Home hero Ryusei Yamanaka was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Japanese rider covered the 2.98-mile (4.8 km) road course in 1:55.676, topping the field of 26 riders.
David Muñoz was the best of the rest with a 1:55.709 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was third with a lap time of 1:55.909.
On the Front Cover: Bobby Fong finally won the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship after decades of disappointment and setbacks. Having to get a real job and revive
his racing career multiple times didn’t stop him. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe!
Log in HERE to read the October 2026 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
—
OCTOBER 2026 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: BMW Updates The M 1000 RR For 2027. Australian Officials Unveil Plans For A New MotoGP Racetrack In Adelaide, Australia, To Replace Phillip Island. Triumph Introduces A New Moto2 Racing Engine. MotoGP Will Start 2027 In Brazil, and more…
MotoGP Analysis: Crew Chief Christhian Pupulin On Competition
MotoGP Analysis: Crew Chief Frankie Carchedi On Winning
Josh Hayes: For The Love Of Motorcycle Racing
Shops: Suspension Matters In Azusa, California
New & Improved: Utah Track Reborn As West Desert
RACING
MotoGP: Marc Marquez Keeps Winning
MotoGP Notes: Coming From 102 Points Behind Is A Miracle
MotoAmerica Superbike At COTA: Beaubier Is Back!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Binder Wins Supersport Championship
MotoAmerica Superbike At NJMP: Fong Is The 2026 Champion!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Harley-Davidson Quits Bagger Racing
World Superbike: All Ducati At Again In France
World Superbike Notes: 1200cc Engines & Rev-Limits Coming
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: AAA Avoids Tow Service By Labeling All Vans Commercial Vehicles
10 Years Ago: Ducati’s 100-Race MotoGP Losing Streak Ended With
Andrea Iannone And Andrea Dovizioso Finishing 1-2 In Austria.
MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley Analyzed Crashes Related To The Swap
From Bridgestone To Michelin Tires, And Also Looked At The
YZR-M1 Racebike’s Ancestor.
The Crash Page: Stefano Manzi Levitates At Magny-Cours
2026 Racing, School & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich’s Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Another Season Done
Joining Premier Racing Together with Accessible Racing Programs
MILWAUKEE (October 1, 2026) – Harley-Davidson today announced the evolution of its racing program, creating two complementary programs beginning in 2027:
Premier Racing: Building on the successful inaugural season and partnership with MotoGP, IRTA and FIM, Harley-Davidson will invest to grow the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup as the company’s premier racing platform.
Grassroots Racing: Develop accessible racing opportunities for riders across a range of disciplines and experience levels.
“Our evolved racing strategy inspires all of us to ride by putting the fastest Harley-Davidson motorcycles on the biggest stage, while bringing the same competitive edge to a broader audience through our grassroots program,” said Artie Starrs, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “Whether it’s bragging rights at the local drag strip, the podium at a flat track, or a dealership challenge – everyone has an opportunity to compete and win on a Harley-Davidson.”
Growing the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
In 2027, Harley-Davidson will expand the championship with additional teams, riders, and races.
“What we accomplished in the inaugural season of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup exceeded our expectations,” said Jeffrey Schuessler, Director – Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson. “We saw incredible racing, five different race winners, every team on the podium and a championship fight that went all the way to the final round. But what I’m most proud of is how our teams, riders, partners, dealers and the entire Harley-Davidson community got behind this championship and helped bring it to life around the world. This is only the starting line. We now have an incredible foundation to build from, and the opportunity ahead of us is enormous.”
The Bagger World Cup will continue to serve as a racing development and demonstration platform for Harley-Davidson performance, supporting future motorcycles and race-derived Screamin’ Eagle performance products. “Screamin’ Eagle is where Harley-Davidson engineering meets the relentless pursuit of performance,” said Bryan Niketh, Chief Operations Officer, Harley-Davidson. “Taking lessons learned on the track, and making related performance products available to our riders further underscores the importance of the evolved racing strategy.”
Further details on the expanded lineup and schedule will be available in the coming months.
An Update On Factory Racing
As part of this evolution, Harley-Davidson will conclude its Factory Racing participation and official team support in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers following the 2026 season. MotoAmerica’s partnership, including the efforts of Richard Varner, Chuck Aksland, Terry Karges, and Wayne Rainey, was instrumental in establishing the category.
The Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team excelled on the track, pushing the brand to capture three of six national championships, and fielding the most successful rider in the history of the category, Kyle Wyman with 27 individual wins.
“Thank you to MotoAmerica for their partnership and commitment to King of the Baggers. Without their support, and the exciting racing in the series, we would not have the success we achieved,” said Jason Kehl, Technical Director and Team Principal, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing. “I also want to recognize Indian Motorcycle Racing for their fierce competition in each of the six seasons. Having a rival that consistently pushed us to raise our level made our team better, helped elevate the entire category, and made the wins much more meaningful. We are extremely proud of what Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, our riders, employees, supported teams and partners have accomplished. That success was built on the commitment and technical capability of an incredible group of people, as well as the support of our fans. The passion of so many Harley-Davidson enthusiasts is a key reason why the bagger category continues to grow.”
The technical capabilities built through Factory Racing – the engineering expertise, performance insights and competitive spirit developed on the track – will increasingly support the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, motorcycle development, as well as race-derived Screamin’ Eagle and other performance parts.
About Harley-Davidson
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, parts & accessories, experiences, riding gear and apparel. What We Make: The World’s Best Motorcycles. Period. Who We Serve: Motorcycle Riders Worldwide. Why We Do It: To Protect and Grow Motorcycle Culture. What We Stand For: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and has a controlling interest in Harley-Davidson Financial Services and LiveWire Group, Inc. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. LiveWire is committed to developing the technology of the future and investing in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorsports. Learn more at harley-davidson.com.
About FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the first global championship exclusively dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, organized by Harley-Davidson in partnership with MotoGP™ and officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The series is contested at selected international circuits alongside the MotoGP™ calendar, bringing Harley-Davidson’s iconic machines into a premier global racing environment. The championship combines heritage, technical innovation, and on-track competition, extending the brand’s racing legacy onto the world stage. Learn more on the dedicated FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup page and on the Harley-Davidson Media Site.
About Screamin’ Eagle
Screamin’ Eagle is Harley-Davidson’s line of high-performance engines, Stage kits and components, engineered and tested by Harley-Davidson to deliver integrated performance upgrades for compatible motorcycles. Learn more on Screamin’ Eagle dedicated web page.
More, from a press release issued by Saddlemen Race Development:
Saddlemen Announces Full Focus on the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, Thanks MotoAmerica for Six Seasons of Partnership
After competing in MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers since the series’ very first race in 2020, Saddlemen Race Development will direct its undivided attention to the new global FIM-sanctioned Bagger World Cup
Long Beach, CA — October 1, 2026 — Saddlemen Corporation, the leader in motorcycle seating comfort and creator of the Gel-Core™ technology platform, today announced that Saddlemen Race Development will focus its undivided attention on the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, the new global championship for V-Twin bagger road racing co-developed by Harley-Davidson, MotoGP™ (Dorna Sports), and the FIM.
The decision follows six full seasons of competition in MotoAmerica’s Mission King of the Baggers series, where Saddlemen Race Development has been a fixture since the very first King of the Baggers race held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2020. Saddlemen’s 2026 domestic program fielded riders Cory West, Jake Lewis, and James Rispoli aboard Saddlemen Drag Specialties Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited motorcycles in King of the Baggers, alongside a championship-caliber Super Hooligan effort on the Harley-Davidson Pan America ST.
“Racing has always been our proving ground — it’s how we test, refine, and validate the products our customers ride every day,” said David Echert, CEO of Saddlemen Corporation. “The Bagger World Cup puts bagger racing on the world stage, alongside MotoGP and in front of a global audience. That is where Saddlemen belongs, and it is where we will focus all of our racing energy going forward.”
Gratitude to MotoAmerica
Saddlemen extends its sincere thanks to MotoAmerica and everyone involved with the Mission King of the Baggers series for six seasons of exceptional support, professionalism, and partnership.
“MotoAmerica believed in bagger racing when it was an idea, and they built it into one of the most exciting championships in American motorsport,” Echert continued. “We were on the grid for the first race at Laguna Seca in 2020, and everything we’ve learned competing in King of the Baggers — as a team and as a product company — we carry with us to the world stage. We are grateful for every round, every competitor, and every fan who made the series what it is.”
The Road Ahead: Global Bagger Racing
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup expands bagger road racing from a domestic championship to an international, double-header global series run in conjunction with select MotoGP Grand Prix weekends, with international television and streaming coverage through MotoGP’s broadcast partners. The series uses the same stock-frame, approved-parts technical foundation as King of the Baggers, allowing teams to carry over their hard-won development knowledge.
Saddlemen Race Development’s program for the Bagger World Cup — including rider lineup, machine details, and team partners — will be announced separately.
Racing remains central to Saddlemen’s product development strategy. Competition at the highest level provides the real-world feedback that has produced innovations like the Gel-Core™ comfort platform and the Performance Carbon Fiber product line, developed side by side with the team’s racing carbon fiber program.
About Saddlemen Corporation
Saddlemen is a leading American manufacturer of motorcycle seats, luggage, and styling products, best known as the “Gel Seat Experts.” From its proprietary Gel-Core™ and Ultra-Foam™ comfort technologies to its U.S.-based manufacturing, Saddlemen designs products for riders who demand all-day comfort and distinctive style. Saddlemen Race Development, the company’s racing arm, has competed in professional road racing, flat track, and land-speed competitions, using racing as a real-world laboratory for product development.
Archie Mcdonald (69), Eric Granado (51), Jake Lewis (85) and Oscar Gutierrez (99) during Bagger World Cup Race 2 at COTA early in the 2026 season. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Our first three events of 2027 are open for registration! We’re heading to Florida, California, and Arizona to start the year with world-class coaching, unforgettable tracks, and a very good reason to put a motorcycle vacation on your calendar.
Register early to take advantage of early registration discounts. You can also explore 0% financing options at checkout to secure your place now and spread out the cost.
Available terms and eligibility will be shown during checkout.
You are welcome to bring your motorcycle, any brand or type, or choose complete arrive-and-ride options with Yamaha motorcycles, Arai helmets, and Dainese gear. Either way, let’s make 2027 your best riding year yet!Invest in the rider. Invest in YOU.
The ultimate winter moto-vacation: six days of riding, training, and fun in the sun.
Start with our 2-Day ChampSchool on January 28–29, while one-day ChampStreet and ChampPrecision give riders additional ways to train. On January 30–31, N2 Track Days takes over the circuit. Ride with friends, demo Yamaha motorcycles, and put your new skills to work. ChampSchool graduates can take the next step with 1:1 private coaching. Then we’ll finish with another 2-Day ChampSchool on February 1–2.
Come for the program that fits your goals, or stay for the entire six-day run. Bring your significant other and turn it into a South Florida vacation. Bring your own bike, or travel light and ask about our Yamaha motorcycles, Dainese riding gear, and Arai helmets.
Our Homestead events have sold out year after year. Choose your dates early, claim the introductory discount, and give yourself something to look forward to this winter.
Click the link below to learn more about the best moto event in the world in January.
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, California. Photo courtesy Yamaha ChampSchool.
2. ChampSchoolChuckwalla Valley Raceway
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, California
February 9–10
Two days in the Southern California desert. One seriously fun investment in your riding.
Chuckwalla is the kind of track that makes you want to ride another lap as soon as you come in. Over two days, our instructors will help you connect the details of braking, vision, direction, body position, and corner exit, so you leave with skills you can use on every ride and every motorcycle, for the rest of your life.
If you’re local to Southern California, it’s a chance to train close to home at a remarkable venue. If you’re staring down another cold February, it’s an excuse to get on a plane to enjoy warmer weather and fantastic riding.
Bring your motorcycle or rent a Yamaha, with Dainese gear and Arai helmets available to make the trip easier.
Last year’s Chuckwalla school sold out months in advance. Register early so you are not left out in the cold.
Inde Motorsports Ranch, Arizona. Photo courtesy Yamaha ChampSchool.
3. ChampSchoolInde MotorsportsRanch
Inde Motorsports Ranch, Arizona
February 23–24
Our favorite place on earth deserves a spot on your riding calendar.
Inde is a private motorsports facility in the Arizona desert with the space, pavement, and setting to make two days of ChampSchool feel like a true getaway. It’s an opportunity to step away from the daily routine and give your riding your full attention, with instructors dedicated to helping you make measurable progress.
Make the trip your own. Bring the motorcycle you ride every day, or fly into Tucson and ask about our Yamaha rental fleet. Dainese riding gear and Arai helmets will also be available. Reserve early for the best choice of motorcycle and gear sizes.
Inde is an experience you’ll remember long after the flight home. Register early and save your place.
Every in-person student receives complimentary access to Champ U: Core Curriculum, so you can begin learning before you arrive and make even more of your time with us.
Introductory discounts are available now, with 0% financing options to review at checkout. Pick your destination and start planning the trip.
Use code EASTCOAST26 to get up to $300 off your ChampSchool Experience.
Fall is coming, but some of our best East Coast riding is still ahead.
NCBIKE
October 22–27 | Garysburg, North Carolina
NCBike is our East Coast home and one of our favorite places to teach.
Wide, technical, grippy, and incredibly versatile, NCBike gives students the space to learn, experiment, and improve in a controlled environment. This event will feature our flagship two-day ChampSchool for any rider, on any bike, with any riding goal.
Saturday and Sunday, October 24 – 25 will feature an N2 Track Day with private 1:1 coaching available for ChampSchool grads.
October 26 – 27 will feature our semi-private ChampGrad program for ChampSchool graduates ready to take their riding to the next level.
Bring your own motorcycle or create a complete arrive-and-ride experience with a Yamaha motorcycle and Dainese and Arai safety gear from our rental fleet.
Fall will be here before we know it. Choose your event, invest in your riding, and finish the season as a safer, more confident, and more capable motorcyclist.
MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams are heading to Mobility Resort Motegi this weekend for Round 16 of the 2026 FIM MotoGP World Championship. Following the Austrian round, the paddock returns to action from October 2-4, with all three classes set to take on the fast and technical 2.98-mile (4.80-kilometer) circuit in Motegi, Japan. As the championship battle continues into the overseas rounds, every point becomes increasingly important. Below, find the latest team press releases ahead of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
Aprilia Racing resumes in Asia with the Grand Prix of Japan.
Aprilia Racing heads to Asia for the first of the overseas rounds in this championship run-in—the Grand Prix of Japan—the sixteenth round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, held at Mobility Resort Motegi.
Jorge Martín travels to Japan following a successful weekend at Spielberg, where he claimed victory in the Sprint race and finished second in the main race, allowing him to reclaim the lead in the overall standings. The Spanish rider’s goal will be to maintain his momentum aboard his RS-GP26.
Marco Bezzecchi arrives in Motegi after a solid weekend in Austria, leaving with two third-place finishes. The Italian rider approaches the Japanese round with confidence and the clear intention to continue fighting for the top positions.
The Mobility Resort Motegi, also known as Twin Ring Motegi, has a “stop & go” configuration with a few fast corners and many long, slow turns with straights in between to make it one of the most demanding tracks on the brakes. The layout runs 4.8 km clockwise with a total of 14 turns – 8 right-handers and 6 left-handers.
Jorge Martin (89) in Austria. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Jorge Martín: “The Asian tour begins and we are headed into it at a good time. We are working very well as a team, and I want to thank Aprilia for the great job they are doing. We need to keep moving along this path, maintaining consistency and staying focused on our objectives. I have great respect for the Asian culture, and I am looking forward to racing in front of our Japanese fans. An extremely important stage of the championship begins. Let’s go!”
Marco Bezzecchi (72) in Austria. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Marco Bezzecchi: “It will be really great to go to Japan. I can’t wait to meet all the fans. I like the Motegi track very much, and we did pretty well there last year. Our goal is to have a good weekend and continue the work we’ve been doing.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Ducati Lenovo Team ready for the Japanese trip: Motegi hosts the first race of the oversea tour on a special track for the Desmosedici GP.
The MotoGP paddock heads to Japan for the first of five oversea races in a row. It is a special track that has always held a warm place in the heart of every Ducatista, inextricably linked to sweet memories for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: it was right on the Motegi circuit that the Italian squad secured the Riders’ World Championship title twice, first with Casey Stoner in 2007 and then with Marc Márquez in 2025. It is a track historically ideal for showcasing the strengths of the Desmosedici GP, as demonstrated by an impressive tally of nine overall victories—ranging from Loris Capirossi’s legendary three in a row starting in 2005 to Pecco Bagnaia’s recent dominant back-to-back victories in both 2024 and 2025.
Marc Márquez arrives in Japan determined to get fully back into the fight for the top positions. After fighting tooth and nail during a tough weekend in Spielberg, which he nevertheless ended with 2nd place in the Sprint and 2nd in the general standings, Marc is ready to tap into the full potential of the Ducati package.
Extra motivation comes for Pecco Bagnaia, a true “Japan addict.” Coming off a solid weekend where he rediscovered good feelings and consistently returned to the points, Pecco is preparing to tackle one of his absolute favorite tracks, boosted by his victories in the last two editions.
Francesco Bagnaia (on the left) and Marc Marquez (on the right). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Marc Márquez (#93, Ducati Lenovo Team): “The 2025 Japanese GP represents an indelible memory that creates a special bond between me and the Ducati Lenovo Team. That memory, along with the incredible affection of the Japanese fans, gives me an extra boost for the weekend. Motegi is a track I really enjoy: the goal is to do well and be competitive”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63, Ducati Lenovo Team): “I love Japan, and every year I’m really happy to come back and race here. Motegi is where I took my last win, and that’s a positive thought to keep in mind heading into the weekend. In Austria we struggled, but we still managed to get back in the points: now we have to keep working hard to regain the best riding feeling”.
More, from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
The Call of Home – Marini and Chantra line up for Japanese GP.
Luca Marini will line up alongside Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra for the Honda’s home race; targets clearly set on delivering a strong result for the local fans to cheer for with a few surprises in store.
Honda’s home round – the Japanese Grand Prix at Mobility Resort Motegi – is always the highlight of the year for the Honda HRC Castrol team as friends, family, engineers, technicians, partners and supporters join the team in unprecedented numbers. 60 years since first entering the premier class with the RC181, Honda continue their proud history of challenging for success, demonstrating what The Power of Dreams can achieve. The Challenge fuels The Dream.
Continuing to steadily bring in points, Luca Marini is determined to once again fight inside the top ten at such an important race and see off his time as a factory HRC rider in the best way possible. With less than a hundredth of a second frequently being the difference between delight and heart break when it comes to Q2, Marini will need to deliver from the very first lap of Free Practice 1. Although he suffered his lone DNF of the season in Japan last year, Luca Marini’s Sprint performance in 2025 confirmed the RC213V’s speed at its home track. With his teammate continuing his recovery, it will again be Marini leading the Honda HRC Castrol squad.
Somkiat Chantra will mount the second Honda RC213V of the Honda HRC Castrol squad while Joan Mir continues his recovery at home. Winner of the 2023 Japanese Moto2 GP, Chantra’s riding style is well suited to the 4.8kilometre-long track and saw him earn 15th place on the LCR Honda in 2026 – one of his five races in the points that season. He is well aware of the significant challenge that jumping from a WorldSBK machine to MotoGP holds without any testing and will be calling on all of his Grand Prix experience this weekend.
The 2026 Japanese GP is already set to be a memorable one for Honda HRC fans around the world as the dawn of a new era in the MotoGP World Championship draws ever closer with a special reveal set for 14:00 Local Time on Thursday, October 01.
Luca Marini:“As a Honda rider, the Japanese GP is something really special and unique. It’s like no other race on the calendar. It’s a busy weekend but I really want to enjoy my time this weekend with all the people in this project and the Japanese fans, to say thank you for their efforts over the last three seasons together. In the past, this circuit has suited the Honda RC213V and I hope that we can put together a solid weekend rain or shine. It’s a really intense part of the season now, pushing right until the end and I am determined to finish this season on a high. We still have some targets to achieve. I am really looking forward to what we have to show this weekend.”
Somkiat Chantra:“First I want to say a big thank you to Honda HRC for putting their faith in my to come and ride MotoGP in Motegi and with the factory team. We have been working very hard in WorldSBK this year to make progress and last weekend we made another step. Now I need to switch mind and adapt to a new bike and a new challenge. Motegi is a circuit I have good memories at; in 2023 I was able to win there in Moto2.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Head to Yamaha’s Home Grand Prix in Japan.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled to Japan for Yamaha’s home race, held this weekend at the Mobility Resort Motegi. Before the on-track action begins, Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins joined three of their fellow Yamaha riders for a visit to Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters in Iwata, strengthening the connection between Yamaha’s racing activities and the people behind them.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are in high spirits ahead of the Grand Prix of Japan, Round 16 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. This event always holds extra significance for the team as it is Yamaha’s home Grand Prix.
Fabio Quartararo arrives at the Mobility Resort Motegi holding 15th position in the championship standings with 61 points. The Frenchman showed encouraging pace during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend and is determined to continue building on those positives. Motegi has previously delivered one MotoGP podium for Quartararo, who secured second place at the Japanese venue in 2019.
Álex Rins currently occupies 20th place in the championship standings with 24 points. The Spaniard has enjoyed some results in Japan throughout his Grand Prix career – his best was a third place in MotoGP in 2018 – and is motivated to make the most of Yamaha’s home event. Together with the team, he remains focused on continuing the development work that has been ongoing throughout the season.
The Mobility Resort Motegi circuit first joined the MotoGP calendar in 1999 and remains one of the championship’s most iconic venues. The 4.8 km track features six left and eight right corners and is renowned for its hard-braking zones, stop-and-go layout, and overtaking opportunities, creating unique technical demands for riders and teams alike.
