I’m Alessandro “Alex” Assanti. I’m a former motorcycle road racer and an attorney in Orange County, California. Going on 30 years I have represented motorcyclists and bicyclists, professional teams, racers and athletes, companies in the power sports industry, race sanctioning bodies, and closed course establishments such as paved racetracks and motocross parks.
I represent MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers, one of the country’s best young road racers. He is trying to live the dream of being a professional racer. Rocco is one of those that do it for the love of the sport in hopes of one day getting a break. He is a kind, talented young person who I am honored to help.
MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers.
In 2024, Rocco was riding a Supermoto bike at Adams Kart Track in Riverside, California and was involved in an accident with another rider on course. It was a common track incident involving Rivian mechanical engineer Greg Dachner. Dachner’s wife and father-in-law are both lawyers, and he decided to sue Rocco for the injuries he sustained in that incident, despite both riders signing a waiver (liability release) before entering the track.
Liability releases are what makes motorcycle racing possible. If liability releases don’t work, motorcycle racing will be impossible to insure and will cease to exist as we know it.
I have donated my time to make sure that Mr. Dachner does not prevail. I have absorbed all of the expenses thus far in order to make sure that this does not happen. We are getting close to trial and the costs are starting to mount. We have established a GoFundMe Page and I wanted all to know about this horrible situation so we can prevent Mr. Dachner from taking advantage of the legal system which continues to erode freedoms that motorcyclists enjoy. The funds raised will go toward retaining experts and paying court costs during the trial.
MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers on the podium during the 2024 racing season. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
If we lose, expect that your motorcycling experience will change forever. For example, you head out to the racetrack and it will be in the back of your mind, that regardless of signing a waiver you could end up as a defendant in a court case where the other party seeks damages from you. Well, as they say, welcome to what Rocco and many others will have to confront if we do not stop this madness. Essentially waivers will be meaningless, which could create the possibility that there will be no open-to-motorcycle tracks left in California. Worse, it could easily spread to other states since California is a bellwether state for other states adopting legal principles in the civil litigation arena.
When you get on a motorcycle, and especially on a race course with other riders on the course, you need to appreciate the risk–or don’t ride a bike on a track. It is that simple. Many of us have had racing incidents where we went to the hospital or had to endure an injury through no fault of our own. It is the risk we are willing to accept to experience the awesomeness of riding on track.
Please let everyone you know about this situation. We need to have litigation pressure against this as well an online presence. If you want to look up the case, it was filed in the Superior Court in the County of Riverside, Case No. CVRI 2304163. (It is also shown below, along with the waiver Mr. Dachner signed.) Mr. Dachner’s attorneys (and wife and father-in-law) are David Flyer and Raquel Flyer Dachner.
Please help us by going to the Supporting Rocco Landers Legal Defense Fund on GoFundMe. Help us keep our motorcycling freedoms alive. Thank you.
Important Update Regarding the 2026 Laguna Seca Event.
Following the AFM Board of Directors meeting on January 14, the Board voted to cancel the previously announced July 25–26, 2026 event at Laguna Seca Raceway.
We recognize that some members renewed or applied for a new AFM license with the expectation of racing at Laguna Seca this season, based on earlier communications. We want to ensure members have accurate information so they can make informed decisions moving forward.
Members who wish to discuss license status or request a refund related to this change should contact the AFM Registrar directly for assistance.
We appreciate everyone’s engagement in the calendar planning process and thank you for your continued support of the AFM.
WP has long been a leader in Suspension Technology, having developed and produced many high-quality OEM components for KTM and other high-end brands. Now, WP takes the next step with the launch of WP Braking Systems.
Combining cutting-edge technology with advanced materials, WP Brakes deliver unmatched reliability on the road and track, born out of a need for a high-performance braking system that was tailored to the specific OEM needs of KTM Motorcycles.
A highly skilled team of 11 experts, each with over 20 years of experience in brake development, forms the core of operations. Equipped with state-of-the-art testing and prototyping facilities, the team specializes in advanced engineering, CAD design, supplier development, and full validation processes at a 6,000 sqm SOP-ready plant.
With full vertical integration – from hose braiding and extrusion to machining and assembly – the facility ensures the highest standards of quality and efficiency, further enhanced by an exclusive 100m anodizing line for premium surface treatments and cosmetic finishes, to deliver 300,000 brake systems and 1.5 million hoses annually.
This in-house development process has also allowed for a renewed focus on design, with weight and heat management at the core. This has been done to ensure maximum performance under high stress, utilizing the highest quality materials – effectively bestowing big-bike braking performance onto smaller engine classes.
Of those components, a new Radial Master Cylinder will also bring race-level technology to the smaller engine classes, featuring rear floating calipers with open-bridge cooling, oversized pads, and service-friendly designs for easier maintenance.
An all-new, lightweight four-piston WP Front Radial Caliper weighing in at only 740 g – one of the lightest on the market – will feature a central bridge structure, designed to be as stiff and compact as possible.
WP Braking Systems. Photo courtesy WP.
Thanks to this optimization of the caliper stack-up, a narrower body width is achieved, making the radial caliper compatible with spoked wheel applications, as well as featuring die-cast aluminum bodies, hard-anodized coated aluminum pistons, EPDM square and dust seal, and sintered or organic brake pads.
WP braking systems will also feature braided hoses as OEM equipment, making use of high-quality Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) able to withstand pressures of up to 40 bar. This not only provides riders with a sporty feel on the brakes, but also improves responsiveness and control lap after lap, corner after corner.
In designing these components, special attention has also been given to reducing drag torque, optimizing motorcycle performance, while minimizing fuel consumption, and pad wear.
This new generation of WP braking technology underscores WP’s commitment to high-end motorcycle components, delivering lighter weight, higher efficiency, improved cooling, and absolute reliability for the next era of motorcycle performance – from the racetrack to the street.
Steve Wise’s bio, as featured in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame:
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Wise, Steve
Motocross & Supercross, Road Racing
Steve Wise will go down in history as one of the most multi-talented riders in the history of motorcycle racing. Wise earned the distinction of becoming the only rider in history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals. The Texan further proved his all-around talent by earning a podium result in the AMA Grand National Championship when he took third, in his very first Grand National Dirt Track appearance, at the Houston Astrodome TT National in 1982.
In addition, Wise twice won the popular ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition in the early 1980s, an event that featured the top motorcycle racers in the world from all disciplines. ABC’s Superbikers was a predecessor to Supermoto, which flourished in Europe and later attained AMA national status in 2003. Wise’s versatility helped him earn the prestigious AMA Pro Athlete of the Year Award in 1982.
Gary Steven Wise was born in McAllen, Texas, on June 2, 1957. Steve’s father, Gary, was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and took young Steve to local races from an early age. In the late 1960s, Wise was a spectator at one of the first motocross races in America held in Conroe, Texas.
“I remember as a young kid sitting by this jump and watching Sylvan Geboers and John DeSoto flying over this jump. I was thrilled,” Wise recalled. His father bought Steve a Honda SL90 and he began tearing up the hills surrounding McAllen. Wise’s father, a successful real estate broker, loved the sport so much that he opened a Honda dealership.
With his father’s backing, Wise stepped up to a stripped-down Honda SL125 and started doing well at local motocross races. Even though Wise did well on the Honda four-stroke, he was having a tough time against the hot riders on Yamaha’s potent YZ two-stroke motocross machines. His dad’s novel solution was to add the Penton line of motorcycles to his dealership. Once he was on the light, two-stroke Pentons, Wise became nearly unbeatable.
Texas was a hotbed of motocross in the early 1970s and produced other top riders such as Steve Stackable and Kent Howerton. Wise became the Texas State Motocross Champion in 1974 and beat national motocross stars such as Gary Jones and Jimmy Weinert en route to the title. Victories over such top-notch talent suggested that young Wise was ready to tackle the nationals. When he turned 17, Wise traveled with his father to a few nationals and earned top-10 finishes.
Wise got a big break in 1975 when Steve Stackable recommended the young Texan to Kawasaki. Steve and his father flew to California for a try-out race and did well enough to earn his first factory ride. In 1975, Wise tallied two top-10 finishes in the four-race AMA Supercross Series and went on to score a handful of top-10 finishes in the 125 nationals, including a second in San Antonio, his first AMA national podium appearance. He ended his first full season of professional racing a very credible sixth in the final AMA 125 National Motocross standings.
