Red Clay Rivalries: Five MotoAmerica Support Class Championships Continue At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

As the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship rolls into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, five of the series’ ultra-competitive support classes—Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, and Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race.—join the premier class to deliver a full weekend of bar-to-bar action.

While Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and Talent Cup arrive in Georgia to continue their respective championships, Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. opens its 2026 season at Road Atlanta, adding a new layer of anticipation to an already stacked lineup at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

“Road Atlanta always delivers, and this weekend’s support classes are a big part of that,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Supersport comes in with real momentum after an exciting DAYTONA 200, and I expect that intensity to carry right into this round. Twins Cup continues to produce close, competitive racing every time out, and Talent Cup is giving us a great look at the next generation coming through the system. It’s also our first look at a new crop of Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. competitors, which has become a real fan favorite. And of course, Mission King Of The Baggers never disappoints here — those races are always a highlight at Road Atlanta.”

• Supersport

The Supersport class took a much-needed break after the DAYTONA 200. The 57-lap affair stands apart from all other races on the Supersport calendar as a unique event. As the series moves to more traditional road courses and smaller lap counts, fans are in store for a dynamic sprint to the checkers in each of the weekend’s two 18-lap races.

Josh Herrin leads the pack into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta aboard his Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila Ducati Panigale V2. The 35-year-old Californian started the season with his fourth DAYTONA 200 win in a row and fifth overall, putting him on top of the points. Herrin looks to extend his championship lead at a track where he typically excels.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Tyler Scott sits in second with 20 championship points, trailing Herrin by five heading into round two. Scott’s notoriously strong qualifying runs and calculated passes should keep him in striking distance of the lead, and he will be looking to capitalize at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, challenge Herrin, and stake his claim for the top step of the podium.

Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight’s Kayla Yaakov comes to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta third in points, just nine back from the leader. The Pennsylvania-born 18-year-old is intense and focused, combining fearless cornering with razor-sharp racecraft. Yaakov has shown a remarkable ability to learn quickly from every lap and will be a constant threat in the front group as the championship battle heats up.

MotoAmerica Supersport newcomer Darryn Binder heads to Road Atlanta sitting fourth in the standings with 13 points despite his rookie status. After a strong debut and successful pre-season testing at this circuit, the former MotoGP rider looks to put his Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati Panigale V2 on the podium.

Rounding out the top five in points is Rahal Ducati Moto with Roller Die + Forming rider and 2025 Talent Cup and Twins Cup Champion Alessandro Di Mario. The Kentuckian finished fifth at the first round putting him 14 points out of first after racing in his first DAYTONA 200. The rising young star looks poised to run up front and contend for podiums.

• Mission King Of The Baggers

The MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Championship heads into round two at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta with a close championship battle after an intense weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The pair of gritty feature races on the high banks rewarded fans with another thrilling showdown between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson, and the battle now moves to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian’s Troy Herfoss tops the early championship standings with 45 points aboard his Indian Challenger. Herfoss combined speed and savvy at the opening round to consistently put himself in points-scoring positions and now carries that momentum into a circuit that will test both rider and machine.

Also riding an Indian Challenger for J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian, Hayden Gillim sits second in the standings with 32 points. Gillim displayed commanding pace in Daytona’s opening race and backed it up with competitive finishes throughout the weekend. Gillim will be looking to leverage that speed into his first double win of the year.

Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman holds 32 points, tied for second with Gillim after strong first-round performances aboard his Harley-Davidson Road Glide. As the winningest rider in the class, Wyman’s experience makes him a perennial title threat as the series heads into more technical territory.

Also aboard a Harley-Davidson Road Glide for Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing, Bradley Smith sits fourth in the standings with 26 points. Smith’s consistency in the Daytona races allowed him to remain close to the leaders, and he’ll be aiming to capitalize on his experience and put himself into contention for the victory at Road Atlanta.

Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s James Rispoli is fifth in the championship on 22 points after solid results at Daytona. Riding his Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Rispoli has the pace to stay in the hunt, and he’ll look to build on his Daytona performance as the series transitions to the more technical challenges of Road Atlanta’s elevation changes and braking zones.

• Twins Cup

The MotoAmerica Twins Cup championship heads to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta following a dramatic season opener at Daytona International Speedway, where drafting battles and razor-thin margins defined the opening round.

Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane arrives at Road Atlanta as the championship leader after piloting his Yamaha YZF-R7 to a dramatic race two victory in Daytona. The young Australian showed poise in the draft, but he will now face a different challenge at Road Atlanta, where precision is key.

