By Stuart Smith:
I released a new video on my YouTube channel, StumanRides, today. In this video, I spoke with a number of riding coaches about what things they think can help a track day rider improve their lap times.
The video is live now at the following link: https://youtu.be/Eq6FHQLXta4
D3O JOINING TY SCOTT AND M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI AT DAYTONA
Team Hammer is pleased to announce that D3O will serve as the title sponsor for Tyler Scott’s effort aboard the D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 in the 84th running of the Daytona 200.
D3O is the global leader in advanced protection solutions. D3O’s ground-breaking armor is thin, soft, and flexible in a resting state, yet stiffens to absorb and dissipate energy on impact, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into helmets, gloves, and other protective gear. Its industry-leading armor is utilized by partners in as diverse and demanding environments as Formula 1, NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the NHL.
In this new partnership with Team Hammer, D3O joins an effort primed for Daytona success. Rising star Scott has fought his way to a podium finish in the fabled race after earning pole position in each of the last two seasons. In fact, Scott has never qualified off the front row at Daytona and has been a Supersport frontrunner since his rookie campaign, scoring championship rankings of second, third, fourth, and fifth during his time in the category. Scott is motivated to try hard to finally stand atop the podium at the Daytona 200 and win the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship in 2026.
Scott’s GSX-R750 and his rigorously tested, D3O-integrated RST racing suit will be prominently adorned in D3O’s trademark orange coloring at Daytona, commemorating a huge moment in the company’s continued expansion into motorsport. Already a sponsor of IOM TT Champion Michael Dunlop MBE, World SuperSport pilot Tom Booth Amos, and BSB and British Road Racing ace Lee Johnston, stepping up as title sponsor of a top team in the Daytona 200 marks a significant increase in the D3O’s motorsports presence.
Following Daytona, D3O will continue as a partner of M4 ECSTAR Suzuki for the remainder of the MotoAmerica season, with logos displayed on the team’s bikes, suits, and helmets.
Scott said, “I think having D3O onboard is really cool. When I first tried out their equipment, I was impressed with how it fit and how it allowed me to move freely without distracting me. It was obviously very high quality. Having used D3O after that, it feels great when you are on the bike. Plus, it has kept me safe on the occasions I’ve found myself flying through the air.
“We’re very excited for the Daytona 200. We’ve done well there but never got the win. We’ve set fast times, but the goal is to get to the front and stay consistent. Last year, I got caught up battling and lost touch with the leader. But if we can stay close and have a fast pace at the end, good things can happen.”
“Becoming Title Sponsor with Team Hammer at the Daytona 200 — one of the most iconic events in motorcycle racing — marks an important milestone in our brand growth in North America and reflects our continued investment in commercial partnerships, while ensuring riders compete in the very best protection available,” said D3O CMO Mostyn Thomas.
The 84th Daytona 200 will take place on March 5-7 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2026 season marks Team Hammer’s 46th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 135 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 385 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT D3O
D3O® is the global leader in protection against impact, shock and vibration. Working with world-class brands including Formula 1 teams, adidas, the U.S. Department of Defense, and NASA, D3O provides protective solutions across multiple industries, from sports and motorcycling to defense and electronics. D3O partners with leading motorcycle brands including Furygan, Richa, Harley Davidson, Rukka, RST, Belstaff, Held and Triumph. The company recently trademarked the colour orange for the exclusive use in protection for motorcycle gear, reinforcing its position as the industry’s most trusted ingredient brand.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Following months of planning, preparation, and testing, the rubber is finally about to hit the dirt. The 2026 Grand National Championship will officially get underway when the stars of Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, kick off a brand-new campaign with the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II at the DAYTONA Flat Track on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6.
More than two dozen of the world’s most elite motorcycle dirt trackers representing eight different brands will compete in the spotlight as a half-million enthusiasts flock to Daytona Beach, Florida, for the 85th annual Bike Week.
#1
For the first time since 2020, a Mission AFT SuperTwins pilot will be brandishing the #1 plate in the premier class for the very first time. Defending champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) has long imaged this day and admitted to putting considerable thought into crafting just the right look for his new number display.
And for good reason. While the #1 plate is a great honor, it can also be a heavy burden. However, it’s difficult to imagine a rider better prepared to accept that challenge. Daniels previously successfully defended a #1 plate when he became the first back-to-back KICKER AFT Singles champion in history in 2021. And while he was not defending the throne in ‘25, he did carry the pressure of being the heavy preseason favorite.
While he was pushed to the limit in order to make good on those lofty expectations, Daniels ultimately came through to earn what he hopes to be the first of many Grand National Championships.
And he will be all the stronger for the experience. Even though he won the crown in 2025, Daniels and his Estenson Racing crew were never 100% satisfied with the state of their racebike a season ago. By contrast, they come into 2026 confident in the package they’ve developed over the offseason.
If they live up to their own expectations, that could prove a scary proposition for the opposition.
As mentioned above, Daniels was given all he could handle a year ago – a challenge that was fronted by a pair of Harley-Davidson XG750Rs, a platform that met the opportunity presented by the shift to an all-production-based ruleset.
Piloted by two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/ Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R) and perennial contender Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), the Harley led all bikes with nine wins a year ago. Bauman alone claimed a class-leading eight while Robinson at last scored the XG win he first set his sights on back in 2017.
The two finished second and third in the title fight and closed out the ‘25 campaign with a rousing 1-2 at the Lake Ozark finale, repeating the coup they pulled off while giving the bike its first victory earlier in the season on Yamaha’s home turf in Senoia.
Bauman and Robinson are armed with Harley-Davidsons again in 2026, and they’re bringing reinforcements.
Triple KICKER AFT Singles king Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davison XG750R) is back in the series full time and at last making his Mission AFT SuperTwins debut. Supported by an all-star crew, Kopp has everything he needs to fight his way into the mix early and often.
Meanwhile, two-and four-wheel dirt track ace Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) will also graduate to premier-class competition in 2026 aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750R.
While the 2025 season was largely dominated by the battles waged by Daniels and Bauman – and to a lesser extent Robinson – they didn’t have things all their way.
That was most plainly evident when Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) powered Honda to its first twin-cylinder premier-class victory in more than a quarter century. That performance both marked the bike’s arrival as a full-blown SuperTwins threat and provided the team with added motivation to make the most of the offseason in order to prepare for bigger and better things in ‘26.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), meanwhile, collected multiple podiums in his debut season on the KTM en route to yet another top-five championship ranking. Fisher is well positioned to build on what was originally expected to be a learning season, returning to again pilot the Rackley Racing KTM alongside Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke).
Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) have each notched up podium finishes for On The Box Racing in recent seasons. This year, they’ll be looking to do so as teammates, as the outfit expands to bring a 1-2 punch to the premier class in ‘26.
Nine-time premier-class Short Track Main Event winner Henry Wiles (No. 911 J&M Logging/Ray C’s Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Ninja 650) is back on the Kawasaki Ninja 650 that he hustled to the podium in last year’s season opener.
And don’t forget about Bike Week legend Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Martin Trucking/OnlyFans/ Castrol Yamaha MT-07), who is tied with Robinson and trails only Daniels and Jake Johnson for most career DAYTONA ST victories with four prior wins.
Several other faces – both established and new – will look to enter into the podium mix.
2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award and 2024 Progressive AFT Rookie of the Year Evan Renshaw (No. 95 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) has been drafted up to the premier class to contend aboard the official Royal Enfield entry.
And we know that bike is capable of finishing on the box because it did so a couple years ago in the capable of hands of Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Parts Bros/D&D Cycles/Fairway Ford Aprilia Tuareg 660). Gauthier will now look to turn a similar trick on the Fairway/JMC Motorsports-developed Aprilia.
Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Lisa Niner Racing Suzuki GSX-8S) repeatedly demonstrated that Suzuki can run inside the top five a year ago – a performance that seemingly tempted the talented Billy Ross (No. 29 Digitrace/Mission Foods/John Franklin Suzuki GSX-8S) to make a go on a GSX-8S as well.
And Yamaha further adds to its combined strength with the entries of Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07) and Cameron Smith (No. 34 Fredericktown Yamaha/Thee Kathy Gray Yamaha MT-07).
The 2026 Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight will open with all the usual fanfare and in its standard race format on Thursday night. Friday will then mix things up with the return of the Mission Triple Challenge, which first debuted at last season’s Lima Half-Mile.
The Triple Challenge format, which features three Main Events of increasing length, pressure, and stakes to determine the final results, is destined to deliver an incredibly tense and exciting night of racing when paired with the close confines of the DAYTONA Flat Track.
Per usual, Daytona Beach will be jam-packed with two-wheeled activities throughout Bike Week. And fans at the track will have plenty to keep them entertained beyond the on-track action, including a wide range of vendors, numerous food and beverage options, and extensive designated motorcycle parking.
Upper Rim Road Standing Room Only tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free with the purchase of an adult ticket) each day, while General Admission tickets are just $35 ($25 for students with a valid ID and $10 for kids 10 and under). Reserved Grandstand and Premium Reserved Grandstand tickets are only $45 and $55 more (all ages), respectively, per day. There’s also a Military/First Responder Discount available, allowing GOVX fans to purchase tickets at reduced rates.
The Practice Viewing and Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experiences offer reserved grandstand seating, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line complete with photos ops. The Practice Viewing Fan Experience is available for $100, while the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Experience, which also includes up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies, can be purchased for $125 per day.
https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-daytona-short-track-i-150573.
https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-daytona-short-track-ii-150638.
https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-daytona-short-track-i-and-ii-149220.
Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) both days with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT) on Thursday and 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Friday.
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
IRVINE, CA (March 3, 2026) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is set to return to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway from March 5-7, 2026. Headlined by the 84th running of the DAYTONA 200, the race weekend serves as a launchpad that celebrates 50 years of Superbike Racing.
A landmark celebration of U.S. road racing heritage takes place as the world’s premier Supersport competitors vie for their own place in the AMA and MotoAmerica history books. Joining the Supersport headliners are Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, collectively forming a high-octane drop of the green flag.
The 84th edition of the DAYTONA 200 will serve as the opening round for the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. The change means the DAYTONA 200 will now pay critical Supersport points for the first time since 2014.
Supersport machines will also be limited to a 15.5L (4.09 U.S. Gal) fuel tank capacity, which amounts to a 4L (1.05 U.S. Gal.) decrease from previous years and represents a considerable fuel mileage challenge for each machine. Daytona has historically been a “two-stop-race” where a pit crew will refuel the motorcycle and install fresh tires all in under 25 seconds, twice in 57 laps. This decreased fuel capacity means teams must now plan a third pit stop for fuel, which demands perfection from the technicians on pit lane.
With a record $250,000 purse, the financial stakes at the “World Center of Racing” match its prestige, headlined by a $50,000 winner’s prize and a $100,000 total podium payout. Adding to the incentive, MotoAmerica’s Official Tire Supplier Dunlop—winners of 33 of the past 43 DAYTONA 200s—will cover the tire costs for the field’s top-finishing international rider.
This significant payout potential has drawn a global field of 49 elite Supersport riders representing seven different manufacturers. The grid showcases world-class talent from four continents and seven nations—including a strong contingent from the Americas, Europe, Australia, and South Africa—ready for a 57-lap showdown on the high banks.
