory West (USA) – 23 (13 / 10)
Travis Wyman (USA) – 11 (11 / -)
Cody Wyman (USA) – 9 (9 / -)
Dimas Ekky Pratama (INA) – 9 (- / 9)
The next round of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will take place at the Mugello International Circuit during the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Italy, from May 29–31.
The Monster Energy Supercross Championship made its return to the "Motor City" for the 11th race of the season inside Ford Field. Photo courtesy SMX
DETROIT – A common adage in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has long been that anything can happen at any given moment, and that sentiment reigned true during Round 11 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship inside Ford Field. An exceptionally challenging racetrack, anchored by the most treacherous and demanding whoop section of the season, pushed the most talented racers on the planet to the limit and ultimately resulted in a dramatic shakeup of the 450SMX Class title fight as Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen enjoyed a dominant performance for the landmark 25th victory of his career.
Ken Roczen’s Dominant Victory Headlines Wild Night in Detroit as Monster Energy Supercross Title Fight Shakes Up.
The 20 Minute + 1 Lap 450SMX Class Main Event kicked off with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado capturing his fifth holeshot of the season ahead of Roczen and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton, who made his return to action after missing three races. Championship leader Hunter Lawrence started deep inside the top 10 aboard his Honda HRC Progressive machine, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac, second in points, started outside the top 10. Back up front, Prado was able to fend off heavy pressure from Roczen for several laps, but the German native seized control of the race lead just a few minutes into the action. Prado then battled briefly with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the reigning Supercross champion, but the two came together and went down, which dropped them deep in the field.
Roczen quickly built a multi-second lead over Sexton, who moved into second, while Lawrence overcame one of his worst starts of the season to claw his way up to third. The top three settled in through the middle portion of the Main Event, with each finding a consistent rhythm that kept the lead trio within three seconds of each other. Just before the halfway point of the moto, when both Sexton and Lawrence had made inroads on Roczen’s lead, Lawrence crashed hard exiting the whoops. He remounted but was forced to have his bike attended to in the mechanics area, which lost him a lap.
Roczen extended his lead once more to end the threat from Sexton, while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart moved into third ahead of Tomac. Roczen continued to pull away and easily took home his second win of the season in his 173rd career start by a margin of 7.7 seconds over Sexton. Stewart broke through with his first podium result of the season in third, followed by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in fourth, ahead of Tomac in fifth. Lawrence, meanwhile, soldiered through another fall to salvage 18th place.
A dramatic shakeup in the championship has moved Tomac back atop standings for the first time since the fourth race of the season, as he now holds a four-point lead over Lawrence with six races remaining. Roczen’s win moved him to within 14 points of the lead to establish a three-rider battle for the championship’s stretch run.
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen captured a milestone 25th victory in his 173rd career start amidst a shakeup in the title fight. Photo courtesy SMX
Ken Roczen – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“I don’t know what to say, but this is exactly what I was talking about [people overlooking my ability to win]. This was a tough Main Event. I was definitely not the fastest in the beginning. I was playing a little bit with the track. I knew they were gaining on me, so I switched up my rhythms slightly. It was tough, because I wasn’t necessarily lighting the world on fire [with my speed] but the track was so tough. The whoops were a 50-50 chance you were going to make it through or end up on your back. I am so excited, you have no idea. We closed up some points, but we still have a lot of racing to go.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton captured an impressive runner-up finish in his first race back from a recent injury that sidelined him for a month. Photo courtesy SMX
Chase Sexton – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“Those weeks at home watching the races, there were some dark times. Obviously, I didn’t want to get injured and didn’t want to sit on the couch, but I wanted to come back when I was ready. I felt pretty good tonight, but I also felt that couch about 10 minutes into the Main Event. I felt good in the beginning and got a little tight and a little winded. We’ll go back to work but definitely a great start to the comeback. It’s been a long year for the team and me, but we want to go up from here.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart broke through with his first podium finish of the season during his best outing of the year. Photo courtesy SMX
Malcolm Stewart – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It’s been tough [this season]. I had an unfortunate situation in Anaheim [getting injured at the first race]. I kind of just felt like I didn’t know if I’d get on the podium [this season]. That’s partly just not believing in yourself, and I realized I need to pull myself out of that. I want to give it up to my team, they’ve been in my ear all season telling me I can do this. I told them we’d pop some champagne before the end of the season, so huge shout out to them.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right): Chase Sexton, Ken Roczen, and Malcolm Stewart. Photo courtesy SMX
