Ryan Wolfe earned pole position during MotoAmerica Junior Cup Qualifying Two (Q2) Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Wolfe Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 on Dunlop control tires, Wolfe turned a 1:42.906 on his last lap around the 2.55-mile course. That was the only lap to surpass the 1:42.976 that Yandel Medina did to lead the field in Qualifying One (Q1) and it got Wolfe pole position.
New York Safety Track’s Medina was not able to go faster in Q2, but his time from Q1 held up to get the second spot on the grid.
Avery Dreher, the defending Junior Cup Champion, did improve on his time in Q2, turning a 1:43.281 (from 1:43.768) on his Bad Boys Racing Ninja 400, securing the third and final spot on the front row.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current tuner/mechanic: Mike Skowronek/Triple Strong Racing.
Primary race series: MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup, ASRA, PanAmerican Superbike, WERA.
Top sponsors: Historic GP Custom Leathers, Arai, Pirelli, K-Tech, inline4designs, Motul, Vortex.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (4 wins, 9 total podiums), placed 5th in FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (4 podium finishes), placed 4th in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (1 win, 9 total podiums).
2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship, win MIR Racing Finetwork Cup races.
Racing career goals: Win Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship.
Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.
Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A Pro soccer player.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Jonathan Rea took pole position during FIM Superbike World Championship Superpole qualifying Saturday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. The six-time Superbike World Champion turned a lap time of 1:42.650 on the wet 2.8-mile (4.4 km) course to top the field of 23 riders. This is Rea’s first pole position since joining Yamaha.
Rookie sensation Nicolo Bulega was the best of the rest with a 1:42.744 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, while Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 1:43.003 on his ROKiT BMW M 1000 RR earned him the third and final spot on the front row.
Sam Lowes qualified fourth with a 1:43.190 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Ducati, and his twin brother Alex Lowes (1:43.442) and his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR will line up right beside the World Superbike rookie on the grid. Remy Gardner claimed the final spot on row two, sixth overall, with a 1:43.633 on his GYTR GRT Yamaha.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 17th in Superpole qualifying with a 1:44.582 on his Bonovo Action BMW.
EWC CHAMPION TEAM YART CHARGES TO 24 HEURES MOTOS POLE WITH NEW LE MANS LAP RECORD
(19 April 2024):Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team has made a flying start to its FIM Endurance World Championship title defence with pole position – and a new lap record – for the 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the unmissable 2024 season, from tomorrow (20 April).
Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika combined in style on the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti to claim top spot ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul and F.C.C. TSR Honda France, last year’s winner.
In doing so, Austria-based YART has bagged five championship points, with points also shared among the remaining fastest four teams, which included fourth-placed Honda Viltaïs Racing and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in fifth.
YART also holds the new qualifying lap record after Italian rider Canepa set a 1m34.708s best during First Qualifying on Thursday. YART rider Hanika’s 1m34.878s, set in 2022 was the previous best time.
“I’m really happy because the bike yesterday was unbelievable, the Bridgestone tyres, everything,” Canepà, 35, said. “We did a good choice yesterday to go all-in with the tyres and we set our best time because the conditions were really good and the lap time came. I’m especially happy because I’m not still 100 per cent fit due to my injury [in the Daytona 200 last month] but I am confident we can do a good race. My team-mates did an amazing job and also Max Neukirchner, our new crew chief.
“This morning we made the choice to start with the race configuration and we used the race tyres and each one of us did 12 laps in a row to get the feeling for the race. But it was really impressive the pace we could make. We didn’t push for a qualifying time like we did yesterday, it was a different strategy.”
Of his prospects for a first win at Le Mans since 2017, Canepa added: “The race is always very difficult and the competitors are really strong with many bikes that can be on the top, which is very nice for the fans and the people at home.”
In the Dunlop-equipped Superstock category, which counts for the FIM Endurance World Cup, National Motos Honda was the team to beat ahead of Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team and Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda.
As well as taking pole, National Motos Honda scored five points courtesy of riders Guillaume Raymond, from France, and Swiss brothers Sébastien and Valentin Suchet. Team 18 Sapeurs Pompers CMS Motostore and Wójcik Racing Team STK filled out the top five.
“It’s a satisfaction for the team,”South Korea-born Raymond said. “We have three riders with the same pace so it’s good, but the pole position is only a little part, for us the race is more important although for sure it’s a little satisfaction. Every year the Superstock class is faster and the gap is very small so our goal is to do no mistake and make the laps. It would be great for us to win after the disappointment of not winning the Bol d’Or [last September after we retired from the lead in the final 20 minutes].”
How the EWC 24 Heures Motos pole was won YART essentially did its hard work during First Qualifying on Thursday afternoon when Niccolò Canepa set a new lap record, a 1m34.708s. Despite Marvin Fritz having his best lap time disallowed for a track limits infringement and Karel Hanika crashing on his first flying lap, YART was fastest in three of the four Thursday sessions. With the final qualifying order based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team YART could not be toppled as it repeated its 2022 pole-winning performance.
Friday’s Second Qualifying in focus Josh Hook topped today’s Blue Rider order after setting a time of 1m35.087s for F.C.C. TSR Honda France. Gregg Black clocked a Circuit Bugatti personal best – a 1m35.096s – with Illya Mykhalchyk third quickest for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Niccolò Canepa and KM99’s Jérémy Guarnoni rounded out the top five. Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team’s Kenny Foray’s lap of 1m36.832s set the standard in the Superstock division. Chris Leesch was next up for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda followed by Enzo De La Vega (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Black and Eemeli Lahti (Pit-Lane Endurance) both suffered falls during the 20-minute session.
