MotoGP: BK8 Gresini Racing Launches Its 2026 Season

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 31, 2026

MotoGP: BK8 Gresini Racing Launches Its 2026 Season

Kuala Lumpur, January 31, 2026 – The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team officially unveiled its new project for the 2026 season in a brand-new international setting. For the first time, the team presentation took place in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by title sponsor BK8 News, marking a significant step in the team’s growth and global expansion.

Alex Márquez took centre stage at the event, attending in person alongside team management and partners, while Fermín Aldeguer joined via live connection from home due to an injury. A purely physical absence that did not limit the young Spanish rider’s involvement in the sporting project, which will see him back on his Desmosedici as soon as possible.

The new livery represents a coherent evolution of Gresini Racing’s identity: an essential and modern design, clean surfaces and enhanced volumes, with the team’s iconic light blue interpreted in a richer, more solid finish. A clear stylistic choice that completely abandons chrome details to express an even stronger racing character.

The presentation was also an opportunity to remember Fausto Gresini and to retrace the moments that have shaped the history of the Faenza-based team, which this year enters its 30th MotoGP season.

Alex Marquez. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini Team

ALEX MARQUEZ #73: “I’m very happy with the new bike and really excited to start a new season with this team. This year the presentation in Kuala Lumpur was very special; it’s a different and very important market. We hope it will be a season full of success, and on our side we will put in all the commitment and hard work needed to achieve our goals. We are absolutely ready to challenge ourselves.”

FERMÍN ALDEGUER #54: “It is obviously a great disappointment not to be here in Kuala Lumpur for the team presentation. We’ve had a small setback and are working tirelessly to return as soon as possible. I miss the team and I miss the bike; unfortunately we need to do things properly and recover. That is the only goal at the moment: to get back to 100%, and then we will think about getting back on the bike. One step at a time. The bike is even more beautiful than last year’s, and there is a strong desire to return”.

From left to right with, Michele Masini (Team Manager), Nadia Padovani (Team Owner), Alex Marquez and Michael Gatt (BK8 News Managing Director). Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini Team

NADIA PADOVANI – TEAM OWNER GRESINI RACING: “We leave behind a 2025 season full of confirmations and look ahead to 2026 with enthusiasm and great determination. Expectations remain high: we have a solid team, with a lot of experience behind us, and two extremely talented riders ready to continue the growth path we have built over the years. Fermín has joined the project with natural confidence and personality, immediately showing he has the right values and approach, and even though he is currently on the sidelines, he will be back with us very soon. Alex has everything it takes to be a consistent front-runner and to fight for the positions that matter every race weekend. We strongly believe in this pairing and in the work we are doing together. We are truly proud of this new project: a bike with a strong, essential character that perfectly reflects our identity and our desire to keep surprising.”

MICHAEL GATT – BK8 NEWS MANAGING DIRECTOR: “Bringing the team launch to Kuala Lumpur is not simply a change of location. It reflects how BK8 News approaches this partnership. We are not involved only as a title sponsor. We are here to actively support Gresini Racing’s global growth and connection with new audiences. BK8 News is built on credibility. Our role is to strengthen the visibility of Gresini Racing’s values, heritage, and racing identity, while giving fans clearer access to the people, decisions, and effort behind the results. As the 2026 season begins, this project marks a shared commitment to long-term progress, on track and beyond, with the ambition to keep building together at the highest level.”

A Tribute To Motorcycle Racing And Industry Award Banquets

John Ulrich

-

January 30, 2026

0

A Tribute To Motorcycle Racing And Industry Award Banquets

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

By John Ulrich

There is a lot to be said for award banquets held by racing organizations. AFM, the club I started racing with in 1973, held a 2025 banquet last Saturday in Benicia, California. ASRA and NJMiniGP had a combined award banquet scheduled in Hammonton, New Jersey on the same day, but rescheduled it to February 21st to avoid the giant snowstorm that battered a huge swath of the country last weekend and early this week.

