Aprilia X 250th Celebrates U.S. Anniversary With 240 Horsepower

John Ulrich

-

March 28, 2026

Aprilia X 250th Celebrates U.S. Anniversary With 240 Horsepower

APRILIA RACING PRESENTS THE APRILIA X 250TH, THE LIMITED EDITION BIKE
FROM THE NOALE-BASED RACING DEPARTMENT TO CELEBRATE 250 YEARS
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

THE FIRST AND ONLY BIKE IN THE WORLD ON THE MARKET WITH CARBON-
CARBON BRAKES, A FEATURE EXCLUSIVE TO MOTOGP, TO CONFIRM THE
DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE PREMIER MOTORCYCLE RACING
CHAMPIONSHIP.

THE APRILIA X 250TH, WHICH HAS A SPECTACULAR “STARS AND STRIPES”
THEMED LIVERY INSPIRED BY THE AMERICAN FLAG, IS THE MOST
POWERFUL RSV4 EVER BUILT, WITH 240 HP POWERING JUST 165 KG FOR A
WEIGHT/POWER RATIO THAT PROVIDES AN UNPRECEDENTED RIDING
EXPERIENCE.

SIXTH GENERATION OF THE X BRAND, THE NEW APRILIA X 250TH IS AN
AERODYNAMIC EXCELLENCE WITH THE VERY LATEST GENERATION SEAT
WINGS, FOUND ONLY ON THE RS-GP PROTOTYPE THAT RACES IN THE
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

The latest Aprilia X on the front straight at COTA, looking back from Turn One.

Austin, 27 March 2026 – On the occasion of the Grand Prix of the United States, Aprilia
Racing unveiled the Aprilia X 250TH, a special edition born out of the cutting-edge
technological excellence developed in MotoGP. The new Aprilia X 250TH was built to
celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States of America’s
Declaration of Independence, which took place on July 4th, 1776.

For this reason, the decision was also made to earmark 25 of the 30 units for the U.S.
market, with the remaining bikes available for the rest of the world, and to dedicate the
spectacular “Stars and Stripes” livery inspired by the colors of the American flag.

On a technical level, Aprilia Racing has taken another step forward with the Aprilia X
250TH. In fact, it is the first and only bike in the world on the market fitted with carbon-
carbon brakes – the same ones used in MotoGP. This feature makes the X 250TH the
bike on the market capable of expressing the same braking power as the Aprilia RS-
GP ridden by Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín.

The latest Aprilia X has carbon-fiber bakes as well as front and rear wings.

Furthermore, on the aerodynamics front, the latest generation MotoGP-derived seat
wings have been updated. These are elements that confirm the vocation of the “X”
brand in representing the most advanced point ever of the connection between a
factory bike and a MotoGP prototype.

Aprilia Racing thereby consolidates its internationally renowned “X” brand with the
Aprilia X 250TH, the sixth generation of a unique project to the world, launched in 2019
with the RSV4 X, followed up in 2020 with the Tuono X, in 2022 with the RSV4 X
Trenta, in 2024 with the RSV4 X ex3ma, and in 2025 with the RSV4 X-GP. Exclusive
models distinguished by the “X” which represents the absolute pinnacle of excellence
that can possibly be aspired to in a bike, sold to the general public.

BRAKING SYSTEM

An absolutely distinctive element of the Aprilia X 250TH is the Brembo carbon-carbon
braking system, unique in its kind for a factory bike. The system employs carbon brake
discs – the same ones used in MotoGP – with a diameter of 340mm high mass,
combined with carbon pads and a billet aluminium calliper with cooling fins. The system
is completed by the rear brake disc, which is gripped by a nickel-plated calliper.

The use of carbon discs translates into half the weight of traditional steel discs,
contributing to improving the bike’s overall handling, whereas the carbon pads mean
about one-third less weight than sintered pads. At the same time, it ensures consistent
performance even in conditions of extreme use, bringing the riding experience and
braking power even closer to those of the MotoGP prototypes.

AERODYNAMICS

Aerodynamics are another distinctive element of the Aprilia X 250TH, an area in which
Aprilia Racing confirms its status as a pioneer in MotoGP. In fact, the lines of the new
X are inspired by the RS-GP, especially starting from the design of the rear, faithfully
replicating the airflow. The aerodynamics package features advanced, MotoGP-
derived solutions which include seat wings – Aprilia Racing proprietary technology –
and tail wings, which appeared for the first time on the RS-GP25. The combination of
seat wings and tail wings adds aerodynamic load during braking on corners, as well
as the rear wing, the under wing and the cornering wings.

Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin pose with the Aprilia X at COTA.

Another distinctive element is the carbon structural saddle support, made by PAN
Compositi, with “sandwich structure” processing. This is a specific way of placing the
carbon fibres in order to make it extremely lightweight while still maintaining rigidity.
All of these elements make the vehicle’s rear-end dynamics even more similar to those
of the racing prototype, increasing grip and ensuring a more direct feeling between
rear tire performance and the rider’s sensations. Completing the package is the SC
Project titanium MotoGP replica double-exhaust, designed to maximise performance
and give it a racing sound.

The Aprilia X 250TH also includes an advanced ground-effect aerodynamic system,
developed and patented by Aprilia Racing. The design of the side fairings generates
downforce when the bike is leaned over, increasing grip and stability in cornering.

All the fairings are made in carbon by PAN Compositi with the same procedures used
for the MotoGP bikes. The vertical load on the straightaway is five times as great as
the Aprilia RSV4, increasing stability and reducing wheelies, whereas in leans, there
is three times as much load, all to the advantage of grip on corners. Highlighting its
exclusive nature is the “Stars and Stripes” livery, which features the colors of the
American flag.

ENGINE

The Aprilia X 250TH is equipped with a 1099cc 65° V4 engine developed by the Racing
Department with SBK racing specifications. Maximum power reaches 240 HP at 13,750 rpm (max regime at 14,100 rpm), with maximum torque of 131 Nm at 11,750
rpm.

This performance is achieved thanks to a targeted evolution of the V4 engine which
includes increased compression ratio, a Sprint Filter high permeability racing air filter
with racing spec airbox intake trumpets, an SC Project titanium dual pipe exhaust, and
STM dry clutch.

ELECTRONICS

Electronics management is handled by the Aprilia Racing APX control unit, a direct
evolution of the systems used in the WSBK Championship that Max Biaggi won astride the
RSV4. It is a unit with fully adjustable parameters to adapt to riding styles and track
conditions. The APX system allows for management of the front lift mitigation feature
and the power, traction control, and engine brake for each individual gear, and it is
completed by an integrated GPS system.

CHASSIS ARCHITECTURE

The Aprilia X 250TH comprises an aluminium double trellis frame, combined with
mechanical Öhlins suspension with dedicated setup, including the pressurized fork.

The setup is completed by forged Marchesini wheel rims in magnesium, shod with the Pirelli slicks used in the World Superbike Championship.

