MotoAmerica Live+: Mission King of the Baggers @ MotoGP Weekend
It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action
Everything you need to know to watch the Mission King of the Baggers at MotoGP in Austin
MotoAmerica: How To Watch Mission King of the Baggers at MotoGP Weekend
It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action
Everything you need to know to watch the Mission King of the Baggers in Austin
Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale to Take Place alongside the FIM Endurance World Championship at Legendary Bol d’Or
The third edition of the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale will take place alongside the final round of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) at Paul Ricard Circuit in September. The event, known as the Bol d’Or, is a highlight on the endurance racing calendar and will provide a thrilling backdrop for the SuperFinale racers.
The Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale’s inaugural event was held in 2022, and the first two editions were run alongside rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship, with hundreds of riders hoping to secure a grid slot at the prestigious event. The top competitors from the national Cups and Challenges in Europe are invited to participate and make up a final grid of around 30 riders.
The third edition will take place at the Bol d’Or on the weekend of 12-15th September at the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard. The Bol d’Or is one of only two 24-hour races on the 2024 FIM EWC calendar, making it one of the most popular and exciting events of the season. Last year, 83,000 fans packed the stands to witness the 86th edition.
Yamaha Racing wanted to offer the participants in the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale the opportunity to experience the atmosphere and exposure of this huge event, which attracts large numbers of international media. It offers an unforgettable ambience as the world’s top endurance racers battle it out throughout the day and night.
The R7 SuperFinale riders will be offered full support at the event, where they will be located in the dedicated R7 SuperFinale Village situated inside the EWC paddock. After the mandatory briefings, the riders will join bLU cRU Rider Coach Lorenzo Alfonsi for a guided tour of the Le Castellet circuit. Alfonsi will provide advice to help them with line choice and correct gear selection.
The competitors will also be introduced to the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team’s riders Niccolò Canepa, Karel Hanika and Marvin Fritz, the reigning FIM Endurance World Champions. They will be on hand to chat to the R7 hopefuls and offer insights into the secrets of a fast lap around Circuit Paul Ricard.
The competitors will have their first chance to get up to speed on their Yamaha R7 bikes during a Free Practice session, before battling it out in Qualifying which will set the grid for the two SuperFinale races. The overall winner will receive a brand-new R7, the latest in Yamaha’s R-series range of bikes, that combines the perfect blend of agile handling and sports performance with everyday fun. The second and third-placed riders will also win vouchers for GYTR performance parts that can be redeemed from their local Yamaha GYTR PRO shop.
Video highlights will be available on the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel. Updates will be published on the Yamaha Racing social media channels and website.
Paolo Pavesio: Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We are delighted to announce that the R7 European SuperFinale will form a part of the FIM EWC final round of the 2024 season and run alongside the historic Bol d’Or. It will create an incredible atmosphere for the SuperFinale participants. Before they take to the track, they will get the opportunity to meet the riders of the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC team, the reigning Endurance World Champions, offering them an excellent opportunity to learn from the very best and get advice on tackling the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard and its infamous Mistral Straight. Plus, over 80,000 people attended the race in 2023, so the competitors will also get to experience the atmosphere and excitement of racing in front of packed stands full of passionate fans to create what will surely be some very special memories.”
Jean-Baptiste Ley: Head of Motorsport at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports
“It’s fantastic that at an event where Yamaha Racing achieved such a momentous title in 2023 will host the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale 12 months later. In our 10th season as EWC promoter, we are very excited to welcome the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale family to the Bol d’Or, an event as famous as it is prestigious. The fact that Yamaha Racing has chosen the Bol d’Or as the venue of this highly significant competition speaks volumes about the strength and appeal of the EWC to manufacturers. We look forward to providing a fitting platform for the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale and hope for memorable and successful weekend for all competitors.”
The Bol d’Or is organised at Circuit Paul Ricard in France by the Association of France Moto-Cyclecariste, Moto Revue and AMCF Sport. Promoted by Larivière Organisation, it is run under the auspices of Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, Moto Fédératíon Française, and the leagues of Motorcyclists Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Ile de France.
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.
The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.
Avery Dreher
Age: 17.
Current home: Rockledge, Florida.
Current height/weight: 6’0”/158 pounds.
Current school grade level: Graduated High School.
Began riding at age: 10.
First road race: 2018, Jupiter, Florida, SFLminiGP, Spec 50, 3rd place.
Current racebikes: Aprilia RS 660, Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuners/mechanics: Aaron Dreher (father), John Ludwig, Dale Quarterley.
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup.
Top sponsors: TopPro Racing, Aprilia, Bad Boys Racing, KYT Helmets, REV’IT!, South Florida Thermosman, SFLminiGP.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (6 wins and 8 total podium finishes in 12 races); 2022 season, placed 7th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 11 top-10 finishes); 2021 season, placed 17th (best finish race was 7th, 4 top-10 finishes), multiple FMRRA race wins; 2020 season, won CCS Moto3 National Championship, won 3 FMRRA Championships.
2024 racing goals: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup Championships.
Racing career goal: Be a Superbike racer.
Racing hero: Aaron Dreher (father).
Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
Favorite hobby: Mountain biking.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Training on my supermotard bike.
…
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;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
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.
AMA HALL OF FAMER RICKY JOHNSON NAMED LEGEND OF THE SPORT AT 2024 QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING
Johnson to share inspiring stories from his career at renowned motorcycle event
Carmel, Calif. (April 10, 2024) – The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is proud to announce that it will honor AMA Motorcross and Supercross icon Ricky Johnson as its Legend of the Sport on Saturday, May 4, at the acclaimed The Quail Golf Club. The highly anticipated two-wheel event will celebrate motorcycles from the past, present and future, featuring over 300 on display, as well as a family-friendly environment with diverse offerings from food trucks and local vendors.
Born in El Cajon, California, Richard “Ricky” Johnson Jr. grew up in an avid motorcycling household and was gifted his first mini-bike by his father at three years old. The young Johnson instantly found his passion and went on to earn his professional license at just 16 years old.
Johnson quickly made a name for himself in the sport and won his first 250cc class national championship in 1984 as part of the Yamaha factory motocross team, but he was just getting started. He dominated the 1987 season and won both the 250cc and 500cc championships. That same year, Johnson won the Superbowl of Motorcross at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He was also a member of the winning American team that dominated the Motocross des Nations races over multiple years.
After competing at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Johnson went on to garner further success in off-road and stock car racing. He won the treacherous Baja 1000 twice and was named the American Speed Association stock car series Rookie of the Year in 1999. Johnson was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2012. He remains involved in motorsports and has turned his focus to inspiring the next generation of American motorcycle racers and enthusiasts.