In the Yellow Rider session, Étienne Masson was quickest for Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul with a best effort of 1m35.664s. Florian Marino (KM99) and Sylvain Guintoli, on his first appearance for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, were second and third respectively, as Germany’s Marvin Fritz and Mike Di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) completed the Formula EWC top five. Valentin Suchet was the leading Superstock contender for National Motos Honda followed by Jan Bühn (Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team) and Baptiste Guittet (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Guittet, Christian Gamarino and Team Racing 85 by Soleane’s Hugo Girardet all hit back from falls.
New-for-2024 Yoshimura SERT recruit Dan Linfoot’s 1m35.259s effort ensured the Briton topped the Red Rider group ahead of Alan Techer (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) and KM99’s Randy de Puniet. Czech Karel Hanika was fourth quickest followed by Honda Viltaïs Racing’s Argentine Leandro Marcado. Le Mans rookie Alessandro Delbianco was the Superstock pacesetter for Pit-Lane Endurance with Kevin Calia next up for the Aprilia-equipped Team Aviobike by M2 Revo outfit despite a fall. Guillaume Raymond took third for National Motos Honda.Takeshi Ishizuka (Maco Racing) and Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team both fell.
There was a heroic performance from Gino Rea in the Green Rider group when the Briton set the Superstock pace on his return to EWC action from serious head injuries sustained in a crash in 2022. The Honda-powered Wójcik Racing Team rider headed Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda’s Martin Renaudin and Alexis Masbou (Honda No Limits). Yoshimura SERT Motul reserve rider Cocoro Atsumi continued his fine Thursday form with the quickest time ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team’s back-up rider Robin Mulhauser.
Hannes Soomer got another opportunity to impress for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in third followed by James Westmoreland (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and Bálin Kovácas (Wójcik Racing Team). Guillaume Pot (3ART Best of Bike) and Flavio Ferroni (Team 33 Louit April Moto) fell during the closing stages of the session.
BEST LAPS
First Qualifying Blue Rider: Niccolò Canepa, 1m34.708s / Kenny Foray, 1m38.868s First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 1m35.139s / Jan Bühn, 1m37.679s First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 1m35.028s / Guillaume Raymond, 1m37.756s First Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m36.327s / Martin Renaudin, 1m37.667s
Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Josh Hook, 1m35.087s / Kenny Foray, 1m36.832s Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Étienne Masson, 1m35.664s / Valentin Suchet, 1m37.472s Second Qualifying Red Rider: Dan Linfoot, 1m35.259s / Alessandro Delbianco, 1m37.404s Second Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m37.187s / Gino Rea, 1m
WHAT’S NEXT? The 47th edition of the 24 Heures Motos is scheduled to begin at 15h00 CET tomorrow (Saturday 20 April)
Stefano Manzi topped FIM Supersport World Championship Superpole qualifying Friday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Pata Yamata Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on Pirelli control tires, Manzi lapped the wet 2.8-mile (4.5 km) course in 1:45.203 to top the field of 34 riders and earn pole position.
Manzi’s teammate Glenn Van Straalen was the best of the rest with a 1:46.193, and Adrian Huertas earned the third and final spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:46.251 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 10th with a 1:48.843 on his Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6.
Bobby Fong topped MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian Challenger on Dunlop control tires, Fong lapped the 2.55-mile course in 1:29.528. That time not only led the session and earned Fong provisional pole position but it also broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.935 that Kyle Wyman set earlier in the day.
Multi-time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss was also under the old lap record with a second-best 1:29.720 on his S&S/Indian Motorcycle Challenger in spite of it being his first day riding at Road Atlanta.
Kyle Wyman’s session was interrupted with a crash, but the 1:29.793 he did on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide was good enough to claim the third and final spot on the provisional front row.
Defending Champion Hayden Gillim was fourth with a time of 1:30.352 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim’s teammate, class rookie Rocco Landers was fifth-fastest with a 1:30.633. And Herfoss’ teammate Tyler O’Hara rounded out the top six with a 1:30.736.
Update: Ruben Xaus informed Roadracingworld.com that his team is waiting on parts and plans to return to a future round of MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers.
Rocco Landers was the fastest MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup rider Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Georgia. Landers led Free Practice One (FP1) in the morning and Qualifying One (Q1) in the afternoon, claiming provisional pole position with a time of 1:33.150 on his Dunlop-shod RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R.
Rossi Moor made it a 1-2 for Suzuki by posting a second-best 1:33.760 in Q1 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.
Gus Rodio, the 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up, earned the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a 1:33.775 on his Rodio Racing Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660.
Dominic Doyle was fourth overall and the top Yamaha rider with a 1:34.195 on his Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing YZF-R7.
Rodio’s teammate Alessandro Di Mario rounded out the top five with a time of 1:34.744 around the 2.55-mile road course.
Alvaro Bautista led FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R on Pirelli control tires, the two-time and defending World Champion lapped the 2.8-mile (4.5 km) track in 1:35.473 to lead the field of 23 riders.
After topping rain-affected Free Practice One, Toprak Razgatlioglu was second-best in FP2 with a 1:35.750 on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR.
Remy Gardner was third-quickest in FP2 with a best time of 1:35.827 on his GYTR GRT Yamaha YZF-R1.
American Garrett Gerloff finished FP2 in 15th with a lap of 1:37.097 on his Bonovo Action BMW.
Rain factored into most of the day Friday at Assen and did so again in FP2. With about 20 minutes left in the session, more rain turned the dry track wet and prevented riders from going any quicker.