The level of finishing reflects Aprilia Racing’s approach. Numerous components are
made of carbon or billet aluminium such as, for example, the adjustable footpegs or
the steering plate (upper triple clamp) with the serial number. The equipment also includes oversized water and oil radiators with WSBK technology and a final drive that has a titanium rear sprocket and lightened front sprocket made by PBR, as well as a 520 Regina Chain.

Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin joined by Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola and the Aprilia X 250th.

LIMITED EDITION
25 of the 30 Aprilia X 250TH units produced will be destined for the U.S. market at
MSRP $150,000 USD, whereas the remaining 5 will be dedicated to other markets,
including Europe, at a price of €115,000 + VAT. Online booking will be possible
immediately in the dedicated FACTORYWORKS.APRILIA.COM area
https://factoryworks.aprilia.com/

In addition to the limited and numbered edition of the Aprilia X 250TH, buyers will also
receive a Yashi laptop with the software to manage the ECU parameters and electronic
strategies, a mat, a personalized bike cover, RCB titanium front and rear stands, and
IRC tire covers.

Aprilia X 250TH falls within the Factory Works program launched by Aprilia Racing: a
project conceived and realized within the Noale-based Racing Department intended to
make the same technology developed in racing available to those who intend to
compete at top levels in factory derivative series, or for those who want to own an
RSV4 or Tuono V4 with top tier performance.

MASSIMO RIVOLA, APRILIA RACING CEO:

“Once again, Aprilia Racing introduces an exclusive product which is even closer to a
MotoGP bike. The Aprilia X 250TH is clearly an item for true connoisseurs – something
unrivalled. Over the years, the X bikes have become highly sought after for both
collectors and for those seeking to experience a thrill that is extremely close to what
MotoGP riders feel.”

FABIANO STERLACCHINI, APRILIA RACING TECHNICAL DIRECTOR:

“The Aprilia X 250TH is another great Aprilia Racing creation in which, like with the
previous editions, we paid painstaking attention to the aspects that set it apart, starting
with the highly sophisticated aerodynamics reminiscent of the MotoGP bike concepts,
all the way to numerous engine upgrades, with an increase in power compared to the
previous ones. The truly particular aspect of this project, however, is the cutting-edge
braking system. The carbon discs allow extreme braking without stressing the braking
system. This is MotoGP-derived technology, partly utilized in Formula 1 as well, and it
represents an entirely new feature that will allow braking performance never before
seen on a bike sold to the general public.”

APRILIA X 250TH TECH SHEET

Moto RSV4 1100 Factory 2026 built by Aprilia Racing, non-street legal, modified as
follows:

Engine V4 65°, 1099cc with SBK racing specifications

Exhaust System SC-Project Titanium Full-System Exhaust MotoGP Replica
4×2 with balance pipe between cylinder banks

Airbox MY25 throttle body and dedicated intake trumpets

Air Filter High permeability racing – MotoGP technology – Sprint Filter

Electronic Central Unit APX Aprilia Racing with specific settings and GPS system

Radiators (water and
oil) Oversized Racing – SBK technology

Transmission Titanium rear sprocket and lighter front sprocket by PBR
(designed by Aprilia Racing)

Chain Regina Chain 520

Max. Power @
crankshaft
240 HP @ 13750 rpm

Max. Torque @
crankshaft
131 Nm @ 11750 rpm

Max. Engine Rpm 14.100 rpm

Rims Marchesini in forged Mg M7R GENESI (front 17’’x3.5’’ – rear

17’’x6’’)
Braking System Brembo Carbon-Carbon, with carbon discs – 340 mm
diameter high mass – MotoGP configuration, carbon
brake
pads – MotoGP configuration and billet aluminium calliper
with cooling fins

Rear Brake Calliper Nikel-plated

Front Forks Öhlins FKR pressurized cartridge with mechanical control.

Adjustable in spring preload, hydraulic (with dedicated
setup) compression and rebound damping.

Fork bottoms designed by Aprilia Racing, fully
CNC-machined, for MotoGP-derived brake callipers with
108 mm spacing.

Rear Shock Absorber Öhlins TTX mechanically managed piggyback derived from
MotoGP, fully adjustable in: spring pre-load, wheelbase and
hydraulic compression (with dedicated setup) and rebound
damping.

Steering Damper Öhlins, adjustable

Clutch Dry clutch by STM

Upper Triple Clamper Racing, lighter, CNC machined, with limited edition number
Handlebar switches Racing by Jetprime

Clutch Lever Racing by Domino

Footrests Kit Racing, adjustable, by Spider

Fairing MotoGP specifications, full carbon by PAN Compositi

Aero package Carbon front and under wing, cornering wings, tail wings,
seat wings as from MotoGP, by PAN Compositi

Seat Support Structural carbon seat support, by PAN Compositi

Mudguard and chain
guard
Full carbon

Livery “Stars and Stripes”

CNC parts Fuel tank cap, engine crankcase and brake lever
protections, by Spider

Tires Pirelli Slick Diablo SBK ant. SC-1 125/70 post. SC-X 200/65

Dry Weight 165 kg

As a complement Yashi laptop, personalized mat and bike cover, titanium rear
and front stands by RCB, tire warmers by IRC

Ducati Claims 228-hp From 1103cc V4 Superleggera Streetbike

John Ulrich

-

March 28, 2026

0

Ducati Claims 228-hp From 1103cc V4 Superleggera Streetbike

Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario:

Ducati unveils its most extreme road-legal motorcycle ever

Superleggera Limited Series

A one-of-a-kind motorcycle that demonstrates Ducati’s top technological skill, produced in a limited run of 500 numbered units to mark the 100th anniversary of the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer.

The Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario is the first road-legal bike in the world to feature a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs and a pressurized fork with carbon fiber sleeves
A carbon-fiber frame, swingarm, and bodywork, combined with careful attention to every detail, result in a wet weight without fuel of 381 lb, which drops to 368 lb when fitted with the racing kit that is included as standard.

The new Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 engine, with hand-adjusted desmodromic valve timing, delivers 228 horsepower* (247-hp in track configuration), with an unprecedented power-to-weight ratio of .67 hp/lb.

The livery of the Superleggera V4 Centenario is based on the new Rosso Centenario color, created to mark this significant anniversary and which has inspired the official 2026 MotoGP and SBK liveries.

Sunnyvale, Calif., March 26, 2026 – Since its inception, Ducati has been working with one conviction: limits are not an obstacle, but a starting point. In this century of history, the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer has created motorcycles that surpass and redefine expectations, the result of passion, vision, engineering rigor, and determination.

And when the motorcycle is a Superleggera, the mission is always the same: to create the motorcycle of dreams, without limits and without compromise. Not a mere exercise in style, nor a prototype, but the desire to transform freedom into engineering. In its centenary year, which brings together a century of moments that have marked the history of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, Ducati presents the most extreme road bike ever developed: the new Superleggera V4 Centenario.

Superleggera bikes are created when Ducati engineers are given total freedom. No constraints. No compromises. Just the goal of creating the road-legal super sportbike that all enthusiasts dream of. Every Superleggera pushes the technological boundaries of the motorcycle world. It brings solutions never seen on a production bike. It opens up new avenues. It changes the rules.

