David Alonso won the Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO on Pirelli control tires, the young Colombian won the 20-lap race by a scant 0.105 second.
Red Bull GAGAS Tech3 rider Daniel Holgado retained a small lead in the World Championship point standings by snagging the runner-up spot, and Collin Veijer finished third on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna.
The top nine finishers were separated by just 1.1 seconds at the end of the race.
Uriarte snatches Le Mans Race 2 Rookies win from Quiles at final turn
The perfect, dramatic, braking lunge into Le Mans’ final first-gear double right gave victory to Brian Uriarte. Fellow Spaniard and Rookies Cup Race 1 victor Màximo Quiles survived the shock and a nasty front wheel slide to hold 2nd ahead of Malaysian Hakim Danish.
Argentina’s Valentin Perrone, one of the race’s many leaders, and Spain’s Álvaro Carpe were right on their tail with 0.617 seconds covering the top 5 KTMs.
Brian made the risk pay off in Race 2
“I’m super happy with this. I had a good ride yesterday and I was certainly going out to win today but you never know, there are many many things that should happen in the correct way if you are going to take the victory,” said the calm, well-spoken 15-year-old.
“I didn’t sleep that well last night and I could feel it today that I was a bit tired. The sleep wasn’t that good but when I woke up I did everything as usual and was completely focused. I was a bit angry with myself for yesterday’s mistake.”
“The track was a bit cooler today, in the second sighting lap I felt a couple of slippery patches but even in the opening laps it was completely perfect and the bike was great all through the race.”
“I worked a lot this weekend, the track is new for me, I tried so hard yesterday and I learnt, I used that today. You have to take a risk to win, I risked a lot into the last corner and I won.
Maximo takes 2nd and Cup points lead
“It was a great race, a bit difficult at the beginning to overtake,” explained the 16-year-old. “Then I got into the lead and everyone seemed a bit nervous because they knew I would have a good rhythm. I opened the group a bit it was not so close.”
“The bike did feel a bit different today, there was good grip but when I really pushed the front was sliding and a little bit uncomfortable for me.”
“Then in the last lap, I didn’t know what to do, I was in front and that’s not easy. They have the reference to brake and they used that, Brian braked later than me into the last corner and won.”
“Still second place is great, points for the championship and I am happy for that, looking forward to Mugello.”
Hakim did most of the leading after style change
“I made a good start and I managed to run at the front,” the 16-year-old enthused. “Better than yesterday as in Race 1 I struggled to match the pace of the front guys. This time I changed my riding, I had my body further forward and pushed my elbow down, I was scraping it through the corners and tried to open the throttle earlier in the corners and it worked very well.”
“In the last lap I tried to lead but two people overtook me, That’s OK I tried to overtake again. Into the last corner, I almost wanted to try a pass on Maximo and Brian but I was just too far away. I already overtook another rider the turn before and that cost me a little bit, I couldn’t go for the win at the last corner.”
“Anyway, I finished P3 and I look forward to the next race in Mugello, I thank everyone who supports me here and at home.”
Valentine learning well
“It was a difficult race with so many riders in the group,” explained the 16-year-old. “In the last lap, it was crazy with so many overtakes, I just couldn’t finish more in front, to be on the podium.”
“I am happy though with P4 with good points for the championship in what was a new track for me, I think I did a good job here and I am already looking forward to Mugello.”
Alvaro takes points rather than risk
“I enjoyed this race so much,” said the 16-year-old Spaniard who holds 2nd in the points chase. “It was faster than yesterday, my KTM was working well, good on the brakes and through the corners. The lead group was very fast, not too many overtakes but a really good pace.”
“Again I am happy with the points for the championship. When it came to the last 2 laps I didn’t feel confident enough to really push the extra to make the podium this time.”
Marco Morelli worked hard for 6th
“I enjoyed that a lot, it was a fast race,” enthused the Argentine 16-year-old who had fallen off early on the first lap on Saturday. “I don’t know if I did the fastest lap but I think I did a 43 so I think that was good,” he stated and indeed he did take the fastest lap of the race and a new lap record officially at 1m 44.019s.
“I was a bit cautious in the opening lap after yesterday’s mistake. Mid-race I was in the second group and that is not good enough. With 5 laps to go you need to be up front so I had to push hard.”
“I tried, I finished P6, that’s better than yesterday when I got no points and let’s see in Mugello.”
Veda Pratama recovered from error to take 7th
“I am happy with the race and the result,” stated the 15-year-old Indonesian. “I managed to get into the front group and that is what I needed to do. Just in the last two laps I made a mistake and I lost the group and had to fight back in the last lap.”
“The result could have been better but I will learn and try to do better in Mugello.”
Rico Salmela suffers technical issue.
“In the middle of the race I started to feel that when opening the gas there wasn’t the same power and it just got less and less,” explained the 16-year-old Finn who had run at the front early on and was 2nd in Race 1.
More, from a press release issued by Kristian Daniel Jr. Racing:
RED BULL MOTOGP ROOKIES CUP: KRISTIAN DANIEL JR WITH ANOTHER STRONG PERFORMANCE IN FRANCE
Kristian Daniel Jr with a top 10 finish in his first ever visit to Circuit Le Mans
American Kristian Daniel, Jr. (70) leads a group of riders at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
May 12th – Circuit Bugatti Le Mans
The picturesque Circuit Bugatti – Le Mans hosted the 2nd round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup (alongside the MotoGP event), which was young American Kristian Daniel Jr’s first visit to the French iconic track. The format of the Rookies Cup race weekends is that there are two 25 minute practice sessions held Friday, followed by 20 minute qualifying. One race is held Saturday afternoon and another race held early Sunday morning. This means that there aren’t many laps for first year Rookies like Kristian Daniel to get up to speed on new tracks, but in spite of the limited track time, the young Californian was able to end the weekend with two good results.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in France, which had over 200,000 spectators across the whole weekend, Kristian put on quite a show! Starting the first race from 13th position, he had already made it up to 8th position within the first few corners. A rider just ahead ended up hitting a false neutral, causing Kristian to slam into the back of his bike, almost crashing and demoting him back to 15th. The young American gathered himself and was quickly on the rebound. The front 7 riders had made a gap, so his goal was to at least make it to the front of the 2nd group (10th position). After he made it to the front of the group, he and Indonesian rider Veda Pretama called a truce for a few laps, sitting in 10th and 11th, and put down a few fast laps which created a 2.1 second gap to the 12th place rider. Kristian sat patiently behind Pretama, waiting for the last corner of the last lap to make a lunge, which he did but Pretama was able to cut back and took 10th position by .0018 of a second, Kristian Daniel finishing 11th.
Race two was underway early the next morning at 8:30 AM, but that wasn’t too early for the French fans as the Grandstands were packed already! Kristian Jr started race 2 similar to race 1, where he found himself sitting in the top 8 for the first few laps. After riding at a hot pace with the front group, the excitement and anxiousness got the best of him, and with a fatigued body and mind made a few mistakes and fell back to 11th. The young LA native gave himself a few laps to calm his nerves, and set off after the 10th place rider. Closing the gap, he prepared the end of the race much like the day before, planning on making a lunge at the end of the race. Half way through the final lap, he made a strong move into 10th position, and held it until the finish line!
Starting his first Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Cup season with another top 10 shows great promise for the rest of the season! His next race is in the 2nd championship he races, called the JuniorGP European Talent Cup, and will be held May 19th in Barcelona, Spain! The next Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup will be in Italy, at the majestic Mugello circuit!
Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) Championship
Ventura Short Track
Ventura, California
May 11, 2024
Provisional Royal Enfield BTR Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kenzie Luker (Roy), 10 laps
2. Shasta L’Heureux (Roy), -01.220 seconds
3. Mya Maffei (Roy), -03.083
4. Mikaela Nichols-Lionetti (Roy), -07.249
5. Hannah Lange (Roy), -10.180
6. Morgan Piller (Roy), -16.728
7. Hannah Robertson (Roy), -18.314
8. Kristiana Ross (Roy), -1 lap, -04.573
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Tom Drane (Yam), 27 laps
2. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -01.394 seconds
3. Trent Lowe (Hon), -02.105
4. Kody Kopp (KTM), -02.744
5. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -03.329
6. Evan Renshaw (Hon), -06.385
7. Tarren Santero (Hon), -07.619
8. James Ott (Hus), -07.937
9. Logan Eisenhard (KTM), -08.896
10. Tyler Raggio (KTM), -11.820
11. Travis Petton (KTM), -12.102
12. Jared Lowe (Hon), -12.354
13. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), -12.568
14. Cole Frederickson (Hon), -1 lap, -01.154
15. Hunter Bauer (Yam), -1 lap, -01.495
16. Justin Anselmi (Yam), -1 lap, -02.580
17. Ian Wolfe (Hon), -1 lap, -10.088
18. Olin Kissler (KTM), -1 lap, -11.188
19. Chad Cose (KTM), -2 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Briar Bauman (KTM), 42 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -04.613 seconds
3. Jared Mees (Ind), -07.170
4. Jarod VanDerKooi (Ind), -07.812
5. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -09.251
6. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -09.978
7. Kayl Kolkman (Yam), -12.627
8. Trevor Brunner (KTM), -14.414
9. Dan Bromley (Hon), -14.979
10. Max Whale (Har), -1 lap, -00.817
11. Brandon Price (Yam), -1 lap, -02.988
12. Cameron Smith (KTM), -1 lap, -06.510
13. Ben Lowe (KTM), -1 lap, -13.576
14. Davis Fisher (Ind), -2 laps, -01.411
15. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -2 laps, -02.333
16. Sammy Halbert (Har), -10 laps, DNF
17. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -41 laps, DNF
18. Declan Bender (Ind), -41 laps, DNF
19. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -41 laps, DNF
More, from a press release issued by AFT:
Bauman Takes Ventura Short Track in Beachside Blowout
Briar Bauman (3). Photo courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 11, 2024) – Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) scored his first victory of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with an utterly dominant performance in Saturday night’s Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track at Ventura Raceway in Ventura, California.
The two-time Grand National Champion came into the weekend seeking not just his first Mission AFT SuperTwins win of the year but his first podium of any kind. He ended that uncharacteristic drought in most convincing fashion, backing up a stirring win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a wire-to-wire runaway in the Main Event.
Bauman’s superiority finally brought order to what had been a chaotic affair in the early going. A red flag flew moments after the initial start due to a terrifying incident that saw Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) carom off the wall and crash back into the pack that had not yet separated.
That triggered a chain reaction that also collected Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke), Declan Bender (No. 70 GOMR/BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750), and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Big Red Super Twins/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp), who completed a full forward flip in the air after contacting the downed Lewis and his machine. Miraculously, all four returned to their feet with Lowe managing to return for the staggered restart.
A second red was issued just as quickly following a spill by hometown hero Kayl Kolkman (No. 98 Yamaha MT-07), who would also return for the subsequent restart.
A third red flag was narrowly avoided when Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) bounced back up from a crash and immediately remounted, allowing the race to continue and at last find its rhythm.
And the beat it drummed up was a victory march for Bauman, who was never challenged on his way to a 4.613-second margin of victory.
Bauman, who lapped his way inside the top ten, said, “First and foremost, I can’t thank Shayna (Texter-Bauman) and Kenny Coolbeth enough, along with everyone else with Rick Ware Racing. We could write a novel about what’s gone on this season. We had quite the offseason, let me tell you. This might have been a bigger change for me, going to a new group of guys, than it was going from an Indian to a KTM last year. It was so big. I kept telling myself all week long that no one understands how long I’ve been waiting on this, and my team deserves it more than I do.”
The only rider who could even pretend to keep Bauman in sight on this evening was title hopeful Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). The Estenson Racing pilot actually started his push from fifth, slicing underneath Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750), and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750) before putting himself in a position to make an honest try at reeling in Bauman.
After that challenge proved insurmountable, Daniels had to be content to solidify his grip on second while Vanderkooi, Mees, and Robinson disputed the final spot on the box behind.
Reigning champ Mees raced his way to that honor as he so often does, with Vanderkooi and Robinson completing the top five.
Sixth and seventh went to twin chargers Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke) and Kolkman, who battled their way up from 15th and 16th, respectively.
Meanwhile, rookies Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R) finished eighth and tenth, with Honda-mounted Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp) splitting the two up by claiming the new machine’s second top ten in ninth.
Daniels now leads the Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight by two points over Robinson (103-101) with Mees third at 93 and Bauman closing to within striking distance at 84.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) secured his second victory of the ‘24 season in an action-packed Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event that saw the tables turned more than once.
Polesitter, points leader, and double defending champion Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) was immediately shuffled back to fifth off the line while Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) jumped at the opportunity to potentially run away with a second career victory after finally earning his maiden win last time out in Texas.
While Saathoff built up an early second-plus advantage at the front, Drane, Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Kopp, and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Hannum’s Harley-Davidson KTM 450 SX-F) formed a big second group, each one trying to find a way to respond to the leader’s immediate pace.
Gauthier was the first to find it, slowly closing the gap to first, taking back approximately a tenth each time around the tight circuit. But by the time he found his way onto the Honda pilot’s rear wheel, he found himself under assault by a charging Drane.
Gauthier was unable to provide much resistance, giving way to the Australian ace in short order, a fate Saathoff would suffer himself moments later with Drane slamming through to grab the lead.
Saathoff attempted to counter but Drane rebuffed the attempt and then proceeded to make his escape; the Yamaha runner ultimately worked up a 1.394-second margin by the time he took the checkered flag.
“At the start of the race, I had to really work hard and figure a few things out,” Drane said. “Toward the end I started finding some lines that really worked. (Once in front) I wasn’t letting (Saathoff) him back through. I was making sure I was making that move happen. I can’t thank my whole team enough. We had that bike dialed from the start of the day. We continued to chip away at it and got it better and better. The team put in a really big effort and we’re here now.”
While Drane cleared off, Gauthier jumped on Saathoff and promptly created his own separation on the way to second. Lowe and Kopp piled on from there with the Turner Honda rider stealing away the final spot on the box and Rick Ware Racing star pushing his title rival down to the fifth in the final order.
As a result, Kopp continues to lead the championship chase, now by 14 points over Drane (108-94) with Saathoff now far behind in third (90).
For those who can’t catch the action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of the the weekend’s on-track action, from the first practice to the victory podium, at https://flosports.link/aft.
FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 19, at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT).
IRWIN MAKES HISTORY IN THE SUN AT THE 2024 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200
A weather forecast for a day of blazing sunshine saw a massive crowd descend upon the north coast on Saturday, May 11 for the principal race day of the 2024 Briggs Equipment North West 200. The race fans didn’t go home disappointed after a day of record-breaking action around the 8.9 mile Triangle course as Glenn Irwin won his 11th consecutive Superbike race to become the event’s most successful premier class competitor.
Irwin had already equalled the tally of nine Superbike wins shared by existing record holders, the late Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter, during Thursday evening’s Briggs Equipment Superbike race. Victories in both the Anchor Bar and Merrow Hotel and Spa sponsored events on the PBM Hager Ducati during Saturday made it a hat-trick of Superbike wins at this year’s event for the Carrtickfergus rider. Irwin didn’t have it all his own way though with Davey Todd pushing him hard on the Milwaukee BMW in both races.
