After the overwhelming success of the new-for-this-season MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program at Daytona International Speedway, round two of the program at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta exceeded expectations once again. A fundraising effort within the VIP Superfan Experience, the program collects money from the sale of custom-embroidered hats that display MotoAmerica and VIP Superfan logos, as well as Privateer Support Program lettering.
Supersport was the featured class at Road Atlanta, and in honor of the Master’s Tournament that recently took place at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, VIP Superfan Experience host Ron “Slicer” Heben decided to pick the rider ranked 12th in the points standings as a tip of the cap to Master’s Champion Rory McElroy, who won this year’s tournament with a final score of 12 under par.
Doyle holds the big check he received thanks to the generosity of the VIP Superfans who bought commemorative hats with the proceeds going to the very appreciative South African Supersport rider. Photo courtesy MotoAmerica
The rider ranked 12th coming into the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round was Dominic Doyle who races for Liberty Yamaha. The South African, who now lives in Columbus, Indiana, was invited to the Podium Club located on the first floor of the Michelin Tower where he was completely surprised to learn that he was the chosen Privateer.
His team owner Chuck Giacchetto was also in attendance, and Giacchetto was just as surprised as Doyle. At Daytona, Eli Block was presented with a check (and cash) in the amount of $2,525.00, but did the Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceed that very generous donation?
“The outpouring of support for the Privateer Program has been overwhelming,” Heben said. “The incredible generosity of our VIP Superfans is very much appreciated. Even after we presented Dominic with a check for $2,900, we had additional donations, which brought the total contribution to $3,200.00. The Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceeded what the Daytona VIP Superfans contributed, so the challenge is on for the Barber Motorsports Park VIP Superfans to up the ante even more.”
Also, over and above the $3,200 that Doyle received, VP Racing donated a five-gallon container of MotoAmerica-spec race fuel and Motul donated some of their products, as well.
Doyle strikes a pose with his Liberty Yamaha Racing YZF-R9 Supersport bike. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was an awesome surprise to me when I found out I was selected for the Privateer Support Program at Road Atlanta,” commented Doyle. “I can’t thank the VIP Superfans enough for supporting racers like me. Their donation will go a long way and make things a whole lot easier for me. I really appreciate all the VIP Superfans, as well as Motoamerica and Ron Heben for putting this together!”
Thank you to the VIP Superfans, VP Racing, Motul, and all the MotoAmerica racers who visited the Paddock Club and signed hats for the VIP Superfans. We can hardly wait to get to Barber Motorsports Park next month to see how much more the MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program will continue to grow.
Bezzecchi and Aprilia march into enemy territory. The home crowd in Jerez will be partisan – but the records won’t stop coming. Here’s the state of play as MotoGP returns to Europe.
Following a record-breaking weekend across the pond in Austin, Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing land on Spanish soil flying high at the summit of MotoGP. Five wins in a row. 121 consecutive laps led. Domination. The Italian combination, on Sundays at least, have been unstoppable so far in 2026, as Bez goes in search of stretching that streak out further behind enemy lines. And on Saturdays? Read on…
Why enemy lines? Bezzecchi is a popular winner, but the 100,000+ Spanish faithful will be cheering on their own – and one dons the same colours as Bezzecchi. Jorge Martin’s return to form has been one of the stories of the season so far, and after picking up a Tissot Sprint gold medal to go with another Sunday podium in Texas, the 2024 World Champion arrives in Jerez full of confidence. Bezzecchi might have won all three Grands Prix this season, but the #89 is only four points adrift in the championship. The inter-team battle between the factory Aprilia stars is set to be reignited in Andalucia, and it’s those pair who will land at MotoGP’s Spanish cathedral with targets on their back.
In the American part of the Aprilia stable, heartbreak was the name of the game on Sunday afternoon when it comes to Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) too. That maiden MotoGP rostrum seemed to be being reeled in by the Japanese rider before a technical issue struck, so the 2024 Moto2 World Champion will aim to produce the same speed in Jerez. On the other side of the box, Raul Fernandez goes hunting for a podium return on his home turf after a quiet but consistent COTA weekend.
Pedro Acosta (37) at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Chief of the chasers: Acosta & KTM
Brazil might not have sprung any headline-grabbing points, but Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was back to his best in Austin. Yes, that wait for a Sunday win goes on, but Acosta was best of the rest on Sunday behind the Aprilias, and the #37 would have been celebrating a double podium if it wasn’t for a post-Sprint tyre pressure penalty. 21 points is the gap to Bezzecchi, and a first Sunday MotoGP podium in Jerez will be craved.
The silver lining to Acosta’s tyre pressure penalty for KTM? Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the rider promoted to bronze. ‘The Beast’ was on the podium prowl in Austin, so can that form continue into Jerez? Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, was P12 in the USA, so the South African will be hoping a return to Europe can be a turning point in bringing him back towards the front. Unfortunately, we now know that Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) won’t be back in the fray just yet, with Le Mans the new target after he was sidelined in Austin with a literal screw loose from his 2025 shoulder injury. Tech3 will field only Bastianini after a hand injury has also sidelined replacement rider Pol Espargaro.
Marc Marquez (93) at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Searching for a response: Marc Marquez & Ducati
You’d have got unfavourable odds on Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) landing at his home Grand Prix with two Tissot Sprint medals and zero Sunday podiums to his name. However, that’s the situation the #93 finds himself in. 36 points is the deficit to Bezzecchi ahead of Round 4, and after a dramatic US GP, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion sets his sights on a first Sunday victory of 2026. 2019 was the last time Marc Marquez won at the Spanish GP, so can he and Ducati turn the tide and get his title defence properly up and running?
Up and running isn’t the name of the game on the other side of the red box either. Despite a Saturday silver medal in the USA, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered in Sunday’s Grand Prix to see the Italian sit P9 in the standings heading to a circuit he won at in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A repeat would be a treat. A podium will be the objective.
Leading the Ducati fleet into Jerez is the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. The back-to-back polesitter hasn’t finished outside the top six on Sunday this season and has now finished as the top Ducati in the last two Grands Prix. Continuing that record will be tough going in Jerez considering Marc Marquez’s prowess, Bagnaia’s history and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) being last year’s winner at the Circuit, but it wouldn’t be a shock either. Diggia is on a roll.
The aforementioned Alex Marquez sits P8 in the standings ahead of a return to the scene of his dream debut MotoGP win. Without a top three across the Sprints and GPs so far in 2026, the #73 seeks a resurgence in Spain – and so does Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) after the Italian’s P14 in Austin.
The three-weekend break arrived at a good time for some, and that included Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). A P8 in Brazil and P11 in Austin signalled a very solid return to action for the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Aldeguer will arrive at his home Grand Prix fighting fitter as he continues his recovery from a fractured femur sustained in winter.
Joan Mir (36) in Brazil. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Promising signs, but more wanted at HRC
A Sprint podium was agonisingly close for Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in Austin, and a big Sunday haul of points was too. In the end though, it was a zero-pointer weekend for the 2020 World Champion. Teammate Luca Marini did pocket a healthy amount of points for HRC, most notably the Tissot Sprint P5, with progress clearly visible before the European tour begins. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) was also a Sprint point scorer in Austin before his Sunday DNF, while rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) earned a third consecutive P13 to continue his 100% Sunday points streak. A different challenge awaits in Jerez, and one that HRC will hope brings them into the podium equation again.
Fabio Quartararo (20) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (07), Alex Rins (42) and Jack Miller (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Hard work continues at Yamaha
The positive from Austin? Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) getting on the scoreboard for the first time in MotoGP. A P15 isn’t where the impressive Turk or Yamaha want to be finishing, but it’s a good step as they continue to try and wrestle the V4-powered YZR-M1 into a more competitive bike.
Meanwhile, competitive is exactly what Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was at last year’s Spanish GP. The polesitter and P2 Sunday finisher at the Circuit de Jerez-Angel Nieto in 2025 will snap your hand off for a repeat this time around, but who knows – although at a track nearly perfectly suited to him, maybe there is some magic to be made. El Diablo, 2019 Spanish GP podium finisher Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and 2021’s Jerez race winner Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) failed to score points at COTA, so the experienced trio will be fighting to change that in Spain.
Enemy territory for some is home turf for others. Jerez, however, is just a pure classic for us all. The hillsides will be alive with the sound of MotoGP as the sport returns to one of its most emblematic venues, so strap in for this weekend – it’ll be worth the wait.
Complete race results from the 2026 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by VIB-ISO event held April 17-19 at Big Willow, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA.
KICKER AFT Singles Title Fighters Prepare for Kage Match.
The KICKER AFT Singles class stole the show at last year’s Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track presented by 805 Beer. They’ll return for an encore performance on Saturday, April 25, at Ventura Raceway, host to Round 4 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
Return to the Scene of the Sublime
When the series arrived in Ventura, California, a year ago, the KICKER AFT Singles hierarchy seemed all but etched in stone.
Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) proceeded to smash those assumptions to dust. Despite making his pro debut with relatively little advance fanfare, Tadman proved utterly dominant and with eye-popping speed and style.
The Salinas, California, native’s thrilling form made it look as if he might crash on any given corner. Instead, he leveraged it to earn pole position, win his heat, take the Challenge race, and then claim his first Progressive AFT Main Event victory in his very first attempt.
And if that wasn’t convincing enough, Tadman backed it up with a repeat feat in the following week’s Silver Dollar Short Track.
The California swing was originally intended to be his only two appearances of the season, but his unprecedented debut success served as a springboard for him to complete the remainder of the season.
In the end, Tadman enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign, one in which he snared seven additional top fives, including three more podiums, en route to fourth in the championship standings. That showing earned him a place on the American Honda-backed Turner Racing squad for 2026, where he’s already returned to the box to up his career podium tally to six.
Still, Tadman continues to seek his third victory, after going two-for-two at the start. This weekend’s return to Ventura Raceway has him back in the spotlight and expectations are high.
He’s trying to stay relaxed and ride free, tempering those expectations with the understanding that he’s still learning his new bike and team.
That said, the potential for a repeat is undeniable.
Power Trio
Last year, Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F), and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) managed to re-establish order after Tadman’s two-week barrage.
They ended up going 1-2-3 in the standings at the end of the 2025 season, and that’s precisely where they sit in the 2026 points to date.
All three will be geared up for another opportunity to show that they’re up to the challenge presented by Tadman this weekend. And you can be sure no one will be overlooking him this time around.
Winning Time
It’s worth remembering that Tadman, Drane, Brunner, and Saathoff aren’t the only KICKER AFT Singles winners in the field.
Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) earned his first class victory earlier this season, and, judging by his flashes of speed, the rising star has it in him to stack several more on top of it.
And veteran pilot Justin Jones (No. 91 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC Yamaha YZ450F 450) has a win on his record too – albeit one scored more than a decade ago. But that 2015 triumph is more than just a distant memory; it’s evidence of what’s still possible for the New Yorker, who might just be riding better now than he ever previously has in his career.
Despite coming home second last time out in Georgia, Jones was less than satisfied, feeling he left a win on the table. He’s eager to make up for it as soon as humanly possible.
Who’s Next?
While Tadman will naturally garner much of the pre-race hype, there’s another Californian to keep close tabs on. Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) now boasts three runner-up finishes among his five career KICKER AFT Singles podium finishes. However, he’s still angling for that maiden win.
Santero finished seventh here in 2025 – which was his career-best finish at the time. He’s significantly upped his game in the two years since, including the third he picked up here a year ago.
There are plenty of others who could spring a surprise, including the likes of rookie ace Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), DAYTONA standout Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F), Tadman’s teammate, Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), fellow sophomore Ryder Reese (No. 41 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC KTM 450 SX-F FE), and perennial challenger Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R).
The Wizards of Oz
AFT ProSport 450 will continue to introduce Progressive American Flat Track fans to the future stars of the sport, as some of the world’s most promising amateurs will earn a spot on Saturday’s grid in Friday night’s AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event at the venue.
If the first two rounds serve as any indication, we’re now in the opening stages of a full-blown Aussie invasion of the series.
Last year, Tom Drane became the first international rider to win a Progressive AFT national championship. It seems highly unlikely he’ll be the last.
His younger brother, Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), was victorious in the opening two races of the AFT ProSport 450 era. Meanwhile, fellow Australians Jed Fyffe (No. 23 Thriller Motorsports/Yamaha Australia YZ450F) and Jake Paige (No. 55 Paige Racing KTM 450 SX-F) joined him on the box.
Of course, there is no shortage of talented young Americans coming up through the ranks. That list is perhaps headlined by Californian Ryder Bitz-Hay (No. 14 Bitz-Hay Racing KTM 450 SX-F) who has podiumed both times out in AFT ProSport 450 action.
Build. Check. Train. Check. Race…!
The Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track will also feature the popular and influential Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. (BTR) program.
Now in its seventh season of highlighting, celebrating, and encouraging the involvement of women in flat track, BTR will contest its third race of the ‘26 season at Ventura Raceway.
If you’re looking for favorites, a well defined pecking order has already taken shape. Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars), Julia Hess (No. 13 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars), and Madicela Rodriguez (No. 113 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) have finished 1-2-3 in each of the season’s prior two Main Events.
A Night to Remember
As if the world-class racing and remarkable beachside vibes weren’t enough, there will be plenty more reasons to celebrate at the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track.
The day will feature a pair of Thrashed Kids Freestyle Shows headlined by X Games Gold Medalist and Ventura Short Track Grand Marshal Tyler Bereman.
The event will also serve to honor the lives of Ventura native and Landspeed legend Chris Raschke (1964-2005) via “Chris Raschke Day,” and Salinas native and flat tracker Jess Garcia (1993-2020) with the Jess Garcia Memorial Challenge featuring the fastest four KICKER AFT Singles racers.
Fans can also expect a multitude of vendors, big screen viewing, designated motorcycle parking, and a variety of food and beverage options.
Get Your Tickets Today
General Admission tickets are just $50 (kids 12 and under free) all taxes and fees included. Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $15 more (all ages). Students with proof of a valid student ID can purchase a General Admission ticket for just $30 at the door. There’s also a Military/First Responder Discount available, allowing GOVX fans to purchase tickets at reduced rates.
The Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience is available for purchase for $135 (all ages) or $95 as an add-on. This premium option includes GA seating, full event pit access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line with photos opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and a portion of the night’s race action.
And don’t miss out on the 805 Pit Party, a premium ticket add-on designed to elevate raceday hospitality. Available for $75, the 805 Pit Party provides guests with access to a dedicated hospitality area featuring a variety of beverage options, along with snacks available throughout the event.
Gates will open for fans at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
More from another press release issued by AFT:
Appalachian Harley-Davidson Named Title Sponsor of Williams Grove Half-Mile; Tickets On Sale Now.
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, has announced that Appalachian Harley-Davidson will serve as the title sponsor of the Williams Grove Half-Mile, set for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the historic Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
The event will be officially titled the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile, marking a continued partnership between Progressive AFT and one of the region’s premier Harley-Davidson dealerships. Known for its strong connection to the riding community and deep roots in central Pennsylvania, Appalachian Harley-Davidson is a natural fit for one of the most iconic venues on the schedule. Tickets will also be available in-store at Appalachian Harley-Davidson, All Trails Powersports, and Blue Mountain Indian, further connecting the event with the local riding community.
“We’re incredibly excited to be named the title sponsor of the Williams Grove Half-Mile,” said Carla Perry, Marketing and Events Manager for Appalachian Harley-Davidson. “It’s an iconic event with a passionate fan base, and we’re proud to be part of something that means so much to the racing community.”
“Appalachian Harley-Davidson represents the exact kind of partner that helps strengthen this sport at the local level,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “They have real roots in the region, strong connections within the riding community, and a clear understanding of what events like this mean to fans. Having Appalachian Harley-Davidson involved as title sponsor adds meaningful support as we return to Pennsylvania this season.”
Williams Grove Speedway, long regarded as a cornerstone of American dirt track racing, provides the perfect backdrop for high-speed, bar-to-bar racing. The half-mile oval is a fan favorite, known for its speed and the passionate crowds that pack the stands.
Fans can look forward to a full day of on-track action, highlighted by the Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, along with Build. Train. Race. and the AFT ProSport 450 class, where the sport’s rising stars take center stage. It all unfolds within an energetic event atmosphere that captures and celebrates the true spirit of flat track racing.
Tickets are available in a variety of options to suit every fan. General Admission tickets are $40, while Reserved Grandstand Seating and Premium Reserved Grandstand Seating are available for $50 and $60, respectively. A Pit Pass add-on is available for $40, offering fans an up-close look at the teams and riders. Kids 12 and under receive $15 off all ticket options.
The H-D VIP Experience is available for $135 and includes premium seating and exclusive access, with a $95 add-on option also available for fans looking to upgrade their race day experience.
There’s also a Military/First Responder Discount available, allowing GOVX fans to purchase tickets at reduced rates.
Brandon Robinson racing his Harley-Davidson XG750R at Daytona Short Track in 2026. Photo by Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.
Next Up
Progressive American Flat Track continues its 2026 season with a California doubleheader, bringing two straight weeks of bar-to-bar action to the West Coast. The run begins with the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track at Ventura Raceway on April 25, before the series heads north to Chico for the Silver Dollar Short Track on May 2.