“The DAYTONA 200 is unlike any other race on the MotoAmerica calendar,” commented Wayne Rainey, three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, 1987 DAYTONA 200 winner, and President of MotoAmerica. “The prestige of the 200 has so many layers, which is why it always attracts the top riders from around the world. It is a difficult race to win. You must take care of your motorcycle for the entire 200 miles, your pit crew needs to be flawless across multiple pit stops, and for the ‘run to the checkers,’ you need to time the draft perfectly.”
Josh Herrin is playing a game of numbers at Daytona this year. Herrin’s number two machine returns to the Supersport class for the third time in his career as he rolls his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 into Daytona eyeing an historic fourth-consecutive DAYTONA 200 victory. A win this year would mark Herrin’s fifth career victory at the event and equal legends Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel for most DAYTONA 200 wins.
Rahal Ducati Moto has two more threats in their pit box, as well. The roster features Superbike standout PJ Jacobsen and 18-year-old phenom Kayla Yaakov, a candidate to become the first-ever female winner of the race.
Last year’s second- and third-place finishers, Richie Escalante and Tyler Scott return with the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Team for the DAYTONA 200 on their Suzuki GSX-R750s. While Scott will remain in the Supersport class for the entire season, Escalante will return to the Superbike class following his appearance in the DAYTONA 200. After past disappointments at Daytona, both riders are looking for redemption.
Four-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes storms into the DAYTONA 200 just one month shy of his 51st birthday. While Hayes remains a stone-cold threat—as evidenced by his legendary career and 89th career victory at Barber Motorsports Park in 2025—a spot remains in his massive trophy cabinet for the DAYTONA 200 trophy, not to mention the accompanying Rolex Daytona Cosmograph for his wrist. He campaigns a 2026 BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 alongside Daytona 200 rookie Brenden Ketelsen.
The Supersport class sees a significant influx of young riders this year, headlined by 2025 Twins Cup and Talent Champion Alessandro Di Mario making his debut with Rahal Ducati Moto on a Ducati Panigale V2. The 17-year-old will make his DAYTONA 200 debut and could become the first rider to win the race in his first try since Joey Pascarella in 2012.
Also joining the Supersport ranks is MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher on the MV Agusta F3 RR, who will set a historic milestone. At just 16 years and 9 days old on race day, she is poised to make history as the youngest competitor ever to race in the DAYTONA 200.
Nineteen-year-old Blake Davis piloted his Yamaha YZF-R9 to three wins in Supersport last season, including a dominant WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round. While this is not Blake’s first DAYTONA 200, it marks the inaugural trip to Daytona for the new Supersport machine from the tuning fork brand and the Strack Racing crew, who have experienced the pressures of “The 200” before.
Underscoring the global prestige of the event is an influx of elite world talent. Most noteworthy is former MotoGP star Darryn Binder, who makes his high-profile MotoAmerica Supersport debut with last year’s DAYTONA 200-winning team Celtic/Economy Tire + Lube/Warhorse HSBK Ducati. Binder looks to leverage the teams winning experience, and the Ducati Panigale V2 to become the first South African to win The DAYTONA 200.
Other international challengers include last year’s fourth-place finisher and Isle of Man TT legend Peter Hickman who will campaign a factory-supported PHR Performance Triumph effort with his compatriot and teammate Davey Todd in his first attempt at the 200. Adding to the international roster is the extremely versatile British road racer and 2018 IRRC Superbike Champion Danny Webb on a Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R750.
The Indian vs. Harley-Davidson rivalry lives on at Daytona International Speedway as the iconic American titans go fairing-to-fairing in the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship. The class has become a true spectacle of the high banks, where 630-pound touring motorcycles defy physics to reach speeds exceeding 190 mph. With the grid nearly split between manufacturers—six Harleys to five Indians—the stage is set for another historic duel at Daytona.
Kyle Wyman, who also happens to be the 2019 DAYTONA 200 champion, leads the charge on his Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing Road Glide as the defending champion and the class’s most decorated rider with the most titles and race wins overall. He is the heavy favorite on-hand and has won the past five consecutive Mission King Of The Baggers races at Daytona.
Wyman’s teammate, former MotoGP standout and testing specialist Bradley Smith, looks to extract every ounce of performance from his factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide to take the opening victory.
The J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian team will spearhead the Indian Motorcycle redemption effort with a powerhouse trio featuring 2024 class champion and three-time Australian Superbike king Troy Herfoss, joined by multi-time Mission King Of The Baggers race winners Hayden Gillim and Rocco Landers.
The historic Harley-Davidson vs. Indian Motorcycle rivalry at Daytona continues to rage on, decades after their first battle on the beach at Daytona back in 1937.
Twins Cup has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the Daytona schedule, serving as one of the premier proving grounds for elite young racers graduating from MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup. At Daytona these lightweight twin-cylinder motorcycles must prioritize drafting while making split-second decisions that can be the difference between a podium and the back of the pack. Given the class’s history of drafting duels, a photo-finish is virtually guaranteed for the weekend’s two scheduled Twins Cup races.
Leading the charge into the high banks for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is 2025 championship runner-up Matthew Chapin aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R. He is followed by his nearest finishing competitor from the 2025 standings, Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg riding the Aprilia RS 660.
The duo faces a hungry new guard of rookies, including Australian Sam Drane, who makes his highly anticipated class debut on a Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7, and his fellow countryman Bodie Paige aboard the M4 Ecstar Suzuki GSX-8R.
Completing the racing lineup is the “anything-goes” (within the rulebook) Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The unfaired and high-handlebar class has 46 riders entered on very diverse machinery. The entry list shows motorcycles from nine different manufacturers, and riders from as far away as Australia. Capping off the diversity in this group will be Josh Herrin and Kaleb De Keyrel racing a pair of (electric) Lightfighter V3 RH machines for OrangeCat Racing.
While Saddlemen Race Development rider James Rispoli returns to defend his crown aboard the #1 Harley-Davidson Pan America, the team’s strategy features an intriguing split. Travis Wyman, a veteran H-D specialist, has opted to swap his modern Pan America machine for a 1990 Harley-Davidson FXR—a move likely designed to celebrate the brand’s heritage and electrify the “Harley enthusiast” crowd.
Adding more nostalgia to the grid is the 1760cc, air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder Irving Vincent ridden by Australian Beau Beaton. Beaton looks to channel the spirit of his motorcycle’s 2008 performance at Daytona where it won the “Battle of the Twins” race ahead of more modern four-valve Superbike replicas of that era.
ARCH Racing represents the pinnacle of modern boutique craftmanship. Founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, the team returns for a second season with Corey Alexander aboard the air-cooled, eight-valve 1940cc ARCH 2s-R. Alexander and the team saw a solid upward trajectory and ended their 2025 campaign with a season-high fourth-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. ARCH and Alexander look to build on that momentum and secure their first podium finish in 2026.
Although road racing existed for decades prior, 1976 marked the world’s first professional Superbike Championship. This 50th anniversary milestone signifies the transition from the two-stroke GP racers of the Formula 1 class in the early 1970’s, to the production-based machines that fans can buy at their local motorcycle dealer today.
“MotoAmerica is proud to enter into this historic season, as we always do, at Daytona International Speedway,” said Chuck Aksland, COO of MotoAmerica. “It’s the perfect location to launch our 50th season of Superbike racing and showcase everything from elite Supersport and Twins Cup racers to the raw grit of Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.”
Join Sam as he points out some of the unique design features of the KTM 990 RC R.
Ah, take a whiff of that! You smell it? It’s that unique scent of jungle, petrol and excitement which can only mean one thing:
MotoGP is back, baby!
Now, you might wonder why we just described the above mentioned (and highly questionable) smell. But you have to understand that Mat is currently at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand while being sick as a dog. Seriously, some vicious flu has got him down and he’s purely holding on through the strength of willpower and lozenges. The poor lad has even had to give up drinking this week! Here’s to hoping he will get through this unfortunate period of sobriety…
Luckily, there’s plenty to take the mind off things as we dive head-first into the opening race of the 2026 season. And will you look at that: it’s Aprilia and KTM dominating! What has given them an edge, and what does this mean for the rest of the season? That’s what we’re here to find out! Also, why on earth is Mat suddenly interested in the Saturday Sprint? Does he have a fever, or is there something more going on here?
Time to press that play button and find out…
Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “bringing a knife to a gunfight,” haven’t you? It means “being severely under-prepared, out-matched, or ill-equipped for a challenge, confrontation, or task.” It implies a significant disadvantage where one’s tools or skills are insufficient in comparison to the opposition. The idiom is often used to highlight a foolish or doomed attempt at competition.
Well, in 1976 at Daytona, in the very first AMA Superbike race, the Butler & Smith BMW team essentially did just that. And won.
The team entered three air-cooled, horizontally opposed, 900cc, twin-cylinder BMW R90S motorcycles to do battle against a screaming horde of Kawasakis, Ducatis, Yamahas, and even a couple of Moto Guzzis and Laverdas. One of the three riders aboard the BMW Boxers, or “Stone Axes” as Cycle World referred to them, won the race.
For the first time in half a century, those three bikes, along with the winner of the 1976 Daytona Superbike race, plus his teammate and runner-up in that groundbreaking race, will be on hand during this year’s MotoAmerica season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway on March 6 and 7.
The Machines & The Riders
The celebration will feature the meticulously preserved motorcycles ridden by the legends of the 1976 season, including:
• The #83 BMW R90S raced by Steve McLaughlin, the man who, in 1976 at Daytona, claimed the victory in the first-ever AMA Superbike race.
• The #163 BMW R90S raced by Reg Pridmore, who finished second at Daytona in the first-ever Superbike race and went on to become the first-ever AMA Superbike Champion.
• The #24 BMW R90S raced by the late Gary Fisher, whose riding on a previous BMW prototype helped prove the BMW’s racing prowess.
In a rare gathering of racing royalty, both McLaughlin and Pridmore will be in attendance to share memories of the drafting battle that defined an era. Joining them is Udo Gietl, the visionary lead builder and “mad scientist” behind the Butler & Smith BMW program. Gietl’s engineering marvels—utilizing titanium rods, hollow lifters, and a custom monoshock rear suspension hidden behind the “stock” aesthetic—transformed the 60-horsepower R90S streetbike into a 100-horsepower racing titan.
Engineering A Miracle
The story of these bikes is one of extreme ingenuity. To achieve 150 mph on the banking, Gietl and fabricator Todd Schuster utilized aerospace materials and “borrowed” parts, such as McCullough chainsaw reed valves and Chrysler Hemi oil separators, to solve the unique challenges of the Boxer engine. “In 1976, we didn’t see anyone as a threat,” Gietl recalls. The results proved him right.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Fans will have the opportunity to see these iconic machines up close throughout the MotoAmerica weekend. The festivities will culminate in a Celebrity Dinner on March 7, where McLaughlin, Pridmore, Gietl, and other luminaries will recount the “metal chips and midnight oil” that fueled their journey to the top of the podium.
The golden anniversary celebration is made possible by RPM Ventures NC, in partnership with the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA), and also through the support of the motorcycling community, including key sponsors OrangeCat Racing of Chicago and Tytlers Cycle of Wisconsin.