Eli Tomac – 5th Place – 450SMX Class Points Leader:
“Of course, I saw Hunter’s [Lawrence] crash and knew I was going to take advantage of that once I saw him a lap down, but overall, a bit of a frustrating day here. I’ve actually struggled here my past couple rides. I don’t know what it is. I haven’t had the best success at Detroit lately. Maybe I’ve been in kind of a midseason slump. We’ll do what we can to get better, improve, and get back to winning some races and be up at the front.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac regained control of the points lead following a fifth-place finish. Photo courtesy SMX
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence suffered two crashes in the Main Event and finished a lap down in 18th to lose control of the championship lead. Photo courtesy SMX
Cole Davies Storms to Third Straight 250SMX Class Win
The fifth 15 Minute + 1 Lap Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event of the season started with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher leading the field to the holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker and Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda. Behind them, championship leader Cole Davies was mired in 15th place aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine. Thrasher held onto the lead for a couple laps but then crashed out of contention in the whoops, which handed the lead to Hammaker. As the Kawasaki rider asserted his hold of the top spot over Shimoda, Davies was on a torrid march to the front. Thanks to an unparalleled level of speed through a challenging whoops section, the New Zealander easily broke into the top 10 and soon found his way into the top five before the halfway point. From there, Davies charged into podium position and made quick work of a pass by Shimoda to move into second place. He then proceeded to erase a four second deficit to Hammaker and fittingly made the winning pass coming out of the whoops with just under six minutes to go. From there, Davies checked out on the field. Hammaker easily held onto second, while Shimoda was forced to contend with ClubMX Yamaha’s Coty Schock, who initially got by his Japanese counterpart for a spot on the podium, only to give it back after a crash in the whoops.
Davies completed an incredible come-from-behind performance by a margin of 12.1 seconds over Hammaker for a third straight Main Event victory, while Shimoda rounded out the podium in third.
With his third consecutive win, Davies extended his lead in the championship standings to nine points over Hammaker, with Shimoda sitting 14 points back in third.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies overcame a start outside the top 10 to capture an impressive come-from-behind victory, his third in-a-row. Photo courtesy SMX
Cole Davies – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“When I don’t perform, I’m pretty hard on myself. Me, my family, and all the people around me put in so much hard work, so when I don’t perform like I know I can I’m pretty hard on myself. But I’m stoked with that Main Event. I know that’s how I can ride. I just put everything together well. I didn’t have a good start, but I made it happen, so I’m stoked with that.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker took advantage of a great start to lead laps and bring home a runner-up finish. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“That was a tough race. I got myself off to a pretty good start and was riding okay in the beginning. I knew Cole [Davies] was in the back of the pack but man, he was riding good. Gotta give it up to him. A solid second on the night. I’ve learned from the past not to throw the races away that aren’t there for me. I want to win more than anybody, but you’ve got to know when to pull back and second is what we had tonight.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda battled hard to capture a third-place finish. Photo courtesy SMX
Jo Shimoda – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“Honestly, I was just so bad all day. I just couldn’t figure it out. I just have to do better. Nothing was really good for me today, so I’m sorry to my team. We tested all week and I think we’re stepping in the right direction, so we’ve got to keep chasing. We’ll see next weekend.”
Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right): Seth Hammaker, Cole Davies, and Jo Shimoda. Photo courtesy SMX
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, April 4, with Round 12 from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis for the annual Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross honoring the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the fight against childhood cancer. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Peacock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Iker Lecuona (7) and Miguel Oliveira (88) during the WSBK Race 2 at Portimao. Photo courtesy WorldSBK
Nicolo Bulega won FIM Superbike World Championship Race Two Sunday afternoon at Portimao, in Portugal. Bulega started from pole position and rode his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R to a 1.967-second margin of victory in the 20-lap race.
His teammate, Iker Lecuona was the runner-up, and Miguel Oliveira rode his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR to third.
Alex Lowes finished the race fourth on his Bimota by Kawasaki KB998 Rimini and Sam Lowes got fifth on his ELF Marc VDS Ducati Panigale V4R.