The Grand Prix of Japan is held in the GMT+9 time zone. FP1 will take place on Friday from 10:45-11:30 local track time and Practice will be held from 15:00-16:00. On Saturday, FP2 will be held from 10:10-10:40, and the qualifying sessions from 10:50-11:30, followed by the 12-lap Sprint at 15:00. On Sunday, Warm Up is held from 09:40-09:50 and the 24-lap Race starts at 14:00.
Before turning their attention to the race weekend, Quartararo and Rins visited Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters in Iwata today alongside Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 rider Izan Guevara. The five riders received a warm welcome at Yamaha’s Communication Plaza, where they took part in a special Q&A event and met with Yamaha Motor Company President Motofumi Shitara. The visit provided an opportunity for the riders to connect with the employees whose work supports Yamaha’s racing efforts around the world.
After the official Yamaha programme, the teammates’ schedules diverge. Rins remains in the Iwata area, visiting Yamaha’s Toyooka Factory. Quartararo travels to Tokyo for a series of MotoGP-organised promotional activities, including a fan Q&A session, an autograph signing, and official rider photographs before making his way to Motegi.
Fabio Quartararo (20) and Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo: “I’m always happy to come to Japan: it’s not just Yamaha’s home Grand Prix but in general there’s always a special atmosphere around the event. We always take the opportunity to visit Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters before the race and meet the people who work behind the scenes. And as usual, we will give it our maximum to do them proud. The goal at Motegi remains the same: keep working hard, improve where we can, and get the best result possible.”
Alex Rins: “It’s always a pleasure to come to Japan, especially for Yamaha’s home Grand Prix. I really enjoy spending time here because the local MotoGP fans and the Yamaha employees are so passionate about motorsport. It gives us all an extra boost. Motegi is a track I like and one that has given me good memories in the past. We know it won’t be an easy weekend, but we have clear objectives, and I’m looking forward to getting started. Let’s see what we can do.”
Massimo Meregalli – Team Director:“After a one-week break, everyone is ready to get back to work. We are heading into the always busy overseas schedule in Asia and Oceania. However, our focus is currently fully on the first one: the Japanese GP. This is always a special round for Yamaha because it is our home race, and our riders’ visit to Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters beforehand makes that connection even more tangible. We know the Motegi circuit presents its own challenges, but we approach the weekend with determination and the goal of achieving the best result possible while continuing our development work.”
More, from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP heads to Japan aiming to bounce back and continue the development.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrives at Yamaha‘s home Grand Prix determined to put the difficult Austrian weekend behind it, continue the development of the YZR-M1 and return to the fight for the Top 10 at the Twin Ring Motegi.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP heads to Japan for an important round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, with the Twin Ring Motegi hosting Yamaha‘s home Grand Prix. The team arrives determined to put the difficulties of the Austrian Grand Prix behind it and resume the development path of the YZR-M1, with the objective of returning to the Top 10 and continuing to make progress with the new project.
The Japanese circuit has been part of the MotoGP World Championship calendar since 1999 and is characterised by its stop-and-go layout, with 14 corners, eight right-handers and six left-handers, as well as a series of heavy braking zones followed by strong acceleration. These characteristics could offer the YZR-M1 a different challenge compared with the faster and more flowing circuits where the team has found it more difficult to express its full potential. The weekend will also be an important opportunity to collect further data and understand the behaviour of the bike on a different type of track.
For Jack Miller, Japan represents an opportunity to get back to the positive trajectory he had been following before the difficult Austrian Grand Prix. The Australian knows the circuit well and has an especially strong record at Motegi, having dominated and won the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Pramac Racing also has positive recent memories of the circuit, with Jorge Martín finishing on the podium in 2022 before taking victory there in 2023.
For Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, meanwhile, Motegi represents another completely new challenge in his rookie MotoGP season. The Turkish rider will experience the Twin Ring Motegi for the first time on a MotoGP bike and is looking forward to learning the characteristics of the circuit and continuing his adaptation to the YZR-M1. With Yamaha‘s technical staff and the wider Japanese workforce at the centre of the home Grand Prix, the whole team will be focused on making the most of the weekend and continuing the development work on the project.
The Japanese Grand Prix will also bring a significant change to the usual European television schedule. Japan is eight hours ahead of CET, as a result, all sessions and the race will be broadcast in Europe at earlier times than during the European rounds.
Jack Miller (left) and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (right). Photo courtesy Pramac Yamaha.
Jack Miller: “I’m really looking forward to the overseas rounds, starting with Japan. Motegi is probably one of my top three favourite tracks on the calendar, and I always love racing in front of the Japanese fans.It‘s also Yamaha‘s home round, so we‘ll try to put on a good show for everyone there. After a difficult weekend in Austria, I‘m looking forward to bouncing back, getting back to work and hopefully having a strong weekend.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu:“I have watched the MotoGP race in Motegi for many years, but I have never raced there before, so I‘m really excited about this weekend. It will be the first time in my life that I race at Motegi with a MotoGP bike, so it will be a completely new experience for me.It‘s another new track to learn, and I will try to adapt as quickly as possible and understand the circuit with the MotoGP bike. As always, I will give my best and try to enjoy the experience. I‘m really excited to race at Motegi.”
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “Japan is Yamaha‘s home Grand Prix, so obviously the expectations are quite high and we are all very focused on continuing to improve the package with the latest evolutions we have been working on. It should be an interesting weekend, especially because it will give us another opportunity to understand whether the direction we have taken is the right one. For Toprak, it will not be an easy weekend because he has never raced at Motegi, so once again he will have to learn a new circuit from scratch. Hopefully the weather will allow us to spend as much time as possible on track, which will be particularly important for him. For Jack, on the other hand, it is a circuit where he has had good results in the past, including a victory, so he has a good feeling with Motegi. It will be interesting to compare what we see now with our previous experience there, but most importantly to understand whether the latest developments are taking us in the right direction. It is also a back-to-back weekend, so we need to manage it well and, above all, avoid any crashes that could compromise the following race. It is important to stay focused, stay consistent and come through the weekend in the best possible condition.”
More, from a press release issued by VR46 Racing Team:
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is back on track at Motegi for the first of the 2026 MotoGP season Overseas.
MotoGP is approaching its final stages and the Overseas start, with the Japanese GP opening the Asian leg this weekend. The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is flying to Motegi for the first of the two back-to-back Asian races with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli, who are determined to be back in the top positions fight.
Di Giannantonio arrives to Motegi in fifth place in the World Standing with 230 points, just 4 points away from the Top4. Fabio likes the Japanese track, where he got a sixth place as his best result in MotoGP (Sprint, 2024), and he made s solid comeback last year. The rider from Rome’s goal is to be back in the podium fight this weekend.
Morbidelli, who is now sixteenth in the World Standing with 56 points, is ready to face the first of the Asian weekend with determination: at Motegi, Franco’s goal is to keep working to confirm the steps forward showed in these last races, even if they have not always translated into results. On the Japanese track, the Italian-Brazilian rider got a third place as his best result (Moto2, 2016), and he was one of the standout riders with a Top5 last year.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will hit the track on Friday for free practice, while qualifying will take place on Saturday at ore 10:50 (local time, +9 UTC). The Sprint will get underway at 3:00 pm (local time, +9 UTC) on Saturday, while the Japanese GP will conclude on Sunday with the main race, starting at 2:00 pm (local time, +9 UTC).
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) in Austria. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “These last two races didn’t go as we wanted, so I want to be back on the bike and work even more. I look forward to be in Japan, I like Motegi track a lot, nad our goal is to be competitive and fight for the podiums again. We want to do a great job in this last part of the season, which will be challenging. But we will race on tracks I like a lot. We will stay focused and work together with the team. I am very pumped up!”
Franco Morbidelli (21) in Austria. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.
Franco Morbidelli: “Japan kicks off the Overseas: I like Motegi track a lot, even if it’s quite tough. This last parte of the season will be very challenging and we must be well prepared, adapting to the different time zones. In Japan, we will keep working and try to do our best to turn the situation around. I have a great support both from the team and Ducati, so we have everything we need to make other steps forward. We’re still confident for this Asian leg.”
More, from a press release issued by ELF Marc VDS Racing Team:
Canet and Öncü ready for intense flyaway tour.
Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Aron Canet and Deniz Öncü have landed in Japan to begin an intense flyaway tour of Asia and Oceania that will also take in Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia over the next five weeks.
Canet and Öncü have swapped the lush green scenery of Styria in Austria for another spectacular mountainous setting as the Mobility Resort Motegi host round 16 in this year’s Moto2 World Championship.
Their globe-trotting adventure roars into action at 950am local time on Friday morning with the opening Free Practice session ahead of a 19-lap race on Sunday afternoon at 1215pm
Aron Canet in Austria. Photo courtesy Marc VDS Team.
Aron Canet:“This final part of the season is going to be very intense and demanding physically and mentally with so many races in a short period of time. But I’m raring to go and take some confidence to Japan after some decent recent performances. Japan is always a good way to start the overseas sequence because the fans have great respect for every rider and it’s always a pleasure to race at Motegi. While results have improved lately, we clearly want more and my aim this weekend is to make a good start to this run of races while continuing to build on some momentum we’ve worked had to gain in recent weeks. It’s never easy but like always I’ll be giving it my all to put on a good show for the Japanese fans.”
Hard work to build confidence with his Boscoscuro machine is starting to pay off for the Spaniard after he scored back-to-back points scoring finishes in the recent Misano and Spielberg double-header.
This weekend’s trip to Japan will be the ninth time Canet has taken on the stop and go Motegi track, where he took pole position in Moto2 in 2022 and has a best finish in the intermediate category of eighth in 2023.
Canet’s best finish previously at Motegi was a fifth from the front row of the grid in Moto3 almost a decade ago back in 2017.
Deniz Öncü in Austria. Photo courtesy Marc VDS Team.
Deniz Öncü:“I’m always pumped to go on the flyaway tour because we get to experience very different tracks, very different conditions and very different cultures, which is why it’s super cool to race in different parts of the world. It’s a hectic schedule ahead but it is what we prepare for and I can’t wait to get started in Japan. Three top ten finishes in the last four races show we have raised our level recently, and I believe we have another great opportunity to start the flyaway trip with a positive result. Motegi has a lot of hard braking zones like Austria where I performed well, so I feel we can be fighting inside the top ten once again.”
Öncü arrives in Japan fresh off the back of another brilliant top 10 finish in the Grand Prix of Austria, which he delivered after a season best qualifying in the Spielberg showdown.
The Turkish star believes another top 10 challenge is on the cards this weekend, with Japan’s 4.8km layout very similar to that of Spielberg with an abundance of hard braking zones where he usually excels.
Öncü missed last year’s Grand Prix of Japan through injury and his best finish is 15th in Moto3 back in 2022 after he fell out of contention in 2023 having started from the front row of the grid.
More, from a press release issued by BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha:
Izan Guevara Looking to Carry Momentum into Motegi Race Weekend.
The BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team head to the Grand Prix of Japan seeking to build on Izan Guevara’s dominant victory in Austria. The Spaniard arrives at Mobility Resort Motegi with renewed momentum in the championship battle, while Alberto Ferrández will sit out the event as he continues his recovery from a right collarbone injury sustained in Austria.
The BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team travel to the Mobility Resort Motegi for the Grand Prix of Japan, the first stop of the championship’s Asian and Oceanian flyaway tour. Following a superb victory at Spielberg, Izan Guevara arrives in Japan full of confidence after reducing the gap to the championship leader by 12 points. Meanwhile, Alberto Ferrández will not compete this weekend as he continues his recovery from a broken right collarbone sustained in Austria. The Spaniard is targeting a return to action at the Indonesian Grand Prix, and the team will not field a replacement rider in Japan.
Guevara arrives at Motegi in excellent form after securing his second victory of the season in Austria, the third Moto2 win of his career. The result saw him reduce the championship deficit to 35.5 points, keeping him firmly in contention as the title fight enters its decisive phase. The Japanese circuit holds fond memories for the Spaniard, who won there on his way to the 2022 Moto3 World Championship. While his best Moto2 result at Motegi is a top-10 finish achieved in 2024, the characteristics of the circuit, particularly its heavy braking zones, are expected to suit both Guevara’s riding style and the Boscoscuro package.
Izan Guevara. Photo courtesy BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha.
Izan Guevara:“The Asian tour is starting, and I was really looking forward to this moment. We are coming from a victory in the final European race, so we arrive in Asia highly motivated, especially because we were able to recover some points in the championship.
“Japan is a circuit I really like. I won there in Moto3, but more than that, I really enjoy the layout and the flow of the track. I think it can suit us well and that we can have a strong weekend with the Boscoscuro.
“Now it’s just about enjoying everything that is coming, making the most of the weekend in Japan, and trying to get the best possible result.”
Alex De Angelis – Team Manager:“With Izan, we arrive in Japan really motivated for many reasons. We are coming from a dominant victory in the last race, and we know that Motegi is a circuit where braking is one of the key elements to being fast. We have already shown that Izan and the Boscoscuro are a very strong combination when it comes to braking, both for overtaking and for carrying good speed into the corners. So, we can approach this weekend with a very positive mindset.
“We are very sorry that Alberto will not be able to be with us in Japan, especially at a moment when he was improving so much from race to race. However, we have to look at this as just two races missed, and hopefully this break will allow him to return in Indonesia at 100% and continue the work we have done throughout this season.
“He has made a lot of progress this year, also thanks to the support from and comparison with his teammate, and we have seen him getting stronger with every race. We believe that missing this one round will not change that progression. The goal will be to come back in Indonesia in the best possible condition and continue working to move further forward, get closer to the front, and keep learning.”
Red Bull to again collaborate with Honda HRC’s factory MotoGP team, the pairing already outlining ambitious plans to add to their 45 wins and over 90 podiums together in a multi-year deal.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and Red Bull are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the Austrian brand join the Honda HRC Castrol MotoGP team as one of the major partners beginning with the 2027 season. The multi-year agreement marks a significant reunion of the two companies’ long-standing relationship across a variety of motorsports. United by ambition and fueled by the hunt for excellence, both companies have clear targets to add to their significant history and continuing to push the limits of performance while helping to shape the future of the MotoGP World Championship together.
Under the new deal, Red Bull branding will feature prominently across the next generation of Honda HRC Castrol machines, team garage, and rider apparel as both HRC and Red Bull chase competition and victory at the highest level of motorcycle racing.
Red Bull first joined the Honda HRC’s factory team in 2015, the partnership of that era coinciding with some of the most successful years in HRC’s modern history including multiple riders’ and constructors’ world championships as iconic duo worked side by side. This renewed collaboration builds directly on that foundation, reuniting two organizations with a proven track record of success together and a united vision on and off the track.
The Honda HRC Castrol team will unveil their full 2027 livery and new machine ahead the 2027 MotoGP World Championship season.
Koji Watanabe – President of Honda Racing Corporation:
“Honda HRC and Red Bull are two companies who are very familiar with each other in many forms of racing, and I am delighted to restart our collaboration in MotoGP. As we look ahead to step into a new version of the MotoGP World Championship with the 850cc machines, it is critical to have partners who have the same targets and ambitions. Together I have no doubt of what we can achieve and know we will be able to bring fans more incredible moments throughout our joint collaboration. Red Bull are a company who share our goals, our drive and our exacting standards and I am certain that together we can continue to add to the history we have already written on and off the track.”
Alberto Puig – Team Manager, Honda HRC Castrol:
“As MotoGP prepares to enter a new era with new machines, new rules and new targets as a World Championship, we reunite with Red Bull. In racing, there are very few companies who are competing in as many different championships as HRC and Red Bull, it is a collaboration which makes clear, logical sense. I know that neither party will accept anything less than victory and that is what we must work for to once again make this combination the reference.”
New destinations and returning favourites: your guide to WorldSBK in 2027.
From Phillip Island’s farewell to Valencia’s return and a finale in Shanghai, discover the key dates and changes on the provisional 2027 calendar.
Twelve rounds, nine countries and three continents: the provisional 2027 WorldSBK calendar takes the Championship from Australia in February to China in October, with a European schedule featuring returning favourites and plenty of opportunities to see all four classes in action. Here’s what fans need to know.
One more visit to Phillip Island
The season begins at Phillip Island on 19-21 February, with WorldSBK and WorldSSP opening their campaigns at the Australian circuit.
The weekend will mark WorldSBK’s last appearance at Phillip Island before the Australian Round moves to The Bend in 2028. Its fast, flowing layout and coastal setting have made it a distinctive part of the Championship, giving the 2027 opener added significance for riders and fans alike.
Preparations begin just days earlier, with the official WorldSBK and WorldSSP test taking place at the circuit on 15-16 February.
All four classes together in Europe
Portimao welcomes WorldSBK back to Europe on 19-21 March and marks the start of the WorldSPB and WorldWCR seasons. Both classes will hold their official test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on 15 March.
The Circuit Ricardo Tormo returns to the WorldSBK calendar on 2-4 April, hosting the third round of the season and the second European event.
Located near Valencia, the circuit – which previously hosted WorldSBK from 2000 to 2010, features a stadium-style layout, offering fans views across much of the track. With WorldSBK, WorldSSP, WorldSPB and WorldWCR all racing, there will be plenty to follow throughout the weekend.
Valencia joins MotorLand Aragón, as one of two Spanish venues on the 2027 calendar. Jerez will not host WorldSBK next season due to ongoing renovation works.
European favourites through spring and summer
After Valencia, WorldSBK heads to Assen in April and Aragón in May, before June visits to Most and Misano. Donington Park hosts the final round before the summer break on 9-11 July, with the WorldSPB class making its first appearance on the Leicestershire track.
The season resumes at Magny-Cours in early September, followed by Cremona later that month. Estoril completes the European schedule on 15-17 October and hosts the final round of WorldSPB’s eight-round campaign.
Shanghai International Circuit, China. Photo courtesy WSBK.
China hosts the season finale
The 2027 campaign concludes at Shanghai International Circuit on 29-31 October, two weeks after the penultimate round at Estoril.
Located in the northwest of the city in the Jiading District, the Shanghai International Circuit, designed by renowned architect Hermann Tilke, was inaugurated in 2004 and since then has played host to a variety of international and regional series.
WorldSBK’s debut in China is the culmination of the Championship’s expansion effort and the strengthening of strong bonds with a fast-growing motorcycle industry.
China will provide the setting for the final WorldSBK and WorldSSP races of the year, with WorldSSP joining WorldSBK at all 12 rounds across the season.
Six rounds for WorldWCR
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship will race alongside WorldSBK at six events in 2027, beginning at Portimao and concluding at Cremona.
Valencia follows the Portuguese opener, before visits to Most and Misano in June. After the summer break, Magny-Cours hosts the penultimate round ahead of the finale in Italy on 24-26 September.
TECH3 CONFIRMS ADRIÁN FERNÁNDEZ AND KRISTIAN DANIEL JR. FOR 2027 MOTO3 SEASON
Tech3 is delighted to announce Adrián Fernández and Kristian Daniel Jr. as its Moto3 line-up for the 2027 FIM Moto3™ World Championship, pairing proven podium pace with one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Adrián Fernández – Kristian Daniel Jr.
Madrid-born Fernández, 22, returns to the team where he raced in 2022, bringing more than 100 Grand Prix starts of experience. Since moving to Leopard Racing in 2023, the Spaniard has established himself as a regular front-runner, taking his first Moto3 podium in 2024 and finishing seventh in the 2025 championship. His career tally stands at one win, seven podiums and three pole positions.
Alongside him, American Kristian Daniel Jr. makes his full-time Grand Prix debut after an impressive rise through the Road to MotoGP ladder. Born in Los Angeles and based in Barcelona, the 17-year-old finished fourth in the 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, claiming his first pole position in the season finale at the Red Bull Ring.
Nicolas Goyon, Tech3 Team Manager, said: “We are pleased to announce our 2027 Moto3 line-up with Kristian Daniel Jr. and Adrián Fernández. Firstly, it is exciting to welcome Adrián back into the team. He rode for us in 2022, but he was just at the beginning of his career. Now he’s much more mature and used to battling at the front, so we all feel that he is the perfect candidate on a strong KTM to be able to fight for the championship next year.
“On the other side of the garage, we have the young American – Kristian will just be 18 next season. We have been following his progress through the season in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and the first word that comes to mind is determination. Kristian left California eight years ago and quit everything to try his chances in Europe. Now he will be the first American to compete a full season in this championship, and here at Tech3 we are sure that he will bring a lot to the team.”
Adrián Fernández said: “I’m very happy to be back with Tech3. It’s a team I know well and with which I shared an important chapter of my career, so coming back now is very special. But I return with more experience, a different mindset and, above all, a lot of ambition.
“The goal for 2027 can only be to fight for the World Championship. We know it will be a long and demanding season, but we have the motivation, the hard work and the potential to be at the front. I can’t wait to get started, settle back into the team and work together from day one to fight for the title.”
Kristian Daniel Jr. said: “Honestly, I have to say I’m super grateful for this opportunity. I know how hard I work, and to be given such a great chance with such a great team, there isn’t much more I could’ve asked for. I know it won’t be easy, but it never is and I’m confident the team and I will work hard towards the same goal!”
Kristian Daniel Jr. on the podium after finishing second in Red Bull Rookies Cup Race 2 at Misano. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
Catch up on everything from the MotoAmerica weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park with the latest team press releases and race recaps.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Bobby Fong Crowned 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion.
Bobby Fong earns his first Superbike Championship as Yamaha makes AMA Superbike history at the MotoAmerica season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
It was a memorable MotoAmerica Superbike season finale for Bobby Fong and Yamaha at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider scored a pair of victories and navigated a wild weekend in New Jersey to secure his first MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Strack Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz finished the season on a high note with a Race 3 victory, while Fong’s teammate JD Beach earned a pair of podiums. It all added up to a successful conclusion to the season and a record-breaking weekend for Yamaha in AMA Superbike.