Over the years I have been to many awards banquets, big and small, hosted by AFM, AMA Pro Racing, WSMC, WERA, CMRA, MRA, Formula USA, ASRA, MotoAmerica, and others. Most of them were really fun for me, with the best part catching up with other racers and old friends.

The biggest annual banquets I have been to were hosted by the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1940 and now run by a 15-member board. For 15 years (through 2025) the organization was led by President and Daytona 200 winner Don Emde; the newly-elected 2026 President is Norm Bigelow. The Trailblazers Club has its own Hall of Fame covering all sorts of motorcycle racing and gives out various awards. The annual banquet is held in Carson, California and draws about 700 people (last year’s event sold out at 720!) and a ticket costs $135. The times I have attended it’s been fun seeing and hanging out with all sorts of racing and motorcycle industry luminaries; I usually sit at a table with Ron Pierce, one of my best racing friends, and his lovely wife Carol. Another Trailblazers event is coming up this spring.

As fun as they can be, fewer organizations seem to be holding award banquets, so if you get a chance, go to one, applaud the champions and award winners, and enjoy yourself!

If your organization has an award banquet, send in (or ask the organizers to send in) photos of the event and of at least some of the awardees, to [email protected].

Mini Cup Champion Kensei Matsudaira poses with Roadracing World Racing Editor Chris Ulrich during the 2021 MotoAmerica Awards Banquet. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

AFM’s 2025 Top 10 riders on stage at the club’s awards banquet held last Saturday. Photo by Andrea Chrzanowska/Oxymoron Photography.

AFM Overall Champion and #1 plate holder Brenden Ketelsen, seen at the 2025 AFM Awards Banquet. Photo by Andrea Chrzanowska.Oxymoron Photography.

A scene from the 2024 Trailblazers banquet held in Carson, California and drawing about 700 people. Photo by Jim Gianatsis/Trailblazers.

Another shot from the 2024 Trailblazers banquet. Photo by Jim Gianatsis/Trailblazers.

Racer and On Any Sunday movie co-star David Aldana (left) frequently attends the annual Trailblazers Banquet. He’s seen here checking out a vintage racebike on display at the 2024 version of the event. Photo by Jim Gianatsis/Trailblazers.

David Aldana was honored with an award at the 2024 Trailblazers banquet. Photo by Jim Gianatsis/Trailblazers.

Photographer Jim Gianatsis (left) with World Champion Kevin Schwantz at the 2024 Trailblazers event. Trailerblazers photo.

Seen at the 2023 Trailblazers banquet, from left, Jon Seidel, Jon Row, Mark Homchick, Thad Wolff, and Lori Tyson Richwine. Photo by John Ulrich.

Ron Pierce and his wife Carol at the 2023 Trailblazers banquet. Photo by John Ulrich.

Superbike World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez pose with gold medals at the 2025 FIM Awards banquet. FIM photo.

FIM officials and staffers pose at the 2025 FIM Awards banquet. FIM photo.

WSBK: Bulega Is Quickest At Rain-Disrupted Portimao Test

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 30, 2026

0

WSBK: Bulega Is Quickest At Rain-Disrupted Portimao Test

The second private WorldSBK test at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve continued under difficult conditions on Day 2, with intermittent rain and strong winds once again restricting track time as teams worked through their final European outing before the Official Test at Phillip Island.

Despite the lack of consistent dry running, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.itRacing – Ducati) topped the timesheets with a 1’59.144, narrowly ahead of teammate Iker Lecuona, who also dipped into the 1’59s as he continued his adaptation to the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Unfortunately, this winter we were very unlucky with the weather. Today was the last day and it was raining again, so we decided to do some laps even in wet conditions. Honestly, though, the conditions were quite extreme: cold, very windy and very wet. I did a few laps just to check that everything was okay before heading to Australia. The bike is new, so it was still important to ride a little, even in the wet, but these conditions are not very useful. When you have a new bike, you really need to do a lot of laps to understand it, and also for the guys in the box to check that everything is working properly. Unfortunately, we couldn’t really try anything this winter, so we’ll go to Australia like this and see how it goes. The Official Test at Phillip Island will be very important. The goal will be to stay on track as much as possible and complete a lot of laps.”