The Superleggera V4 Centenario is based on the seventh generation of Ducati’s Superbike, features a fully carbon-fiber chassis, and marks the debut of the first carbon-ceramic braking system and a fork with carbon-fiber stanchions ever fitted to a road-legal motorcycle. It is the first to use a fork with carbon-fiber sleeves and is also the first to produce 228 horsepower*, which increases to 247 horsepower with the racing exhaust. The wet weight without fuel is just 381 lb, dropping to 368 lb when fitted with the standard racing kit. Every fiber of its carbon, every screw, every tiny choice is aimed at the pursuit of perfection. The closest thing to the impossible we have ever dared to create.

To date, Ducati is the only company in the world that has produced motorcycles like this. Limited-edition collector’s items are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. True unicorns of motorcycling, created for those who understand that owning a Superleggera means much more than owning a motorcycle. This happened in 2013 with the first 1199 Superleggera, the first motorcycle to feature a magnesium-alloy frame, swingarm, and wheels. The limits were pushed again with the 2016 1299 Superleggera, the world’s first motorcycle to feature a carbon-fiber chassis. The bar was raised even further with the 2020 Panigale V4 Superleggera, the motorcycle that took aerodynamics to the extreme, and now, with the Superleggera V4 Centenario, Ducati is rewriting the rules of what is possible on a production motorcycle.

In addition to the 500 Superleggera V4 Centenario bikes, there are 100 Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore bikes to further mark this historic milestone for the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer. The livery creates a link between tradition, the present, and the future, combining the vision of new technologies with the colors of tradition. The livery celebrates the legacy of the 750 F1 Endurance Racing, the last “classic” two-valve racing model and one of the most iconic and rare Ducati’s of the 1980s. The Tricolore colors that once dominated the racetracks are revisited in a revamped design that combines retro charm and modernity. The result is a highly evocative livery, created for those who love the authentic spirit of past glories without sacrificing today’s style and technology.

MotoGP Experience

The Superleggera V4 Centenario offers the chance to make an even more incredible dream come true. Twenty-six of its owners will be given access to the MotoGP Experience**: a day on the track, guided by Ducati instructors, to discover the Superleggera’s performance, culminating in a breathtaking finale aboard the DesmosediciGP26. The MotoGP Experience will take place on July 6-7, immediately following World Ducati Week 2026.

MotoGP-derived brakes and suspension

The Superleggera V4 Centenario is the world’s first road bike equipped with carbon-ceramic brake discs approved for road use. The new Brembo discs are built around a core made of CSiC, a carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic compound. This technology offers a unique combination of lightness, rigidity, and thermal stability. The disc maintains its efficiency even at very high temperatures, ensuring consistent braking under extreme use, without the added weight of larger-diameter and thicker metal discs.

Compared to steel discs, the new carbon-ceramic discs deliver the same level of power but weigh 450 grams less per disc and have 40% lower moment of inertia. This reduction in inertia improves the bike’s agility, making corner entry even more natural and precise. Compared to the standard 330 mm Panigale V4 discs, the carbon-ceramic discs have the same weight but even lower inertia, thanks to a more favorable mass distribution, and, of course, offer far superior resistance to extreme track use.

The system also includes new Brembo GP4-HY monoblock boosted calipers machined from solid aluminum, with integrated cooling fins and differentiated 30 and 34 mm pistons. The calipers use an anti-drag system that completely releases the disc when the rider releases the lever, eliminating residual torque and thus improving smoothness when entering corners. The pads are specifically designed to work with the carbon-ceramic surface, ensuring precision and modulation under all conditions.

The suspension also sets a new world first: the Superleggera V4 Centenario is the first road bike to feature the pressurized Öhlins NPX 25/30 Carbon fork with carbon fiber sleeves made from unidirectional layers to achieve maximum weight savings compared to conventional production. The weight saving compared to the Panigale V4 R is 8%, rising to 10% compared to the standard Panigale V4, with a tangible improvement in direction changes and front-end sensitivity.

The mechanical fork, designed to minimize weight, keeps the cartridge pressurized, reducing cavitation and providing more consistent support during braking and corner entry.

At the rear, the Öhlins TTX36 GP LW shock absorber features a special steel spring for maximum lightness and MotoGP-derived valves that enhance the rear wheel’s ability to trace small road imperfections and improve small-bump control, with easy, tool-free hydraulic adjustment. The suspension linkages are made of titanium, again for maximum lightness. A combination that brings MotoGP suspension to enthusiasts.

Carbon fiber chassis

In the Superleggera V4 Centenario, the relentless pursuit of lightness and precision typical of high-end craftsmanship reaches one of its highest points in Ducati’s history. The entire chassis is made of carbon fiber: the frame, swingarm, subframes, and wheels are developed using the same technologies used in MotoGP and Formula 1. A radical, uncompromising approach that brings prototype solutions to the road.

The carbon front frame weighs 17% less than the aluminum one on the Panigale V4, offering calibrated stiffness to improve cornering grip and the natural tendency to close the line. The swingarm is manufactured using a sacrificial mandrel process, which enables a very light monolithic structure. Compared to the aluminum component, it is 21% lighter while maintaining equivalent lateral and torsional stiffness, ensuring maximum grip out of corners.

Every single element of the chassis has been designed for maximum lightness, with absolute determination. The five-spoke wheels are almost 300 grams lighter than those of the Panigale V4 S Carbon, the front subframe weighs 200 grams less, and the rear monocoque reduces weight by 3 lb. The result is a weight of only 381 lb in road configuration, which drops to 368 lb when fitted with the standard-supplied racing kit.

To ensure the highest structural quality, every single carbon fiber component in each Superleggera is inspected using three different non-destructive testing methods: Transient Active Thermography, Phased Array Ultrasonics, and Computed Axial Tomography. This is the same process used in the aerospace industry, and one that Ducati has employed on all Superleggera models since the 1299.

Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 Engine

The Superleggera V4 Centenario introduces a new engine: the Desmosedici Stradale R 1100, developed specifically for this project to create the most sophisticated Superleggera ever made. The displacement increases from 998cc to 1103cc thanks to the stroke lengthening from 48.41mm to 53.5mm. This modification allows for more torque and more thrust at intermediate revs, without penalizing acceleration. In the road Euro 5+ configuration, the engine delivers 228 hp, which increases to 247 hp with the Akrapovič racing exhaust and Ducati Corse Performance oil. A threshold never before reached by a homologated motorcycle.

The engine is 8 lb lighter than the 1103-cc unit of the Panigale V4 with dry clutch. The reduction is due to the use of titanium, lighter screws and redesigned internal components to reduce rotating masses. The two-ring pistons (one ring and one scraper) use “box-in-box” technology and feature an oversized piston pin to handle the increase in power.