On-site camping is available. For booking details, contact Rob McIsaac at [email protected]
Announcement Concerning the Relocation of Our U.S. Subsidiary and the Sale of Fixed Assets
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) has decided to relocate its U.S. group company, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (“YMUS”), currently located in Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia. This relocation will be happening, by function, over the period from the end of 2026 until the end of 2028.
In connection with this relocation, the Company has also decided to proceed with the sale of all fixed assets owned by YMUS in Cypress, including land, offices and warehouses. This initiative is positioned as one of the Company’s key measures aimed at improving asset efficiency and enhancing profitability in the United States.
The Cypress facility has served as the headquarters of YMUS for approximately 50 years,
since Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. acquired the land in 1978 and established the office in 1979.
However, in response to changes in the Company’s business focus within the U.S. market,
the Marine Business was relocated to Kennesaw in 1999 to serve the customer better, and
the Motorsports Business was relocated to Kennesaw as well in 2019.
As a result, the Cypress facility currently primarily houses corporate functions and the
Financial Services business. The total site area is approximately 25.1 acres (approximately
102,000 square meters).
In connection with the sale of these assets, the Company plans to utilize a sale-and-
leaseback arrangement for a certain period in order to ensure business continuity and to
facilitate a smooth relocation to Kennesaw.
Details such as the sale price, purchaser, and timing of the transaction are currently under
review.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is undertaking structural reforms aimed at improving the profitability of its U.S. operations in response to cost increases resulting from U.S. tariffs and changes in the market environment.
In addition to implementing cross-business cost reduction initiatives, the Company seeks
over the medium to long term to build a profit structure that is not solely dependent on top-line growth, thereby transforming itself into a more resilient and robust organization capable of adapting to change.
Overview of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Company Name: Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Head Office Location: 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA, 90630, U.S.A.
Business Activities: Importation and sales of Yamaha Motor products in the U.S. market
On the Front Cover: Defending MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez (93) is shown testing aboard a 2026 Ducati Lenovo GP26. This season is the last for massive
wings and shape-shifting (lowering suspension for better starts and
more acceleration), banned for 2027. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe!
Log in HERE to read the March / April 2026 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
—
MARCH / APRIL 2026 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: KTM’s hot-rod 2026 990 Duke R; MotoGP deserting Phillip
Island in favor of a street race in 2027; Marco Bezzecchi “marries”
his Aprilia; Barber Museum and Barber Motorsports Park founder
George Barber passes away, and more…
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1978 750cc Yamaha 0W31 Inline-4
Intro: 2026 Triumph Trident 800 Roadster, Emphasis On “Road”
Tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, An Oasis Blooms
RACING
Racing History: Reg Pridmore, The World’s First Superbike King
MotoGP Analysis: Agent Carlos Pernat, The Last Wildman
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: A Racer And Business Man Says Goodbye
10 Years Ago: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich is on the cover of the March
2016 issue, riding a new 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R at Sepang
International Raceway in Malaysia. Rich Schlachter, the 1979-1980
AMA Formula One Champion, was featured in a where-are-they-now
piece, and said that at age 63, he was slowing down working
as a carpenter. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looked at Valentino Rossi
losing the 2015 MotoGP title, and also picked his favorite
MotoGP battles….
The Crash Page: Steve McLaughlin, Upside Down In 1976
2026 Racing, School & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich’s Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Headed to Daytona
*******************************************************************
Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.
*******************************************************************
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing dominate Buriram season opener race.
The first full-length race of the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand concluded with two Aprilia Racing riders on the podium. Starting from pole position, Marco Bezzecchi ran a solid race, maintaining the lead from the first corner to the chequered flag and claiming his first victory at the Thai circuit. This marks the Italian rider’s third consecutive Grand Prix win (Portimão, Valencia and Buriram). It is also his fourth victory in a full-length race in the top class with Aprilia, an all-time record. It was also a good day for Jorge Martín, who was in contention for the podium for much of the race and finished fourth at the flag, equalling his best result with Aprilia Racing in a full-length race.
The Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders also delivered an excellent performance. Raúl Fernández claimed third place in the full-length race, his second podium of the weekend after the sprint, while Ai Ogura completed a spectacular charge from further back to finish fifth, bringing four Aprilias into the top five.
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “After the mistake in the sprint, it was important to stay calm and bounce back. The victory in Buriram is a very pleasing result. We worked well in testing, so it was crucial to confirm our form over the race weekend as well – something we were unable to do last year, despite a good test here. In the race, I tried to give it my all without making mistakes, so I’m very pleased with this victory.”
JORGE MARTÍN: “A few months ago, I couldn’t even feed myself, and today I finished the race in fourth position. I’m very happy and very grateful to the people who supported and helped me. It has been a winter of great mental preparation to feel ready and to believe in what I’m doing. Today I didn’t have high expectations, but from the very start I felt comfortable and was able to battle with Marc and Pedro.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “It’s great to see Marco pick up from where he finished last year. The dominance of this weekend may seem unusual, but if there is one thing I firmly believe in, it is the work of the Factory in Noale, and I have no doubt that the talent and determination of our riders will continue to come through strongly. However, it’s only the first race, and our competitors won’t sit back and watch. Marc remains the favourite, but Aprilia is right there.”
More from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
Sizzling 2nd place for Acosta at Thai MotoGP as Red Bull KTM lead the World Championship.
Red Bull KTM kicked off their tenth season of MotoGP Grand Prix racing through the demanding Thai heat with Pedro Acosta earning a brilliant runner-up result. 91,455 spectators on-site watched the opening chapter of the 22-round series where the team and brand walked away as world championship leaders for the first time.
Highlights and key moments from race day at the Chang International Circuit:
Scorching sunshine, sticky air and high temperatures created a typically draining Thai Grand Prix in the city of Buriram. 2026 marked the second year in a row that MotoGP launched at the packed Chang International Circuit, 300km north of Bangkok. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 started from qualifying slots on the second, third, sixth and seventh rows of the grid.
Pedro Acosta began the 26-lap chase from P6 and with his confidence high, less than 24 hours after he grabbed victory in the Saturday Sprint. The Spaniard had to work his way past two riders to reach 3rd place and then hunted P2 in what was an eye-catching display of overtaking and tire management. Pedro ended the weekend with 1-2 scores and 32 points to sit at the top of the standings. He now has four podiums from the last six rounds of MotoGP, stretching back to Indonesia 2025.
Brad Binder was busy in a close second group where the South African had to sustain grip and be cautious of tire pressures. Brad kept a solid pace to improve on his 2025 position in Thailand thanks to his P7. He occupies P6 in the early championship table. Enea Bastianini persevered for the race duration and used his skill in administering the best traction from the tire/set-up package to make his way from P19 on the grid to P12. Maverick Viñales had a tough first lap when he ran wide into Turn 12 but he also completed the distance and arrived back to the box with P16.
Round two will venture to Brazilian shores for the first time since 2004. The Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania will be the scene for the next episode of MotoGP on March 20-22.
Pedro Acosta, 2nd and 1st in the championship: “We’re not only leading the world championship for a day! The team is working super-good. We struggled so much here last year and this time we made back-to-back podiums. We have to be happy. Thanks to all at KTM; all the people back there must have been pushing for us in the early morning. Thanks to everyone at home who has been supporting me. We made good.”
Brad Binder, 7th and 6th in the championship: “Happy on one hand but on the other I’d like more than a 7th. We’re going step-by-step and moving forwards because it was good to be in Q2 directly on Friday and both races were pretty good. We’ve made a step with consistency. Today was a lot more challenging than the Sprint. The bike clearly has the potential, so we’ll keep working and try to catch up to Pedro.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “A win and a podium this weekend means we have to be very happy with the work, both by the team and the riders but also the factory after a busy winter. We made an obvious improvement from 2025. This race can be difficult for a few factors and I think we approached the weekend in the right way and showed some good early potential. Of course, there is still work to do and we can see the results for all four riders were quite different but this is the first GP of a long championship. Congratulations to Pedro, it is really good to begin the season with this positive feeling.”
More from a press release issued by Pertamino Enduro VR46 Racing Team:
Double Top10 for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in Thailand GP. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli finish Sunday’s race at Buriram in sixth and eighth place respectively.
The Thailand GP is in the history books, and it marks the end of the first race weekend of the 2026 campaign: in challenging conditions due to the extreme heat in Sunday’s race, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secured a double Top10 with Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is sixth at the finish line, and Franco Morbidelli, who had a comeback riding and ended in eighth place.
Starting from second row, Di Giannantonio immediately tried to join the podium battle. From the first laps, the heat put Fabio and his Ducati to the test, but they defended strongly, showing consistency despite the challenging conditions. The rider from Rome arrived at the finish line of the Thailand GP in sixth place – best Ducati rider at the chequered flag – and he now sits in seventh place in the World Standing with 12 points.
It was a comeback Sunday for Morbidelli, who started from the third row but was in nineteenth place at lap five. Despite the extreme heat, Franco showed a good speed and a strong pace, gaining many positions lap by lap. The Italian-Brazilian rider, with a decisive overtake in the final stage of the race, secured the eighth place in the Thailand GP and he now sits in ninth place in the World Standing with 8 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is back on track in two weeks, when the MotoGP World Championship flies to America for the Brazilian GP, which is going to take place from 20th to 22nd March at Goiana Circuit for the first time ever.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO: “The race plan was to start strong and immediately stay in the front group. Unfortunately, we struggled because the others had an incredibly fast start. So we had to manage the tyres. Then, we had a technical issue from lap six and I couldn’t push the way I wanted. On top of that, there was very little grip on track today and the temperatures were really high. But if we finished sixth despite a problem, we can be optimistic, because today we could have had a really great race. I think we could have fought at least for third place because we were there in terms of pace. Overall, the bike is working very well: it’s only the first race, there are many positives, and I’ve never prepared for a season this well. We’ve worked with calm and confidence. We’re very fast and we had a solid weekend. It’s a pity we couldn’t complete the job with two strong races, but we head to Brazil with a smile and the confidence that we can be competitive.”
FRANCO MORBIDELLI: “Today it felt like there were two races for us: at the start I struggled a lot, and I was nineteenth until lap five. Then I found my rhythm and started gaining many positions. I’d say the first part of the race wasn’t good, but after that it became very strong and solid. I had a bit of a grip issue. In this race the tyres were consuming quickly and the feeling wasn’t at its best, but I managed it well. Overall, it was a weekend of ups and downs. There are some aspects of the new package we still need to work on in depth. But there’s definitely a very good potential.”
PABLO NIETO: “I think it’s important to always be among the protagonists. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to be there in the Sprint on Saturday, but that’s racing. Today’s race was really tough – the temperatures and the heat put us to the test. We finished sixth with Fabio and eighth with Franco, which means we had a good weekend. Franco made an incredible comeback: at one point he was nineteenth, but he finished eighth. That shows the speed is there. We need to try to improve the opening laps. Now we go back home to recharge and work ahead of the next race in Brazil.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo:
Ninth-place finish for Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team in the Grand Prix of Thailand. Marc Márquez forced to retire while battling for the podium.