Danilo Petrucci crossed the finish line 7th on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR.
American Garrett Gerloff crashed his Kawasaki ZX-10RR on turn 15.
Nicolo Bulega leads the championship with 124 points, 56 ahead of Iker Lecuona who has 68 points. Axel Bassani is third with 60 points.
PORTIMAO PERFECTION: Bulega secures hat-trick on the rollercoaster ahead of Lecuona, Oliveira secures P3. The #11 made it two hat-tricks to start the 2026 season as he beat his teammate and home hero Oliveira.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a hat-trick at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as his perfect start to the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season continued. He defeated teammate Iker Lecuona for the third time this weekend while home hero Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will also leave the Pirelli Portuguese Round with three trophies after a third P3 finish.
HAT-TRICK HERO: Bulega’s winning run hits double figures
Bulega made it three holeshots for the weekend as he leapt off the grid to maintain P1, being trailed by Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and, before the #88 got ahead of the #22 at Turn 3 on Lap 2. Iker Lecuona made a slow start again but was back in the rostrum places when he got ahead of Alex Lowes at Turn 1 on Lap 3. A lap later and the #7 passed Oliveira for second at Turn 1 despite the Portuguese rider’s efforts to hang it around the outside at the right-hand corner. While Bulega and Lowes were pulling clear of Oliveira, the #88 had to defend from Alex Lowes in the final six laps of the race but dug deep as he secured his third P3 finish at his home round. Bulega’s winning streak is now 10 races and it’s the best start to a season since Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) won 11 races in a row in 2019. With Lecuona’s P2, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati become the first team to take three 1-2 finishes in a weekend; they were also 1-2 in Tissot Superpole.
ALEX AHEAD OF SAM: The twin brothers close together on track
With the British rider unable to pass Oliveira, despite finishing only 0.169s behind the BMW star, he had to settle for P4 ahead of twin brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who finished P5 for the fifth time this season; when he has seen the chequered flag in 2026, he has finished in this position. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) finished in sixth after fighting up the order, five seconds behind the #14 directly ahead.
COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: Petrucci defeats Bassani in late-race fight
Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had his strongest race of the weekend as he finished in P7 after a late-race battle with Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team). The #9 got ahead of his compatriot on the penultimate lap at Turn 1. Bassani finished just over a second behind Petrucci with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completing the top ten. They had been in a fight with Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) but the #31 crashed out of the race on the final lap.
SCORING POINTS: A birthday present for Manzi, Rea takes P12
Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was able to claim points on his birthday as he finished in P11, his best result in his fledgling WorldSBK career. He finished ahead of Jonathan Rea (Honda HRC) who took 12th ahead of Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates). It means Rea has now scored points in all 19 of his WorldSBK seasons. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) finished 14th despite a crash at Turn 5 on Lap 4, as did Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) on the same lap in a separate incident, but recovered to P14 with Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC) claiming the final point in Race 2; he served a Long Lap Penalty in Race 2 due to irresponsible riding in the Tissot Superpole Race.
HOUSEKEEPING: Several retirements from the final race of the weekend
There were five retirements from Race 2. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) crashed at Turn 13 on Lap 5 which ended his hopes of adding to his points tally, while Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) crashed a lap later at Turn 5. On Lap 8, Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) fell at Turn 13 while Bautista was also a faller at Turn 5, coming down a lap later to the despair of Team Manager Marco Barnabo. Mattia Rato (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) came down at Turn 4 on Lap 16 to end his race. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) rejoined the race despite crashing at the same time as Vierge in a separate incident at Turn 5, and while he entered the pits initially, he rejoined the track but was not classified after being six laps down.
The top six from WorldSBK Race 2, full results here:
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.967s
3. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +7.096s
4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +7.265s
5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +10.079s
6. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +15.105s
Fastest lap: Iker Lecuona, Ducati – 1’39.792s
Championship standings:
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 124 points
2. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 68
3. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) 60
4. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 56
5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) 48
6. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) 43
Next up for WorldSBK is the ‘Cathedral of Speed’! Watch all the action from the TT Circuit Assen using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Marco Bezzecchi (72) during the Warm Up session at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis
Marco Bezzecchi was fastest in the MotoGP Warm Up session Sunday morning at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Italian led the 21-rider field with a time of 2:01.631 around the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) circuit.