Bautista leads the way in changeable conditions at Assen
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
On a tricky opening day at a wind swept TT Circuit Assen it was Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who set the pace. The weather changed multiple times throughout the day with rain giving way to sunshine before reverting back to rain once again. Bautista, winner of the last four Superbike races at the Dutch Round, completed 26 laps of the 4.555km circuit to end the day two tenths of a second faster than Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).
Having not changed to new tyres until moments before a rain shower the BMW rider was one of the few riders not to improve their lap time from the morning session in the afternoon. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) ended the day third fastest.
Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is riding for the first time since undergoing surgery for compartment syndrome and was sixth fastest. The Italian was less than half a second slower than his teammate Bautista. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) was fifth fastest in both sessions but completed just 18 laps over the course of the day. The changeable conditions limited running and the six times World Champion will be hoping for a change of fortunes after a difficult start to the season. Rea is a 17 times winner at the Dutch Round. Home hero Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was ninth fastest.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“It has been a complicated day because of the weather. With the rain and the wind, especially in the afternoon, it was difficult. The wind was very strong on the back straight and you could feel it pushing you out wide. On the straight I was almost leaning because otherwise I would be pushed wide of the track. It was really difficult in some areas of the track. But in the end, with these conditions, I could find a good feeling with the bike. It feels similar for me to Barcelona. Today was really difficult for everybody and I’m not super happy but we’ll see what happens with the weather tomorrow.”
P2 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
“The bike is turning well but the braking is not yet 100%. We are working on this now with the engine braking too. The electronics are working great and in general, I’m happy. I had a used tyre at the start of FP2 and when I put in a new tyre it started to rain after two laps and then there was the red flag. I didn’t improve my lap in FP2 but the feeling is very good. We are very fast and the grip from the track is really good. It’s not easy in WorldSBK because everyone is very fast but I’m ready for the fight and for the win. We are ready to race in all conditions.”
P3 | Remy Gardner | GYRT GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
“Today wasn’t easy. This morning there were a lot of damp patches but the condition wasn’t too bad. We did 15 laps and our pace was good. During FP2 we stopped and changed to the SCX tyre and the feeling was good. Obviously, we wanted to make a long run to see what the times would be like but then we had some rain. The feeling was quite good. There’s still some work to do but I’m quite happy.”
Josh Herrin topped MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R on Dunlop control tires, Herrin covered the 2.55-mile course in 1:24.627 to lead the field of 24 Superbikes.
Three-time and defending Champion Jake Gagne was second-best with a lap of 1:24.723 on his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1, and Herrin’s new teammate Loris Baz earned the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a time of 1:24.787.
Bobby Fong was fourth with a 1:24.998 on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1. TopPro Racing BMW’s Sean Dylan Kelly was fifth-fastest with a lap at 1:25.075 in his first official day as a MotoAmerica Superbike rider. Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen, who says his right wrist is finally 100% healed, was sixth-quick at 1:25.121.
Cameron Beaubier bounced back from a crash in Turn 10 to post the seventh-fastest lap, 1:25.246, on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Beaubier’s new teammate JD Beach was eighth in Q1 at 1:25.420. And Richie Escalante rounded out the top nine provisional qualifiers with a 1:25.719 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
The top nine riders in Q1 were separated by just 1.092 seconds.
Herrin Storms To Provisional Pole On Opening Day At Road Atlanta
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin Leads The Way In Steel Commander Superbike
BRASELTON, GA (April 19, 2024) – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin had two reasons to be happy with his Friday qualifying at Road Atlanta. For starters, Herrin earned provisional pole position in Q1 with his 1:24.627. He then followed that up by pocketing an “I owe you” from his teammate Loris Baz as he towed the Frenchman to third, giving Ducati two bikes on the provisional front row heading into tomorrow’s Q2 session.
If Q1 is any indication, the Steel Commander Superbike Championship is going to be hotly contested as eight riders circulated within a second of Herrin.
Josh Herrin (2) was the fastest of the fast on Friday at Road Atlanta as he rode his Ducati to provisional pole heading into Saturday’s final qualifying. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Three-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne ended the session third fastest and just .096 of a second behind Herrin’s best. With the aforementioned Baz ending the session third in his return to the MotoAmerica paddock, it was Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong slotting into fourth, the last rider in the 1:24s on the 2.55-mile road course.
Superbike rookie Sean Dylan Kelly had an impressive first day on the TopPro Racing BMW M 1000 RR, the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion ending up fifth fastest and less than half a second behind Herrin.
Gagne’s Attack Performance Yamaha teammate Cameron Petersen was sixth fastest, the fastest of the two Camerons on day one with five-time champ Beaubier ending up seventh on the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Beaubier returned to action with just a handful of minutes left in the session after his crew did a good job of getting him back on track after an early session crash in turn 10-A.
Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach ended up eighth in his first qualifying session on the BMW.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki teammates Richie Escalante and Brandon Paasch rounded out the top 10.
Supersport – Alexander’s Surprise
Of the three Supersport riders on the Rahal Ducati Moto team, Corey Alexander came into the 2024 season with the least amount of fanfare. On Friday afternoon, Alexander let his riding do the talking as he emerged from the 43-rider field with the fastest lap to earn provisional pole position at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Alexander led the way with his 1:28.912 just .225 of a second faster than Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott and .334 of a second clear of his teammate PJ Jacobsen, with those three making up the provisional front row.
N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa, and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Teagg Hobbs made up the second row, provisionally.
