Spaniard Aron Canet won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Riding his Fantic Racing Kalex, Canet won the 21-lap race by 2.059 seconds.
American Joe Roberts was the runner-up on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex, and Manuel Gonzalez was a close third on his QJMOTOR Gresini Kalex.
Canet now leads the World Championship standings by two points over Roberts.
Moto2 Race
Toprak Razgatlioglu won the Superbike World Championship Superpole Race on Sunday at Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his ROKiT BMW M 1000 RR, the Turkish racer won the 10-lap sprint by 0.075 second.
Andrea Iannone was the runner-up on his Team GoEleven Ducati, and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista was a very close third (0.260 second behind Razgatlioglu) on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 17th on his Bonovo Action BMW.
WSBK SP Race
Today’s Yamaha Senoia Short Track Rescheduled for Sunday, March 24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 23, 2024) – Due to excessive rain on Friday, March 22, the Yamaha Senoia Short Track scheduled for today, Saturday, March 23, will be postponed until tomorrow, Sunday, March 24.
Gates will open for fans at 1:00 p.m., with Opening Ceremonies scheduled for 1:45 p.m. followed by a complete afternoon program. Full updated schedule to follow.
Tickets purchased for today’s Yamaha Senoia Short Track are redeemable for the rescheduled event tomorrow, Sunday, March 24.
Ticket buyers will be contacted directly with more information regarding the rescheduled event.
Maverick Vinales won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Riding his factory Aprilia, Vinales won the 12-lap race by 1.039 seconds over Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez. Jorge Martin was close behind Marquez in third on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Viñales victorious as Marc Marquez puts a last lap lunge on Martin
The number 12 takes his first ever Tissot Sprint win, the gloves come off for MM93 and Bagnaia rues an error on a showstopping Saturday
Saturday, 23 March 2024
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) is a Tissot Sprint winner! A stunning showdown on the Algarve saw the Aprilia rider get his elbows out and then hold off Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who had their own battle down to the last lap. That culminated in a classic, brutal but clean lunge from the #93 to slice through into second and take his best Sprint result yet, with Martin relegated to third.
In the standings it’s closer than ever though, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) leading for much of the Sprint before heading wide at Turn 1 and able to stay in the battle – but not move up further than fourth.
At lights out, it was a brilliant start to the race from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who grabbed the holeshot and started storming away on the first lap. Polesitter Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) got swallowed by the front group as the Italian was demoted to P5 following an issue with his ride height device, meanwhile, Marc Marquez was one of those who found a way through on the number 23 – jumping into third place after passing Viñales too.
Bagnaia was on a march though. He hit the front of the race early, trying to build a comfortable gap and quickly. On the chase, Marc Marquez soon found his way through to pass Viñales, and he held that for a handful of laps. But he wasn’t making headway, then running wide at the tricky Turn 5 as the task grew in size again.
Bagnaia seemed in the clear, over a second up the road from Viñales, with Martin and Marc Marquez not far off the Aprilia either. But then the #1 machine was suddenly sailing off at Turn 1, keeping it together but watching the front group flash past as he rejoined just ahead of Miller.
And so Viñales led the Sprint, with some closer and closer company. But with just over two to go, Martin was wide and that was some breathing space for the Aprilia. His, meanwhile, was being filled by a looming #93.
By the last lap, Viñales seemed to have it under control, and Martin vs Marquez was going to decide second and third places on the podium barring any serious late drama. And there was none – but there was a spectacular, on-the-edge, old skool lunge from a master of the craft.
Down into Turn 5, there wasn’t really an open door and he wasn’t really in perfect striking distance, but Marc Marquez went for it… and he made it stick. Brutal, close, and just clean enough to be worth a handshake in parc ferme, the eight-time World Champion took his best Sprint result, holding Martin off to the line in a drag race too.
After rejoining ahead of Miller, Bagnaia managed to hold the KTM off to the flag, but it was close – and Bastianini was even closer as the trio took P4, P5 and P6.
Rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) wasn’t far off that battle by the flag either. He took P7 and his best Sprint result yet, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) able to recover some positions from a tough qualifying. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took the final point in the Sprint.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was one crasher, out early but rider ok.
And so, after a Saturday spectacle, a new Sprint winner heads into Sunday with another point to prove too – and from the front row. Viñales could become the first to win with three machines in the MotoGP™ era on Sunday… or there could be another twist in the tale. With the title race narrowed to just two points you do not want to miss the Portuguese GP on Sunday, with lights out at 14:00 (UTC)!