There was plenty on the line heading into the finale. Fong entered the weekend 26 points back in the title fight, but with three races and 75 points up for grabs, the championship was still within reach. Then a nor’easter entered the equation, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and unpredictable track conditions. In the end, Fong did what he needed to do – win and let the rest unfold.
With the worst of the weather expected on Sunday, MotoAmerica made several changes to the race schedule. Friday’s sessions ultimately set the grids for all classes, while Superbike Race 2 was moved to Saturday and Race 3 moved up to open Sunday’s schedule. The Superbike races were also shortened from 20 to 15 laps.
Bobby Fong (50) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong qualified second, with Beach and Scholtz on the second row of the grid, qualifying fourth and fifth, respectively. It was a chaotic first race of the day as rain came through in waves, making for challenging track conditions with standing water on the track. The thrice-started race had the same outcome after every start – Fong out front and taking command of the race.
Beach also got off to a great start, slotting in behind his teammate. A near high-side early in the race dropped him back to 18th, and after witnessing multiple riders crash following the restart, he shifted his focus to finishing the race and ultimately crossed the line eighth. Scholtz was also in the mix up front, grabbing the holeshot on the second restart before being passed by Fong. The South African was ultimately shuffled back to sixth, where he would finish.
Race 2 was declared wet, and although the track was drying, more rain was expected, making for another tricky scenario with rain tires on a drying track. Fong got another good start, slotting into second before taking over the lead on the opening lap, with Beach moving into second and Scholtz into third behind him.
Bobby Fong (50) leading Mathew Scholtz (11), Sean Dylan Kelly (40), JD Beach (95) and PJ Jacobsen (15) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
It was another wild race, with the three Yamaha riders and championship leader Sean Dylan Kelly exchanging positions at the front. Around the halfway mark, Kelly passed Fong, but the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider reclaimed the lead on the following lap. Scholtz also took a turn up front with four laps remaining before Fong moved back into the lead. When the dust settled, it was Fong first across the line, Beach second, Scholtz third and Kelly fourth.
With the pair of victories, which also brought his career tally to 17, Fong gained 24 points on the championship leader heading into Sunday’s final race. Just two points separated the title contenders, setting the stage for a tense showdown in Race 3.
As forecasted, Sunday brought even more rain, with track delays and the possibility that racing could be canceled if conditions did not improve. Before 2 p.m., the rain eased, and the Superbike riders lined up for the final race of the season.
From left to right with, JD Beach, Dustin Coyner, Bobby Fong and Mathew Scholtz on the Superbike race 2 podium at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong once again grabbed the holeshot, with Beach and Scholtz right behind after the start. He built a gap in the challenging conditions, and on Lap 4, his title rival crashed out of the race. Fong continued to lead through the first half of the race, but with the championship on the line, he shifted his focus to riding smart and keeping it on two wheels. The Californian ultimately finished fourth to secure his first MotoAmerica Superbike crown by 11 points, ending the season with six wins and 12 podiums.
“Today in the race, I felt pretty good, and then when I saw that SDK was out, it was hard for me to keep focused because I started slowing down, missing corners, and just wasn’t riding properly,” said Fong. “I made a very long, hard race for myself. It was tough, but I’m glad I got it done.
“Man, it’s an unreal feeling. I don’t even know what to say, really. I’m so happy to get this done, especially after blowing it last year. It’s a dream come true. I really want to thank the team. I let them down big time last year. I put those guys through the wringer, and they had my back. We’re just always trying to improve every weekend, every day at the shop, and that’s what led us to this one – always trying to improve. I want to thank my teammate too. He pushed me all year long, and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate. He’s been a good buddy, and as much as we want to beat each other on track, we motivate each other to be better on the fitness side, the personal side, everything.”
JD Beach (on the left) and Bobby Fong (on the right) on the Superbike race 3 podium at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong’s championship also marked Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s fifth premier-class title in seven years as Yamaha’s Official Superbike Team.
Scholtz also had a strong finish to a season that marked the back-to-back Supersport Champion’s return to the Superbike class and Strack Racing Yamaha’s debut in the premier class. In Race 3, Scholtz started third and made his way into the runner-up spot on the opening lap, closing in on Fong on Lap 4. He stayed on his heels before making the pass at the halfway mark, then rode away from the competition to score his fifth win of the season by 6.5 seconds. The victory also secured third in the championship for the South African, who ended his first season aboard the Strack Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 with five wins and 11 podiums, while bringing his career Superbike win total to 10.
“We came to Jersey and obviously had a mathematical chance of fighting for the championship, but maybe that was just a little bit too far out of our grasp,” said Scholtz. “We were still fighting for third with JD, and he closed in a lot of points after the COTA round.
Mathew Scholtz (11) won Superbike Race 3 at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“Jersey has been kind to me previously, and I know that the Yamaha tends to run well here. The first two races on Saturday were really difficult for us, but we made a lot of changes and made the bike better for the third race on Sunday. We managed to bring home the win, and I’m really thankful to the team. The second half of the year has been difficult, but to end it off like that gives us a lot of confidence heading into 2027.”
As for Beach, he was shuffled back to fifth in the opening laps, but continued to fight and passed his teammate in the final laps to finish third for his eighth podium of the season. Beach finished fourth in the championship with three wins in his first full season with the team, bringing his career Superbike total to five.
“It was a tough weekend for sure with the weather,” said Beach. “We had a wet race yesterday, then a dry race with a rain tire, and then another wet race today with a lot of puddles.
JD Beach (95) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“Today, we just sat around waiting, and then about 30 minutes before we were going to race, we got the call, so it was a rush to get ready. It was a crazy weekend. It’s great to finish off the year with two podiums, and cool for Bob to get the title for himself and the team. So yeah, it was a good way to finish off the year.”
It was also a record-breaking weekend for Yamaha in AMA Superbike. Fong’s 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship marked Yamaha’s 15th title, the most in the 50-year history of the AMA Superbike Championship. His two wins brought Yamaha into a tie atop the all-time race win list, with Scholtz’s Race 3 victory giving the manufacturer a total of 218 wins to take sole possession of the record. Yamaha was also once again awarded the MotoAmerica Manufacturer of the Year honors after scoring the most points across all classes.
Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica’s Chief Operating Officer (on the left) and Jeff Sidlovsky, Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was an honor for me to accept the Manufacturer’s award,” said Jeff Sidlovsky, Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. “I’d like to congratulate Bobby and the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team for winning the Superbike Championship. As Bobby said, the constant push to improve is a driving force of this team, and that’s what won the championship in the end. Bobby worked so hard this year to improve in all aspects, and it paid off. I also want to congratulate Richard (Stanboli) on another championship, and JD on a great year with the team.
“I’d also like to congratulate Mathew Scholtz on the strength of his season back in Superbike, and Strack Racing. To finish third in Superbike in the first year as a Superbike team is quite an accomplishment
“I want to recognize Liberty St. Yamaha Racing, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing, and BPR Racing Yamaha for their accomplishments this year, as well. All of our Yamaha riders and teams contributed to the Manufacturer award, and I want to thank them and our sponsors for their support.”
More, from another press release issued by Yamaha:
Hayes Scores 91st Career Victory at MotoAmerica Season Finale.
Josh Hayes adds another Supersport victory to his legendary career, Karel Hanika earns a podium in his MotoAmerica debut, and Sam Drane finishes runner-up in Talent Cup at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
There was plenty to celebrate for Yamaha BLU CRU riders at the MotoAmerica season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP). BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes added another victory to his legendary career, scoring his second Supersport win of the season aboard the Yamaha YZF-R9 and his 91st career AMA road racing victory. Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Karel Hanika also impressed in his MotoAmerica debut, with the experienced World Championship rider earning a podium in Race 2. Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis rebounded from a Race 1 crash to finish fourth, while Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane wrapped up the season with a runner-up finish in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup and a sixth-place finish aboard the Yamaha YZF-R7 in Twins Cup.
Like Superbike, the support classes had plenty to contend with as a nor’easter brought high winds, heavy rain, and constantly changing track conditions to the 2.25-mile track in Millville, New Jersey. MotoAmerica adjusted the schedule in anticipation of worsening weather on Sunday, but ultimately the second Talent Cup and Twins Cup races were canceled.
Hayes came into the weekend with a lot of confidence, as the four-time AMA Superbike Champion is no stranger to success at NJMP. And with both of his previous wins aboard the BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 coming in wet conditions, the forecast appeared to play to his strengths. In Race 1, Hayes grabbed the holeshot and led from start to finish, earning his second victory of the season and 91st career AMA road racing win.
Josh Hayes (4) won Supersport race 1 at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It’s special to get two this year, both of them in wet weather, unfortunately, but I’ll take what I can get,” said Hayes. “The BPR guys did a good job for me, but the hardest part has been the pressure stacking up. I’ve had so many good races here in New Jersey, and the three wins on this R9 have all come around wet weather. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, you got this, you got this.’
“Then I had such a good morning in practice, and it’s like, man, everything’s really starting to stack up on my shoulders, that I’m the thing that’s going to screw this up. So I’m happy that I was able to stay relaxed, ride well, finish the job, and get it done today.”
Sunday brought another challenging wet race for the Supersport field. Hayes got a good start but crashed in a puddle entering Turn 1. He rejoined the race and found himself 15th on the opening lap, but put his head down and worked his way back to 11th before another crash in Turn 1 with five laps remaining. Undeterred, he fought his way back to 11th, finishing the season fourth in the Supersport Championship with two victories and six podiums.
Karel Hanika (28) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Filling in for the injured Dominic Doyle, Hanika made progress throughout his debut weekend in the series and with Liberty St. Yamaha Racing. Despite starting deep on the grid, the Czech rider got a good start in Race 1 and worked his way forward to finish sixth..
Hanika got another good start in Race 2 and was seventh on the opening lap. He quickly made his way through a four-rider battle for fourth, moving into the position by Lap 2. Hanika then closed the gap to the rider ahead and made the pass for third on Lap 6, where he would finish to earn his first MotoAmerica podium in just his second race aboard the Liberty St. Yamaha Racing YZF-R9.
“It was my first experience in America and in the Supersport class,” said Hanika. “For me, it was a new bike, a new team, tires, racetrack – so a lot to learn. Of course, I had some experience with the bikes, but any time you come to a new place, you have to learn quickly, especially here when you have only one free practice and qualifying.
Karel Hanika (28) got third in the Supersport Race 2 at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“We did our best to prepare for both dry and wet, and every session we were improving and improving, until the end of Race 2, where we could take the podium. I had a really good start in all the races, was able to make up many positions, and my pace was good.
“I think if I could start today in a better position, not 17th, I would probably be able to fight with the top two guys for the win. But I’m still happy to take this podium, my first one here and in my second race, so I really couldn’t ask for more. Big thanks to Chuck and Greg from Liberty Yamaha Racing and all the guys who gave me this opportunity.”
It was a tough start to the weekend for Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis. After a chaotic start to Race 1 left the young Virginian back in 12th, he put his head down and worked his way to seventh by the halfway mark before unfortunately crashing out in the tricky conditions. Davis rebounded aboard his YZF-R9 in Race 2, getting a good start and running third early. He remained in the fight up front before being passed by Hanika ahead of the halfway mark and rode on to finish fourth. Davis ended the season with a top-five finish in the Supersport Championship.
Blake Davis (22) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Drane also ended his season on a positive note, earning a runner-up finish in the Talent Cup race and finishing sixth aboard the Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7 in Twins Cup. With the worsening conditions on Sunday, the second race for both classes was canceled.
Despite not being 100% at the start of the season following an injury, the 15-year-old Australian finished third in both the MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Talent Cup Championships. In his debut Twins Cup season, Drane scored a victory at the season opener in Daytona and a total of four podiums. He also had a strong sophomore season in Talent Cup, earning nine podiums, including a victory at the penultimate round at COTA.
Sam Drane (59) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“Yeah, it was definitely a good weekend,” said Drane. “I got second in the Talent Cup and sixth on the Twin. It was my first time in the wet on the Twin, so I was struggling a little bit. I didn’t really know how much I could trust it. I was really looking forward to today. We made some big changes, and I think we were going to make a big step forward today, but unfortunately we got rained out. So I’m just looking forward to next year.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Beaubier and Smith Score Superbike Podiums as Ducati Sweeps 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship Podium.
Darryn Binder caps off his season with the final race win of the year in Supersport
Sunnyvale, Calif., — Three wet races were held at New Jersey Motorsports Park to end the 2026 Quad Lock MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, with both Cameron Beaubier and Benjamin Smith gaining podium finishes for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team.
Race one saw two separate red flags and three race starts in torrential rain. Beaubier garnered a second-place finish behind winner Bobby Fong, with Smith carding a maiden MotoAmerica Superbike podium in third.
Race two wasn’t a great one for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team as both Beaubier and Smith failed to finish, and with conditions not improving for Sunday’s final race, the team took the decision not to compete when championship positions were largely set before the green light.
That meant Beaubier would finish 11th on 105 points and Smith was one place behind in 12th with 97 points.
In the Supersport championship, champion-elect Darryn Binder played it safe in race one, taking fourth place behind race winner Josh Hayes. The South African righted that wrong in race two, charging to the line to defeat season-long rival Josh Herrin by a scant 0.137-seconds in an epic encounter.
The final race of the season has Binder a rookie champion on 406 points, 78 up on Herrin with Kayla Yaakov third, 157 off Binder, marking Ducati’s first ever top-three clean sweep of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. Todays results also makes Yaakov the first female rider to finish inside the top three of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
Cameron Beaubier (1) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Cameron Beaubier (Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team – #1):
“I’m just stoked to be back for these last two rounds,” Beaubier said. “My shoulder isn’t 100 percent, but it’s good enough to ride. We tested here before Road Atlanta, and to see how far the bike has come since then is pretty incredible. Huge credit to my team for working so hard and developing it all year.
“I was having a lot of fun in the dry on Friday. Then the rain came. Saturday was brutal, but I was able to get on the podium after two red flags in wild conditions. I was pretty timid because of my shoulder, so I was happy to get through it safely and get on the podium.
“In the second race, I had zero grip from the start. About eight guys passed me, and every time I tipped the bike in, the rear would come around. It felt like I had a flat tire, so I pulled into the pits. We looked at the data afterward and saw what I was talking about.
“Sunday brought more rain, and we decided to sit out race three. I’m in one piece, my bike’s in one piece, and there was a lot more to lose than gain. I knew MotoAmerica needed to get a race in to decide the championship, but the track was pretty gnarly with all the standing water. I’m happy my team is looking out for me, and we made that decision together.
“I’m really excited for next year. I’ve been super happy with how the bike has felt over these last two rounds, and it makes me really excited for 2027.”
Benjamin Smith (78) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Benjamin Smith (Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team – #78):
“I checked a big box this weekend that I really wanted to, getting on the podium yesterday in race one. That’s a huge step in my career in the right direction, and I’m really proud to have achieved it.
“We had a mechanical issue with the engine in race two and had to end that race early. Unfortunately, the same situation has meant the team decided to withdraw us from race three today. Obviously, as a racer, I want to be out there racing. I understand the situation and I respect the decision.
“We checked some big boxes this year—pole position and a podium in my first year on a real Superbike. So, thank you to the team, Ducati North America, and everybody else who gave me this opportunity. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Darryn Binder (53) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was a long day of waiting, but we finally managed to get out there and do race two, and I’m super happy we did,” Binder said on Sunday. “I really wanted to end the season on a good note, and I had a huge battle with Josh (Herrin) there at the end. It felt amazing to come away with the win and finish the season on such a good note. It’s like the cherry on the cake.
“I just want to thank the entire Celtic HSBK Racing team, Warhorse HSBK and Ducati. Thank you guys so much for everything. Thanks to my personal sponsors, Sport Pesa, Bell and Alpinestars. Thank you guys for everything this year. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Paige secures Twins Cup Championship runner-up for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki at New Jersey.
Team Hammer closes the 2026 MotoAmerica season with 29 podium finishes despite weather-shortened action at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer closed out the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season in wet and wild fashion as the series held its finale amid the nor’easter that slammed the East Coast.
Despite the additional challenges presented by the inclement weather at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey, the squad managed to raise Team Hammer’s 2026 total to 29 podiums, including three victories.
Race Highlights:
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Bodie Paige locked down second in the championship with another podium finish
Matthew Chapin rounded out a strong season in fourth
Superbike
Home track hero Brandon Paasch racked up three top-10 finishes on the weekend
Supersport
Rossi Moor showcased his Supersport potential despite the difficult conditions
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Superbike
Tyler Scott picked up another top-10 as he continued his SBK apprenticeship
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s fast-rising Bodie Paige locked down Twins Cup runner-up honors with his eighth podium of the season aboard the squad’s GSX-8R racebike.
The young Australian finished second on Saturday before Sunday’s finale was canceled due to weather. Even with one fewer opportunity to add to his totals, Paige finished the season with two wins, eight podiums, and 10 top-five finishes in 13 starts.
Bodie Paige clinched second in the Twins Cup championship with a podium result at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Paige said, “I had a miscue off the start, but I just kept calm, making moves and moving forward. Once I got through, the leader was a couple seconds ahead. There was no reason to throw it down the road, so I stayed comfortable and calm, and brought it home to pick up as many points as possible. The team gave me a great bike that was capable of winning. I really want to thank the entire M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for all of their efforts and support.”
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin capped his 2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season with a fourth-place championship finish after securing one win, five podiums, and nine top-five results aboard the GSX-8R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Twins Cup teammate Matthew Chapin, meanwhile, locked down fourth in the standings with a fourth-place finale. He ended his ‘26 campaign with a victory, five podiums, and nine top fives.
“We had a good weekend,” said Chapin. “We were under the old lap record in qualifying, but that was only good enough for fifth this year. We just had the one race and the conditions were difficult. We were on rain tires on a drying track. Our pace was good, and we were near the front. When it came time down to the end, I didn’t have the front-end feel to push things and go for the win, so we kept our pace and got a good result to close out the year. I think we accomplished a lot this season, and I am looking forward to what comes next.”
Brandon Paasch delivered three top-10 finishes in front of his hometown fans at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch came into his home track with high hopes. Despite torrential downpours and constantly changing track conditions, Paasch managed to string together three premier-class top-10 finishes aboard the GSX-R1000R.
The New Jersey native raced his way forward in all three races. After qualifying 11th, he claimed successive finishes of tenth, sixth, and eighth to round out the 2026 campaign in a positive manner. That left him eighth in the overall standings with a fifth-place finish at Ridge Motorsports Park standing as the season highlight.
Paasch said, “I felt like there was a lot of good in the weekend. In the second race, we were finally able to stick with the leaders. I was in the top-five and feeling strong, but a little mechanical issue from an earlier crash kept me from improving. We still took sixth, so I was pleased with that. On Sunday, there was a lot of confusion with the weather delays and the track conditions were way worse. At one point I ran wide in the first turn but was able to keep going and get a finish. We had been looking for a breakthrough all season and I feel like we found it, but now the season is over.”
Tyler Scott continued his Superbike development with a seventh-place finish aboard the Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott continued his Superbike education, once again demonstrating his caliber with a run to seventh in Race 2 on the weekend.
Despite the treacherous conditions, the Pennsylvanian showed the pace for two additional strong results as well, running well inside the top-10 in Race 1 before crashing in the rain, and then again falling in the wet while running seventh on the final lap of Race 3. He was ultimately credited with a DNF and 13th in those outings.
Scott said, “I thought the weekend went fairly well. It was great to get more experience on the Superbike and this time it was in the toughest conditions. In the first race, we had a couple of restarts and I was moving up, but then I highsided under deceleration. In race two, I finished seventh and I thought I could see how we could improve on that as well. On Sunday, I had another deceleration highside but I was able to pick the bike up and finish. In both the crashes, I think our aggressive engine braking strategy caught me out. It’s different than what I was used to on the Supersport bike and things like that are part of the learning process.”
Meanwhile, despite missing the final two weekends, the recovering Richie Escalante still held on for a top-10 championship finish. The Mexican ended the year ranked tenth on the strength of a podium and five top-five finishes.
NJMP proved a similarly difficult proving ground for the talented Rossi Moor, who was making his MotoAmerica Supersport debut aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, coming in fresh from his Moto2 forays in the FIM MotoJunior World Championship.
Rossi Moor impressed with a seventh-place qualifying effort in his MotoAmerica Supersport debut. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Moor proved himself a quick learner, qualifying seventh overall in the highly competitive class. Unfortunately, he was caught out by the conditions, taking 12th in Race 1 and crashing out in Race 2.
“The weekend was pretty tough because of the conditions,” said Moor. “I had to learn a new bike, different tires, and I hadn’t ridden in New Jersey for like four years… and then it started raining. I felt like we made good progress on everything, but we didn’t get the results we were looking for. Saturday was okay, and we had made some improvements for Sunday. But it was so slick out there that I felt like I was going to crash in every corner. Eventually, I fell in Turn 13 and that ended it. I want to thank Team Hammer for the opportunity.”
More, from a press release issued by M4 ECSTAR Suzuki:
Sonya Lloyd ends 2026 Season with her best result yet in New Jersey.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sonya Lloyd saved her best for last, claiming a season’s best finish of seventh to close out the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season at New Jersey Motorsport Park in impressive fashion.
And that seventh was hard-earned. The series was greeted by nor’easter storms, forcing the weekend’s races to be contested under extraordinarily difficult conditions – and in the case of the scheduled Twins Cup Race 2, cancelled altogether.
Lloyd opened her race from Row 6 after qualifying 16th aboard the team’s GSX-8R. Undaunted, she quickly set about picking her way forward in Saturday’s wet Race 1. The former WorldWCR contender battled her way into the top 10 by lap 4 and then gained two spots on the final lap to claim seventh.