Marc Marquez was second-best with a 2:01.720 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26, and Fabio Di Giannantonio jumped up the order to third with a time of 2:02.093 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
The full-length MotoGP race is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Local Time.
Jaume Masia (5) and Can Oncu (61) during the WSSP Race 2 at Portimao. Photo courtesy WorldSBK
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise won FIM Supersport World Championship Race Two Sunday at Portimao, in Portugal. Riding his Evan Bros Racing ZXMOTO 820RR, the Frenchman won the 17-lap race by 0.720 second.
Jaume Masia was the runner-up on his Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati Panigale V2, just 0.767 second ahead of third-place finisher Albert Arenas, who rode his AS BluCru Racing Yamaha YZF-R9.
Lucas Mahias crossed the finish line fourth on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R9 and his teammate, Roberto Garcia, got fifth.
Jaume Masia leads the championship with 71 points, 6 ahead of Albert Arenas who has 65 points. Valentin Debise is third with 50 points.
DEBISE’S DOUBLE: Two races in Portimao, two wins for ZXMOTO while Masia makes a miraculous podium comeback. Masia takes the Championship lead with his third podium of the year, ahead of Arenas and Debise.
The FIM Supersport World Championship sent the rollercoaster round out with a bang at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, where they ran their final Race 2 of the Pirelli Portuguese Round. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) took his fourth win of the season, and the second win for his ZXMOTO manufacturer, whose bike has only ever participated in two WorldSSP rounds. Behind him in P2, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) completed a surgical late run to land his eighth podium, the 120th WorldSSP podium for Ducati. On the bottom step of the rostrum, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) takes his second podium after his Phillip Island Race 2 win.
DEBISE UNDETERRED: Nothing could keep the #53 and his ZXMOTO 820RR off the top step of the podium
Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) sniped Debise off the line, stealing the holeshot from his countryman. Leading the contest’s opening laps, the #53 was able to find a way through. Mahias clung to Debise like a shadow until the race’s midpoint, where the #94 began to lose time marginally, lap after lap. He looked to be cruising to his second race win of the weekend until he ran wide near the end of Lap 3 when he ran wide and the riders behind him could close up the gap. Masia chained together a clutch series of late laps, capped off by back-to-back overtakes on Turns 6 and 7 to shoot from P4 to P2. Debise was able to recover from his mistake, sending ZXMOTO again to the top of the podium for the second time on the weekend. Jaume Masia went for his second podium of the season. Albert Arenas flexed his racecraft to prevail over Mahias and Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) for his second podium in two rounds.
ODD MAN OUT: Mahias is unfortunate not to take his second podium from Portimao
Mahias will be shaking his head at not having ended the contest on the podium after leading the first lap; he takes solid points in P4 away from the round and will look ahead to Assen. Mahias’s teammate, Roberto Garcia, had a steadfast performance as he would not be deterred from a P5 finish despite being bundled aside twice by Arenas. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) had started the race well, jumping up to fourth from his sixth-place grid start. His progress was short-lived, however, as he finished the race back in his original P6 place.
SPUTTERING START FROM ONCU: The Turk’s best finish in four races is P5
After his daunting Race 1 recovery run, Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) had his hands full to keep his position within the top ten after the riders ahead of him had put two seconds between them and him by Lap 4. As the race went on, the Spaniard caught back up with the group fighting for the top eight and overcame Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) and Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) for P7. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) will go back to the drawing board after he was hailed by many as the title leader in the pre-season, yet two rounds in, he is without a podium. Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) was assessed an Irresponsible riding penalty, which, while he did serve, he let through Oettl, not Oncu through, as was intended by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards, and before corrective action could be taken, Oncu had lost a further two positions. Perolari saw his pace drop in the final laps, falling to P9. Four races into his new WorldSSP career, Zaccone again lands a top ten finish in P10 to close Portimao.
The top six from the WorldSSP Race 2: Full results here!
That’s all she wrote from Portimao! Relive all the action from the last two rounds with full OnDemand uploads, and watch the action in Assen on April 17th live with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Maria Herrera (6), Paola Ramos (58) and Beatriz Neila (36) during the race 2 at Portimao. photo courtesy WorldSBK.