Wise began the 1976 season with Kawasaki, but unhappy with the bike, he decided to leave the team mid-season. A few weeks after leaving Kawasaki, Wise took his first AMA national victory aboard a Jim Strait-tuned Honda CR125 at the national in Keysers Ridge, Maryland. He earned the distinction of being the first privateer to win an AMA 125 National Motocross race. Wise ended the 1976 season ranked fourth in AMA 125 Motocross.
Wise did well enough on a privateer Honda in 1977 that Honda signed him to a factory ride in 1978. He would stay with Honda the rest of his racing career and experience his best success with the team.
With Honda, Wise earned his highest national motocross ranking of third in the AMA 250 National Motocross Championship in 1980, along the way winning the Red Bud 250cc National in Buchanan, Michigan. It was during this period that Wise experienced perhaps his most memorable victory.
The 1979 New Orleans Supercross was held on Wise’s birthday. Before the race, the 40,000-plus fans in the Superdome sang “Happy Birthday” to him. With the fans cheering heartily for Wise, he edged Jimmy Weinert in the main to take an emotional victory that night.
Ultimately, Wise proved to be a leading contender in both motocross and Supercross, but injury and untimely bike failures kept him from winning the national championship he coveted. However, a special made-for-television race would dramatically change Wise’s racing career.
Steve Wise started his professional career in motocross but transitioned into road racing. AMA photo.
In the late 1970s, ABC’s Wide World of Sports was the highest-rated sports show in America. Racing promoter Gavin Trippe pitched ABC the idea of a motorcycle competition bringing together the best riders from all forms of racing and the Superbikers was born.
Wise raced in the first Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition in 1979, but the bike he rode was not competitive.
“Honda asked me if I wanted to race in the Superbikers again in 1980 and I told them ‘Sure, but give me a competitive bike,’ ” Wise recalls. “And boy did they ever. The bike had a special factory engine. It could run 140 mph and had powerful disc brakes. It was great.”
Wise won the Superbikers race in 1980 and 1981 against two of the most talented fields of riders ever assembled and he instantly became one of the best-known motorcycle racers in America and in Europe, where Superbikers was also shown. Honda was so impressed by Wise’s ability on Superbikers, he was asked if he would like to try road racing a Superbike.
During the winter of 1981, Wise tested a Freddie Spencer Honda 1000cc Superbike at Willow Springs Raceway. Wise remembers that as the most intimidating thing he’d ever done in motorcycling.
“Here I was riding this 150-horsepower Superbike for the first time on Willow Springs in 40 mph winds,” Wise said of the tryout. “It was only by the grace of God that I survived that day. I ran off the track into the rocks a couple of times at 130 mph. I was shocked by the power of the bike. It was a real eye opener.”
In spite of the intimidating first ride, Wise did well enough that he was offered a three-race contract for the 1982 AMA road racing season. If it went well, he would continue road racing. To say it went well would be an understatement.
Wise made a spectacular road racing debut. He led the AMA Formula One point standings for most of the season and was nipped by veteran Mike Baldwin by just three points for the championship.
Earlier that year, Wise had qualified for the Houston TT in the Astrodome in his first-ever appearance in an AMA Grand National Dirt Track race. Riding a modified Honda CR450 two-stroke Wise thrilled the Astrodome crowd with his aggressive supercross style on the TT circuit. Late in the final, Wise worked all the way up from the back of the field to the tailpipe of leader Ricky Graham. It was obvious to all on hand that Wise was setting Graham up for a pass when a rear brake rod broke on his Honda forcing him back to third at the finish. Nevertheless, the Houston TT podium only added to the legend of Wise’s amazing ability.
Wise was recognized for his success in all forms of AMA competition when he was named 1982 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year.
In 1983, Wise would earn a permanent place in American motorcycle racing lore by winning the Mid-Ohio round of the AMA Superbike Series. He became the only motocross winner to cross over to road racing and win a national. Earlier that season, Wise earned a podium finish in the Daytona 200. His future in road racing looked bright.
Just when things seemed to be falling into place, Wise was seriously injured in a high-speed crash at Road America. He returned prematurely from the injury and crashed hard again at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, a month and a half later and was badly hurt once again. The injuries began to pile up and while he was in the hospital after the Laguna crash Wise decided to retire from racing.
Gavin Trippe convinced Wise to come back and race the Superbikers once more at the end of the 1983 season, but when he couldn’t even crack the top five in a race he’d previously dominated, Wise said he knew he didn’t have it in him to race any longer.
After retiring from racing, Wise went on to Bible College and became an ordained minister. He later followed in his father’s footsteps and started a real estate investment company. He is a frequent featured speaker at various Christian meetings. Wise had three children with his high school sweetheart Sandra.
Wise will always be remembered for his amazing decade-long racing career that proved him to be one of the most versatile racers in the history of AMA racing.
More from a press release issued by AMA:
AMA Mourns the Passing of AMA Hall of Famer Steve Wise.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is devastated by the sudden passing of AMA Hall of Famer Steve Wise, and offers sincere condolences to his family and friends. He was 68 years old.
One of the most multi-talented riders in the history of motorcycle competition, Wise is the only racer history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals. Additionally, Wise earned a podium at the AMA Grand National Championship, his first-ever Grand National Dirt Track appearance, in 1982, and emerged victorious in the ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition twice, in 1980 and 1981.
Wise is the only National-class motocross winner to ever win an AMA Superbike National (Mid-Ohio, 1983).
Born in McAllen, Texas, on June 2, 1957, Wise’s father Gary was instrumental in Wise’s motorcycling journey, taking him to local races at an early age. Wise began his racing career in the early 1970s, earning a Texas State Motocross Championship in 1974.
Wise then began competing in AMA nationals at the young age of 17. As a rider for Kawasaki and Honda during the early stages of his career, Wise notched a career-best third-place finish in the AMA 250 National Motocross Championship in 1980, which included a victory at the Red Bud 250cc National in Buchanan, Mich.
Steve Wise with his Honda 750 Interceptor. Photo by Kevin Wing / courtesy AMA
Despite being a perennial contender in both motocross and Supercross, injuries and unexpected bike failures ultimately kept Wise from his ultimate prize of a national championship. But Wise would have his day in the sun during the early 1980s at the ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition.
Riding factory Hondas, Wise outpaced two stacked fields of riders en route to a pair of victories in Superbikers competition in 1980 and 1981, thrusting himself in the national spotlight and ultimately earning him a contract for the 1982 AMA road racing season.
Wise nearly claimed a title in his first AMA road racing season falling just three points shy of Mike Baldwin for the Formula One championship. Wise’s outstanding debut season, compounded with his unexpected podium finish in his first-ever appearance in an AMA Grand National Dirt Track race at the Houston TT, earned him the 1982 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year honor.
The pinnacle of Wise’s career came in 1983, when he became the first and only motocross winner to cross over to road racing and win a national, claiming the Mid-Ohio round of the AMA Superbike Series.
Sadly, injuries derailed Wise’s promising career in the AMA Superbike Series, and he retired shortly after his triumph at Mid-Ohio.
Following his racing career, Wise became an ordained minister and started a real estate investment company.
Wise was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2001 and later served as the Grand Marshal of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in 2023.
Fewer specifications, fewer tires, but an allocation better suited to riders’ requirements.
Maintenance of a specific allocation on circuits most exposed to weather uncertainty and temperature variations.
A decision that forms part of Michelin’s long-term strategy, approved by all MotoGP stakeholders and validated by the Grand Prix Commission.
True to its sustainability strategy and commitment to optimising resources—implemented in MotoGP through a progressive and controlled reduction in the number of specifications made available to riders—Michelin announces an evolution of the front tire allocation starting from the 2026 season, in consultation with all Championship stakeholders.
A simplified and more efficient allocation
From 2026, the front tire allocation will evolve as follows at the majority of Grands Prix:
2 front tire specifications, instead of 3 in 2025;
7 tires allocated per specification, instead of 5 in 2025;
14 tires in total, instead of 15 in 2025.
This new distribution makes it possible to reduce the front tire allocation by one tire per rider per weekend, while offering greater freedom of choice thanks to an increased number of tires of the specification best suited to each rider’s style and the characteristics of each circuit.
This approach fully aligns with Michelin’s policy to reduce the number of specifications, limit the Championship’s environmental footprint and maintain a very high level of sporting performance.
An exception for circuits sensitive to climatic conditions
For circuits particularly exposed to weather uncertainty and temperature variations, the allocation will remain identical to that of the 2025 season, in order to guarantee safety, performance and sporting fairness.