Sonya Lloyd (28) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Ultimately, the Georgian scored seven points paying finishes on the season, and underlined her continual improvement by claiming her best finish of ‘26 yet in each of her last three outings, stringing together successive finishes of 12th,10th, and seventh.
Lloyd said, “We just had the one race this weekend because Sunday was cancelled, but we had a good race on Saturday. This was the first time I have raced at New Jersey, and the team was super helpful. I didn’t qualify that great in 16th, but I was able to finish 7th and I was happy with that. I love racing in the rain, so I was hopeful we could get our best finish yet. I had a good start and I made it up to around 11th or so by the end of the first lap. From there, I had some good battles and passes throughout the race and was able to get 7th at the line.
“We had a great year. I learned a lot and the team was great. We’ve been improving our results throughout the second half of the season, and I feel we have made a lot of progress.”
About Team Hammer:
The 2026 season marks Team Hammer’s 46th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 138 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 411 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
About Suzuki:
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
More, from a press release issued by Karns Performance:
Karns / TST Industries Racing Earns First Win of the Season in Dramatic Final Weekend.
It was an emotional, up-and-down weekend for the “little team that could”—one that ended with a breakthrough victory.
The team was disappointed to lose Solly Mervis after he sustained an injury while competing in Italy. With one rider sidelined, the team still had work to do: put in a strong performance at the final race of the season.
Kevin Olmedo and Isaac Woodworth came out swinging in practice and qualifying. Kevin led the charge, with Isaac close behind. Isaac broke the track record, and Kevin followed by breaking it again. The team came in for fresh tires, hoping to go even faster—but with 10 minutes remaining, Kevin suffered a serious crash that brought out a red flag. After the session resumed, Isaac also crashed.
Despite the setbacks, the team finished qualifying with Isaac and Kevin second and third on the grid. The team soon learned that Kevin’s injuries were more serious than first expected, and he was declared unfit to continue.
With Isaac the team’s only remaining rider, the crew worked late into the night to repair his bike and give him the best chance to compete. Heavy overnight rain canceled the second qualifying session, leaving the team to wait for race time.
Isaac Woodworth (27) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Twins Cup race 1 saw Isaac launching his Karns Performance/TST Industries Suzuki GSX-8r off the line with a big wheelie in the wet conditions, then made a pass for the lead. He led the race through the final lap, when another rider passed him illegally under yellow. Isaac held close in second and brought the bike safely to the finish. After reviewing the footage, MotoAmerica awarded Isaac and the team the victory—their first win of the season!
It was a defining moment for the team and proof of what it could accomplish through determination and teamwork.
“We’re thrilled with this win,” said Jason Karns, Team Principal. “The only thing better than this feeling would be having Solly and Kevin here to compete and share it with us. We wish them both a speedy recovery and look forward to next year.”
Isaac Woodworth (27) celebrates his Twins Cup victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Karns / TST Industries Racing thanks all of its sponsors, large and small. The team could not do this without their support, and is proud to race with products from some of the best companies in the business: Andreani and Nitron suspension, NG Brakes rotors, Vesrah brake pads, Dymag wheels, Woodcraft controls and stands, and Mecks Autobody for bodywork and paint.
The team also extends special thanks to TST Industries for its support over the past several seasons, including triple clamps, air boxes, and many other contributions.
Karns / TST Industries Racing is grateful to every sponsor, partner, and crew member who helped make this season—and its first win—possible.
2026 Team Partners: Karns Performance, TST Industries, Meck’s Auto Body, IceBarn Racing, Bobblehead Moto, Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension, NG Brakes, Spiegler Brake Lines, Blumanstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Vesrah brake pads, Woodcraft Technologies, Natter Block 3D and Chef Eatz.
More, from a press release issued by Real Steel Honda:
Real Steel Honda Racing finishes the 2026 MotoAmerica season at a wet and disappointing NJMP round.
Hayden Gillim qualified 6th for the Superbike grid on the 2nd row and ended up 9th in Race 1 after a chaotic race with multiple red flags and restarts. Race 2 saw Hayden suffer a DNF and Race 3 also saw Hayden suffer a DNF due to a crash in turn 1 which caught out many competitors during this race. Hayden finished in 9th place in the Superbike championship standings with 110 points. Andrew Lee won Race 1 for the Superbike Cup, placed 3rd in Race 2, and finished Race 3 with a 2nd place to be on the podium for all 3 Superbike Cup races this weekend. Andrew finished the 2026 Superbike Cup championship with 441 points and the championship.
In the Talent Cup class with only 1 race due to the conditions, Ian Fraley finished 7th while Derek Sanchez scored 4th place just off of the podium. Derek finished the season 5th in points and Ian finished in 9th place.
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 NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Hayden Gillim – Rider #69 / Team Principal: ““I was really excited about going to New Jersey. Last year we finished the season on the podium. In the dry I felt good and the bike was working well. I had good pace and ended up qualifying 6th.
Then came the rain. I have struggled on the bike in the rain the last few years, but we were throwing everything at it this weekend. Race 1 I had a crash and with all the red flags I was still able to manage a top ten. Race 2 we had a little issue that kept us from finishing the race in drying conditions. By race 3 I was feeling really good on the bike and was just behind 5th and 6th on track. Unfortunately, I crashed in a puddle in turn one and ended the season there.
We will move forward to see what next year holds. Thanks to all the team, sponsors, and fans for backing us this season!”
Andrew Lee (14) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Andrew Lee – Rider #14: “What a season! So grateful to of had the opportunity to race with the Real Steel Honda team. Wrapped the weekend in New Jersey in typical New Jersey fashion. Cold, windy, and wet. Not much to report as a weak result, but to walk away with the championship for our team and sponsors is amazing. Thank you to everyone who played a part in it this season.
Ian Fraley (10) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Ian Fraley – Rider #10: “This weekend was a tough one from the very beginning. Friday started with practice being rough, including a hard crash that set the tone for the weekend. Then in Q1, we struggled a lot with the setup, and those issues ended up hurting us going into Saturday.
Saturday was a long day with a bunch of rain and wind, making the conditions even tougher. When it finally came time to race, we went with a wet front and a dry rear. The rear worked great, but the rain front was completely the wrong choice for the conditions we ended up with. There wasn’t much we could do once we were out there, but we gave it everything we had and did the best we could with what we had.
Then Sunday came, and we were ready for another chance to finish the weekend strong, but the race was canceled. Not the ending we wanted, but sometimes racing gives you more lessons than results. We fought through every day, learned a lot, and kept pushing when things weren’t going our way. I’m taking everything from this weekend and using it to come back stronger.”
Derek Sanchez – Rider #23: “I came into New Jersey Motorsports Park with one goal: to leave everything on the track and finish the MotoAmerica Talent Cup season showing what we’re truly capable of. From the very first session on Friday, I felt as good on the bike as I have all year. My Real Steel Honda team gave me an unbelievable setup right out of the trailer. Having that kind of front-end confidence allowed me to attack the technical sections, trail-brake hard into the turns, and really fight in the lead group. Across every session, the bike was planted, my pace was right where it needed to be, and I felt completely in control pushing at the absolute limit. Battling up front in those races was pure fun.
More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
Kyle Wyman and Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Race Team close 2026 King of the Baggers season with victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Bradley Smith Races Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team Road Glide Motorcycle to Second Place in Season Standings
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team rider Kyle Wyman mastered wet track conditions on Sunday to win the final round of the 14-race 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Foods King of the Baggers championship aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle in a double-header weekend of racing at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team rider Bradley Smith finished second in the same race on a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle and secured second place in the final championship points standings.
Racers battled rain and windy conditions all weekend in New Jersey as a major nor’easter storm moved up the Atlantic coast. Rain limited the King of the Baggers field to a single qualifying session on Friday that saw Wyman qualify second and Smith third on the 12-turn, 2.25-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park road course. The weather conditions also caused the cancellation of Saturday Mission Foods Challenger bonus sprint race.
Saturday’s eight-lap main event put riders on a drying track with some wet spots, and a light sprinkle beginning to fall, forcing a choice between racing on slick or rain tires. Wyman made a late decision to change his rear tire to a slick and missed the warm-up lap, which by rule required him to start the race from pit lane. Smith started the race in fourth place and moved up to second position by lap five but fell back to fourth position at the finish. Indian Factory racer Troy Herfoss won the race, nipping his teammate Hayden Gillim by 0.035 seconds at the finish line. Wyman finished in sixth place.
The track was much wetter for Sunday’s race, with large puddles flowing across the track surface in spots. Gillim, Smith and Wyman led from the start and the trio gradually opened a gap on the rest of the field. Wyman passed Smith to take second place on lap four, passed Gillim for the lead on lap five and went on to win by 1.896 seconds over Smith, who passed Gillim on the final lap.
Kyle Wyman (1) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“This team has changed my life and changed my career. This one’s going to feel really good for a long time,” said Wyman, who won the King of the Baggers championship in 2021 and 2025 and leads the series with 27 career victories. “How can you sum up what we’ve done with this program? You just can’t. We’ve created a lot of memories and impacted a lot of people in a positive way. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group. I want to give a huge thanks to Harley-Davidson, to all of our partners and our fans. The fans have been incredible. It’s great to give them one more win.”
Bradley Smith (38) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Smith finished his second season with the Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team with two race victories and seven additional podium results, to score 230 points and take second place in the final standings. Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider James Rispoli scored a single podium result for the season and was sixth in the season standings.
At the conclusion of the 14-round 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series Gillim is series champion with 287 points. Smith is second with 230 points, followed by Herfoss with 228 points, Wyman with 169 points, SDI Racing Indian rider Tyler O’Hara with 157 points and Rispoli with 145 points.
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results: New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 1
Troy Herfoss (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Hayden Gillim (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Tyler O’Hara (Ind) SDI Racing
Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Max Flinders (H-D) M3/Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson
Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Rocco Landers (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) TAB Performance
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results: New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 2
Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Hayden Gillim (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
James Rispoli (H-D) Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
Max Flinders (H-D) M3/Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson
Rocco Landers (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Troy Herfoss (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle Racing:
Indian Motorcycle Racing caps Historic 2026 King of the Baggers Season at New Jersey Motorsports Park finale with Race 1 win & Indian Challenger podium sweep.
Vance & Hines Motorsports-Built Indian Challenger Secures Historic 10 Race Wins, While Factory Team Sets New Record with 24 Podiums.
Fresh Off a Championship, Indian Motorcycle Racing & Vance & Hines Motorsports Set Sights on 2027 Committed to Hyden Gillim and Troy Herfoss, as Team Pursues Historic Back-to-Back Championships
Golden Valley, MN — Indian Motorcycle Racing closed out a historic 2026 Mission King of the Baggers (KOTB) season this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, putting an exclamation point on the team’s first season with Vance & Hines Motorsports and once again showcasing the Indian Challenger as far and away the most-dominant machine in the class. After clinching the championship with Hayden Gillim at Circuit of the Americas two weeks ago, the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Motorsports Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team carried its momentum into the season finale, capturing its 10th overall win and completing an Indian Challenger podium sweep in Race 1, while adding another podium finish for good measure in Race 2.
When it was all said and done, the team delivered an unparalleled season of record-breaking success, including an individual record eight wins for Gillim, within the team’s 10 overall victories, and a record-setting 24 overall podium positions over the series’ 14 races.
“When you consider that we entered Daytona back in March with only a single testing session under our belt, it’s pretty amazing to think about what we were able to accomplish,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “When you break it all down, this season is the ultimate testament to the superior performance of the Indian Challenger and the broader PowerPlus platform, and to the collaborative power of Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Motorsports. And in that respect, the amazing outcome this season comes as no surprise.”
The dominant 2026 season only sets the stage for the next chapter, with the team committing to 2026 Champion Gillim and 2024 champion Troy Herfoss for 2027. Together, the two riders will lead the program as it looks to build on this record-setting year by being the first team to win back-to-back KOTB championships.
“This season was incredible, and we’re proud of everything this team accomplished, but our work doesn’t stop here,” said Kennedy. “We’re already focused on what comes next, with a clear goal of becoming the first manufacturer to win back-to-back King of the Baggers championships. Hayden and Troy are going to be a major part of that plan. They’ve proven what they can do on the Indian Challenger, and with Vance & Hines Motorsports continuing to develop this program, we believe we have the people, the team and the machine to keep pushing this class. This season set a new benchmark for bagger racing, and now the focus immediately shifts to 2027.”
2026 Mission King Of The Baggers champion Hayden Gillim. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
From the opening round at Daytona International Speedway to the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing delivered the most dominant campaign in King of the Baggers history. The factory team, armed with the Vance & Hines Motorsports-built Indian Challenger, captured 10 of the season’s 14 race victories, including a six-race win streak that established a new manufacturer record. Gillim’s eight victories set a new single-season record for wins by a rider, while the factory team placed at least one Indian Challenger on the podium in every race and set a new KOTB record with 24 total podiums. The team also secured six of the seven pole positions and established five new track records at Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio, Circuit of the Americas and New Jersey.
The results marked a historic first season for the new partnership with Vance & Hines Motorsports, which came together ahead of the 2026 season to bring a proven performance platform and decades of race development expertise together under one program. At the heart of the effort was the Indian Challenger, powered by the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 engine, giving the team a strong foundation to develop and refine a purpose-built race package throughout the season. The collaboration quickly translated from the drawing board to the racetrack, with the team quickly and consistently establishing its dominance.
King of the Baggers Race 1 podium at NJMP with, from left to right, Hayden Gillim, Troy Herfoss and Tyler O’Hara. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
In New Jersey, Herfoss closed out the season with a statement in Race 1, charging from the back of the pack to take his second victory of the season, followed by Gillim in second and Tyler O’Hara in third to complete the Indian Challenger podium sweep. In Race 2, 2026 Champion Gillim added another podium to his season, bringing his No. 69 home in third to close out the 2026 campaign.
“King of the Baggers represents the largest class of motorcycles sold in the United States, and this season has invigorated excitement and enthusiasm for American V-Twin riders all around the globe,” said Kennedy. “At the end of the day, it’s the average rider who benefits most from the competition between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson. We’re extremely proud of our success this season but certainly expect the team from Milwaukee to be ready to fight for that No. 1 plate come Daytona 2027.”
Gillim’s championship marked Indian Motorcycle’s fourth King of the Baggers title, joining O’Hara (2020,2022) and Herfoss (2024) as Indian Motorcycle champions. After securing the championship with two races remaining, Gillim closed out his first season with the Indian Motorcycle Factory team having rewritten the single-season wins record with eight victories, highlighting the team’s record-setting campaign.
With the 2026 season now in the books, the team’s focus already turns to 2027. With Gillim and Herfoss returning to the lineup, the program will enter the next season with its championship-winning rider pairing intact and its sights set on another run at the King of the Baggers title.
For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, X, Instagramand YouTube. For information about Vance & Hines Motorsports, visit VanceAndHinesMotorsports.com, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®:
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
ABOUT VANCE & HINES MOTORSPORTS:
With nearly five decades of championship-winning experience, Vance & Hines Motorsports delivers proven performance through precision-built components and expert engine services. From advanced cylinder head development to high-performance engine components and closed-course competition exhaust systems, every product is engineered to give a decisive edge. Most recently, Vance & Hines Motorsports has expanded its offerings with a Pro Stock Motorcycle rental program, providing qualified independent racers with access to competitive, race-ready machinery at the professional level.
If you’re a fan of the Classic Rock genre and, in particular, early-1980s rock ballads, then you’ve certainly enjoyed the sometimes-dulcet, sometimes-raucous musical creations of Michael Lee Aday, otherwise known professionally by his ground-round stage name, Meat Loaf.
One of the Loaf-man’s biggest hits was “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” a homage to unrequited, adolescent romance.
Well, “two out of three” is fine for affairs of the heart, but when it comes to motorcycle road racing success, “one out of two” is absolutely the stuff of legends.
Legends like Joshua Kurt Hayes, in fact.
Josh Hayes’s first year in motorcycle road racing was 1994, and he rode a self-tuned Honda CBR600F2 which he used to win three National Novice Championships. He was set to ride for Ruckus Racing in 1995 on a Kawasaki ZX-6R with Grant Lopez as his teammate, but Lopez ended up signing with Team Hammer, and the team never materialized. The photo of Josh in this press kit is actually his senior year photo from high school. Photo courtesy of Josh Hayes.
This past Sunday, 51-year-old Hayes started his 377th AMA-sanctioned professional road race in Supersport race two at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Also, in Saturday’s Supersport race one, the “Mississippi Madman,” or “Hurricane Hayes” if you prefer, won the penultimate race of the 2026 MotoAmerica season.
It was Hayes’s 91st AMA-sanctioned race win and his 191st podium result. If you do the math, he currently has an AMA podium-finishing percentage of 50.66%.
Think about that for a moment. What if someone told you that, in half of the AMA- sanctioned professional road races you started in your career, you’d stand on the podium, and receive a trophy and all the accolades that go with it? You’d take it, wouldn’t you? And you’d be considered a legend for it.
What if you’d be able to maintain that 50% podium-finishing rate for more than three decades? You’d be pretty happy, wouldn’t you? It would be a life well-lived, wouldn’t you say?
In 2006, Josh Hayes raced in two classes for Erion Honda. He won in Formula Xtreme and also earned six top-five results in Superstock. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
One of the very best things about the success that Josh Hayes has accomplished in motorcycle road racing is how much he appreciates it. There is no motorcycle road racer on this planet who appreciates his chosen craft and profession more than Hayes. And hand in hand with that appreciation is the absolute LOVE he has for racing motorcycles.
It’s a love that probably should have been the subject of a song by Meat Loaf. “I would do anything for (racing),” perhaps? But he won’t do that? Oh, he would probably do that. Even if it’s outside the realm of the AMA.
Endurance racing? Hayes has endurance-raced at tracks from Summit Point, West Virginia, to the pièce de resistance itself, the 24 Heures Motos in Le Mans, France. In fact, endurance racing, and the requisite seat time, helped make him such a great rider.
World Championship racing? Hayes competed as a member of the Parkalgar Honda team in the FIM Supersport World Championship. Not only that, but in 2011, he was a fill-in rider for Colin Edwards on the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team and led the Sunday morning warmup session in Valencia, Spain, and then finished seventh in the feature MotoGP race later that day.
International vintage racing? How about race wins for two years in a row (2020 and 2021) at the International Island Classic Challenge at Phillip Island in Australia?
Josh Hayes’s AMA race starts now stand at 377, but that number will still continue to grow since he’s expected to be back with BPR Racing again in 2027, most likely aboard his #4 Yamaha YZF-R9 in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
It was a fourth AMA Pro Superbike Championship for #4 Josh Hayes on a rain-soaked Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2014. The Mississippi Madman won the race and clinched the title at the same time. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Let’s face it, Hayes has started a lot more races in the U.S. and around the world than “just” the 377 he has amassed in AMA-sanctioned competition. Along with the aforementioned endurance racing–including co-riding to multiple WERA National Endurance Championships–World Supersport rounds, and the MotoGP stint, there was the three-round Superbike Shootout Championship he won in 2014, plus all the club racing, all the WERA-sanctioned sprint races, and the Suzuki Cup competition that formed part of his early career.
Josh Hayes poses on the podium after winning the Superbike Shootout race (and clinching the championship) at the third event in the three-round televised series held in 2014. He’s joined on the podium by Chris Ulrich (left) and David Anthony (right). The final race was held at Miller Motorsports Park which was later renamed Utah Motorsports Campus and is now called West Desert. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
All told, Hayes has probably actually started well over 500 races, and he’s certainly notched way more than the 91 race wins he’s amassed in his AMA/MotoAmerica career when you include every event in every country in which he’s competed.
Right now, his AMA-sanction race-winning percentage is 24.13%. But Hayes himself doesn’t even know how many actual motorcycle road races he’s started and won.
As a rider for Team Hammer’s Valvoline EMGO Suzuki team in 1998, Josh Hayes (#11) won six national titles, including Formula USA 103 HP, Suzuki Cup 600 and 1100, and the WERA National 600 Superstock Championship. In this photo taken at Pocono International Raceway, Hayes leads a pack that includes Eric Wood (#4) and current MotoAmerica Supersport rider Wristin Grigg’s father Steve Grigg. Photo courtesy of Josh Hayes.
How about if we also count the off-road racing he’s done? Motocross? Flat track? Dirt track? Dirt track car racing, even?
Let’s not go there. Let’s just be satisfied by the undeniable fact that Joshua Kurt Hayes appreciates it all because of how much he loves it.
He said so himself right after winning his 90th AMA-sanctioned road race in August at VIRginia International Raceway: “I don’t know what to say except how thankful I am…It’s easy to go fight when people give you the opportunity that you’re so appreciative of, and the fans are so kind to me…. I love the racing, anyway. I love getting on the grid…”
To quote Meat Loaf just one more time, “Dreams they come and go, but thoughts like love will always grow.” And that’s Josh Hayes’s love of motorcycle racing. Still growing.
Ryusei Yamanaka (6) at Motegi. Photo courtesy MSI Team.
Home hero Ryusei Yamanaka was quickest during Moto3 World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. Riding his AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI KTM on Pirelli control tires, the Japanese rider covered the 2.98-mile (4.8 km) road course in 1:55.676, topping the field of 26 riders.
David Muñoz was the best of the rest with a 1:55.709 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was third with a lap time of 1:55.909.
On the Front Cover: Bobby Fong finally won the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship after decades of disappointment and setbacks. Having to get a real job and revive
his racing career multiple times didn’t stop him. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe!
Log in HERE to read the October 2026 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.