Things were tight at the top with nine riders qualifying within a second of Alexander’s best.
Junior Cup – Medina Gets It Started
Yandel Medina showed that he’s ready for the new season of Junior Cup racing with the New Yorker leading the way on Friday to earn provisional pole position on his New York Safety Track Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Medina lapped at a best of 1:42.976 to lead BARTCON Racing’s Eli Block by .765 of a second with defending class champion Avery Dreher third with his 1:43.768 lap.
BSB Racing’s Trenton Keesee and Speed Demon Racing’s Logan Cunnison rounded out the top five qualifiers on Friday.
BellissiMoto Twins Cup – Rocco Leads Suzuki 1-2
RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers put his new Suzuki GSX-8R on provisional pole position in the BellissiMoto Twins Cup class at Road Atlanta on Friday afternoon with a best lap of 1:33.150.
Landers, the all-time wins leader in the Twins Cup class, led Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor by .610 of a second for a Suzuki one-two.
Daytona winner and championship leader Gus Rodio was third quickest on his Rodio Racing – Powered By Robem Engineering Aprilia and .665 of a second off Landers’ best. Giaccomoto Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle and Rodio’s teammate Alessandro Di Mario rounded out the top five heading into Saturday’s Q2 session.
Mission King Of The Baggers – Bagger Bob Gets It Done
SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong led the Mission King Of The Baggers qualifying session on Friday with a new lap record at Road Atlanta of 1:29.528.
Bobby Fong (50) led the way in Mission King Of The Baggers qualifying on Friday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Second fastest on opening day was Troy Herfoss, the S&S/Indian Motorcycle-backed Australian just .192 of a second off Fong’s best in his first visit to Road Atlanta.
Championship points leader Kyle Wyman was third fastest on the factory Harley-Davidson, despite a crash in 10-A early in the session. Wyman’s best was .265 of a second slower than Fong’s.
Defending Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim was fourth fastest, a few tenths quicker than his class rookie teammate Rocco Landers.
The session was a bit of a crashfest as Kyle Wyman wasn’t the only faller. He was joined in the 10-A gravel by his teammate James Rispoli and by his brother Travis Wyman. Tyler O’Hara was also a faller in the session.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin tops Friday’s qualifying session at MotoAmerica’s Road Atlanta
Loris Baz backs up his teammate with third place on Friday for two Ducati Panigale V4 Rs in the top three.
Sunnyvale, Calif., April 19, 2024 —Day one of the opening round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, was a fine one indeed for those dressed in red as Josh Herrin and Loris Baz occupied first and third after the first qualifying session.
Herrin was on the pace from the get-go, pumping 17 laps in the opening Free Practice session, two laps shy of a full race distance to finish second to Cameron Beaubier. The number two turned that around with a scintillating 1:24.627 in Qualifying 1 after another 10 laps to finish the day P1 ahead of defending champion Jake Gagne.
Loris Baz’s return to the MotoAmerica grid started off sedately as the Frenchman reacquainted himself with the demands of the unique 2.5-mile Road Atlanta layout. Baz knocked out 20 laps in FP1, more than any other rider on track, ending the session 10th fastest.
However, with a little help from his teammate Herrin, Baz unlocked his speed in the Qualifying 1 session to deliver a time just 0.160s off Herrin’s fastest lap. Baz thus ended the session third fastest after a total of 30 laps across both sessions, the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team delighted with his and Herrin’s speed heading into the all-important Qualifying 2 session tomorrow morning.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)
“Today was really good,” Herrin said. “The fastest time we did this morning in FP1 was on the last lap after we did the whole session on one set of tires, so that showed us we’re on the right track as far as bike set-up goes.
“In the second session, we tried a new front tire that I didn’t really like, so we came in and swapped the tires for the same compound we had in the first session. I went out with Loris (Baz) to give him a bit of help, and it worked out great for the team because I got provisional pole position, and Loris is in third, just under two-tenths off me. That showed me he has the pace, but he owes me because I helped him get that time!
“It’s an important track to start up the front, and the ultimate goal is to have two Ducatis up there fighting for the win. Overall, it’s been a great start to the weekend, and we will continue that tomorrow and Sunday.”
Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)
“First day back,” started Baz, “and it’s tough to be on the pace. I know this track from when I raced here in 2021, but I need to relearn it again. It feels like I’m coming back to a completely different track.
“I just wanted to be calm all day, just build the pace step by step, so I rode alone in the first practice session. In the Qualifying 1 session, I wanted to go out with the guys at the front, but I had an old set of tires, so I came back in, changed to a fresh set, and got behind Josh. He showed me some things that helped my time, so I must thank him.
“We still have to find the ultimate pace to run at the front. It’s been a long winter, and I am still discovering the bike, but I’m going to do my best, have fun, and enjoy the weekend.”
Round one of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship continues tomorrow, Saturday, April 20. The second qualifying session is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. EDT. Race One will take place later in the day at 3:10 p.m., and Race Two is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.
Yandel Medina was quickest in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Qualifying One Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his New York Safety Track Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 on Dunlop control tires, the young New Yorker navigated the 2.55-mile track in 1:42.976 to lead the field of 24 riders and claim provisional pole position.
Eli Block was second-best with a time of 1:43.741 on his BARTCON Racing Kawasaki, and Avery Dreher, the defending Champion, took the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a lap of 1:43.768 on his Bad Boys Racing Ninja 400.
The entire Junior Cup field is using Kawasaki Ninja 400s this weekend at Road Atlanta.