“I am thrilled to be honored at this year’s event,” said Johnson. “The Quail has such a diverse selection of motorcycles, new and old, and I can’t wait to swap stories with fellow riders on the lawn.”
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering event kicks off with The Quail Ride on Friday, May 3, where participants will enjoy a 100-mile ride through the backroads of the stunning Monterey Peninsula and parade laps around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. They will also participate in lunch and dinner with other riders and enthusiasts.
“We are proud to honor Ricky Johnson as our 2024 Legend of the Sport for his passion and immense success in motorsports,” said Kai Lerman, managing director at The Quail Golf Club. “Legend of the Sport is meant to honor iconic individuals that have made significant contributions to motorcycling, and we could not think of anyone more deserving of this title.”
The main event set for May 4 will celebrate four featured classes, including the 25th Anniversary of Suzuki Hayabusa, the 30th Anniversary of the Ducati 916, the 100th Anniversary of the American Motorcyclist Association and Vespa, highlighting several decades from the famous Italian scooter brand. There will also be more than 10 traditional classes that feature bikes of different styles, brands and decades.
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is a family-and pet-friendly event. Tickets are now on sale and range from a $70 general admission ticket to a $185 VIP credential. Admission for children ages 13-18 is $25 and free for children 12 and younger.
Tickets are available at www.axs.com/festivals/514045. For more information, visit www.peninsula.com/en/signature-events and follow the action on Facebook and Instagram, @TheQuailEvents.
FLYING THE FLAG!
Preview: 2024 RED BULL GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS – Round 3 of the MotoGP World Championship
April 11 – 14: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas. USA: Track length: 3.42 miles / 5.51 kilometers
Trackhouse Racing hits home soil for Round 3 of the MotoGP World Championship, at the Circuit of the Americas, close to the City of Austin, Texas. As America’s only team in the premier class of motorcycle racing, flying the flag in front of the team’s own crowd makes this a particularly special weekend.
Circuit of the Americas has been home to the US round of the MotoGP World Championship since 2013 and is also host to Formula 1 and NASCAR – just a couple of weeks ago, Trackhouse MotoGP sister team raced in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Austin track and during this year’s MotoGP race weekend will also be racing a couple hours up highway 35, at Texas Motor Speedway, making it a Lone Star State double header for owner Justin Marks.
Circuit of the Americas track layout makes the most of a dramatic climb to turn one before plunging downhill through a series of sweeping corners and down to the challenging hairpin at the bottom of the course. The back stretch brings the bikes back towards the pit complex for a combination of corners that demand heavy braking through tightening corners before arriving back at the main pit straight. Overall, the elevation changes amount to over 130 ft (41 m) and like his home circuit in Portugal, the changing gradients suited Trackhouse’s #88 Miguel Oliveira who came home 5th in last year’s Grand Prix. For Raul Fernandez, the focus is very much on bringing his #25 Aprilia RS-GP22 home for the chequers and some confidence boosting points. He has form at the track having taken victory in the intermediate Moto2 class in 2021 and Raul has shown he has the speed to run at the front in what, come Sunday will be his 100th start in World Championship Grand Prix racing.
The Trackhouse duo, who both left the last race in Portugal frustrated with their respective races, are pumped for the team’s home debut and gunning for an opportunity to be wearing a Stetson come Sunday.
The action for Trackhouse Racing gets going with the morning Free Practice 1 session on Friday, April 12th.
Saturday, April 13: SPRINT RACE – 10 Laps
3pm (Local time CDT) 4pm (US Eastern Time) 1pm (US Pacific Time) 9pm (BST) 10pm (CEST)
Sunday, April 14: GRAND PRIX – 20 Laps
2pm (Local time CDT) 3pm (US Eastern Time) 12noon (US Pacific Time) 8pm (BST 9pm (CEST)
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m looking forward to the team’s home Grand Prix in Austin. Last year I was relatively competitive in the top 10 places and with the progress we have made with the bike in Portimão, I’m hoping that making another step in the right direction, we can challenge for more. It’s always a nice Grand Prix here and this year it’s going to be even more special carrying the American flag with us!”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“I’m really happy to come back to this track. After the beginning of the year, which was definitely not what we were hoping for and expecting, I can’t wait to arrive at Circuit of the Americas to see how competitive we are. I’ll try to enjoy myself on the bike again, which is our target and for our Trackhouse Team, this weekend is very special, so we really aim to enjoy and try to do our maximum in the United States.”
DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM PRINCIPAL
“We are very excited about our first race in the USA, as Trackhouse, America’s MotoGP team. Looking forward to this weekend in Austin, Miguel is getting more used to the 2024 bike and it is important that we are continuing to adapt and for us to find a good base setting for him. He has not had the results that we know he can achieve – the results that are matching our potential. Raul, after two races with results that we were really not expecting, is getting more and more comfortable so we will be looking to try and capitalize on what we have built so far, in the first two races. We cannot forget that he missed most of the winter testing and there is a lot to come from him. Both of them and all the team are looking forward to the weekend here, in front of our home fans!”
JUSTIN MARKS – TEAM OWNER
“This is the event I’ve been looking so forward to since we announced we were entering the MotoGP World Championship. Trackhouse is an American company but we’re a global brand and welcoming the MotoGP team to our home is something that is very special to the company. It has already been an amazing week with the team at our NASCAR headquarters in North Carolina but now it’s time to focus on the race at COTA. Raul and Miguel have shown some very promising speed this year and I think we have a big opportunity this weekend to fight for a good result. We’re making good progress with the bikes and the team. It would be very special to have a successful weekend and I know we have the tools to do so at the company’s home race.”
Americas GP: The Ducati Lenovo Team arrives in Austin, Texas, for the third round of the 2024 MotoGP season
The Ducati Lenovo Team flies overseas again to tackle the third round of the 2024 MotoGP season, the Americas GP, scheduled for April 12-14 at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas.
The track, located near the city of Austin, has been on the calendar since 2013 and will host the MotoGP Grand Prix for the eleventh time this year. At COTA, Ducati has scored eight podiums so far, while it has only triumphed on one occasion in 2022 with Enea Bastianini. For the Ducati Lenovo Team rider, who was competing for the Gresini Racing MotoGP team at that time, it was his second success in the premier class. Fresh off a solid weekend in Portugal, which saw him take pole position on Saturday and second place in Sunday’s GP, Bastianini arrives in America to maintain momentum.
On the other side of the garage, it’s redemption time for teammate Francesco Bagnaia. Forced to retire in Portugal following a collision, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider had been one of the main protagonists in last year’s Grand Prix of the Americas, setting the pole position and winning the Sprint race. However, he narrowly missed out on the GP victory, as he crashed out of the lead. Bagnaia arrives in the United States motivated to return fighting for victory.
After the first two rounds of the season, Bastianini is third in the overall standings, with Bagnaia in fourth. Meanwhile, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team lead the constructors’ and teams’ standings, respectively.
Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd (39 points):
“I’m thrilled to return to America, where I missed racing last year due to the shoulder injury. COTA is a track I deeply enjoy, and it holds fond memories of 2022, when I clinched my second MotoGP win, my favourite of that year. Following the performance in Portugal, I arrive in Austin feeling motivated and confident. I anticipate a fierce Grand Prix, but we’re well-prepared: we have a solid base setup and a clear understanding of areas for improvement, so we’re determined to contend at the forefront again this weekend.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 4th (37 points):
“The Grand Prix of the Americas is one of my favourites on the calendar: the track is fantastic, I enjoy Austin a lot, and even the event’s atmosphere is different. I arrive in America motivated and ready to redeem myself: last year, we were competitive all weekend, and if I hadn’t crashed, we would have won the Sunday race too. I expect many fast riders this year, and it definitely will be challenging, but we have a good base from which to start. In the last GP in Portugal, the feeling with the bike was very good, but then, in the race on Sunday, we missed something. So, working to avoid that happening again will be important.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will take to the track on Friday, April 12th, at 10:45am local time (GMT -5.00) for the first free practice session of the Americas GP.
MICHELIN Power Slick and Power Rain families of tyres defy the bumps and variations in asphalt of the Circuit of the Americas
• Third round of the MotoGP™ World Championship for the new MICHELIN Power Slick rubber compounds.
• COTA (Circuit of The Americas) presents a particular, selective and bumpy circuit on which the riders race in an anti-clockwise direction.
• Michelin has selected tyres that are reinforced on the right shoulder in order to compensate for the stresses exerted by a sequence of three particularly demanding turns.
COTA (Circuit of The Americas) has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and was built in the early 2010s on the territory of the town of Elroy (Travis County), near Austin, the capital of Texas. It has a length of 5.513 km, with 20 turns (9 right-handers and 11 left), and fairly significant elevation changes of close to 40 m, including an impressive uphill run to the first turn! The other highlights are its long straight of more than 1,200 m, where MotoGP bikes exceed 350 km/h, and also its 49 m high Cobra-shaped tower inside turn 17. The MotoGP World Championship has visited COTA annually since 2013, and once again it constitutes the third round of the season, following two very competitive races on the circuits of Lusail (Qatar) and Portimão (Portugal).
This circuit in the south of the United States also has some characteristics which directly impact the tyres, starting with the lack of grip on the asphalt. There is also the bumpy nature of the track to take into consideration, due to it being built on ground which is subject to deformation over time. The circuit’s technical services are well aware of this phenomenon and occasionally carry out planing operations. However, if the surface of the tarmac then becomes a little flatter, it is also more ribbed, which generates changes in grip levels in these modified areas. Fortunately, for all these conditions Michelin has tyres that will adapt, and will be able to offer, as always, a good level of performance as well as a feeling of confidence to its partners.
“We know the COTA circuit very well, but we are bringing our new rubber compounds this year, which creates some unknowns,” underlines Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin Two-Wheel competition. “On the other hand, we know that the grip will be low, and that its surface will be uneven in places. Based on our data and taking into account the configuration of the circuit, we selected symmetrical tyres for the front, in three compounds (Soft, Medium, Hard) and two asymmetrical options for the rear, in Soft and Medium. The right shoulder of the rear tyres will be harder, but this is not to compensate for the number of turns, but rather for the sequence of the triple right-handers (turns 16, 17 and 18) which generates very high stresses on the tyres. We intend to provide the perfect technical package to our partners, who broke numerous records on this track last year and who of course intend to try to do better this year, partly thanks to our tyres.”
In Austin, the weather is generally dry and the temperature reaches an average of 25°C during the day. However, Michelin will also bring its MICHELIN Power Rain range, in case of rain. This consists of symmetrical Soft and Medium tyres for the front, as well as asymmetrical Soft and Medium options for the rear, with a harder right side.
Race weekend schedule
On Friday, the first MotoGP free practice sessions will take place during a 45-minute session late in the morning. Then, the second session, this time of one hour in the afternoon, will allow the 10 fastest riders to directly access the second phase of qualifying, the next day.
Saturday will start with 30 minutes of free practice, then the first qualifying session (15 min) will allow the two fastest to join the 10 riders already qualified in Q2. This final session (also 15 minutes) will determine the order on the starting grid for the entire weekend.
The start of the 10-lap Sprint race will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the start of the 20-lap Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, at 2 p.m. local.
Records set in 2023
All time circuit lap record: 2’01.892, by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Race lap record: 2’03.126, by Alex Rins (LCR Honda), winner of the 2023 Grand Prix.
Race duration record: 41’14.649.
About Michelin
Michelin’s ambition is to sustainably improve its customers’ mobility. The leader in the mobility sector, Michelin designs, manufactures, and distributes the tires best suited to their requirements and uses as well as services and solutions to improve transport efficacy. Michelin also puts forward offers that allow its customers to enjoy unique moments when traveling. Michelin also develops high-technology equipment intended for multiple fields. Based in Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin is present in 175 countries, employs 132,200 people and operates 67 tire factories that, together, produced approximately 167 million tires in 2022. (www.michelin.com).
Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker Make Debut in ESBK Championship in PreMoto3 and Moto4 Categories, Matsudaira with a Top 5 Finish
April 10, 2024 – Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker made their respective debuts in the PreMoto3 and Moto4 categories in the first round of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship with Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team this past weekend at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Andalusia, Spain.
For 13-year-old Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira, it was his first race in the PreMoto3 category after moving up from a successful season fighting for wins and podiums in Moto4. Although Kensei and the team struggled to find outright pace in qualifying with a 14th place starting grid position, they continued to work to find the necessary settings to be competitive in the races. On Saturday, despite a poor start, Kensei steadily worked his way forward and finished the race in 11th position leading the second group with a gap of 15.3 seconds to the winner.
On Sunday, Kensei made an excellent start and fought his way up to finish in 5th place, only 3.5 seconds behind the winner.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“I’m really happy I was able to stay with the front group in race 2. It was difficult to start from P14 but I got a good start and just kept moving forward. I was able to get to the front of the second group with a 4 second gap and bring it down to less than 2 seconds at one point. I had a big moment while I was pushing to catch the front guys and lost a few seconds, but I as able to just work forward again and finish P5. Excited about the progress I made with my riding and the setup of the bike in the new category. I will be even stronger in Valencia which will be me and my team’s home race!”
For 12-year-old Nathan Gouker, it was his first time competing in the ESBK championship and he started the weekend strong, completing the free practice sessions on Friday with the 2nd fastest lap time in the Moto4 category. On Saturday, Nathan continued to show his potential with an impressive 6th place qualifying result.