The cylinder heads retain the same configuration as the 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine, with 34mm titanium intake valves and 27.5mm steel exhaust valves. All sixteen valves use titanium semi-cones, a solution typical of competition engines. The timing of the Desmodromic system is manually set and certified by a plate signed by the technician who performs the check. Craftsmanship excellence is applied to cutting-edge technology.

The crankshaft has been lightened by replacing the steel counterweights with tungsten inserts. Tungsten is much denser than steel, which allows the same balancing effect to be achieved using smaller, more compact inserts, particularly when positioned in the outermost areas, i.e. at high radius, where their effect is greatest. The result is faster revving and more immediate throttle response, while reducing stress on the bearings and other mechanical components and maintaining the strength needed to withstand the power level achieved.

The engine breathes through oval throttle bodies measuring 56mm, larger than the 52mm of the Desmosedici Stradale. The trumpets are fixed to reduce weight and optimized with different lengths (20mm on the left, 10mm on the right) to improve flow. The upper injectors have improved atomization thanks to the tip that brings the spray closer to the duct. The exhaust system uses titanium manifolds with an increased diameter of 41.7mm and an approved Akrapovič silencer.

The transmission relies on the Ducati Racing Gearbox, with neutral positioned under first gear instead of between first and second. This solution, thanks to the Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL) system, eliminates the possibility of accidentally engaging neutral and finding yourself without engine braking in the final, most delicate phase of braking when entering corners in first gear. Furthermore, the absence of a neutral between first and second gear makes shifting between these two gears faster, smoother, and more repeatable than with a traditional gearbox configuration.

The chain is a DID ERV7, the same used by Superbike Factory teams, which on the Superleggera V4 Centenario works on an Ergal sprocket. This choice allows for a reduction of 1.5 lb compared to the Panigale V4 S components.

Beauty designed by the wind

On the Superleggera V4 Centenario, aesthetics and aerodynamics merge to become one. The highly efficient wings and Corner Sidepods, designed to generate downforce at high lean angles, are derived directly from the Panigale V4 R Superbike. Introduced by Ducati in MotoGP in 2021, the Corner Sidepods solution generates a ‘ground effect’ in the middle of the corner, ensuring a higher level of grip for the tires and thus allowing higher speeds and therefore lower lap times.

The fairing of the Superleggera V4 Centenario is made entirely of carbon fiber and left partially exposed to highlight the material’s purity. Of course, to minimize weight, the Superleggera is equipped with many other carbon-fiber components: mudguards, tank cover, rad-duct, sprocket cover, heel guards, steering splash guards, seat base, intake duct, license plate holder, and rear bank cover.

The radiator cap, footrest plates, accessory fuel tank cap, and, of course, the upper and lower steering plates are made of billet aluminum. The former is further highlighted by the lasered model number (XXX/500), in the dedicated dashboard animation and on the titanium insert of the ignition key, reminding you of the exclusivity of a limited series every time you look at it.

The GP26 livery combines Ducati’s iconic white stripes with the new matt Rosso Centenario red. A dark red, like that of its origins: from the red of the 1949 Ducati 60, the first complete motorcycle that marked Ducati’s entry among motorcycle manufacturers, to that of the 1955 Gran Sport ‘Marianna’, the first Ducati designed for racing, signed by engineer Fabio Taglioni. It was the GP26 livery of the Superleggera V4 Centenario that inspired that of the official Desmosedici bikes of the Lenovo team.

MotoGP-derived Electronics

The electronics of the Superleggera V4 Centenario represent the state of the art for road-approved motorcycles. The control suite is derived from that of the Panigale V4 R, recalibrated and enriched with new, latest-generation DVO strategies. The aim is to offer even more control and allow even non-professionals to experience the riding techniques of MotoGP riders.

Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO, Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO, Slide Control (DSC) and Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO offer more precise management thanks to new algorithms. Cornering ABS now includes, in addition to RaceBrake Control and Road eCBS strategies, the new Engine Brake Control DVO, which introduces the Dynamic Engine Brake (DEB) function.

The latter automatically adjusts engine braking forces by also using the rear brake, optimizing available grip under braking based on the rear-wheel load. In addition, DEB improves braking performance during corner entry by using the rear brake even when the front brake is released, as professional riders use this method manually. This allows even less-experienced riders to focus only on the front brake during corner entry. By applying rear during corner entry, this allows riders to tighten the line, improving their confidence during this critical phase.

The collectors’ specials of the Superleggera V4 Centenario

The Superleggera V4 Centenario is delivered in an exclusive, customized wooden case. Each motorcycle comes with a certificate of authenticity, stored in a special box, a dedicated motorcycle cover, and a mat and front- and rear-paddock stands, designed to enhance its presence.

The special equipment, which includes the racetrack racing kit, further enhances the Superleggera V4 Centenario’s uniqueness. Each model features the Akrapovič racing exhaust, DAVC Race Pro software, and a dedicated lower fairing, open clutch cover, swingarm, and alternator cover protectors, all crafted from carbon fiber.

The case also contains a kit for removing the headlights, side stand, license plate holder, and direction indicators to complete the track configuration, a racing aluminum fuel cap machined from solid, a brake lever guard, a charge maintainer, and a neoprene racing seat.

The exclusivity of the Superleggera V4 Centenario is heightened by the chance, available only to its owners, to complete their look with a limited-edition helmet, leather jacket, and suit, all featuring a color scheme that echoes the GP26 Rosso Centenario livery.

Deliveries of the Superleggera V4 Centenario in North America will start in Q1 2027 and will include the limited-edition riding jacket and helmet.

#DucatiWorldPremiere2027 #Ducati2027 #Superleggera

* Euro 5+ Configuration

** The MotoGP Experience is not included in the price of the bike

Superleggera Centenario

Main Standard Equipment

Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 engine, 1103cc

Titanium intake valves

Hand-adjusted desmodromic valve train with nameplate and fitter’s signature

Lightweight crankshaft with tungsten inserts

Lightweight pistons with 18mm piston pin

Titanium connecting rods

Titanium engine bolts

Maximum power of 228 hp (247 hp with racing exhaust) *

Wet weight without fuel: 381 lb (368 lb with racing exhaust)

Ducati Racing Gearbox with Ducati Neutral Lock

STM Revo clutch

Carbon fiber front frame

Carbon fiber rear frame

Carbon fiber double-sided swingarm

Öhlins NPX25/30 Carbon pressurized fork with carbon fiber stanchions and full-length fork legs

Öhlins TTX36 GP LW shock absorber with lightweight special steel spring

Dedicated carbon fiber wheels

Brembo braking system with Hyction 340 mm carbon-ceramic discs and GP4-HY billet monoblock calipers

Latest-generation electronics package with 6D IMU: four-level cornering ABS; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO; Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO; Ducati Slide Control; Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Engine Brake Control (EBC) DVO with Dynamic Engine Brake (DEB) strategy.