The Grands Prix concerned are:
Michelin Grand Prix of France (Le Mans)
British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
German Grand Prix (Sachsenring)
Australian Grand Prix (Phillip Island)
Valencian Community Grand Prix (Cheste)
At these events, 3 front tire specifications will be maintained, with an allocation of 5 tires per specification.
A concerted and validated decision
This evolution of the front tire allocation for 2026 was defined in consultation with the teams, as well as with Dorna Sports, the IRTA and the MSMA, and was officially validated by the Grand Prix Commission.
Piero Taramasso, Manager of Michelin Two-Wheel Competition: “With this new rationalisation of the front tire allocation, we are continuing work that began back in 2018. Over the past eight MotoGP™ seasons, Michelin has halved the number of specifications offered to riders, while continuously improving safety and performance across an increasing number of circuits, as demonstrated by the many records that have been set.
By way of comparison, the 2018 season featured 58 different front and rear tire specifications for 19 Grands Prix, compared with 29 specifications in 2026 for 22 races. Thanks to this continuous optimisation approach, Michelin has progressively reduced the volumes of tires manufactured and transported.
Michelin thus reaffirms its commitment to reconciling technological innovation, environmental responsibility and sporting excellence, in the service of MotoGP™ and all of its stakeholders.”
About Michelin:
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people.
Howes breaks through with first Dakar Rally stage victory.
Skyler Howes claimed his first-ever Dakar Rally stage victory with a commanding performance on one of the fastest tests of this year’s event.
With three stages remaining at the start of the day, riders faced a daunting total distance of 883 km, including 346 km of flat-out timed racing.While speed was the dominant factor on the rally’s quickest special stage, competitors still had to stay sharp through technical navigation and rocky terrain as the route wound north toward Al Henakiyah.
Howes has been steadily building momentum throughout his eighth Dakar appearance. Although a tyre issue during last week’s first marathon stage ended his podium hopes, today’s rocky conditions played perfectly into the American’s strengths and the Honda CRF450 RALLY rider took full advantage to secure a landmark stage win.Despite the demanding task of opening the stage tomorrow, Howes was buoyed by his pace and will now look to challenge for a last-minute fourth place overall as the rally draws to a close.
Adrien Van Beveren was tasked with opening the stage following his victory yesterday and handled the navigation with confidence, ticking off checkpoints as the lead rider.He was eventually caught by teammate Ricky Brabec and the pair rode together for much of the stage.Even so, Van Beveren earned valuable bonus time for running up front and finished second, just 21 seconds behind Howes, capping off a dramatic turnaround in fortunes during the second week of the rally.
Ricky Brabec began the day leading the overall standings, separated from Luciano Benavides by just 56 seconds.On his favoured rocky terrain, the two-time Dakar champion pushed hard to extend his advantage, however, a calculated strategy saw him concede time late in the stage and despite gaining some bonus seconds after catching Van Beveren, Brabec dropped over a minute to Benavides at the finish.As a result, he surrendered the overall lead by a slender 23 seconds.With two stages remaining, his experience will be crucial as the fight goes down to the final kilometres.
Tosha Schareina endured a relatively quiet day by his standards.The 2025 runner-up returned to the provisional podium yesterday and focused on consolidating his position.Despite a small crash in the sand, he regrouped to finish fifth, four minutes off the lead, and now holds an advantage of more than eight minutes over Sanders in the battle for the final podium spot.
The penultimate day of this year’s Dakar will see riders cover 720 km as they make their return to Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s western coast.After 13 gruelling days of racing across spectacular terrain, the final push begins as competitors edge ever closer to the podium.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“We’ve reached the final bivouac before Yanbu. Today’s stage was fast and not overly demanding in terms of navigation and it was fantastic to see Skyler take his first stage victory of this year’s Dakar. Leading the way on the stage, Adrien also made the most of the bonus time, finishing just behind Skyler. Tosha faced a challenging start with a minor crash, followed by a fuel system issue that kept his bike from running at full power. Despite this, he fought through to finish fifth.
Right behind him was Ricky. Preferring a slightly later start position tomorrow to tackle the upcoming navigation and dunes, he will cross the start line in sixth.”
Skyler Howes (10):
“I’m happy. The stage was really fast and I just did a good job of navigating, pushed it to the end, so I consider that a perfect stage. I came away with the win which means a lot to give back to the team, they deserve stage wins, they deserve a lot and I’m happy to give that to them a little bit. Tomorrow, my job just means I’ve got to do a perfect job. All I’m looking forward to is opening the stage, doing the best I can and not make a single mistake and put Ricky into a good of position as possible. So I’ll just do my best, that’s all I can do.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“Today it was the fastest stage and they had said this at the briefing. Everyday has been fast this week, we were like, “how can they get any faster?” But today was full gas, we were to the stop for 85% of the day. I did the best I could to catch my teammate Adrien and then we rode together, well he navigated and I kind of sat in his dust to collect some bonus time. Stage 11 was good, it was fast, a little bit technical and tricky, but I managed to manage myself well and now I think we’re in a good position for stage 12.”
Barcelona, Spain – Stark Future delivered a 77 % year-over-year sales growth to €115 million in revenue in the full year of 2025, achieving profitability in 5 of the last 9 months, underscoring strong demand for the company’s electric motorcycles and expanding global footprint. Q4 growth of 97 % capped a year of operational discipline and product momentum across MX, EX, and SM platforms.
Growth came primarily from existing dealers increasing sell-through, complemented by rapid geographic expansion into new regions and markets. In less than 1 year, Stark has achieved a share of over 3% in the global Enduro segment, demonstrating that riders adopt electric when they outperform combustion engines. The company targets a ~30% share in 5 years; notably, a 50% market share was already achieved in Germany in 2025, with similar performance observed in several European countries.
Stark is now developing vehicles aimed at larger motorcycle categories, with annual global volumes exceeding 55 million units, to replicate this trajectory at scale. Recent battery partnerships on the 26120 cell with EVE and Wanxiang A123 support this roadmap with multi-sourced, motorcycle-first energy platforms designed for high power, fast charging, and robust thermal control.
Stark Headquarter. Photo courtesy Stark.
● Anton Wass, CEO & Founder of Stark Future: “This year proved a simple theory: when you offer the market electric bikes that are superior to combustion, riders switch. We grew fast, stayed disciplined, and showed consistent growth while building the supply chain to scale. Next, we take the same winning formula into bigger categories, while we’ll continue our organic growth in off-road.”
● Morgan Karlsson, Stark Future Chief Marketing Officer: “From Europe to North America to APAC, the signal is the same: when electric motorcycles are better in performance and overall experience, riders switch. We’re scaling to match, broadening our dealer network, adding production windows, and securing cell supply to turn today’s demand spike into durable growth.”
A strengthened balance sheet, in December, Stark closed a €15m disbursement with the European Investment Bank and a €25m equity round with an existing shareholder, bringing the total 2025 equity investment to €45m. These events reinforce liquidity and fund the product and market expansion ahead.
Looking to the future, Stark plans to raise additional capital in 2026 and is preparing for an IPO within the next three years, ensuring the resources required to become a global leader in the motorcycle market.
About Stark Future :
Stark Future is a Barcelona-based premium electric motorcycle manufacturer redefining performance and sustainability in the powersports industry. Founded in 2020, the company has grown to become the fastest-growing Spanish company in history, combining cutting-edge technology with world-class design and engineering. Stark’s flagship model, the VARG MX, is the most powerful motocross bike ever created, delivering unmatched power, precision, and sustainability. With a rapidly expanding global presence, Stark Future’s mission is to accelerate the motorcycle industry’s shift toward sustainability by building motorcycles that outperform expectations on every level.
Aprilia Racing officially unveiled the Aprilia RS-GP26, entrusted for the second year in a row to Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín for the 2026 MotoGP season. The proudly Italian bike has a strong technological and sport identity which represents the cutting edge of a continuously developing project.
The big change for the RS-GP26 livery, which maintains the iconic Aprilia Racing colours, is the presence of a noble symbol from our history – the lion which is part of Aprilia Racing’s DNA. Besides representing the strong ties with the territory, the Leone Alato – symbol of Venice, located just a few kilometres from Aprilia Racing headquarters in Noale – embodies values which fully reflect the identity of the team and its riders: power, strength, determination, and courage. It is the emblem of a team that never gives up, capable of stubbornly tackling difficulties and re-emerging even stronger and more steadfast.