During the Anchor Bar six lapper Irwin led past the pits on five of the six laps before eventually taking the chequered flag by 0.382 seconds from Todd. Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Honda) finished over 19 seconds behind the winner after over-shooting Magherabouy chicane as Irwin set the fastest lap of the race at 124.854mph.
“Although it feels wrong to take a record from Joey Dunlop, I’m incredibly proud to do it.” Irwin said after clinching a record he had set his sights on breaking. “I’ve worked so hard for this and although when I first came here I probably won some races on talent alone, since 2020 I’ve worked my ass off in areas like training, diet and mindset and that’s why I keep winning races. I felt comfortable out there and having sat behind Davey for a couple of laps, I knew where he was strong. Hats off to both him and Michael. I can still go to another level though. It’s my favourite event in the world, so to be the most successful Superbike rider ever is special.”
Glenn Irwin (1) held off Davey Todd (74) to win both Superbike races Saturday at the North West 200. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
Todd said he was gutted to have lost the race after the Milwaukee TAS Racing squad gave him a bike he thought he should have won on.
“I felt super confident out there and after Thursday’s race I tried something different this time. I led initially but then shadowed Glenn so I could see what he was doing and he was very strong along the coast road. I felt I could have him on the last lap but we came across a backmarker and it’s dangerous when you come across someone going so much slower.”
Irwin’s Superbike domination continued in the Merrow Hotel and Spa event as he made it three wins from three starts on the PBM Hager Ducati at this year’s North West after another tough battle with Todd. This time the leading pair had Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison for company.
Todd led the first two laps past the grandstand before Irwin moved in front at Juniper as the pair continued to duel throughout the six laps. Todd reclaimed the lead at Station but Irwin got his nose in front again at University and held it until the chequered flag, winning by 0.464 seconds from Todd with Harrison a further 2.9 seconds further back to complete his Superbike hat-trick.
Jubilant celebrations duly followed his 11th consecutive NW200 victory in the premier class.
“I love this event.” Irwin smiled. “To take a hat-trick feels really, really special. I feel on top of my game and love the team so much, every single one of them, so let’s sign the contract for next year now! I’ve worked so hard this season, as have the team, and to respond to the challenges of great riders like Davey and Dean isn’t easy. It was a hard race as the bike jumped out of gear a few times letting Davey get away but when you feel like something’s going to happen, it happens, so I kept believing and kept working hard. Dreams do come true and to win eleven Superbike races at the NW200, and eleven in a row, is awesome. With the hat-trick here and at Oulton Park last weekend, it’s been my best week in racing.”
Peter Hickman also claimed a Saturday double in the Milltown Service Station and JM Paterson Supertwin races, starting from pole position on his Swan Racing Yamaha.
Peter Hickman (60) leads Richard Cooper (47) during a Supertwin race Saturday at the North West 200. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
In the opening encounter, Hickman got the better of Richard Cooper (Jack Reid Cars/KMR Kawasaki) 0.489 seconds after a race long battle. Mike Browne claimed his first NW200 rostrum finish after finishing third on a Scott Racing Aprilia by 10.4 seconds from Jeremy McWilliams (IFS/Bayview Paton).
In the second Twins encounter Hickman and Cooper finished first and second again after Hickman dived up the inside of the Nottingham rider at Metropole on the final lap and held on to win by 0.855 seconds. This time it was McWilliams in third, 5.2 seconds behind Cooper with Browne in fourth, 6.1 seconds further back.
The Tides Restaurant Supersport six lapper produced a thrilling battle between Davey Todd and Richard Cooper (Russell Racing/BPE Yamaha) with Michael Dunlop and Mike Browne getting into the mix.
Davey Todd (1) won the Supersport races on a Ducati Panigale V2. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
The Englishman steered his Powertoolmate Ducati to victory by just 0.462 seconds after a race long battle with Richard Cooper to claim his second success at this year’s NW200 following his Superstock win on Thursday evening.
Cooper’s teammate, Mike Browne and Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Triumph) had threatened the leading duo before, Todd and Cooper began to open a slight gap on the pair by half race distance. Todd eventually took the chequered flag by 0.462 seconds from Cooper with Dunlop 0.3 seconds further back to complete the podium.
Todd went on to make it a 2024 NW200 hat-trick with a 1.57 second victory in the CP Hire Superstock race on his Milwaukee BMW over runner-up, Peter Hickman on the PHR Performance BMW.
Davey Todd (74) also won both Superstock races on Saturday. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
But perhaps the biggest cheer of a wonderful weekend of road racing was reserved for third-placed finisher, John McGuinness. The 52 year old Honda Racing veteran made his debut at the north coast event 30 years ago and has built a huge following amongst Irish race fans during those three decades.
The six lapper was initially red-flagged after a crash at Magherabouy on the opening lap with Todd getting the hole-shot in the restart. McGuinness’s Honda Racing team-mate, Dean Harrison pushed the Milwaukee BMW rider hard before Todd opened a 0.8 second gap by half distance with Hickman holding third from James Hillier (WTF Honda) and McGuinness in fifth. Hillier and McGuinness were battling for fourth spot when Harrison retired and McGuinness inherited the final podium position.
As the huge crowds that had lined the coast road throughout a race week of sunshine began to head home, Davey Todd was declared the Man of the Meeting, winning the Robert Dunlop trophy.
The Around a Pound sponsored top newcomer was South Africa’s, Allann John Venter and Erno Kostamo received the Ramore Restaurant Best Overseas competitor award. The Station Bar Best Team trophy went to Milwaukee BMW as Peter Hickman received the Spirit of the North West 200 award which was sponsored by Domino’s Pizza in memory of the late Daley Mathison.
Nicholas Spinelli won FIM MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. On board his Tech3 Racing Ducati electric racebike fitted with Michelin control tires, the Italian won the eight-lap race by a scant 0.139 second.
Mattia Casadei came up just a bit short in second place on his LCR E-Team machine, and Axxis-MSI’s Oscar Gutierrez was a very close third.
Quiles wins over Salmela and Carpe in great Rookies Race 1 Le Mans battle
Màximo Quiles was congratulated by Marc Márquez in Parc firmé after a brilliantly executed last-lap pass on Rico Salmela stole victory in 15 thrilling laps of Le Mans.
The 3rd Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup podium of the season was completed by Álvaro Carpe and the 16-year-old Spaniards share the points lead going into Sunday’s race.
Finland’s Salmela is tied for 3rd on points with Argentina’s Valentin Perrone who took 4th in only his third Rookies Cup race, backing up the 2nd he grabbed in the season opener in Spain.
Fellow countryman Marco Morelli, winner of that first race, did his Cup chances no favours by falling on lap 1.
Max had it all worked out
“It was a great race, we could see a big crowd watching us and that also made me happy.”
“I tried to push from the beginning, to open a gap and I was able to stretch the group a bit but then one guy overtook me and slowed us a bit and the group closed up again. Then Rico tried to push again, I kept behind him because he had good rhythm and was fast.”
“Then on the last lap, I prepared to overtake him in corner 8, I managed it and it worked well. Then in the last sector, I just pushed hard to make sure no one could overtake me.”
“Then I crossed the line first and it was a great feeling, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“It wasn’t an easy win at all. Rico was really fast, very late braking in corner 7 and some others. His riding style is really different to mine. I am carrying more mid-corner speed and a bit softer in braking so I can’t pass him everywhere but I made it work.”
“The bike was not totally comfortable because I had to save the front quite a few times and I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted and I felt the bike was better in FP2 and Quali but perhaps it was because the track was so hot I don’t know. Tomorrow in the morning will be cooler so maybe I won’t change anything.”