The Ducati Lenovo Team completed the opening Grand Prix of the season at the Chang International Circuit: Francesco Bagnaia was ninth at the flag, while Marc Márquez had to retire from the encounter with six laps remaining.
Bagnaia made up four positions in the first two laps, before moving up to seventh place in the closing stages and then finishing ninth. Following a good start from the front row of the grid, Márquez battled for the podium until lap twenty-one, when an impact with a kerb led to the deformation of the rear rim, which in turn caused the tyre to lose pressure.
As the Grand Prix of Thailand draws to a close, Marc Márquez is eighth in the championship standings with nine points. Francesco Bagnaia is tenth, one point behind his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team is fifth in the teams’ standings (17 points), while Ducati is third in the constructors’ championship (19 points).
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on March 20th for the first day of action of the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil, at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th: “It was a tough race. I tried to manage the situation from the beginning, without pushing, in order to get to the end of the race with the best possible grip conditions. In the final laps, when I got closer to the group ahead of me, I started to feel the drop in grip. This weekend, unlike in testing, I had a hard time getting the bike stopped and making it turn the way I would have liked. We need to roll up our sleeves to get back to the front, but I think this race was a bit of a one-off.”
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – DNF: “It’s true that other riders, even in testing, had jumped the kerb in that spot and nothing happened. I ran wide at turn four, but when I ran over the kerb I felt a strong impact and that the tyre had deflated due to the rim breaking. It was an unfortunate incident, as I was managing the situation. I knew it would have been a long race and my approach was therefore a conservative one, but in the end I saw that I was getting closer to the podium, so I tried to attack. Unfortunately, these things can happen, but we know we’re already at a good level.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Marini puts Honda in top ten as misfortune strikes promising Mir.
A demanding start to the season in what is already looking to be one of the hottest races of the year, Luca Marini opening his 2026 points account with tenth while heartbreak struck Joan Mir as he battled tooth and claw for a fantastic fifth.
The 2026 MotoGP World Championship season officially began with the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix, a physically demanding affair as temperatures approached 40°C. Undeterred and unphased, the Honda HRC Castrol duo shot off the line when the lights went out and immediately began their battle.
From 14th on the grid, Luca Marini made a near perfect start to immediately close in on his teammate and charging into the top ten. Battling for the majority of the race with the likes of Bagnaia, Binder and Ogura, the Italian paid special attention to managing his tyres in the critical ambient temperatures of the day. Picking up where he left off in 2025, Luca Marini crossed the line in tenth – leading the remaining Honda trio and sitting as the lead Honda RC213V rider in the World Championship, 11th with six points.
Joan Mir authored an incredible race, starting strongly and quickly catching the group battling for third position. His confidence was easy to see as he demonstrated his unrivalled ability on the brakes, a particularly spectacular move on Fabio Di Giannantonio promoting him to fifth. Unfortunately, disaster would strike and the 2020 MotoGP World Champion was forced to retire through no fault of his own. He leaves Thailand in 15th place overall with three points.
New frontiers are waiting at round two as the MotoGP World Championship makes a welcome return to Brazil. The Autodromo Internacional de Goiania – Aryton Senna hosting round two, a brand-new circuit for the entire grid. In 2025, Luca Marini briefly lapped on a road bike and highlighted the high speed and exciting nature of the track.
Luca Marini: “I think the race was tough for everyone, not so much from the temperature and the physical side because this is what we train for, but you really had to manage everything with the bike to arrive to the end. After four laps we weren’t able to brake as we’d like, which made the race very long as that is our strongest point normally. I made a really good start but then lost three positions on the straight quite soon after. Everyone from about fifth to 14th has a very similar pace, so if you miss something in Qualifying or early in the race you spend a lot of time catching up. But a good way to start the year, we learned a lot and know what we have to do next.”
Joan Mir: “A real shame what happened today. I really enjoyed the race, I was riding really well and making some great overtakes. Then something happened which was not in our control and our race finished. We have to check properly what happened. We have to focus on the positives that we have done this race weekend and bring it to Brazil. Normally at new tracks we can be strong, I think I am a quick learner, so we will try and take advantage of that. Focusing on the positives, we showed our speed and the progress Honda have made.”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco secured 11th place on Sunday in Buriram.
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
The 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship kicked off in spectacular style at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, where a record number of Thai fans created an electric atmosphere for the opening round of the season.
Under extreme heat on Sunday, the premier class lined up for the first Grand Prix of the year, ready to take on 26 demanding laps in front of over 91,000 attendees.
Starting from 20th on the grid, Enea Bastianini faced an early setback, losing a position on the opening lap. By the fourth lap, however, the Italian had recovered to 18th and began building momentum.
By the eighth lap, Bastianini was already up to 16th, and a couple of decisive overtakes soon followed as he continued carving his way through the field. With three riders retiring ahead, the #23 rider capitalised fully, jumping up to 12th and firmly placing himself back in the fight after a challenging start to the weekend.
On the other side of the garage, Maverick Viñales held firm in 17th on the opening lap but then lost ground on the straight heading into the next, dropping the Spaniard further down the order.
Struggling for grip and rhythm in the early stages, Viñales found himself down in 21st. Gradually, Top Gun climbed the order as the Marquez brothers and Joan Mir left the action. Finally, a well-executed overtake later in the race secured 16th, just shy of the points, rewarding Viñales’ persistence despite a difficult race.
Next up on the calendar is the Grand Prix of Brazil at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (20-22 March), as the 2026 campaign continues its global journey.
Enea Bastianini: “It was a difficult race, but we made a small step forward compared to the previous race. The feeling was similar to last year, even if the result was not as strong. In the final laps I was able to manage things quite well and gain some positions, which was encouraging. We’re still working on improving stability and overall feeling, but I’m confident we can make another step soon.”
Maverick Viñales: “It was a challenging race for us. We’re missing some front grip, especially through the corners, which makes it difficult to be consistent and carry the speed we need. On the straight we’re competitive, but we’re not able to maximise the potential when it matters most. We tried different things across the weekend and now it’s about analysing the data to understand where we can improve and how to generate more feeling from the front. The potential is there, so we need to stay focused, respond well and come back stronger at the next round.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “Clearly, this opening round in Thailand is a disappointment for Red Bull KTM Tech3. It’s not the result we were aiming for, and we have to take that honestly. Now it’s important that we sit down together, analyse what didn’t work as expected this weekend, and understand where we need to improve. We can see the potential of the package, which makes it even more important for us to find answers quickly. We have two weeks before Brazil, and our focus is to use that time constructively, come back stronger, and ensure we’re fighting where we belong.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 13th on Sunday in Buriram.
Diogo Moreira – 13th: “It was a good race, I’m super happy. I fought with Enea, and it was fun. The tyre dropped off quite a lot, so I struggled a bit, but overall it was really good. At some point I was alone pushing, because after 12 laps, the tyre degradation was significant, but it was still a positive race for me. We’ve started the season with high motivation, and this is a learning process. I can’t wait to do more races, I’ve had so much fun this weekend!”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Push On in Blistering Hot Buriram Race.
The Grand Prix of Thailand in sweltering heat proved a tricky season opener for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed the 26-lap MotoGP Race in 14th and 15th place respectively.
The incredibly hot 26-lap Grand Prix of Thailand MotoGP Race was a tough outing, but Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins persevered and found themselves in P14 and P15 at the chequered flag.
Quartararo launched from P16 and made up a position on the opening lap. Unable to make further inroads, he came under pressure from Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini and dropped to 17th place on lap 10. With three late DNFs for rivals, El Diablo ultimately held 14th position over the finish line.
Rins started from P18 and completed lap 1 in P16 behind Quartararo. He mainly rode amongst his fellow Yamaha riders during the 26-lap contest and was in P18 when he too benefitted from some late misfortunes of rivals. He held 15th place at the chequered flag.
Today’s race results put Quartararo in 16th place in the championship standings with 2 points. Rins is in 17th place with 1 point. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 9th position in the team classifications with 3 points, and Yamaha is fifth in the contructor rankings with 2 points.
The team will enjoy two weeks off before travelling to Brazil for Round 2, held at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna from 20-22 March.
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Opening round in Buriram proves a struggle for Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team.
In extremely hot conditions at the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship in Buriram, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu faced a demanding race, with both riders and their machinery appearing to suffer more from the heat and tyre drop than their direct competitors.
In the first full race for the 2026 Yamaha YZR-M1 machine, powered by the new V4 engine, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders battled extreme heat and tyre management issues in demanding conditions.
Despite crossing the line disappointed with their final positions, both Razgatlıoğlu and Miller remain focused on analysing the valuable data collected and continuing the development of the new package.
The attention now shifts to the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the team aims to start fresh with renewed motivation and build on the lessons learned in Buriram.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: “It was my first full race in MotoGP and, of course, I was hoping for a better result. But it was a long and very demanding race — 26 laps in that kind of heat is physically tough. We had some clear issues with rear grip, especially as the race went on, but I‘m not looking to put the blame anywhere else. I know I still have a lot to learn, and at the same time we know Yamaha is working hard to improve the package. Grip was quite limited throughout the race, and it seemed to be a common situation for all Yamaha riders, as we were running close together. Now we focus on the next race. I know I will give my best, and I know the whole team will do the same.”
Jack Miller: “Obviously it wasn‘t the race we were hoping for. Overall, the bike itself didn‘t feel bad over the distance and physically I felt fine, but from the very beginning I understood we had an issue with the rear tyre. I tried to manage it as best as I could — short-shifting, being smooth, waiting to pick the bike up on the exits — but as the laps went on it became more and more difficult. In the end the tyre was completely worn in the centre and on the straights I couldn‘t use more than about a quarter throttle. It was a tough situation to manage. Still, it was our first full race with the V4. It didn‘t go the way we wanted, but the important thing is that all four bikes finished and we gathered a lot of information. It‘s a base to build from, and there‘s plenty of room to improve as we head to Brazil.”
Gino Borsoi: “We knew Sunday was going to be difficult. During the tests we already struggled, and that was confirmed again in the race. On the positive side, the Sprint showed that we are capable of maintaining a fairly competitive rhythm, so that‘s something we can build on. Today the main issue was the high temperature, which affected everyone, but it seemed to impact us a little more. We have to accept that this is our starting point. We‘re confident that we can improve from here as we move into the next races.”
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini:
Thailand to forget.
RACEDAY
ALEX MÁRQUEZ: “Starting from the third row didn’t help us, but it was still a race of management until the crash. The others have definitely improved, but we need to keep working and stay calm. My race was about staying behind Mir at a distance so as not to overheat the front tire, with no real chance to overtake. The crash came when I tried to push a bit more; I didn’t have any feeling with the front end and I lost it with a small mistake.”
MICHELE PIRRO: “I’m a bit disappointed, I thought I could do better by putting together all the pieces of the puzzle from these past few days. Instead, from the start of the race I immediately felt uncomfortable with the tires, a feeling I hadn’t had all weekend. I tried to manage the tire, but it was quite strange. I’m sorry because I wanted a bit more consistency. I gave it my all, and I want to thank Nadia and the whole group for the trust they’ve shown me over these days.”