The goal for 2026 is to improve on the results from last season, the most victorious ever for Aprilia Racing, ending with second place in the Manufacturers Championship at 418 points, breaking the 400 barrier for the first time in its history, and third place in the Riders Championship with Marco Bezzecchi at 353 points – the best result ever for a rider in Aprilia Racing’s MotoGP history. Adding to this are numerous impressive statistics: 19 podiums in all, with 3 sprint race wins and 4 long race wins, 5 pole positions to tie the previous record, and the 300th win for the Noale-based manufacturer in the Australian GP. This milestone, which later increased to 302, confirmed Aprilia Racing as the most victorious European manufacturer in the history of World Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing.
Defending the colours for the manufacturer from Noale in the 2026 season will be Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín. In 2025, the Italian rider was the protagonist of an extremely high-level season which placed him third overall in the Riders World Championship standings, with a performance that consecrated him as the best rider in Aprilia Racing history. Bezzecchi is approaching 2026 with the goal of reconfirming his status at the top of the category and continuing the upward trend begun with the team.
Jorge Martín, who will be on track with number 89 on his front fairing, is preparing to tackle a new season after a 2025 conditioned by injuries. For the Spanish rider, 2026 represents the start of a new chapter, which he is facing with determination and the desire to fully express his potential.
Supporting the factory riders, Lorenzo Savadori is confirmed as tester, after his immense contribution in recent years to the development and growth of the RS-GP.
Aprilia RS-GP26 represents an important evolution for Aprilia Racing’s MotoGP project. Each detail has been redesigned in order to be able to battle at top levels and consolidate Aprilia Racing’s position among the protagonists of MotoGP. Every area of the bike has been improved, from the further refined aerodynamics to the chassis architecture and all the way to the electronics and V4 engine, which underwent extensive development in every component not restricted by championship regulations. The technical office in Noale, led by Fabiano Sterlacchini, tackled this new challenge remaining faithful to their DNA and developing a bike that makes innovation an indispensable anchor of their vision.
The RS-GP26 will also be the latest evolution of a technical cycle which has placed the fastest bikes in MotoGP history on the track, thanks to extreme aerodynamics, ride height devices, and 1000cc engines which will no longer be permitted by the technical regulations from 2027. For these reasons, the RS-GP26 will be the fastest prototype ever built in Aprilia Racing history.
Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín will continue to be able to count on a solid and united team, with the support of official tester Lorenzo Savadori and Trackhouse MotoGP Team, with Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura. The Trackhouse project, conceived as a strategic partner and not as a simple satellite team, continues to represent a fundamental resource for the continued development of the RS-GP, providing invaluable data and contributing to the innovation process.
Marco Bezzecchi on his new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “I’m happy to finally be getting back to talking about bikes. I am anxious to start and we have a lot of work to do, although we never really stopped. In Noale, the company is working intensely and I have been training constantly. I am highly motivated and I can’t wait to have fun in the saddle. The 2025 season finale was extremely positive and that boosts our confidence even more. The goal is to start the season straight away in the best possible way and to continue doing a good job.”
Jorge Martín on his new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
JORGE MARTÍN: “After our experience last year along with Aprilia and the latest extremely important tests in Valencia, the goal now is to keep growing together. I’m sure there will be a lot of work to do at the start of the season, but we are well aware of where we need to improve. This will be a year where I want to get back to battling for the top spots and winning. As soon as I am at 100% fitness, we’ll be ready for anything.”
Lorenzo Savadori on his new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
LORENZO SAVADORI: “I can’t wait for 2026 to begin. The primary objective is to continue improving the bike, advancing the work and the path we began in 2025, in order to see Aprilia consistently at the front. I’ll be riding in a few wild-card spots throughout the season, and I’ll be giving it my all to contribute to developing the RS-GP26. In addition to all this, around April, we’ll also begin working and developing in view of 2027.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA, CEO APRILIA RACING: “We’re tackling the 2026 season well aware of what we are and where we want to be. We are coming from a solid 2025 which allowed us to reach an extremely high level of competitiveness, and the goal now is to battle in every race. We’ll be following two different paths in the garage. On one side, we’re keen to pick up from the same level where we left off at the end of last season with Marco, and on the other, we’ll be building a lot with Jorge. We believe very much in the RS-GP26 and we maintain that it has great potential, as do our riders.”
The presentation of the Aprilia Racing MotoGP Team at the Sky Studios in Milan was produced and realized by Sky Sport e Sky Content Factory.
Van Beveren storms stage 10 as Brabec takes Dakar Rally lead.
Stage 10 of the 2026 Dakar Rally delivered yet another dramatic swing in fortunes, as Adrien Van Beveren returned to top form with a dominant stage win, while Ricky Brabec emerged as the new overall leader.
Following a night of marathon-stage camping, riders set off early toward Bisha in Saudi Arabia’s Asir Province.A brutal 368 km special across soft, energy-draining dunes tested both endurance and concentration, with competitors pushing themselves to the limit before finally reuniting with their teams at the finish.
Van Beveren was outstanding throughout the day and by drawing on his vast experience in the sand – including three victories at the Le Touquet beach race – the Monster Energy Honda HRC rider looked completely at ease on the towering dunes.As he reeled in Tosha Schareina, Brabec, and Michael Docherty, he maximised the opportunity to collect bonus time from the front.
Although Luciano Benavides mounted a strong charge midway through the stage, Van Beveren kept his composure and pace to secure his seventh career Dakar stage win, finishing 3’49” ahead of Brabec.On his 11th Dakar appearance, it was a statement ride and one that confirmed his early rally issues are firmly behind him as he eyes further success before Saturday’s finish.
Brabec’s day was equally impressive, if more calculated.Starting fourth, the American used the tracks ahead to his advantage.His rhythm was briefly interrupted when he stopped to check on Daniel Sanders following his crash in the dunes, but he quickly regrouped to claim second place.A 1’37” time credit for assisting Sanders proved crucial, lifting Brabec to the top of the overall standings.
With the leaderboard reshuffled once again, Brabec now leads the rally by just 56 seconds over Benavides after more than 41 hours of racing.
After winning the previous stage, Schareina faced the difficult task of opening the route and paid the price early, losing 17 minutes within the first 123 km.Later working alongside Brabec to assist Sanders, the Spaniard then settled into a steady rhythm through the relentless dunes.Despite finishing sixth, 5’28” of bonus time for running at the front moved him onto the provisional podium in third overall.With a more favourable starting position tomorrow, he has a strong chance to extend his nearly two-minute gap to Sanders, who is now in fourth.
Skyler Howes continued his consistent Dakar with a solid fourth-place finish, also picking up bonus time.The dune-heavy terrain suited both the American and his Honda CRF450 RALLY and he completed the two-day marathon stage without issue, keeping him fifth overall.
With just three stages remaining, the battle for Dakar honours is wide open.Stage 11 will demand absolute focus as riders head toward Al Henakiyah, facing a punishing 883 km day with no margin for error.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“What a stage today! A few months ago in Spain, David Castera said at the Dakar presentation that if you liked dunes, stage ten would be full of them and he was true to his word. There were kilometres of dunes: soft dunes, big dunes, all kinds of dunes. For us, it was a good stage. Tosha had a tough job opening this long stage, but he rode well to finish sixth and climb back onto the podium in third place. Skyler isn’t a fan of dunes, he prefers hard-packed, stony terrain, but he rode a solid stage to finish fourth. Ricky started in a good position, but he caught the front runners early and had to ride alongside Tosha, which made it hard to build a gap. Still, he finished second and took the overall lead, achieving the goal. Adrien is a completely different rider from the first week. He’s riding much better and winning today’s tough stage was a fantastic victory. As for stage 11, we don’t know much yet, based on the map, it looks fast, so we’ll see how it unfolds.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“The marathon stage was good overall. We got to sleep on the ground, under the stars, it was really cool. Overall, the two days was awesome, we did the best job we could and the outcome is pretty good. If we’re still in a good position for the next three days, we’ll just keep doing the best we can and we’ll keep plugging away. We made it back which is my main goal, my bike is in one piece, so for my mechanics it’s super awesome. The times are super tight, I don’t know if I like it still, but it’s a good race I’m sure for the people watching. We’ll keep fighting, there’s three days to go, hopefully at the end of this thing we’re in the position we want to be in.”
MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers (97), as seen at Mid-Ohio during the 2025 racing season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
FIRST PERSON/OPINION:
By Alessandro Assanti
I’m Alessandro “Alex” Assanti. I’m a former motorcycle road racer and an attorney in Orange County, California. Going on 30 years I have represented motorcyclists and bicyclists, professional teams, racers and athletes, companies in the power sports industry, race sanctioning bodies, and closed course establishments such as paved racetracks and motocross parks.