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 select Progressive American Flat Track events, featuring rider features and onboard cameras. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
More from another press release issued by AFT:
Mees Promotions Teams Up with Cory Texter Promotions for Lima Half-Mile Amateur Event.
Ryder Bitz-Hay leads the AFT ProSport 450 field at the Atlanta Short Track in 2026. Jeff Katarzy runs second ahead of Jake Paige (55), Jedd Fyffe (23), Mateo Racine (21), Brody Hanson (99), Cody Mishey (26), Bayne Nantz (313), Charlie Jaques (110) and the rest. Photo byTim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.
Posted on Behalf of Mees Promotions:
Lima, Ohio – Mees Promotions has partnered with Cory Texter Promotions to bring an exciting amateur showcase to the Lima Half-Mile on Thursday, June 25, kicking off one of the most historic weekends in American Flat Track racing.
Held the day before the legendary Lima Half-Mile Grand National event, this amateur program will give riders a premier opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s most iconic cushion half-mile tracks.
The event will also feature a “Road to AFT” class, where competitors will battle for a coveted top-12 transfer position into Friday’s Grand National Triple event, adding even more intensity and opportunity for rising talent.
This race marks the final Road to AFT event of the 2026 season, making Lima the ultimate proving ground for the next generation of professional riders.
Mees Promotions shared, “We’re excited to keep the amateur event going at Lima and can’t wait to see the pros of the future take on the half-mile.”
Fans and competitors alike are encouraged to be part of the action as the road to the pros runs through Lima.
We look forward to seeing everyone on June 25 at Allen County Fairgrounds.
Special thanks to: Drag Specialties, Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas; Flat Work Concrete; Memphis Shades; EBC Brakes; Dunlop; Service Pro; Fairview Ford and Chevy; Motion Pro; LS2 Helmets
London, UK, 22 April 2026: The FIM World Supercross Championship has revealed the first five locations for its 2026 season, marking the opening phase of what will ultimately be the championship’s biggest and most globally diverse calendar to date.
With locations confirmed across five continents and another round to be announced at a later date, the 2026 season will continue to deliver world‑class racing to key international markets while expanding its global footprint.
The season will begin in Calgary, Canada, at the McMahon Stadium on 8 August, a new destination for World Supercross, but this marks a return to the nation for a third consecutive year. Canada has developed a strong connection to the championship, making it a fitting location to open the season within a carefully selected window that aligns with the wider supercross and motocross calendar, while maintaining a continued presence in North America.
From there, the championship heads to Birmingham, United Kingdom, on 10 October, marking its return to the UK for the first time since 2023. Alexander Stadium will host the European round, drawing on the UK’s rich motorsport heritage and strong dirt bike culture.
The championship will then travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 24 October, returning to one of its most passionate fanbases. Last year’s debut in the city was a standout moment on the calendar, and its fans are set for another night of elite supercross action.
World Supercross will also return to Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, on 21 November, reaffirming the championship’s commitment to a nation with dirt bike culture and high-intensity racing at its core. The Australian GP has delivered some of the most competitive and memorable moments in recent seasons, and fans can expect more this year.
The championship will then return to South Africa after a highly successful inaugural round last season at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. The final venue and date will be announced soon, further reinforcing the organisation’s dedication to supporting the sport’s growth across Africa.
A sixth round will be announced at a later date, completing the full 2026 calendar.
Tom Burwell, CEO of World Supercross, said: “This announcement is the next step in building our biggest season yet. Returning to strong markets like Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Australia highlights how these GPs have grown year on year, while bringing the championship back to the UK is something fans have been asking for. With another round still to be revealed, there is even more to come.”
Antonio Alia Portela, FIM Motocross Commission Director, said: “World Supercross continues to demonstrate its global ambition and elite standard of racing. The 2026 calendar announced so far reflects a strong balance of established markets and world-class destinations, and we look forward to seeing the full calendar confirmed soon.”
Team and rider announcements will be shared in the build‑up to the opening round, over the coming months.
More from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Suzuki’s Ken Roczen captures Cleveland Supercross Victory. Roczen and Suzuki Close In on Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
Round 14 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season returned to Cleveland, Ohio for the first time in 31 years. Sporadic rainfall, high winds, and temperature drops added challenges to final Triple Crown-format event of 2026. The dirt inside Huntington Bank Field rutted up, especially in the jump transitions and corners, throughout the night’s 3-Race format.
Race Highlights:
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
450 Class
Ken Roczen delivered his fourth win of the season and moved to within one point of topping the championship standings.
Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
450 Class
Colt Nichols, following a top-ten performance, opted out of the daytime LCQ due to an injury sustained leading up to the event.
Ken Roczen (94) was fast in every Race and dominated Race 3 to earn a definitive overall win at the Cleveland Supercross with (2-2-1) results. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Ken Roczen (94) matched his season-best results in Triple Crown qualifying heading into the night’s racing. In Race 1, Roczen emerged from the first turn in fourth place. Roczen took over second place and set the fastest time through Sector 7 within the first two minutes of the 12-minute plus one lap Race. In Race 2, Roczen crossed the holeshot stripe in sixth. Roczen scrapped for every position, taking over the second-place spot after setting the Race’s fastest lap and fastest passes through Sectors 2 and 6 (the whoops). When the final gate dropped for the night, Roczen powered his Suzuki RM-Z450 down the start straight and grabbed the holeshot. Roczen appeared unaffected by the low-traction track conditions that slowed other riders. Roczen again set the fastest lap time and also grabbed the fastest times through Sectors 2, 6, and 7 as he pulled out a 9-second lead. Roczen took the Race 3 win; his (2-2-1) scores earned him the event’s overall victory, his fourth of 2026. The win moved Ken Roczen into a tie for tenth place on the sport’s all-time win list in the premier class. The Cleveland podium, the tenth for Roczen this season, moved him to within one podium of reaching the top-five on that historical list. The points from the Cleveland Supercross win nearly erased the points gap; Roczen and Suzuki now sit within one single point of the top of the standings with three rounds remaining on the Supercross season.
“Cleveland, you are next level. Honestly, the entire weekend, I had an absolute blast,” said Roczen. “We had a lot of things going on with KR merch collab-ing with Machine Gun Kelly’s coffee shop. We had a lot of fans showing up, it was awesome. I spent about [two] hours there with everybody and we had a great time. And then also at Shooters [On the Water], we had the AC and JB Podcast. A lot of people showed up for that. We just overall had a great weekend to start off, and then Saturday with the potential of rain and a Triple Crown, it was [suddenly] a recipe for chaos. But I have to say for everything that was thrown at us today with the weather, we did a phenomenal job as a team. It’s not easy getting ready three times for three ‘main events,’ because they all count. Starts are really important, and the track itself was extremely difficult due to how hardpacked it was, how rutted it got, [and] how slippery it was. So, getting the win here with the 2-2-1, it was just an absolute next-level experience. I’m really taking these moments in, [and I] can’t wait for next weekend. We had a blast, it’s time to go home, recharge, and then come back in Philly.”
Colt Nichols (45) was unable to follow up his top-ten performance from the weekend before and did not compete in the Cleveland Supercross. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Colt Nichols (45) rode both qualifying sessions despite fighting through the pain of an injury received leading up to the event. The Triple Crown format qualifies only 22 riders into the evening’s racing and Nichols opted not to compete in the daytime LCQ after evaluating his condition.
“There’s not much to say,” Nichols stated. “[I’m] dealing with some pain in my neck and attempted to ride in practice but couldn’t even put a lap together. So, I will get some scans and do whatever I can to be good for Philly.”
“It was a great night in Cleveland for the team. The energy in the city all week was palpable, and the fans really showed up for Ken,” said Dustin Pipes, Principal for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team. “The weather made the race tricky, but Ken Roczen was able to come out with the overall win. Colt had issues with a neck injury, and we collectively decided to sit this round out after he tried to give it a go in qualifying. Now it’s on to Philadelphia.”
Round 15 of the 17-round series takes place on Saturday, April 25th inside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The weather looks clear leading up to the event, with possible rain in the open stadium on race day. The Suzuki riders and team members are elated with their impressive performances that have positioned Suzuki to within one point of the championship and are looking forward to three more opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities.
Ken Roczen’s race-winning RM-Z450 will become the property of one lucky race fan after the season is complete. The Kick Start for a Cause Sweepstakes benefits the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will give Roczen’s actual Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki race bike away. Fans can learn more by texting “SUZUKI” to 99126.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Sweeps the 250SX Podium in Cleveland. Nate Thrasher earns his first win of the season, Landen Gordon scores his first-career podium, and Cole Davies extends his 250SX Championship lead.
When you reach the closing stages of a championship, it’s not always just about stacking wins or extending the points lead. Sometimes, it’s about finding your way back or breaking through. On Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 riders did all of that, delivering a podium sweep in the process.
Nate Thrasher led the charge, securing his first win of the season. Rookie Landen Gordon followed with a breakout performance, earning his first career podium with a runner-up finish in just his second professional start. Rounding out the sweep was points leader Cole Davies, who overcame adversity to claim third overall and further extend his championship lead. Add to that, it was also a great night for the team in the 450 class, with Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper finishing on the podium.
“It’s really tough to say anything other than it was a great night for the entire team,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “All five guys that we had here are on the podium, and we extended the lead in the 250 championship – we can’t ask for much more.”
Landen Gordon (180), Nate Thrasher (25), Devin Simonson (89), Coty Schock (22), Daxton Bennick (58), Cole Davies (37) and Marcus Phelps (105) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
The first Supercross in Cleveland in more than three decades, Round 8 of the 250SX East Championship was also the final Triple Crown event of the season, and changing weather at the Huntington Bank Field added to the challenge.
Thrasher was quick from the start, and in the first main event, he moved to the front and led the first eight laps, ultimately finishing second. He then came out swinging in the twice-started second main event. After taking control early, he built a gap to remain unchallenged, putting himself in the overall lead heading into the final race.
As conditions worsened with continued rain, Thrasher didn’t get the start he was looking for in the final main but managed the race well, navigating the deteriorating track to finish fourth and secure the overall victory with a 2-1-4 score. The victory marked Thrasher’s first of the season and the seventh of his career, which also extended the team’s win streak and made him the fifth Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider to win in the 250SX class this year.
Nate Thrasher (25) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was a great day,” said Thrasher. “The first race got off to a great start, but I really didn’t ride my best, and got a little arm pump. In the second race, I got the win, but that last one didn’t come easy. I had to fight for it. I didn’t ride my best in the beginning, but we sorted it out, and at the end I felt unbelievable. In those last four laps, I was just able to click them off, be consistent, and get the overall win with 2-1-4 on the night. I just had great starts all day. It was an awesome race win, the seventh of my career – it’s an unbelievable feeling.”
It was also a standout night for his young teammate, Landen Gordon, who showed poise amidst the chaos of a Triple Crown event. He got great starts in all three main events and rode a strong pace, earning a fourth-place finish and a pair of runner-up finishes, securing second overall and his first podium in the pro ranks.
Landen Gordon (180) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was an awesome day for me,” said Gordon. “Second pro race and finishing second overall – it couldn’t have gone much better. I was pretty close to a first place, actually, which is unreal. It was a pretty consistent day for me. I learned a lot in my first Triple Crown. Let’s keep it going!”
For championship leader Cole Davies, it was an eventful day in Cleveland, but the New Zealander showed resilience. He started strong in the opening race, charging into second before a tip-over dropped him to sixth. He had another moment as he tried to make his way through, but would regroup and make the pass for fifth on the final lap. Then, a crash after the start of the second main event had him back in 14th, but the race was red-flagged and brought about a complete restart, with Davies finishing fourth.
Cole Davies (37) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
In the final race, Davies grabbed the holeshot, set the fastest lap early, and controlled the race from the front to take the win. Although he ended up tied in points with his championship rival – Seth Hammaker – the commanding victory secured third overall, which further strengthened his championship lead to 22 points with two rounds remaining.
“It was a pretty wild Triple Crown, but I still managed a podium,” said Davies. “I went down in Race 1 and came together hard with another rider in Race 2, but I didn’t give up and fought through it. The bike was handling the conditions really well, especially in Race 3, where I pulled the holeshot and took the win. Our championship lead stretched out a little further heading into Philadelphia next weekend. Congrats to the boys – they rode well tonight.”
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship now heads to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for Round 9 of the 250SX East Championship at Lincoln Financial Field on April 25.
More from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Kawasaki riders battle through changing conditions at Cleveland triple crown.
Monster Energy® Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks took on the unique demands of the Triple Crown format in Cleveland, battling through three intense races in rapidly changing conditions to finish fourth and 11th overall in the 450SX Class, respectively. In the 250SX Class, Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Seth Hammaker delivered a standout performance with a race win and consistent Top 5 finishes to secure fourth overall, while teammates Nick Romano and Drew Adams battled through adversity throughout the night, with Romano finishing 11th overall and Adams 20th after both riders were forced to retire early due to separate on-track incidents.
Race conditions in Cleveland proved to be a defining factor throughout the afternoon. What began as a clear and promising day quickly shifted as winds picked up and rain moved into the area, transforming the track into a slick, rutted, and technical surface. Combined with a condensed and frequently adjusted schedule due to weather delays, riders were challenged to quickly adapt to evolving track conditions that deteriorated with each gate drop.
Chase Sexton (4) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
In 450SX qualifying, Sexton steadily improved across both sessions, moving from 10th in the first qualifier to seventh in the second to secure seventh overall. Marchbanks started out the day strong, qualifying 13th overall after finishing ninth in the first session and 12th in the second.
Garrett Marchbanks (36) and Chase Sexton (4) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
450 Race 1 of the Triple Crown saw both riders fight forward after challenging starts. Marchbanks quickly found his rhythm, making decisive passes to climb inside the Top 10, ultimately finishing ninth. Sexton followed a similar charge through the field, building momentum as the race progressed and working his way up to seventh by the checkered flag. Race 2 showcased Sexton’s speed at the front, launching out of the gate on his KX™450SR to secure an early second-place position. He maintained a strong pace throughout the race, engaging in a back-and-forth battle for second before crossing the line in third. Marchbanks, once again navigating traffic from a mid-pack start and early crash, steadily climbed through the field to finish 13th. In the final race, Sexton put himself in contention early with another strong start, battling inside the Top 5 and ultimately finishing fourth. Marchbanks continued his consistent effort, working through a chaotic race that included a mid-race incident while battling for position, to secure 10th. Despite the challenges, Marchbanks showcased his raw speed throughout the day, recording the fastest sector time in a different section of the track in each race. Sexton’s combined results earned him fourth overall, with Marchbanks finishing 11th. Sexton currently sits sixth in the 450SX championship standings, with Marchbanks moving up two positions to 14th.
Garrett Marchbanks (36) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
Chase Sexton:“Cleveland was a tough night with how much the track changed from start to finish, but I’m taking a lot of positives out of it. I felt more comfortable on the bike as the night went on and started to find a better flow in the later races, which is something we’ve been building toward. The results don’t fully show it, but I feel like we’re getting closer each weekend. Now it’s about putting everything together for a full night in Philly next week.”
Garrett Marchbanks:“It was a tough night in Cleveland. I had a pretty big crash in the first race and was feeling it a bit going into the second, especially with how gnarly the track got with the conditions. In the second race, I felt really good and was making progress, but I got tangled up with another rider and went down. My bike pinned my leg for a bit, which cost me a lot of time. I was able to come back from last and make some passes, so that was a positive. Overall, the speed is there, and I feel like we’re making big improvements on the bike. Now it’s just about putting it all together and getting back inside the Top 10.”
Seth Hammaker (10) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
In the 250SX Class, Hammaker established himself as a frontrunner early, qualifying second overall after strong performances in both sessions. Adams also showed promising speed with a sixth-place result in the opening qualifier, followed by ninth in the second to qualify 12th overall. Romano struggled to put in a clean lap in either qualifying session, logging a lap just one position shy of the cutoff for the race program. He went into the last chance qualifier, holding the lead for the beginning of the race before having a setback, but ultimately securing the last transfer spot into the Triple Crown.
Nicholas Romano (141) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
250 Race 1 saw Hammaker capitalize on a strong start, quickly inserting himself into podium contention before making an assertive move into the lead. From there, he controlled the race with confidence and precision, capturing a decisive victory on his KX™250. Romano put together a solid ride through the pack to finish seventh, while Adams rebounded from an early deficit to secure ninth. In Race 2, Hammaker shot down the start straight with the front of the pack, while Adams was unfortunately sidelined following an on-track incident that led to a red flag restart, forcing him to retire early from the rest of competition. Following the restart, Hammaker maintained his composure near the front, navigating multiple position changes and late-race battles to secure third, while Romano continued his steady progression with a ninth-place finish. The final race presented adversity for Hammaker after being pinched off entering the first turn leaving him deep in the field. Undeterred, Hammaker did everything he could to come through the field with a determined charge to finish sixth. Romano’s night came to an early end after a crash while battling through the field. Hammaker’s 1-3-6 finishes secured him fourth overall, with Romano and Adams finishing 11th and 20th overall, respectively. Additional Team Green™ strength was evident as MX6 Racing’s Derek Kelley and Henry Miller placed their machines eighth and ninth overall, highlighting multiple Kawasaki finishes inside the Top 10. Hammaker remains second in the 250SX Eastern Divisional Championship, with Romano holding 11th and Adams 21st heading into Hammaker’s hometown race in Philadelphia.
