Nicholas Spinelli won FIM Superbike World Championship Race One at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding a Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati Panigale V4 R in place of injured Danilo Petrucci, Spinelli endured wet-but-drying conditions to win the 14-lap, red-flag-shortened race by 1.979 seconds.
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the runner-up on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR, and two-time and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista finished right behind Razgatlioglu in third on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 16th on his Bonovo Action BMW.
Tyre gamble pays off for WorldSBK debutant Spinelli
The start of World Superbike Race One with Jonathan Rea (65) and Sam Lowes (14) leading Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) and Nicolo Bulega (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.
A brave tyre gamble paid off for the Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team) at the TT Circuit Assen in Race 1 of the Dutch Round. On a drying track the Italian rider, making his WorldSBK debut, was the only rider to opt for intermediate tyres and he was rewarded with a stunning victory. Spinelli, a replacement rider for the injured Danilo Petrucci, was immediately able to get to the front of the field and led every lap before a red flag ended proceedings. The red flag was brought about by a technical failure for Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and ensured the first WorldSBK victory for the long standing Barni Spark Racing Team.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) joined Spinelli on the podium but the red flag, on Lap 14, cost them the chance to win the race. The duo had closed down a margin of over 20 seconds at one point before being in position to attack for the win prior to the stoppage.
Earlier in the day Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) splashed his way to Superpole success in wet conditions. The Northern Irishman claimed the 44th pole position of his career and his first for Yamaha. He will start tomorrow’s ten lap Tissot Superpole Race from pole position and came away from Race 1 with a sixth place finish.
Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) started from the front row of the grid but had to settle for just 11th position at the end of the race. He maintains a championship lead but is now just one point ahead of Razgatlioglu and Bautista.
P1 | Nicholas Spinelli | Barni Spark Racing Team
“It’s incredible because this is my first race and I am in front of Toprak and Bautista! It’s really incredible. The first time I rode a Superbike was in Friday Practice but this bike is very strong. I have tried to approach this weekend step by step and session for session. I don’t have experience with this bike. I told my team that I didn’t know which tyre to use and the team decided to go for the intermediate. I had a gap of 25 seconds but by the last lap the gap was closer! When I saw it was four seconds I thought ‘no! It’s over for me.’ When I saw the red flag it was very lucky for me but that’s the race! I’m happy for this win because it’s very incredible.”
P2 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
“Firstly, congratulations to Spinelli. I needed just one more lap but the race finished like this. I was enjoying this race a lot. The first laps were exciting because the first sector was wet and we were sliding. You are trying to stay on the line for this. I needed a victory here for BMW but in the end we finished in second position. We will see what happens tomorrow but everyone is working hard for the best position possible.”
P3 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“This was a crazy race! It seemed like the first half of the race was about relaxing and not making a mistake but the second part of the race was attacking at 100% or even 120%! It was crazy. In the beginning there were a lot of overtakes all around the lap. It was crazy but I enjoyed this race a lot. The red flag meant that we missed the last seven laps and I think it was going to be a good battle for the victory with Toprak. In any case I’m happy and congratulations to Spinelli because it was incredible. It was a really good tyre choice.”
Bobby Fong took pole position during MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Qualifying Two Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1 on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks, Fong lapped the 2.55-mile 12-turn road course in 1:23.640, topping the field of 24 riders.
TopPro Racing BMW’s Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) will start his first MotoAmerica Superbike race from second on the grid thanks to his 1:23.818. After taking provisional pole position on Friday, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati rider Josh Herrin slipped to third in Q2 with a 1:23.887.
Three-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne qualified fourth with a 1:23.991 on his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1. Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier was fifth-fastest with a 1:24.024 on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Herrin’s teammate Loris Baz claimed the sixth spot on the grid with a 1:24.314 on his Panigale V4 R.
Row three will be made up of Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen (1:24.669), Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach (1:24.987), and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante (1:25.018).
Tyler Scott secured pole position during MotoAmerica Supersport Qualifying Two Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, near Atlanta, Georgia. Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 on Dunlop control tires, 18-year-old Scott covered the 2.55-mile course in 1:27.935. Not only was Scott’s time fastest of the 43-rider field, it nearly broke Garrett Gerloff’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:27.860 from 2017, when the class’s technical rules allowed bikes to make more horsepower.