Ryan Wolfe earned pole position during MotoAmerica Junior Cup Qualifying Two (Q2) Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Wolfe Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 on Dunlop control tires, Wolfe turned a 1:42.906 on his last lap around the 2.55-mile course. That was the only lap to surpass the 1:42.976 that Yandel Medina did to lead the field in Qualifying One (Q1) and it got Wolfe pole position.
New York Safety Track’s Medina was not able to go faster in Q2, but his time from Q1 held up to get the second spot on the grid.
Avery Dreher, the defending Junior Cup Champion, did improve on his time in Q2, turning a 1:43.281 (from 1:43.768) on his Bad Boys Racing Ninja 400, securing the third and final spot on the front row.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current tuner/mechanic: Mike Skowronek/Triple Strong Racing.
Primary race series: MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup, ASRA, PanAmerican Superbike, WERA.
Top sponsors: Historic GP Custom Leathers, Arai, Pirelli, K-Tech, inline4designs, Motul, Vortex.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (4 wins, 9 total podiums), placed 5th in FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (4 podium finishes), placed 4th in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (1 win, 9 total podiums).
2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship, win MIR Racing Finetwork Cup races.
Racing career goals: Win Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship.
Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.
Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A Pro soccer player.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Jonathan Rea took pole position during FIM Superbike World Championship Superpole qualifying Saturday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. The six-time Superbike World Champion turned a lap time of 1:42.650 on the wet 2.8-mile (4.4 km) course to top the field of 23 riders. This is Rea’s first pole position since joining Yamaha.
Rookie sensation Nicolo Bulega was the best of the rest with a 1:42.744 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, while Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 1:43.003 on his ROKiT BMW M 1000 RR earned him the third and final spot on the front row.
Sam Lowes qualified fourth with a 1:43.190 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Ducati, and his twin brother Alex Lowes (1:43.442) and his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR will line up right beside the World Superbike rookie on the grid. Remy Gardner claimed the final spot on row two, sixth overall, with a 1:43.633 on his GYTR GRT Yamaha.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 17th in Superpole qualifying with a 1:44.582 on his Bonovo Action BMW.
EWC CHAMPION TEAM YART CHARGES TO 24 HEURES MOTOS POLE WITH NEW LE MANS LAP RECORD
(19 April 2024):Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team has made a flying start to its FIM Endurance World Championship title defence with pole position – and a new lap record – for the 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the unmissable 2024 season, from tomorrow (20 April).
Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika combined in style on the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti to claim top spot ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul and F.C.C. TSR Honda France, last year’s winner.
In doing so, Austria-based YART has bagged five championship points, with points also shared among the remaining fastest four teams, which included fourth-placed Honda Viltaïs Racing and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in fifth.
YART also holds the new qualifying lap record after Italian rider Canepa set a 1m34.708s best during First Qualifying on Thursday. YART rider Hanika’s 1m34.878s, set in 2022 was the previous best time.
“I’m really happy because the bike yesterday was unbelievable, the Bridgestone tyres, everything,” Canepà, 35, said. “We did a good choice yesterday to go all-in with the tyres and we set our best time because the conditions were really good and the lap time came. I’m especially happy because I’m not still 100 per cent fit due to my injury [in the Daytona 200 last month] but I am confident we can do a good race. My team-mates did an amazing job and also Max Neukirchner, our new crew chief.
“This morning we made the choice to start with the race configuration and we used the race tyres and each one of us did 12 laps in a row to get the feeling for the race. But it was really impressive the pace we could make. We didn’t push for a qualifying time like we did yesterday, it was a different strategy.”
Of his prospects for a first win at Le Mans since 2017, Canepa added: “The race is always very difficult and the competitors are really strong with many bikes that can be on the top, which is very nice for the fans and the people at home.”
In the Dunlop-equipped Superstock category, which counts for the FIM Endurance World Cup, National Motos Honda was the team to beat ahead of Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team and Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda.
As well as taking pole, National Motos Honda scored five points courtesy of riders Guillaume Raymond, from France, and Swiss brothers Sébastien and Valentin Suchet. Team 18 Sapeurs Pompers CMS Motostore and Wójcik Racing Team STK filled out the top five.
“It’s a satisfaction for the team,”South Korea-born Raymond said. “We have three riders with the same pace so it’s good, but the pole position is only a little part, for us the race is more important although for sure it’s a little satisfaction. Every year the Superstock class is faster and the gap is very small so our goal is to do no mistake and make the laps. It would be great for us to win after the disappointment of not winning the Bol d’Or [last September after we retired from the lead in the final 20 minutes].”
How the EWC 24 Heures Motos pole was won YART essentially did its hard work during First Qualifying on Thursday afternoon when Niccolò Canepa set a new lap record, a 1m34.708s. Despite Marvin Fritz having his best lap time disallowed for a track limits infringement and Karel Hanika crashing on his first flying lap, YART was fastest in three of the four Thursday sessions. With the final qualifying order based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team YART could not be toppled as it repeated its 2022 pole-winning performance.
Friday’s Second Qualifying in focus Josh Hook topped today’s Blue Rider order after setting a time of 1m35.087s for F.C.C. TSR Honda France. Gregg Black clocked a Circuit Bugatti personal best – a 1m35.096s – with Illya Mykhalchyk third quickest for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Niccolò Canepa and KM99’s Jérémy Guarnoni rounded out the top five. Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team’s Kenny Foray’s lap of 1m36.832s set the standard in the Superstock division. Chris Leesch was next up for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda followed by Enzo De La Vega (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Black and Eemeli Lahti (Pit-Lane Endurance) both suffered falls during the 20-minute session.