—
OCTOBER 2026 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: BMW Updates The M 1000 RR For 2027. Australian Officials Unveil Plans For A New MotoGP Racetrack In Adelaide, Australia, To Replace Phillip Island. Triumph Introduces A New Moto2 Racing Engine. MotoGP Will Start 2027 In Brazil, and more…
MotoGP Analysis: Crew Chief Christhian Pupulin On Competition
MotoGP Analysis: Crew Chief Frankie Carchedi On Winning
Josh Hayes: For The Love Of Motorcycle Racing
Shops: Suspension Matters In Azusa, California
New & Improved: Utah Track Reborn As West Desert
RACING
MotoGP: Marc Marquez Keeps Winning
MotoGP Notes: Coming From 102 Points Behind Is A Miracle
MotoAmerica Superbike At COTA: Beaubier Is Back!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Binder Wins Supersport Championship
MotoAmerica Superbike At NJMP: Fong Is The 2026 Champion!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Harley-Davidson Quits Bagger Racing
World Superbike: All Ducati At Again In France
World Superbike Notes: 1200cc Engines & Rev-Limits Coming
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: AAA Avoids Tow Service By Labeling All Vans Commercial Vehicles
10 Years Ago: Ducati’s 100-Race MotoGP Losing Streak Ended With
Andrea Iannone And Andrea Dovizioso Finishing 1-2 In Austria.
MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley Analyzed Crashes Related To The Swap
From Bridgestone To Michelin Tires, And Also Looked At The
YZR-M1 Racebike’s Ancestor.
The Crash Page: Stefano Manzi Levitates At Magny-Cours
2026 Racing, School & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich’s Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Another Season Done
Harley-Davidson is shutting down its factory MotoAmerica team and will concentrate on Bagger World Cup racing, held in conjunction with selected MotoGP events. as seen here.
Harley-Davidson Evolves Racing Strategy
Joining Premier Racing Together with Accessible Racing Programs
MILWAUKEE (October 1, 2026) – Harley-Davidson today announced the evolution of its racing program, creating two complementary programs beginning in 2027:
Premier Racing: Building on the successful inaugural season and partnership with MotoGP, IRTA and FIM, Harley-Davidson will invest to grow the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup as the company’s premier racing platform.
Grassroots Racing: Develop accessible racing opportunities for riders across a range of disciplines and experience levels.
“Our evolved racing strategy inspires all of us to ride by putting the fastest Harley-Davidson motorcycles on the biggest stage, while bringing the same competitive edge to a broader audience through our grassroots program,” said Artie Starrs, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “Whether it’s bragging rights at the local drag strip, the podium at a flat track, or a dealership challenge – everyone has an opportunity to compete and win on a Harley-Davidson.”
Growing the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
In 2027, Harley-Davidson will expand the championship with additional teams, riders, and races.
“What we accomplished in the inaugural season of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup exceeded our expectations,” said Jeffrey Schuessler, Director – Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson. “We saw incredible racing, five different race winners, every team on the podium and a championship fight that went all the way to the final round. But what I’m most proud of is how our teams, riders, partners, dealers and the entire Harley-Davidson community got behind this championship and helped bring it to life around the world. This is only the starting line. We now have an incredible foundation to build from, and the opportunity ahead of us is enormous.”
The Bagger World Cup will continue to serve as a racing development and demonstration platform for Harley-Davidson performance, supporting future motorcycles and race-derived Screamin’ Eagle performance products. “Screamin’ Eagle is where Harley-Davidson engineering meets the relentless pursuit of performance,” said Bryan Niketh, Chief Operations Officer, Harley-Davidson. “Taking lessons learned on the track, and making related performance products available to our riders further underscores the importance of the evolved racing strategy.”
Further details on the expanded lineup and schedule will be available in the coming months.
An Update On Factory Racing
As part of this evolution, Harley-Davidson will conclude its Factory Racing participation and official team support in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers following the 2026 season. MotoAmerica’s partnership, including the efforts of Richard Varner, Chuck Aksland, Terry Karges, and Wayne Rainey, was instrumental in establishing the category.
The Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team excelled on the track, pushing the brand to capture three of six national championships, and fielding the most successful rider in the history of the category, Kyle Wyman with 27 individual wins.
“Thank you to MotoAmerica for their partnership and commitment to King of the Baggers. Without their support, and the exciting racing in the series, we would not have the success we achieved,” said Jason Kehl, Technical Director and Team Principal, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing. “I also want to recognize Indian Motorcycle Racing for their fierce competition in each of the six seasons. Having a rival that consistently pushed us to raise our level made our team better, helped elevate the entire category, and made the wins much more meaningful. We are extremely proud of what Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, our riders, employees, supported teams and partners have accomplished. That success was built on the commitment and technical capability of an incredible group of people, as well as the support of our fans. The passion of so many Harley-Davidson enthusiasts is a key reason why the bagger category continues to grow.”
The technical capabilities built through Factory Racing – the engineering expertise, performance insights and competitive spirit developed on the track – will increasingly support the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, motorcycle development, as well as race-derived Screamin’ Eagle and other performance parts.
About Harley-Davidson
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, parts & accessories, experiences, riding gear and apparel. What We Make: The World’s Best Motorcycles. Period. Who We Serve: Motorcycle Riders Worldwide. Why We Do It: To Protect and Grow Motorcycle Culture. What We Stand For: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and has a controlling interest in Harley-Davidson Financial Services and LiveWire Group, Inc. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. LiveWire is committed to developing the technology of the future and investing in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorsports. Learn more at harley-davidson.com.
About FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the first global championship exclusively dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, organized by Harley-Davidson in partnership with MotoGP™ and officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The series is contested at selected international circuits alongside the MotoGP™ calendar, bringing Harley-Davidson’s iconic machines into a premier global racing environment. The championship combines heritage, technical innovation, and on-track competition, extending the brand’s racing legacy onto the world stage. Learn more on the dedicated FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup page and on the Harley-Davidson Media Site.
About Screamin’ Eagle
Screamin’ Eagle is Harley-Davidson’s line of high-performance engines, Stage kits and components, engineered and tested by Harley-Davidson to deliver integrated performance upgrades for compatible motorcycles. Learn more on Screamin’ Eagle dedicated web page.
More, from a press release issued by Saddlemen Race Development:
Saddlemen Announces Full Focus on the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, Thanks MotoAmerica for Six Seasons of Partnership
After competing in MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers since the series’ very first race in 2020, Saddlemen Race Development will direct its undivided attention to the new global FIM-sanctioned Bagger World Cup
Long Beach, CA — October 1, 2026 — Saddlemen Corporation, the leader in motorcycle seating comfort and creator of the Gel-Core™ technology platform, today announced that Saddlemen Race Development will focus its undivided attention on the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, the new global championship for V-Twin bagger road racing co-developed by Harley-Davidson, MotoGP™ (Dorna Sports), and the FIM.
The decision follows six full seasons of competition in MotoAmerica’s Mission King of the Baggers series, where Saddlemen Race Development has been a fixture since the very first King of the Baggers race held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2020. Saddlemen’s 2026 domestic program fielded riders Cory West, Jake Lewis, and James Rispoli aboard Saddlemen Drag Specialties Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited motorcycles in King of the Baggers, alongside a championship-caliber Super Hooligan effort on the Harley-Davidson Pan America ST.
“Racing has always been our proving ground — it’s how we test, refine, and validate the products our customers ride every day,” said David Echert, CEO of Saddlemen Corporation. “The Bagger World Cup puts bagger racing on the world stage, alongside MotoGP and in front of a global audience. That is where Saddlemen belongs, and it is where we will focus all of our racing energy going forward.”
Gratitude to MotoAmerica
Saddlemen extends its sincere thanks to MotoAmerica and everyone involved with the Mission King of the Baggers series for six seasons of exceptional support, professionalism, and partnership.
“MotoAmerica believed in bagger racing when it was an idea, and they built it into one of the most exciting championships in American motorsport,” Echert continued. “We were on the grid for the first race at Laguna Seca in 2020, and everything we’ve learned competing in King of the Baggers — as a team and as a product company — we carry with us to the world stage. We are grateful for every round, every competitor, and every fan who made the series what it is.”
The Road Ahead: Global Bagger Racing
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup expands bagger road racing from a domestic championship to an international, double-header global series run in conjunction with select MotoGP Grand Prix weekends, with international television and streaming coverage through MotoGP’s broadcast partners. The series uses the same stock-frame, approved-parts technical foundation as King of the Baggers, allowing teams to carry over their hard-won development knowledge.
Saddlemen Race Development’s program for the Bagger World Cup — including rider lineup, machine details, and team partners — will be announced separately.
Racing remains central to Saddlemen’s product development strategy. Competition at the highest level provides the real-world feedback that has produced innovations like the Gel-Core™ comfort platform and the Performance Carbon Fiber product line, developed side by side with the team’s racing carbon fiber program.
About Saddlemen Corporation
Saddlemen is a leading American manufacturer of motorcycle seats, luggage, and styling products, best known as the “Gel Seat Experts.” From its proprietary Gel-Core™ and Ultra-Foam™ comfort technologies to its U.S.-based manufacturing, Saddlemen designs products for riders who demand all-day comfort and distinctive style. Saddlemen Race Development, the company’s racing arm, has competed in professional road racing, flat track, and land-speed competitions, using racing as a real-world laboratory for product development.
Archie Mcdonald (69), Eric Granado (51), Jake Lewis (85) and Oscar Gutierrez (99) during Bagger World Cup Race 2 at COTA early in the 2026 season. Photo by Michael Gougis.
ChampSchool instructor Ryan Burke (on the left) with a student during a track day. Photo courtesy Yamaha ChampSchool
Our first three events of 2027 are open for registration! We’re heading to Florida, California, and Arizona to start the year with world-class coaching, unforgettable tracks, and a very good reason to put a motorcycle vacation on your calendar.
Register early to take advantage of early registration discounts. You can also explore 0% financing options at checkout to secure your place now and spread out the cost.
Available terms and eligibility will be shown during checkout.
You are welcome to bring your motorcycle, any brand or type, or choose complete arrive-and-ride options with Yamaha motorcycles, Arai helmets, and Dainese gear. Either way, let’s make 2027 your best riding year yet!Invest in the rider. Invest in YOU.
The ultimate winter moto-vacation: six days of riding, training, and fun in the sun.
Start with our 2-Day ChampSchool on January 28–29, while one-day ChampStreet and ChampPrecision give riders additional ways to train. On January 30–31, N2 Track Days takes over the circuit. Ride with friends, demo Yamaha motorcycles, and put your new skills to work. ChampSchool graduates can take the next step with 1:1 private coaching. Then we’ll finish with another 2-Day ChampSchool on February 1–2.
Come for the program that fits your goals, or stay for the entire six-day run. Bring your significant other and turn it into a South Florida vacation. Bring your own bike, or travel light and ask about our Yamaha motorcycles, Dainese riding gear, and Arai helmets.
Our Homestead events have sold out year after year. Choose your dates early, claim the introductory discount, and give yourself something to look forward to this winter.
Click the link below to learn more about the best moto event in the world in January.
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, California. Photo courtesy Yamaha ChampSchool.
2. ChampSchoolChuckwalla Valley Raceway
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, California
February 9–10
Two days in the Southern California desert. One seriously fun investment in your riding.
Chuckwalla is the kind of track that makes you want to ride another lap as soon as you come in. Over two days, our instructors will help you connect the details of braking, vision, direction, body position, and corner exit, so you leave with skills you can use on every ride and every motorcycle, for the rest of your life.
If you’re local to Southern California, it’s a chance to train close to home at a remarkable venue. If you’re staring down another cold February, it’s an excuse to get on a plane to enjoy warmer weather and fantastic riding.
Bring your motorcycle or rent a Yamaha, with Dainese gear and Arai helmets available to make the trip easier.
Last year’s Chuckwalla school sold out months in advance. Register early so you are not left out in the cold.
Inde Motorsports Ranch, Arizona. Photo courtesy Yamaha ChampSchool.
3. ChampSchoolInde MotorsportsRanch
Inde Motorsports Ranch, Arizona
February 23–24
Our favorite place on earth deserves a spot on your riding calendar.
Inde is a private motorsports facility in the Arizona desert with the space, pavement, and setting to make two days of ChampSchool feel like a true getaway. It’s an opportunity to step away from the daily routine and give your riding your full attention, with instructors dedicated to helping you make measurable progress.
Make the trip your own. Bring the motorcycle you ride every day, or fly into Tucson and ask about our Yamaha rental fleet. Dainese riding gear and Arai helmets will also be available. Reserve early for the best choice of motorcycle and gear sizes.
Inde is an experience you’ll remember long after the flight home. Register early and save your place.
Every in-person student receives complimentary access to Champ U: Core Curriculum, so you can begin learning before you arrive and make even more of your time with us.
Introductory discounts are available now, with 0% financing options to review at checkout. Pick your destination and start planning the trip.
Use code EASTCOAST26 to get up to $300 off your ChampSchool Experience.
Fall is coming, but some of our best East Coast riding is still ahead.
NCBIKE
October 22–27 | Garysburg, North Carolina
NCBike is our East Coast home and one of our favorite places to teach.
Wide, technical, grippy, and incredibly versatile, NCBike gives students the space to learn, experiment, and improve in a controlled environment. This event will feature our flagship two-day ChampSchool for any rider, on any bike, with any riding goal.
Saturday and Sunday, October 24 – 25 will feature an N2 Track Day with private 1:1 coaching available for ChampSchool grads.
October 26 – 27 will feature our semi-private ChampGrad program for ChampSchool graduates ready to take their riding to the next level.
Bring your own motorcycle or create a complete arrive-and-ride experience with a Yamaha motorcycle and Dainese and Arai safety gear from our rental fleet.
Fall will be here before we know it. Choose your event, invest in your riding, and finish the season as a safer, more confident, and more capable motorcyclist.
MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams are heading to Mobility Resort Motegi this weekend for Round 16 of the 2026 FIM MotoGP World Championship. Following the Austrian round, the paddock returns to action from October 2-4, with all three classes set to take on the fast and technical 2.98-mile (4.80-kilometer) circuit in Motegi, Japan. As the championship battle continues into the overseas rounds, every point becomes increasingly important. Below, find the latest team press releases ahead of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
Aprilia Racing resumes in Asia with the Grand Prix of Japan.
Aprilia Racing heads to Asia for the first of the overseas rounds in this championship run-in—the Grand Prix of Japan—the sixteenth round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, held at Mobility Resort Motegi.
Jorge Martín travels to Japan following a successful weekend at Spielberg, where he claimed victory in the Sprint race and finished second in the main race, allowing him to reclaim the lead in the overall standings. The Spanish rider’s goal will be to maintain his momentum aboard his RS-GP26.
Marco Bezzecchi arrives in Motegi after a solid weekend in Austria, leaving with two third-place finishes. The Italian rider approaches the Japanese round with confidence and the clear intention to continue fighting for the top positions.
The Mobility Resort Motegi, also known as Twin Ring Motegi, has a “stop & go” configuration with a few fast corners and many long, slow turns with straights in between to make it one of the most demanding tracks on the brakes. The layout runs 4.8 km clockwise with a total of 14 turns – 8 right-handers and 6 left-handers.
Jorge Martin (89) in Austria. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Jorge Martín: “The Asian tour begins and we are headed into it at a good time. We are working very well as a team, and I want to thank Aprilia for the great job they are doing. We need to keep moving along this path, maintaining consistency and staying focused on our objectives. I have great respect for the Asian culture, and I am looking forward to racing in front of our Japanese fans. An extremely important stage of the championship begins. Let’s go!”
Marco Bezzecchi (72) in Austria. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Marco Bezzecchi: “It will be really great to go to Japan. I can’t wait to meet all the fans. I like the Motegi track very much, and we did pretty well there last year. Our goal is to have a good weekend and continue the work we’ve been doing.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Ducati Lenovo Team ready for the Japanese trip: Motegi hosts the first race of the oversea tour on a special track for the Desmosedici GP.
The MotoGP paddock heads to Japan for the first of five oversea races in a row. It is a special track that has always held a warm place in the heart of every Ducatista, inextricably linked to sweet memories for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: it was right on the Motegi circuit that the Italian squad secured the Riders’ World Championship title twice, first with Casey Stoner in 2007 and then with Marc Márquez in 2025. It is a track historically ideal for showcasing the strengths of the Desmosedici GP, as demonstrated by an impressive tally of nine overall victories—ranging from Loris Capirossi’s legendary three in a row starting in 2005 to Pecco Bagnaia’s recent dominant back-to-back victories in both 2024 and 2025.
Marc Márquez arrives in Japan determined to get fully back into the fight for the top positions. After fighting tooth and nail during a tough weekend in Spielberg, which he nevertheless ended with 2nd place in the Sprint and 2nd in the general standings, Marc is ready to tap into the full potential of the Ducati package.
Extra motivation comes for Pecco Bagnaia, a true “Japan addict.” Coming off a solid weekend where he rediscovered good feelings and consistently returned to the points, Pecco is preparing to tackle one of his absolute favorite tracks, boosted by his victories in the last two editions.
Francesco Bagnaia (on the left) and Marc Marquez (on the right). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Marc Márquez (#93, Ducati Lenovo Team): “The 2025 Japanese GP represents an indelible memory that creates a special bond between me and the Ducati Lenovo Team. That memory, along with the incredible affection of the Japanese fans, gives me an extra boost for the weekend. Motegi is a track I really enjoy: the goal is to do well and be competitive”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63, Ducati Lenovo Team): “I love Japan, and every year I’m really happy to come back and race here. Motegi is where I took my last win, and that’s a positive thought to keep in mind heading into the weekend. In Austria we struggled, but we still managed to get back in the points: now we have to keep working hard to regain the best riding feeling”.
More, from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
The Call of Home – Marini and Chantra line up for Japanese GP.
Luca Marini will line up alongside Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra for the Honda’s home race; targets clearly set on delivering a strong result for the local fans to cheer for with a few surprises in store.
Honda’s home round – the Japanese Grand Prix at Mobility Resort Motegi – is always the highlight of the year for the Honda HRC Castrol team as friends, family, engineers, technicians, partners and supporters join the team in unprecedented numbers. 60 years since first entering the premier class with the RC181, Honda continue their proud history of challenging for success, demonstrating what The Power of Dreams can achieve. The Challenge fuels The Dream.
Continuing to steadily bring in points, Luca Marini is determined to once again fight inside the top ten at such an important race and see off his time as a factory HRC rider in the best way possible. With less than a hundredth of a second frequently being the difference between delight and heart break when it comes to Q2, Marini will need to deliver from the very first lap of Free Practice 1. Although he suffered his lone DNF of the season in Japan last year, Luca Marini’s Sprint performance in 2025 confirmed the RC213V’s speed at its home track. With his teammate continuing his recovery, it will again be Marini leading the Honda HRC Castrol squad.
Somkiat Chantra will mount the second Honda RC213V of the Honda HRC Castrol squad while Joan Mir continues his recovery at home. Winner of the 2023 Japanese Moto2 GP, Chantra’s riding style is well suited to the 4.8kilometre-long track and saw him earn 15th place on the LCR Honda in 2026 – one of his five races in the points that season. He is well aware of the significant challenge that jumping from a WorldSBK machine to MotoGP holds without any testing and will be calling on all of his Grand Prix experience this weekend.
The 2026 Japanese GP is already set to be a memorable one for Honda HRC fans around the world as the dawn of a new era in the MotoGP World Championship draws ever closer with a special reveal set for 14:00 Local Time on Thursday, October 01.
Luca Marini:“As a Honda rider, the Japanese GP is something really special and unique. It’s like no other race on the calendar. It’s a busy weekend but I really want to enjoy my time this weekend with all the people in this project and the Japanese fans, to say thank you for their efforts over the last three seasons together. In the past, this circuit has suited the Honda RC213V and I hope that we can put together a solid weekend rain or shine. It’s a really intense part of the season now, pushing right until the end and I am determined to finish this season on a high. We still have some targets to achieve. I am really looking forward to what we have to show this weekend.”
Somkiat Chantra:“First I want to say a big thank you to Honda HRC for putting their faith in my to come and ride MotoGP in Motegi and with the factory team. We have been working very hard in WorldSBK this year to make progress and last weekend we made another step. Now I need to switch mind and adapt to a new bike and a new challenge. Motegi is a circuit I have good memories at; in 2023 I was able to win there in Moto2.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Head to Yamaha’s Home Grand Prix in Japan.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled to Japan for Yamaha’s home race, held this weekend at the Mobility Resort Motegi. Before the on-track action begins, Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins joined three of their fellow Yamaha riders for a visit to Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters in Iwata, strengthening the connection between Yamaha’s racing activities and the people behind them.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are in high spirits ahead of the Grand Prix of Japan, Round 16 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. This event always holds extra significance for the team as it is Yamaha’s home Grand Prix.
Fabio Quartararo arrives at the Mobility Resort Motegi holding 15th position in the championship standings with 61 points. The Frenchman showed encouraging pace during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend and is determined to continue building on those positives. Motegi has previously delivered one MotoGP podium for Quartararo, who secured second place at the Japanese venue in 2019.
Álex Rins currently occupies 20th place in the championship standings with 24 points. The Spaniard has enjoyed some results in Japan throughout his Grand Prix career – his best was a third place in MotoGP in 2018 – and is motivated to make the most of Yamaha’s home event. Together with the team, he remains focused on continuing the development work that has been ongoing throughout the season.
The Mobility Resort Motegi circuit first joined the MotoGP calendar in 1999 and remains one of the championship’s most iconic venues. The 4.8 km track features six left and eight right corners and is renowned for its hard-braking zones, stop-and-go layout, and overtaking opportunities, creating unique technical demands for riders and teams alike.