I represent MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers, one of the country’s best young road racers. He is trying to live the dream of being a professional racer. Rocco is one of those that do it for the love of the sport in hopes of one day getting a break. He is a kind, talented young person who I am honored to help.
MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers.
In 2024, Rocco was riding a Supermoto bike at Adams Kart Track in Riverside, California and was involved in an accident with another rider on course. It was a common track incident involving Rivian mechanical engineer Greg Dachner. Dachner’s wife and father-in-law are both lawyers, and he decided to sue Rocco for the injuries he sustained in that incident, despite both riders signing a waiver (liability release) before entering the track.
Liability releases are what makes motorcycle racing possible. If liability releases don’t work, motorcycle racing will be impossible to insure and will cease to exist as we know it.
I have donated my time to make sure that Mr. Dachner does not prevail. I have absorbed all of the expenses thus far in order to make sure that this does not happen. We are getting close to trial and the costs are starting to mount. We have established a GoFundMe Page and I wanted all to know about this horrible situation so we can prevent Mr. Dachner from taking advantage of the legal system which continues to erode freedoms that motorcyclists enjoy. The funds raised will go toward retaining experts and paying court costs during the trial.
MotoAmerica racer Rocco Landers on the podium during the 2024 racing season. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
If we lose, expect that your motorcycling experience will change forever. For example, you head out to the racetrack and it will be in the back of your mind, that regardless of signing a waiver you could end up as a defendant in a court case where the other party seeks damages from you. Well, as they say, welcome to what Rocco and many others will have to confront if we do not stop this madness. Essentially waivers will be meaningless, which could create the possibility that there will be no open-to-motorcycle tracks left in California. Worse, it could easily spread to other states since California is a bellwether state for other states adopting legal principles in the civil litigation arena.
When you get on a motorcycle, and especially on a race course with other riders on the course, you need to appreciate the risk–or don’t ride a bike on a track. It is that simple. Many of us have had racing incidents where we went to the hospital or had to endure an injury through no fault of our own. It is the risk we are willing to accept to experience the awesomeness of riding on track.
Please let everyone you know about this situation. We need to have litigation pressure against this as well an online presence. If you want to look up the case, it was filed in the Superior Court in the County of Riverside, Case No. CVRI 2304163. (It is also shown below, along with the waiver Mr. Dachner signed.) Mr. Dachner’s attorneys (and wife and father-in-law) are David Flyer and Raquel Flyer Dachner.
Please help us by going to the Supporting Rocco Landers Legal Defense Fund on GoFundMe. Help us keep our motorcycling freedoms alive. Thank you.
AFM racers in 400 GP action in Turn 5 at Thunderhill in 2024. Photo by Max Klein/oxymoronphotography.com .
Important Update Regarding the 2026 Laguna Seca Event.
Following the AFM Board of Directors meeting on January 14, the Board voted to cancel the previously announced July 25–26, 2026 event at Laguna Seca Raceway.
We recognize that some members renewed or applied for a new AFM license with the expectation of racing at Laguna Seca this season, based on earlier communications. We want to ensure members have accurate information so they can make informed decisions moving forward.
Members who wish to discuss license status or request a refund related to this change should contact the AFM Registrar directly for assistance.
We appreciate everyone’s engagement in the calendar planning process and thank you for your continued support of the AFM.
WP has long been a leader in Suspension Technology, having developed and produced many high-quality OEM components for KTM and other high-end brands. Now, WP takes the next step with the launch of WP Braking Systems.
Combining cutting-edge technology with advanced materials, WP Brakes deliver unmatched reliability on the road and track, born out of a need for a high-performance braking system that was tailored to the specific OEM needs of KTM Motorcycles.
A highly skilled team of 11 experts, each with over 20 years of experience in brake development, forms the core of operations. Equipped with state-of-the-art testing and prototyping facilities, the team specializes in advanced engineering, CAD design, supplier development, and full validation processes at a 6,000 sqm SOP-ready plant.
With full vertical integration – from hose braiding and extrusion to machining and assembly – the facility ensures the highest standards of quality and efficiency, further enhanced by an exclusive 100m anodizing line for premium surface treatments and cosmetic finishes, to deliver 300,000 brake systems and 1.5 million hoses annually.
This in-house development process has also allowed for a renewed focus on design, with weight and heat management at the core. This has been done to ensure maximum performance under high stress, utilizing the highest quality materials – effectively bestowing big-bike braking performance onto smaller engine classes.
Of those components, a new Radial Master Cylinder will also bring race-level technology to the smaller engine classes, featuring rear floating calipers with open-bridge cooling, oversized pads, and service-friendly designs for easier maintenance.
An all-new, lightweight four-piston WP Front Radial Caliper weighing in at only 740 g – one of the lightest on the market – will feature a central bridge structure, designed to be as stiff and compact as possible.
WP Braking Systems. Photo courtesy WP.
Thanks to this optimization of the caliper stack-up, a narrower body width is achieved, making the radial caliper compatible with spoked wheel applications, as well as featuring die-cast aluminum bodies, hard-anodized coated aluminum pistons, EPDM square and dust seal, and sintered or organic brake pads.
WP braking systems will also feature braided hoses as OEM equipment, making use of high-quality Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) able to withstand pressures of up to 40 bar. This not only provides riders with a sporty feel on the brakes, but also improves responsiveness and control lap after lap, corner after corner.
In designing these components, special attention has also been given to reducing drag torque, optimizing motorcycle performance, while minimizing fuel consumption, and pad wear.
This new generation of WP braking technology underscores WP’s commitment to high-end motorcycle components, delivering lighter weight, higher efficiency, improved cooling, and absolute reliability for the next era of motorcycle performance – from the racetrack to the street.
Steve Wise’s bio, as featured in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame:
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Wise, Steve
Motocross & Supercross, Road Racing
Steve Wise will go down in history as one of the most multi-talented riders in the history of motorcycle racing. Wise earned the distinction of becoming the only rider in history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals. The Texan further proved his all-around talent by earning a podium result in the AMA Grand National Championship when he took third, in his very first Grand National Dirt Track appearance, at the Houston Astrodome TT National in 1982.
In addition, Wise twice won the popular ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition in the early 1980s, an event that featured the top motorcycle racers in the world from all disciplines. ABC’s Superbikers was a predecessor to Supermoto, which flourished in Europe and later attained AMA national status in 2003. Wise’s versatility helped him earn the prestigious AMA Pro Athlete of the Year Award in 1982.
Gary Steven Wise was born in McAllen, Texas, on June 2, 1957. Steve’s father, Gary, was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and took young Steve to local races from an early age. In the late 1960s, Wise was a spectator at one of the first motocross races in America held in Conroe, Texas.
“I remember as a young kid sitting by this jump and watching Sylvan Geboers and John DeSoto flying over this jump. I was thrilled,” Wise recalled. His father bought Steve a Honda SL90 and he began tearing up the hills surrounding McAllen. Wise’s father, a successful real estate broker, loved the sport so much that he opened a Honda dealership.
With his father’s backing, Wise stepped up to a stripped-down Honda SL125 and started doing well at local motocross races. Even though Wise did well on the Honda four-stroke, he was having a tough time against the hot riders on Yamaha’s potent YZ two-stroke motocross machines. His dad’s novel solution was to add the Penton line of motorcycles to his dealership. Once he was on the light, two-stroke Pentons, Wise became nearly unbeatable.
Texas was a hotbed of motocross in the early 1970s and produced other top riders such as Steve Stackable and Kent Howerton. Wise became the Texas State Motocross Champion in 1974 and beat national motocross stars such as Gary Jones and Jimmy Weinert en route to the title. Victories over such top-notch talent suggested that young Wise was ready to tackle the nationals. When he turned 17, Wise traveled with his father to a few nationals and earned top-10 finishes.
Wise got a big break in 1975 when Steve Stackable recommended the young Texan to Kawasaki. Steve and his father flew to California for a try-out race and did well enough to earn his first factory ride. In 1975, Wise tallied two top-10 finishes in the four-race AMA Supercross Series and went on to score a handful of top-10 finishes in the 125 nationals, including a second in San Antonio, his first AMA national podium appearance. He ended his first full season of professional racing a very credible sixth in the final AMA 125 National Motocross standings.
Wise began the 1976 season with Kawasaki, but unhappy with the bike, he decided to leave the team mid-season. A few weeks after leaving Kawasaki, Wise took his first AMA national victory aboard a Jim Strait-tuned Honda CR125 at the national in Keysers Ridge, Maryland. He earned the distinction of being the first privateer to win an AMA 125 National Motocross race. Wise ended the 1976 season ranked fourth in AMA 125 Motocross.