Blake Davis qualified second with a 1:28.412 on his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6, while veteran PJ Jacobsen secured the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:28.500 on his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2.
Row-two qualifiers include Altus Motorsports Suzuki’s Jake Lewis (1:28.548), Roller Die + Forming Ducati’s Corey Alexander (1:28.575), and TopPro Racing Suzuki’s Maximiliano Gerardo (1:28.721).
Rocco Landers took pole position during MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Qualifying Two Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in northeast Georgia. Riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R on Dunlop control tires, Landers lapped the undulating 2.55-mile course in 1:32.664 to top the field of 31 riders.
Class newcomer Rossi Moor was the best of the rest with a 1:32.970 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R. And Dominic Doyle claimed the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a lap time of 1:33.173 on his Giaccomoto Yamaha Racing YZF-R7.
Ryan Wolfe earned pole position during MotoAmerica Junior Cup Qualifying Two (Q2) Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Wolfe Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 on Dunlop control tires, Wolfe turned a 1:42.906 on his last lap around the 2.55-mile course. That was the only lap to surpass the 1:42.976 that Yandel Medina did to lead the field in Qualifying One (Q1) and it got Wolfe pole position.
New York Safety Track’s Medina was not able to go faster in Q2, but his time from Q1 held up to get the second spot on the grid.
Avery Dreher, the defending Junior Cup Champion, did improve on his time in Q2, turning a 1:43.281 (from 1:43.768) on his Bad Boys Racing Ninja 400, securing the third and final spot on the front row.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current tuner/mechanic: Mike Skowronek/Triple Strong Racing.
Primary race series: MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup, ASRA, PanAmerican Superbike, WERA.
Top sponsors: Historic GP Custom Leathers, Arai, Pirelli, K-Tech, inline4designs, Motul, Vortex.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (4 wins, 9 total podiums), placed 5th in FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (4 podium finishes), placed 4th in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (1 win, 9 total podiums).
2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship, win MIR Racing Finetwork Cup races.
Racing career goals: Win Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship.
Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.
Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A Pro soccer player.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Jonathan Rea took pole position during FIM Superbike World Championship Superpole qualifying Saturday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. The six-time Superbike World Champion turned a lap time of 1:42.650 on the wet 2.8-mile (4.4 km) course to top the field of 23 riders. This is Rea’s first pole position since joining Yamaha.
Rookie sensation Nicolo Bulega was the best of the rest with a 1:42.744 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, while Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 1:43.003 on his ROKiT BMW M 1000 RR earned him the third and final spot on the front row.
Sam Lowes qualified fourth with a 1:43.190 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Ducati, and his twin brother Alex Lowes (1:43.442) and his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR will line up right beside the World Superbike rookie on the grid. Remy Gardner claimed the final spot on row two, sixth overall, with a 1:43.633 on his GYTR GRT Yamaha.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 17th in Superpole qualifying with a 1:44.582 on his Bonovo Action BMW.
EWC CHAMPION TEAM YART CHARGES TO 24 HEURES MOTOS POLE WITH NEW LE MANS LAP RECORD
(19 April 2024):Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team has made a flying start to its FIM Endurance World Championship title defence with pole position – and a new lap record – for the 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the unmissable 2024 season, from tomorrow (20 April).
Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika combined in style on the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti to claim top spot ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul and F.C.C. TSR Honda France, last year’s winner.
In doing so, Austria-based YART has bagged five championship points, with points also shared among the remaining fastest four teams, which included fourth-placed Honda Viltaïs Racing and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in fifth.
YART also holds the new qualifying lap record after Italian rider Canepa set a 1m34.708s best during First Qualifying on Thursday. YART rider Hanika’s 1m34.878s, set in 2022 was the previous best time.
“I’m really happy because the bike yesterday was unbelievable, the Bridgestone tyres, everything,” Canepà, 35, said. “We did a good choice yesterday to go all-in with the tyres and we set our best time because the conditions were really good and the lap time came. I’m especially happy because I’m not still 100 per cent fit due to my injury [in the Daytona 200 last month] but I am confident we can do a good race. My team-mates did an amazing job and also Max Neukirchner, our new crew chief.