The Grand Prix of Japan is held in the GMT+9 time zone. FP1 will take place on Friday from 10:45-11:30 local track time and Practice will be held from 15:00-16:00. On Saturday, FP2 will be held from 10:10-10:40, and the qualifying sessions from 10:50-11:30, followed by the 12-lap Sprint at 15:00. On Sunday, Warm Up is held from 09:40-09:50 and the 24-lap Race starts at 14:00.
Before turning their attention to the race weekend, Quartararo and Rins visited Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters in Iwata today alongside Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 rider Izan Guevara. The five riders received a warm welcome at Yamaha’s Communication Plaza, where they took part in a special Q&A event and met with Yamaha Motor Company President Motofumi Shitara. The visit provided an opportunity for the riders to connect with the employees whose work supports Yamaha’s racing efforts around the world.
After the official Yamaha programme, the teammates’ schedules diverge. Rins remains in the Iwata area, visiting Yamaha’s Toyooka Factory. Quartararo travels to Tokyo for a series of MotoGP-organised promotional activities, including a fan Q&A session, an autograph signing, and official rider photographs before making his way to Motegi.
Fabio Quartararo (20) and Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo: “I’m always happy to come to Japan: it’s not just Yamaha’s home Grand Prix but in general there’s always a special atmosphere around the event. We always take the opportunity to visit Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters before the race and meet the people who work behind the scenes. And as usual, we will give it our maximum to do them proud. The goal at Motegi remains the same: keep working hard, improve where we can, and get the best result possible.”
Alex Rins: “It’s always a pleasure to come to Japan, especially for Yamaha’s home Grand Prix. I really enjoy spending time here because the local MotoGP fans and the Yamaha employees are so passionate about motorsport. It gives us all an extra boost. Motegi is a track I like and one that has given me good memories in the past. We know it won’t be an easy weekend, but we have clear objectives, and I’m looking forward to getting started. Let’s see what we can do.”
Massimo Meregalli – Team Director:“After a one-week break, everyone is ready to get back to work. We are heading into the always busy overseas schedule in Asia and Oceania. However, our focus is currently fully on the first one: the Japanese GP. This is always a special round for Yamaha because it is our home race, and our riders’ visit to Yamaha Motor Company’s headquarters beforehand makes that connection even more tangible. We know the Motegi circuit presents its own challenges, but we approach the weekend with determination and the goal of achieving the best result possible while continuing our development work.”
More, from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP heads to Japan aiming to bounce back and continue the development.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP arrives at Yamaha‘s home Grand Prix determined to put the difficult Austrian weekend behind it, continue the development of the YZR-M1 and return to the fight for the Top 10 at the Twin Ring Motegi.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP heads to Japan for an important round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, with the Twin Ring Motegi hosting Yamaha‘s home Grand Prix. The team arrives determined to put the difficulties of the Austrian Grand Prix behind it and resume the development path of the YZR-M1, with the objective of returning to the Top 10 and continuing to make progress with the new project.
The Japanese circuit has been part of the MotoGP World Championship calendar since 1999 and is characterised by its stop-and-go layout, with 14 corners, eight right-handers and six left-handers, as well as a series of heavy braking zones followed by strong acceleration. These characteristics could offer the YZR-M1 a different challenge compared with the faster and more flowing circuits where the team has found it more difficult to express its full potential. The weekend will also be an important opportunity to collect further data and understand the behaviour of the bike on a different type of track.
For Jack Miller, Japan represents an opportunity to get back to the positive trajectory he had been following before the difficult Austrian Grand Prix. The Australian knows the circuit well and has an especially strong record at Motegi, having dominated and won the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Pramac Racing also has positive recent memories of the circuit, with Jorge Martín finishing on the podium in 2022 before taking victory there in 2023.
For Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, meanwhile, Motegi represents another completely new challenge in his rookie MotoGP season. The Turkish rider will experience the Twin Ring Motegi for the first time on a MotoGP bike and is looking forward to learning the characteristics of the circuit and continuing his adaptation to the YZR-M1. With Yamaha‘s technical staff and the wider Japanese workforce at the centre of the home Grand Prix, the whole team will be focused on making the most of the weekend and continuing the development work on the project.
The Japanese Grand Prix will also bring a significant change to the usual European television schedule. Japan is eight hours ahead of CET, as a result, all sessions and the race will be broadcast in Europe at earlier times than during the European rounds.
Jack Miller (left) and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (right). Photo courtesy Pramac Yamaha.
Jack Miller: “I’m really looking forward to the overseas rounds, starting with Japan. Motegi is probably one of my top three favourite tracks on the calendar, and I always love racing in front of the Japanese fans.It‘s also Yamaha‘s home round, so we‘ll try to put on a good show for everyone there. After a difficult weekend in Austria, I‘m looking forward to bouncing back, getting back to work and hopefully having a strong weekend.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu:“I have watched the MotoGP race in Motegi for many years, but I have never raced there before, so I‘m really excited about this weekend. It will be the first time in my life that I race at Motegi with a MotoGP bike, so it will be a completely new experience for me.It‘s another new track to learn, and I will try to adapt as quickly as possible and understand the circuit with the MotoGP bike. As always, I will give my best and try to enjoy the experience. I‘m really excited to race at Motegi.”
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “Japan is Yamaha‘s home Grand Prix, so obviously the expectations are quite high and we are all very focused on continuing to improve the package with the latest evolutions we have been working on. It should be an interesting weekend, especially because it will give us another opportunity to understand whether the direction we have taken is the right one. For Toprak, it will not be an easy weekend because he has never raced at Motegi, so once again he will have to learn a new circuit from scratch. Hopefully the weather will allow us to spend as much time as possible on track, which will be particularly important for him. For Jack, on the other hand, it is a circuit where he has had good results in the past, including a victory, so he has a good feeling with Motegi. It will be interesting to compare what we see now with our previous experience there, but most importantly to understand whether the latest developments are taking us in the right direction. It is also a back-to-back weekend, so we need to manage it well and, above all, avoid any crashes that could compromise the following race. It is important to stay focused, stay consistent and come through the weekend in the best possible condition.”
More, from a press release issued by VR46 Racing Team:
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is back on track at Motegi for the first of the 2026 MotoGP season Overseas.
MotoGP is approaching its final stages and the Overseas start, with the Japanese GP opening the Asian leg this weekend. The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is flying to Motegi for the first of the two back-to-back Asian races with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli, who are determined to be back in the top positions fight.
Di Giannantonio arrives to Motegi in fifth place in the World Standing with 230 points, just 4 points away from the Top4. Fabio likes the Japanese track, where he got a sixth place as his best result in MotoGP (Sprint, 2024), and he made s solid comeback last year. The rider from Rome’s goal is to be back in the podium fight this weekend.
Morbidelli, who is now sixteenth in the World Standing with 56 points, is ready to face the first of the Asian weekend with determination: at Motegi, Franco’s goal is to keep working to confirm the steps forward showed in these last races, even if they have not always translated into results. On the Japanese track, the Italian-Brazilian rider got a third place as his best result (Moto2, 2016), and he was one of the standout riders with a Top5 last year.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will hit the track on Friday for free practice, while qualifying will take place on Saturday at ore 10:50 (local time, +9 UTC). The Sprint will get underway at 3:00 pm (local time, +9 UTC) on Saturday, while the Japanese GP will conclude on Sunday with the main race, starting at 2:00 pm (local time, +9 UTC).
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) in Austria. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “These last two races didn’t go as we wanted, so I want to be back on the bike and work even more. I look forward to be in Japan, I like Motegi track a lot, nad our goal is to be competitive and fight for the podiums again. We want to do a great job in this last part of the season, which will be challenging. But we will race on tracks I like a lot. We will stay focused and work together with the team. I am very pumped up!”
Franco Morbidelli (21) in Austria. Photo courtesy VR46 Racing Team.
Franco Morbidelli: “Japan kicks off the Overseas: I like Motegi track a lot, even if it’s quite tough. This last parte of the season will be very challenging and we must be well prepared, adapting to the different time zones. In Japan, we will keep working and try to do our best to turn the situation around. I have a great support both from the team and Ducati, so we have everything we need to make other steps forward. We’re still confident for this Asian leg.”
More, from a press release issued by ELF Marc VDS Racing Team:
Canet and Öncü ready for intense flyaway tour.
Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Aron Canet and Deniz Öncü have landed in Japan to begin an intense flyaway tour of Asia and Oceania that will also take in Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia over the next five weeks.
Canet and Öncü have swapped the lush green scenery of Styria in Austria for another spectacular mountainous setting as the Mobility Resort Motegi host round 16 in this year’s Moto2 World Championship.
Their globe-trotting adventure roars into action at 950am local time on Friday morning with the opening Free Practice session ahead of a 19-lap race on Sunday afternoon at 1215pm
Aron Canet in Austria. Photo courtesy Marc VDS Team.
Aron Canet:“This final part of the season is going to be very intense and demanding physically and mentally with so many races in a short period of time. But I’m raring to go and take some confidence to Japan after some decent recent performances. Japan is always a good way to start the overseas sequence because the fans have great respect for every rider and it’s always a pleasure to race at Motegi. While results have improved lately, we clearly want more and my aim this weekend is to make a good start to this run of races while continuing to build on some momentum we’ve worked had to gain in recent weeks. It’s never easy but like always I’ll be giving it my all to put on a good show for the Japanese fans.”
Hard work to build confidence with his Boscoscuro machine is starting to pay off for the Spaniard after he scored back-to-back points scoring finishes in the recent Misano and Spielberg double-header.
This weekend’s trip to Japan will be the ninth time Canet has taken on the stop and go Motegi track, where he took pole position in Moto2 in 2022 and has a best finish in the intermediate category of eighth in 2023.
Canet’s best finish previously at Motegi was a fifth from the front row of the grid in Moto3 almost a decade ago back in 2017.
Deniz Öncü in Austria. Photo courtesy Marc VDS Team.
Deniz Öncü:“I’m always pumped to go on the flyaway tour because we get to experience very different tracks, very different conditions and very different cultures, which is why it’s super cool to race in different parts of the world. It’s a hectic schedule ahead but it is what we prepare for and I can’t wait to get started in Japan. Three top ten finishes in the last four races show we have raised our level recently, and I believe we have another great opportunity to start the flyaway trip with a positive result. Motegi has a lot of hard braking zones like Austria where I performed well, so I feel we can be fighting inside the top ten once again.”
Öncü arrives in Japan fresh off the back of another brilliant top 10 finish in the Grand Prix of Austria, which he delivered after a season best qualifying in the Spielberg showdown.
The Turkish star believes another top 10 challenge is on the cards this weekend, with Japan’s 4.8km layout very similar to that of Spielberg with an abundance of hard braking zones where he usually excels.
Öncü missed last year’s Grand Prix of Japan through injury and his best finish is 15th in Moto3 back in 2022 after he fell out of contention in 2023 having started from the front row of the grid.
More, from a press release issued by BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha:
Izan Guevara Looking to Carry Momentum into Motegi Race Weekend.
The BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team head to the Grand Prix of Japan seeking to build on Izan Guevara’s dominant victory in Austria. The Spaniard arrives at Mobility Resort Motegi with renewed momentum in the championship battle, while Alberto Ferrández will sit out the event as he continues his recovery from a right collarbone injury sustained in Austria.
The BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team travel to the Mobility Resort Motegi for the Grand Prix of Japan, the first stop of the championship’s Asian and Oceanian flyaway tour. Following a superb victory at Spielberg, Izan Guevara arrives in Japan full of confidence after reducing the gap to the championship leader by 12 points. Meanwhile, Alberto Ferrández will not compete this weekend as he continues his recovery from a broken right collarbone sustained in Austria. The Spaniard is targeting a return to action at the Indonesian Grand Prix, and the team will not field a replacement rider in Japan.
Guevara arrives at Motegi in excellent form after securing his second victory of the season in Austria, the third Moto2 win of his career. The result saw him reduce the championship deficit to 35.5 points, keeping him firmly in contention as the title fight enters its decisive phase. The Japanese circuit holds fond memories for the Spaniard, who won there on his way to the 2022 Moto3 World Championship. While his best Moto2 result at Motegi is a top-10 finish achieved in 2024, the characteristics of the circuit, particularly its heavy braking zones, are expected to suit both Guevara’s riding style and the Boscoscuro package.
Izan Guevara. Photo courtesy BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha.
Izan Guevara:“The Asian tour is starting, and I was really looking forward to this moment. We are coming from a victory in the final European race, so we arrive in Asia highly motivated, especially because we were able to recover some points in the championship.
“Japan is a circuit I really like. I won there in Moto3, but more than that, I really enjoy the layout and the flow of the track. I think it can suit us well and that we can have a strong weekend with the Boscoscuro.
“Now it’s just about enjoying everything that is coming, making the most of the weekend in Japan, and trying to get the best possible result.”
Alex De Angelis – Team Manager:“With Izan, we arrive in Japan really motivated for many reasons. We are coming from a dominant victory in the last race, and we know that Motegi is a circuit where braking is one of the key elements to being fast. We have already shown that Izan and the Boscoscuro are a very strong combination when it comes to braking, both for overtaking and for carrying good speed into the corners. So, we can approach this weekend with a very positive mindset.
“We are very sorry that Alberto will not be able to be with us in Japan, especially at a moment when he was improving so much from race to race. However, we have to look at this as just two races missed, and hopefully this break will allow him to return in Indonesia at 100% and continue the work we have done throughout this season.
“He has made a lot of progress this year, also thanks to the support from and comparison with his teammate, and we have seen him getting stronger with every race. We believe that missing this one round will not change that progression. The goal will be to come back in Indonesia in the best possible condition and continue working to move further forward, get closer to the front, and keep learning.”
Honda Racing Corporation and Red Bull re-unite to add to past success. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Red Bull to again collaborate with Honda HRC’s factory MotoGP team, the pairing already outlining ambitious plans to add to their 45 wins and over 90 podiums together in a multi-year deal.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and Red Bull are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the Austrian brand join the Honda HRC Castrol MotoGP team as one of the major partners beginning with the 2027 season. The multi-year agreement marks a significant reunion of the two companies’ long-standing relationship across a variety of motorsports. United by ambition and fueled by the hunt for excellence, both companies have clear targets to add to their significant history and continuing to push the limits of performance while helping to shape the future of the MotoGP World Championship together.
Under the new deal, Red Bull branding will feature prominently across the next generation of Honda HRC Castrol machines, team garage, and rider apparel as both HRC and Red Bull chase competition and victory at the highest level of motorcycle racing.
Red Bull first joined the Honda HRC’s factory team in 2015, the partnership of that era coinciding with some of the most successful years in HRC’s modern history including multiple riders’ and constructors’ world championships as iconic duo worked side by side. This renewed collaboration builds directly on that foundation, reuniting two organizations with a proven track record of success together and a united vision on and off the track.
The Honda HRC Castrol team will unveil their full 2027 livery and new machine ahead the 2027 MotoGP World Championship season.
Koji Watanabe – President of Honda Racing Corporation:
“Honda HRC and Red Bull are two companies who are very familiar with each other in many forms of racing, and I am delighted to restart our collaboration in MotoGP. As we look ahead to step into a new version of the MotoGP World Championship with the 850cc machines, it is critical to have partners who have the same targets and ambitions. Together I have no doubt of what we can achieve and know we will be able to bring fans more incredible moments throughout our joint collaboration. Red Bull are a company who share our goals, our drive and our exacting standards and I am certain that together we can continue to add to the history we have already written on and off the track.”
Alberto Puig – Team Manager, Honda HRC Castrol:
“As MotoGP prepares to enter a new era with new machines, new rules and new targets as a World Championship, we reunite with Red Bull. In racing, there are very few companies who are competing in as many different championships as HRC and Red Bull, it is a collaboration which makes clear, logical sense. I know that neither party will accept anything less than victory and that is what we must work for to once again make this combination the reference.”
WSBK race 1 start at Cremona. Photo courtesy WSBK.
New destinations and returning favourites: your guide to WorldSBK in 2027.
From Phillip Island’s farewell to Valencia’s return and a finale in Shanghai, discover the key dates and changes on the provisional 2027 calendar.
Twelve rounds, nine countries and three continents: the provisional 2027 WorldSBK calendar takes the Championship from Australia in February to China in October, with a European schedule featuring returning favourites and plenty of opportunities to see all four classes in action. Here’s what fans need to know.
One more visit to Phillip Island
The season begins at Phillip Island on 19-21 February, with WorldSBK and WorldSSP opening their campaigns at the Australian circuit.
The weekend will mark WorldSBK’s last appearance at Phillip Island before the Australian Round moves to The Bend in 2028. Its fast, flowing layout and coastal setting have made it a distinctive part of the Championship, giving the 2027 opener added significance for riders and fans alike.
Preparations begin just days earlier, with the official WorldSBK and WorldSSP test taking place at the circuit on 15-16 February.
All four classes together in Europe
Portimao welcomes WorldSBK back to Europe on 19-21 March and marks the start of the WorldSPB and WorldWCR seasons. Both classes will hold their official test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on 15 March.
The Circuit Ricardo Tormo returns to the WorldSBK calendar on 2-4 April, hosting the third round of the season and the second European event.
Located near Valencia, the circuit – which previously hosted WorldSBK from 2000 to 2010, features a stadium-style layout, offering fans views across much of the track. With WorldSBK, WorldSSP, WorldSPB and WorldWCR all racing, there will be plenty to follow throughout the weekend.
Valencia joins MotorLand Aragón, as one of two Spanish venues on the 2027 calendar. Jerez will not host WorldSBK next season due to ongoing renovation works.
European favourites through spring and summer
After Valencia, WorldSBK heads to Assen in April and Aragón in May, before June visits to Most and Misano. Donington Park hosts the final round before the summer break on 9-11 July, with the WorldSPB class making its first appearance on the Leicestershire track.
The season resumes at Magny-Cours in early September, followed by Cremona later that month. Estoril completes the European schedule on 15-17 October and hosts the final round of WorldSPB’s eight-round campaign.
Shanghai International Circuit, China. Photo courtesy WSBK.
China hosts the season finale
The 2027 campaign concludes at Shanghai International Circuit on 29-31 October, two weeks after the penultimate round at Estoril.
Located in the northwest of the city in the Jiading District, the Shanghai International Circuit, designed by renowned architect Hermann Tilke, was inaugurated in 2004 and since then has played host to a variety of international and regional series.
WorldSBK’s debut in China is the culmination of the Championship’s expansion effort and the strengthening of strong bonds with a fast-growing motorcycle industry.
China will provide the setting for the final WorldSBK and WorldSSP races of the year, with WorldSSP joining WorldSBK at all 12 rounds across the season.
Six rounds for WorldWCR
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship will race alongside WorldSBK at six events in 2027, beginning at Portimao and concluding at Cremona.
Valencia follows the Portuguese opener, before visits to Most and Misano in June. After the summer break, Magny-Cours hosts the penultimate round ahead of the finale in Italy on 24-26 September.
American Kristian Daniel Jr. (70) just finished his third year in the Red Bull Rookies Cup program and has signed to race in the 2027 Moto3 World Championship with Tech3 . Photo courtesy Red Bull.
TECH3 CONFIRMS ADRIÁN FERNÁNDEZ AND KRISTIAN DANIEL JR. FOR 2027 MOTO3 SEASON
Tech3 is delighted to announce Adrián Fernández and Kristian Daniel Jr. as its Moto3 line-up for the 2027 FIM Moto3™ World Championship, pairing proven podium pace with one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Adrián Fernández – Kristian Daniel Jr.
Madrid-born Fernández, 22, returns to the team where he raced in 2022, bringing more than 100 Grand Prix starts of experience. Since moving to Leopard Racing in 2023, the Spaniard has established himself as a regular front-runner, taking his first Moto3 podium in 2024 and finishing seventh in the 2025 championship. His career tally stands at one win, seven podiums and three pole positions.
Alongside him, American Kristian Daniel Jr. makes his full-time Grand Prix debut after an impressive rise through the Road to MotoGP ladder. Born in Los Angeles and based in Barcelona, the 17-year-old finished fourth in the 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, claiming his first pole position in the season finale at the Red Bull Ring.
Nicolas Goyon, Tech3 Team Manager, said: “We are pleased to announce our 2027 Moto3 line-up with Kristian Daniel Jr. and Adrián Fernández. Firstly, it is exciting to welcome Adrián back into the team. He rode for us in 2022, but he was just at the beginning of his career. Now he’s much more mature and used to battling at the front, so we all feel that he is the perfect candidate on a strong KTM to be able to fight for the championship next year.
“On the other side of the garage, we have the young American – Kristian will just be 18 next season. We have been following his progress through the season in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and the first word that comes to mind is determination. Kristian left California eight years ago and quit everything to try his chances in Europe. Now he will be the first American to compete a full season in this championship, and here at Tech3 we are sure that he will bring a lot to the team.”
Adrián Fernández said: “I’m very happy to be back with Tech3. It’s a team I know well and with which I shared an important chapter of my career, so coming back now is very special. But I return with more experience, a different mindset and, above all, a lot of ambition.
“The goal for 2027 can only be to fight for the World Championship. We know it will be a long and demanding season, but we have the motivation, the hard work and the potential to be at the front. I can’t wait to get started, settle back into the team and work together from day one to fight for the title.”
Kristian Daniel Jr. said: “Honestly, I have to say I’m super grateful for this opportunity. I know how hard I work, and to be given such a great chance with such a great team, there isn’t much more I could’ve asked for. I know it won’t be easy, but it never is and I’m confident the team and I will work hard towards the same goal!”
Kristian Daniel Jr. on the podium after finishing second in Red Bull Rookies Cup Race 2 at Misano. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
Bobby Fong (50) leading Mathew Scholtz (11), Cameron Beaubier (1), Sean Dylan Kelly (40), Benjamin Smith (78) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Catch up on everything from the MotoAmerica weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park with the latest team press releases and race recaps.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Bobby Fong Crowned 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion.