Grand opening ceremony held at Young Powersports newest Centerville location
Layton, UT – Celebrating their newest location, Young Powersports held a grand opening ceremony for their Honda Powerhouse dealership on March 22.
The event began at the facility’s location on Frontage Road at 11 a.m. Executives from the Young Automotive Group and Honda addressed attendees to start the ceremony.
“It’s been 20 years that Davis district and Centerville City have been trying to get a Honda dealership here,” Rad Gladfelder, the general manager of Young Honda Powerhouse said during his speech. “With the Young family, this is how we do everything. It’s over the top. No one can get it done except for the Young Automotive Group.”
Following the speeches, executives cut the ribbon in front of the location — signifying Young Honda Powerhouse’s initiation into the company. Those at the event were provided refreshments from caterers Daily Rise and Nothing Bundt Cakes as well as a chance to walk through the dealership.
“We’re so grateful for this opportunity to share Young Honda Powerhouse with our community,” Jeramie Young, the director of Young Powersports said. “This dealership campus we’ve built in Centerville has become a powersports staple in Utah, and we can’t wait for its future.”
Standing adjacent to Young Powersports XL Centerville, the new location opened its doors on Dec. 4, 2023. The facility sells powersports gear and apparel as well as parts, accessories and vehicles from the manufacturer Honda — which includes dirt bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides.
Greeting customers with a large, glass entrance and a halo-like display over the front desk, Young Honda Powerhouse’s showroom floor features a variety of Honda vehicles as well as a comfortable seating area called the Ride Red Lounge.
“There’s a community of enthusiasts dedicated to Honda,” Jeramie Young said. “It’s a brand known for being reliable and exciting. From the building itself to the team we’ve brought in, we’ve done everything we can to make sure this facility is capable of delivering an exceptional experience.”
The dealership’s grand opening ceremony coincides with the Young Automotive Group’s celebration of 100 years of business. Founded by Jack Olsen in Morgan County in 1924, the company stands today as a 29 dealership operation with locations in Utah, Idaho and Montana. They established their powersports division in 2015 with the acquisition of a dealership in Burley, Idaho.
On March 29 at 11 a.m., the Young Automotive Group will celebrate the grand opening of their new headquarters at the facility’s location on Main Street in Layton, Utah.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Sets Ambitious Objectives And Announces 2024 Rider Lineup
As the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team (YTRT) gears up for the 2024 season, we are proud to announce our ambitious objectives for the year ahead and build on our 2023 experience.
Bangkok, Thailand – 20 March, 2024: With extensive experience working in international motorsports, YTRT aims to leverage our rich history and experience to excel in the competitive world-championship environment while competing in the 2024 WorldSSP championship series.
Since the inception of motorsports in Thailand, Yamaha Thailand Racing has been at the forefront of the racing scene. With countless victories and championships to our name, we have been trailblazers for Thailand on the world stage. From the dominance of the Siam Yamaha Racing Team in the 1970s and 1980s to our current status as championship winners in both national and international race series, YTRT has established a winning reputation within the motorsports industry.
In 2023, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team made history by becoming the first Thai team to compete in the World Supersport class of the FIM Superbike World Championship. This prestigious series attracts a global audience and is a testament to our commitment to excellence on the international stage. As the only Thai team in the WorldSBK paddock, YTRT is committed to raising our professional standards and profile while competing at the highest level of motorsports and establishing ourselves as a world-class racing team.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team will focus on a year of growth and progress as we develop our riders and continue to build a leading Thai motorsports team.
2024 Rider Lineup
Name: Anupab Sarmoon #51
Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R6
Date of Birth: 09 December, 1993
Birthplace: Chiang Mai
Anupab Sarmoon will be entering his second season with Yamaha Thailand Racing Team in the 2024 WorldSSP championship. With notable achievements including finishing fourth overall in the 2022 Asia Road Racing Championship and solid performances in the 2023 WorldSSP season, Sarmoon is poised to take a positive step forward in his international racing career.
Name: Krittapat Keankum #39
Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R6
Date of Birth: 22 February, 2005
Birthplace: Nonthabuuri
Krittapat Keankum, a rising talent, joins Yamaha Thailand Racing Team for the 2024 WorldSSP season. After a successful campaign in the R3 bLU cRU championship, finishing sixth in the standings, Keankum is ready to step up to the challenge of racing the supersport Yamaha R6 and aims to showcase his skills on the international stage and the opportunity to progress among Yamaha alumni.
As we embark on the 2024 season, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team is committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence and representing Thailand with pride on the world stage.