“This morning we made the choice to start with the race configuration and we used the race tyres and each one of us did 12 laps in a row to get the feeling for the race. But it was really impressive the pace we could make. We didn’t push for a qualifying time like we did yesterday, it was a different strategy.”
Of his prospects for a first win at Le Mans since 2017, Canepa added: “The race is always very difficult and the competitors are really strong with many bikes that can be on the top, which is very nice for the fans and the people at home.”
In the Dunlop-equipped Superstock category, which counts for the FIM Endurance World Cup, National Motos Honda was the team to beat ahead of Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team and Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda.
As well as taking pole, National Motos Honda scored five points courtesy of riders Guillaume Raymond, from France, and Swiss brothers Sébastien and Valentin Suchet. Team 18 Sapeurs Pompers CMS Motostore and Wójcik Racing Team STK filled out the top five.
“It’s a satisfaction for the team,”South Korea-born Raymond said. “We have three riders with the same pace so it’s good, but the pole position is only a little part, for us the race is more important although for sure it’s a little satisfaction. Every year the Superstock class is faster and the gap is very small so our goal is to do no mistake and make the laps. It would be great for us to win after the disappointment of not winning the Bol d’Or [last September after we retired from the lead in the final 20 minutes].”
How the EWC 24 Heures Motos pole was won YART essentially did its hard work during First Qualifying on Thursday afternoon when Niccolò Canepa set a new lap record, a 1m34.708s. Despite Marvin Fritz having his best lap time disallowed for a track limits infringement and Karel Hanika crashing on his first flying lap, YART was fastest in three of the four Thursday sessions. With the final qualifying order based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team YART could not be toppled as it repeated its 2022 pole-winning performance.
Friday’s Second Qualifying in focus Josh Hook topped today’s Blue Rider order after setting a time of 1m35.087s for F.C.C. TSR Honda France. Gregg Black clocked a Circuit Bugatti personal best – a 1m35.096s – with Illya Mykhalchyk third quickest for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Niccolò Canepa and KM99’s Jérémy Guarnoni rounded out the top five. Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team’s Kenny Foray’s lap of 1m36.832s set the standard in the Superstock division. Chris Leesch was next up for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda followed by Enzo De La Vega (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Black and Eemeli Lahti (Pit-Lane Endurance) both suffered falls during the 20-minute session.
In the Yellow Rider session, Étienne Masson was quickest for Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul with a best effort of 1m35.664s. Florian Marino (KM99) and Sylvain Guintoli, on his first appearance for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, were second and third respectively, as Germany’s Marvin Fritz and Mike Di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) completed the Formula EWC top five. Valentin Suchet was the leading Superstock contender for National Motos Honda followed by Jan Bühn (Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team) and Baptiste Guittet (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Guittet, Christian Gamarino and Team Racing 85 by Soleane’s Hugo Girardet all hit back from falls.
New-for-2024 Yoshimura SERT recruit Dan Linfoot’s 1m35.259s effort ensured the Briton topped the Red Rider group ahead of Alan Techer (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) and KM99’s Randy de Puniet. Czech Karel Hanika was fourth quickest followed by Honda Viltaïs Racing’s Argentine Leandro Marcado. Le Mans rookie Alessandro Delbianco was the Superstock pacesetter for Pit-Lane Endurance with Kevin Calia next up for the Aprilia-equipped Team Aviobike by M2 Revo outfit despite a fall. Guillaume Raymond took third for National Motos Honda.Takeshi Ishizuka (Maco Racing) and Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team both fell.
There was a heroic performance from Gino Rea in the Green Rider group when the Briton set the Superstock pace on his return to EWC action from serious head injuries sustained in a crash in 2022. The Honda-powered Wójcik Racing Team rider headed Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda’s Martin Renaudin and Alexis Masbou (Honda No Limits). Yoshimura SERT Motul reserve rider Cocoro Atsumi continued his fine Thursday form with the quickest time ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team’s back-up rider Robin Mulhauser.
Hannes Soomer got another opportunity to impress for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in third followed by James Westmoreland (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and Bálin Kovácas (Wójcik Racing Team). Guillaume Pot (3ART Best of Bike) and Flavio Ferroni (Team 33 Louit April Moto) fell during the closing stages of the session.