Jake Dixon (96) at Portimao. Photo courtesy Dorna

Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) completed a structured programme across two machines, posting a best lap of 2’00.111 to finish the day inside the top three overall.

Alberto Surra (67) at Portimao. Photo courtesy Dorna

Further down the order, Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) made the most of the limited opportunities available, setting a 2’00.757 as he continued his learning process ahead of his rookie WorldSBK campaign.

Lorenzo Baldassarri (34) at Portimao. Photo courtesy Dorna

Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) also returned to the track, adding mileage during a second consecutive day of testing at Portimao and recording a best lap of 2’01.610.

Yari Montella (5) at Portimao. Photo courtesy Dorna

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) also took advantage of the test to log steady mileage aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R, with a best time of 2’04.442 as he focused on set-up work rather than outright pace.

Xavi Fores (12) at Portimao. Photo courtesy Dorna

Meanwhile, Xavi Fores continued his development role with bimota, completing valuable laps on the KB998 Rimini.
With wet weather limiting track time at Portimao, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team chose to relocate its test to Valencia to benefit from dry conditions.
In WorldSSP, Philipp Oettl was the sole representative on track, using the mixed conditions to continue preparations ahead of the Australian season opener.
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) were both present at Portimao, having completed their running on Wednesday, as Yamaha teams chose not to make use of their testing days in the challenging conditions.

Candy’s World On Wheels Podcast: Ep. 17 with Donnie Rowe

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 30, 2026

0

Candy’s World On Wheels Podcast: Ep. 17 with Donnie Rowe

Inside One of Road Atlanta’s Most Influential Figures: Donnie Rowe | Candy’s World On Wheels Ep. 17.

Our guest Donnie Rowe shares behind-the-scenes stories from MotoAmerica weekends, Road Atlanta, and a lifetime immersed in motorcycle racing culture. A former road racer and longtime fixture at Road Atlanta (Donnie Rowe Boulevard), Donnie talks racing history, fan culture, and how MotoAmerica weekends grew into the high-energy community experience fans know today.

MotoAmerica: Karns Racing Announces 2026 Rider Line-Up

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 30, 2026

0

MotoAmerica: Karns Racing Announces 2026 Rider Line-Up

Homestead, Florida (2026) — Karns / TST Industries Racing opened its 2026 campaign by bringing the full race team together for the first time at Homestead, completing a productive multi-rider test and officially unveiling its rider line-up for the new season. Returning to the squad are Isaac Woodworth (#27). New additions Kevin Olmedo (#116) and Solomon “Solly” Mervis (#25) as the team continues development of its Suzuki GSX-8R program.

Isaac Woodworth is back for 2026 after delivering strong performances last season and showing frontrunning potential.

“The test at Homestead was really productive. We made good progress with the setup, got solid data, and I felt very comfortable the whole time.” — Isaac Woodworth

Kevin Olmedo Makes His Return on #116. Photo courtesy Karns / TST Industries Racing Team

Olmedo returns to competition for the first time since 2022 after working to overcome a serious illness, arriving at Homestead focused and motivated.

“I really appreciate the opportunity that Jason Karns and the rest of my sponsors are giving me. We went to Homestead for some testing. The bike felt really good although the riding style is different than I’m used to. Lap by lap we got confidence and better pace. I am really happy with the team, I know how hard they have been working, and I am ready to start the season at Daytona.” — Kevin Olmedo

Solomon “Solly” Mervis Joins the Line-Up on #25. Photo courtesy Karns / TST Industries Racing Team

Mervis (known to most as “Solly”) becomes the newest addition to the rider roster after previously testing with the team and racing NJMP in 2025.