Drew Adams (35) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
Seth Hammaker:“Today started off feeling really good. The track was in great shape early on before the weather came in, and I felt strong in the first race getting the win. After that, the conditions changed a lot with the rain, and it made things pretty challenging. I had a crash off the start in the final race and had to come from the back of the field, but I put my head down and charged as far forward as I could to sixth. Being one spot off the podium and fourth overall is tough, especially since I feel like I’ve been riding the best I have all season. The last couple of weekends haven’t gone my way, but I’m looking forward to bouncing back at my hometown race in Philly.”
Nick Romano:“Cleveland wasn’t the best day for me overall. It started off a little rough, but I was able to turn things around in the first two races with a seventh and a ninth, which was solid considering how the day was going. In the final race, I tried to salvage what I could, but ended up going down again after getting landed on, which put me out early. It’s frustrating, but there are still positives to take away from the weekend. We’ll keep working and move on to Philly.”
Drew Adams:“It’s really frustrating to have the night end early like that, especially after coming back from my injury and just trying to get back into a rhythm. I was starting to feel a bit better on the bike, so to have it end that way is disappointing.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Hunter Lawrence Retains Championship Lead Following Challenging Cleveland Triple Crown Supercross.
Australian salvages sixth place overall with 1-5-14 results
Lawrence has a one-point advantage with three rounds remaining
After three decades away from Cleveland, AMA Supercross made a long-awaited return to the shores of Lake Erie, which hosted the final Triple Crown event of 2026. Although Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence kicked off the round with a holeshot and race 1 win, the day unraveled as rain showers came in. Despite the adversity and uncharacteristic poor starts in the final two races, the Australian managed to secure a sixth-overall result, keeping the 450SX championship lead by one point.
The first of three premier-class races saw Lawrence get a signature holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE and lead from start to finish, with no challenges to speak of. As track conditions deteriorated with increasing rainfall, the remaining races proved more challenging. Despite a difficult race 2 start, Lawrence demonstrated strong race craft, advancing from ninth to fifth in the opening laps. Although the frontrunners had already established a gap, he maintained consistency to finish fifth and stay in contention for the overall podium.
In the last race of the evening, the number 96 got pinched off at the start and found himself mid-pack. As he started to make his way forward, an early-race incident in the whoops saw him drop to 14th. After remounting, Lawrence noticed his fuel-tank vent hose had been dislodged in the fall, but he remained composed and pushed forward, climbing back to 11th. His progress was halted by a second incident (this one with another rider), and he ultimately crossed the line in 14th, securing sixth on the night.
Quad Lock Honda rider Joey Savatgy finished an impressive fifth overall, just ahead of Lawrence. His teammates—Shane McElrath, Dean Wilson and Christian Craig—completed the event in 10th, 12th and 13th overall, respectively.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
NOTES
Middlefield, Ohio, dealership Just for Fun Honda enhanced the fan experience within the Honda HRC Progressive pit area through an interactive pop-up stand, showcasing a CRF250R, a CRF110F and additional products, while engaging directly with fans and customers.
Several Red Riders were absent from the Cleveland round while recovering from injury, including Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda (ankle), as well as Phoenix Honda racers Cullin Park (shoulder surgery) and Evan Ferry (right ACL). Shimoda and Park aim to be back for AMA Pro Motocross, while Ferry will miss an undetermined portion of the outdoor series.
In 250SX East qualifying, Short Racing’s John Short IV was seventh, his best showing of the season. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) qualified in 16th, Phoenix Racing Honda rider Gavin Towers was 18th and Storm Lake Honda riders Luke Neese and Izaih Clark were 17th and 20th, respectively. Clark went on to win the 250SX LCQ, securing a coveted spot in the Triple Crown program and ended the night in 10th position overall thanks to 10-10-15 finishes in the three races. Towers finished 14th overall, while Short, Neese and Hand finished 16th, 17th and 19th overall, respectively.
Lawrence clocked the fastest time in 450SX qualifying. Quad Lock Honda riders Joey Savatgy, Christian Craig, Shane McElrath and Dean Wilson qualified in eighth, ninth, 11th and 14th, respectively. Privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 25th.
Despite setbacks in races 2 and 3, Lawrence maintains the championship lead over Ken Roczen, by one point. Cooper Webb is another 21 points back, while Eli Tomac exited the main program following a qualifying crash and slipped to fourth in the standings.
Honda HRC Progressive heads to Philadelphia for round 15 of AMA Supercross on Saturday, April 25.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Hunter Lawrence: “For this Triple Crown, we had a lot of weather coming in. The day started out really good, as I was P1 in qualifying. In the first race, I had a good start and checked out. In races 2 and 3, I just didn’t get the best starts, just couldn’t get the traction I needed, and made it tough on myself. When you don’t get a good start, you get put in not the best situations, and the last race kind of all came undone. I had a crash in the rutted whoop section, and then another rider hit my front wheel. We salvaged only losing nine points, which feels better than what I thought it was going to be, for how bad the last one was. On to Philadelphia now.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager:“A very up-and-down day for us, with qualifying and the first race going absolutely perfectly. We had been watching the weather all week, knowing that rain seemed imminent; the radar during the afternoon showed that we could possibly miss it completely, but the tail end of the rain cell was heavier than expected. Although the rain and conditions could’ve been much worse, the track was still very slippery and tricky. We didn’t execute the starts that we needed in the final two races, and that put us in positions that are tough to make it back from, and also where you have to push harder than you want to in order to catch up. We’ll make sure that we do our due diligence to improve our starts in wet weather, especially since it’s possible that the last three rounds could be mud races.”
More from a press release issued by Husqvarna:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Daxton Bennick claims fourth in Cleveland Triple Crown. Teammate Malcolm Stewart earns P7 overall in 450SX following trio of main events.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Daxton Bennick claimed a convincing fourth-place finish in 250SX East at the Cleveland Triple Crown on Saturday afternoon, as 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart raced to seventh overall at Round 14 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship.
Faced with a technical Huntington Bank Field track layout, Bennick powered his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to the third-fastest qualifying time despite battling a stomach bug throughout the round.
The 20-year-old opened the night with a strong P3 result in the first 250SX outing, before adding fifth to his score in Race 2 as the weather intensified. In the third and final race, Bennick delivered another spirited ride to finish third, securing a well-earned fourth overall. With two races remaining, Bennick sits third in the 250SX East standings.
Daxton Bennick (58) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
“Qualifying was dry in Cleveland and I felt like I rode pretty well,”reflected Bennick.“The first race was also dry and I was third, but then it rained really heavily in the second one, which made conditions probably the worst that they were. I didn’t start well in that one, but got back to fifth, and then the third race I was P3, but in the end it was a little short of the podium. Overall, I’m excited for next weekend!”
Stewart began the day in positive fashion at the third Triple Crown event of the year, qualifying third on the combined 450SX timesheets while displaying strong pace onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition.
Race 1 saw the 33-year-old launch to a strong start and run at the front of the field as he battled among the leaders, climbing to an impressive fourth-place finish by race’s end and continuing his front-running form.
Malcolm Stewart (27) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
Sixth in Race 2 was followed by a slow start to the third and final Triple Crown race, where Stewart braved challenging conditions to claim 12th position, and deliver seventh overall to maintain eighth in the standings with three Supercross rounds remaining on the schedule.
“The vibes were high in Cleveland – the crowd was awesome!”said Stewart.“Qualifying was great for me, and then of course we had the Triple Crown with the weather beginning to roll in. I felt really good in Race 1, and then in the second one, I started making some mistakes, with the third one being pretty sloppy after the rain. I lost the flow in Race 3, but we brought it home in seventh overall, and we’ll look at improving next weekend!”
Next Race: April 25 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More from a press release issued by KTM:
Challenging Cleveland triple crown for Red Bull KTM Factory Team.
Round 14 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship proved a challenging outing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with Jorge Prado finishing 15th overall in the Triple Crown and Eli Tomac forced to withdraw from the event altogether following a crash in the opening qualifying session.
Supercross made a high-profile return to Cleveland, with Huntington Bank Field hosting the 14th round of the SMX World Championship season after inclement weather persisted in the region this week.
On the soft, technical layout, Prado quickly found comfort aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION during qualifying, posting the fifth-fastest time of 45.083s to take confidence into the upcoming three-race format.
The opening race of the Triple Crown saw Prado complete the first lap in fourth position, eventually crossing the line in P14 after experiencing vision difficulties in the challenging conditions.
Prado claimed 15th place in Race 2, before the four-time world champion earned another P15 in the third and final outing to finish 15th for the round. He sits 10th in the 450SX standings with just three rounds remaining in Supercross.
Jorge Prado (26) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy KTM.
Jorge Prado:“It was a rough day in Cleveland. The Triple Crown format is still new to me and the conditions were challenging also, but I gained more experience and that is what is important this year. Three to go – we will keep learning, and I’m excited for the next few races to finish the season.”
Two-time 450SX Champion Tomac entered Cleveland only 15 points outside of the red plate, however, a heavy crash in the whoops during this morning’s Q1 session would ultimately end his weekend.
Tomac attempted to ride in the second session, before the decision was made for him to park his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and undergo further medical evaluation after experiencing ongoing discomfort in his hip region. Further information will be released once available.
Next Race: April 25 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More from a press release issued by Ducati:
Ferrandis Fights Through Changing Conditions for Top-10 Finish in Cleveland.
The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team took on a unique and demanding track for round 14 of AMA Supercross Series this weekend as the series returned to Cleveland for the first time in 30 years. With a brand new venue, slippery dirt conditions, and the high-pressure Triple Crown format, the event presented a fresh challenge for both the rider and team.
Leading into the weekend, heavy rain was forecast, adding another layer of uncertainty. While conditions ultimately proved less severe than anticipated, the track evolved significantly throughout the day, starting dry and slippery in qualifying before becoming increasingly technical and inconsistent during the main events.
Dylan Ferrandis (14) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Ducati
Dylan Ferrandis showed steady determination across all three motos. After qualifying 14th in both sessions, Ferrandis delivered consistent results in the night program, finishing 8th in each of the three motos to secure 9th overall.
In Moto 1, Ferrandis crossed the holeshot line in 7th and settled into 8th early. He pushed forward to reclaim 7th on lap 4 and held the position for several laps before a slight drop in pace saw him finish 8th.
Rain moved in between Moto 1 and Moto 2, further complicating track conditions. Ferrandis started Moto 2 in 12th but quickly advanced to 9th on the opening lap. A strong mid-race charge saw him move into 8th by lap 7, where he maintained consistent lap times to the finish.
Moto 3 marked his strongest start of the night, launching off the gate into 5th place. He ran in 6th for much of the race, but as the track deteriorated in the closing laps, he was shuffled back to 8th, where he ultimately finished.
Dylan Ferrandis (14) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Ducati
“It was a difficult day here in Cleveland,” said Ferrandis. “The track was really dry in qualifying, and very slippery grabby in the mains. My first moto was okay, it ended up not being a big mudder in Moto 2 and 3 but it added some challenges. It was a very frustrating day for me. We had some issues with the bike set up in these conditions, so there are some things we need to figure it out so we will regroup and do better next weekend.”
The team now shifts focus to the next round, aiming to build on the consistency shown in Cleveland while refining performance in changing track conditions.
Here’s MotoGP. Here’s World Superbike. Quickly: what’s the biggest difference?
Speed, of course! Or at least that’s what the answer would have been at any point in history. But here we are, at the threshold of the biggest rule shake-up in the history of the sport, laying down new regulations on aerodynamics, ride height devices, fuel and engine capacity. All to slow down the machines to a level where squishy humans won’t get turned into goo when their bike flips out on a track that was never build for this kind of velocity.
That this might end up bringing them below the top speed of a World Superbike machine was NOT the intended outcome – but it is a very real possibility that now confronts the sport.
So, what’s really going on and what is the new management going to do about it? Well, since they own both tournaments they’ve got plenty of options. But before all that, we might want to ask what’s really going on here.
Are superbikes faster than MotoGP-machines? Yes, sometimes, in very specific contexts. And to understand how that works, I’m going to leave you in the capable hands of Mat and Peter.
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!
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors:
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!
Twins Cup – Matthew Chapin Dominant In First Win Of Season
The Twins Cup Championship had a rough start to race two with Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg highsiding his Aprilia RS 660 in turn 4, and Speed Demon Racing Powered by Ready to Ride’s Logan Cunnison crashing his Aprilia RS 660 just after Vossberg. With Cunnison’s bike in a less than ideal position on the race course, the original eight-lap contest was red-flagged and shortened to five laps.
During the race stoppage, Vossberg returned to the pits with the left handlebar almost touching the front fairing it was so bent, and some other cosmetic damage. More concerning however, was his visible limp after landing hard on his right hip. His Robem Engineering crew was able to fix the bike, and the Wisconsinite showed his toughness by gridding up for the restart. Cunnison was not able to make it back in time for the restart.
On the restart, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin jumped out front on his GSX-8R and led all five laps of the race, winning by a comfortable margin of 2.6 seconds.
Matthew Chapin (#95) set the pace in Twins Cup race two and claimed his first win of the season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Second-place finisher, Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg was still limping when he returned aboard his Aprilia RS 660 to the podium. The Wisconsin native tucked in behind the leader Chapin in turn one and occupied second place for the entire duration of the race finishing ahead of third place by .944 of a second.
Third place went to Karns/TST Industries Racing rider Kevin Olmedo aboard his Suzuki GSX-8R. The El Salvador native started in sixth position and worked quickly to make three passes in just five short laps, making his final overtake for third came on the final trip around the Georgia circuit.
Behind Olmedo was a tight group of riders in fourth through seventh, separated by just a tenth or two of a second each. M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bodie Paige was fourth, Karns/TST Industries Racing’s Isaac Woodworth was fifth, Ghetto Customs team owner and rider Chris Parrish was sixth, and TAB Performance’s Kyle Ohnsorg was seventh.
The following quote is from race two winner Matthew Chapin:
“I got the dream start, I guess. Came out P2 and then tried to make quick work of Bodie, you know, get past my teammate there because I knew he had some bike problems before the red flag. Just kind of wanted to stay all out of that and then just put my head down, tried to build some consistency, click off some laps. I just got to give it up to my guys at M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. After a race like yesterday, you know, struggling with a few bike problems, coming out here and dominating the field pretty good, I feel amazing and it was much needed.”
Kensei Matsudaira (#74), Nathan Gouker (#19), and Jake Paige (#55) finished 1-2-3 in Sunday’s Talent Cup race two. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Talent Cup – Race Two Podium Decided By .221 Of A Second
A red-flag-abbreviated Talent Cup race two saw Kensei Matsudaira take the win, record the first double victory of his MotoAmerica career, and also extend his winning streak to three.
The Team Roberts rider spent the majority of the race in second place, chased by Team Hammer’s Jake Paige as Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker dictated the pace up front.
The trio remained inseparable throughout the duration of the race. Then, on the final lap, the group tightened. The riders went three-wide into turn 10A, creating a mad dash to the checkers, and Matsudaira crossed the stripe first ahead of Gouker and Paige.
Third-place finisher Paige was not only the rider who rounded out the podium, he also managed to set a new Talent Cup lap record with a 1:40.191 in race two.
Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane once again found himself in the lead pack and capped off the weekend with a fourth-place result.
The following quote is from race two winner, Kensei Matsudaira:
“Honestly, I couldn’t be any happier with three (wins) in a row so, hopefully, we can keep this momentum for the next couple of races. And, yeah, I’m looking forward to Barber.”
Brianna Cutler (35) led the Build.Train.Race. field, again, in race two. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Build.Train.Race. – Cutler Takes Care Of Business
Brianna Cutler upped the pace from her race one performance by checking out, winning race two by a margin of 4.9 seconds, and improving her best lap time by just over two seconds to demonstrate the rapid progression riders can achieve in the BTR program. Her time of 1:54.99 stands as a new BTR lap record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Jasmine Noelle improved her best lap time by over one second and finished in P2, while Bryanna Everitt capped off the podium in third position, 5.9 seconds behind the leader.
The following quote is from race two winner Brianna Cutler:
“Amazing being the points leader right now, especially with the struggles that I had last year. Seeing my effort pay off is incredible, and I tried to stay consistent. I looked at the data, and I knew which sector was my fastest, so I got open track, and I just started running. I don’t know how to look behind me without crashing, so I just kept going, and I really didn’t know what was going on behind me, but I could hear some dogfights, so I kept it pinned until I saw the checkered flag.”
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More form a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Chapin wins for M4 Ecstar Suzuki in Atlanta.
Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer featured prominently as the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumed at Road Atlanta this weekend, racing away with a win and podium finishes for Twins.
Race Highlights:
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Matthew Chapin rebounded from a difficult Saturday race to score a dominant victory in Sunday’s Twins Cup rematch.
Bodie Paige proved both quick and brave during his pole-winning, podium-earning weekend.
Matthew Chapin powered the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R to a Twins Cup victory at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Despite encountering alternating bouts of adversity, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Twins Cup duo of Mathew Chapin and Bodie Paige showcased the remarkable speed and vast potential of the GSX-8R throughout the weekend.