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Waters and Halliday the big winners in the ASBK Night Race in Sydney
Round two of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) produced a spectacular show for the ASBK night race, especially in the Alpinestars Superbike class, as Josh Waters (Ducati) made it back-to-back round wins to kickstart the season.
The McMartin Racing man also continued his strong form at the New South Wales-based circuit to make it back-to-back across two seasons, while local Sydney rider Cru Halliday (Yamaha) brought the chocolates home with friends and family watching on.
While Waters and Halliday were the ultimate stars of the show in the premier class, it was a dirty day for Troy Herfoss (Ducati) who was unable to take the grid in race one, following ongoing issues as a result of a crash in the warm-up session, and then crashed while leading on the second lap of race two.
The round podium featured Waters, Halliday and Broc Pearson (Ducati).
Race one
With Herfoss failing to complete the warm-up lap due to an electrical gremlin, grid number three was left vacant for the start of race one, where McMartin Racing’s Harrison Voight (Ducati) made a great initial jump but played cat and mouse with teammate Waters over the first couple of laps as the field sorted themselves out.
Waters retook the lead of the race on lap two and headed an angry pack of Superbikes that included Voight, Halliday, Yamaha Racing’s Mike Jones and Pearson.
Lap three saw the red flag come out, as Matt Walters (Aprilia) made a spectacular crash at turn one, with all riders returning to pitlane as officials recovered the motorcycle.
At the restart, Waters again got a nice jump to lead the rescheduled 10-lap race from Voight, Halliday, Jones and Penrite Racing’s Max Stauffer (Yamaha).
As the race reached the half-way mark, Waters remained in control of his opposition but would go on a downward slide as his tyres started to wear and fell into the clutches of his closest rivals.
As Halliday passed Voight on lap seven, he then set off on a mission to chase after Waters, where he succeeded in his quest with a nice pass on lap nine.
It was clear afterward that the tyre performance of Waters’ Ducati was shot as he came under attack from his teammate, but managed to not succumb to the pressure and held on for second, with Voight third.
“It’s unreal, I wanted to make my family and work friends proud, but at the same time it helps because it releases the nerves,” Halliday said at the race one parc ferme. “At the start of the race, I wasn’t feeling that confident as Waters and Voight were already far in front, I just kept my head and knew I had to put the laps together.
“I eventually noticed I was catching them, and eventually got past Josh, then skipped away.”
Race two
As the rain arrived just in time for race two, the Superbikes initally got going under lights, but the race was red-flagged moments later as it became apparent that the track was too wet and greasy for the riders to safely navigate their way around.
With most changing to a wet tyre, just like the opening act, the second encounter was rescheduled to a 10-lap affair, as Waters again led off the start-line.
Not a lap would go by before he was passed by the DesmoSport Ducati rider of Herfoss who played pioneer of the slippery circuit ahead of the field.
His taste of front-running would be brief, however, as he came off at turn seven, which gave teammate Pearson the race lead.
Pearson and Waters would dice at the front for several laps afterwards as the field behind gently cruised around the circuit, taking opportunities to make a pass where the risk of crashing was minimal.
Not all riders were lucky to get through the race unscathed, as Glenn Allerton (BMW) crashed on lap nine in the same spot as Herfoss, which promoted Halliday one position forward.
True to the professional he is, Waters did what he needed to do by taking it easy to the finish line, greeting the chequered flag first and maintaining a solid lead in the championship ahead of Pearson, Stauffer, and Halliday.
“The conditions made it very sketchy, I was really lucky to have stayed on the motorcycle and cross the line first,” said Waters.
“I would like to say a big thank you to McMartin Racing and all my sponsors for their efforts this weekend as it’s been a terrific outing for the ASBK Night Race.”
With a second-place finish in race two doubling with third overall for the round, Pearson takes great confidence from this event and looks forward to the season ahead.
“I’m really happy I was able to lead some laps towards the end of tonights race, so to put up a fight against Josh is pleasing for me,” he said. “It’s nice to just get into the mix and make some passes on Josh, given he’s one of the regular front-runners.
“It’s nice to have the opportunity to race hard against him.”
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul will return for round three at Queensland Raceway on April 26-28.
Adrian Huertas won FIM Supersport World Championship Race One Saturday at Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2, the Spanish rider won the 18-lap race by 1.277 seconds.
Stefano Manzi was the runner-up on his Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6, and Marcel Schroetter placed third on his factory MV Agusta F3 800 RR.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise finished fifth on his Evan Bros. Yamaha.
WSS R1
Mattia Casadei won FIM MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. The LCR E-Team rider won the seven-lap race by just 0.066 second over Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE’s Hector Garzo. Oscar Gutierrez was a very close third, just 0.198 second behind Casadei, on his Axxis-MSI Ducati electric racebike.