BEST LAPS
First Qualifying Blue Rider: Niccolò Canepa, 1m34.708s / Kenny Foray, 1m38.868s First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 1m35.139s / Jan Bühn, 1m37.679s First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 1m35.028s / Guillaume Raymond, 1m37.756s First Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m36.327s / Martin Renaudin, 1m37.667s
Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Josh Hook, 1m35.087s / Kenny Foray, 1m36.832s Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Étienne Masson, 1m35.664s / Valentin Suchet, 1m37.472s Second Qualifying Red Rider: Dan Linfoot, 1m35.259s / Alessandro Delbianco, 1m37.404s Second Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m37.187s / Gino Rea, 1m
WHAT’S NEXT? The 47th edition of the 24 Heures Motos is scheduled to begin at 15h00 CET tomorrow (Saturday 20 April)
Stefano Manzi topped FIM Supersport World Championship Superpole qualifying Friday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Pata Yamata Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on Pirelli control tires, Manzi lapped the wet 2.8-mile (4.5 km) course in 1:45.203 to top the field of 34 riders and earn pole position.
Manzi’s teammate Glenn Van Straalen was the best of the rest with a 1:46.193, and Adrian Huertas earned the third and final spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:46.251 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 10th with a 1:48.843 on his Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6.
Bobby Fong topped MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian Challenger on Dunlop control tires, Fong lapped the 2.55-mile course in 1:29.528. That time not only led the session and earned Fong provisional pole position but it also broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.935 that Kyle Wyman set earlier in the day.
Multi-time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss was also under the old lap record with a second-best 1:29.720 on his S&S/Indian Motorcycle Challenger in spite of it being his first day riding at Road Atlanta.
Kyle Wyman’s session was interrupted with a crash, but the 1:29.793 he did on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide was good enough to claim the third and final spot on the provisional front row.
Defending Champion Hayden Gillim was fourth with a time of 1:30.352 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim’s teammate, class rookie Rocco Landers was fifth-fastest with a 1:30.633. And Herfoss’ teammate Tyler O’Hara rounded out the top six with a 1:30.736.
Update: Ruben Xaus informed Roadracingworld.com that his team is waiting on parts and plans to return to a future round of MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers.
Nicholas Spinelli won FIM Superbike World Championship Race One at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding a Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati Panigale V4 R in place of injured Danilo Petrucci, Spinelli endured wet-but-drying conditions to win the 14-lap, red-flag-shortened race by 1.979 seconds.
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the runner-up on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR, and two-time and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista finished right behind Razgatlioglu in third on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 16th on his Bonovo Action BMW.
Tyre gamble pays off for WorldSBK debutant Spinelli
The start of World Superbike Race One with Jonathan Rea (65) and Sam Lowes (14) leading Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) and Nicolo Bulega (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.
A brave tyre gamble paid off for the Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team) at the TT Circuit Assen in Race 1 of the Dutch Round. On a drying track the Italian rider, making his WorldSBK debut, was the only rider to opt for intermediate tyres and he was rewarded with a stunning victory. Spinelli, a replacement rider for the injured Danilo Petrucci, was immediately able to get to the front of the field and led every lap before a red flag ended proceedings. The red flag was brought about by a technical failure for Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and ensured the first WorldSBK victory for the long standing Barni Spark Racing Team.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) joined Spinelli on the podium but the red flag, on Lap 14, cost them the chance to win the race. The duo had closed down a margin of over 20 seconds at one point before being in position to attack for the win prior to the stoppage.
Earlier in the day Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) splashed his way to Superpole success in wet conditions. The Northern Irishman claimed the 44th pole position of his career and his first for Yamaha. He will start tomorrow’s ten lap Tissot Superpole Race from pole position and came away from Race 1 with a sixth place finish.
Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) started from the front row of the grid but had to settle for just 11th position at the end of the race. He maintains a championship lead but is now just one point ahead of Razgatlioglu and Bautista.