“I had a lot of fun getting back on the bike after being in the classroom so much and it felt great to get back into the rhythm of racing. We tested a range of different setups and found some direction with the bike that I know I will like moving forward. I’m very excited to be part of the Karns Team,and I can learn a lot from Kevin, and Isaac.” — Solomon ‘Solly’ Mervis

Team Principal Jason Karns on 2026 Momentum

With rider and crew additions, the team leaves Homestead confident in its direction and ready for the season opener.

“I am very confident in the Suzuki GSX-8R that we have been developing for some time now and I am excited to get the season started. With new additions to both the riders and the crew, morale is high.” — Jason Karns, Team Principal

2026 Team Partners

•Karns Performance

•TST Industries

•Meck’s Auto Body

•IceBarn Racing

•Bobblehead Moto

•Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension

•NG Brakes

•Spiegler Brake Lines

•Blumanstock Machine

•M4 Exhaust

•Blud Lubricants

•Vesrah brake pads

•Woodcraft Technologies

•Nutter Block 3D

About Karns / TST Industries Racing

Karns / TST Industries Racing is a competition motorcycle road racing team committed to rider development, professional preparation, and ongoing performance engineering—centered around continued development of the Suzuki GSX-8R platform.

MotoGP Test: Miller And Yamaha V4 Quickest On Day 2

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 30, 2026

0

MotoGP Test: Miller And Yamaha V4 Quickest On Day 2

Miller takes Yamaha’s V4 to the top as Shakedown Test Day 2 concludes.

Putting Yamaha’s new project through its paces in Malaysia, the Australian topped the times by just 0.025s

It’s time to keep on shaking down as the Day 2 of the Sepang Shakedown Test draws to a close and we take another step closer to the first racing month of the year. With the factory test riders, manufacturers from Rank D – Yamaha and their full-time riders – and rookies on track, it’s vital track time which is almost impossible to replicate at any other time of the season. Hotter and far more humid today compared to day one, sunny skies greeted riders for their second day of 2026 action.

Fabio Quartararo (20) at the Sepang test, day 2. Photo courtesy Dorna.

It was a positive day for Yamaha as Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) topped the timesheets and dipped into the 1’57 bracket, setting a 1’57.908, nearly a second quicker than Alex Rins’ day two-topping time from 2025’s shakedown. Just a couple of tenths behind him in P4, we got our first look at Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in 2026 and the 2021 World Champion hit the ground running. He put both his bikes in the top five, whereas teammate Alex Rins wasn’t far behind in P7 on the times but fifth fastest rider.

Rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) knocked seven tenths off of his day one lap time as he continued to learn the V4 Yamaha, Michelin tyres and Sepang. Finally for the Iwata manufacturer, their test team were hard at work again but this time with two riders: Augusto Fernandez and MotoGP Legend Andrea Dovizioso. Between them, a best of 1’59.351.

Pol Espargaro (44) at the Sepang test, day 2. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Hot on the heels of the Japanese manufacturer, the KTM clan were once again near the top of the times. Pol Espargaro was up in P2 at the chequered flag and into the 1’57s too, just 0.025s away from Miller at the top. ‘Polyccio’ wasn’t the only KTM on track on day two though as Dani Pedrosa continued his work long into the afternoon, setting 47 laps and putting both of his RC16s in the top ten fastest times. Along with Pedrosa and Espargaro, Mika Kallio also joined in, setting a best lap time of 2’04.376.

Diogo Moreira (11) at the Sepang test, day 2. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Onto Honda and it was Espargaro of the Aleix variety who was their fastest rider. Aleix Espargaro posted a 1’58.066 to put himself third and just 0.133s away from brother Pol. He did have a technical issue though but that’s what testing is for after all, to give all the new equipment a good run out before the full-time race team takes over. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) continued his adaptation, knocking off nearly a second from day one and now into the 1’59s.