In Saturday’s race, Nathan had a difficult start, getting pushed wide after contact with another rider and dropping to the back of the pack. However, he worked his way forward and finished in the lead of the second group in 11th place, 17.3 seconds behind the winner.
On Sunday, Nathan made a good start and was racing in the top group until lap 5 when he suffered a crash in turn 1. Despite the DNF result, Nathan showed his pace and potential to fight at the front in the Moto4 category.
Nathan Gouker:
“Overall it was a positive weekend with my new Ajevo/Stadler Race team. Qualifying P6 was a great start to the season and shows we can be up front, but I’m disappointed to not give them better race results from round 1. I feel very confident that we will find our place at round 2, in Valencia.”
Round 2 of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship will be held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on June 1-2, 2024. This will be Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team’s home race. Fans, friends and supporters are encouraged to reach out to the team or riders for details on attendance.
There are also still openings within the team for additional riders interested in wildcard opportunities or joining the ESBK championship in the Moto4 and PreMoto3 categories.
Please direct all team inquiries to: [email protected]
The Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team is supported by: Comodity Window Films, Alquilocar, FRC Fercometal, Reprocenter, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias
Kensei Matsudaira is supported by: Evike.com, Iconic Motorbikes, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Bullit Electric Cycles, Bison Track, TJ Corse, Alpinestars, Almassera El Teular, Project SLUSH, Moto Tecnica, California Superbike School, Slacker by Motool, Bickle Racing, MadLabs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Yoshimura R&D, NLAB Studio & Wraps, Karen E. Ott Photography, VNM Sport, Galfer USA, Vortex Racing, Hans King, The Starting Grid, Moto Survival School, Mini Moto Alliance, Live 100 Moto
Nathan Gouker is supported by: Stadler, CP Motorsports, Bob Robbins, Quarterly Racing, NGS Racing, KYT Americas, VO2 Leathers, Cornerspin, Fastglass Media, Motul USA, 64degrees Racing, 35 Motorsports, FormaBootsUSA, Carolina Supermoto, Ride Supermoto, Daniels Tire
About Our Sponsors
For over two decades, Evike.com has been the world’s most trusted innovator and retailer of airsoft training equipment. Evike.com is the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and authorized repair center of many premier airsoft brands in the sporting, military/law enforcement training, movie/film and commercial markets. The core values of innovation, a passion for quality, safety, and a personal touch in providing unparalleled customer support have made Evike.com second to none in the industry.
Iconic Motorbikes is a premier motorcycle dealership and online auction house that builds, restores, and sells classic sportbikes and motorcycles. With their expertise and passion for all motorbikes, they provide exceptional service and a seamless buying experience for motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a vintage bike to restore or a modern sportbike to hit the road, Iconic Motorbikes has something for every rider.
STADLER is a world-leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing post-consumer materials recovery facilities. Successful systems built by Stadler include those for sorting, screening and complete Material Recovery Solutions for MSW, co-mingled & single-stream, paper & OCC, lightweight packaging, plastic bottles, C&I, C&D, & RDF. STADLER has installed more than 300 complete turn-key recycling plants 10.000 single machines worldwide. STADLER’s high quality engineering and manufacturing is currently under its 8th generation of family ownership and is based in Germany with offices on every inhabited continent.
Juniper Mountain Coffee Named Official Coffee of Progressive AFT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 8, 2024) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is excited to welcome Juniper Mountain Coffee as its Official Coffee in an all-new partnership for the 2024 season.
Juniper Mountain Coffee crafts specialty coffee for those that still believe in forgotten values like hard work, integrity, and old school American grit. Carefully roasted in the USA on American made equipment, Juniper Mountain Coffee unapologetically supports American craftsmanship and manufacturing.
Founded by hunters, ranchers, farmers, and some of the foremost coffee experts in the world, JMC’s values are simple, operate with honesty and integrity, treat people right and never cut corners.
Made with meticulous attention to detail, each hand-crafted, small batch is roasted and packaged fresh at their Cocoa, FL import and roasting headquarters. By working directly with their farmers in a direct-trade relationship, Juniper Mountain Coffee is able to identify and source coffee from the best regions and producers on earth.
Progressive AFT fans will have an opportunity to experience this quality first-hand; the first 200 attendees at each race this season will receive a complimentary bag of Juniper Mountain Coffee. Additionally, members of the paddock will have access to a Juniper Mountain Coffee display to help fuel race days throughout the ’24 season.
For more information on Juniper Mountain Coffee visit https://www.junipermountaincoffee.com/.
The 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season will resume with its first Half-Mile of the year with the Mission Texas Half-Mile presented by Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda and Roof Systems of Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, April 27. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/texas-half-mile-86387 to secure your tickets today.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
About Juniper Mountain Coffee
Crafting the best coffee you can buy is the foundation of our company. But our mission is much deeper. Our mission is to stand with you against the decay of morals in our country. The corrosion of integrity, honor and tradition. We don’t compromise our coffee’s quality and we’ll never compromise our values. “Coffee Without Compromise” isn’t just some nice words. It’s an action. An action that is integral to everything we do and what we represent. When you buy from Juniper Mountain Coffee you can rest assured that your money not only stays in the USA, but actively supports and funds American craftsmanship and manufacturing.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. Progressive American Flat Track is televised on FOX Sports and streams live via FloRacing. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on X, and check us out on Instagram.
Colorado Signs Motorcycle Lane-Filtering Legislation into Law
Joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states that permit lane filtering
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed SB24-079 on April 4, allowing motorcycles to filter between stopped cars in traffic and at stoplights.
The bill passed through both the Colorado House and Senate behind strong bipartisan support. Colorado now joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states with lane-filtering legislation signed into law.
“The signing of SB24-079 is a significant win for motorcyclists in the state of Colorado,” AMA Central States Representative Nick Sands said. “With this new legislation, motorcyclists will now be allowed to filter through stopped traffic, giving riders the ability to legally remove themselves from vulnerable traffic situations before ever coming into contact with a distracted or inattentive driver.”
The bill — sponsored by Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas), as well as Reps. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver, Jefferson) and Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer) — will go into effect on Aug. 7, 2024. It will allow all motorcycles to pass stopped motor vehicles in the same lane. Motorcycles will be required to travel 15 miles per hour or less when filtering and will only be allowed to do so if the road has lanes wide enough to pass safely. Conditions must also allow for “prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”
For the next three years, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will collect safety data on lane filtering and issue a report to the Colorado General Assembly regarding the newly passed law.
The AMA continues to support efforts regarding lane-filtering legislation, as its success in several other states indicates its long-term viability in protecting motorcyclists on the open road.
To stay up to date on the latest lane filtering news, visit the AMA Action Center.