Akrapovič racing exhaust with DAVC software and dedicated calibration**

Dedicated lower fairing**

Open carbon fiber clutch cover**

Swingarm protectors

Alternator cover protector

Headlight, side stand, number plate holder, and indicators removal kit**

Machined aluminum racing fuel cap**

Brake lever guard

Battery charger

Neoprene racing seat

Dedicated wooden crate

Dedicated paddock stands, mat, and motorcycle cover

MotoGP: More From Saturday During The Red Bull USGP At COTA

Michael Gougis

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March 28, 2026

0

MotoGP: More From Saturday During The Red Bull USGP At COTA

A post-race crash after landing a long, high-speed wheelie all wrong did nothing to dampen Jorge Martin’s joy over finding the top step of the podium again and leading the MotoGP World Championship. Martin chose the medium rear tire when the rest of the field went with the soft, and it proved to be the right choice. It was the 2024 MotoGP World Champion’s first Sprint race win since 2024, his first with Aprilia, and re-established him as the winningest Sprint racer ever with 17 victories, one more than Marc Marquez. More importantly, Martin said, it established that on three very different tracks he was there or thereabouts when the checkered flag flew. “We are back in the game,” Martin said.

Sprint race winner Jorge Martin crashed on the cool-down lap and wore the rashed leathers to meet the media. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia led most of the race, but a fading rear tire left him vulnerable to a last-lap lunge by Martin. Still, it was Bagnaia’s first podium of the season and it followed a fourth position in qualifying, one of his better starting positions in recent races. “We lost the lead with nine turns to go, but I did the maximum,” Bagnaia said.

Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo by Michael Gougis.

The Sprint race was filled with crashes and drama. Seven-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was balked on his flying qualifying lap and started from sixth, then crashed on the first lap of the Sprint, taking out polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio. Having been on the ground twice in two days, Marquez used one word to describe his strategy for Sunday: “Survival,” he said.

Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Marquez will have to serve a long-lap penalty on Sunday, for the move on Di Giannantonio that took them both out. And former World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi will get a two-position grid drop for interfering with Marquez’s qualifying lap.

Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo by Michael Gougis.

The bigger penalty for Bezzecchi, however, was the points loss he suffered when he crashed out of second place. It was Bezzecchi’s second Sprint race crash at three events in 2026. And Pedro Acosta was demoted from third to eighth for a tire pressure infringement, promoting Enea Bastianini to third. On Friday, Bastianini had qualified 10th and made it straight into Q2 for the first time since last year’s Barcelona race–where he also finished on the podium.

Alex Rins (42) crashes in Turn One during the Sprint race. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Turn One claimed two victims, with Alex Rins crashing while running near the back of the field and Joan Mir crashing while fighting for a podium finish.

“No regrets,” Mir said. “I could not go to bed tonight knowing I did not try. I would do the same thing again.”

David Alonso (80). Photo by Michael Gougis.

David Alonso took the Moto2 pole before he was hit with a tire pressure infringement penalty, dropping him to 17th on the grid; Barry Baltus was promoted to pole. In Moto3, no one could come close to the pole time Alvaro Carpe set, but in taking second, Casey O’Gorman became the first Irish rider to qualify on the front row of a Moto3 World Championship race.

Archie Mcdonald (69). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Australian Archie Mcdonald ran away from the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup field to take the win in the series’ inaugural race by nearly 10 seconds. Eric Granado crashed while chasing, remounted and finished sixth. American Jake Lewis took second, Filippo Rovelli third, and Lewis’ Saddlemen Racing Development teammates Cory West and Travis Wyman finished fourth and fifth.

Kensei Matsudaira (74), Nathan Gouker (19), and Jake Paige (55) battled at the front of both MotoAmerica Talent Cup races. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Nathan Gouker and Kensei Matsudaira split the MotoAmerica Talent Cup wins, with 14-year-old Jake Paige turning the fastest lap and setting a new class lap record in his first visit to the circuit.

After a day of MotoGP practice, qualifying and racing, factory Aprilia riders Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi signed autographs for and took selfies with dozens of guests at a private Aprilia event. Photo by Michael Gougis.

MotoAmerica: Results From Talent Cup Race 2 At COTA (Updated)

Mathilde Gasnier

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March 28, 2026

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MotoAmerica: Results From Talent Cup Race 2 At COTA (Updated)

Kensei Matsudaira won the MotoAmerica Talent Cup race two Saturday afternoon at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Team Roberts Kramer APX-350 MA on Dunlop control tires, Matsudaira won the 8-lap race by 0.236 second.

Nathan Gouker was the runner-up on his Quarterley Racing Kramer APX-350 MA

Sam Drane was a close third on his Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing Kramer APX-350 MA.

Jaike Page finished fourth on his Team Hammer Kramer APX-350 MA.

Rossi Garcia took fifth on his Rossi Motorsports Kramer APX-350 MA.

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

MotoAmerica Talent Cup Doubleheader Signals Start To High-Octane Championship Season

Two Races Decided By A Combined Margin Of Less Than Half A Second

The first round of the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Championship is in the books, with two races completed at the famed Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, alongside the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix Of The United States.

The 2026 Talent Cup field climbs the hill to COTA’s tight turn one as they kick off their 2026 racing season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

With the grid set, riders exited pit lane for race one looking to establish their dominance early in what will likely develop into a tight championship battle, right down to the last race of the season.

MotoAmerica Talent Cup – Race One

Polesitter Nathan Gouker won MotoAmerica Talent Cup Race One at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, followed closely by three of his fiercest competitors.

The victory did not come easily, as Gouker spent the duration of the contest fending off his rivals, who were tucked into his slipstream all the way to the checkered flag. The Lexington, North Carolina-based rider led the field out of the first turn on lap one, nearly lost traction with both tires while exiting the very same corner on lap three, bucking him out of the saddle and relegating him to fourth position. Gouker kept his composure and remained connected to the lead group, ultimately climbing back up the order to lead the last four laps and take the win by just .183 of a second.

Nathan Gouker (#19) celebrated his race one victory in the same parc fermé as the MotoGP stars. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Team Roberts rider Kensei Matsudaira continued his COTA podium run with a second-place finish in race one. The Californian consistently ran in the lead group of four riders, racing in P1 for two of the early laps and showing his stopping prowess through COTA’s brutal hard-braking sections. Matsudaira also beat his qualifying time during the race, and was one of only three riders to dip into the 2:26 range, narrowly missing the fastest lap of the race by a little over half a second.

Kensei Matsudaira’s (74) second place was not from a lack of trying, as he attempted multiple inside lunges for the lead. Here, he leads Nathan Gouker (19), Sam Drane (59) and Jake Paige (55). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

The fastest lap of the race belonged to third-place finisher Jake Paige. The Team Hammer rider’s blistering 2:26.213 on lap seven set a new class lap record and race lap record, eclipsing the record-setting lap of 2:26.620 that 2025 Talent Cup Champion Alessandro Di Mario achieved in Race Two at COTA this past September. Paige started from fourth on the grid in his MotoAmerica Talent Cup debut and looked poised throughout the race, narrowly missing Gouker’s knifing front wheel on lap three. Paige led one lap of the eight-lap contest and was part of the thrilling final-lap battle, culminating at the end of COTA’s massive backstretch.