Michele Pirro (51) at the Sepang test, day 2. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Ducati’s sole rider Michele Pirro continued putting in his hard yards. 46 laps bagged and a best of a 1’59.155 meant he was only 1.2s off Miller’s best time of the day and took off six and a half tenths from his opening day banker. After the aero breakout of day one, it seemed a calmer day for the Italian manufacturer.

Lorenzo Savadori (32) at the Sepang test, day 2. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Finally, onto probably the busiest test rider on track: Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia. He’s in charge of dialling in all the bikes that will be used during pre-season testing; that’s eight across the board – two per full-time rider. He spent day two mainly focussing on the bikes from Trackhouse whilst on the technical front, it seems the chassis that Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) ended his 2025 campaign so strongly with and that teammate Jorge Martin liked in Valencia will now become the standard one for 2026. It’s just the small matter of aero that needs to be finalised.

Three different manufacturers in the top three, covered by around a tenth and a half and Yamaha not just leading the way but seemingly finding their V4 feet. One more day awaits in the heat and humidity of Sepang before a couple of days ‘rest’ to gather up the energy for the full-time riders to tackle the track!

Where To Ride In February 2026

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 30, 2026

0

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during February 2026.

This list includes 38 opportunities to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of February in North America.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].

Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.

2/1-2 Florida Track Days (FTD), Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

2/1-2 American Supercamp, Double Check Arena, Eaton, CO – Special 30th Anniversary Racer Camp

2/5 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, Semi Private Supermoto School

2/7 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

2/7 Race Pace Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CW, Desert Center, CA

2/7 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, Firebird Motorsports Park CCW, Phoenix, AR

2/7-8 FIM MotoMini USA East/SFLMiniGP Championship, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL (Round 1)

2/8 Race Pace Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CW, Desert Center, CA

2/8 Superbike-Coach Corp. (School), Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

2/7-9 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)

2/7-8-9 Precision Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

2/9 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, Semi Private Supermoto School

2/10-11 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course

2/12 Racers Edge Track Days And Private Coaching Days, Private day with training, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

2/12-15 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

2/12-15 AHRMA Academy of RoadRacing (AAR) & Sidecar Racing School (SRS), Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA (BOTH AAR & SRS)

2/13-15 Chuckwalla Valley Motorcycle Association (CVMA) Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA (CW)

2/14-15 Trackdaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Circuit (New Track), Buttonwillow, CA

2/14-15 ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, Firebird Motorsports Park East, Chandler, AZ

2/15 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

2/16 Let’s Ride Track Days & Schools, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

2/16 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), PSR Day

2/16-22 Colin Edward’s Texas Tornado Boot Camp (Dirt Track School), 7-Day Camp, Montgomery, TX (Beginners are not eligible for Racer Camp)

2/17 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, Semi Private Supermoto School

2/18–19 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

2/20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

2/20-21 Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) Series, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

2/21-22 WERA Sportsman Series Mid Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL

2/21-22 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL

2/21-22 Precision Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

2/22 Superbike-Coach Corp. (School), Cornering School Day 2, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

2/22 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

2/22 XCEL Trackdays Track days, Firebird Motorsports Park, Chandler, AZ, West Track

2/23 2Wheels Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

2/24-25 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

2/27-28 American Supercamp, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA – Non-Racer Camp

2/28 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

2/28 Superbike-Coach Corp. (School), Track Drill 1-on-4 Coaching, Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, CA

Back From The Brink: Dainese Reorganizes With New Financing

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 29, 2026

0

Back From The Brink: Dainese Reorganizes With New Financing

(Editorial Note: Dainese has survived serious financial problems through reorganization which reduced its debt by more than Euro 190,000,000 and the company will continue to operate, including keeping its D-Stores open in the United States. Some riders who had been sponsored by Dainese have switched to other leathers and related gear brands for reasons which may or may not be connected to the reorganization, notably 3-time Superbike World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu. Other Dainese riders say they are staying with the brand, including MotoAmerica Superbike rider Bobby Fong.)