Wise did well enough on a privateer Honda in 1977 that Honda signed him to a factory ride in 1978. He would stay with Honda the rest of his racing career and experience his best success with the team.
With Honda, Wise earned his highest national motocross ranking of third in the AMA 250 National Motocross Championship in 1980, along the way winning the Red Bud 250cc National in Buchanan, Michigan. It was during this period that Wise experienced perhaps his most memorable victory.
The 1979 New Orleans Supercross was held on Wise’s birthday. Before the race, the 40,000-plus fans in the Superdome sang “Happy Birthday” to him. With the fans cheering heartily for Wise, he edged Jimmy Weinert in the main to take an emotional victory that night.
Ultimately, Wise proved to be a leading contender in both motocross and Supercross, but injury and untimely bike failures kept him from winning the national championship he coveted. However, a special made-for-television race would dramatically change Wise’s racing career.
Steve Wise started his professional career in motocross but transitioned into road racing. AMA photo.
In the late 1970s, ABC’s Wide World of Sports was the highest-rated sports show in America. Racing promoter Gavin Trippe pitched ABC the idea of a motorcycle competition bringing together the best riders from all forms of racing and the Superbikers was born.
Wise raced in the first Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition in 1979, but the bike he rode was not competitive.
“Honda asked me if I wanted to race in the Superbikers again in 1980 and I told them ‘Sure, but give me a competitive bike,’ ” Wise recalls. “And boy did they ever. The bike had a special factory engine. It could run 140 mph and had powerful disc brakes. It was great.”
Wise won the Superbikers race in 1980 and 1981 against two of the most talented fields of riders ever assembled and he instantly became one of the best-known motorcycle racers in America and in Europe, where Superbikers was also shown. Honda was so impressed by Wise’s ability on Superbikers, he was asked if he would like to try road racing a Superbike.
During the winter of 1981, Wise tested a Freddie Spencer Honda 1000cc Superbike at Willow Springs Raceway. Wise remembers that as the most intimidating thing he’d ever done in motorcycling.
“Here I was riding this 150-horsepower Superbike for the first time on Willow Springs in 40 mph winds,” Wise said of the tryout. “It was only by the grace of God that I survived that day. I ran off the track into the rocks a couple of times at 130 mph. I was shocked by the power of the bike. It was a real eye opener.”
In spite of the intimidating first ride, Wise did well enough that he was offered a three-race contract for the 1982 AMA road racing season. If it went well, he would continue road racing. To say it went well would be an understatement.
Wise made a spectacular road racing debut. He led the AMA Formula One point standings for most of the season and was nipped by veteran Mike Baldwin by just three points for the championship.
Earlier that year, Wise had qualified for the Houston TT in the Astrodome in his first-ever appearance in an AMA Grand National Dirt Track race. Riding a modified Honda CR450 two-stroke Wise thrilled the Astrodome crowd with his aggressive supercross style on the TT circuit. Late in the final, Wise worked all the way up from the back of the field to the tailpipe of leader Ricky Graham. It was obvious to all on hand that Wise was setting Graham up for a pass when a rear brake rod broke on his Honda forcing him back to third at the finish. Nevertheless, the Houston TT podium only added to the legend of Wise’s amazing ability.
Wise was recognized for his success in all forms of AMA competition when he was named 1982 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year.
In 1983, Wise would earn a permanent place in American motorcycle racing lore by winning the Mid-Ohio round of the AMA Superbike Series. He became the only motocross winner to cross over to road racing and win a national. Earlier that season, Wise earned a podium finish in the Daytona 200. His future in road racing looked bright.
Just when things seemed to be falling into place, Wise was seriously injured in a high-speed crash at Road America. He returned prematurely from the injury and crashed hard again at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, a month and a half later and was badly hurt once again. The injuries began to pile up and while he was in the hospital after the Laguna crash Wise decided to retire from racing.
Gavin Trippe convinced Wise to come back and race the Superbikers once more at the end of the 1983 season, but when he couldn’t even crack the top five in a race he’d previously dominated, Wise said he knew he didn’t have it in him to race any longer.
After retiring from racing, Wise went on to Bible College and became an ordained minister. He later followed in his father’s footsteps and started a real estate investment company. He is a frequent featured speaker at various Christian meetings. Wise had three children with his high school sweetheart Sandra.
Wise will always be remembered for his amazing decade-long racing career that proved him to be one of the most versatile racers in the history of AMA racing.
More from a press release issued by AMA:
AMA Mourns the Passing of AMA Hall of Famer Steve Wise.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is devastated by the sudden passing of AMA Hall of Famer Steve Wise, and offers sincere condolences to his family and friends. He was 68 years old.
One of the most multi-talented riders in the history of motorcycle competition, Wise is the only racer history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals. Additionally, Wise earned a podium at the AMA Grand National Championship, his first-ever Grand National Dirt Track appearance, in 1982, and emerged victorious in the ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition twice, in 1980 and 1981.
Wise is the only National-class motocross winner to ever win an AMA Superbike National (Mid-Ohio, 1983).
Born in McAllen, Texas, on June 2, 1957, Wise’s father Gary was instrumental in Wise’s motorcycling journey, taking him to local races at an early age. Wise began his racing career in the early 1970s, earning a Texas State Motocross Championship in 1974.
Wise then began competing in AMA nationals at the young age of 17. As a rider for Kawasaki and Honda during the early stages of his career, Wise notched a career-best third-place finish in the AMA 250 National Motocross Championship in 1980, which included a victory at the Red Bud 250cc National in Buchanan, Mich.
Steve Wise with his Honda 750 Interceptor. Photo by Kevin Wing / courtesy AMA
Despite being a perennial contender in both motocross and Supercross, injuries and unexpected bike failures ultimately kept Wise from his ultimate prize of a national championship. But Wise would have his day in the sun during the early 1980s at the ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition.
Riding factory Hondas, Wise outpaced two stacked fields of riders en route to a pair of victories in Superbikers competition in 1980 and 1981, thrusting himself in the national spotlight and ultimately earning him a contract for the 1982 AMA road racing season.
Wise nearly claimed a title in his first AMA road racing season falling just three points shy of Mike Baldwin for the Formula One championship. Wise’s outstanding debut season, compounded with his unexpected podium finish in his first-ever appearance in an AMA Grand National Dirt Track race at the Houston TT, earned him the 1982 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year honor.
The pinnacle of Wise’s career came in 1983, when he became the first and only motocross winner to cross over to road racing and win a national, claiming the Mid-Ohio round of the AMA Superbike Series.
Sadly, injuries derailed Wise’s promising career in the AMA Superbike Series, and he retired shortly after his triumph at Mid-Ohio.
Following his racing career, Wise became an ordained minister and started a real estate investment company.
Wise was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2001 and later served as the Grand Marshal of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in 2023.
Michelin simplifies front tyre allocation for the 2026 MotoGP™ season. Photo courtesy Michelin
Fewer specifications, fewer tires, but an allocation better suited to riders’ requirements.
Maintenance of a specific allocation on circuits most exposed to weather uncertainty and temperature variations.
A decision that forms part of Michelin’s long-term strategy, approved by all MotoGP stakeholders and validated by the Grand Prix Commission.
True to its sustainability strategy and commitment to optimising resources—implemented in MotoGP through a progressive and controlled reduction in the number of specifications made available to riders—Michelin announces an evolution of the front tire allocation starting from the 2026 season, in consultation with all Championship stakeholders.
A simplified and more efficient allocation
From 2026, the front tire allocation will evolve as follows at the majority of Grands Prix:
2 front tire specifications, instead of 3 in 2025;
7 tires allocated per specification, instead of 5 in 2025;
14 tires in total, instead of 15 in 2025.
This new distribution makes it possible to reduce the front tire allocation by one tire per rider per weekend, while offering greater freedom of choice thanks to an increased number of tires of the specification best suited to each rider’s style and the characteristics of each circuit.
This approach fully aligns with Michelin’s policy to reduce the number of specifications, limit the Championship’s environmental footprint and maintain a very high level of sporting performance.
An exception for circuits sensitive to climatic conditions
For circuits particularly exposed to weather uncertainty and temperature variations, the allocation will remain identical to that of the 2025 season, in order to guarantee safety, performance and sporting fairness.
The Grands Prix concerned are:
Michelin Grand Prix of France (Le Mans)
British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
German Grand Prix (Sachsenring)
Australian Grand Prix (Phillip Island)
Valencian Community Grand Prix (Cheste)
At these events, 3 front tire specifications will be maintained, with an allocation of 5 tires per specification.