The two lined up 1-2 on the grid with Aussie Paige on pole and Chapin second quickest. Chapin’s Saturday contest didn’t go how he envisioned it, however, as a mechanical issue forced him down to an eventual 11th – far below his genuine form. He proved that the case on Sunday with a dominating win that saw him pull more than two seconds clear of the pack en route to the checkered flag.
After claiming his fourth-career Twins Cup victory, Chapin said,“That race was awesome. I knew going in I had some good pace on these guys. I just want to give a huge thanks to my M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew getting this bike back together. Yesterday didn’t go how we wanted it to, but this feels so great coming off a struggle race yesterday. I really needed this one.”
Bodie Paige showcased impressive speed aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R, earning pole position and a podium finish. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Paige, meanwhile, fought at the front for victory on Saturday, only to be foiled by a red flag that was thrown while he was running a close second with two laps to go. The race was then called complete, cementing him in that position. Paige’s hopes for vengeance on Sunday suffered when he crashed in the warm-up. He still somehow summoned the late-braking heroics needed to keep him in podium contention and eventually earn him a hard-fought fourth.
“I’m a little bit disappointed,” the two-time Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award winner said. “I wish we could have finished the race (On Saturday) so that I could have gone for the win. It would have been a good last-lap battle. I was good in the tight, technical stuff, so we’ll take something from the weekend and learn from what we need to improve on.”
Aprilia claims victory and double podium at Road Atlanta after Vossberg’s early crash.
Round 2 of MotoAmerica Twins Cup took place over the historic Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Starting the weekend, it was Aprilia that was the most represented manufacturer in the class, accounting for 18 of the 37 entries, facing off against a highly competitive and deep field.
The Aprilia RS 660 demonstrated elite pace throughout the event, starting with Friday on-track sessions, where at least three Aprilia RS 660s were present in the top 10 of each outing.
On Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2 Hank Vossberg (Robem Engineering Aprilia) qualified 2nd overall 1:34.133, while Logan Cunnison (Speed Demon Racing powered by Ready to Ride, 1:34.745), Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing, 1:35.131), and Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs, 1:35.632) finished fourth, seventh and ninth respectively, to set the grid for both weekend races.
Later Saturday for Race 1, Aprilia secured a double podium in the first race of the weekend. Hank Vossberg (Robem Engineering) claimed a hard-fought victory, winning the race by a margin of 0.279 seconds and recorded the best lap of Race 1 with a 1:33.424. He was joined on the podium by Logan Cunnison (Speed Demon Racing powered by Ready to Ride), who finished 3rd. Riders within the top 10, included Brown, and Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing), who finished seventh and eighth.
Hank Vossberg (31) at Road Atlanta. Photo by Sara Chappell.
Sunday, Aprilia maintained its presence at the front in the second race, with Vossberg returning to the podium to secure a 2nd-place finish, but not without incident. Vossberg had a crash in the early moments, and remounted. Cunnison had an incident shortly after that drew a red flag, forcing a restart, allowing Vossberg to restart. Bruised, but determined, Vossberg secured a critical 20 points.
Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs) showcased a strong performance, finishing 6th overall, as Weyh continued top-10 pace, completing Race 2 in ninth. Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing) proved the RS 660’s consistency by securing two top-10 finishes, placing 8th in Race 1 and 9th in Race 2, while Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing) also finished in the top ten in the first race, taking 7th place.
As the series heads to Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama for Round 3 from May 15–17, Aprilia occupies three of the top 10 positions in the national championship standings. Vossberg sits in first place with 86 total points, with a 23-point lead over second. Weyh is currently eighth with 30 points, and Parrish holds the tenth spot with 21 points.
Hank Vossberg / Robem Racing Aprilia: “Yeah, you know, it was first weekend on the new [2026 Aprilia RS 660] bike and it felt amazing. Came into the weekend, and knew I just had to get podiums. Friday was really good. We were up in the times. Got to able to qualify really good Friday and then wasn’t able to improve Saturday, but was still up front. And then Saturday, the race went really well. Yeah, I was be able to go up there with Bodie and felt that I still had some more pace in me. Definitely a learning experience [following crash in Race 2], but thanks to the team for putting together such a great bike and we’ll be ready for Barber.”
More from a press release issued by Team Roberts:
Double Wins for Kensei Matsudaira and Team Roberts in MotoAmerica Talent Cup at Road Atlanta.
It was a perfect weekend for Kensei Matsudaira and Team Roberts this weekend at Road Atlanta, with Kensei taking the victory in both MotoAmerica Talent Cup races.
As the weekend started, Kensei and the team took their time to get acquainted with the track and find a good setting for the races, with Kensei ranking 4th through the free practice and both qualifying sessions.
Starting 4th on the grid, Kensei settled into the top group of 5 riders in the first race, working his way forward and taking the lead on lap 5. From there, he focused on managing the race with the draft in the group, and with perfect execution Kensei took the lead in the final sector of the last lap, clinching victory in the first race of the weekend.
In the shortened race 2, Kensei settled into the top group of 3 riders, but had his work cut out for him as the initial race leader started to make a break as Kensei battled with the rider behind. After the 3rd lap, Kensei made a push to catch the leader and by the 5th and final lap he had closed the gap and was able to again make a last lap pass for the lead, taking his second victory of the weekend.
Kenny Roberts Sr. congratulates Kensei after his first victory of the weekend on Saturday Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Kensei Matsudaira: “I wasn’t able to start the weekend off as strong as I would have liked, but we focused on getting the bike set up for the race as best as we could and I’m really happy to be able to take the wins in both races here. It wasn’t easy and the competition was tough, there are 3 to 4 other riders that are capable of winning so I knew I had to give it everything to be able to fight to the end. Huge thank you to my team and both Kenny Sr. and Kenny Jr. who came all the way out to support me, I’m very fortunate to have mentors like them and their guidance this year has been a big part of my progress. I also want to thank Stoney Landers for continuing to be a big help in my race weekends, without him I know we would have struggled a lot more with getting my bike dialed for the races. I also want to thank all the workers and fans that came out to watch, say hello and support me and the team this weekend. It’s really cool to see how involved and passionate the people are here.”
Kenny Roberts Sr., Team Roberts: “What can I say, no one could have done a better job than Kensei did this weekend. He did a perfect job, it was a perfect weekend! It’s nice to see a young rider be so dedicated to becoming what he wants to be. He definitely has wisdom beyond his age.”
Kenny Roberts Jr., Team Roberts: “Kensei has had a strong weekend. We can all see how talented he is. His talent is at a very, very high level. We are watching his racecraft mature with each race. Congratulations to him, his father, my father, everyone in the team that is putting many long hours, both at the race weekends and behind the scenes to make this possible. It’s exciting to see, this year the Talent Cup has produced very good races so far this season. All of the riders are young and talented, they have ridden mature and smart races. We look forward to watching the season unfold.”
Arney Wick, Team Roberts Co-Principal: “As fantastic as it was this weekend, we remain focused on the next races and know that we still have a lot of work to do as a team so Kensei can perform to his full potential. We know it won’t be easy, and we will keep working hard!”
Kensei Matsudaira in action on Sunday at Road Atlanta Photo by Brian J. Nelson
The next MotoAmerica Talent Cup round will be the home race for Team Roberts, held at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on May 15-17.
More from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycles:
Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing dominates Road Atlanta with back-to-back wins from Hayden Gillim and podium sweep in Race 2. Power, Precision and Superiority of the Vance & Hines Indian Challenger On Full Display, Now Capturing Four Straight Wins and Nine of 12 Podium Spots to Start the 2026 Season.
Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, continued its red-hot start to the 2026 King of the Baggers season as the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team delivered another dominant performance in round two at Road Atlanta. Hayden Gillim led the charge with back-to-back race wins, while teammates Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers captured three of the remaining four podium spots over the weekend, capped off by Indian Motorcycle Racing’s first-ever podium sweep on Sunday. Piloting what has been a virtually unbeatable Vance & Hines-built Indian Challenger, the Wrecking Crew once again demonstrated the unrivaled power and precision of the PowerPlus 112-equipped bagger over a weekend of unprecedented success.
“When we set out on this new journey with Vance & Hines, our ambitions were high, but in all honesty, the success we’ve experienced is even more than we could have imagined and a powerful testament to our team and the amazing performance platform that the Indian Challenger provides us,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “What better way to reinforce the 125th Anniversary of a historic brand born from racing than to come out of the gates in the dominant manner we have this season, showcasing the unrivaled performance capabilities that have powered this brand for more than a century?”
Hayden Gillim (69)and Troy Herfoss (17) at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J Nelson.
Race 1
After the team blocked out the front row finishing first, second and third in qualifying, Gillim set the tone early by capturing his second Mission King of the Baggers Challenge (“Dash for Cash”) victory. When Race 1 got underway, the Wrecking Crew quickly asserted themselves at the front, with Herfoss taking the early lead. With Gillim close behind, the two former champions ran wheel-to-wheel through the opening laps, maintaining the tightest of gaps before Gillim made a decisive move with six laps remaining to take the lead. From there, Herfoss gave Gillim everything he could handle all the way to the finish, with Gillim ultimately holding on for the win by just .167 seconds.
“Race one was a ton of fun,” said Gillim. “Troy got an amazing launch off the line to get in front and really made me work for it. Once I finally got through, I was hoping I’d have a little bit of tire left to try and build a gap, but I just couldn’t do it. He pushed me hard all the way to the end. But man, what a great way to start the weekend with a Challenge win and a Race 1 win.”
From left to right with Rocco Landers, Hayden Gillim and Troy Herfoss on the podium at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J.Nelson
Race 2
The dominance continued into Sunday with Race 2 as Gillim wasted no time positioning himself in the lead and immediately began gapping the field aboard his Indian Challenger. Coming out of turn one, Landers was running fourth, while Herfoss made an early mistake during lap one that saw him fall all the way back into sixth. Up front, the shuffle continued behind Gillim as Landers quickly regrouped, charging back into third ahead of Tyler O’Hara and then executing a strong move on lap two to overtake Bradley Smith and move into second. Meanwhile, Herfoss firmly set his intentions on a podium finish, showcasing impressive pace to fight his way back into fourth and ultimately begin the patient process of reeling in Smith. Out front, Gillim remained in complete control, laying down a blistering pace and stretching his lead lap after lap in route to a dominant, unchallenged run to the checkered flag, taking victory by 4.161 seconds. Behind him, Landers secured second, while Herfoss delivered a decisive late-race charge, diving underneath Smith with just two laps remaining to snatch the position and secure the Indian Wrecking Crew’s first King of the Baggers podium sweep. This marked Gillim’s third victory in four races, taking a one-point lead over Herfoss in Championship points with the two riders increasing a significant early-season gap over the rest of the field.
“To start the season with as much success as we’ve had is incredible,” said Gillim. “Our Vance & Hines factory Indian Motorcycle crew has worked their butts off since getting these bikes only a handful of months ago. The Indian Challenger is an amazing platform right out of the box, and the crew has done an incredible job, building on that with adjustments that are showcasing the full power and performance capabilities of these bikes. To be up here sharing the podium with both Rocco and Troy is a testament to our entire team and these phenomenal motorcycles.”
As the team begins preparations for Round 3 at Road America, Gillim leads the standings with 82 points, just one point ahead of teammate Herfoss in second with 81. Meanwhile, Landers sits fourth overall with 53 points, just two points shy of third. The team will head to Road America on May 29–31, the home of rival Harley-Davidson, where they’ll look to carry this momentum into enemy territory and outperform them once again, only this time on their home turf.
Sponsors for the 2026 Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines Factory Race team includes J&P Cycles, Motul, Progressive Insurance, Drag Specialties and Performance Finance.
More from a press release issued by Real Steel Honda:
Real Steel Honda Racing and Andrew Lee lead the Superbike Cup standings after the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Atlanta event.
Andrew Lee with a win and a 2nd place finish in the Superbike Cup class at the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Atlanta, leads that championship with 45 points. Hayden Gillim in the Superbike class suffered a DNF in Race 1 but bounced back in race 2 to score a 7th place finish. Hayden is in 11th place in Superbike championship standings with 9 points.
Real Steel Honda Racing’s Talent Cup competitors had a good showing with Derek Sanchez scoring a 4th place finish in Race 1 while unfortunately suffering a DNF in Race 2. Ian Fraley scored his best ever finishes with 7th and 8th place finishes in the 2 races. Derek and Ian are tied for 7th place in the Talent Cup championship standings with 30 points.
Next up for the team is the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Alabama event May 15-17 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham AL.
Real Steel Honda Racing is proudly supported by American Honda, HRC, Progressive Insurance, Pro Honda Oils. Southern Honda Powersports, Idemitsu, Last Ark: Tactics Analogue, Vesrah, K-Tech suspension, Orient Express, Dunlop, Akrapovic Exhaust Systems, Sprint Filter, Armor Bodywork, Vortex and REB Graphics.
Hayden Gillim (69) at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Real Steel Honda
Hayden Gillim – Rider #69 / Team Principal:“Overall we had a good weekend. We have made some big improvements on the bike since last year and are only going to get better. Road Atlanta is probably the worst track for us right now so to come away with a 7th place is pretty solid. I have to thank the Real Steel Honda Racing crew for coming together and making things happen this weekend and give a special shoutout to Jeff Weiner with American Honda for getting the team a replacement generator Friday evening when there was an issue with our primary pit road generator.”
Andrew Lew (14) at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Real Steel Honda
Andrew Lee – Rider #14: “Road Atlanta presented some challenges for sure but overall I feel that the team overcame them really well. Ultimately missing most of the Friday practice sessions set us back which proved to be extra detrimental considering it being my first race weekend in the platform. Finishing P1 and P2 in class is a great way to start the season. Although we are focused on the Superbike Cup class, I’m ultimately focused on trying to improve our position in the Superbike field. We are still looking for a few things to make the bike “mine” per-say but I feel that the ceiling is really high on this Honda platform. Really happy with the first weekend on the new team and new bike, ready to continue the work in a few weekends in Alabama for round 2!
Thank you to the whole Real Steel Honda Team and all of our team partners! A special thank you to my partners Luxvoni, Aliv WorldWide, Dainese, KYT, Five Gloves, JP43 Training.”
Ian Fraley (10) at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Real Steel Honda
Ian Fraley – Rider #10: “Best weekend for me and my team so far with 7th & 8th place finishes and I know there’s still more in me. Racing is 95% mental, and that’s where I’m focused. Believing in my abilities, pushing past my comfort zone, and continuing to grow every time I hit the track. We’re already locked in for Barber — preparation starts tomorrow. Huge thank you to my incredible crew — I couldn’t do this without you. To all the fans who stopped by, showed support, and bought shirts to help fuel this journey – it means everything. And to my amazing sponsors: Real Steel Honda, Pro Honda, Southern Honda Powersports, RB Print Shop. Fleet Relief, Chicken in the Rough, Bison & Arai.”
Derek Sanchez – Rider #23:“The weekend started on a high note, with strong pace throughout practice and a solid P5 in qualifying. Race 1 was an intense battle; despite a close call, I was pleased to fight hard and secure a 4th-place finish. We carried that momentum into the Sunday morning warm-up, clocking in 3rd. We had an awesome start to Race 2 and were well-positioned in the mix through the S’s, but unfortunately, my race was cut short when another rider struck me. It’s a frustrating way to end the weekend, but that’s racing. We have the speed to run at the front, and I’m already looking forward to bounce back and fight for the podium at Barber.”
Watch and listen to a special episode of the Gas It Out! podcast featuring 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz with hosts World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson, MotoGP broadcaster Gavin Emmett and WSBK AND Endurance World Champion Sylvain Guintoli.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is proud to announce that multiple new lap records were established at Road Atlanta during the latest round of MotoAmerica competition. Powered by Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, riders delivered record-breaking performances across several classes in a weekend defined by speed, consistency, and dominance.
King Of The Baggers:
Lap Record: 1:27.669 – Hayden Gillim, Qualifying 2 (4/18/2026)
Race Lap Record: 1:28.192 – Hayden Gillim, Challenge Race (4/18/2026)
Note: Gillim lowered the race lap record again in Race 2 while completing a perfect weekend sweep.
Supersport:
Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:27.554 – Josh Herrin, Race 2 (4/19/2026)
BTR:
Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:54.992 – Brianna Cutler, Race 2 (4/19/2026)
Previous record of 1:57.059 was broken by more than two seconds.
These record-setting performances highlight the exceptional grip, stability, and consistency of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires. From qualifying to race conditions, riders relied on Dunlop to push beyond previous limits and deliver championship-level results.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
The 12th-ranked Supersport rider going into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta was Dominic Doyle, and he was selected as the latest benefactor of the VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The MotoAmerica VIP Superfans did it again.
After the overwhelming success of the new-for-this-season MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program at Daytona International Speedway, round two of the program at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta exceeded expectations once again. A fundraising effort within the VIP Superfan Experience, the program collects money from the sale of custom-embroidered hats that display MotoAmerica and VIP Superfan logos, as well as Privateer Support Program lettering.
Supersport was the featured class at Road Atlanta, and in honor of the Master’s Tournament that recently took place at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, VIP Superfan Experience host Ron “Slicer” Heben decided to pick the rider ranked 12th in the points standings as a tip of the cap to Master’s Champion Rory McElroy, who won this year’s tournament with a final score of 12 under par.