Dainese’s first U.S. flagship store, seen here, opened in Orange County, California 20 years ago and has been joined by 12 other stores. Dainese photo.

The Dainese D-Store in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo courtesy Dainese.

Dainese's newest store, in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy Dainese. — A Dainese store in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy Dainese.

New capital will support the Group’s development strategy and accelerate product and technology innovation.

HPS and Arcmont acquire 100% of Dainese following European Commission antitrust approval.
€30,000,000 of new equity funding provided to the Dainese group.
Financial debt reduced by €190,000,001.72.

The interior of Dainese's newest store, in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy Dainese. — The interior of the Dainese store in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy Dainese.

Dainese S.p.A. (“Dainese” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that, following receipt of anti-trust approval from the European Commission, HPS Investment Partners (“HPS”) and Arcmont Asset Management (“Arcmont”) have closed the transaction to acquire 100% of the shares and voting rights in Dainese through certain managed investment funds, as previously announced on 24 October 2025. As part of the transaction, HPS and Arcmont have also provided a combined €30,000,000 in new equity funding to the Dainese group.

Dainese’s financial debt has been reduced by €190,000,001.72, resulting in €142,091,558 senior secured floating rate notes due 2030, and its revolving credit facility has been upsized to €45,000,000 provided by Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., UniCredit S.p.A. and Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Company.

This transaction marks the beginning of a new phase in the Dainese Group’s corporate journey which is focused on expanding its innovation capabilities, growth opportunities and global footprint.

The significant investment from HPS and Arcmont will enable Dainese to further develop its brand portfolio, accelerate technological advancement and reinforce its presence across its key markets.

Statement from Angel Sánchez, CEO of Dainese:

“This transaction represents a great milestone for Dainese. HPS and Arcmont are both investors and partners who have chosen to share our vision, passion for innovation and unwavering commitment to safety and quality. Their support will allow us to build on our momentum, explore new pathways and continue developing products that seamlessly integrate technology, protection and design.

“We also wish to thank Carlyle for their partnership in recent years, which helped expand our global presence and enhance our product portfolio. We look ahead with confidence, ready to achieve new milestones. The future is wide open before us, and we are prepared to embrace it at full speed.”

Statement from HPS and Arcmont:

“We are proud to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Dainese. With this investment, we are pleased to support CEO Angel Sánchez, the management team and Dainese in further strengthening its market position and advancing innovation across all its business segments.”

MotoAmerica: Who Is Riding What In Supersport, 2026

Michael Gougis

-

January 29, 2026

0

MotoAmerica: Who Is Riding What In Supersport, 2026

Supersport is often a scrum at the front, and 2026 promises to be even more competitive at the sharp end of the MotoAmerica field. With talent coming into the class from above, sideways and below, and the top two finishers in the Championship in 2025 moving up to Superbike, there are unknowns and knowns and questions that will only be fully answered at the end of the 2026 season.

Josh Herrin (1) on the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike at The Ridge in 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Dropping down from Superbike is former class Champion Josh Herrin. He’ll be on familiar machinery. Herrin dominated the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship on a Warhorse HSBK Ducati Panigale V2. He rode the team’s Panigale V4 R racebikes in Superbike for three years to multiple race wins and the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. And he won the Daytona 200 three straight times on a Warhorse Panigale V2.

Josh Herrin will race the Desnuda Tequila Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 in 2026. Photo courtesy Rahal Ducati.

Herrin signed for Rahal Ducati Moto for Supersport for 2026 and will rider the team’s Panigale V2 racebikes, with new sponsor Desnuda Tequila. The team nearly took the Supersport title last season, with PJ Jacobsen winning three times and taking 15 podiums. So the bike, the team and the rider are all known quantities, and expectations are high.

Darryn Binder (15) on a Gresini Moto2 racebike at Circuit of The Americas, 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.