A concerted and validated decision
This evolution of the front tire allocation for 2026 was defined in consultation with the teams, as well as with Dorna Sports, the IRTA and the MSMA, and was officially validated by the Grand Prix Commission.
Piero Taramasso, Manager of Michelin Two-Wheel Competition: “With this new rationalisation of the front tire allocation, we are continuing work that began back in 2018. Over the past eight MotoGP™ seasons, Michelin has halved the number of specifications offered to riders, while continuously improving safety and performance across an increasing number of circuits, as demonstrated by the many records that have been set.
By way of comparison, the 2018 season featured 58 different front and rear tire specifications for 19 Grands Prix, compared with 29 specifications in 2026 for 22 races. Thanks to this continuous optimisation approach, Michelin has progressively reduced the volumes of tires manufactured and transported.
Michelin thus reaffirms its commitment to reconciling technological innovation, environmental responsibility and sporting excellence, in the service of MotoGP™ and all of its stakeholders.”
About Michelin:
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people.
Howes breaks through with first Dakar Rally stage victory.
Skyler Howes claimed his first-ever Dakar Rally stage victory with a commanding performance on one of the fastest tests of this year’s event.
With three stages remaining at the start of the day, riders faced a daunting total distance of 883 km, including 346 km of flat-out timed racing.While speed was the dominant factor on the rally’s quickest special stage, competitors still had to stay sharp through technical navigation and rocky terrain as the route wound north toward Al Henakiyah.
Howes has been steadily building momentum throughout his eighth Dakar appearance. Although a tyre issue during last week’s first marathon stage ended his podium hopes, today’s rocky conditions played perfectly into the American’s strengths and the Honda CRF450 RALLY rider took full advantage to secure a landmark stage win.Despite the demanding task of opening the stage tomorrow, Howes was buoyed by his pace and will now look to challenge for a last-minute fourth place overall as the rally draws to a close.
Adrien Van Beveren was tasked with opening the stage following his victory yesterday and handled the navigation with confidence, ticking off checkpoints as the lead rider.He was eventually caught by teammate Ricky Brabec and the pair rode together for much of the stage.Even so, Van Beveren earned valuable bonus time for running up front and finished second, just 21 seconds behind Howes, capping off a dramatic turnaround in fortunes during the second week of the rally.
Ricky Brabec began the day leading the overall standings, separated from Luciano Benavides by just 56 seconds.On his favoured rocky terrain, the two-time Dakar champion pushed hard to extend his advantage, however, a calculated strategy saw him concede time late in the stage and despite gaining some bonus seconds after catching Van Beveren, Brabec dropped over a minute to Benavides at the finish.As a result, he surrendered the overall lead by a slender 23 seconds.With two stages remaining, his experience will be crucial as the fight goes down to the final kilometres.
Tosha Schareina endured a relatively quiet day by his standards.The 2025 runner-up returned to the provisional podium yesterday and focused on consolidating his position.Despite a small crash in the sand, he regrouped to finish fifth, four minutes off the lead, and now holds an advantage of more than eight minutes over Sanders in the battle for the final podium spot.
The penultimate day of this year’s Dakar will see riders cover 720 km as they make their return to Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s western coast.After 13 gruelling days of racing across spectacular terrain, the final push begins as competitors edge ever closer to the podium.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“We’ve reached the final bivouac before Yanbu. Today’s stage was fast and not overly demanding in terms of navigation and it was fantastic to see Skyler take his first stage victory of this year’s Dakar. Leading the way on the stage, Adrien also made the most of the bonus time, finishing just behind Skyler. Tosha faced a challenging start with a minor crash, followed by a fuel system issue that kept his bike from running at full power. Despite this, he fought through to finish fifth.
Right behind him was Ricky. Preferring a slightly later start position tomorrow to tackle the upcoming navigation and dunes, he will cross the start line in sixth.”
Skyler Howes (10):
“I’m happy. The stage was really fast and I just did a good job of navigating, pushed it to the end, so I consider that a perfect stage. I came away with the win which means a lot to give back to the team, they deserve stage wins, they deserve a lot and I’m happy to give that to them a little bit. Tomorrow, my job just means I’ve got to do a perfect job. All I’m looking forward to is opening the stage, doing the best I can and not make a single mistake and put Ricky into a good of position as possible. So I’ll just do my best, that’s all I can do.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“Today it was the fastest stage and they had said this at the briefing. Everyday has been fast this week, we were like, “how can they get any faster?” But today was full gas, we were to the stop for 85% of the day. I did the best I could to catch my teammate Adrien and then we rode together, well he navigated and I kind of sat in his dust to collect some bonus time. Stage 11 was good, it was fast, a little bit technical and tricky, but I managed to manage myself well and now I think we’re in a good position for stage 12.”
Barcelona, Spain – Stark Future delivered a 77 % year-over-year sales growth to €115 million in revenue in the full year of 2025, achieving profitability in 5 of the last 9 months, underscoring strong demand for the company’s electric motorcycles and expanding global footprint. Q4 growth of 97 % capped a year of operational discipline and product momentum across MX, EX, and SM platforms.
Growth came primarily from existing dealers increasing sell-through, complemented by rapid geographic expansion into new regions and markets. In less than 1 year, Stark has achieved a share of over 3% in the global Enduro segment, demonstrating that riders adopt electric when they outperform combustion engines. The company targets a ~30% share in 5 years; notably, a 50% market share was already achieved in Germany in 2025, with similar performance observed in several European countries.
Stark is now developing vehicles aimed at larger motorcycle categories, with annual global volumes exceeding 55 million units, to replicate this trajectory at scale. Recent battery partnerships on the 26120 cell with EVE and Wanxiang A123 support this roadmap with multi-sourced, motorcycle-first energy platforms designed for high power, fast charging, and robust thermal control.
Stark Headquarter. Photo courtesy Stark.
● Anton Wass, CEO & Founder of Stark Future: “This year proved a simple theory: when you offer the market electric bikes that are superior to combustion, riders switch. We grew fast, stayed disciplined, and showed consistent growth while building the supply chain to scale. Next, we take the same winning formula into bigger categories, while we’ll continue our organic growth in off-road.”
● Morgan Karlsson, Stark Future Chief Marketing Officer: “From Europe to North America to APAC, the signal is the same: when electric motorcycles are better in performance and overall experience, riders switch. We’re scaling to match, broadening our dealer network, adding production windows, and securing cell supply to turn today’s demand spike into durable growth.”
A strengthened balance sheet, in December, Stark closed a €15m disbursement with the European Investment Bank and a €25m equity round with an existing shareholder, bringing the total 2025 equity investment to €45m. These events reinforce liquidity and fund the product and market expansion ahead.
Looking to the future, Stark plans to raise additional capital in 2026 and is preparing for an IPO within the next three years, ensuring the resources required to become a global leader in the motorcycle market.
About Stark Future :
Stark Future is a Barcelona-based premium electric motorcycle manufacturer redefining performance and sustainability in the powersports industry. Founded in 2020, the company has grown to become the fastest-growing Spanish company in history, combining cutting-edge technology with world-class design and engineering. Stark’s flagship model, the VARG MX, is the most powerful motocross bike ever created, delivering unmatched power, precision, and sustainability. With a rapidly expanding global presence, Stark Future’s mission is to accelerate the motorcycle industry’s shift toward sustainability by building motorcycles that outperform expectations on every level.
Marco Bezzecchi (on the left) and Jorge Martín (on the right) with the new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia Racing.
A roaring 2026 for Aprilia Racing.
Aprilia Racing officially unveiled the Aprilia RS-GP26, entrusted for the second year in a row to Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín for the 2026 MotoGP season. The proudly Italian bike has a strong technological and sport identity which represents the cutting edge of a continuously developing project.
The big change for the RS-GP26 livery, which maintains the iconic Aprilia Racing colours, is the presence of a noble symbol from our history – the lion which is part of Aprilia Racing’s DNA. Besides representing the strong ties with the territory, the Leone Alato – symbol of Venice, located just a few kilometres from Aprilia Racing headquarters in Noale – embodies values which fully reflect the identity of the team and its riders: power, strength, determination, and courage. It is the emblem of a team that never gives up, capable of stubbornly tackling difficulties and re-emerging even stronger and more steadfast.