Doyle holds the big check he received thanks to the generosity of the VIP Superfans who bought commemorative hats with the proceeds going to the very appreciative South African Supersport rider. Photo courtesy MotoAmerica
The rider ranked 12th coming into the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round was Dominic Doyle who races for Liberty Yamaha. The South African, who now lives in Columbus, Indiana, was invited to the Podium Club located on the first floor of the Michelin Tower where he was completely surprised to learn that he was the chosen Privateer.
His team owner Chuck Giacchetto was also in attendance, and Giacchetto was just as surprised as Doyle. At Daytona, Eli Block was presented with a check (and cash) in the amount of $2,525.00, but did the Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceed that very generous donation?
“The outpouring of support for the Privateer Program has been overwhelming,” Heben said. “The incredible generosity of our VIP Superfans is very much appreciated. Even after we presented Dominic with a check for $2,900, we had additional donations, which brought the total contribution to $3,200.00. The Road Atlanta VIP Superfans exceeded what the Daytona VIP Superfans contributed, so the challenge is on for the Barber Motorsports Park VIP Superfans to up the ante even more.”
Also, over and above the $3,200 that Doyle received, VP Racing donated a five-gallon container of MotoAmerica-spec race fuel and Motul donated some of their products, as well.
Doyle strikes a pose with his Liberty Yamaha Racing YZF-R9 Supersport bike. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was an awesome surprise to me when I found out I was selected for the Privateer Support Program at Road Atlanta,” commented Doyle. “I can’t thank the VIP Superfans enough for supporting racers like me. Their donation will go a long way and make things a whole lot easier for me. I really appreciate all the VIP Superfans, as well as Motoamerica and Ron Heben for putting this together!”
Thank you to the VIP Superfans, VP Racing, Motul, and all the MotoAmerica racers who visited the Paddock Club and signed hats for the VIP Superfans. We can hardly wait to get to Barber Motorsports Park next month to see how much more the MotoAmerica VIP Superfan Privateer Support Program will continue to grow.
Marco Bezzecchi (72), Pedro Acosta (37), Marc Marquez (93), Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) and Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the MotoGP Race at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Bezzecchi and Aprilia march into enemy territory. The home crowd in Jerez will be partisan – but the records won’t stop coming. Here’s the state of play as MotoGP returns to Europe.
Following a record-breaking weekend across the pond in Austin, Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing land on Spanish soil flying high at the summit of MotoGP. Five wins in a row. 121 consecutive laps led. Domination. The Italian combination, on Sundays at least, have been unstoppable so far in 2026, as Bez goes in search of stretching that streak out further behind enemy lines. And on Saturdays? Read on…
Why enemy lines? Bezzecchi is a popular winner, but the 100,000+ Spanish faithful will be cheering on their own – and one dons the same colours as Bezzecchi. Jorge Martin’s return to form has been one of the stories of the season so far, and after picking up a Tissot Sprint gold medal to go with another Sunday podium in Texas, the 2024 World Champion arrives in Jerez full of confidence. Bezzecchi might have won all three Grands Prix this season, but the #89 is only four points adrift in the championship. The inter-team battle between the factory Aprilia stars is set to be reignited in Andalucia, and it’s those pair who will land at MotoGP’s Spanish cathedral with targets on their back.
In the American part of the Aprilia stable, heartbreak was the name of the game on Sunday afternoon when it comes to Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) too. That maiden MotoGP rostrum seemed to be being reeled in by the Japanese rider before a technical issue struck, so the 2024 Moto2 World Champion will aim to produce the same speed in Jerez. On the other side of the box, Raul Fernandez goes hunting for a podium return on his home turf after a quiet but consistent COTA weekend.
Pedro Acosta (37) at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Chief of the chasers: Acosta & KTM
Brazil might not have sprung any headline-grabbing points, but Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was back to his best in Austin. Yes, that wait for a Sunday win goes on, but Acosta was best of the rest on Sunday behind the Aprilias, and the #37 would have been celebrating a double podium if it wasn’t for a post-Sprint tyre pressure penalty. 21 points is the gap to Bezzecchi, and a first Sunday MotoGP podium in Jerez will be craved.
The silver lining to Acosta’s tyre pressure penalty for KTM? Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the rider promoted to bronze. ‘The Beast’ was on the podium prowl in Austin, so can that form continue into Jerez? Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, was P12 in the USA, so the South African will be hoping a return to Europe can be a turning point in bringing him back towards the front. Unfortunately, we now know that Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) won’t be back in the fray just yet, with Le Mans the new target after he was sidelined in Austin with a literal screw loose from his 2025 shoulder injury. Tech3 will field only Bastianini after a hand injury has also sidelined replacement rider Pol Espargaro.
Marc Marquez (93) at COTA. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Searching for a response: Marc Marquez & Ducati
You’d have got unfavourable odds on Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) landing at his home Grand Prix with two Tissot Sprint medals and zero Sunday podiums to his name. However, that’s the situation the #93 finds himself in. 36 points is the deficit to Bezzecchi ahead of Round 4, and after a dramatic US GP, the seven-time MotoGP World Champion sets his sights on a first Sunday victory of 2026. 2019 was the last time Marc Marquez won at the Spanish GP, so can he and Ducati turn the tide and get his title defence properly up and running?
Up and running isn’t the name of the game on the other side of the red box either. Despite a Saturday silver medal in the USA, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) suffered in Sunday’s Grand Prix to see the Italian sit P9 in the standings heading to a circuit he won at in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A repeat would be a treat. A podium will be the objective.
Leading the Ducati fleet into Jerez is the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. The back-to-back polesitter hasn’t finished outside the top six on Sunday this season and has now finished as the top Ducati in the last two Grands Prix. Continuing that record will be tough going in Jerez considering Marc Marquez’s prowess, Bagnaia’s history and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) being last year’s winner at the Circuit, but it wouldn’t be a shock either. Diggia is on a roll.
The aforementioned Alex Marquez sits P8 in the standings ahead of a return to the scene of his dream debut MotoGP win. Without a top three across the Sprints and GPs so far in 2026, the #73 seeks a resurgence in Spain – and so does Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) after the Italian’s P14 in Austin.
The three-weekend break arrived at a good time for some, and that included Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). A P8 in Brazil and P11 in Austin signalled a very solid return to action for the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Aldeguer will arrive at his home Grand Prix fighting fitter as he continues his recovery from a fractured femur sustained in winter.
Joan Mir (36) in Brazil. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Promising signs, but more wanted at HRC
A Sprint podium was agonisingly close for Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in Austin, and a big Sunday haul of points was too. In the end though, it was a zero-pointer weekend for the 2020 World Champion. Teammate Luca Marini did pocket a healthy amount of points for HRC, most notably the Tissot Sprint P5, with progress clearly visible before the European tour begins. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) was also a Sprint point scorer in Austin before his Sunday DNF, while rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) earned a third consecutive P13 to continue his 100% Sunday points streak. A different challenge awaits in Jerez, and one that HRC will hope brings them into the podium equation again.
Fabio Quartararo (20) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (07), Alex Rins (42) and Jack Miller (43). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Hard work continues at Yamaha
The positive from Austin? Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) getting on the scoreboard for the first time in MotoGP. A P15 isn’t where the impressive Turk or Yamaha want to be finishing, but it’s a good step as they continue to try and wrestle the V4-powered YZR-M1 into a more competitive bike.
Meanwhile, competitive is exactly what Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was at last year’s Spanish GP. The polesitter and P2 Sunday finisher at the Circuit de Jerez-Angel Nieto in 2025 will snap your hand off for a repeat this time around, but who knows – although at a track nearly perfectly suited to him, maybe there is some magic to be made. El Diablo, 2019 Spanish GP podium finisher Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and 2021’s Jerez race winner Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) failed to score points at COTA, so the experienced trio will be fighting to change that in Spain.
Enemy territory for some is home turf for others. Jerez, however, is just a pure classic for us all. The hillsides will be alive with the sound of MotoGP as the sport returns to one of its most emblematic venues, so strap in for this weekend – it’ll be worth the wait.
David Tompkins (33Q), Marc Brown (135), Rick Redick (289), John Snead (9A). Photo by Mina Hami, BluGroove Media
Complete race results from the 2026 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by VIB-ISO event held April 17-19 at Big Willow, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA.
Kage Tadman practicing before the Atlanta Short Track in 2026. Photo by Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.
KICKER AFT Singles Title Fighters Prepare for Kage Match.
The KICKER AFT Singles class stole the show at last year’s Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track presented by 805 Beer. They’ll return for an encore performance on Saturday, April 25, at Ventura Raceway, host to Round 4 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
Return to the Scene of the Sublime
When the series arrived in Ventura, California, a year ago, the KICKER AFT Singles hierarchy seemed all but etched in stone.
Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) proceeded to smash those assumptions to dust. Despite making his pro debut with relatively little advance fanfare, Tadman proved utterly dominant and with eye-popping speed and style.
The Salinas, California, native’s thrilling form made it look as if he might crash on any given corner. Instead, he leveraged it to earn pole position, win his heat, take the Challenge race, and then claim his first Progressive AFT Main Event victory in his very first attempt.
And if that wasn’t convincing enough, Tadman backed it up with a repeat feat in the following week’s Silver Dollar Short Track.
The California swing was originally intended to be his only two appearances of the season, but his unprecedented debut success served as a springboard for him to complete the remainder of the season.
In the end, Tadman enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign, one in which he snared seven additional top fives, including three more podiums, en route to fourth in the championship standings. That showing earned him a place on the American Honda-backed Turner Racing squad for 2026, where he’s already returned to the box to up his career podium tally to six.
Still, Tadman continues to seek his third victory, after going two-for-two at the start. This weekend’s return to Ventura Raceway has him back in the spotlight and expectations are high.
He’s trying to stay relaxed and ride free, tempering those expectations with the understanding that he’s still learning his new bike and team.
That said, the potential for a repeat is undeniable.
Power Trio
Last year, Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F), and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) managed to re-establish order after Tadman’s two-week barrage.
They ended up going 1-2-3 in the standings at the end of the 2025 season, and that’s precisely where they sit in the 2026 points to date.
All three will be geared up for another opportunity to show that they’re up to the challenge presented by Tadman this weekend. And you can be sure no one will be overlooking him this time around.
Winning Time
It’s worth remembering that Tadman, Drane, Brunner, and Saathoff aren’t the only KICKER AFT Singles winners in the field.
Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) earned his first class victory earlier this season, and, judging by his flashes of speed, the rising star has it in him to stack several more on top of it.
And veteran pilot Justin Jones (No. 91 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC Yamaha YZ450F 450) has a win on his record too – albeit one scored more than a decade ago. But that 2015 triumph is more than just a distant memory; it’s evidence of what’s still possible for the New Yorker, who might just be riding better now than he ever previously has in his career.
Despite coming home second last time out in Georgia, Jones was less than satisfied, feeling he left a win on the table. He’s eager to make up for it as soon as humanly possible.
Who’s Next?
While Tadman will naturally garner much of the pre-race hype, there’s another Californian to keep close tabs on. Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) now boasts three runner-up finishes among his five career KICKER AFT Singles podium finishes. However, he’s still angling for that maiden win.
Santero finished seventh here in 2025 – which was his career-best finish at the time. He’s significantly upped his game in the two years since, including the third he picked up here a year ago.
There are plenty of others who could spring a surprise, including the likes of rookie ace Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), DAYTONA standout Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F), Tadman’s teammate, Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), fellow sophomore Ryder Reese (No. 41 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC KTM 450 SX-F FE), and perennial challenger Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R).
The Wizards of Oz
AFT ProSport 450 will continue to introduce Progressive American Flat Track fans to the future stars of the sport, as some of the world’s most promising amateurs will earn a spot on Saturday’s grid in Friday night’s AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event at the venue.
If the first two rounds serve as any indication, we’re now in the opening stages of a full-blown Aussie invasion of the series.
Last year, Tom Drane became the first international rider to win a Progressive AFT national championship. It seems highly unlikely he’ll be the last.
His younger brother, Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), was victorious in the opening two races of the AFT ProSport 450 era. Meanwhile, fellow Australians Jed Fyffe (No. 23 Thriller Motorsports/Yamaha Australia YZ450F) and Jake Paige (No. 55 Paige Racing KTM 450 SX-F) joined him on the box.
Of course, there is no shortage of talented young Americans coming up through the ranks. That list is perhaps headlined by Californian Ryder Bitz-Hay (No. 14 Bitz-Hay Racing KTM 450 SX-F) who has podiumed both times out in AFT ProSport 450 action.
Build. Check. Train. Check. Race…!
The Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track will also feature the popular and influential Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. (BTR) program.
Now in its seventh season of highlighting, celebrating, and encouraging the involvement of women in flat track, BTR will contest its third race of the ‘26 season at Ventura Raceway.
If you’re looking for favorites, a well defined pecking order has already taken shape. Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars), Julia Hess (No. 13 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars), and Madicela Rodriguez (No. 113 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) have finished 1-2-3 in each of the season’s prior two Main Events.
A Night to Remember
As if the world-class racing and remarkable beachside vibes weren’t enough, there will be plenty more reasons to celebrate at the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track.
The day will feature a pair of Thrashed Kids Freestyle Shows headlined by X Games Gold Medalist and Ventura Short Track Grand Marshal Tyler Bereman.
The event will also serve to honor the lives of Ventura native and Landspeed legend Chris Raschke (1964-2005) via “Chris Raschke Day,” and Salinas native and flat tracker Jess Garcia (1993-2020) with the Jess Garcia Memorial Challenge featuring the fastest four KICKER AFT Singles racers.
Fans can also expect a multitude of vendors, big screen viewing, designated motorcycle parking, and a variety of food and beverage options.
Get Your Tickets Today
General Admission tickets are just $50 (kids 12 and under free) all taxes and fees included. Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $15 more (all ages). Students with proof of a valid student ID can purchase a General Admission ticket for just $30 at the door. There’s also a Military/First Responder Discount available, allowing GOVX fans to purchase tickets at reduced rates.
The Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience is available for purchase for $135 (all ages) or $95 as an add-on. This premium option includes GA seating, full event pit access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line with photos opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and a portion of the night’s race action.
And don’t miss out on the 805 Pit Party, a premium ticket add-on designed to elevate raceday hospitality. Available for $75, the 805 Pit Party provides guests with access to a dedicated hospitality area featuring a variety of beverage options, along with snacks available throughout the event.
Gates will open for fans at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
More from another press release issued by AFT:
Appalachian Harley-Davidson Named Title Sponsor of Williams Grove Half-Mile; Tickets On Sale Now.
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, has announced that Appalachian Harley-Davidson will serve as the title sponsor of the Williams Grove Half-Mile, set for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the historic Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
The event will be officially titled the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile, marking a continued partnership between Progressive AFT and one of the region’s premier Harley-Davidson dealerships. Known for its strong connection to the riding community and deep roots in central Pennsylvania, Appalachian Harley-Davidson is a natural fit for one of the most iconic venues on the schedule. Tickets will also be available in-store at Appalachian Harley-Davidson, All Trails Powersports, and Blue Mountain Indian, further connecting the event with the local riding community.
“We’re incredibly excited to be named the title sponsor of the Williams Grove Half-Mile,” said Carla Perry, Marketing and Events Manager for Appalachian Harley-Davidson. “It’s an iconic event with a passionate fan base, and we’re proud to be part of something that means so much to the racing community.”
“Appalachian Harley-Davidson represents the exact kind of partner that helps strengthen this sport at the local level,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “They have real roots in the region, strong connections within the riding community, and a clear understanding of what events like this mean to fans. Having Appalachian Harley-Davidson involved as title sponsor adds meaningful support as we return to Pennsylvania this season.”
Williams Grove Speedway, long regarded as a cornerstone of American dirt track racing, provides the perfect backdrop for high-speed, bar-to-bar racing. The half-mile oval is a fan favorite, known for its speed and the passionate crowds that pack the stands.
Fans can look forward to a full day of on-track action, highlighted by the Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, along with Build. Train. Race. and the AFT ProSport 450 class, where the sport’s rising stars take center stage. It all unfolds within an energetic event atmosphere that captures and celebrates the true spirit of flat track racing.
Tickets are available in a variety of options to suit every fan. General Admission tickets are $40, while Reserved Grandstand Seating and Premium Reserved Grandstand Seating are available for $50 and $60, respectively. A Pit Pass add-on is available for $40, offering fans an up-close look at the teams and riders. Kids 12 and under receive $15 off all ticket options.
The H-D VIP Experience is available for $135 and includes premium seating and exclusive access, with a $95 add-on option also available for fans looking to upgrade their race day experience.
There’s also a Military/First Responder Discount available, allowing GOVX fans to purchase tickets at reduced rates.
Brandon Robinson racing his Harley-Davidson XG750R at Daytona Short Track in 2026. Photo by Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.
Next Up
Progressive American Flat Track continues its 2026 season with a California doubleheader, bringing two straight weeks of bar-to-bar action to the West Coast. The run begins with the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track at Ventura Raceway on April 25, before the series heads north to Chico for the Silver Dollar Short Track on May 2.
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 select Progressive American Flat Track events, featuring rider features and onboard cameras. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
More from another press release issued by AFT:
Mees Promotions Teams Up with Cory Texter Promotions for Lima Half-Mile Amateur Event.