One of the out-of-the-blue signings in the class is the kinda, sorta lateral move of Darryn Binder to the Warhorse HSBK Panigale V2 raced by Cameron Petersen in 2025. Petersen is off to Superbike for 2026, replaced by Binder in the next-to-highest class in the United States after three seasons in the intermediate Moto2 class. Binder has a wealth of experience, having raced in Moto3 and then jumping straight into MotoGP, where he spent a year on a Yamaha YZR-M1 prior to moving to Moto2. But that experience hasn’t translated into results. After 11 seasons of Grand Prix competition and 188 races, Binder has one race win and six podiums, all in Moto3. The Warhorse team is well versed in preparing Panigale V2 machines, the unknown is how well Binder will adapt to a motorcycle that is very different from a Moto2 Grand Prix racebike. The famous quote from John Kocinski may apply here. When asked the difference between the 500cc, four-cylinder, two-stroke Grand Prix racebikes he raced and the Superbikes he raced, Kocinski said that after riding the 500s, everything else just felt slow. How fast Binder will prove to be on a slower motorcycle remains to be seen.

Alessandro Di Mario (27) in Supersport practice on the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Panigale V2 at The Ridge, 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Moving up to Supersport with Rahal Ducati Moto is Alessandro Di Mario. A double Championship winner in MotoAmerica in 2025, Di Mario successfully defended his Twins Cup title and added the Talent Cup Championship to his resume. He also rode the Warhorse Panigale V2 in practice at the MotoAmerica round at The Ridge last year, and with no prior experience on a Supersport machine, was 12th in his first session and 10th in final qualifying. At times in 2025, Di Mario looked like he was in a different class than the rest of the field. At The Ridge, Di Mario was nearly two seconds faster than anyone else in Twins Cup qualifying. Whether that speed will transfer to the Supersport class is one of the most interesting questions leading into the 2026 season.

Blake Davis (22) at The Ridge, 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Another big question coming into 2026 will be the speed of the Yamaha YZF-R9. Mathew Scholtz took the Strack Racing YZF-R9 to the Supersport Championship in its first year of competition, and ripped off five straight wins to end the season. Scholtz is back in Superbike for 2026, where he has won in the past, so his skills at the Supersport level never were in doubt. But there was much muttering in the paddock over the 2025 Supersport rules, inherited from the Supersport World Championship, that allowed the R9 to run with a longer swingarm from one of Yamaha’s other CP3-powered machines. For 2026, the R9 must race with the stock swingarm, according to a competition bulletin issued by MotoAmerica.

Even though Scholtz is going racing with Strack in Superbike next year, Blake Davis, a multi-time winner with the team last year on the R9, is expected to be back for 2026. BPR Racing will once again field R9s for multi-time AMA Pro Racing National Champion Josh Hayes, as well as AFM overall Champion Brenden Ketelsen, who has extensive experience at the club level.

Josh Hayes (4) at The Ridge, 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Brenden Ketelsen, 2025 AFM Overall Champion, with AFM announcer Kyle Norman. Photo by oxymoronphotography.com.

Other riders returning to the Supersport grid in 2026 include Wristin Grigg on the second Warhorse machine; Tyler Scott, a multi-time podium finisher in 2025, on the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750; Kayla Yaakov on a Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2, and Altus Racing’s Jaret Nassaney, Torin Collins and Maximiliano Gerardo on the team’s Yamaha YZF-R9s (as well as new member Austin Martinez on a Suzuki GSX-R750).

With this level of riding talent and potent machinery, Supersport promises to be a class to watch in MotoAmerica in 2026. And just to kick it off properly, for the first time in the MotoAmerica era, the Daytona 200 will be a points-paying round of the Supersport Championship. That means the teams that sat out the race in prior years are likely to be there, and Rahal has already made it clear that Jacobsen will be on a Supersport bike for the race, meaning four additional Panigale V2 racebikes on the grid for the historic race. This promises to start the season off properly …

MotoGP: Results of the Shakedown Day 1

Mathilde Gasnier

-

January 29, 2026

0

Rookies on track and the sweet smell of a new season in the air: MotoGP is BACK.