MotoE R2
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Spinelli takes the spoils in dramatic first MotoE™ race of 2024
The Italian picks up where he left off to beat Garzo and Casadei in a close final lap – with drama aplenty for some fellow big hitters
Saturday, 23 March 2024
Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) finished 2023 on the top step and that’s exactly how he’s started the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship: with victory. The Italian held off a hard-charging Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) on a close final lap as the top three escaped at the front following some drama for key names in the first showdown of the season.
Garzo took the holeshot after a storming start from Row 2, with Spinelli and Casadei on his tail as polesitter Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) dropped a few positions initially. Over the line for the first time Garzo had held onto it too, denying a Spinelli attack and the Italian also ceding to Casadei and Granado. Next time round Granado then grabbed a 2-for-1 into Turn 1 to take the lead, but not long after the first big drama hit as he slid out. Not long after that there was even more, with Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) crashing out.
A close top four of Casadei, Spinelli, Garzo and Zaccone were then in the lead, with Openbank Aspar Team’s Jordi Torres in touch too. But another huge twist was yet to come. On the penultimate lap down into Turn 5, Zaccone was just that bit too close to Torres and tagged the back of the number 81, sending both sliding out across the run off. The Italian was later also given a Long Lap penalty for the incident.
And then there were three. Onto the final lap, it was close. Spinelli attacked and took the lead at Turn 1, keeping it tidy. Another big opportunity for Garzo and Casadei to try and hit back, Turn 5, was off the table too as yellow flags remained out following the Zaccone-Torres crash. As the final sector dawned, Garzo was tagged on to the Tech3 rider in the lead, but there was no way through. Spinelli kept it perfect to the line for the first win of 2024, with Garzo and Casadei completing the podium.
Fourth goes to the returning Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), with Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) completing the top five. Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) beat Andrea Mantovani (Klint Forward Factory Team) to sixth. Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) was just ahead of a solid debut for Chaz Davies (Aruba Cloud MotoE™ Racing Team), with his fellow rookie and teammate Armando Pontone completing the top ten in touch too.
Casadei strikes back in stunning Race 2 showdown
The reigning Champion takes to the top to pip Garzo and a spectacular charge from Gutierrez to complete the podium
Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) is back on top of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship standings after a stunning charge to victory in Race 2 in Portugal. The Italian got his elbows out and held off Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) on the drag to the line, with rookie Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) charging through to take third and his first MotoE™ podium.
Race 1 winner Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) got the holeshot, holding off Garzo on take 2, but the Italian had already had some bad luck – judging his starting position ever so slightly wrong in the slot and given a double Long Lap not long after. Still, Garzo had to get it done on track before that, and the Spaniard shot past at Turn 1 on Lap 2 as Casadei overhauled teammate Eric Granado. Then, before Spinelli could take his penalty, the Italian suddenly slid out at Turn 10.
That left a gaggle of riders in a tight front group, and Casadei first struck for the front with four to go. Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team), Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) and Gutierrez were charging into contention too, and the latter didn’t even wait for Zaccone to serve his LLP given for his Race 1 incident, slicing past the Italian on his charge.
Garzo made the next move at the front, taking the lead back from Casadei as Gutierrez pipped past Torres, the rookie then onto the tail of Granado. But Granado’s elbows were also out and the Brazilian attacked his teammate at Turn 11, setting his sights on race leader Garzo.
But the main straight saw another shuffle as the slipstream came into play, and as the field fanned out Garzo kept his grip on the lead, with Gutierrez able to bag a two for one and slice up into second. Casadei headed teammate Granado, and it was going down to the wire.
Into Turn 1 for the final time, Gutierrez attacked Garzo as Casadei then shot past both, the Italian keeping a twitch under control to take over at the front. Garzo grabbed second again on the cutback too, and the top four locked into a tense push to the flag. But the reigning Champion just held on to take his first victory of the year, with Garzo’s second place putting him only a point behind on the way to Round 2. For Gutierrez, meanwhile, it’s a first ever MotoE™ podium in his first round as a full timer, having done two replacement rides in 2023.
Granado was forced to settle for fourth ahead of Torres and Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), with Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team), Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™), Andrea Mantovani (KLINT Forward Factory Team) and Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten.
That’s a wrap on Round 2 of the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship, with Casadei back on top on track and in the standings. But it’s by a single point as MotoE™ prepares to return at le Mans –with another 14 races still to play for in 2024.
Spaniard Aron Canet won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Riding his Fantic Racing Kalex, Canet won the 21-lap race by 2.059 seconds.