Jake Paige (55) led the pack of Sam Drane (59), Nathan Gouker (19) and Kensei Matsudaira (74) out of COTA’s tricky esses section. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane narrowly missed the podium behind Paige by just .213 of a second. The 15-year-old, mild-mannered Aussie looked composed and patient while constantly leap-frogging between first and fourth. Ultimately, Drane made a last-lap attempt at the lead, running wide out of Turn 12 after COTA’s 0.62 mile back straightaway, bringing it home in fourth place just .526 of a second behind race winner Gouker.

Sam Drane (59) battled with race one winner Nathan Gouker (19). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Texas native Rossi Garcia used his home state as inspiration and brought his family-run Rossi Motorsports effort from an 11th-place grid position to fifth on the final lap. The local standout fought hard through a three-rider battle that lasted the full eight laps, securing his position just .183 of a second ahead of sixth place and besting his qualifying lap time by nearly three seconds in the process.

Phison/Pascari-Rocksolid Racing’s Reese Frankenfield took sixth position and leveraged his dirt track and mini-moto background to hold his ground against a fierce mid-pack. The young Hoosier remained calculated throughout his steady performance, secured vital points for his inaugural Talent Cup campaign, and looks to reel in the frontrunners as the season goes on.

Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez King found himself locked in the intense second group while battling for fifth position throughout the contest. The Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, native remained a fixture in the slipstream battle, ultimately finishing just .329 of a second behind sixth place, and he established himself as a top-five threat.

Derek Sanchez King (23), Rossi Garcia (30), and Reese Frankenfield (11) were in close quarters for the whole race. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Quote from MotoAmerica Talent Cup Race One Winner, Nathan Gouker:

“I was able to go into turn one (in the lead), and I tried to break away from the front group, but that wasn’t going to happen. I mean, they were all really fast. Going in the first start of the laps … exiting out of one, I had a big moment, so that kind of spiked my adrenaline a little bit. But, a couple of laps in it, I started to cool down and towards the end, someone made, I forget who it was, but pushed everyone wide, and I tried to put my head down and break away. I thought I broke away because I didn’t get passed for, like, two laps.

“But, on the last lap going down the back straightaway, you know, two people passed me, and I kind of broke a little early because I, I kind of thought that they were all going to try and brake as deep as possible and they were going to run wide, which happened, and I just kind of cut underneath and I just tried to pole putt around the rest of the track. I knew I needed to leave the last turn first, and I did and yeah, P1.”

MotoAmerica Talent Cup – Race Two

Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira withstood a barrage of final-lap attacks to take the MotoAmerica Talent Cup Race Two victory at COTA. The race began as a carbon copy of the prior, with Matsudaira leading out of the first corner aboard his King Kenny Roberts-liveried machine. The young Californian was part of another four-way scrap, peaking on the final lap where he refused to relinquish the lead through the stadium section, and he went on to take the win by just under a quarter of a second.

Kensei Matsudaira celebrated with King Kenny Roberts and team after his Talent Cup Race Two victory at COTA. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Nathan Gouker rode aggressively to take second place in race two. After chasing Matsudaira off the start out of turn one, Gouker spent much of the race in second place directly plugged into the lead battle before taking the lead on the final lap. The Lexington, North Carolina, native joined the rest of the top four with a 2:26.617 lap time on lap four and made an aggressive inside pass in the stadium section to take second place. He now looks forward to Road Atlanta as co-points leader alongside Matsudaira.

Nathan Gouker (19) missed a double-win weekend by finishing just .236 of a second behind winner Kensei Matsudaira (74). Here, Jake Paige (55) chases. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane moved up one finishing position in the second Talent Cup race on Saturday afternoon. Drane spent the greater part of the race lurking in fourth position as the tail rider in the lead group. After the start, it almost appeared as if the Australian rider would be separated from the top three, but he was able to close back up to them by lap four. On the final lap, he made a lunge at turn 12 but ran wide. Drane kept his Krämer APX-350 MA pinned along the inside before an aggressive pass from Gouker in the stadium section dropped him to third.

Sam Drane was happy to stand on the podium after barely missing it in Talent Cup Race One. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Team Hammer’s Jake Paige entered race two as the newest lap record holder at COTA. Paige once again lapped consistently in the 2:26 range, with only his final two laps falling in the neighborhood of 2:27. The younger Paige brother battled with the lead group throughout the race and narrowly passed Drane at the final corner to steal third before having to let off the throttle as his Dunlop rear tire broke traction, riding across the line in fourth. He leaves COTA after swapping race one positions with Drane, and both are tied for second in points.

Jake Paige (55) should be a podium contender all season long. The younger Paige brother has found himself in the middle of the front pack after the first round. Here, he leads Sam Drane (59) and Rossi Garcia (30). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Rossi Motorsports’ Rossi Garcia repeated his fifth-place finish for the hometown crowd. Garcia continued to trim his lap times and dropped to a 2:27.192, from a 2:28.675 in race one, continuing to show progress towards the front group. He now sits fifth in championship points behind the tied first- and second-place duos.

Reese Frankenfield repeated his race one performance aboard his Phison/Pascari-Rocksolid Racing machine. The Mooresville, Indiana-based rider finished some six seconds behind fifth place and fought hard for his finish just .223 of a second ahead of seventh.

Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt improved by one position, coming across seventh and dropping Real Steel Honda’s Derek Sanchez King to eighth.

Sawyer Lafayette Racing’s Sawyer Lafayette and another Real Steel Honda of Ian Fraley rounded out the top 10, respectively.

With the first round in the books, the Talent Cup races are bound to be some of the best action on the racing schedule this year. Both races saw a lead group of the top four separated by approximately half a second, and Race Two saw over 30 lead changes between the group with split-second finishes.

The points chase leaves COTA as tight as it can possibly be with two-way ties for first and second places between the top four riders, making this the most exciting Talent Cup Season yet.

Quote from MotoAmerica Talent Cup COTA Race Two winner, Kensei Matsudaira:

“You know, it’s awesome to be racing with MotoGP alongside them this weekend, and race two was really good for me. I got the holeshot, and I just stayed in front for most of the race, obviously, having some battles with Nathan, Jake, and Sam throughout the entire race.

“I tried to fix my mistake from race one, which is kind of staying back the entire race, and I tried to be more aggressive. Yeah, I mean, last lap was pretty hectic. A lot of passing. I went from first to second all the way back to fourth, and then, you know, on the last lap, I was able to pass everybody back into first. Overall, it was a really good race for me.”

To watch all the races from the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Championship season, visit https://www.motoamericaliveplus.com/

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

H-D Bagger World Cup: Results From Race One At COTA

Mathilde Gasnier

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March 28, 2026

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H-D Bagger World Cup: Results From Race One At COTA

Archie Mcdonald won the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Saturday afternoon at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Joe Rascal Racing Harley-Davidson on Dunlop control tires, the Australian rider won the 7-lap race by 8.759 seconds.

Jake Lewis was the runner-up on his Saddlemen Racing Harley-Davidson.