Robem Engineering Aprilia’s Hank Vossberg sits second in the standings with 41 points after a strong Daytona showing aboard his Aprilia RS 660. With a race win already to his name, Vossberg has proven he has the pace to contend and will look to carry that momentum into a circuit that rewards rhythm and technical execution.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bodie Paige holds 29 championship points, putting him third in the title chase entering the Atlanta round. After consistent results at Daytona aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R, the Australian teenager has established himself as a reliable frontrunner and will be looking to take the next step to battle for a win at Road Atlanta.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Matthew Chapin sits fourth in points after narrowly missing a victory in Daytona’s race two on his Suzuki GSX-8R. Chapin’s speed and racecraft make him a clear contender, and he will be aiming to convert that pace into a win through the rolling hills of the Atlanta circuit.

While fifth in the standings is technically held by two riders, the first of the two, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Michel Agazzi will not compete at Road Atlanta. Agazzi has returned to Italy to focus on this year’s Suzuki GSX-8R Cup—the very series that earned him his one-off Daytona opportunity. With Agazzi absent, riders ranked below fifth will be eager to capitalize and close the gap on the championship leaders.

Karns/TST Industries Racing rider Kevin Olmedo occupies the fifth spot alongside Agazzi in the standings after a consistent Daytona outing aboard his Suzuki GSX-8R. Olmedo’s steady performance positions him well heading into Road Atlanta, where it seems he will break the tie in points, and continue to reel in the lead group.

• Talent Cup

The Talent Cup points chase is likely to be a close battle all year long. After the Circuit of The Americas opener, the points standings show a two-way tie for first and a two-way tie for third heading into the picturesque Georgia road course.

Team Roberts rider Kensei Matsudaira won the most recent Talent Cup race two in Texas last month. Matsudaira came into the season with quiet confidence and a racer’s maturity well beyond his years. The Southern Californian instantly proved he belongs in the front group. With a smooth and calculated style, his performance demonstrated a rider capable of controlling races without overextending himself or the equipment. Expect him to be a factor for podiums all season long.

Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker showed flashes of brilliance in the opening round, using aggressive lines and late braking points to gain positions when it counted most. His give-it-all riding style sometimes walks the fine line between spectacular and risky, and he displayed his bike-control skills with multiple saves at the Austin circuit. After winning race one and swapping to second in race two, Gouker enters the Atlanta round tied for first in points with Matsudaira.

Team Hammer’s Jake Paige currently sits tied for third in points. The Australian ripper finished third and fourth, respectively, in the two COTA races, leading laps in the process and gaining valuable race experience in his first full Talent Cup season. Paige knows he can run in the front group, and he brings that confidence to Road Atlanta in search of his first career MotoAmerica Talent Cup win.

Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing rider Sam Drane shares the third step in points with Paige. Drane and his three previously mentioned competitors have formed an early “front four” in the class. Drane showed patience at the opening round, was firmly in the lead group in both races, and he begins round two right in the middle of the points chase.

Heading east for round two, Texas native Rossi Garcia and his Rossi Motorsports team are carrying 22 championship points into Atlanta. Currently sitting fifth in the standings, Garcia aims to climb higher after grinding out two fifth-place finishes at his home track during the season opener.

• Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race.

The 2026 Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. (BTR) program kicks off its sixth season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta with an all-female lineup of 10 riders. This year’s roster highlights the program’s global reach, featuring an even split between five American competitors and five international athletes, including four from Brazil and one from Canada.

These participants personally transform their Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s into race-spec machines before undergoing professional coaching and competing on a national stage. By combining mechanical fabrication with high-speed track execution, the series continues to foster a diverse, inclusive environment for women to develop their skills in professional road racing.

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The 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship kicks off at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, marking “50 Years Of Superbike Racing.” With six classes on the schedule, the weekend promises nonstop action across the board.

The legendary, 2.54-mile circuit in Braselton, Georgia, has been a cornerstone of American motorcycle racing since it hosted its first AMA Superbike event in 1980. Known for its technical layout featuring the blind exit from turn one, the famous “esses,” the 180+ miles-per-hour back straightaway, and the ultra-fast 80-foot plunge into Turn 12, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has long served as a proving ground for the world’s elite riders.

This year’s season opener is especially poetic as the series celebrates 50 years of Superbike racing at the home track of AMA Hall Of Famer Scott Russell, who joins the historic event as Grand Marshal. The Georgia native’s storied career includes an AMA Superbike Championship, five DAYTONA 200 victories, a World Superbike Championship, and a lockout of the 1991 AMA Superstock season where the “Chief” won all nine races.

“We are incredibly excited to kick off the 2026 season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “It’s a milestone year for our sport as we celebrate ‘50 Years Of Superbike Racing,’ and the level of competition in this year’s championship is as high as it’s ever been. We’ve seen riders switch brands and others step up into the premier class, adding even more depth to a category that already draws the top factory teams and some of the biggest names in the sport—making this year’s competition stronger than ever. To cap it all off, having AMA Hall of Famer and local legend Scott Russell join us as Grand Marshal makes this season opener truly special.”