Rico will have a new plan for Sunday
“It’s my first podium of the year so I am happy with that. The race was good, I felt more or less good on the bike. I was struggling a bit on the front but I have a good feeling for tomorrow and I will take a look at the race and try to make another plan for Race 2.”
“I was not the best in the last sector and it was not possible for me to overtake Max at the end of the last lap. It was already difficult for me to stay with them in the last sector so I knew I did not have anything extra for the last lap there. I just decided to take the P2.”
“P1 was not possible but I tried, I came close to Maximo in the back straight on the last lap and he hit the limiter but was right on the white line and there was no way past. Now I will focus on tomorrow.”
“I do have a different style to Max, I am braking late and the only thing I am missing now is the mid-corner turning, I still need to practice this a bit but it is coming better all the time. I’m not planning to change the bike, I lost the front just a few times but more from my mistake I think than anything else.”
Alvaro already playing it clever
“I enjoyed that race so much,” enthused the 16-year-old. “It was a race with not too many overtakes but still a lot of fun, a great way to start the weekend. Max and Rico had a great pace, they were pushing very hard. I was at the back but still in the first group.”
“I think it was a really fast race, I did a really good job, thinking a little about the championship, making sure to get some good points. Finally, I got third and I can be very happy with that.”
“Tomorrow I plan to do the same, my KTM is working well, no thought to change anything, a little bit of chatter on the brakes, but nothing to worry about and I plan to run the same sort of race again.”
Valentin had nothing left
“It was a really difficult race,” stated the 16-year-old. “In the beginning, I was pushing so hard and closing the line all the time so no one could get past. Then in the last 5 laps I paid for it because Rico was in front pushing so hard with really good pace and doing 44s, I was on my limit.”
“The last lap was a bit crazy because I overtook Uriarte and then it was impossible to overtake Carpe but it is still a good finish and good points for the championship.”
“The bike is great I feel really comfortable and I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Brian Uriarte 5th after a big risk
“I’m happy with that,” the Spanish 15-year-old stated plainly. “Yesterday I struggled a bit in qualifying and today I did better. I checked the lines some of the other guys were using and I learn from that.”
“So for my first time in Le Mans, I think it was OK, I will talk to the guys about maybe changing the bike a bit for tomorrow but also I am still learning.”
“There is time to be made using different lines but also perhaps with the bike if I can find more grip at the rear. The others didn’t seem to slide as much as me.”
“I was really fast in corner 11and I tried the move there with a couple of laps to go but lost the front so that was not the place on the last lap. Instead, I tried in the chicane off the back straight and risked a lot there, it didn’t work but you have to try.”
Hakim Danish wanted more than 6th
“I had a good start,” explained the Malaysian 16-year-old. “In the beginning, I was a little bit struggling with the pace because when the riders passed me their pace was very quick and it was a little bit difficult for me to follow.”
“I tried to find something more and to follow. I managed to stay in the group but then in the last couple of laps I made a little mistake and one rider passed me a little bit hard and I lost the group. I managed to push more and get the group back but it was only P6.”
“The bike is good, I will watch the race and see what I can do better for tomorrow.”
Ruche Moodley knows what he must do to better 7th
“It was a really fast race compared to last year and I struggled a lot in the first chicane,” The South African 17-year-old pointed out. “It seemed every time I went into the first chicane I made a mistake because my line going in is wrong and I would lose the group.”
“Then I would have to catch the group again and so I could never make my way through the group, I was always playing catch up.”
“So I’ve got to get to get that fixed tomorrow, work out what I need to do differently, then I can have a better race.”
Marco looking forward
“I feel OK, nothing hurt from the crash, this is the main thing,” said the 16-year-old. “I made a good start and I pushed, OK so I pushed a little too hard but this is racing.”
“Today it was too much, it might be different tomorrow, or in Mugello, in Racing you have to push and anything can happen.”
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati on Michelin control tires, the Spaniard won the 13-lap race by 2.280 seconds.
Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez started 13th on the grid but charged forward to finish in the runner-up spot on his Gresini Racing Ducati.
Maverick Vinales placed third on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, less than two seconds behind Marquez.
Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia retired from the race and DNF.
Martin hits back, Marquez charges, Bagnaia fails to score as drama hits in the Sprint
The Championship twists again after bad luck for Bagnaia and a stunner for his fellow frontrunners in France
The start of the MotoGP Sprint Race in Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 11 May 2024
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) bounced back from Jerez in style at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, getting an incredible launch from pole to take off and escape to his 12th Tissot Sprint win. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) pulled off an awesome comeback to thread through to second from P13 on the grid, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) completing the Sprint podium. Where was reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)? Read on…
It was a stunning start from Martin to take the holeshot, and the exact opposite for Bagnaia as he plummeted from second to mid-pack, seemingly with some sort of issue. Meanwhile some friendly-fire – within the limit – between the Aprilias added another shuffle, and with that it was Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) slotting into second on the chase behind Martin.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Meanwhile, as Bagnaia went backwards, Marc Marquez was storming forwards. The number 93 threaded the needle to perfection off the start and was into fifth within a few corners. Within a few laps, he was the rider on the chase behind the Martin-Bezzecchi duel at the front.
Aleix Espargaro was then the next to drop out of that front battle as his start proved too good to be true, given a double Long Lap for the jump start. The drama then amped up again for Bagnaia just behind that, as he ran wide from the back of the field. Something was definitely wrong for the #1 as he then headed into pitlane. The reigning Champion was out of the Sprint.
That left Martin leading Bezzecchi leading Marquez, with Viñales next up. A gaggle of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had the gloves off too, and Espargaro then rejoined in their midst.
Suddenly, there was more drama at the front. Yellow flashed across the run off at Turn 9 as Bezzecchi slid out from that second place, leaving Marquez on the chase behind Martin. The gap between the two was now at over two seconds, however, and the clock was counting down. The Sprint King was on his way to another Saturday stunner, and he got the job done in style to capitalise on a tough Sprint for Bagnaia.
Behind Martin’s impressive charge at the front, Marquez took second after an awesome comeback ride from P13 on the grid, with Viñales holding onto third in the last laps as Bastianini put in a late charge for glory. The ‘Beast’ had to settle for fourth.
Espargaro recovered from his double Long Lap to finish fifth, with Acosta taking a solid sixth and putting in a final corner save. Di Giannantonio held off Miller for seventh, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) taking the final point on Saturday… just marginally ahead of home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™).
Another 27 laps await the grid on Sunday, with Bagnaia now the rider looking to hit back, Martin needing another showstopper to keep that ground gained, and Marquez looking down the barrel of the start from P13 once again. Can he pull it off twice? Will there be fireworks? Find out at 14:00 (UTC +2)!
Aron Canet captured pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday on the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) circuit in 1:35.073 to top the field of 28 riders.
American Joe Roberts, the World Championship point leader coming into the event, qualified second with a 1:35.173 on his OnlyFans American Racing Tram Kalex.
Spanish racer Sergio Garcia claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:35.248 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
David Alonso earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO on Pirelli control tires, the Colombian covered the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) track in 1:40.114. Not only was the fast enough to top the field of 26 riders, it also broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:40.470 Alonso set on Friday.
Daniel Holgado was the best of the rest with a 1:40.125 on his Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machine, and Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Jose Antonio Rueda claimed the third and final slot on the front row with a 1:40.426.
Nicholas Spinelli won FIM MotoE World Championship Race One Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Tech3 E-Racing Ducati electric racebike, the Italian won the eight-lap race by 1.353 seconds.
Openbank Aspar Team’s Kevin Zannoni was the runner-up, and LCR E-Team’s Mattia Casadei made it an all-Italian podium by taking third place.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
David Alonso won the Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO on Pirelli control tires, the young Colombian won the 20-lap race by a scant 0.105 second.