Filippo Rovelli finished third on his Parkingo Team Harley-Davidson.

Riding for Saddlemen Racing Harley-Davidson, American teammates Cory West finished the race 4th and Travis Wyman got 5th.

Cody Wyman crossed the finish line 7th on his Joe Rascal Racing Harley-Davidson.

MotoGP: Sprint Race Results From COTA

Mathilde Gasnier

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March 28, 2026

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Jorge Martin won the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday afternoon at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Spaniard won the 10-lap race by 0.755 seconds.

Francesco Bagnaia was the runner-up on his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Pedro Acosta finished third on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.

Enea Bastianini got fourth on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16 and Alex Marquez crossed the finish line fifth on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP26.

Marc Márquez and pole-sitter Fabio Di Giannantonio crashed on the first lap after contact. Marco Bezzecchi crashed his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 and did not finish the race.

Jorge Martin leads the championship with 57 points, 1 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi who has 56 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 49 points.

sprint race motogp

worldstanding motogp

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Martin steals stunning Sprint win as drama takes the reins in Texas. The #89 attacks Bagnaia on the last lap, Marc Marquez clashes with Diggia and Bezzecchi slides out on an eventful Saturday.

Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) is back on the top step! The #89 put in a stunning performance in the Tissot Sprint in Texas, hunting down early leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), making a brutal move for the lead on the last lap and then crossing the line with seven tenths in hand to take his first Sprint win since 2024 – and first with Aprilia. In a Sprint that had already been dramatic, the #89 then added to it even more as he binned it after a celebratory wheelie, rider ok. That wasn’t the only drama in an eventful Sprint either.

Bagnaia took second after grabbing the early lead and only losing out on the last lap, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completing the Sprint rostrum – but under investigation for tyre pressure.

There was early drama for Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he crashed out trying to make a move on Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), collecting the Italian in the incident too, and then Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) crashed by himself with only three to go – from ahead of Martin. Finally, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) crashed on the last lap trying to attack Acosta for third.

It was a good start from Acosta from P3 but at Turn 1 he had Marc Marquez to contend with, and both the #37 and Di Giannantonio lost out to Bagnaia, who judged the tight T1 apex perfectly. He led the way ahead of Acosta, with Diggia then duelling Marc Marquez over third – the #49 ahead. Points leader Bezzecchi dropped down to P7 early doors.

Suddenly, the first drama hit – and right near the front. Marc Marquez was going for a move on Diggia, the #49 picked it up and then the #93 slid off – collecting the unfortunate Di Giannantonio on the way out. Two riders were out of the podium fight.

Back at the front, Bagnaia pounded on. He had a few tenths in hand over a huge squabble for second, with Acosta leading Mir leading Martin leading Bezzecchi. The group was still close enough to the lead to make it anyone’s to take at that stage, but by six to go, Bagnaia was stretching his legs at the front.

Martin, however, was now the rider on the chase – and Bezzecchi had picked his way through into third, with both Aprilias dispatching Acosta. Mir was shuffled down to fifth, with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) the rider on his tail.

Bezzecchi was on the back wheel of his teammate with four to go, and after stalking him he got through at Turn 11 in a clean move for second – but didn’t shake the #89. With three to go though, it all came apart in the second sudden splash of drama, and at exactly the same corner. Bezzecchi was out of shape in the braking zone and then suddenly slid out, his second Sprint crash of the season so far. Martin was up into second and the gap just over a second to Bagnaia.

Jorge Martin on the Sprint Race podium at COTA. Photo courtesy MotoGP

As the last lap arrived, it was all heating up at the front. What had been a comfortable cushion for Bagnaia was suddenly almost nothing, with Martin on the hunt. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had stalked his way up to battle and then pass Alex Marquez, and then Mir crashed out at Turn 1 trying to fight Acosta for third.

The #89 homed in on Bagnaia as the tenths disappeared into hundredths, and Martin went for his move at Turn 12 – sitting the #63 up with a clean enough but brutal last lap attack. He kept it steady from there on out to cross the line for an emotional first Sprint win of the season, and first since 2024. It also puts him atop the rider standings.

Bagnaia retained second and Acosta retained third as Mir slid out, with Bastianini getting past Alex Marquez to take fourth. The #73 takes P5, with Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) taking sixth in a little breathing space.

Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) moved up to seventh on Saturday just ahead of teammate Raul Fernandez, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) completing the Sprint points.

How’s that for a dramatic afternoon in the Lone Star State? Martin takes the reins despite his post-flag hiccup, and a grid penalty on Sunday drops Bezzecchi to P4 on the grid as he looks to bounce back. Join us for more in the Grand Prix as the dust settles after a stunning eventual afternoon of Sprint action!

FULL RESULTS – Red Bull US Grand Prix Tissot Sprint

Moto2: Alonso Takes Pole Position At COTA

Mathilde Gasnier

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March 28, 2026

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Moto2: Alonso Takes Pole Position At COTA

David Alonso was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. The Colombian rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Kalex, Alonso navigated the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) course in 2:05.203, breaking his own 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 2:05.847 he set yesterday during the practice session. It was also his first Moto2 pole position.

Barry Baltus was second-best with a 2:05.347 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.

Alonso Lopez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:05.363 on his Italjet Gresini Kalex.

Row-two qualifiers included QJMotor MSI’s Angel Piqueras (2:05.454), HDR Speed RS’ Celestino Vietti (2:05.500) and Dynavolt IntactGP’s Senna Agius (2:05.524).

moto2 qp

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Alonso clinches maiden pole, Holgado P16 in Austin. For the first time in Moto2, the Colombian will launch from pole as the championship leader gets ready to go from Row 6 after coming through Q1.

For the first time in Moto2, David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) will launch from pole position after converting a dominant Friday into a P1 on Saturday afternoon. The 2024 Moto3 World Champion will be joined on the front row in Austin by Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) and Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), with championship pacesetter Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) only P16 having come through Q1.

Alonso set a storming 2:05.203, a new all-time lap record, to finish just under a tenth and a half away from an improved Baltus, with the Belgian starting from the front row for the first time this year despite a late tumble in Q2. Lopez beat compatriot Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI) to the front row as the rookie earns his best Moto2 qualifying result in P4 – but the Spaniard faces a double Long Lap penalty on Sunday.

Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) complete the second row in the United States, with the Australian’s teammate Manuel Gonzalez starting from P10. That means the top two in the championship don’t feature on the front three rows on the grid.

Home hero Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will be hunting a good points haul from 11^th on the grid, that’s the Californian’s best qualifying result of 2026, as we now strap in for what looks set to be a Moto2 cracker at COTA on Sunday.

Tune in to watch it at 13:15 local time!

Moto2 qualifying results.

Moto3: Carpe Claims Pole Position At COTA

Mathilde Gasnier

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March 28, 2026

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Moto3: Carpe Claims Pole Position At COTA

Alvaro Carpe earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo machine on Pirelli control tires, Carpe turned a lap time of 2:12.107. Not only was that good enough to lead the 25-rider field, it was also good enough to break his own 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 2:13.190, which he set this morning in FP2.