Bobby Fong earns his first Superbike Championship as Yamaha makes AMA Superbike history at the MotoAmerica season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
It was a memorable MotoAmerica Superbike season finale for Bobby Fong and Yamaha at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider scored a pair of victories and navigated a wild weekend in New Jersey to secure his first MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Strack Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz finished the season on a high note with a Race 3 victory, while Fong’s teammate JD Beach earned a pair of podiums. It all added up to a successful conclusion to the season and a record-breaking weekend for Yamaha in AMA Superbike.
There was plenty on the line heading into the finale. Fong entered the weekend 26 points back in the title fight, but with three races and 75 points up for grabs, the championship was still within reach. Then a nor’easter entered the equation, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and unpredictable track conditions. In the end, Fong did what he needed to do – win and let the rest unfold.
With the worst of the weather expected on Sunday, MotoAmerica made several changes to the race schedule. Friday’s sessions ultimately set the grids for all classes, while Superbike Race 2 was moved to Saturday and Race 3 moved up to open Sunday’s schedule. The Superbike races were also shortened from 20 to 15 laps.
Bobby Fong (50) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong qualified second, with Beach and Scholtz on the second row of the grid, qualifying fourth and fifth, respectively. It was a chaotic first race of the day as rain came through in waves, making for challenging track conditions with standing water on the track. The thrice-started race had the same outcome after every start – Fong out front and taking command of the race.
Beach also got off to a great start, slotting in behind his teammate. A near high-side early in the race dropped him back to 18th, and after witnessing multiple riders crash following the restart, he shifted his focus to finishing the race and ultimately crossed the line eighth. Scholtz was also in the mix up front, grabbing the holeshot on the second restart before being passed by Fong. The South African was ultimately shuffled back to sixth, where he would finish.
Race 2 was declared wet, and although the track was drying, more rain was expected, making for another tricky scenario with rain tires on a drying track. Fong got another good start, slotting into second before taking over the lead on the opening lap, with Beach moving into second and Scholtz into third behind him.
Bobby Fong (50) leading Mathew Scholtz (11), Sean Dylan Kelly (40), JD Beach (95) and PJ Jacobsen (15) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
It was another wild race, with the three Yamaha riders and championship leader Sean Dylan Kelly exchanging positions at the front. Around the halfway mark, Kelly passed Fong, but the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider reclaimed the lead on the following lap. Scholtz also took a turn up front with four laps remaining before Fong moved back into the lead. When the dust settled, it was Fong first across the line, Beach second, Scholtz third and Kelly fourth.
With the pair of victories, which also brought his career tally to 17, Fong gained 24 points on the championship leader heading into Sunday’s final race. Just two points separated the title contenders, setting the stage for a tense showdown in Race 3.
As forecasted, Sunday brought even more rain, with track delays and the possibility that racing could be canceled if conditions did not improve. Before 2 p.m., the rain eased, and the Superbike riders lined up for the final race of the season.
From left to right with, JD Beach, Dustin Coyner, Bobby Fong and Mathew Scholtz on the Superbike race 2 podium at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong once again grabbed the holeshot, with Beach and Scholtz right behind after the start. He built a gap in the challenging conditions, and on Lap 4, his title rival crashed out of the race. Fong continued to lead through the first half of the race, but with the championship on the line, he shifted his focus to riding smart and keeping it on two wheels. The Californian ultimately finished fourth to secure his first MotoAmerica Superbike crown by 11 points, ending the season with six wins and 12 podiums.
“Today in the race, I felt pretty good, and then when I saw that SDK was out, it was hard for me to keep focused because I started slowing down, missing corners, and just wasn’t riding properly,” said Fong. “I made a very long, hard race for myself. It was tough, but I’m glad I got it done.
“Man, it’s an unreal feeling. I don’t even know what to say, really. I’m so happy to get this done, especially after blowing it last year. It’s a dream come true. I really want to thank the team. I let them down big time last year. I put those guys through the wringer, and they had my back. We’re just always trying to improve every weekend, every day at the shop, and that’s what led us to this one – always trying to improve. I want to thank my teammate too. He pushed me all year long, and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate. He’s been a good buddy, and as much as we want to beat each other on track, we motivate each other to be better on the fitness side, the personal side, everything.”
JD Beach (on the left) and Bobby Fong (on the right) on the Superbike race 3 podium at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong’s championship also marked Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s fifth premier-class title in seven years as Yamaha’s Official Superbike Team.
Scholtz also had a strong finish to a season that marked the back-to-back Supersport Champion’s return to the Superbike class and Strack Racing Yamaha’s debut in the premier class. In Race 3, Scholtz started third and made his way into the runner-up spot on the opening lap, closing in on Fong on Lap 4. He stayed on his heels before making the pass at the halfway mark, then rode away from the competition to score his fifth win of the season by 6.5 seconds. The victory also secured third in the championship for the South African, who ended his first season aboard the Strack Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 with five wins and 11 podiums, while bringing his career Superbike win total to 10.
“We came to Jersey and obviously had a mathematical chance of fighting for the championship, but maybe that was just a little bit too far out of our grasp,” said Scholtz. “We were still fighting for third with JD, and he closed in a lot of points after the COTA round.
Mathew Scholtz (11) won Superbike Race 3 at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“Jersey has been kind to me previously, and I know that the Yamaha tends to run well here. The first two races on Saturday were really difficult for us, but we made a lot of changes and made the bike better for the third race on Sunday. We managed to bring home the win, and I’m really thankful to the team. The second half of the year has been difficult, but to end it off like that gives us a lot of confidence heading into 2027.”
As for Beach, he was shuffled back to fifth in the opening laps, but continued to fight and passed his teammate in the final laps to finish third for his eighth podium of the season. Beach finished fourth in the championship with three wins in his first full season with the team, bringing his career Superbike total to five.
“It was a tough weekend for sure with the weather,” said Beach. “We had a wet race yesterday, then a dry race with a rain tire, and then another wet race today with a lot of puddles.
JD Beach (95) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“Today, we just sat around waiting, and then about 30 minutes before we were going to race, we got the call, so it was a rush to get ready. It was a crazy weekend. It’s great to finish off the year with two podiums, and cool for Bob to get the title for himself and the team. So yeah, it was a good way to finish off the year.”
It was also a record-breaking weekend for Yamaha in AMA Superbike. Fong’s 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship marked Yamaha’s 15th title, the most in the 50-year history of the AMA Superbike Championship. His two wins brought Yamaha into a tie atop the all-time race win list, with Scholtz’s Race 3 victory giving the manufacturer a total of 218 wins to take sole possession of the record. Yamaha was also once again awarded the MotoAmerica Manufacturer of the Year honors after scoring the most points across all classes.
Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica’s Chief Operating Officer (on the left) and Jeff Sidlovsky, Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was an honor for me to accept the Manufacturer’s award,” said Jeff Sidlovsky, Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. “I’d like to congratulate Bobby and the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team for winning the Superbike Championship. As Bobby said, the constant push to improve is a driving force of this team, and that’s what won the championship in the end. Bobby worked so hard this year to improve in all aspects, and it paid off. I also want to congratulate Richard (Stanboli) on another championship, and JD on a great year with the team.
“I’d also like to congratulate Mathew Scholtz on the strength of his season back in Superbike, and Strack Racing. To finish third in Superbike in the first year as a Superbike team is quite an accomplishment
“I want to recognize Liberty St. Yamaha Racing, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing, and BPR Racing Yamaha for their accomplishments this year, as well. All of our Yamaha riders and teams contributed to the Manufacturer award, and I want to thank them and our sponsors for their support.”
More, from another press release issued by Yamaha:
Hayes Scores 91st Career Victory at MotoAmerica Season Finale.
Josh Hayes adds another Supersport victory to his legendary career, Karel Hanika earns a podium in his MotoAmerica debut, and Sam Drane finishes runner-up in Talent Cup at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
There was plenty to celebrate for Yamaha BLU CRU riders at the MotoAmerica season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP). BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes added another victory to his legendary career, scoring his second Supersport win of the season aboard the Yamaha YZF-R9 and his 91st career AMA road racing victory. Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Karel Hanika also impressed in his MotoAmerica debut, with the experienced World Championship rider earning a podium in Race 2. Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis rebounded from a Race 1 crash to finish fourth, while Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane wrapped up the season with a runner-up finish in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup and a sixth-place finish aboard the Yamaha YZF-R7 in Twins Cup.
Like Superbike, the support classes had plenty to contend with as a nor’easter brought high winds, heavy rain, and constantly changing track conditions to the 2.25-mile track in Millville, New Jersey. MotoAmerica adjusted the schedule in anticipation of worsening weather on Sunday, but ultimately the second Talent Cup and Twins Cup races were canceled.
Hayes came into the weekend with a lot of confidence, as the four-time AMA Superbike Champion is no stranger to success at NJMP. And with both of his previous wins aboard the BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 coming in wet conditions, the forecast appeared to play to his strengths. In Race 1, Hayes grabbed the holeshot and led from start to finish, earning his second victory of the season and 91st career AMA road racing win.
Josh Hayes (4) won Supersport race 1 at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It’s special to get two this year, both of them in wet weather, unfortunately, but I’ll take what I can get,” said Hayes. “The BPR guys did a good job for me, but the hardest part has been the pressure stacking up. I’ve had so many good races here in New Jersey, and the three wins on this R9 have all come around wet weather. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, you got this, you got this.’
“Then I had such a good morning in practice, and it’s like, man, everything’s really starting to stack up on my shoulders, that I’m the thing that’s going to screw this up. So I’m happy that I was able to stay relaxed, ride well, finish the job, and get it done today.”
Sunday brought another challenging wet race for the Supersport field. Hayes got a good start but crashed in a puddle entering Turn 1. He rejoined the race and found himself 15th on the opening lap, but put his head down and worked his way back to 11th before another crash in Turn 1 with five laps remaining. Undeterred, he fought his way back to 11th, finishing the season fourth in the Supersport Championship with two victories and six podiums.
Karel Hanika (28) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Filling in for the injured Dominic Doyle, Hanika made progress throughout his debut weekend in the series and with Liberty St. Yamaha Racing. Despite starting deep on the grid, the Czech rider got a good start in Race 1 and worked his way forward to finish sixth..
Hanika got another good start in Race 2 and was seventh on the opening lap. He quickly made his way through a four-rider battle for fourth, moving into the position by Lap 2. Hanika then closed the gap to the rider ahead and made the pass for third on Lap 6, where he would finish to earn his first MotoAmerica podium in just his second race aboard the Liberty St. Yamaha Racing YZF-R9.
“It was my first experience in America and in the Supersport class,” said Hanika. “For me, it was a new bike, a new team, tires, racetrack – so a lot to learn. Of course, I had some experience with the bikes, but any time you come to a new place, you have to learn quickly, especially here when you have only one free practice and qualifying.
Karel Hanika (28) got third in the Supersport Race 2 at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“We did our best to prepare for both dry and wet, and every session we were improving and improving, until the end of Race 2, where we could take the podium. I had a really good start in all the races, was able to make up many positions, and my pace was good.
“I think if I could start today in a better position, not 17th, I would probably be able to fight with the top two guys for the win. But I’m still happy to take this podium, my first one here and in my second race, so I really couldn’t ask for more. Big thanks to Chuck and Greg from Liberty Yamaha Racing and all the guys who gave me this opportunity.”
It was a tough start to the weekend for Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis. After a chaotic start to Race 1 left the young Virginian back in 12th, he put his head down and worked his way to seventh by the halfway mark before unfortunately crashing out in the tricky conditions. Davis rebounded aboard his YZF-R9 in Race 2, getting a good start and running third early. He remained in the fight up front before being passed by Hanika ahead of the halfway mark and rode on to finish fourth. Davis ended the season with a top-five finish in the Supersport Championship.
Blake Davis (22) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Drane also ended his season on a positive note, earning a runner-up finish in the Talent Cup race and finishing sixth aboard the Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7 in Twins Cup. With the worsening conditions on Sunday, the second race for both classes was canceled.
Despite not being 100% at the start of the season following an injury, the 15-year-old Australian finished third in both the MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Talent Cup Championships. In his debut Twins Cup season, Drane scored a victory at the season opener in Daytona and a total of four podiums. He also had a strong sophomore season in Talent Cup, earning nine podiums, including a victory at the penultimate round at COTA.
Sam Drane (59) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“Yeah, it was definitely a good weekend,” said Drane. “I got second in the Talent Cup and sixth on the Twin. It was my first time in the wet on the Twin, so I was struggling a little bit. I didn’t really know how much I could trust it. I was really looking forward to today. We made some big changes, and I think we were going to make a big step forward today, but unfortunately we got rained out. So I’m just looking forward to next year.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Beaubier and Smith Score Superbike Podiums as Ducati Sweeps 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship Podium.
Darryn Binder caps off his season with the final race win of the year in Supersport
Sunnyvale, Calif., — Three wet races were held at New Jersey Motorsports Park to end the 2026 Quad Lock MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, with both Cameron Beaubier and Benjamin Smith gaining podium finishes for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team.
Race one saw two separate red flags and three race starts in torrential rain. Beaubier garnered a second-place finish behind winner Bobby Fong, with Smith carding a maiden MotoAmerica Superbike podium in third.
Race two wasn’t a great one for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team as both Beaubier and Smith failed to finish, and with conditions not improving for Sunday’s final race, the team took the decision not to compete when championship positions were largely set before the green light.
That meant Beaubier would finish 11th on 105 points and Smith was one place behind in 12th with 97 points.
In the Supersport championship, champion-elect Darryn Binder played it safe in race one, taking fourth place behind race winner Josh Hayes. The South African righted that wrong in race two, charging to the line to defeat season-long rival Josh Herrin by a scant 0.137-seconds in an epic encounter.
The final race of the season has Binder a rookie champion on 406 points, 78 up on Herrin with Kayla Yaakov third, 157 off Binder, marking Ducati’s first ever top-three clean sweep of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. Todays results also makes Yaakov the first female rider to finish inside the top three of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
Cameron Beaubier (1) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Cameron Beaubier (Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team – #1):
“I’m just stoked to be back for these last two rounds,” Beaubier said. “My shoulder isn’t 100 percent, but it’s good enough to ride. We tested here before Road Atlanta, and to see how far the bike has come since then is pretty incredible. Huge credit to my team for working so hard and developing it all year.
“I was having a lot of fun in the dry on Friday. Then the rain came. Saturday was brutal, but I was able to get on the podium after two red flags in wild conditions. I was pretty timid because of my shoulder, so I was happy to get through it safely and get on the podium.
“In the second race, I had zero grip from the start. About eight guys passed me, and every time I tipped the bike in, the rear would come around. It felt like I had a flat tire, so I pulled into the pits. We looked at the data afterward and saw what I was talking about.
“Sunday brought more rain, and we decided to sit out race three. I’m in one piece, my bike’s in one piece, and there was a lot more to lose than gain. I knew MotoAmerica needed to get a race in to decide the championship, but the track was pretty gnarly with all the standing water. I’m happy my team is looking out for me, and we made that decision together.
“I’m really excited for next year. I’ve been super happy with how the bike has felt over these last two rounds, and it makes me really excited for 2027.”
Benjamin Smith (78) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Benjamin Smith (Warhorse HSBK Ducati FLo4Law team – #78):
“I checked a big box this weekend that I really wanted to, getting on the podium yesterday in race one. That’s a huge step in my career in the right direction, and I’m really proud to have achieved it.
“We had a mechanical issue with the engine in race two and had to end that race early. Unfortunately, the same situation has meant the team decided to withdraw us from race three today. Obviously, as a racer, I want to be out there racing. I understand the situation and I respect the decision.
“We checked some big boxes this year—pole position and a podium in my first year on a real Superbike. So, thank you to the team, Ducati North America, and everybody else who gave me this opportunity. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Darryn Binder (53) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“It was a long day of waiting, but we finally managed to get out there and do race two, and I’m super happy we did,” Binder said on Sunday. “I really wanted to end the season on a good note, and I had a huge battle with Josh (Herrin) there at the end. It felt amazing to come away with the win and finish the season on such a good note. It’s like the cherry on the cake.
“I just want to thank the entire Celtic HSBK Racing team, Warhorse HSBK and Ducati. Thank you guys so much for everything. Thanks to my personal sponsors, Sport Pesa, Bell and Alpinestars. Thank you guys for everything this year. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
Paige secures Twins Cup Championship runner-up for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki at New Jersey.
Team Hammer closes the 2026 MotoAmerica season with 29 podium finishes despite weather-shortened action at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer closed out the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season in wet and wild fashion as the series held its finale amid the nor’easter that slammed the East Coast.
Despite the additional challenges presented by the inclement weather at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey, the squad managed to raise Team Hammer’s 2026 total to 29 podiums, including three victories.
Race Highlights:
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Bodie Paige locked down second in the championship with another podium finish
Matthew Chapin rounded out a strong season in fourth
Superbike
Home track hero Brandon Paasch racked up three top-10 finishes on the weekend
Supersport
Rossi Moor showcased his Supersport potential despite the difficult conditions
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Superbike
Tyler Scott picked up another top-10 as he continued his SBK apprenticeship
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s fast-rising Bodie Paige locked down Twins Cup runner-up honors with his eighth podium of the season aboard the squad’s GSX-8R racebike.
The young Australian finished second on Saturday before Sunday’s finale was canceled due to weather. Even with one fewer opportunity to add to his totals, Paige finished the season with two wins, eight podiums, and 10 top-five finishes in 13 starts.
Bodie Paige clinched second in the Twins Cup championship with a podium result at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Paige said, “I had a miscue off the start, but I just kept calm, making moves and moving forward. Once I got through, the leader was a couple seconds ahead. There was no reason to throw it down the road, so I stayed comfortable and calm, and brought it home to pick up as many points as possible. The team gave me a great bike that was capable of winning. I really want to thank the entire M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for all of their efforts and support.”
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin capped his 2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season with a fourth-place championship finish after securing one win, five podiums, and nine top-five results aboard the GSX-8R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Twins Cup teammate Matthew Chapin, meanwhile, locked down fourth in the standings with a fourth-place finale. He ended his ‘26 campaign with a victory, five podiums, and nine top fives.
“We had a good weekend,” said Chapin. “We were under the old lap record in qualifying, but that was only good enough for fifth this year. We just had the one race and the conditions were difficult. We were on rain tires on a drying track. Our pace was good, and we were near the front. When it came time down to the end, I didn’t have the front-end feel to push things and go for the win, so we kept our pace and got a good result to close out the year. I think we accomplished a lot this season, and I am looking forward to what comes next.”
Brandon Paasch delivered three top-10 finishes in front of his hometown fans at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch came into his home track with high hopes. Despite torrential downpours and constantly changing track conditions, Paasch managed to string together three premier-class top-10 finishes aboard the GSX-R1000R.
The New Jersey native raced his way forward in all three races. After qualifying 11th, he claimed successive finishes of tenth, sixth, and eighth to round out the 2026 campaign in a positive manner. That left him eighth in the overall standings with a fifth-place finish at Ridge Motorsports Park standing as the season highlight.
Paasch said, “I felt like there was a lot of good in the weekend. In the second race, we were finally able to stick with the leaders. I was in the top-five and feeling strong, but a little mechanical issue from an earlier crash kept me from improving. We still took sixth, so I was pleased with that. On Sunday, there was a lot of confusion with the weather delays and the track conditions were way worse. At one point I ran wide in the first turn but was able to keep going and get a finish. We had been looking for a breakthrough all season and I feel like we found it, but now the season is over.”
Tyler Scott continued his Superbike development with a seventh-place finish aboard the Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott continued his Superbike education, once again demonstrating his caliber with a run to seventh in Race 2 on the weekend.
Despite the treacherous conditions, the Pennsylvanian showed the pace for two additional strong results as well, running well inside the top-10 in Race 1 before crashing in the rain, and then again falling in the wet while running seventh on the final lap of Race 3. He was ultimately credited with a DNF and 13th in those outings.
Scott said, “I thought the weekend went fairly well. It was great to get more experience on the Superbike and this time it was in the toughest conditions. In the first race, we had a couple of restarts and I was moving up, but then I highsided under deceleration. In race two, I finished seventh and I thought I could see how we could improve on that as well. On Sunday, I had another deceleration highside but I was able to pick the bike up and finish. In both the crashes, I think our aggressive engine braking strategy caught me out. It’s different than what I was used to on the Supersport bike and things like that are part of the learning process.”
Meanwhile, despite missing the final two weekends, the recovering Richie Escalante still held on for a top-10 championship finish. The Mexican ended the year ranked tenth on the strength of a podium and five top-five finishes.
NJMP proved a similarly difficult proving ground for the talented Rossi Moor, who was making his MotoAmerica Supersport debut aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, coming in fresh from his Moto2 forays in the FIM MotoJunior World Championship.
Rossi Moor impressed with a seventh-place qualifying effort in his MotoAmerica Supersport debut. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Moor proved himself a quick learner, qualifying seventh overall in the highly competitive class. Unfortunately, he was caught out by the conditions, taking 12th in Race 1 and crashing out in Race 2.
“The weekend was pretty tough because of the conditions,” said Moor. “I had to learn a new bike, different tires, and I hadn’t ridden in New Jersey for like four years… and then it started raining. I felt like we made good progress on everything, but we didn’t get the results we were looking for. Saturday was okay, and we had made some improvements for Sunday. But it was so slick out there that I felt like I was going to crash in every corner. Eventually, I fell in Turn 13 and that ended it. I want to thank Team Hammer for the opportunity.”
More, from a press release issued by M4 ECSTAR Suzuki:
Sonya Lloyd ends 2026 Season with her best result yet in New Jersey.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sonya Lloyd saved her best for last, claiming a season’s best finish of seventh to close out the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season at New Jersey Motorsport Park in impressive fashion.