Red Bull GAGAS Tech3 rider Daniel Holgado retained a small lead in the World Championship point standings by snagging the runner-up spot, and Collin Veijer finished third on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna.
The top nine finishers were separated by just 1.1 seconds at the end of the race.
Uriarte snatches Le Mans Race 2 Rookies win from Quiles at final turn
The perfect, dramatic, braking lunge into Le Mans’ final first-gear double right gave victory to Brian Uriarte. Fellow Spaniard and Rookies Cup Race 1 victor Màximo Quiles survived the shock and a nasty front wheel slide to hold 2nd ahead of Malaysian Hakim Danish.
Argentina’s Valentin Perrone, one of the race’s many leaders, and Spain’s Álvaro Carpe were right on their tail with 0.617 seconds covering the top 5 KTMs.
Brian made the risk pay off in Race 2
“I’m super happy with this. I had a good ride yesterday and I was certainly going out to win today but you never know, there are many many things that should happen in the correct way if you are going to take the victory,” said the calm, well-spoken 15-year-old.
“I didn’t sleep that well last night and I could feel it today that I was a bit tired. The sleep wasn’t that good but when I woke up I did everything as usual and was completely focused. I was a bit angry with myself for yesterday’s mistake.”
“The track was a bit cooler today, in the second sighting lap I felt a couple of slippery patches but even in the opening laps it was completely perfect and the bike was great all through the race.”
“I worked a lot this weekend, the track is new for me, I tried so hard yesterday and I learnt, I used that today. You have to take a risk to win, I risked a lot into the last corner and I won.
Maximo takes 2nd and Cup points lead
“It was a great race, a bit difficult at the beginning to overtake,” explained the 16-year-old. “Then I got into the lead and everyone seemed a bit nervous because they knew I would have a good rhythm. I opened the group a bit it was not so close.”
“The bike did feel a bit different today, there was good grip but when I really pushed the front was sliding and a little bit uncomfortable for me.”
“Then in the last lap, I didn’t know what to do, I was in front and that’s not easy. They have the reference to brake and they used that, Brian braked later than me into the last corner and won.”
“Still second place is great, points for the championship and I am happy for that, looking forward to Mugello.”
Hakim did most of the leading after style change
“I made a good start and I managed to run at the front,” the 16-year-old enthused. “Better than yesterday as in Race 1 I struggled to match the pace of the front guys. This time I changed my riding, I had my body further forward and pushed my elbow down, I was scraping it through the corners and tried to open the throttle earlier in the corners and it worked very well.”
“In the last lap I tried to lead but two people overtook me, That’s OK I tried to overtake again. Into the last corner, I almost wanted to try a pass on Maximo and Brian but I was just too far away. I already overtook another rider the turn before and that cost me a little bit, I couldn’t go for the win at the last corner.”
“Anyway, I finished P3 and I look forward to the next race in Mugello, I thank everyone who supports me here and at home.”
Valentine learning well
“It was a difficult race with so many riders in the group,” explained the 16-year-old. “In the last lap, it was crazy with so many overtakes, I just couldn’t finish more in front, to be on the podium.”
“I am happy though with P4 with good points for the championship in what was a new track for me, I think I did a good job here and I am already looking forward to Mugello.”
Alvaro takes points rather than risk
“I enjoyed this race so much,” said the 16-year-old Spaniard who holds 2nd in the points chase. “It was faster than yesterday, my KTM was working well, good on the brakes and through the corners. The lead group was very fast, not too many overtakes but a really good pace.”
“Again I am happy with the points for the championship. When it came to the last 2 laps I didn’t feel confident enough to really push the extra to make the podium this time.”
Marco Morelli worked hard for 6th
“I enjoyed that a lot, it was a fast race,” enthused the Argentine 16-year-old who had fallen off early on the first lap on Saturday. “I don’t know if I did the fastest lap but I think I did a 43 so I think that was good,” he stated and indeed he did take the fastest lap of the race and a new lap record officially at 1m 44.019s.
“I was a bit cautious in the opening lap after yesterday’s mistake. Mid-race I was in the second group and that is not good enough. With 5 laps to go you need to be up front so I had to push hard.”
“I tried, I finished P6, that’s better than yesterday when I got no points and let’s see in Mugello.”
Veda Pratama recovered from error to take 7th
“I am happy with the race and the result,” stated the 15-year-old Indonesian. “I managed to get into the front group and that is what I needed to do. Just in the last two laps I made a mistake and I lost the group and had to fight back in the last lap.”
“The result could have been better but I will learn and try to do better in Mugello.”
Rico Salmela suffers technical issue.
“In the middle of the race I started to feel that when opening the gas there wasn’t the same power and it just got less and less,” explained the 16-year-old Finn who had run at the front early on and was 2nd in Race 1.
More, from a press release issued by Kristian Daniel Jr. Racing:
RED BULL MOTOGP ROOKIES CUP: KRISTIAN DANIEL JR WITH ANOTHER STRONG PERFORMANCE IN FRANCE
Kristian Daniel Jr with a top 10 finish in his first ever visit to Circuit Le Mans
American Kristian Daniel, Jr. (70) leads a group of riders at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
May 12th – Circuit Bugatti Le Mans
The picturesque Circuit Bugatti – Le Mans hosted the 2nd round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup (alongside the MotoGP event), which was young American Kristian Daniel Jr’s first visit to the French iconic track. The format of the Rookies Cup race weekends is that there are two 25 minute practice sessions held Friday, followed by 20 minute qualifying. One race is held Saturday afternoon and another race held early Sunday morning. This means that there aren’t many laps for first year Rookies like Kristian Daniel to get up to speed on new tracks, but in spite of the limited track time, the young Californian was able to end the weekend with two good results.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in France, which had over 200,000 spectators across the whole weekend, Kristian put on quite a show! Starting the first race from 13th position, he had already made it up to 8th position within the first few corners. A rider just ahead ended up hitting a false neutral, causing Kristian to slam into the back of his bike, almost crashing and demoting him back to 15th. The young American gathered himself and was quickly on the rebound. The front 7 riders had made a gap, so his goal was to at least make it to the front of the 2nd group (10th position). After he made it to the front of the group, he and Indonesian rider Veda Pretama called a truce for a few laps, sitting in 10th and 11th, and put down a few fast laps which created a 2.1 second gap to the 12th place rider. Kristian sat patiently behind Pretama, waiting for the last corner of the last lap to make a lunge, which he did but Pretama was able to cut back and took 10th position by .0018 of a second, Kristian Daniel finishing 11th.
Race two was underway early the next morning at 8:30 AM, but that wasn’t too early for the French fans as the Grandstands were packed already! Kristian Jr started race 2 similar to race 1, where he found himself sitting in the top 8 for the first few laps. After riding at a hot pace with the front group, the excitement and anxiousness got the best of him, and with a fatigued body and mind made a few mistakes and fell back to 11th. The young LA native gave himself a few laps to calm his nerves, and set off after the 10th place rider. Closing the gap, he prepared the end of the race much like the day before, planning on making a lunge at the end of the race. Half way through the final lap, he made a strong move into 10th position, and held it until the finish line!
Starting his first Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Cup season with another top 10 shows great promise for the rest of the season! His next race is in the 2nd championship he races, called the JuniorGP European Talent Cup, and will be held May 19th in Barcelona, Spain! The next Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup will be in Italy, at the majestic Mugello circuit!
Ventura Speedway. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.
Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) Championship
Ventura Short Track
Ventura, California
May 11, 2024
Provisional Royal Enfield BTR Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kenzie Luker (Roy), 10 laps
2. Shasta L’Heureux (Roy), -01.220 seconds
3. Mya Maffei (Roy), -03.083
4. Mikaela Nichols-Lionetti (Roy), -07.249
5. Hannah Lange (Roy), -10.180
6. Morgan Piller (Roy), -16.728
7. Hannah Robertson (Roy), -18.314
8. Kristiana Ross (Roy), -1 lap, -04.573
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Tom Drane (Yam), 27 laps
2. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -01.394 seconds
3. Trent Lowe (Hon), -02.105
4. Kody Kopp (KTM), -02.744
5. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -03.329
6. Evan Renshaw (Hon), -06.385
7. Tarren Santero (Hon), -07.619
8. James Ott (Hus), -07.937
9. Logan Eisenhard (KTM), -08.896
10. Tyler Raggio (KTM), -11.820
11. Travis Petton (KTM), -12.102
12. Jared Lowe (Hon), -12.354
13. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), -12.568
14. Cole Frederickson (Hon), -1 lap, -01.154
15. Hunter Bauer (Yam), -1 lap, -01.495
16. Justin Anselmi (Yam), -1 lap, -02.580
17. Ian Wolfe (Hon), -1 lap, -10.088
18. Olin Kissler (KTM), -1 lap, -11.188
19. Chad Cose (KTM), -2 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Briar Bauman (KTM), 42 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -04.613 seconds
3. Jared Mees (Ind), -07.170
4. Jarod VanDerKooi (Ind), -07.812
5. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -09.251
6. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -09.978
7. Kayl Kolkman (Yam), -12.627
8. Trevor Brunner (KTM), -14.414
9. Dan Bromley (Hon), -14.979
10. Max Whale (Har), -1 lap, -00.817
11. Brandon Price (Yam), -1 lap, -02.988
12. Cameron Smith (KTM), -1 lap, -06.510
13. Ben Lowe (KTM), -1 lap, -13.576
14. Davis Fisher (Ind), -2 laps, -01.411
15. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -2 laps, -02.333
16. Sammy Halbert (Har), -10 laps, DNF
17. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -41 laps, DNF
18. Declan Bender (Ind), -41 laps, DNF
19. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -41 laps, DNF
More, from a press release issued by AFT:
Bauman Takes Ventura Short Track in Beachside Blowout
Briar Bauman (3). Photo courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 11, 2024) – Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) scored his first victory of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with an utterly dominant performance in Saturday night’s Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track at Ventura Raceway in Ventura, California.
The two-time Grand National Champion came into the weekend seeking not just his first Mission AFT SuperTwins win of the year but his first podium of any kind. He ended that uncharacteristic drought in most convincing fashion, backing up a stirring win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a wire-to-wire runaway in the Main Event.
Bauman’s superiority finally brought order to what had been a chaotic affair in the early going. A red flag flew moments after the initial start due to a terrifying incident that saw Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) carom off the wall and crash back into the pack that had not yet separated.
That triggered a chain reaction that also collected Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke), Declan Bender (No. 70 GOMR/BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750), and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Big Red Super Twins/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp), who completed a full forward flip in the air after contacting the downed Lewis and his machine. Miraculously, all four returned to their feet with Lowe managing to return for the staggered restart.
A second red was issued just as quickly following a spill by hometown hero Kayl Kolkman (No. 98 Yamaha MT-07), who would also return for the subsequent restart.
A third red flag was narrowly avoided when Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) bounced back up from a crash and immediately remounted, allowing the race to continue and at last find its rhythm.
And the beat it drummed up was a victory march for Bauman, who was never challenged on his way to a 4.613-second margin of victory.
Bauman, who lapped his way inside the top ten, said, “First and foremost, I can’t thank Shayna (Texter-Bauman) and Kenny Coolbeth enough, along with everyone else with Rick Ware Racing. We could write a novel about what’s gone on this season. We had quite the offseason, let me tell you. This might have been a bigger change for me, going to a new group of guys, than it was going from an Indian to a KTM last year. It was so big. I kept telling myself all week long that no one understands how long I’ve been waiting on this, and my team deserves it more than I do.”
The only rider who could even pretend to keep Bauman in sight on this evening was title hopeful Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). The Estenson Racing pilot actually started his push from fifth, slicing underneath Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750), and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750) before putting himself in a position to make an honest try at reeling in Bauman.
After that challenge proved insurmountable, Daniels had to be content to solidify his grip on second while Vanderkooi, Mees, and Robinson disputed the final spot on the box behind.
Reigning champ Mees raced his way to that honor as he so often does, with Vanderkooi and Robinson completing the top five.
Sixth and seventh went to twin chargers Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke) and Kolkman, who battled their way up from 15th and 16th, respectively.
Meanwhile, rookies Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R) finished eighth and tenth, with Honda-mounted Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp) splitting the two up by claiming the new machine’s second top ten in ninth.
Daniels now leads the Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight by two points over Robinson (103-101) with Mees third at 93 and Bauman closing to within striking distance at 84.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) secured his second victory of the ‘24 season in an action-packed Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event that saw the tables turned more than once.
Polesitter, points leader, and double defending champion Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) was immediately shuffled back to fifth off the line while Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) jumped at the opportunity to potentially run away with a second career victory after finally earning his maiden win last time out in Texas.
While Saathoff built up an early second-plus advantage at the front, Drane, Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Kopp, and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Hannum’s Harley-Davidson KTM 450 SX-F) formed a big second group, each one trying to find a way to respond to the leader’s immediate pace.
Gauthier was the first to find it, slowly closing the gap to first, taking back approximately a tenth each time around the tight circuit. But by the time he found his way onto the Honda pilot’s rear wheel, he found himself under assault by a charging Drane.
Gauthier was unable to provide much resistance, giving way to the Australian ace in short order, a fate Saathoff would suffer himself moments later with Drane slamming through to grab the lead.
Saathoff attempted to counter but Drane rebuffed the attempt and then proceeded to make his escape; the Yamaha runner ultimately worked up a 1.394-second margin by the time he took the checkered flag.
“At the start of the race, I had to really work hard and figure a few things out,” Drane said. “Toward the end I started finding some lines that really worked. (Once in front) I wasn’t letting (Saathoff) him back through. I was making sure I was making that move happen. I can’t thank my whole team enough. We had that bike dialed from the start of the day. We continued to chip away at it and got it better and better. The team put in a really big effort and we’re here now.”
While Drane cleared off, Gauthier jumped on Saathoff and promptly created his own separation on the way to second. Lowe and Kopp piled on from there with the Turner Honda rider stealing away the final spot on the box and Rick Ware Racing star pushing his title rival down to the fifth in the final order.
As a result, Kopp continues to lead the championship chase, now by 14 points over Drane (108-94) with Saathoff now far behind in third (90).
For those who can’t catch the action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of the the weekend’s on-track action, from the first practice to the victory podium, at https://flosports.link/aft.
FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 19, at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT).
Glenn Irwin (1) and Davey Todd (74) nearly touch as they launch off the grid at the 2024 North West 200. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
IRWIN MAKES HISTORY IN THE SUN AT THE 2024 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200
A weather forecast for a day of blazing sunshine saw a massive crowd descend upon the north coast on Saturday, May 11 for the principal race day of the 2024 Briggs Equipment North West 200. The race fans didn’t go home disappointed after a day of record-breaking action around the 8.9 mile Triangle course as Glenn Irwin won his 11th consecutive Superbike race to become the event’s most successful premier class competitor.
Irwin had already equalled the tally of nine Superbike wins shared by existing record holders, the late Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter, during Thursday evening’s Briggs Equipment Superbike race. Victories in both the Anchor Bar and Merrow Hotel and Spa sponsored events on the PBM Hager Ducati during Saturday made it a hat-trick of Superbike wins at this year’s event for the Carrtickfergus rider. Irwin didn’t have it all his own way though with Davey Todd pushing him hard on the Milwaukee BMW in both races.