By Stuart Smith:
I released a new video on my YouTube channel, StumanRides, today. In this video, I spoke with a number of riding coaches about what things they think can help a track day rider improve their lap times.
The video is live now at the following link: https://youtu.be/Eq6FHQLXta4
D3O JOINING TY SCOTT AND M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI AT DAYTONA
Team Hammer is pleased to announce that D3O will serve as the title sponsor for Tyler Scott’s effort aboard the D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 in the 84th running of the Daytona 200.
D3O is the global leader in advanced protection solutions. D3O’s ground-breaking armor is thin, soft, and flexible in a resting state, yet stiffens to absorb and dissipate energy on impact, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into helmets, gloves, and other protective gear. Its industry-leading armor is utilized by partners in as diverse and demanding environments as Formula 1, NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the NHL.
In this new partnership with Team Hammer, D3O joins an effort primed for Daytona success. Rising star Scott has fought his way to a podium finish in the fabled race after earning pole position in each of the last two seasons. In fact, Scott has never qualified off the front row at Daytona and has been a Supersport frontrunner since his rookie campaign, scoring championship rankings of second, third, fourth, and fifth during his time in the category. Scott is motivated to try hard to finally stand atop the podium at the Daytona 200 and win the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship in 2026.
Scott’s GSX-R750 and his rigorously tested, D3O-integrated RST racing suit will be prominently adorned in D3O’s trademark orange coloring at Daytona, commemorating a huge moment in the company’s continued expansion into motorsport. Already a sponsor of IOM TT Champion Michael Dunlop MBE, World SuperSport pilot Tom Booth Amos, and BSB and British Road Racing ace Lee Johnston, stepping up as title sponsor of a top team in the Daytona 200 marks a significant increase in the D3O’s motorsports presence.
Following Daytona, D3O will continue as a partner of M4 ECSTAR Suzuki for the remainder of the MotoAmerica season, with logos displayed on the team’s bikes, suits, and helmets.
Scott said, “I think having D3O onboard is really cool. When I first tried out their equipment, I was impressed with how it fit and how it allowed me to move freely without distracting me. It was obviously very high quality. Having used D3O after that, it feels great when you are on the bike. Plus, it has kept me safe on the occasions I’ve found myself flying through the air.
“We’re very excited for the Daytona 200. We’ve done well there but never got the win. We’ve set fast times, but the goal is to get to the front and stay consistent. Last year, I got caught up battling and lost touch with the leader. But if we can stay close and have a fast pace at the end, good things can happen.”
“Becoming Title Sponsor with Team Hammer at the Daytona 200 — one of the most iconic events in motorcycle racing — marks an important milestone in our brand growth in North America and reflects our continued investment in commercial partnerships, while ensuring riders compete in the very best protection available,” said D3O CMO Mostyn Thomas.
The 84th Daytona 200 will take place on March 5-7 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2026 season marks Team Hammer’s 46th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 135 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 385 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT D3O
D3O® is the global leader in protection against impact, shock and vibration. Working with world-class brands including Formula 1 teams, adidas, the U.S. Department of Defense, and NASA, D3O provides protective solutions across multiple industries, from sports and motorcycling to defense and electronics. D3O partners with leading motorcycle brands including Furygan, Richa, Harley Davidson, Rukka, RST, Belstaff, Held and Triumph. The company recently trademarked the colour orange for the exclusive use in protection for motorcycle gear, reinforcing its position as the industry’s most trusted ingredient brand.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Following months of planning, preparation, and testing, the rubber is finally about to hit the dirt. The 2026 Grand National Championship will officially get underway when the stars of Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, kick off a brand-new campaign with the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II at the DAYTONA Flat Track on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6.
More than two dozen of the world’s most elite motorcycle dirt trackers representing eight different brands will compete in the spotlight as a half-million enthusiasts flock to Daytona Beach, Florida, for the 85th annual Bike Week.
#1
For the first time since 2020, a Mission AFT SuperTwins pilot will be brandishing the #1 plate in the premier class for the very first time. Defending champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) has long imaged this day and admitted to putting considerable thought into crafting just the right look for his new number display.
And for good reason. While the #1 plate is a great honor, it can also be a heavy burden. However, it’s difficult to imagine a rider better prepared to accept that challenge. Daniels previously successfully defended a #1 plate when he became the first back-to-back KICKER AFT Singles champion in history in 2021. And while he was not defending the throne in ‘25, he did carry the pressure of being the heavy preseason favorite.
While he was pushed to the limit in order to make good on those lofty expectations, Daniels ultimately came through to earn what he hopes to be the first of many Grand National Championships.
And he will be all the stronger for the experience. Even though he won the crown in 2025, Daniels and his Estenson Racing crew were never 100% satisfied with the state of their racebike a season ago. By contrast, they come into 2026 confident in the package they’ve developed over the offseason.
If they live up to their own expectations, that could prove a scary proposition for the opposition.
As mentioned above, Daniels was given all he could handle a year ago – a challenge that was fronted by a pair of Harley-Davidson XG750Rs, a platform that met the opportunity presented by the shift to an all-production-based ruleset.
Piloted by two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/ Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R) and perennial contender Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), the Harley led all bikes with nine wins a year ago. Bauman alone claimed a class-leading eight while Robinson at last scored the XG win he first set his sights on back in 2017.
The two finished second and third in the title fight and closed out the ‘25 campaign with a rousing 1-2 at the Lake Ozark finale, repeating the coup they pulled off while giving the bike its first victory earlier in the season on Yamaha’s home turf in Senoia.
Bauman and Robinson are armed with Harley-Davidsons again in 2026, and they’re bringing reinforcements.
Triple KICKER AFT Singles king Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davison XG750R) is back in the series full time and at last making his Mission AFT SuperTwins debut. Supported by an all-star crew, Kopp has everything he needs to fight his way into the mix early and often.
Meanwhile, two-and four-wheel dirt track ace Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) will also graduate to premier-class competition in 2026 aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750R.
While the 2025 season was largely dominated by the battles waged by Daniels and Bauman – and to a lesser extent Robinson – they didn’t have things all their way.
That was most plainly evident when Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) powered Honda to its first twin-cylinder premier-class victory in more than a quarter century. That performance both marked the bike’s arrival as a full-blown SuperTwins threat and provided the team with added motivation to make the most of the offseason in order to prepare for bigger and better things in ‘26.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), meanwhile, collected multiple podiums in his debut season on the KTM en route to yet another top-five championship ranking. Fisher is well positioned to build on what was originally expected to be a learning season, returning to again pilot the Rackley Racing KTM alongside Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke).
Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) have each notched up podium finishes for On The Box Racing in recent seasons. This year, they’ll be looking to do so as teammates, as the outfit expands to bring a 1-2 punch to the premier class in ‘26.
Nine-time premier-class Short Track Main Event winner Henry Wiles (No. 911 J&M Logging/Ray C’s Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Ninja 650) is back on the Kawasaki Ninja 650 that he hustled to the podium in last year’s season opener.
And don’t forget about Bike Week legend Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Martin Trucking/OnlyFans/ Castrol Yamaha MT-07), who is tied with Robinson and trails only Daniels and Jake Johnson for most career DAYTONA ST victories with four prior wins.
Several other faces – both established and new – will look to enter into the podium mix.
2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award and 2024 Progressive AFT Rookie of the Year Evan Renshaw (No. 95 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) has been drafted up to the premier class to contend aboard the official Royal Enfield entry.
And we know that bike is capable of finishing on the box because it did so a couple years ago in the capable of hands of Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Parts Bros/D&D Cycles/Fairway Ford Aprilia Tuareg 660). Gauthier will now look to turn a similar trick on the Fairway/JMC Motorsports-developed Aprilia.
Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Lisa Niner Racing Suzuki GSX-8S) repeatedly demonstrated that Suzuki can run inside the top five a year ago – a performance that seemingly tempted the talented Billy Ross (No. 29 Digitrace/Mission Foods/John Franklin Suzuki GSX-8S) to make a go on a GSX-8S as well.
And Yamaha further adds to its combined strength with the entries of Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07) and Cameron Smith (No. 34 Fredericktown Yamaha/Thee Kathy Gray Yamaha MT-07).
The 2026 Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight will open with all the usual fanfare and in its standard race format on Thursday night. Friday will then mix things up with the return of the Mission Triple Challenge, which first debuted at last season’s Lima Half-Mile.
The Triple Challenge format, which features three Main Events of increasing length, pressure, and stakes to determine the final results, is destined to deliver an incredibly tense and exciting night of racing when paired with the close confines of the DAYTONA Flat Track.
Per usual, Daytona Beach will be jam-packed with two-wheeled activities throughout Bike Week. And fans at the track will have plenty to keep them entertained beyond the on-track action, including a wide range of vendors, numerous food and beverage options, and extensive designated motorcycle parking.
Upper Rim Road Standing Room Only tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free with the purchase of an adult ticket) each day, while General Admission tickets are just $35 ($25 for students with a valid ID and $10 for kids 10 and under). Reserved Grandstand and Premium Reserved Grandstand tickets are only $45 and $55 more (all ages), respectively, per day. There’s also a Military/First Responder Discount available, allowing GOVX fans to purchase tickets at reduced rates.
The Practice Viewing and Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experiences offer reserved grandstand seating, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line complete with photos ops. The Practice Viewing Fan Experience is available for $100, while the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Experience, which also includes up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies, can be purchased for $125 per day.
https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-daytona-short-track-i-150573.
https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-daytona-short-track-ii-150638.
https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-daytona-short-track-i-and-ii-149220.
Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) both days with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT) on Thursday and 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Friday.
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
IRVINE, CA (March 3, 2026) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is set to return to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway from March 5-7, 2026. Headlined by the 84th running of the DAYTONA 200, the race weekend serves as a launchpad that celebrates 50 years of Superbike Racing.
A landmark celebration of U.S. road racing heritage takes place as the world’s premier Supersport competitors vie for their own place in the AMA and MotoAmerica history books. Joining the Supersport headliners are Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, collectively forming a high-octane drop of the green flag.
The 84th edition of the DAYTONA 200 will serve as the opening round for the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. The change means the DAYTONA 200 will now pay critical Supersport points for the first time since 2014.
Supersport machines will also be limited to a 15.5L (4.09 U.S. Gal) fuel tank capacity, which amounts to a 4L (1.05 U.S. Gal.) decrease from previous years and represents a considerable fuel mileage challenge for each machine. Daytona has historically been a “two-stop-race” where a pit crew will refuel the motorcycle and install fresh tires all in under 25 seconds, twice in 57 laps. This decreased fuel capacity means teams must now plan a third pit stop for fuel, which demands perfection from the technicians on pit lane.
With a record $250,000 purse, the financial stakes at the “World Center of Racing” match its prestige, headlined by a $50,000 winner’s prize and a $100,000 total podium payout. Adding to the incentive, MotoAmerica’s Official Tire Supplier Dunlop—winners of 33 of the past 43 DAYTONA 200s—will cover the tire costs for the field’s top-finishing international rider.
This significant payout potential has drawn a global field of 49 elite Supersport riders representing seven different manufacturers. The grid showcases world-class talent from four continents and seven nations—including a strong contingent from the Americas, Europe, Australia, and South Africa—ready for a 57-lap showdown on the high banks.