In the Yellow Rider session, Étienne Masson was quickest for Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul with a best effort of 1m35.664s. Florian Marino (KM99) and Sylvain Guintoli, on his first appearance for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, were second and third respectively, as Germany’s Marvin Fritz and Mike Di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) completed the Formula EWC top five. Valentin Suchet was the leading Superstock contender for National Motos Honda followed by Jan Bühn (Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team) and Baptiste Guittet (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Guittet, Christian Gamarino and Team Racing 85 by Soleane’s Hugo Girardet all hit back from falls.
New-for-2024 Yoshimura SERT recruit Dan Linfoot’s 1m35.259s effort ensured the Briton topped the Red Rider group ahead of Alan Techer (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) and KM99’s Randy de Puniet. Czech Karel Hanika was fourth quickest followed by Honda Viltaïs Racing’s Argentine Leandro Marcado. Le Mans rookie Alessandro Delbianco was the Superstock pacesetter for Pit-Lane Endurance with Kevin Calia next up for the Aprilia-equipped Team Aviobike by M2 Revo outfit despite a fall. Guillaume Raymond took third for National Motos Honda.Takeshi Ishizuka (Maco Racing) and Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team both fell.
There was a heroic performance from Gino Rea in the Green Rider group when the Briton set the Superstock pace on his return to EWC action from serious head injuries sustained in a crash in 2022. The Honda-powered Wójcik Racing Team rider headed Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda’s Martin Renaudin and Alexis Masbou (Honda No Limits). Yoshimura SERT Motul reserve rider Cocoro Atsumi continued his fine Thursday form with the quickest time ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team’s back-up rider Robin Mulhauser.
Hannes Soomer got another opportunity to impress for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in third followed by James Westmoreland (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and Bálin Kovácas (Wójcik Racing Team). Guillaume Pot (3ART Best of Bike) and Flavio Ferroni (Team 33 Louit April Moto) fell during the closing stages of the session.
BEST LAPS
First Qualifying Blue Rider: Niccolò Canepa, 1m34.708s / Kenny Foray, 1m38.868s First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 1m35.139s / Jan Bühn, 1m37.679s First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 1m35.028s / Guillaume Raymond, 1m37.756s First Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m36.327s / Martin Renaudin, 1m37.667s
Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Josh Hook, 1m35.087s / Kenny Foray, 1m36.832s Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Étienne Masson, 1m35.664s / Valentin Suchet, 1m37.472s Second Qualifying Red Rider: Dan Linfoot, 1m35.259s / Alessandro Delbianco, 1m37.404s Second Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m37.187s / Gino Rea, 1m
WHAT’S NEXT? The 47th edition of the 24 Heures Motos is scheduled to begin at 15h00 CET tomorrow (Saturday 20 April)
Stefano Manzi (62) during a dry spell Friday at Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Stefano Manzi topped FIM Supersport World Championship Superpole qualifying Friday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Pata Yamata Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on Pirelli control tires, Manzi lapped the wet 2.8-mile (4.5 km) course in 1:45.203 to top the field of 34 riders and earn pole position.
Manzi’s teammate Glenn Van Straalen was the best of the rest with a 1:46.193, and Adrian Huertas earned the third and final spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:46.251 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 10th with a 1:48.843 on his Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6.
Bobby Fong topped MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian Challenger on Dunlop control tires, Fong lapped the 2.55-mile course in 1:29.528. That time not only led the session and earned Fong provisional pole position but it also broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.935 that Kyle Wyman set earlier in the day.
Multi-time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss was also under the old lap record with a second-best 1:29.720 on his S&S/Indian Motorcycle Challenger in spite of it being his first day riding at Road Atlanta.
Kyle Wyman’s session was interrupted with a crash, but the 1:29.793 he did on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide was good enough to claim the third and final spot on the provisional front row.
Defending Champion Hayden Gillim was fourth with a time of 1:30.352 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim’s teammate, class rookie Rocco Landers was fifth-fastest with a 1:30.633. And Herfoss’ teammate Tyler O’Hara rounded out the top six with a 1:30.736.
Update: Ruben Xaus informed Roadracingworld.com that his team is waiting on parts and plans to return to a future round of MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers.
Rocco Landers was the fastest MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup rider Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Georgia. Landers led Free Practice One (FP1) in the morning and Qualifying One (Q1) in the afternoon, claiming provisional pole position with a time of 1:33.150 on his Dunlop-shod RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R.
Rossi Moor made it a 1-2 for Suzuki by posting a second-best 1:33.760 in Q1 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.
Gus Rodio, the 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up, earned the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a 1:33.775 on his Rodio Racing Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660.
Dominic Doyle was fourth overall and the top Yamaha rider with a 1:34.195 on his Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing YZF-R7.
Rodio’s teammate Alessandro Di Mario rounded out the top five with a time of 1:34.744 around the 2.55-mile road course.
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Alvaro Bautista led FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R on Pirelli control tires, the two-time and defending World Champion lapped the 2.8-mile (4.5 km) track in 1:35.473 to lead the field of 23 riders.
After topping rain-affected Free Practice One, Toprak Razgatlioglu was second-best in FP2 with a 1:35.750 on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR.
Remy Gardner was third-quickest in FP2 with a best time of 1:35.827 on his GYTR GRT Yamaha YZF-R1.
American Garrett Gerloff finished FP2 in 15th with a lap of 1:37.097 on his Bonovo Action BMW.