Ryder Bitz-Hay leads the AFT ProSport 450 field at the Atlanta Short Track in 2026. Jeff Katarzy runs second ahead of Jake Paige (55), Jedd Fyffe (23), Mateo Racine (21), Brody Hanson (99), Cody Mishey (26), Bayne Nantz (313), Charlie Jaques (110) and the rest. Photo byTim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.
Posted on Behalf of Mees Promotions:
Lima, Ohio – Mees Promotions has partnered with Cory Texter Promotions to bring an exciting amateur showcase to the Lima Half-Mile on Thursday, June 25, kicking off one of the most historic weekends in American Flat Track racing.
Held the day before the legendary Lima Half-Mile Grand National event, this amateur program will give riders a premier opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s most iconic cushion half-mile tracks.
The event will also feature a “Road to AFT” class, where competitors will battle for a coveted top-12 transfer position into Friday’s Grand National Triple event, adding even more intensity and opportunity for rising talent.
This race marks the final Road to AFT event of the 2026 season, making Lima the ultimate proving ground for the next generation of professional riders.
Mees Promotions shared, “We’re excited to keep the amateur event going at Lima and can’t wait to see the pros of the future take on the half-mile.”
Fans and competitors alike are encouraged to be part of the action as the road to the pros runs through Lima.
We look forward to seeing everyone on June 25 at Allen County Fairgrounds.
Special thanks to: Drag Specialties, Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas; Flat Work Concrete; Memphis Shades; EBC Brakes; Dunlop; Service Pro; Fairview Ford and Chevy; Motion Pro; LS2 Helmets
World Supercross SX2 race in South Africa, 2025. Photo courtesy FIM World Supercross Championship
London, UK, 22 April 2026: The FIM World Supercross Championship has revealed the first five locations for its 2026 season, marking the opening phase of what will ultimately be the championship’s biggest and most globally diverse calendar to date.
With locations confirmed across five continents and another round to be announced at a later date, the 2026 season will continue to deliver world‑class racing to key international markets while expanding its global footprint.
The season will begin in Calgary, Canada, at the McMahon Stadium on 8 August, a new destination for World Supercross, but this marks a return to the nation for a third consecutive year. Canada has developed a strong connection to the championship, making it a fitting location to open the season within a carefully selected window that aligns with the wider supercross and motocross calendar, while maintaining a continued presence in North America.
From there, the championship heads to Birmingham, United Kingdom, on 10 October, marking its return to the UK for the first time since 2023. Alexander Stadium will host the European round, drawing on the UK’s rich motorsport heritage and strong dirt bike culture.
The championship will then travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 24 October, returning to one of its most passionate fanbases. Last year’s debut in the city was a standout moment on the calendar, and its fans are set for another night of elite supercross action.
World Supercross will also return to Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, on 21 November, reaffirming the championship’s commitment to a nation with dirt bike culture and high-intensity racing at its core. The Australian GP has delivered some of the most competitive and memorable moments in recent seasons, and fans can expect more this year.
The championship will then return to South Africa after a highly successful inaugural round last season at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. The final venue and date will be announced soon, further reinforcing the organisation’s dedication to supporting the sport’s growth across Africa.
A sixth round will be announced at a later date, completing the full 2026 calendar.
Tom Burwell, CEO of World Supercross, said: “This announcement is the next step in building our biggest season yet. Returning to strong markets like Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Australia highlights how these GPs have grown year on year, while bringing the championship back to the UK is something fans have been asking for. With another round still to be revealed, there is even more to come.”
Antonio Alia Portela, FIM Motocross Commission Director, said: “World Supercross continues to demonstrate its global ambition and elite standard of racing. The 2026 calendar announced so far reflects a strong balance of established markets and world-class destinations, and we look forward to seeing the full calendar confirmed soon.”
Team and rider announcements will be shared in the build‑up to the opening round, over the coming months.
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki's Ken Roczen dominated the final race to put the finishing touch on his fourth win of the season. Photo courtesy SMX
More from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Suzuki’s Ken Roczen captures Cleveland Supercross Victory. Roczen and Suzuki Close In on Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
Round 14 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season returned to Cleveland, Ohio for the first time in 31 years. Sporadic rainfall, high winds, and temperature drops added challenges to final Triple Crown-format event of 2026. The dirt inside Huntington Bank Field rutted up, especially in the jump transitions and corners, throughout the night’s 3-Race format.
Race Highlights:
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
450 Class
Ken Roczen delivered his fourth win of the season and moved to within one point of topping the championship standings.
Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
450 Class
Colt Nichols, following a top-ten performance, opted out of the daytime LCQ due to an injury sustained leading up to the event.
Ken Roczen (94) was fast in every Race and dominated Race 3 to earn a definitive overall win at the Cleveland Supercross with (2-2-1) results. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Ken Roczen (94) matched his season-best results in Triple Crown qualifying heading into the night’s racing. In Race 1, Roczen emerged from the first turn in fourth place. Roczen took over second place and set the fastest time through Sector 7 within the first two minutes of the 12-minute plus one lap Race. In Race 2, Roczen crossed the holeshot stripe in sixth. Roczen scrapped for every position, taking over the second-place spot after setting the Race’s fastest lap and fastest passes through Sectors 2 and 6 (the whoops). When the final gate dropped for the night, Roczen powered his Suzuki RM-Z450 down the start straight and grabbed the holeshot. Roczen appeared unaffected by the low-traction track conditions that slowed other riders. Roczen again set the fastest lap time and also grabbed the fastest times through Sectors 2, 6, and 7 as he pulled out a 9-second lead. Roczen took the Race 3 win; his (2-2-1) scores earned him the event’s overall victory, his fourth of 2026. The win moved Ken Roczen into a tie for tenth place on the sport’s all-time win list in the premier class. The Cleveland podium, the tenth for Roczen this season, moved him to within one podium of reaching the top-five on that historical list. The points from the Cleveland Supercross win nearly erased the points gap; Roczen and Suzuki now sit within one single point of the top of the standings with three rounds remaining on the Supercross season.
“Cleveland, you are next level. Honestly, the entire weekend, I had an absolute blast,” said Roczen. “We had a lot of things going on with KR merch collab-ing with Machine Gun Kelly’s coffee shop. We had a lot of fans showing up, it was awesome. I spent about [two] hours there with everybody and we had a great time. And then also at Shooters [On the Water], we had the AC and JB Podcast. A lot of people showed up for that. We just overall had a great weekend to start off, and then Saturday with the potential of rain and a Triple Crown, it was [suddenly] a recipe for chaos. But I have to say for everything that was thrown at us today with the weather, we did a phenomenal job as a team. It’s not easy getting ready three times for three ‘main events,’ because they all count. Starts are really important, and the track itself was extremely difficult due to how hardpacked it was, how rutted it got, [and] how slippery it was. So, getting the win here with the 2-2-1, it was just an absolute next-level experience. I’m really taking these moments in, [and I] can’t wait for next weekend. We had a blast, it’s time to go home, recharge, and then come back in Philly.”
Colt Nichols (45) was unable to follow up his top-ten performance from the weekend before and did not compete in the Cleveland Supercross. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Colt Nichols (45) rode both qualifying sessions despite fighting through the pain of an injury received leading up to the event. The Triple Crown format qualifies only 22 riders into the evening’s racing and Nichols opted not to compete in the daytime LCQ after evaluating his condition.
“There’s not much to say,” Nichols stated. “[I’m] dealing with some pain in my neck and attempted to ride in practice but couldn’t even put a lap together. So, I will get some scans and do whatever I can to be good for Philly.”
“It was a great night in Cleveland for the team. The energy in the city all week was palpable, and the fans really showed up for Ken,” said Dustin Pipes, Principal for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team. “The weather made the race tricky, but Ken Roczen was able to come out with the overall win. Colt had issues with a neck injury, and we collectively decided to sit this round out after he tried to give it a go in qualifying. Now it’s on to Philadelphia.”
Round 15 of the 17-round series takes place on Saturday, April 25th inside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The weather looks clear leading up to the event, with possible rain in the open stadium on race day. The Suzuki riders and team members are elated with their impressive performances that have positioned Suzuki to within one point of the championship and are looking forward to three more opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities.
Ken Roczen’s race-winning RM-Z450 will become the property of one lucky race fan after the season is complete. The Kick Start for a Cause Sweepstakes benefits the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will give Roczen’s actual Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki race bike away. Fans can learn more by texting “SUZUKI” to 99126.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Sweeps the 250SX Podium in Cleveland. Nate Thrasher earns his first win of the season, Landen Gordon scores his first-career podium, and Cole Davies extends his 250SX Championship lead.
When you reach the closing stages of a championship, it’s not always just about stacking wins or extending the points lead. Sometimes, it’s about finding your way back or breaking through. On Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 riders did all of that, delivering a podium sweep in the process.
Nate Thrasher led the charge, securing his first win of the season. Rookie Landen Gordon followed with a breakout performance, earning his first career podium with a runner-up finish in just his second professional start. Rounding out the sweep was points leader Cole Davies, who overcame adversity to claim third overall and further extend his championship lead. Add to that, it was also a great night for the team in the 450 class, with Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper finishing on the podium.
“It’s really tough to say anything other than it was a great night for the entire team,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “All five guys that we had here are on the podium, and we extended the lead in the 250 championship – we can’t ask for much more.”
Landen Gordon (180), Nate Thrasher (25), Devin Simonson (89), Coty Schock (22), Daxton Bennick (58), Cole Davies (37) and Marcus Phelps (105) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
The first Supercross in Cleveland in more than three decades, Round 8 of the 250SX East Championship was also the final Triple Crown event of the season, and changing weather at the Huntington Bank Field added to the challenge.
Thrasher was quick from the start, and in the first main event, he moved to the front and led the first eight laps, ultimately finishing second. He then came out swinging in the twice-started second main event. After taking control early, he built a gap to remain unchallenged, putting himself in the overall lead heading into the final race.
As conditions worsened with continued rain, Thrasher didn’t get the start he was looking for in the final main but managed the race well, navigating the deteriorating track to finish fourth and secure the overall victory with a 2-1-4 score. The victory marked Thrasher’s first of the season and the seventh of his career, which also extended the team’s win streak and made him the fifth Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider to win in the 250SX class this year.
Nate Thrasher (25) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was a great day,” said Thrasher. “The first race got off to a great start, but I really didn’t ride my best, and got a little arm pump. In the second race, I got the win, but that last one didn’t come easy. I had to fight for it. I didn’t ride my best in the beginning, but we sorted it out, and at the end I felt unbelievable. In those last four laps, I was just able to click them off, be consistent, and get the overall win with 2-1-4 on the night. I just had great starts all day. It was an awesome race win, the seventh of my career – it’s an unbelievable feeling.”
It was also a standout night for his young teammate, Landen Gordon, who showed poise amidst the chaos of a Triple Crown event. He got great starts in all three main events and rode a strong pace, earning a fourth-place finish and a pair of runner-up finishes, securing second overall and his first podium in the pro ranks.
Landen Gordon (180) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was an awesome day for me,” said Gordon. “Second pro race and finishing second overall – it couldn’t have gone much better. I was pretty close to a first place, actually, which is unreal. It was a pretty consistent day for me. I learned a lot in my first Triple Crown. Let’s keep it going!”
For championship leader Cole Davies, it was an eventful day in Cleveland, but the New Zealander showed resilience. He started strong in the opening race, charging into second before a tip-over dropped him to sixth. He had another moment as he tried to make his way through, but would regroup and make the pass for fifth on the final lap. Then, a crash after the start of the second main event had him back in 14th, but the race was red-flagged and brought about a complete restart, with Davies finishing fourth.
Cole Davies (37) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Yamaha
In the final race, Davies grabbed the holeshot, set the fastest lap early, and controlled the race from the front to take the win. Although he ended up tied in points with his championship rival – Seth Hammaker – the commanding victory secured third overall, which further strengthened his championship lead to 22 points with two rounds remaining.
“It was a pretty wild Triple Crown, but I still managed a podium,” said Davies. “I went down in Race 1 and came together hard with another rider in Race 2, but I didn’t give up and fought through it. The bike was handling the conditions really well, especially in Race 3, where I pulled the holeshot and took the win. Our championship lead stretched out a little further heading into Philadelphia next weekend. Congrats to the boys – they rode well tonight.”
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship now heads to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for Round 9 of the 250SX East Championship at Lincoln Financial Field on April 25.
More from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Kawasaki riders battle through changing conditions at Cleveland triple crown.
Monster Energy® Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks took on the unique demands of the Triple Crown format in Cleveland, battling through three intense races in rapidly changing conditions to finish fourth and 11th overall in the 450SX Class, respectively. In the 250SX Class, Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Seth Hammaker delivered a standout performance with a race win and consistent Top 5 finishes to secure fourth overall, while teammates Nick Romano and Drew Adams battled through adversity throughout the night, with Romano finishing 11th overall and Adams 20th after both riders were forced to retire early due to separate on-track incidents.
Race conditions in Cleveland proved to be a defining factor throughout the afternoon. What began as a clear and promising day quickly shifted as winds picked up and rain moved into the area, transforming the track into a slick, rutted, and technical surface. Combined with a condensed and frequently adjusted schedule due to weather delays, riders were challenged to quickly adapt to evolving track conditions that deteriorated with each gate drop.
Chase Sexton (4) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
In 450SX qualifying, Sexton steadily improved across both sessions, moving from 10th in the first qualifier to seventh in the second to secure seventh overall. Marchbanks started out the day strong, qualifying 13th overall after finishing ninth in the first session and 12th in the second.
Garrett Marchbanks (36) and Chase Sexton (4) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
450 Race 1 of the Triple Crown saw both riders fight forward after challenging starts. Marchbanks quickly found his rhythm, making decisive passes to climb inside the Top 10, ultimately finishing ninth. Sexton followed a similar charge through the field, building momentum as the race progressed and working his way up to seventh by the checkered flag. Race 2 showcased Sexton’s speed at the front, launching out of the gate on his KX™450SR to secure an early second-place position. He maintained a strong pace throughout the race, engaging in a back-and-forth battle for second before crossing the line in third. Marchbanks, once again navigating traffic from a mid-pack start and early crash, steadily climbed through the field to finish 13th. In the final race, Sexton put himself in contention early with another strong start, battling inside the Top 5 and ultimately finishing fourth. Marchbanks continued his consistent effort, working through a chaotic race that included a mid-race incident while battling for position, to secure 10th. Despite the challenges, Marchbanks showcased his raw speed throughout the day, recording the fastest sector time in a different section of the track in each race. Sexton’s combined results earned him fourth overall, with Marchbanks finishing 11th. Sexton currently sits sixth in the 450SX championship standings, with Marchbanks moving up two positions to 14th.
Garrett Marchbanks (36) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
Chase Sexton:“Cleveland was a tough night with how much the track changed from start to finish, but I’m taking a lot of positives out of it. I felt more comfortable on the bike as the night went on and started to find a better flow in the later races, which is something we’ve been building toward. The results don’t fully show it, but I feel like we’re getting closer each weekend. Now it’s about putting everything together for a full night in Philly next week.”
Garrett Marchbanks:“It was a tough night in Cleveland. I had a pretty big crash in the first race and was feeling it a bit going into the second, especially with how gnarly the track got with the conditions. In the second race, I felt really good and was making progress, but I got tangled up with another rider and went down. My bike pinned my leg for a bit, which cost me a lot of time. I was able to come back from last and make some passes, so that was a positive. Overall, the speed is there, and I feel like we’re making big improvements on the bike. Now it’s just about putting it all together and getting back inside the Top 10.”
Seth Hammaker (10) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
In the 250SX Class, Hammaker established himself as a frontrunner early, qualifying second overall after strong performances in both sessions. Adams also showed promising speed with a sixth-place result in the opening qualifier, followed by ninth in the second to qualify 12th overall. Romano struggled to put in a clean lap in either qualifying session, logging a lap just one position shy of the cutoff for the race program. He went into the last chance qualifier, holding the lead for the beginning of the race before having a setback, but ultimately securing the last transfer spot into the Triple Crown.
Nicholas Romano (141) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
250 Race 1 saw Hammaker capitalize on a strong start, quickly inserting himself into podium contention before making an assertive move into the lead. From there, he controlled the race with confidence and precision, capturing a decisive victory on his KX™250. Romano put together a solid ride through the pack to finish seventh, while Adams rebounded from an early deficit to secure ninth. In Race 2, Hammaker shot down the start straight with the front of the pack, while Adams was unfortunately sidelined following an on-track incident that led to a red flag restart, forcing him to retire early from the rest of competition. Following the restart, Hammaker maintained his composure near the front, navigating multiple position changes and late-race battles to secure third, while Romano continued his steady progression with a ninth-place finish. The final race presented adversity for Hammaker after being pinched off entering the first turn leaving him deep in the field. Undeterred, Hammaker did everything he could to come through the field with a determined charge to finish sixth. Romano’s night came to an early end after a crash while battling through the field. Hammaker’s 1-3-6 finishes secured him fourth overall, with Romano and Adams finishing 11th and 20th overall, respectively. Additional Team Green™ strength was evident as MX6 Racing’s Derek Kelley and Henry Miller placed their machines eighth and ninth overall, highlighting multiple Kawasaki finishes inside the Top 10. Hammaker remains second in the 250SX Eastern Divisional Championship, with Romano holding 11th and Adams 21st heading into Hammaker’s hometown race in Philadelphia.