American Joe Roberts was the runner-up on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex, and Manuel Gonzalez was a close third on his QJMOTOR Gresini Kalex.
Canet now leads the World Championship standings by two points over Roberts.
Moto2 Race
Toprak Razgatlioglu won the Superbike World Championship Superpole Race on Sunday at Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his ROKiT BMW M 1000 RR, the Turkish racer won the 10-lap sprint by 0.075 second.
Andrea Iannone was the runner-up on his Team GoEleven Ducati, and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista was a very close third (0.260 second behind Razgatlioglu) on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 17th on his Bonovo Action BMW.
WSBK SP Race
Today’s Yamaha Senoia Short Track Rescheduled for Sunday, March 24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 23, 2024) – Due to excessive rain on Friday, March 22, the Yamaha Senoia Short Track scheduled for today, Saturday, March 23, will be postponed until tomorrow, Sunday, March 24.
Gates will open for fans at 1:00 p.m., with Opening Ceremonies scheduled for 1:45 p.m. followed by a complete afternoon program. Full updated schedule to follow.
Tickets purchased for today’s Yamaha Senoia Short Track are redeemable for the rescheduled event tomorrow, Sunday, March 24.
Ticket buyers will be contacted directly with more information regarding the rescheduled event.
Maverick Vinales won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Riding his factory Aprilia, Vinales won the 12-lap race by 1.039 seconds over Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez. Jorge Martin was close behind Marquez in third on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Viñales victorious as Marc Marquez puts a last lap lunge on Martin
The number 12 takes his first ever Tissot Sprint win, the gloves come off for MM93 and Bagnaia rues an error on a showstopping Saturday
Saturday, 23 March 2024
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) is a Tissot Sprint winner! A stunning showdown on the Algarve saw the Aprilia rider get his elbows out and then hold off Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), who had their own battle down to the last lap. That culminated in a classic, brutal but clean lunge from the #93 to slice through into second and take his best Sprint result yet, with Martin relegated to third.
In the standings it’s closer than ever though, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) leading for much of the Sprint before heading wide at Turn 1 and able to stay in the battle – but not move up further than fourth.
At lights out, it was a brilliant start to the race from Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who grabbed the holeshot and started storming away on the first lap. Polesitter Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) got swallowed by the front group as the Italian was demoted to P5 following an issue with his ride height device, meanwhile, Marc Marquez was one of those who found a way through on the number 23 – jumping into third place after passing Viñales too.
Bagnaia was on a march though. He hit the front of the race early, trying to build a comfortable gap and quickly. On the chase, Marc Marquez soon found his way through to pass Viñales, and he held that for a handful of laps. But he wasn’t making headway, then running wide at the tricky Turn 5 as the task grew in size again.
Bagnaia seemed in the clear, over a second up the road from Viñales, with Martin and Marc Marquez not far off the Aprilia either. But then the #1 machine was suddenly sailing off at Turn 1, keeping it together but watching the front group flash past as he rejoined just ahead of Miller.
And so Viñales led the Sprint, with some closer and closer company. But with just over two to go, Martin was wide and that was some breathing space for the Aprilia. His, meanwhile, was being filled by a looming #93.
By the last lap, Viñales seemed to have it under control, and Martin vs Marquez was going to decide second and third places on the podium barring any serious late drama. And there was none – but there was a spectacular, on-the-edge, old skool lunge from a master of the craft.
Down into Turn 5, there wasn’t really an open door and he wasn’t really in perfect striking distance, but Marc Marquez went for it… and he made it stick. Brutal, close, and just clean enough to be worth a handshake in parc ferme, the eight-time World Champion took his best Sprint result, holding Martin off to the line in a drag race too.
After rejoining ahead of Miller, Bagnaia managed to hold the KTM off to the flag, but it was close – and Bastianini was even closer as the trio took P4, P5 and P6.
Rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) wasn’t far off that battle by the flag either. He took P7 and his best Sprint result yet, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) able to recover some positions from a tough qualifying. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took the final point in the Sprint.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was one crasher, out early but rider ok.
And so, after a Saturday spectacle, a new Sprint winner heads into Sunday with another point to prove too – and from the front row. Viñales could become the first to win with three machines in the MotoGP™ era on Sunday… or there could be another twist in the tale. With the title race narrowed to just two points you do not want to miss the Portuguese GP on Sunday, with lights out at 14:00 (UTC)!
Grand opening ceremony held at Young Powersports newest Centerville location
Layton, UT – Celebrating their newest location, Young Powersports held a grand opening ceremony for their Honda Powerhouse dealership on March 22.