Paola Ramos won FIM World Women’s Circuit Racing Race 2 Sunday morning at Portimao, in Portugal. Riding her Klint Racing Yamaha YZF-R7 on Pirelli control tires, Ramos won the 11-lap race by just 0.053 second.
Maria Herrera was the runner-up on her Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha YZF-R7, and Beatriz Neila got third on her Ampito Crescent Yamaha YZF-R7.
American Mallory Dobbs got 17th on her YVS Sabadell Diva Racing Yamaha YZF-R7.
Ramos stuns defending Champion Herrera with a last-lap overtake to win Race 2 at Portimao. A hotly-contested three-horse race broke out in the final WorldWCR contest of the round.
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship’s season-opening weekend is officially in the books! Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) sent her first round as a permanent rider out with a bang, winning the race with a dramatic last- lap overtake for her second career win. Joining her on the podium, Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) caps off a dominant performance at the Pirelli Portuguese Round’s Autodromo Internacional do Algarve from P2 for her 21st WorldWCR podium. Taking home the bronze medal and capping off the all-Spanish rostrum, Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) took P3.
PICKING HER MOMENT: Ramos showed the composure beyond her years as she struck in the last lap for the race win
Ramos chased Herrera into T1 after she took the holeshot. The front three of Herrera, Ramos, and Neila stacked up on the timesheet in the early running in the same way they finished Race 1. By the start of Lap 7, the trio had put more than five seconds between the podium positions and the rest of the pack. Neila had fallen back by a few bike lengths, while with five laps left to ride, Ramos lurked just a tenth behind Herrera, waiting for her moment to strike. That moment came on Turn 11 of the final lap, a clever feigned move to the outside, then cutting inside to take P1 from Herrera caught the defending Champion lacking. Ramos held off the #6 as she charged across the line; Herrera was, as a result, shuffled to P2 on the rostrum ahead of Beatriz Neila, who took home her 16th consecutive podium as she landed in P3 for the second time this weekend.
PONZIANI THE BEST OF THE REST: The Italian takes P4 for the ninth time in her WorldWCR career
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team), Natalia Rivera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) and Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa) started on the second row and fought throughout the first half of the race until Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) and Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha) made a move on Yvonne Cerpa to shuffle the rookie to P8 on Lap 3. Later on, however, the French rider crashed on Turn 2 of the sixth Lap as she had nearly completed her move to pass Ruiz. Ponziani fought off Ruiz to defend her P4 finish, with Ruiz crossing the finish line in P5. While she had been shuffled aside by the #46 and #94 before the French rider’s unfortunate crash, Cerpa’s P6 is a strong result to take away from her first WorldWCR Race 2.
RIVERA GOES P7: The Spanish youngster records her second-best WorldWCR result
Natalia Rivera started well, clinging to her P5 grid position early on before Roberta Ponziani overtook her on Turn 8 of Lap 2. Rivera gradually slid backwards until she settled in P7, closing her weekend with a pair of finishes within the top eight. Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing) emerged victorious in a battle with Sara Sanchez (Hadden Racing Team) to take P8 from the final race of the weekend, crossing the finish line +0.217s faster than the #64 behind her. Rounding out the top ten, Muklada Sarauech (EEST NJT Racing Team) closed her wildcard weekend with a strong P10 finish after taking P11 in Race 1. The Thai rider will be one to keep an eye on in the future as her WorldWCR wild card appearance comes to a close. Farther back, Chloe Jones’s Race 2 started rough with a Jump Start penalty assessed by FIM WorldSBK Stewards, resulting in a 2x LLP, which sent her to an ignominious P14.
The top six from the WorldWCR Race 1: Full results here!
1. Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team)
2. Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) +0.053s
3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.238s
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) +17.808s
5. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +17.842s
6. Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa) +18.080s
Fastest lap: Beatriz Neila, 1’52.637s – new race lap record
Championship standings
1. Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) 45 points
2. Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) 45
3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 32
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) 23
5. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) 20
6. Sara Sanchez (Hadden Racing Team) 18
Rewatch all the action at Portimao and keep up with WorldWCR throughout 2026 by subscribing to theWorldWCR YouTube channel and following the Championship on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook! Be sure to tune in next round at Assen on April 17th!
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