During the Anchor Bar six lapper Irwin led past the pits on five of the six laps before eventually taking the chequered flag by 0.382 seconds from Todd. Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Honda) finished over 19 seconds behind the winner after over-shooting Magherabouy chicane as Irwin set the fastest lap of the race at 124.854mph.
“Although it feels wrong to take a record from Joey Dunlop, I’m incredibly proud to do it.” Irwin said after clinching a record he had set his sights on breaking. “I’ve worked so hard for this and although when I first came here I probably won some races on talent alone, since 2020 I’ve worked my ass off in areas like training, diet and mindset and that’s why I keep winning races. I felt comfortable out there and having sat behind Davey for a couple of laps, I knew where he was strong. Hats off to both him and Michael. I can still go to another level though. It’s my favourite event in the world, so to be the most successful Superbike rider ever is special.”
Glenn Irwin (1) held off Davey Todd (74) to win both Superbike races Saturday at the North West 200. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
Todd said he was gutted to have lost the race after the Milwaukee TAS Racing squad gave him a bike he thought he should have won on.
“I felt super confident out there and after Thursday’s race I tried something different this time. I led initially but then shadowed Glenn so I could see what he was doing and he was very strong along the coast road. I felt I could have him on the last lap but we came across a backmarker and it’s dangerous when you come across someone going so much slower.”
Irwin’s Superbike domination continued in the Merrow Hotel and Spa event as he made it three wins from three starts on the PBM Hager Ducati at this year’s North West after another tough battle with Todd. This time the leading pair had Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison for company.
Todd led the first two laps past the grandstand before Irwin moved in front at Juniper as the pair continued to duel throughout the six laps. Todd reclaimed the lead at Station but Irwin got his nose in front again at University and held it until the chequered flag, winning by 0.464 seconds from Todd with Harrison a further 2.9 seconds further back to complete his Superbike hat-trick.
Jubilant celebrations duly followed his 11th consecutive NW200 victory in the premier class.
“I love this event.” Irwin smiled. “To take a hat-trick feels really, really special. I feel on top of my game and love the team so much, every single one of them, so let’s sign the contract for next year now! I’ve worked so hard this season, as have the team, and to respond to the challenges of great riders like Davey and Dean isn’t easy. It was a hard race as the bike jumped out of gear a few times letting Davey get away but when you feel like something’s going to happen, it happens, so I kept believing and kept working hard. Dreams do come true and to win eleven Superbike races at the NW200, and eleven in a row, is awesome. With the hat-trick here and at Oulton Park last weekend, it’s been my best week in racing.”
Peter Hickman also claimed a Saturday double in the Milltown Service Station and JM Paterson Supertwin races, starting from pole position on his Swan Racing Yamaha.
Peter Hickman (60) leads Richard Cooper (47) during a Supertwin race Saturday at the North West 200. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
In the opening encounter, Hickman got the better of Richard Cooper (Jack Reid Cars/KMR Kawasaki) 0.489 seconds after a race long battle. Mike Browne claimed his first NW200 rostrum finish after finishing third on a Scott Racing Aprilia by 10.4 seconds from Jeremy McWilliams (IFS/Bayview Paton).
In the second Twins encounter Hickman and Cooper finished first and second again after Hickman dived up the inside of the Nottingham rider at Metropole on the final lap and held on to win by 0.855 seconds. This time it was McWilliams in third, 5.2 seconds behind Cooper with Browne in fourth, 6.1 seconds further back.
The Tides Restaurant Supersport six lapper produced a thrilling battle between Davey Todd and Richard Cooper (Russell Racing/BPE Yamaha) with Michael Dunlop and Mike Browne getting into the mix.
Davey Todd (1) won the Supersport races on a Ducati Panigale V2. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
The Englishman steered his Powertoolmate Ducati to victory by just 0.462 seconds after a race long battle with Richard Cooper to claim his second success at this year’s NW200 following his Superstock win on Thursday evening.
Cooper’s teammate, Mike Browne and Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Triumph) had threatened the leading duo before, Todd and Cooper began to open a slight gap on the pair by half race distance. Todd eventually took the chequered flag by 0.462 seconds from Cooper with Dunlop 0.3 seconds further back to complete the podium.
Todd went on to make it a 2024 NW200 hat-trick with a 1.57 second victory in the CP Hire Superstock race on his Milwaukee BMW over runner-up, Peter Hickman on the PHR Performance BMW.
Davey Todd (74) also won both Superstock races on Saturday. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
But perhaps the biggest cheer of a wonderful weekend of road racing was reserved for third-placed finisher, John McGuinness. The 52 year old Honda Racing veteran made his debut at the north coast event 30 years ago and has built a huge following amongst Irish race fans during those three decades.
The six lapper was initially red-flagged after a crash at Magherabouy on the opening lap with Todd getting the hole-shot in the restart. McGuinness’s Honda Racing team-mate, Dean Harrison pushed the Milwaukee BMW rider hard before Todd opened a 0.8 second gap by half distance with Hickman holding third from James Hillier (WTF Honda) and McGuinness in fifth. Hillier and McGuinness were battling for fourth spot when Harrison retired and McGuinness inherited the final podium position.
As the huge crowds that had lined the coast road throughout a race week of sunshine began to head home, Davey Todd was declared the Man of the Meeting, winning the Robert Dunlop trophy.
The Around a Pound sponsored top newcomer was South Africa’s, Allann John Venter and Erno Kostamo received the Ramore Restaurant Best Overseas competitor award. The Station Bar Best Team trophy went to Milwaukee BMW as Peter Hickman received the Spirit of the North West 200 award which was sponsored by Domino’s Pizza in memory of the late Daley Mathison.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Nicholas Spinelli won FIM MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. On board his Tech3 Racing Ducati electric racebike fitted with Michelin control tires, the Italian won the eight-lap race by a scant 0.139 second.
Mattia Casadei came up just a bit short in second place on his LCR E-Team machine, and Axxis-MSI’s Oscar Gutierrez was a very close third.
Quiles wins over Salmela and Carpe in great Rookies Race 1 Le Mans battle
Màximo Quiles was congratulated by Marc Márquez in Parc firmé after a brilliantly executed last-lap pass on Rico Salmela stole victory in 15 thrilling laps of Le Mans.
The 3rd Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup podium of the season was completed by Álvaro Carpe and the 16-year-old Spaniards share the points lead going into Sunday’s race.
Finland’s Salmela is tied for 3rd on points with Argentina’s Valentin Perrone who took 4th in only his third Rookies Cup race, backing up the 2nd he grabbed in the season opener in Spain.
Fellow countryman Marco Morelli, winner of that first race, did his Cup chances no favours by falling on lap 1.
Max had it all worked out
“It was a great race, we could see a big crowd watching us and that also made me happy.”
“I tried to push from the beginning, to open a gap and I was able to stretch the group a bit but then one guy overtook me and slowed us a bit and the group closed up again. Then Rico tried to push again, I kept behind him because he had good rhythm and was fast.”
“Then on the last lap, I prepared to overtake him in corner 8, I managed it and it worked well. Then in the last sector, I just pushed hard to make sure no one could overtake me.”
“Then I crossed the line first and it was a great feeling, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“It wasn’t an easy win at all. Rico was really fast, very late braking in corner 7 and some others. His riding style is really different to mine. I am carrying more mid-corner speed and a bit softer in braking so I can’t pass him everywhere but I made it work.”
“The bike was not totally comfortable because I had to save the front quite a few times and I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted and I felt the bike was better in FP2 and Quali but perhaps it was because the track was so hot I don’t know. Tomorrow in the morning will be cooler so maybe I won’t change anything.”