“The DAYTONA 200 is unlike any other race on the MotoAmerica calendar,” commented Wayne Rainey, three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, 1987 DAYTONA 200 winner, and President of MotoAmerica. “The prestige of the 200 has so many layers, which is why it always attracts the top riders from around the world. It is a difficult race to win. You must take care of your motorcycle for the entire 200 miles, your pit crew needs to be flawless across multiple pit stops, and for the ‘run to the checkers,’ you need to time the draft perfectly.”
Josh Herrin is playing a game of numbers at Daytona this year. Herrin’s number two machine returns to the Supersport class for the third time in his career as he rolls his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 into Daytona eyeing an historic fourth-consecutive DAYTONA 200 victory. A win this year would mark Herrin’s fifth career victory at the event and equal legends Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel for most DAYTONA 200 wins.
Rahal Ducati Moto has two more threats in their pit box, as well. The roster features Superbike standout PJ Jacobsen and 18-year-old phenom Kayla Yaakov, a candidate to become the first-ever female winner of the race.
Last year’s second- and third-place finishers, Richie Escalante and Tyler Scott return with the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Team for the DAYTONA 200 on their Suzuki GSX-R750s. While Scott will remain in the Supersport class for the entire season, Escalante will return to the Superbike class following his appearance in the DAYTONA 200. After past disappointments at Daytona, both riders are looking for redemption.
Four-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes storms into the DAYTONA 200 just one month shy of his 51st birthday. While Hayes remains a stone-cold threat—as evidenced by his legendary career and 89th career victory at Barber Motorsports Park in 2025—a spot remains in his massive trophy cabinet for the DAYTONA 200 trophy, not to mention the accompanying Rolex Daytona Cosmograph for his wrist. He campaigns a 2026 BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 alongside Daytona 200 rookie Brenden Ketelsen.
The Supersport class sees a significant influx of young riders this year, headlined by 2025 Twins Cup and Talent Champion Alessandro Di Mario making his debut with Rahal Ducati Moto on a Ducati Panigale V2. The 17-year-old will make his DAYTONA 200 debut and could become the first rider to win the race in his first try since Joey Pascarella in 2012.
Also joining the Supersport ranks is MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher on the MV Agusta F3 RR, who will set a historic milestone. At just 16 years and 9 days old on race day, she is poised to make history as the youngest competitor ever to race in the DAYTONA 200.
Nineteen-year-old Blake Davis piloted his Yamaha YZF-R9 to three wins in Supersport last season, including a dominant WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round. While this is not Blake’s first DAYTONA 200, it marks the inaugural trip to Daytona for the new Supersport machine from the tuning fork brand and the Strack Racing crew, who have experienced the pressures of “The 200” before.
Underscoring the global prestige of the event is an influx of elite world talent. Most noteworthy is former MotoGP star Darryn Binder, who makes his high-profile MotoAmerica Supersport debut with last year’s DAYTONA 200-winning team Celtic/Economy Tire + Lube/Warhorse HSBK Ducati. Binder looks to leverage the teams winning experience, and the Ducati Panigale V2 to become the first South African to win The DAYTONA 200.
Other international challengers include last year’s fourth-place finisher and Isle of Man TT legend Peter Hickman who will campaign a factory-supported PHR Performance Triumph effort with his compatriot and teammate Davey Todd in his first attempt at the 200. Adding to the international roster is the extremely versatile British road racer and 2018 IRRC Superbike Champion Danny Webb on a Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R750.
The Indian vs. Harley-Davidson rivalry lives on at Daytona International Speedway as the iconic American titans go fairing-to-fairing in the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship. The class has become a true spectacle of the high banks, where 630-pound touring motorcycles defy physics to reach speeds exceeding 190 mph. With the grid nearly split between manufacturers—six Harleys to five Indians—the stage is set for another historic duel at Daytona.
Kyle Wyman, who also happens to be the 2019 DAYTONA 200 champion, leads the charge on his Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing Road Glide as the defending champion and the class’s most decorated rider with the most titles and race wins overall. He is the heavy favorite on-hand and has won the past five consecutive Mission King Of The Baggers races at Daytona.
Wyman’s teammate, former MotoGP standout and testing specialist Bradley Smith, looks to extract every ounce of performance from his factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide to take the opening victory.
The J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian team will spearhead the Indian Motorcycle redemption effort with a powerhouse trio featuring 2024 class champion and three-time Australian Superbike king Troy Herfoss, joined by multi-time Mission King Of The Baggers race winners Hayden Gillim and Rocco Landers.
The historic Harley-Davidson vs. Indian Motorcycle rivalry at Daytona continues to rage on, decades after their first battle on the beach at Daytona back in 1937.
Twins Cup has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the Daytona schedule, serving as one of the premier proving grounds for elite young racers graduating from MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup. At Daytona these lightweight twin-cylinder motorcycles must prioritize drafting while making split-second decisions that can be the difference between a podium and the back of the pack. Given the class’s history of drafting duels, a photo-finish is virtually guaranteed for the weekend’s two scheduled Twins Cup races.
Leading the charge into the high banks for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is 2025 championship runner-up Matthew Chapin aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R. He is followed by his nearest finishing competitor from the 2025 standings, Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg riding the Aprilia RS 660.
The duo faces a hungry new guard of rookies, including Australian Sam Drane, who makes his highly anticipated class debut on a Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7, and his fellow countryman Bodie Paige aboard the M4 Ecstar Suzuki GSX-8R.
Completing the racing lineup is the “anything-goes” (within the rulebook) Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The unfaired and high-handlebar class has 46 riders entered on very diverse machinery. The entry list shows motorcycles from nine different manufacturers, and riders from as far away as Australia. Capping off the diversity in this group will be Josh Herrin and Kaleb De Keyrel racing a pair of (electric) Lightfighter V3 RH machines for OrangeCat Racing.
While Saddlemen Race Development rider James Rispoli returns to defend his crown aboard the #1 Harley-Davidson Pan America, the team’s strategy features an intriguing split. Travis Wyman, a veteran H-D specialist, has opted to swap his modern Pan America machine for a 1990 Harley-Davidson FXR—a move likely designed to celebrate the brand’s heritage and electrify the “Harley enthusiast” crowd.
Adding more nostalgia to the grid is the 1760cc, air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder Irving Vincent ridden by Australian Beau Beaton. Beaton looks to channel the spirit of his motorcycle’s 2008 performance at Daytona where it won the “Battle of the Twins” race ahead of more modern four-valve Superbike replicas of that era.
ARCH Racing represents the pinnacle of modern boutique craftmanship. Founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, the team returns for a second season with Corey Alexander aboard the air-cooled, eight-valve 1940cc ARCH 2s-R. Alexander and the team saw a solid upward trajectory and ended their 2025 campaign with a season-high fourth-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. ARCH and Alexander look to build on that momentum and secure their first podium finish in 2026.
Although road racing existed for decades prior, 1976 marked the world’s first professional Superbike Championship. This 50th anniversary milestone signifies the transition from the two-stroke GP racers of the Formula 1 class in the early 1970’s, to the production-based machines that fans can buy at their local motorcycle dealer today.
“MotoAmerica is proud to enter into this historic season, as we always do, at Daytona International Speedway,” said Chuck Aksland, COO of MotoAmerica. “It’s the perfect location to launch our 50th season of Superbike racing and showcase everything from elite Supersport and Twins Cup racers to the raw grit of Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.”
Join Sam as he points out some of the unique design features of the KTM 990 RC R.
Ah, take a whiff of that! You smell it? It’s that unique scent of jungle, petrol and excitement which can only mean one thing:
MotoGP is back, baby!
Now, you might wonder why we just described the above mentioned (and highly questionable) smell. But you have to understand that Mat is currently at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand while being sick as a dog. Seriously, some vicious flu has got him down and he’s purely holding on through the strength of willpower and lozenges. The poor lad has even had to give up drinking this week! Here’s to hoping he will get through this unfortunate period of sobriety…
Luckily, there’s plenty to take the mind off things as we dive head-first into the opening race of the 2026 season. And will you look at that: it’s Aprilia and KTM dominating! What has given them an edge, and what does this mean for the rest of the season? That’s what we’re here to find out! Also, why on earth is Mat suddenly interested in the Saturday Sprint? Does he have a fever, or is there something more going on here?
Time to press that play button and find out…
Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “bringing a knife to a gunfight,” haven’t you? It means “being severely under-prepared, out-matched, or ill-equipped for a challenge, confrontation, or task.” It implies a significant disadvantage where one’s tools or skills are insufficient in comparison to the opposition. The idiom is often used to highlight a foolish or doomed attempt at competition.
Well, in 1976 at Daytona, in the very first AMA Superbike race, the Butler & Smith BMW team essentially did just that. And won.
The team entered three air-cooled, horizontally opposed, 900cc, twin-cylinder BMW R90S motorcycles to do battle against a screaming horde of Kawasakis, Ducatis, Yamahas, and even a couple of Moto Guzzis and Laverdas. One of the three riders aboard the BMW Boxers, or “Stone Axes” as Cycle World referred to them, won the race.
For the first time in half a century, those three bikes, along with the winner of the 1976 Daytona Superbike race, plus his teammate and runner-up in that groundbreaking race, will be on hand during this year’s MotoAmerica season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway on March 6 and 7.
The Machines & The Riders
The celebration will feature the meticulously preserved motorcycles ridden by the legends of the 1976 season, including:
• The #83 BMW R90S raced by Steve McLaughlin, the man who, in 1976 at Daytona, claimed the victory in the first-ever AMA Superbike race.
• The #163 BMW R90S raced by Reg Pridmore, who finished second at Daytona in the first-ever Superbike race and went on to become the first-ever AMA Superbike Champion.
• The #24 BMW R90S raced by the late Gary Fisher, whose riding on a previous BMW prototype helped prove the BMW’s racing prowess.
In a rare gathering of racing royalty, both McLaughlin and Pridmore will be in attendance to share memories of the drafting battle that defined an era. Joining them is Udo Gietl, the visionary lead builder and “mad scientist” behind the Butler & Smith BMW program. Gietl’s engineering marvels—utilizing titanium rods, hollow lifters, and a custom monoshock rear suspension hidden behind the “stock” aesthetic—transformed the 60-horsepower R90S streetbike into a 100-horsepower racing titan.
Engineering A Miracle
The story of these bikes is one of extreme ingenuity. To achieve 150 mph on the banking, Gietl and fabricator Todd Schuster utilized aerospace materials and “borrowed” parts, such as McCullough chainsaw reed valves and Chrysler Hemi oil separators, to solve the unique challenges of the Boxer engine. “In 1976, we didn’t see anyone as a threat,” Gietl recalls. The results proved him right.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Fans will have the opportunity to see these iconic machines up close throughout the MotoAmerica weekend. The festivities will culminate in a Celebrity Dinner on March 7, where McLaughlin, Pridmore, Gietl, and other luminaries will recount the “metal chips and midnight oil” that fueled their journey to the top of the podium.
The golden anniversary celebration is made possible by RPM Ventures NC, in partnership with the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA), and also through the support of the motorcycling community, including key sponsors OrangeCat Racing of Chicago and Tytlers Cycle of Wisconsin.