The event began at the facility’s location on Frontage Road at 11 a.m. Executives from the Young Automotive Group and Honda addressed attendees to start the ceremony.
“It’s been 20 years that Davis district and Centerville City have been trying to get a Honda dealership here,” Rad Gladfelder, the general manager of Young Honda Powerhouse said during his speech. “With the Young family, this is how we do everything. It’s over the top. No one can get it done except for the Young Automotive Group.”
Following the speeches, executives cut the ribbon in front of the location — signifying Young Honda Powerhouse’s initiation into the company. Those at the event were provided refreshments from caterers Daily Rise and Nothing Bundt Cakes as well as a chance to walk through the dealership.
“We’re so grateful for this opportunity to share Young Honda Powerhouse with our community,” Jeramie Young, the director of Young Powersports said. “This dealership campus we’ve built in Centerville has become a powersports staple in Utah, and we can’t wait for its future.”
Standing adjacent to Young Powersports XL Centerville, the new location opened its doors on Dec. 4, 2023. The facility sells powersports gear and apparel as well as parts, accessories and vehicles from the manufacturer Honda — which includes dirt bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides.
Greeting customers with a large, glass entrance and a halo-like display over the front desk, Young Honda Powerhouse’s showroom floor features a variety of Honda vehicles as well as a comfortable seating area called the Ride Red Lounge.
“There’s a community of enthusiasts dedicated to Honda,” Jeramie Young said. “It’s a brand known for being reliable and exciting. From the building itself to the team we’ve brought in, we’ve done everything we can to make sure this facility is capable of delivering an exceptional experience.”
The dealership’s grand opening ceremony coincides with the Young Automotive Group’s celebration of 100 years of business. Founded by Jack Olsen in Morgan County in 1924, the company stands today as a 29 dealership operation with locations in Utah, Idaho and Montana. They established their powersports division in 2015 with the acquisition of a dealership in Burley, Idaho.
On March 29 at 11 a.m., the Young Automotive Group will celebrate the grand opening of their new headquarters at the facility’s location on Main Street in Layton, Utah.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Sets Ambitious Objectives And Announces 2024 Rider Lineup
As the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team (YTRT) gears up for the 2024 season, we are proud to announce our ambitious objectives for the year ahead and build on our 2023 experience.
Bangkok, Thailand – 20 March, 2024: With extensive experience working in international motorsports, YTRT aims to leverage our rich history and experience to excel in the competitive world-championship environment while competing in the 2024 WorldSSP championship series.
Since the inception of motorsports in Thailand, Yamaha Thailand Racing has been at the forefront of the racing scene. With countless victories and championships to our name, we have been trailblazers for Thailand on the world stage. From the dominance of the Siam Yamaha Racing Team in the 1970s and 1980s to our current status as championship winners in both national and international race series, YTRT has established a winning reputation within the motorsports industry.
In 2023, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team made history by becoming the first Thai team to compete in the World Supersport class of the FIM Superbike World Championship. This prestigious series attracts a global audience and is a testament to our commitment to excellence on the international stage. As the only Thai team in the WorldSBK paddock, YTRT is committed to raising our professional standards and profile while competing at the highest level of motorsports and establishing ourselves as a world-class racing team.
Yamaha Thailand Racing Team will focus on a year of growth and progress as we develop our riders and continue to build a leading Thai motorsports team.
2024 Rider Lineup
Name: Anupab Sarmoon #51
Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R6
Date of Birth: 09 December, 1993
Birthplace: Chiang Mai
Anupab Sarmoon will be entering his second season with Yamaha Thailand Racing Team in the 2024 WorldSSP championship. With notable achievements including finishing fourth overall in the 2022 Asia Road Racing Championship and solid performances in the 2023 WorldSSP season, Sarmoon is poised to take a positive step forward in his international racing career.
Name: Krittapat Keankum #39
Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Motorcycle: Yamaha YZF-R6
Date of Birth: 22 February, 2005
Birthplace: Nonthabuuri
Krittapat Keankum, a rising talent, joins Yamaha Thailand Racing Team for the 2024 WorldSSP season. After a successful campaign in the R3 bLU cRU championship, finishing sixth in the standings, Keankum is ready to step up to the challenge of racing the supersport Yamaha R6 and aims to showcase his skills on the international stage and the opportunity to progress among Yamaha alumni.
As we embark on the 2024 season, Yamaha Thailand Racing Team is committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence and representing Thailand with pride on the world stage.