Drew Adams (35) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Kawasaki
Seth Hammaker:“Today started off feeling really good. The track was in great shape early on before the weather came in, and I felt strong in the first race getting the win. After that, the conditions changed a lot with the rain, and it made things pretty challenging. I had a crash off the start in the final race and had to come from the back of the field, but I put my head down and charged as far forward as I could to sixth. Being one spot off the podium and fourth overall is tough, especially since I feel like I’ve been riding the best I have all season. The last couple of weekends haven’t gone my way, but I’m looking forward to bouncing back at my hometown race in Philly.”
Nick Romano:“Cleveland wasn’t the best day for me overall. It started off a little rough, but I was able to turn things around in the first two races with a seventh and a ninth, which was solid considering how the day was going. In the final race, I tried to salvage what I could, but ended up going down again after getting landed on, which put me out early. It’s frustrating, but there are still positives to take away from the weekend. We’ll keep working and move on to Philly.”
Drew Adams:“It’s really frustrating to have the night end early like that, especially after coming back from my injury and just trying to get back into a rhythm. I was starting to feel a bit better on the bike, so to have it end that way is disappointing.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Hunter Lawrence Retains Championship Lead Following Challenging Cleveland Triple Crown Supercross.
Australian salvages sixth place overall with 1-5-14 results
Lawrence has a one-point advantage with three rounds remaining
After three decades away from Cleveland, AMA Supercross made a long-awaited return to the shores of Lake Erie, which hosted the final Triple Crown event of 2026. Although Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence kicked off the round with a holeshot and race 1 win, the day unraveled as rain showers came in. Despite the adversity and uncharacteristic poor starts in the final two races, the Australian managed to secure a sixth-overall result, keeping the 450SX championship lead by one point.
The first of three premier-class races saw Lawrence get a signature holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE and lead from start to finish, with no challenges to speak of. As track conditions deteriorated with increasing rainfall, the remaining races proved more challenging. Despite a difficult race 2 start, Lawrence demonstrated strong race craft, advancing from ninth to fifth in the opening laps. Although the frontrunners had already established a gap, he maintained consistency to finish fifth and stay in contention for the overall podium.
In the last race of the evening, the number 96 got pinched off at the start and found himself mid-pack. As he started to make his way forward, an early-race incident in the whoops saw him drop to 14th. After remounting, Lawrence noticed his fuel-tank vent hose had been dislodged in the fall, but he remained composed and pushed forward, climbing back to 11th. His progress was halted by a second incident (this one with another rider), and he ultimately crossed the line in 14th, securing sixth on the night.
Quad Lock Honda rider Joey Savatgy finished an impressive fifth overall, just ahead of Lawrence. His teammates—Shane McElrath, Dean Wilson and Christian Craig—completed the event in 10th, 12th and 13th overall, respectively.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
NOTES
Middlefield, Ohio, dealership Just for Fun Honda enhanced the fan experience within the Honda HRC Progressive pit area through an interactive pop-up stand, showcasing a CRF250R, a CRF110F and additional products, while engaging directly with fans and customers.
Several Red Riders were absent from the Cleveland round while recovering from injury, including Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda (ankle), as well as Phoenix Honda racers Cullin Park (shoulder surgery) and Evan Ferry (right ACL). Shimoda and Park aim to be back for AMA Pro Motocross, while Ferry will miss an undetermined portion of the outdoor series.
In 250SX East qualifying, Short Racing’s John Short IV was seventh, his best showing of the season. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) qualified in 16th, Phoenix Racing Honda rider Gavin Towers was 18th and Storm Lake Honda riders Luke Neese and Izaih Clark were 17th and 20th, respectively. Clark went on to win the 250SX LCQ, securing a coveted spot in the Triple Crown program and ended the night in 10th position overall thanks to 10-10-15 finishes in the three races. Towers finished 14th overall, while Short, Neese and Hand finished 16th, 17th and 19th overall, respectively.
Lawrence clocked the fastest time in 450SX qualifying. Quad Lock Honda riders Joey Savatgy, Christian Craig, Shane McElrath and Dean Wilson qualified in eighth, ninth, 11th and 14th, respectively. Privateer Red Rider Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic) qualified 25th.
Despite setbacks in races 2 and 3, Lawrence maintains the championship lead over Ken Roczen, by one point. Cooper Webb is another 21 points back, while Eli Tomac exited the main program following a qualifying crash and slipped to fourth in the standings.
Honda HRC Progressive heads to Philadelphia for round 15 of AMA Supercross on Saturday, April 25.
Hunter Lawrence (96) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Honda HRC
Hunter Lawrence: “For this Triple Crown, we had a lot of weather coming in. The day started out really good, as I was P1 in qualifying. In the first race, I had a good start and checked out. In races 2 and 3, I just didn’t get the best starts, just couldn’t get the traction I needed, and made it tough on myself. When you don’t get a good start, you get put in not the best situations, and the last race kind of all came undone. I had a crash in the rutted whoop section, and then another rider hit my front wheel. We salvaged only losing nine points, which feels better than what I thought it was going to be, for how bad the last one was. On to Philadelphia now.”
Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager:“A very up-and-down day for us, with qualifying and the first race going absolutely perfectly. We had been watching the weather all week, knowing that rain seemed imminent; the radar during the afternoon showed that we could possibly miss it completely, but the tail end of the rain cell was heavier than expected. Although the rain and conditions could’ve been much worse, the track was still very slippery and tricky. We didn’t execute the starts that we needed in the final two races, and that put us in positions that are tough to make it back from, and also where you have to push harder than you want to in order to catch up. We’ll make sure that we do our due diligence to improve our starts in wet weather, especially since it’s possible that the last three rounds could be mud races.”
More from a press release issued by Husqvarna:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Daxton Bennick claims fourth in Cleveland Triple Crown. Teammate Malcolm Stewart earns P7 overall in 450SX following trio of main events.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Daxton Bennick claimed a convincing fourth-place finish in 250SX East at the Cleveland Triple Crown on Saturday afternoon, as 450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart raced to seventh overall at Round 14 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship.
Faced with a technical Huntington Bank Field track layout, Bennick powered his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to the third-fastest qualifying time despite battling a stomach bug throughout the round.
The 20-year-old opened the night with a strong P3 result in the first 250SX outing, before adding fifth to his score in Race 2 as the weather intensified. In the third and final race, Bennick delivered another spirited ride to finish third, securing a well-earned fourth overall. With two races remaining, Bennick sits third in the 250SX East standings.
Daxton Bennick (58) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
“Qualifying was dry in Cleveland and I felt like I rode pretty well,”reflected Bennick.“The first race was also dry and I was third, but then it rained really heavily in the second one, which made conditions probably the worst that they were. I didn’t start well in that one, but got back to fifth, and then the third race I was P3, but in the end it was a little short of the podium. Overall, I’m excited for next weekend!”
Stewart began the day in positive fashion at the third Triple Crown event of the year, qualifying third on the combined 450SX timesheets while displaying strong pace onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition.
Race 1 saw the 33-year-old launch to a strong start and run at the front of the field as he battled among the leaders, climbing to an impressive fourth-place finish by race’s end and continuing his front-running form.
Malcolm Stewart (27) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Husqvarna.
Sixth in Race 2 was followed by a slow start to the third and final Triple Crown race, where Stewart braved challenging conditions to claim 12th position, and deliver seventh overall to maintain eighth in the standings with three Supercross rounds remaining on the schedule.
“The vibes were high in Cleveland – the crowd was awesome!”said Stewart.“Qualifying was great for me, and then of course we had the Triple Crown with the weather beginning to roll in. I felt really good in Race 1, and then in the second one, I started making some mistakes, with the third one being pretty sloppy after the rain. I lost the flow in Race 3, but we brought it home in seventh overall, and we’ll look at improving next weekend!”
Next Race: April 25 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More from a press release issued by KTM:
Challenging Cleveland triple crown for Red Bull KTM Factory Team.
Round 14 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship proved a challenging outing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with Jorge Prado finishing 15th overall in the Triple Crown and Eli Tomac forced to withdraw from the event altogether following a crash in the opening qualifying session.
Supercross made a high-profile return to Cleveland, with Huntington Bank Field hosting the 14th round of the SMX World Championship season after inclement weather persisted in the region this week.
On the soft, technical layout, Prado quickly found comfort aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION during qualifying, posting the fifth-fastest time of 45.083s to take confidence into the upcoming three-race format.
The opening race of the Triple Crown saw Prado complete the first lap in fourth position, eventually crossing the line in P14 after experiencing vision difficulties in the challenging conditions.
Prado claimed 15th place in Race 2, before the four-time world champion earned another P15 in the third and final outing to finish 15th for the round. He sits 10th in the 450SX standings with just three rounds remaining in Supercross.
Jorge Prado (26) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy KTM.
Jorge Prado:“It was a rough day in Cleveland. The Triple Crown format is still new to me and the conditions were challenging also, but I gained more experience and that is what is important this year. Three to go – we will keep learning, and I’m excited for the next few races to finish the season.”
Two-time 450SX Champion Tomac entered Cleveland only 15 points outside of the red plate, however, a heavy crash in the whoops during this morning’s Q1 session would ultimately end his weekend.
Tomac attempted to ride in the second session, before the decision was made for him to park his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and undergo further medical evaluation after experiencing ongoing discomfort in his hip region. Further information will be released once available.
Next Race: April 25 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More from a press release issued by Ducati:
Ferrandis Fights Through Changing Conditions for Top-10 Finish in Cleveland.
The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team took on a unique and demanding track for round 14 of AMA Supercross Series this weekend as the series returned to Cleveland for the first time in 30 years. With a brand new venue, slippery dirt conditions, and the high-pressure Triple Crown format, the event presented a fresh challenge for both the rider and team.
Leading into the weekend, heavy rain was forecast, adding another layer of uncertainty. While conditions ultimately proved less severe than anticipated, the track evolved significantly throughout the day, starting dry and slippery in qualifying before becoming increasingly technical and inconsistent during the main events.
Dylan Ferrandis (14) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Ducati
Dylan Ferrandis showed steady determination across all three motos. After qualifying 14th in both sessions, Ferrandis delivered consistent results in the night program, finishing 8th in each of the three motos to secure 9th overall.
In Moto 1, Ferrandis crossed the holeshot line in 7th and settled into 8th early. He pushed forward to reclaim 7th on lap 4 and held the position for several laps before a slight drop in pace saw him finish 8th.
Rain moved in between Moto 1 and Moto 2, further complicating track conditions. Ferrandis started Moto 2 in 12th but quickly advanced to 9th on the opening lap. A strong mid-race charge saw him move into 8th by lap 7, where he maintained consistent lap times to the finish.
Moto 3 marked his strongest start of the night, launching off the gate into 5th place. He ran in 6th for much of the race, but as the track deteriorated in the closing laps, he was shuffled back to 8th, where he ultimately finished.
Dylan Ferrandis (14) at Cleveland. Photo courtesy Ducati
“It was a difficult day here in Cleveland,” said Ferrandis. “The track was really dry in qualifying, and very slippery grabby in the mains. My first moto was okay, it ended up not being a big mudder in Moto 2 and 3 but it added some challenges. It was a very frustrating day for me. We had some issues with the bike set up in these conditions, so there are some things we need to figure it out so we will regroup and do better next weekend.”
The team now shifts focus to the next round, aiming to build on the consistency shown in Cleveland while refining performance in changing track conditions.
World Superbike race 1 at Assen. Photo courtesy WSBK.
By Mat Oxley:
Here’s MotoGP. Here’s World Superbike. Quickly: what’s the biggest difference?
Speed, of course! Or at least that’s what the answer would have been at any point in history. But here we are, at the threshold of the biggest rule shake-up in the history of the sport, laying down new regulations on aerodynamics, ride height devices, fuel and engine capacity. All to slow down the machines to a level where squishy humans won’t get turned into goo when their bike flips out on a track that was never build for this kind of velocity.
That this might end up bringing them below the top speed of a World Superbike machine was NOT the intended outcome – but it is a very real possibility that now confronts the sport.
So, what’s really going on and what is the new management going to do about it? Well, since they own both tournaments they’ve got plenty of options. But before all that, we might want to ask what’s really going on here.
Are superbikes faster than MotoGP-machines? Yes, sometimes, in very specific contexts. And to understand how that works, I’m going to leave you in the capable hands of Mat and Peter.
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!
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors:
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!
Matthew Chapin powered the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R to a Twins Cup victory at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
More from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:
Twins Cup – Matthew Chapin Dominant In First Win Of Season
The Twins Cup Championship had a rough start to race two with Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg highsiding his Aprilia RS 660 in turn 4, and Speed Demon Racing Powered by Ready to Ride’s Logan Cunnison crashing his Aprilia RS 660 just after Vossberg. With Cunnison’s bike in a less than ideal position on the race course, the original eight-lap contest was red-flagged and shortened to five laps.
During the race stoppage, Vossberg returned to the pits with the left handlebar almost touching the front fairing it was so bent, and some other cosmetic damage. More concerning however, was his visible limp after landing hard on his right hip. His Robem Engineering crew was able to fix the bike, and the Wisconsinite showed his toughness by gridding up for the restart. Cunnison was not able to make it back in time for the restart.
On the restart, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin jumped out front on his GSX-8R and led all five laps of the race, winning by a comfortable margin of 2.6 seconds.
Matthew Chapin (#95) set the pace in Twins Cup race two and claimed his first win of the season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Second-place finisher, Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg was still limping when he returned aboard his Aprilia RS 660 to the podium. The Wisconsin native tucked in behind the leader Chapin in turn one and occupied second place for the entire duration of the race finishing ahead of third place by .944 of a second.
Third place went to Karns/TST Industries Racing rider Kevin Olmedo aboard his Suzuki GSX-8R. The El Salvador native started in sixth position and worked quickly to make three passes in just five short laps, making his final overtake for third came on the final trip around the Georgia circuit.
Behind Olmedo was a tight group of riders in fourth through seventh, separated by just a tenth or two of a second each. M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bodie Paige was fourth, Karns/TST Industries Racing’s Isaac Woodworth was fifth, Ghetto Customs team owner and rider Chris Parrish was sixth, and TAB Performance’s Kyle Ohnsorg was seventh.
The following quote is from race two winner Matthew Chapin:
“I got the dream start, I guess. Came out P2 and then tried to make quick work of Bodie, you know, get past my teammate there because I knew he had some bike problems before the red flag. Just kind of wanted to stay all out of that and then just put my head down, tried to build some consistency, click off some laps. I just got to give it up to my guys at M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. After a race like yesterday, you know, struggling with a few bike problems, coming out here and dominating the field pretty good, I feel amazing and it was much needed.”
Kensei Matsudaira (#74), Nathan Gouker (#19), and Jake Paige (#55) finished 1-2-3 in Sunday’s Talent Cup race two. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Talent Cup – Race Two Podium Decided By .221 Of A Second
A red-flag-abbreviated Talent Cup race two saw Kensei Matsudaira take the win, record the first double victory of his MotoAmerica career, and also extend his winning streak to three.
The Team Roberts rider spent the majority of the race in second place, chased by Team Hammer’s Jake Paige as Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker dictated the pace up front.
The trio remained inseparable throughout the duration of the race. Then, on the final lap, the group tightened. The riders went three-wide into turn 10A, creating a mad dash to the checkers, and Matsudaira crossed the stripe first ahead of Gouker and Paige.
Third-place finisher Paige was not only the rider who rounded out the podium, he also managed to set a new Talent Cup lap record with a 1:40.191 in race two.
Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane once again found himself in the lead pack and capped off the weekend with a fourth-place result.
The following quote is from race two winner, Kensei Matsudaira:
“Honestly, I couldn’t be any happier with three (wins) in a row so, hopefully, we can keep this momentum for the next couple of races. And, yeah, I’m looking forward to Barber.”
Brianna Cutler (35) led the Build.Train.Race. field, again, in race two. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Build.Train.Race. – Cutler Takes Care Of Business
Brianna Cutler upped the pace from her race one performance by checking out, winning race two by a margin of 4.9 seconds, and improving her best lap time by just over two seconds to demonstrate the rapid progression riders can achieve in the BTR program. Her time of 1:54.99 stands as a new BTR lap record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Jasmine Noelle improved her best lap time by over one second and finished in P2, while Bryanna Everitt capped off the podium in third position, 5.9 seconds behind the leader.
The following quote is from race two winner Brianna Cutler:
“Amazing being the points leader right now, especially with the struggles that I had last year. Seeing my effort pay off is incredible, and I tried to stay consistent. I looked at the data, and I knew which sector was my fastest, so I got open track, and I just started running. I don’t know how to look behind me without crashing, so I just kept going, and I really didn’t know what was going on behind me, but I could hear some dogfights, so I kept it pinned until I saw the checkered flag.”
For the full 2026 MotoAmerica schedule, and to purchase tickets for MotoAmerica events, CLICK HERE
For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica series, CLICK HERE
More form a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Chapin wins for M4 Ecstar Suzuki in Atlanta.
Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer featured prominently as the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumed at Road Atlanta this weekend, racing away with a win and podium finishes for Twins.
Race Highlights:
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Matthew Chapin rebounded from a difficult Saturday race to score a dominant victory in Sunday’s Twins Cup rematch.
Bodie Paige proved both quick and brave during his pole-winning, podium-earning weekend.
Matthew Chapin powered the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R to a Twins Cup victory at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Despite encountering alternating bouts of adversity, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Twins Cup duo of Mathew Chapin and Bodie Paige showcased the remarkable speed and vast potential of the GSX-8R throughout the weekend.
The two lined up 1-2 on the grid with Aussie Paige on pole and Chapin second quickest. Chapin’s Saturday contest didn’t go how he envisioned it, however, as a mechanical issue forced him down to an eventual 11th – far below his genuine form. He proved that the case on Sunday with a dominating win that saw him pull more than two seconds clear of the pack en route to the checkered flag.
After claiming his fourth-career Twins Cup victory, Chapin said,“That race was awesome. I knew going in I had some good pace on these guys. I just want to give a huge thanks to my M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew getting this bike back together. Yesterday didn’t go how we wanted it to, but this feels so great coming off a struggle race yesterday. I really needed this one.”
Bodie Paige showcased impressive speed aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R, earning pole position and a podium finish. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Paige, meanwhile, fought at the front for victory on Saturday, only to be foiled by a red flag that was thrown while he was running a close second with two laps to go. The race was then called complete, cementing him in that position. Paige’s hopes for vengeance on Sunday suffered when he crashed in the warm-up. He still somehow summoned the late-braking heroics needed to keep him in podium contention and eventually earn him a hard-fought fourth.
“I’m a little bit disappointed,” the two-time Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award winner said. “I wish we could have finished the race (On Saturday) so that I could have gone for the win. It would have been a good last-lap battle. I was good in the tight, technical stuff, so we’ll take something from the weekend and learn from what we need to improve on.”
Aprilia claims victory and double podium at Road Atlanta after Vossberg’s early crash.
Round 2 of MotoAmerica Twins Cup took place over the historic Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Starting the weekend, it was Aprilia that was the most represented manufacturer in the class, accounting for 18 of the 37 entries, facing off against a highly competitive and deep field.
The Aprilia RS 660 demonstrated elite pace throughout the event, starting with Friday on-track sessions, where at least three Aprilia RS 660s were present in the top 10 of each outing.
On Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2 Hank Vossberg (Robem Engineering Aprilia) qualified 2nd overall 1:34.133, while Logan Cunnison (Speed Demon Racing powered by Ready to Ride, 1:34.745), Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing, 1:35.131), and Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs, 1:35.632) finished fourth, seventh and ninth respectively, to set the grid for both weekend races.
Later Saturday for Race 1, Aprilia secured a double podium in the first race of the weekend. Hank Vossberg (Robem Engineering) claimed a hard-fought victory, winning the race by a margin of 0.279 seconds and recorded the best lap of Race 1 with a 1:33.424. He was joined on the podium by Logan Cunnison (Speed Demon Racing powered by Ready to Ride), who finished 3rd. Riders within the top 10, included Brown, and Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing), who finished seventh and eighth.
Hank Vossberg (31) at Road Atlanta. Photo by Sara Chappell.
Sunday, Aprilia maintained its presence at the front in the second race, with Vossberg returning to the podium to secure a 2nd-place finish, but not without incident. Vossberg had a crash in the early moments, and remounted. Cunnison had an incident shortly after that drew a red flag, forcing a restart, allowing Vossberg to restart. Bruised, but determined, Vossberg secured a critical 20 points.
Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs) showcased a strong performance, finishing 6th overall, as Weyh continued top-10 pace, completing Race 2 in ninth. Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing) proved the RS 660’s consistency by securing two top-10 finishes, placing 8th in Race 1 and 9th in Race 2, while Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing) also finished in the top ten in the first race, taking 7th place.
As the series heads to Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama for Round 3 from May 15–17, Aprilia occupies three of the top 10 positions in the national championship standings. Vossberg sits in first place with 86 total points, with a 23-point lead over second. Weyh is currently eighth with 30 points, and Parrish holds the tenth spot with 21 points.
Hank Vossberg / Robem Racing Aprilia: “Yeah, you know, it was first weekend on the new [2026 Aprilia RS 660] bike and it felt amazing. Came into the weekend, and knew I just had to get podiums. Friday was really good. We were up in the times. Got to able to qualify really good Friday and then wasn’t able to improve Saturday, but was still up front. And then Saturday, the race went really well. Yeah, I was be able to go up there with Bodie and felt that I still had some more pace in me. Definitely a learning experience [following crash in Race 2], but thanks to the team for putting together such a great bike and we’ll be ready for Barber.”
More from a press release issued by Team Roberts:
Double Wins for Kensei Matsudaira and Team Roberts in MotoAmerica Talent Cup at Road Atlanta.
It was a perfect weekend for Kensei Matsudaira and Team Roberts this weekend at Road Atlanta, with Kensei taking the victory in both MotoAmerica Talent Cup races.
As the weekend started, Kensei and the team took their time to get acquainted with the track and find a good setting for the races, with Kensei ranking 4th through the free practice and both qualifying sessions.
Starting 4th on the grid, Kensei settled into the top group of 5 riders in the first race, working his way forward and taking the lead on lap 5. From there, he focused on managing the race with the draft in the group, and with perfect execution Kensei took the lead in the final sector of the last lap, clinching victory in the first race of the weekend.
In the shortened race 2, Kensei settled into the top group of 3 riders, but had his work cut out for him as the initial race leader started to make a break as Kensei battled with the rider behind. After the 3rd lap, Kensei made a push to catch the leader and by the 5th and final lap he had closed the gap and was able to again make a last lap pass for the lead, taking his second victory of the weekend.
Kenny Roberts Sr. congratulates Kensei after his first victory of the weekend on Saturday Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Kensei Matsudaira: “I wasn’t able to start the weekend off as strong as I would have liked, but we focused on getting the bike set up for the race as best as we could and I’m really happy to be able to take the wins in both races here. It wasn’t easy and the competition was tough, there are 3 to 4 other riders that are capable of winning so I knew I had to give it everything to be able to fight to the end. Huge thank you to my team and both Kenny Sr. and Kenny Jr. who came all the way out to support me, I’m very fortunate to have mentors like them and their guidance this year has been a big part of my progress. I also want to thank Stoney Landers for continuing to be a big help in my race weekends, without him I know we would have struggled a lot more with getting my bike dialed for the races. I also want to thank all the workers and fans that came out to watch, say hello and support me and the team this weekend. It’s really cool to see how involved and passionate the people are here.”
Kenny Roberts Sr., Team Roberts: “What can I say, no one could have done a better job than Kensei did this weekend. He did a perfect job, it was a perfect weekend! It’s nice to see a young rider be so dedicated to becoming what he wants to be. He definitely has wisdom beyond his age.”
Kenny Roberts Jr., Team Roberts: “Kensei has had a strong weekend. We can all see how talented he is. His talent is at a very, very high level. We are watching his racecraft mature with each race. Congratulations to him, his father, my father, everyone in the team that is putting many long hours, both at the race weekends and behind the scenes to make this possible. It’s exciting to see, this year the Talent Cup has produced very good races so far this season. All of the riders are young and talented, they have ridden mature and smart races. We look forward to watching the season unfold.”
Arney Wick, Team Roberts Co-Principal: “As fantastic as it was this weekend, we remain focused on the next races and know that we still have a lot of work to do as a team so Kensei can perform to his full potential. We know it won’t be easy, and we will keep working hard!”
Kensei Matsudaira in action on Sunday at Road Atlanta Photo by Brian J. Nelson
The next MotoAmerica Talent Cup round will be the home race for Team Roberts, held at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on May 15-17.
More from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycles:
Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing dominates Road Atlanta with back-to-back wins from Hayden Gillim and podium sweep in Race 2. Power, Precision and Superiority of the Vance & Hines Indian Challenger On Full Display, Now Capturing Four Straight Wins and Nine of 12 Podium Spots to Start the 2026 Season.
Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, continued its red-hot start to the 2026 King of the Baggers season as the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team delivered another dominant performance in round two at Road Atlanta. Hayden Gillim led the charge with back-to-back race wins, while teammates Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers captured three of the remaining four podium spots over the weekend, capped off by Indian Motorcycle Racing’s first-ever podium sweep on Sunday. Piloting what has been a virtually unbeatable Vance & Hines-built Indian Challenger, the Wrecking Crew once again demonstrated the unrivaled power and precision of the PowerPlus 112-equipped bagger over a weekend of unprecedented success.
“When we set out on this new journey with Vance & Hines, our ambitions were high, but in all honesty, the success we’ve experienced is even more than we could have imagined and a powerful testament to our team and the amazing performance platform that the Indian Challenger provides us,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “What better way to reinforce the 125th Anniversary of a historic brand born from racing than to come out of the gates in the dominant manner we have this season, showcasing the unrivaled performance capabilities that have powered this brand for more than a century?”
Hayden Gillim (69)and Troy Herfoss (17) at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J Nelson.
Race 1
After the team blocked out the front row finishing first, second and third in qualifying, Gillim set the tone early by capturing his second Mission King of the Baggers Challenge (“Dash for Cash”) victory. When Race 1 got underway, the Wrecking Crew quickly asserted themselves at the front, with Herfoss taking the early lead. With Gillim close behind, the two former champions ran wheel-to-wheel through the opening laps, maintaining the tightest of gaps before Gillim made a decisive move with six laps remaining to take the lead. From there, Herfoss gave Gillim everything he could handle all the way to the finish, with Gillim ultimately holding on for the win by just .167 seconds.
“Race one was a ton of fun,” said Gillim. “Troy got an amazing launch off the line to get in front and really made me work for it. Once I finally got through, I was hoping I’d have a little bit of tire left to try and build a gap, but I just couldn’t do it. He pushed me hard all the way to the end. But man, what a great way to start the weekend with a Challenge win and a Race 1 win.”
From left to right with Rocco Landers, Hayden Gillim and Troy Herfoss on the podium at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J.Nelson
Race 2
The dominance continued into Sunday with Race 2 as Gillim wasted no time positioning himself in the lead and immediately began gapping the field aboard his Indian Challenger. Coming out of turn one, Landers was running fourth, while Herfoss made an early mistake during lap one that saw him fall all the way back into sixth. Up front, the shuffle continued behind Gillim as Landers quickly regrouped, charging back into third ahead of Tyler O’Hara and then executing a strong move on lap two to overtake Bradley Smith and move into second. Meanwhile, Herfoss firmly set his intentions on a podium finish, showcasing impressive pace to fight his way back into fourth and ultimately begin the patient process of reeling in Smith. Out front, Gillim remained in complete control, laying down a blistering pace and stretching his lead lap after lap in route to a dominant, unchallenged run to the checkered flag, taking victory by 4.161 seconds. Behind him, Landers secured second, while Herfoss delivered a decisive late-race charge, diving underneath Smith with just two laps remaining to snatch the position and secure the Indian Wrecking Crew’s first King of the Baggers podium sweep. This marked Gillim’s third victory in four races, taking a one-point lead over Herfoss in Championship points with the two riders increasing a significant early-season gap over the rest of the field.
“To start the season with as much success as we’ve had is incredible,” said Gillim. “Our Vance & Hines factory Indian Motorcycle crew has worked their butts off since getting these bikes only a handful of months ago. The Indian Challenger is an amazing platform right out of the box, and the crew has done an incredible job, building on that with adjustments that are showcasing the full power and performance capabilities of these bikes. To be up here sharing the podium with both Rocco and Troy is a testament to our entire team and these phenomenal motorcycles.”
As the team begins preparations for Round 3 at Road America, Gillim leads the standings with 82 points, just one point ahead of teammate Herfoss in second with 81. Meanwhile, Landers sits fourth overall with 53 points, just two points shy of third. The team will head to Road America on May 29–31, the home of rival Harley-Davidson, where they’ll look to carry this momentum into enemy territory and outperform them once again, only this time on their home turf.
Sponsors for the 2026 Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines Factory Race team includes J&P Cycles, Motul, Progressive Insurance, Drag Specialties and Performance Finance.
More from a press release issued by Real Steel Honda:
Real Steel Honda Racing and Andrew Lee lead the Superbike Cup standings after the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Atlanta event.
Andrew Lee with a win and a 2nd place finish in the Superbike Cup class at the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Atlanta, leads that championship with 45 points. Hayden Gillim in the Superbike class suffered a DNF in Race 1 but bounced back in race 2 to score a 7th place finish. Hayden is in 11th place in Superbike championship standings with 9 points.
Real Steel Honda Racing’s Talent Cup competitors had a good showing with Derek Sanchez scoring a 4th place finish in Race 1 while unfortunately suffering a DNF in Race 2. Ian Fraley scored his best ever finishes with 7th and 8th place finishes in the 2 races. Derek and Ian are tied for 7th place in the Talent Cup championship standings with 30 points.
Next up for the team is the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Alabama event May 15-17 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham AL.
Real Steel Honda Racing is proudly supported by American Honda, HRC, Progressive Insurance, Pro Honda Oils. Southern Honda Powersports, Idemitsu, Last Ark: Tactics Analogue, Vesrah, K-Tech suspension, Orient Express, Dunlop, Akrapovic Exhaust Systems, Sprint Filter, Armor Bodywork, Vortex and REB Graphics.
Hayden Gillim (69) at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Real Steel Honda
Hayden Gillim – Rider #69 / Team Principal:“Overall we had a good weekend. We have made some big improvements on the bike since last year and are only going to get better. Road Atlanta is probably the worst track for us right now so to come away with a 7th place is pretty solid. I have to thank the Real Steel Honda Racing crew for coming together and making things happen this weekend and give a special shoutout to Jeff Weiner with American Honda for getting the team a replacement generator Friday evening when there was an issue with our primary pit road generator.”
Andrew Lew (14) at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Real Steel Honda
Andrew Lee – Rider #14: “Road Atlanta presented some challenges for sure but overall I feel that the team overcame them really well. Ultimately missing most of the Friday practice sessions set us back which proved to be extra detrimental considering it being my first race weekend in the platform. Finishing P1 and P2 in class is a great way to start the season. Although we are focused on the Superbike Cup class, I’m ultimately focused on trying to improve our position in the Superbike field. We are still looking for a few things to make the bike “mine” per-say but I feel that the ceiling is really high on this Honda platform. Really happy with the first weekend on the new team and new bike, ready to continue the work in a few weekends in Alabama for round 2!
Thank you to the whole Real Steel Honda Team and all of our team partners! A special thank you to my partners Luxvoni, Aliv WorldWide, Dainese, KYT, Five Gloves, JP43 Training.”
Ian Fraley (10) at Road Atlanta. Photo courtesy Real Steel Honda
Ian Fraley – Rider #10: “Best weekend for me and my team so far with 7th & 8th place finishes and I know there’s still more in me. Racing is 95% mental, and that’s where I’m focused. Believing in my abilities, pushing past my comfort zone, and continuing to grow every time I hit the track. We’re already locked in for Barber — preparation starts tomorrow. Huge thank you to my incredible crew — I couldn’t do this without you. To all the fans who stopped by, showed support, and bought shirts to help fuel this journey – it means everything. And to my amazing sponsors: Real Steel Honda, Pro Honda, Southern Honda Powersports, RB Print Shop. Fleet Relief, Chicken in the Rough, Bison & Arai.”
Derek Sanchez – Rider #23:“The weekend started on a high note, with strong pace throughout practice and a solid P5 in qualifying. Race 1 was an intense battle; despite a close call, I was pleased to fight hard and secure a 4th-place finish. We carried that momentum into the Sunday morning warm-up, clocking in 3rd. We had an awesome start to Race 2 and were well-positioned in the mix through the S’s, but unfortunately, my race was cut short when another rider struck me. It’s a frustrating way to end the weekend, but that’s racing. We have the speed to run at the front, and I’m already looking forward to bounce back and fight for the podium at Barber.”
Kevin Schwantz (34). Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.
Watch and listen to a special episode of the Gas It Out! podcast featuring 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz with hosts World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson, MotoGP broadcaster Gavin Emmett and WSBK AND Endurance World Champion Sylvain Guintoli.
Hayden Gillim (69) at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J Neslon.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is proud to announce that multiple new lap records were established at Road Atlanta during the latest round of MotoAmerica competition. Powered by Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, riders delivered record-breaking performances across several classes in a weekend defined by speed, consistency, and dominance.
King Of The Baggers:
Lap Record: 1:27.669 – Hayden Gillim, Qualifying 2 (4/18/2026)
Race Lap Record: 1:28.192 – Hayden Gillim, Challenge Race (4/18/2026)
Note: Gillim lowered the race lap record again in Race 2 while completing a perfect weekend sweep.
Supersport:
Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:27.554 – Josh Herrin, Race 2 (4/19/2026)
BTR:
Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:54.992 – Brianna Cutler, Race 2 (4/19/2026)
Previous record of 1:57.059 was broken by more than two seconds.
These record-setting performances highlight the exceptional grip, stability, and consistency of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires. From qualifying to race conditions, riders relied on Dunlop to push beyond previous limits and deliver championship-level results.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
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