On-site camping is available. For booking details, contact Rob McIsaac at [email protected]
Announcement Concerning the Relocation of Our U.S. Subsidiary and the Sale of Fixed Assets
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) has decided to relocate its U.S. group company, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (“YMUS”), currently located in Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia. This relocation will be happening, by function, over the period from the end of 2026 until the end of 2028.
In connection with this relocation, the Company has also decided to proceed with the sale of all fixed assets owned by YMUS in Cypress, including land, offices and warehouses. This initiative is positioned as one of the Company’s key measures aimed at improving asset efficiency and enhancing profitability in the United States.
The Cypress facility has served as the headquarters of YMUS for approximately 50 years,
since Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. acquired the land in 1978 and established the office in 1979.
However, in response to changes in the Company’s business focus within the U.S. market,
the Marine Business was relocated to Kennesaw in 1999 to serve the customer better, and
the Motorsports Business was relocated to Kennesaw as well in 2019.
As a result, the Cypress facility currently primarily houses corporate functions and the
Financial Services business. The total site area is approximately 25.1 acres (approximately
102,000 square meters).
In connection with the sale of these assets, the Company plans to utilize a sale-and-
leaseback arrangement for a certain period in order to ensure business continuity and to
facilitate a smooth relocation to Kennesaw.
Details such as the sale price, purchaser, and timing of the transaction are currently under
review.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is undertaking structural reforms aimed at improving the profitability of its U.S. operations in response to cost increases resulting from U.S. tariffs and changes in the market environment.
In addition to implementing cross-business cost reduction initiatives, the Company seeks
over the medium to long term to build a profit structure that is not solely dependent on top-line growth, thereby transforming itself into a more resilient and robust organization capable of adapting to change.
Overview of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Company Name: Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Head Office Location: 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA, 90630, U.S.A.
Business Activities: Importation and sales of Yamaha Motor products in the U.S. market
On the Front Cover: Defending MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez (93) is shown testing aboard a 2026 Ducati Lenovo GP26. This season is the last for massive
wings and shape-shifting (lowering suspension for better starts and
more acceleration), banned for 2027. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe!
Log in HERE to read the March / April 2026 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
—
MARCH / APRIL 2026 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: KTM’s hot-rod 2026 990 Duke R; MotoGP deserting Phillip
Island in favor of a street race in 2027; Marco Bezzecchi “marries”
his Aprilia; Barber Museum and Barber Motorsports Park founder
George Barber passes away, and more…
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1978 750cc Yamaha 0W31 Inline-4
Intro: 2026 Triumph Trident 800 Roadster, Emphasis On “Road”
Tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, An Oasis Blooms
RACING
Racing History: Reg Pridmore, The World’s First Superbike King
MotoGP Analysis: Agent Carlos Pernat, The Last Wildman
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: A Racer And Business Man Says Goodbye
10 Years Ago: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich is on the cover of the March
2016 issue, riding a new 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R at Sepang
International Raceway in Malaysia. Rich Schlachter, the 1979-1980
AMA Formula One Champion, was featured in a where-are-they-now
piece, and said that at age 63, he was slowing down working
as a carpenter. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looked at Valentino Rossi
losing the 2015 MotoGP title, and also picked his favorite
MotoGP battles….
The Crash Page: Steve McLaughlin, Upside Down In 1976
2026 Racing, School & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich’s Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Headed to Daytona
*******************************************************************
Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.
*******************************************************************
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing dominate Buriram season opener race.
The first full-length race of the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand concluded with two Aprilia Racing riders on the podium. Starting from pole position, Marco Bezzecchi ran a solid race, maintaining the lead from the first corner to the chequered flag and claiming his first victory at the Thai circuit. This marks the Italian rider’s third consecutive Grand Prix win (Portimão, Valencia and Buriram). It is also his fourth victory in a full-length race in the top class with Aprilia, an all-time record. It was also a good day for Jorge Martín, who was in contention for the podium for much of the race and finished fourth at the flag, equalling his best result with Aprilia Racing in a full-length race.
The Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders also delivered an excellent performance. Raúl Fernández claimed third place in the full-length race, his second podium of the weekend after the sprint, while Ai Ogura completed a spectacular charge from further back to finish fifth, bringing four Aprilias into the top five.
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “After the mistake in the sprint, it was important to stay calm and bounce back. The victory in Buriram is a very pleasing result. We worked well in testing, so it was crucial to confirm our form over the race weekend as well – something we were unable to do last year, despite a good test here. In the race, I tried to give it my all without making mistakes, so I’m very pleased with this victory.”
JORGE MARTÍN: “A few months ago, I couldn’t even feed myself, and today I finished the race in fourth position. I’m very happy and very grateful to the people who supported and helped me. It has been a winter of great mental preparation to feel ready and to believe in what I’m doing. Today I didn’t have high expectations, but from the very start I felt comfortable and was able to battle with Marc and Pedro.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “It’s great to see Marco pick up from where he finished last year. The dominance of this weekend may seem unusual, but if there is one thing I firmly believe in, it is the work of the Factory in Noale, and I have no doubt that the talent and determination of our riders will continue to come through strongly. However, it’s only the first race, and our competitors won’t sit back and watch. Marc remains the favourite, but Aprilia is right there.”
More from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
Sizzling 2nd place for Acosta at Thai MotoGP as Red Bull KTM lead the World Championship.
Red Bull KTM kicked off their tenth season of MotoGP Grand Prix racing through the demanding Thai heat with Pedro Acosta earning a brilliant runner-up result. 91,455 spectators on-site watched the opening chapter of the 22-round series where the team and brand walked away as world championship leaders for the first time.
Highlights and key moments from race day at the Chang International Circuit:
Scorching sunshine, sticky air and high temperatures created a typically draining Thai Grand Prix in the city of Buriram. 2026 marked the second year in a row that MotoGP launched at the packed Chang International Circuit, 300km north of Bangkok. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 started from qualifying slots on the second, third, sixth and seventh rows of the grid.
Pedro Acosta began the 26-lap chase from P6 and with his confidence high, less than 24 hours after he grabbed victory in the Saturday Sprint. The Spaniard had to work his way past two riders to reach 3rd place and then hunted P2 in what was an eye-catching display of overtaking and tire management. Pedro ended the weekend with 1-2 scores and 32 points to sit at the top of the standings. He now has four podiums from the last six rounds of MotoGP, stretching back to Indonesia 2025.
Brad Binder was busy in a close second group where the South African had to sustain grip and be cautious of tire pressures. Brad kept a solid pace to improve on his 2025 position in Thailand thanks to his P7. He occupies P6 in the early championship table. Enea Bastianini persevered for the race duration and used his skill in administering the best traction from the tire/set-up package to make his way from P19 on the grid to P12. Maverick Viñales had a tough first lap when he ran wide into Turn 12 but he also completed the distance and arrived back to the box with P16.
Round two will venture to Brazilian shores for the first time since 2004. The Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania will be the scene for the next episode of MotoGP on March 20-22.
Pedro Acosta, 2nd and 1st in the championship: “We’re not only leading the world championship for a day! The team is working super-good. We struggled so much here last year and this time we made back-to-back podiums. We have to be happy. Thanks to all at KTM; all the people back there must have been pushing for us in the early morning. Thanks to everyone at home who has been supporting me. We made good.”
Brad Binder, 7th and 6th in the championship: “Happy on one hand but on the other I’d like more than a 7th. We’re going step-by-step and moving forwards because it was good to be in Q2 directly on Friday and both races were pretty good. We’ve made a step with consistency. Today was a lot more challenging than the Sprint. The bike clearly has the potential, so we’ll keep working and try to catch up to Pedro.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “A win and a podium this weekend means we have to be very happy with the work, both by the team and the riders but also the factory after a busy winter. We made an obvious improvement from 2025. This race can be difficult for a few factors and I think we approached the weekend in the right way and showed some good early potential. Of course, there is still work to do and we can see the results for all four riders were quite different but this is the first GP of a long championship. Congratulations to Pedro, it is really good to begin the season with this positive feeling.”
More from a press release issued by Pertamino Enduro VR46 Racing Team:
Double Top10 for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in Thailand GP. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli finish Sunday’s race at Buriram in sixth and eighth place respectively.
The Thailand GP is in the history books, and it marks the end of the first race weekend of the 2026 campaign: in challenging conditions due to the extreme heat in Sunday’s race, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secured a double Top10 with Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is sixth at the finish line, and Franco Morbidelli, who had a comeback riding and ended in eighth place.
Starting from second row, Di Giannantonio immediately tried to join the podium battle. From the first laps, the heat put Fabio and his Ducati to the test, but they defended strongly, showing consistency despite the challenging conditions. The rider from Rome arrived at the finish line of the Thailand GP in sixth place – best Ducati rider at the chequered flag – and he now sits in seventh place in the World Standing with 12 points.
It was a comeback Sunday for Morbidelli, who started from the third row but was in nineteenth place at lap five. Despite the extreme heat, Franco showed a good speed and a strong pace, gaining many positions lap by lap. The Italian-Brazilian rider, with a decisive overtake in the final stage of the race, secured the eighth place in the Thailand GP and he now sits in ninth place in the World Standing with 8 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is back on track in two weeks, when the MotoGP World Championship flies to America for the Brazilian GP, which is going to take place from 20th to 22nd March at Goiana Circuit for the first time ever.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO: “The race plan was to start strong and immediately stay in the front group. Unfortunately, we struggled because the others had an incredibly fast start. So we had to manage the tyres. Then, we had a technical issue from lap six and I couldn’t push the way I wanted. On top of that, there was very little grip on track today and the temperatures were really high. But if we finished sixth despite a problem, we can be optimistic, because today we could have had a really great race. I think we could have fought at least for third place because we were there in terms of pace. Overall, the bike is working very well: it’s only the first race, there are many positives, and I’ve never prepared for a season this well. We’ve worked with calm and confidence. We’re very fast and we had a solid weekend. It’s a pity we couldn’t complete the job with two strong races, but we head to Brazil with a smile and the confidence that we can be competitive.”
FRANCO MORBIDELLI: “Today it felt like there were two races for us: at the start I struggled a lot, and I was nineteenth until lap five. Then I found my rhythm and started gaining many positions. I’d say the first part of the race wasn’t good, but after that it became very strong and solid. I had a bit of a grip issue. In this race the tyres were consuming quickly and the feeling wasn’t at its best, but I managed it well. Overall, it was a weekend of ups and downs. There are some aspects of the new package we still need to work on in depth. But there’s definitely a very good potential.”
PABLO NIETO: “I think it’s important to always be among the protagonists. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to be there in the Sprint on Saturday, but that’s racing. Today’s race was really tough – the temperatures and the heat put us to the test. We finished sixth with Fabio and eighth with Franco, which means we had a good weekend. Franco made an incredible comeback: at one point he was nineteenth, but he finished eighth. That shows the speed is there. We need to try to improve the opening laps. Now we go back home to recharge and work ahead of the next race in Brazil.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo:
Ninth-place finish for Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team in the Grand Prix of Thailand. Marc Márquez forced to retire while battling for the podium.