Rain factored into most of the day Friday at Assen and did so again in FP2. With about 20 minutes left in the session, more rain turned the dry track wet and prevented riders from going any quicker.
Bautista leads the way in changeable conditions at Assen
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
On a tricky opening day at a wind swept TT Circuit Assen it was Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who set the pace. The weather changed multiple times throughout the day with rain giving way to sunshine before reverting back to rain once again. Bautista, winner of the last four Superbike races at the Dutch Round, completed 26 laps of the 4.555km circuit to end the day two tenths of a second faster than Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).
Having not changed to new tyres until moments before a rain shower the BMW rider was one of the few riders not to improve their lap time from the morning session in the afternoon. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) ended the day third fastest.
Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is riding for the first time since undergoing surgery for compartment syndrome and was sixth fastest. The Italian was less than half a second slower than his teammate Bautista. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) was fifth fastest in both sessions but completed just 18 laps over the course of the day. The changeable conditions limited running and the six times World Champion will be hoping for a change of fortunes after a difficult start to the season. Rea is a 17 times winner at the Dutch Round. Home hero Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was ninth fastest.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“It has been a complicated day because of the weather. With the rain and the wind, especially in the afternoon, it was difficult. The wind was very strong on the back straight and you could feel it pushing you out wide. On the straight I was almost leaning because otherwise I would be pushed wide of the track. It was really difficult in some areas of the track. But in the end, with these conditions, I could find a good feeling with the bike. It feels similar for me to Barcelona. Today was really difficult for everybody and I’m not super happy but we’ll see what happens with the weather tomorrow.”
P2 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
“The bike is turning well but the braking is not yet 100%. We are working on this now with the engine braking too. The electronics are working great and in general, I’m happy. I had a used tyre at the start of FP2 and when I put in a new tyre it started to rain after two laps and then there was the red flag. I didn’t improve my lap in FP2 but the feeling is very good. We are very fast and the grip from the track is really good. It’s not easy in WorldSBK because everyone is very fast but I’m ready for the fight and for the win. We are ready to race in all conditions.”
P3 | Remy Gardner | GYRT GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
“Today wasn’t easy. This morning there were a lot of damp patches but the condition wasn’t too bad. We did 15 laps and our pace was good. During FP2 we stopped and changed to the SCX tyre and the feeling was good. Obviously, we wanted to make a long run to see what the times would be like but then we had some rain. The feeling was quite good. There’s still some work to do but I’m quite happy.”
Josh Herrin topped MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R on Dunlop control tires, Herrin covered the 2.55-mile course in 1:24.627 to lead the field of 24 Superbikes.
Three-time and defending Champion Jake Gagne was second-best with a lap of 1:24.723 on his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1, and Herrin’s new teammate Loris Baz earned the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a time of 1:24.787.
Bobby Fong was fourth with a 1:24.998 on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1. TopPro Racing BMW’s Sean Dylan Kelly was fifth-fastest with a lap at 1:25.075 in his first official day as a MotoAmerica Superbike rider. Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen, who says his right wrist is finally 100% healed, was sixth-quick at 1:25.121.
Cameron Beaubier bounced back from a crash in Turn 10 to post the seventh-fastest lap, 1:25.246, on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Beaubier’s new teammate JD Beach was eighth in Q1 at 1:25.420. And Richie Escalante rounded out the top nine provisional qualifiers with a 1:25.719 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
The top nine riders in Q1 were separated by just 1.092 seconds.
Herrin Storms To Provisional Pole On Opening Day At Road Atlanta
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin Leads The Way In Steel Commander Superbike
BRASELTON, GA (April 19, 2024) – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin had two reasons to be happy with his Friday qualifying at Road Atlanta. For starters, Herrin earned provisional pole position in Q1 with his 1:24.627. He then followed that up by pocketing an “I owe you” from his teammate Loris Baz as he towed the Frenchman to third, giving Ducati two bikes on the provisional front row heading into tomorrow’s Q2 session.
If Q1 is any indication, the Steel Commander Superbike Championship is going to be hotly contested as eight riders circulated within a second of Herrin.
Josh Herrin (2) was the fastest of the fast on Friday at Road Atlanta as he rode his Ducati to provisional pole heading into Saturday’s final qualifying. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Three-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne ended the session third fastest and just .096 of a second behind Herrin’s best. With the aforementioned Baz ending the session third in his return to the MotoAmerica paddock, it was Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong slotting into fourth, the last rider in the 1:24s on the 2.55-mile road course.
Superbike rookie Sean Dylan Kelly had an impressive first day on the TopPro Racing BMW M 1000 RR, the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion ending up fifth fastest and less than half a second behind Herrin.
Gagne’s Attack Performance Yamaha teammate Cameron Petersen was sixth fastest, the fastest of the two Camerons on day one with five-time champ Beaubier ending up seventh on the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Beaubier returned to action with just a handful of minutes left in the session after his crew did a good job of getting him back on track after an early session crash in turn 10-A.
Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach ended up eighth in his first qualifying session on the BMW.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki teammates Richie Escalante and Brandon Paasch rounded out the top 10.
Supersport – Alexander’s Surprise
Of the three Supersport riders on the Rahal Ducati Moto team, Corey Alexander came into the 2024 season with the least amount of fanfare. On Friday afternoon, Alexander let his riding do the talking as he emerged from the 43-rider field with the fastest lap to earn provisional pole position at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Alexander led the way with his 1:28.912 just .225 of a second faster than Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott and .334 of a second clear of his teammate PJ Jacobsen, with those three making up the provisional front row.