The AMA’s position on lane filtering, and lane splitting, can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
MotoAmerica Live+: Mission King of the Baggers @ MotoGP Weekend
It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action
Everything you need to know to watch the Mission King of the Baggers at MotoGP in Austin
MotoAmerica: How To Watch Mission King of the Baggers at MotoGP Weekend
It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action
Everything you need to know to watch the Mission King of the Baggers in Austin
Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale to Take Place alongside the FIM Endurance World Championship at Legendary Bol d’Or
The third edition of the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale will take place alongside the final round of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) at Paul Ricard Circuit in September. The event, known as the Bol d’Or, is a highlight on the endurance racing calendar and will provide a thrilling backdrop for the SuperFinale racers.
The Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale’s inaugural event was held in 2022, and the first two editions were run alongside rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship, with hundreds of riders hoping to secure a grid slot at the prestigious event. The top competitors from the national Cups and Challenges in Europe are invited to participate and make up a final grid of around 30 riders.
The third edition will take place at the Bol d’Or on the weekend of 12-15th September at the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard. The Bol d’Or is one of only two 24-hour races on the 2024 FIM EWC calendar, making it one of the most popular and exciting events of the season. Last year, 83,000 fans packed the stands to witness the 86th edition.
Yamaha Racing wanted to offer the participants in the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale the opportunity to experience the atmosphere and exposure of this huge event, which attracts large numbers of international media. It offers an unforgettable ambience as the world’s top endurance racers battle it out throughout the day and night.
The R7 SuperFinale riders will be offered full support at the event, where they will be located in the dedicated R7 SuperFinale Village situated inside the EWC paddock. After the mandatory briefings, the riders will join bLU cRU Rider Coach Lorenzo Alfonsi for a guided tour of the Le Castellet circuit. Alfonsi will provide advice to help them with line choice and correct gear selection.
The competitors will also be introduced to the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team’s riders Niccolò Canepa, Karel Hanika and Marvin Fritz, the reigning FIM Endurance World Champions. They will be on hand to chat to the R7 hopefuls and offer insights into the secrets of a fast lap around Circuit Paul Ricard.
The competitors will have their first chance to get up to speed on their Yamaha R7 bikes during a Free Practice session, before battling it out in Qualifying which will set the grid for the two SuperFinale races. The overall winner will receive a brand-new R7, the latest in Yamaha’s R-series range of bikes, that combines the perfect blend of agile handling and sports performance with everyday fun. The second and third-placed riders will also win vouchers for GYTR performance parts that can be redeemed from their local Yamaha GYTR PRO shop.
Video highlights will be available on the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel. Updates will be published on the Yamaha Racing social media channels and website.
Paolo Pavesio: Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We are delighted to announce that the R7 European SuperFinale will form a part of the FIM EWC final round of the 2024 season and run alongside the historic Bol d’Or. It will create an incredible atmosphere for the SuperFinale participants. Before they take to the track, they will get the opportunity to meet the riders of the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC team, the reigning Endurance World Champions, offering them an excellent opportunity to learn from the very best and get advice on tackling the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard and its infamous Mistral Straight. Plus, over 80,000 people attended the race in 2023, so the competitors will also get to experience the atmosphere and excitement of racing in front of packed stands full of passionate fans to create what will surely be some very special memories.”
Jean-Baptiste Ley: Head of Motorsport at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports
“It’s fantastic that at an event where Yamaha Racing achieved such a momentous title in 2023 will host the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale 12 months later. In our 10th season as EWC promoter, we are very excited to welcome the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale family to the Bol d’Or, an event as famous as it is prestigious. The fact that Yamaha Racing has chosen the Bol d’Or as the venue of this highly significant competition speaks volumes about the strength and appeal of the EWC to manufacturers. We look forward to providing a fitting platform for the Yamaha R7 European SuperFinale and hope for memorable and successful weekend for all competitors.”
The Bol d’Or is organised at Circuit Paul Ricard in France by the Association of France Moto-Cyclecariste, Moto Revue and AMCF Sport. Promoted by Larivière Organisation, it is run under the auspices of Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, Moto Fédératíon Française, and the leagues of Motorcyclists Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Ile de France.
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.
The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.
Avery Dreher
Age: 17.
Current home: Rockledge, Florida.
Current height/weight: 6’0”/158 pounds.
Current school grade level: Graduated High School.
Began riding at age: 10.
First road race: 2018, Jupiter, Florida, SFLminiGP, Spec 50, 3rd place.
Current racebikes: Aprilia RS 660, Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuners/mechanics: Aaron Dreher (father), John Ludwig, Dale Quarterley.
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup.
Top sponsors: TopPro Racing, Aprilia, Bad Boys Racing, KYT Helmets, REV’IT!, South Florida Thermosman, SFLminiGP.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (6 wins and 8 total podium finishes in 12 races); 2022 season, placed 7th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 11 top-10 finishes); 2021 season, placed 17th (best finish race was 7th, 4 top-10 finishes), multiple FMRRA race wins; 2020 season, won CCS Moto3 National Championship, won 3 FMRRA Championships.
2024 racing goals: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup Championships.
Racing career goal: Be a Superbike racer.
Racing hero: Aaron Dreher (father).
Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
Favorite hobby: Mountain biking.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Training on my supermotard bike.
…
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;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
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.
AMA HALL OF FAMER RICKY JOHNSON NAMED LEGEND OF THE SPORT AT 2024 QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING
Johnson to share inspiring stories from his career at renowned motorcycle event
Carmel, Calif. (April 10, 2024) – The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is proud to announce that it will honor AMA Motorcross and Supercross icon Ricky Johnson as its Legend of the Sport on Saturday, May 4, at the acclaimed The Quail Golf Club. The highly anticipated two-wheel event will celebrate motorcycles from the past, present and future, featuring over 300 on display, as well as a family-friendly environment with diverse offerings from food trucks and local vendors.
Born in El Cajon, California, Richard “Ricky” Johnson Jr. grew up in an avid motorcycling household and was gifted his first mini-bike by his father at three years old. The young Johnson instantly found his passion and went on to earn his professional license at just 16 years old.
Johnson quickly made a name for himself in the sport and won his first 250cc class national championship in 1984 as part of the Yamaha factory motocross team, but he was just getting started. He dominated the 1987 season and won both the 250cc and 500cc championships. That same year, Johnson won the Superbowl of Motorcross at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He was also a member of the winning American team that dominated the Motocross des Nations races over multiple years.
After competing at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Johnson went on to garner further success in off-road and stock car racing. He won the treacherous Baja 1000 twice and was named the American Speed Association stock car series Rookie of the Year in 1999. Johnson was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2012. He remains involved in motorsports and has turned his focus to inspiring the next generation of American motorcycle racers and enthusiasts.