Casey O’Gorman was the best of the rest with a 2:12.519 on his SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda, and Valentin Perrone claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:12.526 on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine.

Row-two qualifiers included Honda Team Asia’s, Veda Pratama (2:12.813), Leopard Racing’s Guido Pini (2:12.837) and Level Up MTA’s Joel Esteban (2:12.869).

moto3 qp

More from a press release issued by MotoGP:

Carpe can’t be caught for stunning COTA pole. The #83 heads the grid, with O’Gorman putting Ireland on the front row ahead of Perrone in third.

Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took a stunning pole position in Texas, setting a 2:12.107 to lead the way by over four tenths. Casey O’Gorman (SC58 Squadra Corse) takes second to lead the chasers, with Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) just 0.007 off O’Gorman in a tight front row.

There was only one name really on top in the session. By a few minutes left on the clock, Carpe was already leading the way, and then the #83 put in another stunner. Over half a second clear with a minute left, the gauntlet was thrown down.

O’Gorman, already the rider in second and the only rider within seven tenths of the top, was closest through the first sector next time round but it was starting to get busy out on track. The Irishman was able to cut down the deficit to the top to 0.412, but could get no closer.

Row 2 is headed by rookie Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) after another stunner from the Indonesian rider. He also looked on to improve before a track limits infringement cancelled his last attempt. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) and Joel Esteban (LEVELUP – MTA) complete Row 2.

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) is P7, with a scrappy session for Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) seeing him forced to settle for eighth. Rookie Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) takes ninth on his first visit to COTA, with Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) taking 10^th.

Check out full Moto3 qualifying results from the Red Bull US GP and come back for more on race day as Moto3 take on COTA!

MotoAmerica: Results From Talent Cup Race One At COTA

Michael Gougis

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March 28, 2026

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MotoAmerica: Results From Talent Cup Race One At COTA

Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker won the MotoAmerica Talent Cup Race One at Circuit of The Americas on Saturday. Gouker, who took pole on Friday, was followed by Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira, Team Hammer’s Jake Paige, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane and Rossi Motorsports’ Rossi Garcia. The top four were separated at the line by 0.526-second.

26_3_COTAGP_TCP_R1_res

WorldSBK: Race One Results From Portugal

Mathilde Gasnier

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March 28, 2026

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WorldSBK: Race One Results From Portugal

Nicolo Bulega won FIM Superbike World Championship Race One Saturday at Portimao, in Portugal. Bulega started from pole position and rode his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R to a 2.522-second margin of victory in the 20-lap race.

His teammate, Iker Lecuona was the runner-up, and Miguel Oliveira rode his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR to third.

Alex Lowes crossed the finish line fourth on his Bimota by Kawasaki KB998 Rimini and Sam Lowes got fifth on his ELF Marc VDS Ducati Panigale V4R.

American Garrett Gerloff went from 13th on the grid to 7th at the finish on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

Danilo Petrucci finished the race 10th on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR.

Nicolo Bulega leads the championship with 87 points, 37 ahead of Axel Bassani who has 50 points. Iker Lecuona is third with 39 points.

wsbk race 1

wsbk world championship

More from a press release issued by WorldSBK:

BULEGA’S RUN CONTINUES: The #11 leads teammate Lecuona in Race 1 at Portimao, Oliveira takes first WorldSBK rostrum. Home hero Miguel Oliveira gave the packed grandstands something to cheer as he claimed P3 at Portimao.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) extended his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship winning streak to eight races as he claimed Race 1 victory at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve ahead of teammate Iker Lecuona. The podium in the opening race for the Pirelli Portuguese Round was completed by home hero Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who took P3 and secured his first WorldSBK podium.

BULEGA BEATS LECUONA, OLIVEIRA CELEBRATES: A jubilant top three at Portimao

It looked like Oliveira got a good start when lights went out but found himself unable to make progress as Bulega held P1 from pole position, with Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) leapfrogging Lecuona. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was a fast starter as he moved up to P4 on the opening lap, including pulling off a stunning move at Turn 9 on Oliveira; the #88 responded at Turn 1 on Lap 2. At the end of Lap 5, Montella crashed at Turn 14 which promoted Lecuona to P2 and Oliveira to a provisional first WorldSBK rostrum. While Lecuona’s pace was similar to Bulega’s, the #11 was able to manage the gap to his teammate as he made it eight consecutive wins and to join only Jonathan Rea (Honda HRC) and Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) in winning the first four races of a WorldSBK campaign. He also equalled Carlos Checa with his 24^thcareer victory and he took Ducati’s 1200^th podium. For Lecuona, it’s his third podium and it comes 531 days after his last, which was Estoril 2024. Oliveira becomes the 138^th rider to take a WorldSBK rostrum, and he’s only the second Portuguese rider to stand on the box after Alex Vieira.

FIERCE FIGHT BEHIND ALEX LOWES: Vierge vs Gerloff ignites in the closing stages

Alex Lowes followed Oliveira through the first half of the race but dropped off the home hero as the race progressed, eventually settling for P4 ahead of twin brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team). The #14 is still nursing his wrist injury but put in a solid effort to finish the race in the top five. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) had an up-and-down Race 1, starting from P6, dropping to P8, then fighting his way back into sixth with just a couple of laps to go when he got ahead of Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) at Turn 1. The American was forced to settle for P7 by just 0.357s.

IN THE TOP TEN: Bautista fights back from Turn 1 run-off

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) had been in that battle but dropped back in the closing stages, having to defend from the recovering Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) to secure eighth place. On Lap 5, Bautista ran wide at Turn 1 which dropped him down the order but he used his late-race pace to climb the order into ninth, ahead of Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) who rounded out the top ten.

SCORING POINTS: Finishing in the top 15

Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) scored points as he finished in P11, just over half-a-second down on ‘Petrux’ in the top ten. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was twelfth as he finished ahead of Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) and rookie Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) who completed the points-paying positions.

JUST MISSING OUT: Montella recovers to P16

Montella recovered to P16 at the end of the 20-lap race after his early spill, finishing 2.7 seconds away from Surra ahead. Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was 17^th ahead of Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC), who beat Honda teammate Jonathan Rea. The six-time World Champion surged up the order from P18 to P12 in the first lap, but dropped out of the points as the race progressed. Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) and Mattia Rato (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) were classified, with only Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) not classified. The #46 was running in the points-paying positions but he crashed at Turn 14 approaching the half-distance point, ending his hopes of scoring points.

The top six from WorldSBK Race 1, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)

2. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.522s

3. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 4.815s

4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +9.152s

5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +12.147s

6. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +18.016s

Fastest lap: Nicolo Bulega, Ducati – 1’39.962s

Don’t miss WorldSBK action from 09:15 Local Time (UTC+1) on Sunday using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Aprilia X 250th Celebrates U.S. Anniversary With 240 Horsepower

March 28, 2026

apriliaracing-apriliax250th-09 — The limited edition Aprilia X 250th with stars & stripes livery celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.A.