Reigning class champion Cameron Beaubier leads the charge into the opening round after his switch to a brand-new Ducati Panigale V4 R with the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law team. The 33-year-old Californian has six MotoAmerica Superbike Championships to his name and enters the season on a mission for his seventh Superbike crown, a title that would tie him with AMA Hall of Famer Mat Mladin for most AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike Championships of all time.

He is joined by South Carolina’s Benjamin Smith, forming a dynamic partnership and adding depth to the team’s effort.

Bobby Fong, last year’s third-place Superbike finisher, showed a return to form aboard the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1. The 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport champion re-signed with the BLU CRU, bringing a renewed focus to contend for the premier class championship after narrowly missing out at the final round last season.

Fong is joined by Kentucky’s JD Beach, who moves to the tuning fork brand after winning the 2025 Superbike Cup championship. Beach narrowly missed a “perfect season” in Superbike Cup last year and brings his flat-track-inspired riding style back to a familiar place.

Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL brings veteran racer PJ Jacobsen back to the Superbike class aboard the new Ducati Panigale V4 R after he finished second in Supersport points last year. Jacobsen’s long and accomplished career spans global competition, including racing in the World Supersport Championship and competitive stints in World Superbike and the British Superbike Championship. His depth of experience and technical insight make him a valuable part of the team’s dynamic, both as a mentor to the younger riders and a consistent podium threat.

At OrangeCat Racing, Sean Dylan Kelly is the rider to watch, charging into the season on a BMW M 1000 RR after setting the fastest laps on both days of the Dunlop Pre-Season Tire Test at Circuit of The Americas in March. Known for his fearless style and international experience, Kelly looks ready to push hard from the drop of the green flag.

Alongside him, teammate Jayson Uribe brings precision and a steady hand as he steps into Superbike full-time and aims to make his mark in the premier class.

2025 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Mathew Scholtz makes his return to Superbike with Strack Racing aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1. The South African is known for his smooth style and strategic approach, and he brings with him a deep familiarity of the YZF-R1, giving him an edge as he transitions back to the premier class. With his ability to extract peak performance from the bike and sustain pace over full race distances, Scholtz positions Strack Racing for a strong Superbike season.

Mission Foods M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Richie Escalante returns to the team aboard the GSX-R1000R. The Hidalgo, Mexico, native brings an unmatched level of grit and consistency, ensuring he will be a contender in every race and a thorn in the side of the championship favorites. Escalante is joined by multi-time DAYTONA 200 winner Brandon Paasch for a double-edged attack on the title chase.

Hayden Gillim, from Owensboro, Kentucky, is back aboard the Real Steel Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, bringing versatility and experience across multiple classes to the team’s Superbike effort. After scoring consistently in the points last season and continuing to refine Honda’s flagship literbike for the rigors of Superbike racing, Gillim looks to build on his momentum and keep climbing the class standings.

Cam Petersen returns to Superbike with Wrench Motorcycles aboard a Ducati Panigale V4 R, guided by the unique advantage of having his father (former 500cc Grand Prix road racer) Robbie as crew chief. After a top-five finish in the 2025 Supersport standings, Petersen brings veteran racecraft and a strategic riding style as he looks to leverage his tight-knit team dynamic to push for podiums in a fiercely competitive Superbike field.

Ashton Yates returns to Superbike with Jones Honda aboard a CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, bringing a blend of speed, determination, and technical precision. Yates enters 2026 aiming to translate last year’s consistency into podium finishes.

Rounding out the Superbike field is Max Flinders aboard his Thrashed Bike Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. The New Hampshire native is a gritty privateer who runs his own program. Known for his never-quit attitude and strong connection with the fans, Flinders embodies the spirit of the privateer racer, often overcoming limited resources with sheer determination and a relentless work ethic on and off the track.

Starting in the 2026 season, the Superbike Cup serves as a special sub-class within the premier Superbike class, effectively creating a deeper field with increased rider exposure. 

Heading into the opening Atlanta round, the Superbike Cup field is headlined by three-time Stock 1000 champion and Real Steel Honda rider Andrew Lee, who leads a diverse lineup of riders competing for their own prestigious title while pushing their limits alongside the elite factory Superbike teams.

With a talent-rich Superbike grid, the on-track battles will have the fans on the edges of their seats throughout the weekend. Plus, having local icon and AMA Hall of Famer Scott Russell as Grand Marshal adds a legendary flair to a special weekend that kicks off “50 Years Of Superbike Racing.” 

This milestone event isn’t just a season opener, it’s an historic tribute to the sport’s past and a thrilling look towards its future, making it the ultimate destination for every racing fan to witness history in the making.