“I am thrilled to be honored at this year’s event,” said Johnson. “The Quail has such a diverse selection of motorcycles, new and old, and I can’t wait to swap stories with fellow riders on the lawn.”
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering event kicks off with The Quail Ride on Friday, May 3, where participants will enjoy a 100-mile ride through the backroads of the stunning Monterey Peninsula and parade laps around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. They will also participate in lunch and dinner with other riders and enthusiasts.
“We are proud to honor Ricky Johnson as our 2024 Legend of the Sport for his passion and immense success in motorsports,” said Kai Lerman, managing director at The Quail Golf Club. “Legend of the Sport is meant to honor iconic individuals that have made significant contributions to motorcycling, and we could not think of anyone more deserving of this title.”
The main event set for May 4 will celebrate four featured classes, including the 25th Anniversary of Suzuki Hayabusa, the 30th Anniversary of the Ducati 916, the 100th Anniversary of the American Motorcyclist Association and Vespa, highlighting several decades from the famous Italian scooter brand. There will also be more than 10 traditional classes that feature bikes of different styles, brands and decades.
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is a family-and pet-friendly event. Tickets are now on sale and range from a $70 general admission ticket to a $185 VIP credential. Admission for children ages 13-18 is $25 and free for children 12 and younger.
Tickets are available at www.axs.com/festivals/514045. For more information, visit www.peninsula.com/en/signature-events and follow the action on Facebook and Instagram, @TheQuailEvents.
FLYING THE FLAG!
Preview: 2024 RED BULL GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS – Round 3 of the MotoGP World Championship
April 11 – 14: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas. USA: Track length: 3.42 miles / 5.51 kilometers
Trackhouse Racing hits home soil for Round 3 of the MotoGP World Championship, at the Circuit of the Americas, close to the City of Austin, Texas. As America’s only team in the premier class of motorcycle racing, flying the flag in front of the team’s own crowd makes this a particularly special weekend.
Circuit of the Americas has been home to the US round of the MotoGP World Championship since 2013 and is also host to Formula 1 and NASCAR – just a couple of weeks ago, Trackhouse MotoGP sister team raced in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Austin track and during this year’s MotoGP race weekend will also be racing a couple hours up highway 35, at Texas Motor Speedway, making it a Lone Star State double header for owner Justin Marks.
Circuit of the Americas track layout makes the most of a dramatic climb to turn one before plunging downhill through a series of sweeping corners and down to the challenging hairpin at the bottom of the course. The back stretch brings the bikes back towards the pit complex for a combination of corners that demand heavy braking through tightening corners before arriving back at the main pit straight. Overall, the elevation changes amount to over 130 ft (41 m) and like his home circuit in Portugal, the changing gradients suited Trackhouse’s #88 Miguel Oliveira who came home 5th in last year’s Grand Prix. For Raul Fernandez, the focus is very much on bringing his #25 Aprilia RS-GP22 home for the chequers and some confidence boosting points. He has form at the track having taken victory in the intermediate Moto2 class in 2021 and Raul has shown he has the speed to run at the front in what, come Sunday will be his 100th start in World Championship Grand Prix racing.
The Trackhouse duo, who both left the last race in Portugal frustrated with their respective races, are pumped for the team’s home debut and gunning for an opportunity to be wearing a Stetson come Sunday.
The action for Trackhouse Racing gets going with the morning Free Practice 1 session on Friday, April 12th.
Saturday, April 13: SPRINT RACE – 10 Laps
3pm (Local time CDT) 4pm (US Eastern Time) 1pm (US Pacific Time) 9pm (BST) 10pm (CEST)
Sunday, April 14: GRAND PRIX – 20 Laps
2pm (Local time CDT) 3pm (US Eastern Time) 12noon (US Pacific Time) 8pm (BST 9pm (CEST)
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m looking forward to the team’s home Grand Prix in Austin. Last year I was relatively competitive in the top 10 places and with the progress we have made with the bike in Portimão, I’m hoping that making another step in the right direction, we can challenge for more. It’s always a nice Grand Prix here and this year it’s going to be even more special carrying the American flag with us!”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“I’m really happy to come back to this track. After the beginning of the year, which was definitely not what we were hoping for and expecting, I can’t wait to arrive at Circuit of the Americas to see how competitive we are. I’ll try to enjoy myself on the bike again, which is our target and for our Trackhouse Team, this weekend is very special, so we really aim to enjoy and try to do our maximum in the United States.”
DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM PRINCIPAL
“We are very excited about our first race in the USA, as Trackhouse, America’s MotoGP team. Looking forward to this weekend in Austin, Miguel is getting more used to the 2024 bike and it is important that we are continuing to adapt and for us to find a good base setting for him. He has not had the results that we know he can achieve – the results that are matching our potential. Raul, after two races with results that we were really not expecting, is getting more and more comfortable so we will be looking to try and capitalize on what we have built so far, in the first two races. We cannot forget that he missed most of the winter testing and there is a lot to come from him. Both of them and all the team are looking forward to the weekend here, in front of our home fans!”
JUSTIN MARKS – TEAM OWNER
“This is the event I’ve been looking so forward to since we announced we were entering the MotoGP World Championship. Trackhouse is an American company but we’re a global brand and welcoming the MotoGP team to our home is something that is very special to the company. It has already been an amazing week with the team at our NASCAR headquarters in North Carolina but now it’s time to focus on the race at COTA. Raul and Miguel have shown some very promising speed this year and I think we have a big opportunity this weekend to fight for a good result. We’re making good progress with the bikes and the team. It would be very special to have a successful weekend and I know we have the tools to do so at the company’s home race.”
Americas GP: The Ducati Lenovo Team arrives in Austin, Texas, for the third round of the 2024 MotoGP season
The Ducati Lenovo Team flies overseas again to tackle the third round of the 2024 MotoGP season, the Americas GP, scheduled for April 12-14 at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas.
The track, located near the city of Austin, has been on the calendar since 2013 and will host the MotoGP Grand Prix for the eleventh time this year. At COTA, Ducati has scored eight podiums so far, while it has only triumphed on one occasion in 2022 with Enea Bastianini. For the Ducati Lenovo Team rider, who was competing for the Gresini Racing MotoGP team at that time, it was his second success in the premier class. Fresh off a solid weekend in Portugal, which saw him take pole position on Saturday and second place in Sunday’s GP, Bastianini arrives in America to maintain momentum.
On the other side of the garage, it’s redemption time for teammate Francesco Bagnaia. Forced to retire in Portugal following a collision, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider had been one of the main protagonists in last year’s Grand Prix of the Americas, setting the pole position and winning the Sprint race. However, he narrowly missed out on the GP victory, as he crashed out of the lead. Bagnaia arrives in the United States motivated to return fighting for victory.
After the first two rounds of the season, Bastianini is third in the overall standings, with Bagnaia in fourth. Meanwhile, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team lead the constructors’ and teams’ standings, respectively.
Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd (39 points):
“I’m thrilled to return to America, where I missed racing last year due to the shoulder injury. COTA is a track I deeply enjoy, and it holds fond memories of 2022, when I clinched my second MotoGP win, my favourite of that year. Following the performance in Portugal, I arrive in Austin feeling motivated and confident. I anticipate a fierce Grand Prix, but we’re well-prepared: we have a solid base setup and a clear understanding of areas for improvement, so we’re determined to contend at the forefront again this weekend.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 4th (37 points):
“The Grand Prix of the Americas is one of my favourites on the calendar: the track is fantastic, I enjoy Austin a lot, and even the event’s atmosphere is different. I arrive in America motivated and ready to redeem myself: last year, we were competitive all weekend, and if I hadn’t crashed, we would have won the Sunday race too. I expect many fast riders this year, and it definitely will be challenging, but we have a good base from which to start. In the last GP in Portugal, the feeling with the bike was very good, but then, in the race on Sunday, we missed something. So, working to avoid that happening again will be important.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will take to the track on Friday, April 12th, at 10:45am local time (GMT -5.00) for the first free practice session of the Americas GP.
MICHELIN Power Slick and Power Rain families of tyres defy the bumps and variations in asphalt of the Circuit of the Americas
• Third round of the MotoGP™ World Championship for the new MICHELIN Power Slick rubber compounds.
• COTA (Circuit of The Americas) presents a particular, selective and bumpy circuit on which the riders race in an anti-clockwise direction.
• Michelin has selected tyres that are reinforced on the right shoulder in order to compensate for the stresses exerted by a sequence of three particularly demanding turns.
COTA (Circuit of The Americas) has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and was built in the early 2010s on the territory of the town of Elroy (Travis County), near Austin, the capital of Texas. It has a length of 5.513 km, with 20 turns (9 right-handers and 11 left), and fairly significant elevation changes of close to 40 m, including an impressive uphill run to the first turn! The other highlights are its long straight of more than 1,200 m, where MotoGP bikes exceed 350 km/h, and also its 49 m high Cobra-shaped tower inside turn 17. The MotoGP World Championship has visited COTA annually since 2013, and once again it constitutes the third round of the season, following two very competitive races on the circuits of Lusail (Qatar) and Portimão (Portugal).
This circuit in the south of the United States also has some characteristics which directly impact the tyres, starting with the lack of grip on the asphalt. There is also the bumpy nature of the track to take into consideration, due to it being built on ground which is subject to deformation over time. The circuit’s technical services are well aware of this phenomenon and occasionally carry out planing operations. However, if the surface of the tarmac then becomes a little flatter, it is also more ribbed, which generates changes in grip levels in these modified areas. Fortunately, for all these conditions Michelin has tyres that will adapt, and will be able to offer, as always, a good level of performance as well as a feeling of confidence to its partners.
“We know the COTA circuit very well, but we are bringing our new rubber compounds this year, which creates some unknowns,” underlines Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin Two-Wheel competition. “On the other hand, we know that the grip will be low, and that its surface will be uneven in places. Based on our data and taking into account the configuration of the circuit, we selected symmetrical tyres for the front, in three compounds (Soft, Medium, Hard) and two asymmetrical options for the rear, in Soft and Medium. The right shoulder of the rear tyres will be harder, but this is not to compensate for the number of turns, but rather for the sequence of the triple right-handers (turns 16, 17 and 18) which generates very high stresses on the tyres. We intend to provide the perfect technical package to our partners, who broke numerous records on this track last year and who of course intend to try to do better this year, partly thanks to our tyres.”
In Austin, the weather is generally dry and the temperature reaches an average of 25°C during the day. However, Michelin will also bring its MICHELIN Power Rain range, in case of rain. This consists of symmetrical Soft and Medium tyres for the front, as well as asymmetrical Soft and Medium options for the rear, with a harder right side.
Race weekend schedule
On Friday, the first MotoGP free practice sessions will take place during a 45-minute session late in the morning. Then, the second session, this time of one hour in the afternoon, will allow the 10 fastest riders to directly access the second phase of qualifying, the next day.
Saturday will start with 30 minutes of free practice, then the first qualifying session (15 min) will allow the two fastest to join the 10 riders already qualified in Q2. This final session (also 15 minutes) will determine the order on the starting grid for the entire weekend.
The start of the 10-lap Sprint race will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the start of the 20-lap Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, at 2 p.m. local.
Records set in 2023
All time circuit lap record: 2’01.892, by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Race lap record: 2’03.126, by Alex Rins (LCR Honda), winner of the 2023 Grand Prix.
Race duration record: 41’14.649.
About Michelin
Michelin’s ambition is to sustainably improve its customers’ mobility. The leader in the mobility sector, Michelin designs, manufactures, and distributes the tires best suited to their requirements and uses as well as services and solutions to improve transport efficacy. Michelin also puts forward offers that allow its customers to enjoy unique moments when traveling. Michelin also develops high-technology equipment intended for multiple fields. Based in Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin is present in 175 countries, employs 132,200 people and operates 67 tire factories that, together, produced approximately 167 million tires in 2022. (www.michelin.com).
Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker Make Debut in ESBK Championship in PreMoto3 and Moto4 Categories, Matsudaira with a Top 5 Finish
April 10, 2024 – Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker made their respective debuts in the PreMoto3 and Moto4 categories in the first round of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship with Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team this past weekend at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Andalusia, Spain.
For 13-year-old Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira, it was his first race in the PreMoto3 category after moving up from a successful season fighting for wins and podiums in Moto4. Although Kensei and the team struggled to find outright pace in qualifying with a 14th place starting grid position, they continued to work to find the necessary settings to be competitive in the races. On Saturday, despite a poor start, Kensei steadily worked his way forward and finished the race in 11th position leading the second group with a gap of 15.3 seconds to the winner.
On Sunday, Kensei made an excellent start and fought his way up to finish in 5th place, only 3.5 seconds behind the winner.
Kensei Matsudaira:
“I’m really happy I was able to stay with the front group in race 2. It was difficult to start from P14 but I got a good start and just kept moving forward. I was able to get to the front of the second group with a 4 second gap and bring it down to less than 2 seconds at one point. I had a big moment while I was pushing to catch the front guys and lost a few seconds, but I as able to just work forward again and finish P5. Excited about the progress I made with my riding and the setup of the bike in the new category. I will be even stronger in Valencia which will be me and my team’s home race!”
For 12-year-old Nathan Gouker, it was his first time competing in the ESBK championship and he started the weekend strong, completing the free practice sessions on Friday with the 2nd fastest lap time in the Moto4 category. On Saturday, Nathan continued to show his potential with an impressive 6th place qualifying result.