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Waters and Halliday the big winners in the ASBK Night Race in Sydney
Round two of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) produced a spectacular show for the ASBK night race, especially in the Alpinestars Superbike class, as Josh Waters (Ducati) made it back-to-back round wins to kickstart the season.
The McMartin Racing man also continued his strong form at the New South Wales-based circuit to make it back-to-back across two seasons, while local Sydney rider Cru Halliday (Yamaha) brought the chocolates home with friends and family watching on.
While Waters and Halliday were the ultimate stars of the show in the premier class, it was a dirty day for Troy Herfoss (Ducati) who was unable to take the grid in race one, following ongoing issues as a result of a crash in the warm-up session, and then crashed while leading on the second lap of race two.
The round podium featured Waters, Halliday and Broc Pearson (Ducati).
Race one
With Herfoss failing to complete the warm-up lap due to an electrical gremlin, grid number three was left vacant for the start of race one, where McMartin Racing’s Harrison Voight (Ducati) made a great initial jump but played cat and mouse with teammate Waters over the first couple of laps as the field sorted themselves out.
Waters retook the lead of the race on lap two and headed an angry pack of Superbikes that included Voight, Halliday, Yamaha Racing’s Mike Jones and Pearson.
Lap three saw the red flag come out, as Matt Walters (Aprilia) made a spectacular crash at turn one, with all riders returning to pitlane as officials recovered the motorcycle.
At the restart, Waters again got a nice jump to lead the rescheduled 10-lap race from Voight, Halliday, Jones and Penrite Racing’s Max Stauffer (Yamaha).
As the race reached the half-way mark, Waters remained in control of his opposition but would go on a downward slide as his tyres started to wear and fell into the clutches of his closest rivals.
As Halliday passed Voight on lap seven, he then set off on a mission to chase after Waters, where he succeeded in his quest with a nice pass on lap nine.
It was clear afterward that the tyre performance of Waters’ Ducati was shot as he came under attack from his teammate, but managed to not succumb to the pressure and held on for second, with Voight third.
“It’s unreal, I wanted to make my family and work friends proud, but at the same time it helps because it releases the nerves,” Halliday said at the race one parc ferme. “At the start of the race, I wasn’t feeling that confident as Waters and Voight were already far in front, I just kept my head and knew I had to put the laps together.
“I eventually noticed I was catching them, and eventually got past Josh, then skipped away.”
Race two
As the rain arrived just in time for race two, the Superbikes initally got going under lights, but the race was red-flagged moments later as it became apparent that the track was too wet and greasy for the riders to safely navigate their way around.
With most changing to a wet tyre, just like the opening act, the second encounter was rescheduled to a 10-lap affair, as Waters again led off the start-line.
Not a lap would go by before he was passed by the DesmoSport Ducati rider of Herfoss who played pioneer of the slippery circuit ahead of the field.
His taste of front-running would be brief, however, as he came off at turn seven, which gave teammate Pearson the race lead.
Pearson and Waters would dice at the front for several laps afterwards as the field behind gently cruised around the circuit, taking opportunities to make a pass where the risk of crashing was minimal.
Not all riders were lucky to get through the race unscathed, as Glenn Allerton (BMW) crashed on lap nine in the same spot as Herfoss, which promoted Halliday one position forward.
True to the professional he is, Waters did what he needed to do by taking it easy to the finish line, greeting the chequered flag first and maintaining a solid lead in the championship ahead of Pearson, Stauffer, and Halliday.
“The conditions made it very sketchy, I was really lucky to have stayed on the motorcycle and cross the line first,” said Waters.
“I would like to say a big thank you to McMartin Racing and all my sponsors for their efforts this weekend as it’s been a terrific outing for the ASBK Night Race.”
With a second-place finish in race two doubling with third overall for the round, Pearson takes great confidence from this event and looks forward to the season ahead.
“I’m really happy I was able to lead some laps towards the end of tonights race, so to put up a fight against Josh is pleasing for me,” he said. “It’s nice to just get into the mix and make some passes on Josh, given he’s one of the regular front-runners.
“It’s nice to have the opportunity to race hard against him.”
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul will return for round three at Queensland Raceway on April 26-28.
Adrian Huertas won FIM Supersport World Championship Race One Saturday at Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2, the Spanish rider won the 18-lap race by 1.277 seconds.
Stefano Manzi was the runner-up on his Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6, and Marcel Schroetter placed third on his factory MV Agusta F3 800 RR.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise finished fifth on his Evan Bros. Yamaha.