Rico will have a new plan for Sunday
“It’s my first podium of the year so I am happy with that. The race was good, I felt more or less good on the bike. I was struggling a bit on the front but I have a good feeling for tomorrow and I will take a look at the race and try to make another plan for Race 2.”
“I was not the best in the last sector and it was not possible for me to overtake Max at the end of the last lap. It was already difficult for me to stay with them in the last sector so I knew I did not have anything extra for the last lap there. I just decided to take the P2.”
“P1 was not possible but I tried, I came close to Maximo in the back straight on the last lap and he hit the limiter but was right on the white line and there was no way past. Now I will focus on tomorrow.”
“I do have a different style to Max, I am braking late and the only thing I am missing now is the mid-corner turning, I still need to practice this a bit but it is coming better all the time. I’m not planning to change the bike, I lost the front just a few times but more from my mistake I think than anything else.”
Alvaro already playing it clever
“I enjoyed that race so much,” enthused the 16-year-old. “It was a race with not too many overtakes but still a lot of fun, a great way to start the weekend. Max and Rico had a great pace, they were pushing very hard. I was at the back but still in the first group.”
“I think it was a really fast race, I did a really good job, thinking a little about the championship, making sure to get some good points. Finally, I got third and I can be very happy with that.”
“Tomorrow I plan to do the same, my KTM is working well, no thought to change anything, a little bit of chatter on the brakes, but nothing to worry about and I plan to run the same sort of race again.”
Valentin had nothing left
“It was a really difficult race,” stated the 16-year-old. “In the beginning, I was pushing so hard and closing the line all the time so no one could get past. Then in the last 5 laps I paid for it because Rico was in front pushing so hard with really good pace and doing 44s, I was on my limit.”
“The last lap was a bit crazy because I overtook Uriarte and then it was impossible to overtake Carpe but it is still a good finish and good points for the championship.”
“The bike is great I feel really comfortable and I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Brian Uriarte 5th after a big risk
“I’m happy with that,” the Spanish 15-year-old stated plainly. “Yesterday I struggled a bit in qualifying and today I did better. I checked the lines some of the other guys were using and I learn from that.”
“So for my first time in Le Mans, I think it was OK, I will talk to the guys about maybe changing the bike a bit for tomorrow but also I am still learning.”
“There is time to be made using different lines but also perhaps with the bike if I can find more grip at the rear. The others didn’t seem to slide as much as me.”
“I was really fast in corner 11and I tried the move there with a couple of laps to go but lost the front so that was not the place on the last lap. Instead, I tried in the chicane off the back straight and risked a lot there, it didn’t work but you have to try.”
Hakim Danish wanted more than 6th
“I had a good start,” explained the Malaysian 16-year-old. “In the beginning, I was a little bit struggling with the pace because when the riders passed me their pace was very quick and it was a little bit difficult for me to follow.”
“I tried to find something more and to follow. I managed to stay in the group but then in the last couple of laps I made a little mistake and one rider passed me a little bit hard and I lost the group. I managed to push more and get the group back but it was only P6.”
“The bike is good, I will watch the race and see what I can do better for tomorrow.”
Ruche Moodley knows what he must do to better 7th
“It was a really fast race compared to last year and I struggled a lot in the first chicane,” The South African 17-year-old pointed out. “It seemed every time I went into the first chicane I made a mistake because my line going in is wrong and I would lose the group.”
“Then I would have to catch the group again and so I could never make my way through the group, I was always playing catch up.”
“So I’ve got to get to get that fixed tomorrow, work out what I need to do differently, then I can have a better race.”
Marco looking forward
“I feel OK, nothing hurt from the crash, this is the main thing,” said the 16-year-old. “I made a good start and I pushed, OK so I pushed a little too hard but this is racing.”
“Today it was too much, it might be different tomorrow, or in Mugello, in Racing you have to push and anything can happen.”
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati on Michelin control tires, the Spaniard won the 13-lap race by 2.280 seconds.
Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez started 13th on the grid but charged forward to finish in the runner-up spot on his Gresini Racing Ducati.
Maverick Vinales placed third on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, less than two seconds behind Marquez.
Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia retired from the race and DNF.
Martin hits back, Marquez charges, Bagnaia fails to score as drama hits in the Sprint
The Championship twists again after bad luck for Bagnaia and a stunner for his fellow frontrunners in France
The start of the MotoGP Sprint Race in Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 11 May 2024
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) bounced back from Jerez in style at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, getting an incredible launch from pole to take off and escape to his 12th Tissot Sprint win. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) pulled off an awesome comeback to thread through to second from P13 on the grid, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) completing the Sprint podium. Where was reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)? Read on…
It was a stunning start from Martin to take the holeshot, and the exact opposite for Bagnaia as he plummeted from second to mid-pack, seemingly with some sort of issue. Meanwhile some friendly-fire – within the limit – between the Aprilias added another shuffle, and with that it was Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) slotting into second on the chase behind Martin.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Meanwhile, as Bagnaia went backwards, Marc Marquez was storming forwards. The number 93 threaded the needle to perfection off the start and was into fifth within a few corners. Within a few laps, he was the rider on the chase behind the Martin-Bezzecchi duel at the front.
Aleix Espargaro was then the next to drop out of that front battle as his start proved too good to be true, given a double Long Lap for the jump start. The drama then amped up again for Bagnaia just behind that, as he ran wide from the back of the field. Something was definitely wrong for the #1 as he then headed into pitlane. The reigning Champion was out of the Sprint.
That left Martin leading Bezzecchi leading Marquez, with Viñales next up. A gaggle of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had the gloves off too, and Espargaro then rejoined in their midst.
Suddenly, there was more drama at the front. Yellow flashed across the run off at Turn 9 as Bezzecchi slid out from that second place, leaving Marquez on the chase behind Martin. The gap between the two was now at over two seconds, however, and the clock was counting down. The Sprint King was on his way to another Saturday stunner, and he got the job done in style to capitalise on a tough Sprint for Bagnaia.
Behind Martin’s impressive charge at the front, Marquez took second after an awesome comeback ride from P13 on the grid, with Viñales holding onto third in the last laps as Bastianini put in a late charge for glory. The ‘Beast’ had to settle for fourth.
Espargaro recovered from his double Long Lap to finish fifth, with Acosta taking a solid sixth and putting in a final corner save. Di Giannantonio held off Miller for seventh, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) taking the final point on Saturday… just marginally ahead of home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™).
Another 27 laps await the grid on Sunday, with Bagnaia now the rider looking to hit back, Martin needing another showstopper to keep that ground gained, and Marquez looking down the barrel of the start from P13 once again. Can he pull it off twice? Will there be fireworks? Find out at 14:00 (UTC +2)!
Aron Canet captured pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday on the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Fantic Racing Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) circuit in 1:35.073 to top the field of 28 riders.
American Joe Roberts, the World Championship point leader coming into the event, qualified second with a 1:35.173 on his OnlyFans American Racing Tram Kalex.
Spanish racer Sergio Garcia claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:35.248 on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.
David Alonso earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Gaviota Aspar Team CFMOTO on Pirelli control tires, the Colombian covered the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) track in 1:40.114. Not only was the fast enough to top the field of 26 riders, it also broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:40.470 Alonso set on Friday.
Daniel Holgado was the best of the rest with a 1:40.125 on his Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machine, and Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Jose Antonio Rueda claimed the third and final slot on the front row with a 1:40.426.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Nicholas Spinelli won FIM MotoE World Championship Race One Saturday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Tech3 E-Racing Ducati electric racebike, the Italian won the eight-lap race by 1.353 seconds.
Openbank Aspar Team’s Kevin Zannoni was the runner-up, and LCR E-Team’s Mattia Casadei made it an all-Italian podium by taking third place.
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