The first laps of a new record-breaking season are in the bag as Day 1 of the Shakedown concludes in Sepang. The Shakedown is for factory test riders and rookies – as well as manufacturers with free testing in concession Rank D – so not everyone was out on track or will be. But it signals our return after a looooong winter without the most exciting sport on Earth.

Diogo Moreira at Sepang (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.

The big news can be split two ways – one, the debut of two exciting new rookies: Toprak Razgatlioglu, who moves over from WorldSBK as a three-time Champion, and reigning Moto2™ Champion Diogo Moreira. Turkish rider Razgatlioglu slots in alongside Jack Miller at Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, and Brazilian rider Moreira at Pro Honda LCR, teammate to Johann Zarco.

When it got down to the lap times for the rookies, it was Razgatlioglu who was fastest and completed the opening day of 2026 in fourth with a best of 1’59.647. This was despite a couple of gremlins in the opening hour. There was also a mechanical issue for Moreira but the Brazilian was able to put that behind him and finish his day in eighth with a 2’00.894. For context, Razgatlioglu’s time would have been good enough for P1 on the same day in 2025 and whilst Moreira continues his adaptation, day two will surely see both take another step.

Aleix Espargaro (41) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna

On top of the timesheets, however, it was Honda. Aleix Espargaro put the marque top with a lap time only six tenths off Joan Mir’s qualifying time from the 2025 Malaysian GP and that locked up the top spot from midday on. Honda only fielded the #41 on Day 1 in terms of test riders, with their other representation from Moreira, the rookie. The factory has now moved up into concession Rank C so their options aren’t as numerous as this time last season.

Dani Pedrosa (26) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna

KTM, on the tails of their team presentations for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3, were second and third with Pol Espargaro, half a second off the top, and MotoGP Hall of Famer Dani Pedrosa another half a second in arrears. Mika Kallio was also out on track to put in a few laps, further down the timesheets.

With Razgatlioglu leading the way for Yamaha, their test riders were right behind in the reigning WorldSBK Champion’s slipstream. Just 0.111s split the Turkish star and the test team, spearheaded today by Augusto Fernandez. A key rider in the development of Yamaha’s V4 engine from the very start, he set Yamaha’s fastest top speed of the day too at 327.3kp/h – just over 8kp/h down on the fastest on day one, Honda. They were the only Yamaha riders out on track, we’ll have to wait further for our first glimpse of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and his teammate Alex Rins, as well as Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP).

Michele Pirro (51) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna

At Ducati, test rider Michele Pirro was out on track and he was the last rider in the 1:59s – but the headline was some new aero spotted down in pitlane. Take a look below! As the reigning champions and often the trend and pacesetters in pre-season, the new look will raise plenty of interest…

Lorenzo Savadori (32) at Sepang. Photo courtesy Dorna.

At Aprilia, Lorenzo Savadori settled into his long stint at Sepang. The Italian is present at the Shakedown and will follow that up at the Sepang Test as he rides alongside Marco Bezzecchi, standing in for Jorge Martin. He was putting all the Aprilias through their paces, including the Trackhouse MotoGP Team machinery, and was lapping around the 2 minute mark.

So, what’s the biggest news of the day? The Ducati aero? Moreira bringing Brazil back to MotoGP? Razgatlioglu becoming the first Turkish rider in MotoGP? Or this report about Quartararo fielded by motorsport.com? Have a read… silly season is hotting up already, one day in. See you on Friday for more from Sepang!

MotoGP: BK8 Gresini Racing Launches Its 2026 Season

January 31, 2026

Bike_GresiniRacing_MotoGP_2026-21 — BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP26 (73) and Desmosedici GP25 (54). Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini Team