The Ducati Lenovo Team completed the opening Grand Prix of the season at the Chang International Circuit: Francesco Bagnaia was ninth at the flag, while Marc Márquez had to retire from the encounter with six laps remaining.
Bagnaia made up four positions in the first two laps, before moving up to seventh place in the closing stages and then finishing ninth. Following a good start from the front row of the grid, Márquez battled for the podium until lap twenty-one, when an impact with a kerb led to the deformation of the rear rim, which in turn caused the tyre to lose pressure.
As the Grand Prix of Thailand draws to a close, Marc Márquez is eighth in the championship standings with nine points. Francesco Bagnaia is tenth, one point behind his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team is fifth in the teams’ standings (17 points), while Ducati is third in the constructors’ championship (19 points).
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on March 20th for the first day of action of the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil, at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th: “It was a tough race. I tried to manage the situation from the beginning, without pushing, in order to get to the end of the race with the best possible grip conditions. In the final laps, when I got closer to the group ahead of me, I started to feel the drop in grip. This weekend, unlike in testing, I had a hard time getting the bike stopped and making it turn the way I would have liked. We need to roll up our sleeves to get back to the front, but I think this race was a bit of a one-off.”
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – DNF: “It’s true that other riders, even in testing, had jumped the kerb in that spot and nothing happened. I ran wide at turn four, but when I ran over the kerb I felt a strong impact and that the tyre had deflated due to the rim breaking. It was an unfortunate incident, as I was managing the situation. I knew it would have been a long race and my approach was therefore a conservative one, but in the end I saw that I was getting closer to the podium, so I tried to attack. Unfortunately, these things can happen, but we know we’re already at a good level.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Marini puts Honda in top ten as misfortune strikes promising Mir.
A demanding start to the season in what is already looking to be one of the hottest races of the year, Luca Marini opening his 2026 points account with tenth while heartbreak struck Joan Mir as he battled tooth and claw for a fantastic fifth.
The 2026 MotoGP World Championship season officially began with the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix, a physically demanding affair as temperatures approached 40°C. Undeterred and unphased, the Honda HRC Castrol duo shot off the line when the lights went out and immediately began their battle.
From 14th on the grid, Luca Marini made a near perfect start to immediately close in on his teammate and charging into the top ten. Battling for the majority of the race with the likes of Bagnaia, Binder and Ogura, the Italian paid special attention to managing his tyres in the critical ambient temperatures of the day. Picking up where he left off in 2025, Luca Marini crossed the line in tenth – leading the remaining Honda trio and sitting as the lead Honda RC213V rider in the World Championship, 11th with six points.
Joan Mir authored an incredible race, starting strongly and quickly catching the group battling for third position. His confidence was easy to see as he demonstrated his unrivalled ability on the brakes, a particularly spectacular move on Fabio Di Giannantonio promoting him to fifth. Unfortunately, disaster would strike and the 2020 MotoGP World Champion was forced to retire through no fault of his own. He leaves Thailand in 15th place overall with three points.
New frontiers are waiting at round two as the MotoGP World Championship makes a welcome return to Brazil. The Autodromo Internacional de Goiania – Aryton Senna hosting round two, a brand-new circuit for the entire grid. In 2025, Luca Marini briefly lapped on a road bike and highlighted the high speed and exciting nature of the track.
Luca Marini: “I think the race was tough for everyone, not so much from the temperature and the physical side because this is what we train for, but you really had to manage everything with the bike to arrive to the end. After four laps we weren’t able to brake as we’d like, which made the race very long as that is our strongest point normally. I made a really good start but then lost three positions on the straight quite soon after. Everyone from about fifth to 14th has a very similar pace, so if you miss something in Qualifying or early in the race you spend a lot of time catching up. But a good way to start the year, we learned a lot and know what we have to do next.”
Joan Mir: “A real shame what happened today. I really enjoyed the race, I was riding really well and making some great overtakes. Then something happened which was not in our control and our race finished. We have to check properly what happened. We have to focus on the positives that we have done this race weekend and bring it to Brazil. Normally at new tracks we can be strong, I think I am a quick learner, so we will try and take advantage of that. Focusing on the positives, we showed our speed and the progress Honda have made.”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco secured 11th place on Sunday in Buriram.
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
The 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship kicked off in spectacular style at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, where a record number of Thai fans created an electric atmosphere for the opening round of the season.
Under extreme heat on Sunday, the premier class lined up for the first Grand Prix of the year, ready to take on 26 demanding laps in front of over 91,000 attendees.
Starting from 20th on the grid, Enea Bastianini faced an early setback, losing a position on the opening lap. By the fourth lap, however, the Italian had recovered to 18th and began building momentum.
By the eighth lap, Bastianini was already up to 16th, and a couple of decisive overtakes soon followed as he continued carving his way through the field. With three riders retiring ahead, the #23 rider capitalised fully, jumping up to 12th and firmly placing himself back in the fight after a challenging start to the weekend.
On the other side of the garage, Maverick Viñales held firm in 17th on the opening lap but then lost ground on the straight heading into the next, dropping the Spaniard further down the order.
Struggling for grip and rhythm in the early stages, Viñales found himself down in 21st. Gradually, Top Gun climbed the order as the Marquez brothers and Joan Mir left the action. Finally, a well-executed overtake later in the race secured 16th, just shy of the points, rewarding Viñales’ persistence despite a difficult race.
Next up on the calendar is the Grand Prix of Brazil at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (20-22 March), as the 2026 campaign continues its global journey.
Enea Bastianini: “It was a difficult race, but we made a small step forward compared to the previous race. The feeling was similar to last year, even if the result was not as strong. In the final laps I was able to manage things quite well and gain some positions, which was encouraging. We’re still working on improving stability and overall feeling, but I’m confident we can make another step soon.”
Maverick Viñales: “It was a challenging race for us. We’re missing some front grip, especially through the corners, which makes it difficult to be consistent and carry the speed we need. On the straight we’re competitive, but we’re not able to maximise the potential when it matters most. We tried different things across the weekend and now it’s about analysing the data to understand where we can improve and how to generate more feeling from the front. The potential is there, so we need to stay focused, respond well and come back stronger at the next round.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “Clearly, this opening round in Thailand is a disappointment for Red Bull KTM Tech3. It’s not the result we were aiming for, and we have to take that honestly. Now it’s important that we sit down together, analyse what didn’t work as expected this weekend, and understand where we need to improve. We can see the potential of the package, which makes it even more important for us to find answers quickly. We have two weeks before Brazil, and our focus is to use that time constructively, come back stronger, and ensure we’re fighting where we belong.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 13th on Sunday in Buriram.
Diogo Moreira – 13th: “It was a good race, I’m super happy. I fought with Enea, and it was fun. The tyre dropped off quite a lot, so I struggled a bit, but overall it was really good. At some point I was alone pushing, because after 12 laps, the tyre degradation was significant, but it was still a positive race for me. We’ve started the season with high motivation, and this is a learning process. I can’t wait to do more races, I’ve had so much fun this weekend!”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Push On in Blistering Hot Buriram Race.
The Grand Prix of Thailand in sweltering heat proved a tricky season opener for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed the 26-lap MotoGP Race in 14th and 15th place respectively.
The incredibly hot 26-lap Grand Prix of Thailand MotoGP Race was a tough outing, but Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins persevered and found themselves in P14 and P15 at the chequered flag.
Quartararo launched from P16 and made up a position on the opening lap. Unable to make further inroads, he came under pressure from Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini and dropped to 17th place on lap 10. With three late DNFs for rivals, El Diablo ultimately held 14th position over the finish line.
Rins started from P18 and completed lap 1 in P16 behind Quartararo. He mainly rode amongst his fellow Yamaha riders during the 26-lap contest and was in P18 when he too benefitted from some late misfortunes of rivals. He held 15th place at the chequered flag.
Today’s race results put Quartararo in 16th place in the championship standings with 2 points. Rins is in 17th place with 1 point. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 9th position in the team classifications with 3 points, and Yamaha is fifth in the contructor rankings with 2 points.
The team will enjoy two weeks off before travelling to Brazil for Round 2, held at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna from 20-22 March.
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Opening round in Buriram proves a struggle for Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team.
In extremely hot conditions at the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship in Buriram, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu faced a demanding race, with both riders and their machinery appearing to suffer more from the heat and tyre drop than their direct competitors.
In the first full race for the 2026 Yamaha YZR-M1 machine, powered by the new V4 engine, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders battled extreme heat and tyre management issues in demanding conditions.
Despite crossing the line disappointed with their final positions, both Razgatlıoğlu and Miller remain focused on analysing the valuable data collected and continuing the development of the new package.
The attention now shifts to the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the team aims to start fresh with renewed motivation and build on the lessons learned in Buriram.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: “It was my first full race in MotoGP and, of course, I was hoping for a better result. But it was a long and very demanding race — 26 laps in that kind of heat is physically tough. We had some clear issues with rear grip, especially as the race went on, but I‘m not looking to put the blame anywhere else. I know I still have a lot to learn, and at the same time we know Yamaha is working hard to improve the package. Grip was quite limited throughout the race, and it seemed to be a common situation for all Yamaha riders, as we were running close together. Now we focus on the next race. I know I will give my best, and I know the whole team will do the same.”
Jack Miller: “Obviously it wasn‘t the race we were hoping for. Overall, the bike itself didn‘t feel bad over the distance and physically I felt fine, but from the very beginning I understood we had an issue with the rear tyre. I tried to manage it as best as I could — short-shifting, being smooth, waiting to pick the bike up on the exits — but as the laps went on it became more and more difficult. In the end the tyre was completely worn in the centre and on the straights I couldn‘t use more than about a quarter throttle. It was a tough situation to manage. Still, it was our first full race with the V4. It didn‘t go the way we wanted, but the important thing is that all four bikes finished and we gathered a lot of information. It‘s a base to build from, and there‘s plenty of room to improve as we head to Brazil.”
Gino Borsoi: “We knew Sunday was going to be difficult. During the tests we already struggled, and that was confirmed again in the race. On the positive side, the Sprint showed that we are capable of maintaining a fairly competitive rhythm, so that‘s something we can build on. Today the main issue was the high temperature, which affected everyone, but it seemed to impact us a little more. We have to accept that this is our starting point. We‘re confident that we can improve from here as we move into the next races.”
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini:
Thailand to forget.
RACEDAY
ALEX MÁRQUEZ: “Starting from the third row didn’t help us, but it was still a race of management until the crash. The others have definitely improved, but we need to keep working and stay calm. My race was about staying behind Mir at a distance so as not to overheat the front tire, with no real chance to overtake. The crash came when I tried to push a bit more; I didn’t have any feeling with the front end and I lost it with a small mistake.”
MICHELE PIRRO: “I’m a bit disappointed, I thought I could do better by putting together all the pieces of the puzzle from these past few days. Instead, from the start of the race I immediately felt uncomfortable with the tires, a feeling I hadn’t had all weekend. I tried to manage the tire, but it was quite strange. I’m sorry because I wanted a bit more consistency. I gave it my all, and I want to thank Nadia and the whole group for the trust they’ve shown me over these days.”