N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa, and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Teagg Hobbs made up the second row, provisionally.
Things were tight at the top with nine riders qualifying within a second of Alexander’s best.
Junior Cup – Medina Gets It Started
Yandel Medina showed that he’s ready for the new season of Junior Cup racing with the New Yorker leading the way on Friday to earn provisional pole position on his New York Safety Track Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Medina lapped at a best of 1:42.976 to lead BARTCON Racing’s Eli Block by .765 of a second with defending class champion Avery Dreher third with his 1:43.768 lap.
BSB Racing’s Trenton Keesee and Speed Demon Racing’s Logan Cunnison rounded out the top five qualifiers on Friday.
BellissiMoto Twins Cup – Rocco Leads Suzuki 1-2
RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers put his new Suzuki GSX-8R on provisional pole position in the BellissiMoto Twins Cup class at Road Atlanta on Friday afternoon with a best lap of 1:33.150.
Landers, the all-time wins leader in the Twins Cup class, led Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor by .610 of a second for a Suzuki one-two.
Daytona winner and championship leader Gus Rodio was third quickest on his Rodio Racing – Powered By Robem Engineering Aprilia and .665 of a second off Landers’ best. Giaccomoto Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle and Rodio’s teammate Alessandro Di Mario rounded out the top five heading into Saturday’s Q2 session.
Mission King Of The Baggers – Bagger Bob Gets It Done
SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong led the Mission King Of The Baggers qualifying session on Friday with a new lap record at Road Atlanta of 1:29.528.
Bobby Fong (50) led the way in Mission King Of The Baggers qualifying on Friday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Second fastest on opening day was Troy Herfoss, the S&S/Indian Motorcycle-backed Australian just .192 of a second off Fong’s best in his first visit to Road Atlanta.
Championship points leader Kyle Wyman was third fastest on the factory Harley-Davidson, despite a crash in 10-A early in the session. Wyman’s best was .265 of a second slower than Fong’s.
Defending Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim was fourth fastest, a few tenths quicker than his class rookie teammate Rocco Landers.
The session was a bit of a crashfest as Kyle Wyman wasn’t the only faller. He was joined in the 10-A gravel by his teammate James Rispoli and by his brother Travis Wyman. Tyler O’Hara was also a faller in the session.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin tops Friday’s qualifying session at MotoAmerica’s Road Atlanta
Loris Baz backs up his teammate with third place on Friday for two Ducati Panigale V4 Rs in the top three.
Sunnyvale, Calif., April 19, 2024 —Day one of the opening round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, was a fine one indeed for those dressed in red as Josh Herrin and Loris Baz occupied first and third after the first qualifying session.
Herrin was on the pace from the get-go, pumping 17 laps in the opening Free Practice session, two laps shy of a full race distance to finish second to Cameron Beaubier. The number two turned that around with a scintillating 1:24.627 in Qualifying 1 after another 10 laps to finish the day P1 ahead of defending champion Jake Gagne.
Loris Baz’s return to the MotoAmerica grid started off sedately as the Frenchman reacquainted himself with the demands of the unique 2.5-mile Road Atlanta layout. Baz knocked out 20 laps in FP1, more than any other rider on track, ending the session 10th fastest.
However, with a little help from his teammate Herrin, Baz unlocked his speed in the Qualifying 1 session to deliver a time just 0.160s off Herrin’s fastest lap. Baz thus ended the session third fastest after a total of 30 laps across both sessions, the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team delighted with his and Herrin’s speed heading into the all-important Qualifying 2 session tomorrow morning.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)
“Today was really good,” Herrin said. “The fastest time we did this morning in FP1 was on the last lap after we did the whole session on one set of tires, so that showed us we’re on the right track as far as bike set-up goes.
“In the second session, we tried a new front tire that I didn’t really like, so we came in and swapped the tires for the same compound we had in the first session. I went out with Loris (Baz) to give him a bit of help, and it worked out great for the team because I got provisional pole position, and Loris is in third, just under two-tenths off me. That showed me he has the pace, but he owes me because I helped him get that time!
“It’s an important track to start up the front, and the ultimate goal is to have two Ducatis up there fighting for the win. Overall, it’s been a great start to the weekend, and we will continue that tomorrow and Sunday.”
Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)
“First day back,” started Baz, “and it’s tough to be on the pace. I know this track from when I raced here in 2021, but I need to relearn it again. It feels like I’m coming back to a completely different track.
“I just wanted to be calm all day, just build the pace step by step, so I rode alone in the first practice session. In the Qualifying 1 session, I wanted to go out with the guys at the front, but I had an old set of tires, so I came back in, changed to a fresh set, and got behind Josh. He showed me some things that helped my time, so I must thank him.
“We still have to find the ultimate pace to run at the front. It’s been a long winter, and I am still discovering the bike, but I’m going to do my best, have fun, and enjoy the weekend.”
Round one of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship continues tomorrow, Saturday, April 20. The second qualifying session is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. EDT. Race One will take place later in the day at 3:10 p.m., and Race Two is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.
Yandel Medina was quickest in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Qualifying One Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his New York Safety Track Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 on Dunlop control tires, the young New Yorker navigated the 2.55-mile track in 1:42.976 to lead the field of 24 riders and claim provisional pole position.
Eli Block was second-best with a time of 1:43.741 on his BARTCON Racing Kawasaki, and Avery Dreher, the defending Champion, took the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a lap of 1:43.768 on his Bad Boys Racing Ninja 400.
The entire Junior Cup field is using Kawasaki Ninja 400s this weekend at Road Atlanta.
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