The goal for 2026 is to improve on the results from last season, the most victorious ever for Aprilia Racing, ending with second place in the Manufacturers Championship at 418 points, breaking the 400 barrier for the first time in its history, and third place in the Riders Championship with Marco Bezzecchi at 353 points – the best result ever for a rider in Aprilia Racing’s MotoGP history. Adding to this are numerous impressive statistics: 19 podiums in all, with 3 sprint race wins and 4 long race wins, 5 pole positions to tie the previous record, and the 300th win for the Noale-based manufacturer in the Australian GP. This milestone, which later increased to 302, confirmed Aprilia Racing as the most victorious European manufacturer in the history of World Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing.
Defending the colours for the manufacturer from Noale in the 2026 season will be Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín. In 2025, the Italian rider was the protagonist of an extremely high-level season which placed him third overall in the Riders World Championship standings, with a performance that consecrated him as the best rider in Aprilia Racing history. Bezzecchi is approaching 2026 with the goal of reconfirming his status at the top of the category and continuing the upward trend begun with the team.
Jorge Martín, who will be on track with number 89 on his front fairing, is preparing to tackle a new season after a 2025 conditioned by injuries. For the Spanish rider, 2026 represents the start of a new chapter, which he is facing with determination and the desire to fully express his potential.
Supporting the factory riders, Lorenzo Savadori is confirmed as tester, after his immense contribution in recent years to the development and growth of the RS-GP.
Aprilia RS-GP26 represents an important evolution for Aprilia Racing’s MotoGP project. Each detail has been redesigned in order to be able to battle at top levels and consolidate Aprilia Racing’s position among the protagonists of MotoGP. Every area of the bike has been improved, from the further refined aerodynamics to the chassis architecture and all the way to the electronics and V4 engine, which underwent extensive development in every component not restricted by championship regulations. The technical office in Noale, led by Fabiano Sterlacchini, tackled this new challenge remaining faithful to their DNA and developing a bike that makes innovation an indispensable anchor of their vision.
The RS-GP26 will also be the latest evolution of a technical cycle which has placed the fastest bikes in MotoGP history on the track, thanks to extreme aerodynamics, ride height devices, and 1000cc engines which will no longer be permitted by the technical regulations from 2027. For these reasons, the RS-GP26 will be the fastest prototype ever built in Aprilia Racing history.
Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín will continue to be able to count on a solid and united team, with the support of official tester Lorenzo Savadori and Trackhouse MotoGP Team, with Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura. The Trackhouse project, conceived as a strategic partner and not as a simple satellite team, continues to represent a fundamental resource for the continued development of the RS-GP, providing invaluable data and contributing to the innovation process.
Marco Bezzecchi on his new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “I’m happy to finally be getting back to talking about bikes. I am anxious to start and we have a lot of work to do, although we never really stopped. In Noale, the company is working intensely and I have been training constantly. I am highly motivated and I can’t wait to have fun in the saddle. The 2025 season finale was extremely positive and that boosts our confidence even more. The goal is to start the season straight away in the best possible way and to continue doing a good job.”
Jorge Martín on his new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
JORGE MARTÍN: “After our experience last year along with Aprilia and the latest extremely important tests in Valencia, the goal now is to keep growing together. I’m sure there will be a lot of work to do at the start of the season, but we are well aware of where we need to improve. This will be a year where I want to get back to battling for the top spots and winning. As soon as I am at 100% fitness, we’ll be ready for anything.”
Lorenzo Savadori on his new Aprilia RS-GP26. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
LORENZO SAVADORI: “I can’t wait for 2026 to begin. The primary objective is to continue improving the bike, advancing the work and the path we began in 2025, in order to see Aprilia consistently at the front. I’ll be riding in a few wild-card spots throughout the season, and I’ll be giving it my all to contribute to developing the RS-GP26. In addition to all this, around April, we’ll also begin working and developing in view of 2027.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA, CEO APRILIA RACING: “We’re tackling the 2026 season well aware of what we are and where we want to be. We are coming from a solid 2025 which allowed us to reach an extremely high level of competitiveness, and the goal now is to battle in every race. We’ll be following two different paths in the garage. On one side, we’re keen to pick up from the same level where we left off at the end of last season with Marco, and on the other, we’ll be building a lot with Jorge. We believe very much in the RS-GP26 and we maintain that it has great potential, as do our riders.”
The presentation of the Aprilia Racing MotoGP Team at the Sky Studios in Milan was produced and realized by Sky Sport e Sky Content Factory.
Ricky Brabec (9) takes the overall lead in Stage 10. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Van Beveren storms stage 10 as Brabec takes Dakar Rally lead.
Stage 10 of the 2026 Dakar Rally delivered yet another dramatic swing in fortunes, as Adrien Van Beveren returned to top form with a dominant stage win, while Ricky Brabec emerged as the new overall leader.
Following a night of marathon-stage camping, riders set off early toward Bisha in Saudi Arabia’s Asir Province.A brutal 368 km special across soft, energy-draining dunes tested both endurance and concentration, with competitors pushing themselves to the limit before finally reuniting with their teams at the finish.
Van Beveren was outstanding throughout the day and by drawing on his vast experience in the sand – including three victories at the Le Touquet beach race – the Monster Energy Honda HRC rider looked completely at ease on the towering dunes.As he reeled in Tosha Schareina, Brabec, and Michael Docherty, he maximised the opportunity to collect bonus time from the front.
Although Luciano Benavides mounted a strong charge midway through the stage, Van Beveren kept his composure and pace to secure his seventh career Dakar stage win, finishing 3’49” ahead of Brabec.On his 11th Dakar appearance, it was a statement ride and one that confirmed his early rally issues are firmly behind him as he eyes further success before Saturday’s finish.
Brabec’s day was equally impressive, if more calculated.Starting fourth, the American used the tracks ahead to his advantage.His rhythm was briefly interrupted when he stopped to check on Daniel Sanders following his crash in the dunes, but he quickly regrouped to claim second place.A 1’37” time credit for assisting Sanders proved crucial, lifting Brabec to the top of the overall standings.
With the leaderboard reshuffled once again, Brabec now leads the rally by just 56 seconds over Benavides after more than 41 hours of racing.
After winning the previous stage, Schareina faced the difficult task of opening the route and paid the price early, losing 17 minutes within the first 123 km.Later working alongside Brabec to assist Sanders, the Spaniard then settled into a steady rhythm through the relentless dunes.Despite finishing sixth, 5’28” of bonus time for running at the front moved him onto the provisional podium in third overall.With a more favourable starting position tomorrow, he has a strong chance to extend his nearly two-minute gap to Sanders, who is now in fourth.
Skyler Howes continued his consistent Dakar with a solid fourth-place finish, also picking up bonus time.The dune-heavy terrain suited both the American and his Honda CRF450 RALLY and he completed the two-day marathon stage without issue, keeping him fifth overall.
With just three stages remaining, the battle for Dakar honours is wide open.Stage 11 will demand absolute focus as riders head toward Al Henakiyah, facing a punishing 883 km day with no margin for error.
Ruben Faria – General Manager:
“What a stage today! A few months ago in Spain, David Castera said at the Dakar presentation that if you liked dunes, stage ten would be full of them and he was true to his word. There were kilometres of dunes: soft dunes, big dunes, all kinds of dunes. For us, it was a good stage. Tosha had a tough job opening this long stage, but he rode well to finish sixth and climb back onto the podium in third place. Skyler isn’t a fan of dunes, he prefers hard-packed, stony terrain, but he rode a solid stage to finish fourth. Ricky started in a good position, but he caught the front runners early and had to ride alongside Tosha, which made it hard to build a gap. Still, he finished second and took the overall lead, achieving the goal. Adrien is a completely different rider from the first week. He’s riding much better and winning today’s tough stage was a fantastic victory. As for stage 11, we don’t know much yet, based on the map, it looks fast, so we’ll see how it unfolds.”
Ricky Brabec (9):
“The marathon stage was good overall. We got to sleep on the ground, under the stars, it was really cool. Overall, the two days was awesome, we did the best job we could and the outcome is pretty good. If we’re still in a good position for the next three days, we’ll just keep doing the best we can and we’ll keep plugging away. We made it back which is my main goal, my bike is in one piece, so for my mechanics it’s super awesome. The times are super tight, I don’t know if I like it still, but it’s a good race I’m sure for the people watching. We’ll keep fighting, there’s three days to go, hopefully at the end of this thing we’re in the position we want to be in.”
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April 8, 2026
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Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
Ruben Faria – General Manager: 
Skyler Howes (10): 
Ricky Brabec (9): 
Ruben Faria – General Manager: 
Ricky Brabec (9): 