In Saturday’s race, Nathan had a difficult start, getting pushed wide after contact with another rider and dropping to the back of the pack. However, he worked his way forward and finished in the lead of the second group in 11th place, 17.3 seconds behind the winner.
On Sunday, Nathan made a good start and was racing in the top group until lap 5 when he suffered a crash in turn 1. Despite the DNF result, Nathan showed his pace and potential to fight at the front in the Moto4 category.
Nathan Gouker:
“Overall it was a positive weekend with my new Ajevo/Stadler Race team. Qualifying P6 was a great start to the season and shows we can be up front, but I’m disappointed to not give them better race results from round 1. I feel very confident that we will find our place at round 2, in Valencia.”
Round 2 of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship will be held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on June 1-2, 2024. This will be Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team’s home race. Fans, friends and supporters are encouraged to reach out to the team or riders for details on attendance.
There are also still openings within the team for additional riders interested in wildcard opportunities or joining the ESBK championship in the Moto4 and PreMoto3 categories.
Please direct all team inquiries to: [email protected]
The Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team is supported by: Comodity Window Films, Alquilocar, FRC Fercometal, Reprocenter, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias
Kensei Matsudaira is supported by: Evike.com, Iconic Motorbikes, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Bullit Electric Cycles, Bison Track, TJ Corse, Alpinestars, Almassera El Teular, Project SLUSH, Moto Tecnica, California Superbike School, Slacker by Motool, Bickle Racing, MadLabs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Yoshimura R&D, NLAB Studio & Wraps, Karen E. Ott Photography, VNM Sport, Galfer USA, Vortex Racing, Hans King, The Starting Grid, Moto Survival School, Mini Moto Alliance, Live 100 Moto
Nathan Gouker is supported by: Stadler, CP Motorsports, Bob Robbins, Quarterly Racing, NGS Racing, KYT Americas, VO2 Leathers, Cornerspin, Fastglass Media, Motul USA, 64degrees Racing, 35 Motorsports, FormaBootsUSA, Carolina Supermoto, Ride Supermoto, Daniels Tire
About Our Sponsors
For over two decades, Evike.com has been the world’s most trusted innovator and retailer of airsoft training equipment. Evike.com is the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and authorized repair center of many premier airsoft brands in the sporting, military/law enforcement training, movie/film and commercial markets. The core values of innovation, a passion for quality, safety, and a personal touch in providing unparalleled customer support have made Evike.com second to none in the industry.
Iconic Motorbikes is a premier motorcycle dealership and online auction house that builds, restores, and sells classic sportbikes and motorcycles. With their expertise and passion for all motorbikes, they provide exceptional service and a seamless buying experience for motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a vintage bike to restore or a modern sportbike to hit the road, Iconic Motorbikes has something for every rider.
STADLER is a world-leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing post-consumer materials recovery facilities. Successful systems built by Stadler include those for sorting, screening and complete Material Recovery Solutions for MSW, co-mingled & single-stream, paper & OCC, lightweight packaging, plastic bottles, C&I, C&D, & RDF. STADLER has installed more than 300 complete turn-key recycling plants 10.000 single machines worldwide. STADLER’s high quality engineering and manufacturing is currently under its 8th generation of family ownership and is based in Germany with offices on every inhabited continent.
Juniper Mountain Coffee Named Official Coffee of Progressive AFT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 8, 2024) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is excited to welcome Juniper Mountain Coffee as its Official Coffee in an all-new partnership for the 2024 season.
Juniper Mountain Coffee crafts specialty coffee for those that still believe in forgotten values like hard work, integrity, and old school American grit. Carefully roasted in the USA on American made equipment, Juniper Mountain Coffee unapologetically supports American craftsmanship and manufacturing.
Founded by hunters, ranchers, farmers, and some of the foremost coffee experts in the world, JMC’s values are simple, operate with honesty and integrity, treat people right and never cut corners.
Made with meticulous attention to detail, each hand-crafted, small batch is roasted and packaged fresh at their Cocoa, FL import and roasting headquarters. By working directly with their farmers in a direct-trade relationship, Juniper Mountain Coffee is able to identify and source coffee from the best regions and producers on earth.
Progressive AFT fans will have an opportunity to experience this quality first-hand; the first 200 attendees at each race this season will receive a complimentary bag of Juniper Mountain Coffee. Additionally, members of the paddock will have access to a Juniper Mountain Coffee display to help fuel race days throughout the ’24 season.
For more information on Juniper Mountain Coffee visit https://www.junipermountaincoffee.com/.
The 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season will resume with its first Half-Mile of the year with the Mission Texas Half-Mile presented by Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda and Roof Systems of Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, April 27. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/texas-half-mile-86387 to secure your tickets today.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
About Juniper Mountain Coffee
Crafting the best coffee you can buy is the foundation of our company. But our mission is much deeper. Our mission is to stand with you against the decay of morals in our country. The corrosion of integrity, honor and tradition. We don’t compromise our coffee’s quality and we’ll never compromise our values. “Coffee Without Compromise” isn’t just some nice words. It’s an action. An action that is integral to everything we do and what we represent. When you buy from Juniper Mountain Coffee you can rest assured that your money not only stays in the USA, but actively supports and funds American craftsmanship and manufacturing.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. Progressive American Flat Track is televised on FOX Sports and streams live via FloRacing. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on X, and check us out on Instagram.
Colorado Signs Motorcycle Lane-Filtering Legislation into Law
Joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states that permit lane filtering
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed SB24-079 on April 4, allowing motorcycles to filter between stopped cars in traffic and at stoplights.
The bill passed through both the Colorado House and Senate behind strong bipartisan support. Colorado now joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states with lane-filtering legislation signed into law.
“The signing of SB24-079 is a significant win for motorcyclists in the state of Colorado,” AMA Central States Representative Nick Sands said. “With this new legislation, motorcyclists will now be allowed to filter through stopped traffic, giving riders the ability to legally remove themselves from vulnerable traffic situations before ever coming into contact with a distracted or inattentive driver.”
The bill — sponsored by Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas), as well as Reps. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver, Jefferson) and Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer) — will go into effect on Aug. 7, 2024. It will allow all motorcycles to pass stopped motor vehicles in the same lane. Motorcycles will be required to travel 15 miles per hour or less when filtering and will only be allowed to do so if the road has lanes wide enough to pass safely. Conditions must also allow for “prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”
For the next three years, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will collect safety data on lane filtering and issue a report to the Colorado General Assembly regarding the newly passed law.
The AMA continues to support efforts regarding lane-filtering legislation, as its success in several other states indicates its long-term viability in protecting motorcyclists on the open road.
To stay up to date on the latest lane filtering news, visit the AMA Action Center.
The AMA’s position on lane filtering, and lane splitting, can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