And that seventh was hard-earned. The series was greeted by nor’easter storms, forcing the weekend’s races to be contested under extraordinarily difficult conditions – and in the case of the scheduled Twins Cup Race 2, cancelled altogether.
Lloyd opened her race from Row 6 after qualifying 16th aboard the team’s GSX-8R. Undaunted, she quickly set about picking her way forward in Saturday’s wet Race 1. The former WorldWCR contender battled her way into the top 10 by lap 4 and then gained two spots on the final lap to claim seventh.
Sonya Lloyd (28) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Ultimately, the Georgian scored seven points paying finishes on the season, and underlined her continual improvement by claiming her best finish of ‘26 yet in each of her last three outings, stringing together successive finishes of 12th,10th, and seventh.
Lloyd said, “We just had the one race this weekend because Sunday was cancelled, but we had a good race on Saturday. This was the first time I have raced at New Jersey, and the team was super helpful. I didn’t qualify that great in 16th, but I was able to finish 7th and I was happy with that. I love racing in the rain, so I was hopeful we could get our best finish yet. I had a good start and I made it up to around 11th or so by the end of the first lap. From there, I had some good battles and passes throughout the race and was able to get 7th at the line.
“We had a great year. I learned a lot and the team was great. We’ve been improving our results throughout the second half of the season, and I feel we have made a lot of progress.”
About Team Hammer:
The 2026 season marks Team Hammer’s 46th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 138 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 411 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
About Suzuki:
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
More, from a press release issued by Karns Performance:
Karns / TST Industries Racing Earns First Win of the Season in Dramatic Final Weekend.
It was an emotional, up-and-down weekend for the “little team that could”—one that ended with a breakthrough victory.
The team was disappointed to lose Solly Mervis after he sustained an injury while competing in Italy. With one rider sidelined, the team still had work to do: put in a strong performance at the final race of the season.
Kevin Olmedo and Isaac Woodworth came out swinging in practice and qualifying. Kevin led the charge, with Isaac close behind. Isaac broke the track record, and Kevin followed by breaking it again. The team came in for fresh tires, hoping to go even faster—but with 10 minutes remaining, Kevin suffered a serious crash that brought out a red flag. After the session resumed, Isaac also crashed.
Despite the setbacks, the team finished qualifying with Isaac and Kevin second and third on the grid. The team soon learned that Kevin’s injuries were more serious than first expected, and he was declared unfit to continue.
With Isaac the team’s only remaining rider, the crew worked late into the night to repair his bike and give him the best chance to compete. Heavy overnight rain canceled the second qualifying session, leaving the team to wait for race time.
Isaac Woodworth (27) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Twins Cup race 1 saw Isaac launching his Karns Performance/TST Industries Suzuki GSX-8r off the line with a big wheelie in the wet conditions, then made a pass for the lead. He led the race through the final lap, when another rider passed him illegally under yellow. Isaac held close in second and brought the bike safely to the finish. After reviewing the footage, MotoAmerica awarded Isaac and the team the victory—their first win of the season!
It was a defining moment for the team and proof of what it could accomplish through determination and teamwork.
“We’re thrilled with this win,” said Jason Karns, Team Principal. “The only thing better than this feeling would be having Solly and Kevin here to compete and share it with us. We wish them both a speedy recovery and look forward to next year.”
Isaac Woodworth (27) celebrates his Twins Cup victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Karns / TST Industries Racing thanks all of its sponsors, large and small. The team could not do this without their support, and is proud to race with products from some of the best companies in the business: Andreani and Nitron suspension, NG Brakes rotors, Vesrah brake pads, Dymag wheels, Woodcraft controls and stands, and Mecks Autobody for bodywork and paint.
The team also extends special thanks to TST Industries for its support over the past several seasons, including triple clamps, air boxes, and many other contributions.
Karns / TST Industries Racing is grateful to every sponsor, partner, and crew member who helped make this season—and its first win—possible.
2026 Team Partners: Karns Performance, TST Industries, Meck’s Auto Body, IceBarn Racing, Bobblehead Moto, Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension, NG Brakes, Spiegler Brake Lines, Blumanstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Vesrah brake pads, Woodcraft Technologies, Natter Block 3D and Chef Eatz.
More, from a press release issued by Real Steel Honda:
Real Steel Honda Racing finishes the 2026 MotoAmerica season at a wet and disappointing NJMP round.
Hayden Gillim qualified 6th for the Superbike grid on the 2nd row and ended up 9th in Race 1 after a chaotic race with multiple red flags and restarts. Race 2 saw Hayden suffer a DNF and Race 3 also saw Hayden suffer a DNF due to a crash in turn 1 which caught out many competitors during this race. Hayden finished in 9th place in the Superbike championship standings with 110 points. Andrew Lee won Race 1 for the Superbike Cup, placed 3rd in Race 2, and finished Race 3 with a 2nd place to be on the podium for all 3 Superbike Cup races this weekend. Andrew finished the 2026 Superbike Cup championship with 441 points and the championship.
In the Talent Cup class with only 1 race due to the conditions, Ian Fraley finished 7th while Derek Sanchez scored 4th place just off of the podium. Derek finished the season 5th in points and Ian finished in 9th place.
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 NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Hayden Gillim – Rider #69 / Team Principal: ““I was really excited about going to New Jersey. Last year we finished the season on the podium. In the dry I felt good and the bike was working well. I had good pace and ended up qualifying 6th.
Then came the rain. I have struggled on the bike in the rain the last few years, but we were throwing everything at it this weekend. Race 1 I had a crash and with all the red flags I was still able to manage a top ten. Race 2 we had a little issue that kept us from finishing the race in drying conditions. By race 3 I was feeling really good on the bike and was just behind 5th and 6th on track. Unfortunately, I crashed in a puddle in turn one and ended the season there.
We will move forward to see what next year holds. Thanks to all the team, sponsors, and fans for backing us this season!”
Andrew Lee (14) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Andrew Lee – Rider #14: “What a season! So grateful to of had the opportunity to race with the Real Steel Honda team. Wrapped the weekend in New Jersey in typical New Jersey fashion. Cold, windy, and wet. Not much to report as a weak result, but to walk away with the championship for our team and sponsors is amazing. Thank you to everyone who played a part in it this season.
Ian Fraley (10) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Ian Fraley – Rider #10: “This weekend was a tough one from the very beginning. Friday started with practice being rough, including a hard crash that set the tone for the weekend. Then in Q1, we struggled a lot with the setup, and those issues ended up hurting us going into Saturday.
Saturday was a long day with a bunch of rain and wind, making the conditions even tougher. When it finally came time to race, we went with a wet front and a dry rear. The rear worked great, but the rain front was completely the wrong choice for the conditions we ended up with. There wasn’t much we could do once we were out there, but we gave it everything we had and did the best we could with what we had.
Then Sunday came, and we were ready for another chance to finish the weekend strong, but the race was canceled. Not the ending we wanted, but sometimes racing gives you more lessons than results. We fought through every day, learned a lot, and kept pushing when things weren’t going our way. I’m taking everything from this weekend and using it to come back stronger.”
Derek Sanchez – Rider #23: “I came into New Jersey Motorsports Park with one goal: to leave everything on the track and finish the MotoAmerica Talent Cup season showing what we’re truly capable of. From the very first session on Friday, I felt as good on the bike as I have all year. My Real Steel Honda team gave me an unbelievable setup right out of the trailer. Having that kind of front-end confidence allowed me to attack the technical sections, trail-brake hard into the turns, and really fight in the lead group. Across every session, the bike was planted, my pace was right where it needed to be, and I felt completely in control pushing at the absolute limit. Battling up front in those races was pure fun.
More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
Kyle Wyman and Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Race Team close 2026 King of the Baggers season with victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Bradley Smith Races Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team Road Glide Motorcycle to Second Place in Season Standings
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team rider Kyle Wyman mastered wet track conditions on Sunday to win the final round of the 14-race 2026 MotoAmerica Mission Foods King of the Baggers championship aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle in a double-header weekend of racing at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team rider Bradley Smith finished second in the same race on a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle and secured second place in the final championship points standings.
Racers battled rain and windy conditions all weekend in New Jersey as a major nor’easter storm moved up the Atlantic coast. Rain limited the King of the Baggers field to a single qualifying session on Friday that saw Wyman qualify second and Smith third on the 12-turn, 2.25-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park road course. The weather conditions also caused the cancellation of Saturday Mission Foods Challenger bonus sprint race.
Saturday’s eight-lap main event put riders on a drying track with some wet spots, and a light sprinkle beginning to fall, forcing a choice between racing on slick or rain tires. Wyman made a late decision to change his rear tire to a slick and missed the warm-up lap, which by rule required him to start the race from pit lane. Smith started the race in fourth place and moved up to second position by lap five but fell back to fourth position at the finish. Indian Factory racer Troy Herfoss won the race, nipping his teammate Hayden Gillim by 0.035 seconds at the finish line. Wyman finished in sixth place.
The track was much wetter for Sunday’s race, with large puddles flowing across the track surface in spots. Gillim, Smith and Wyman led from the start and the trio gradually opened a gap on the rest of the field. Wyman passed Smith to take second place on lap four, passed Gillim for the lead on lap five and went on to win by 1.896 seconds over Smith, who passed Gillim on the final lap.
Kyle Wyman (1) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
“This team has changed my life and changed my career. This one’s going to feel really good for a long time,” said Wyman, who won the King of the Baggers championship in 2021 and 2025 and leads the series with 27 career victories. “How can you sum up what we’ve done with this program? You just can’t. We’ve created a lot of memories and impacted a lot of people in a positive way. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group. I want to give a huge thanks to Harley-Davidson, to all of our partners and our fans. The fans have been incredible. It’s great to give them one more win.”
Bradley Smith (38) at NJMP. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Smith finished his second season with the Harley-Davidson® x DynoJet Factory Race Team with two race victories and seven additional podium results, to score 230 points and take second place in the final standings. Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider James Rispoli scored a single podium result for the season and was sixth in the season standings.
At the conclusion of the 14-round 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series Gillim is series champion with 287 points. Smith is second with 230 points, followed by Herfoss with 228 points, Wyman with 169 points, SDI Racing Indian rider Tyler O’Hara with 157 points and Rispoli with 145 points.
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results: New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 1
Troy Herfoss (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Hayden Gillim (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Tyler O’Hara (Ind) SDI Racing
Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Max Flinders (H-D) M3/Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson
Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Rocco Landers (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) TAB Performance
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results: New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 2
Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Hayden Gillim (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
James Rispoli (H-D) Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
Max Flinders (H-D) M3/Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson
Rocco Landers (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
Troy Herfoss (Ind) J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle Racing:
Indian Motorcycle Racing caps Historic 2026 King of the Baggers Season at New Jersey Motorsports Park finale with Race 1 win & Indian Challenger podium sweep.
Vance & Hines Motorsports-Built Indian Challenger Secures Historic 10 Race Wins, While Factory Team Sets New Record with 24 Podiums.
Fresh Off a Championship, Indian Motorcycle Racing & Vance & Hines Motorsports Set Sights on 2027 Committed to Hyden Gillim and Troy Herfoss, as Team Pursues Historic Back-to-Back Championships
Golden Valley, MN — Indian Motorcycle Racing closed out a historic 2026 Mission King of the Baggers (KOTB) season this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, putting an exclamation point on the team’s first season with Vance & Hines Motorsports and once again showcasing the Indian Challenger as far and away the most-dominant machine in the class. After clinching the championship with Hayden Gillim at Circuit of the Americas two weeks ago, the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Motorsports Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team carried its momentum into the season finale, capturing its 10th overall win and completing an Indian Challenger podium sweep in Race 1, while adding another podium finish for good measure in Race 2.
When it was all said and done, the team delivered an unparalleled season of record-breaking success, including an individual record eight wins for Gillim, within the team’s 10 overall victories, and a record-setting 24 overall podium positions over the series’ 14 races.
“When you consider that we entered Daytona back in March with only a single testing session under our belt, it’s pretty amazing to think about what we were able to accomplish,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “When you break it all down, this season is the ultimate testament to the superior performance of the Indian Challenger and the broader PowerPlus platform, and to the collaborative power of Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Motorsports. And in that respect, the amazing outcome this season comes as no surprise.”
The dominant 2026 season only sets the stage for the next chapter, with the team committing to 2026 Champion Gillim and 2024 champion Troy Herfoss for 2027. Together, the two riders will lead the program as it looks to build on this record-setting year by being the first team to win back-to-back KOTB championships.
“This season was incredible, and we’re proud of everything this team accomplished, but our work doesn’t stop here,” said Kennedy. “We’re already focused on what comes next, with a clear goal of becoming the first manufacturer to win back-to-back King of the Baggers championships. Hayden and Troy are going to be a major part of that plan. They’ve proven what they can do on the Indian Challenger, and with Vance & Hines Motorsports continuing to develop this program, we believe we have the people, the team and the machine to keep pushing this class. This season set a new benchmark for bagger racing, and now the focus immediately shifts to 2027.”
2026 Mission King Of The Baggers champion Hayden Gillim. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
From the opening round at Daytona International Speedway to the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing delivered the most dominant campaign in King of the Baggers history. The factory team, armed with the Vance & Hines Motorsports-built Indian Challenger, captured 10 of the season’s 14 race victories, including a six-race win streak that established a new manufacturer record. Gillim’s eight victories set a new single-season record for wins by a rider, while the factory team placed at least one Indian Challenger on the podium in every race and set a new KOTB record with 24 total podiums. The team also secured six of the seven pole positions and established five new track records at Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio, Circuit of the Americas and New Jersey.
The results marked a historic first season for the new partnership with Vance & Hines Motorsports, which came together ahead of the 2026 season to bring a proven performance platform and decades of race development expertise together under one program. At the heart of the effort was the Indian Challenger, powered by the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 engine, giving the team a strong foundation to develop and refine a purpose-built race package throughout the season. The collaboration quickly translated from the drawing board to the racetrack, with the team quickly and consistently establishing its dominance.
King of the Baggers Race 1 podium at NJMP with, from left to right, Hayden Gillim, Troy Herfoss and Tyler O’Hara. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
In New Jersey, Herfoss closed out the season with a statement in Race 1, charging from the back of the pack to take his second victory of the season, followed by Gillim in second and Tyler O’Hara in third to complete the Indian Challenger podium sweep. In Race 2, 2026 Champion Gillim added another podium to his season, bringing his No. 69 home in third to close out the 2026 campaign.
“King of the Baggers represents the largest class of motorcycles sold in the United States, and this season has invigorated excitement and enthusiasm for American V-Twin riders all around the globe,” said Kennedy. “At the end of the day, it’s the average rider who benefits most from the competition between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson. We’re extremely proud of our success this season but certainly expect the team from Milwaukee to be ready to fight for that No. 1 plate come Daytona 2027.”
Gillim’s championship marked Indian Motorcycle’s fourth King of the Baggers title, joining O’Hara (2020,2022) and Herfoss (2024) as Indian Motorcycle champions. After securing the championship with two races remaining, Gillim closed out his first season with the Indian Motorcycle Factory team having rewritten the single-season wins record with eight victories, highlighting the team’s record-setting campaign.
With the 2026 season now in the books, the team’s focus already turns to 2027. With Gillim and Herfoss returning to the lineup, the program will enter the next season with its championship-winning rider pairing intact and its sights set on another run at the King of the Baggers title.
For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, X, Instagramand YouTube. For information about Vance & Hines Motorsports, visit VanceAndHinesMotorsports.com, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®:
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
ABOUT VANCE & HINES MOTORSPORTS:
With nearly five decades of championship-winning experience, Vance & Hines Motorsports delivers proven performance through precision-built components and expert engine services. From advanced cylinder head development to high-performance engine components and closed-course competition exhaust systems, every product is engineered to give a decisive edge. Most recently, Vance & Hines Motorsports has expanded its offerings with a Pro Stock Motorcycle rental program, providing qualified independent racers with access to competitive, race-ready machinery at the professional level.
Josh Hayes celebrates his 90th AMA win after taking the checkers in Supersport race two at
VIRginia International Raceway and thanks the fans who fuel his passion for motorcycle
road racing. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
By Sean Bice
If you’re a fan of the Classic Rock genre and, in particular, early-1980s rock ballads, then you’ve certainly enjoyed the sometimes-dulcet, sometimes-raucous musical creations of Michael Lee Aday, otherwise known professionally by his ground-round stage name, Meat Loaf.
One of the Loaf-man’s biggest hits was “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” a homage to unrequited, adolescent romance.
Well, “two out of three” is fine for affairs of the heart, but when it comes to motorcycle road racing success, “one out of two” is absolutely the stuff of legends.
Legends like Joshua Kurt Hayes, in fact.
Josh Hayes’s first year in motorcycle road racing was 1994, and he rode a self-tuned Honda CBR600F2 which he used to win three National Novice Championships. He was set to ride for Ruckus Racing in 1995 on a Kawasaki ZX-6R with Grant Lopez as his teammate, but Lopez ended up signing with Team Hammer, and the team never materialized. The photo of Josh in this press kit is actually his senior year photo from high school. Photo courtesy of Josh Hayes.
This past Sunday, 51-year-old Hayes started his 377th AMA-sanctioned professional road race in Supersport race two at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Also, in Saturday’s Supersport race one, the “Mississippi Madman,” or “Hurricane Hayes” if you prefer, won the penultimate race of the 2026 MotoAmerica season.
It was Hayes’s 91st AMA-sanctioned race win and his 191st podium result. If you do the math, he currently has an AMA podium-finishing percentage of 50.66%.
Think about that for a moment. What if someone told you that, in half of the AMA- sanctioned professional road races you started in your career, you’d stand on the podium, and receive a trophy and all the accolades that go with it? You’d take it, wouldn’t you? And you’d be considered a legend for it.
What if you’d be able to maintain that 50% podium-finishing rate for more than three decades? You’d be pretty happy, wouldn’t you? It would be a life well-lived, wouldn’t you say?
In 2006, Josh Hayes raced in two classes for Erion Honda. He won in Formula Xtreme and also earned six top-five results in Superstock. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
One of the very best things about the success that Josh Hayes has accomplished in motorcycle road racing is how much he appreciates it. There is no motorcycle road racer on this planet who appreciates his chosen craft and profession more than Hayes. And hand in hand with that appreciation is the absolute LOVE he has for racing motorcycles.
It’s a love that probably should have been the subject of a song by Meat Loaf. “I would do anything for (racing),” perhaps? But he won’t do that? Oh, he would probably do that. Even if it’s outside the realm of the AMA.
Endurance racing? Hayes has endurance-raced at tracks from Summit Point, West Virginia, to the pièce de resistance itself, the 24 Heures Motos in Le Mans, France. In fact, endurance racing, and the requisite seat time, helped make him such a great rider.
World Championship racing? Hayes competed as a member of the Parkalgar Honda team in the FIM Supersport World Championship. Not only that, but in 2011, he was a fill-in rider for Colin Edwards on the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team and led the Sunday morning warmup session in Valencia, Spain, and then finished seventh in the feature MotoGP race later that day.
International vintage racing? How about race wins for two years in a row (2020 and 2021) at the International Island Classic Challenge at Phillip Island in Australia?
Josh Hayes’s AMA race starts now stand at 377, but that number will still continue to grow since he’s expected to be back with BPR Racing again in 2027, most likely aboard his #4 Yamaha YZF-R9 in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
It was a fourth AMA Pro Superbike Championship for #4 Josh Hayes on a rain-soaked Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2014. The Mississippi Madman won the race and clinched the title at the same time. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Let’s face it, Hayes has started a lot more races in the U.S. and around the world than “just” the 377 he has amassed in AMA-sanctioned competition. Along with the aforementioned endurance racing–including co-riding to multiple WERA National Endurance Championships–World Supersport rounds, and the MotoGP stint, there was the three-round Superbike Shootout Championship he won in 2014, plus all the club racing, all the WERA-sanctioned sprint races, and the Suzuki Cup competition that formed part of his early career.
Josh Hayes poses on the podium after winning the Superbike Shootout race (and clinching the championship) at the third event in the three-round televised series held in 2014. He’s joined on the podium by Chris Ulrich (left) and David Anthony (right). The final race was held at Miller Motorsports Park which was later renamed Utah Motorsports Campus and is now called West Desert. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
All told, Hayes has probably actually started well over 500 races, and he’s certainly notched way more than the 91 race wins he’s amassed in his AMA/MotoAmerica career when you include every event in every country in which he’s competed.
Right now, his AMA-sanction race-winning percentage is 24.13%. But Hayes himself doesn’t even know how many actual motorcycle road races he’s started and won.
As a rider for Team Hammer’s Valvoline EMGO Suzuki team in 1998, Josh Hayes (#11) won six national titles, including Formula USA 103 HP, Suzuki Cup 600 and 1100, and the WERA National 600 Superstock Championship. In this photo taken at Pocono International Raceway, Hayes leads a pack that includes Eric Wood (#4) and current MotoAmerica Supersport rider Wristin Grigg’s father Steve Grigg. Photo courtesy of Josh Hayes.
How about if we also count the off-road racing he’s done? Motocross? Flat track? Dirt track? Dirt track car racing, even?
Let’s not go there. Let’s just be satisfied by the undeniable fact that Joshua Kurt Hayes appreciates it all because of how much he loves it.
He said so himself right after winning his 90th AMA-sanctioned road race in August at VIRginia International Raceway: “I don’t know what to say except how thankful I am…It’s easy to go fight when people give you the opportunity that you’re so appreciative of, and the fans are so kind to me…. I love the racing, anyway. I love getting on the grid…”
To quote Meat Loaf just one more time, “Dreams they come and go, but thoughts like love will always grow.” And that’s Josh Hayes’s love of motorcycle racing. Still growing.
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 10, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