WSS R1
Mattia Casadei won FIM MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. The LCR E-Team rider won the seven-lap race by just 0.066 second over Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE’s Hector Garzo. Oscar Gutierrez was a very close third, just 0.198 second behind Casadei, on his Axxis-MSI Ducati electric racebike.
MotoE R2
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Spinelli takes the spoils in dramatic first MotoE™ race of 2024
The Italian picks up where he left off to beat Garzo and Casadei in a close final lap – with drama aplenty for some fellow big hitters
Saturday, 23 March 2024
Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) finished 2023 on the top step and that’s exactly how he’s started the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship: with victory. The Italian held off a hard-charging Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) on a close final lap as the top three escaped at the front following some drama for key names in the first showdown of the season.
Garzo took the holeshot after a storming start from Row 2, with Spinelli and Casadei on his tail as polesitter Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) dropped a few positions initially. Over the line for the first time Garzo had held onto it too, denying a Spinelli attack and the Italian also ceding to Casadei and Granado. Next time round Granado then grabbed a 2-for-1 into Turn 1 to take the lead, but not long after the first big drama hit as he slid out. Not long after that there was even more, with Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) crashing out.
A close top four of Casadei, Spinelli, Garzo and Zaccone were then in the lead, with Openbank Aspar Team’s Jordi Torres in touch too. But another huge twist was yet to come. On the penultimate lap down into Turn 5, Zaccone was just that bit too close to Torres and tagged the back of the number 81, sending both sliding out across the run off. The Italian was later also given a Long Lap penalty for the incident.
And then there were three. Onto the final lap, it was close. Spinelli attacked and took the lead at Turn 1, keeping it tidy. Another big opportunity for Garzo and Casadei to try and hit back, Turn 5, was off the table too as yellow flags remained out following the Zaccone-Torres crash. As the final sector dawned, Garzo was tagged on to the Tech3 rider in the lead, but there was no way through. Spinelli kept it perfect to the line for the first win of 2024, with Garzo and Casadei completing the podium.
Fourth goes to the returning Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), with Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) completing the top five. Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) beat Andrea Mantovani (Klint Forward Factory Team) to sixth. Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) was just ahead of a solid debut for Chaz Davies (Aruba Cloud MotoE™ Racing Team), with his fellow rookie and teammate Armando Pontone completing the top ten in touch too.
Casadei strikes back in stunning Race 2 showdown
The reigning Champion takes to the top to pip Garzo and a spectacular charge from Gutierrez to complete the podium
Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) is back on top of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship standings after a stunning charge to victory in Race 2 in Portugal. The Italian got his elbows out and held off Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) on the drag to the line, with rookie Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) charging through to take third and his first MotoE™ podium.
Race 1 winner Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) got the holeshot, holding off Garzo on take 2, but the Italian had already had some bad luck – judging his starting position ever so slightly wrong in the slot and given a double Long Lap not long after. Still, Garzo had to get it done on track before that, and the Spaniard shot past at Turn 1 on Lap 2 as Casadei overhauled teammate Eric Granado. Then, before Spinelli could take his penalty, the Italian suddenly slid out at Turn 10.
That left a gaggle of riders in a tight front group, and Casadei first struck for the front with four to go. Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team), Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) and Gutierrez were charging into contention too, and the latter didn’t even wait for Zaccone to serve his LLP given for his Race 1 incident, slicing past the Italian on his charge.
Garzo made the next move at the front, taking the lead back from Casadei as Gutierrez pipped past Torres, the rookie then onto the tail of Granado. But Granado’s elbows were also out and the Brazilian attacked his teammate at Turn 11, setting his sights on race leader Garzo.
But the main straight saw another shuffle as the slipstream came into play, and as the field fanned out Garzo kept his grip on the lead, with Gutierrez able to bag a two for one and slice up into second. Casadei headed teammate Granado, and it was going down to the wire.
Into Turn 1 for the final time, Gutierrez attacked Garzo as Casadei then shot past both, the Italian keeping a twitch under control to take over at the front. Garzo grabbed second again on the cutback too, and the top four locked into a tense push to the flag. But the reigning Champion just held on to take his first victory of the year, with Garzo’s second place putting him only a point behind on the way to Round 2. For Gutierrez, meanwhile, it’s a first ever MotoE™ podium in his first round as a full timer, having done two replacement rides in 2023.
Granado was forced to settle for fourth ahead of Torres and Lukas Tulovic (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), with Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team), Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™), Andrea Mantovani (KLINT Forward Factory Team) and Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten.
That’s a wrap on Round 2 of the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship, with Casadei back on top on track and in the standings. But it’s by a single point as MotoE™ prepares to return at le Mans –with another 14 races still to play for in 2024.