P1 | Nicholas Spinelli | Barni Spark Racing Team
“It’s incredible because this is my first race and I am in front of Toprak and Bautista! It’s really incredible. The first time I rode a Superbike was in Friday Practice but this bike is very strong. I have tried to approach this weekend step by step and session for session. I don’t have experience with this bike. I told my team that I didn’t know which tyre to use and the team decided to go for the intermediate. I had a gap of 25 seconds but by the last lap the gap was closer! When I saw it was four seconds I thought ‘no! It’s over for me.’ When I saw the red flag it was very lucky for me but that’s the race! I’m happy for this win because it’s very incredible.”
P2 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
“Firstly, congratulations to Spinelli. I needed just one more lap but the race finished like this. I was enjoying this race a lot. The first laps were exciting because the first sector was wet and we were sliding. You are trying to stay on the line for this. I needed a victory here for BMW but in the end we finished in second position. We will see what happens tomorrow but everyone is working hard for the best position possible.”
P3 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“This was a crazy race! It seemed like the first half of the race was about relaxing and not making a mistake but the second part of the race was attacking at 100% or even 120%! It was crazy. In the beginning there were a lot of overtakes all around the lap. It was crazy but I enjoyed this race a lot. The red flag meant that we missed the last seven laps and I think it was going to be a good battle for the victory with Toprak. In any case I’m happy and congratulations to Spinelli because it was incredible. It was a really good tyre choice.”
Bobby Fong took pole position during MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Qualifying Two Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1 on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks, Fong lapped the 2.55-mile 12-turn road course in 1:23.640, topping the field of 24 riders.
TopPro Racing BMW’s Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) will start his first MotoAmerica Superbike race from second on the grid thanks to his 1:23.818. After taking provisional pole position on Friday, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati rider Josh Herrin slipped to third in Q2 with a 1:23.887.
Three-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne qualified fourth with a 1:23.991 on his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1. Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier was fifth-fastest with a 1:24.024 on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. Herrin’s teammate Loris Baz claimed the sixth spot on the grid with a 1:24.314 on his Panigale V4 R.
Row three will be made up of Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen (1:24.669), Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach (1:24.987), and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante (1:25.018).
Tyler Scott secured pole position during MotoAmerica Supersport Qualifying Two Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, near Atlanta, Georgia. Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 on Dunlop control tires, 18-year-old Scott covered the 2.55-mile course in 1:27.935. Not only was Scott’s time fastest of the 43-rider field, it nearly broke Garrett Gerloff’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:27.860 from 2017, when the class’s technical rules allowed bikes to make more horsepower.
Blake Davis qualified second with a 1:28.412 on his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6, while veteran PJ Jacobsen secured the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:28.500 on his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2.
Row-two qualifiers include Altus Motorsports Suzuki’s Jake Lewis (1:28.548), Roller Die + Forming Ducati’s Corey Alexander (1:28.575), and TopPro Racing Suzuki’s Maximiliano Gerardo (1:28.721).
Rocco Landers took pole position during MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Qualifying Two Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in northeast Georgia. Riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R on Dunlop control tires, Landers lapped the undulating 2.55-mile course in 1:32.664 to top the field of 31 riders.
Class newcomer Rossi Moor was the best of the rest with a 1:32.970 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R. And Dominic Doyle claimed the third and final spot on the provisional front row with a lap time of 1:33.173 on his Giaccomoto Yamaha Racing YZF-R7.
Ryan Wolfe earned pole position during MotoAmerica Junior Cup Qualifying Two (Q2) Saturday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Wolfe Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 on Dunlop control tires, Wolfe turned a 1:42.906 on his last lap around the 2.55-mile course. That was the only lap to surpass the 1:42.976 that Yandel Medina did to lead the field in Qualifying One (Q1) and it got Wolfe pole position.
New York Safety Track’s Medina was not able to go faster in Q2, but his time from Q1 held up to get the second spot on the grid.
Avery Dreher, the defending Junior Cup Champion, did improve on his time in Q2, turning a 1:43.281 (from 1:43.768) on his Bad Boys Racing Ninja 400, securing the third and final spot on the front row.
Mahdi Salem (46) in action at the 2023 FIM MiniGP World Final 190 Championship in Valencia, Spain. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current tuner/mechanic: Mike Skowronek/Triple Strong Racing.
Primary race series: MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup, ASRA, PanAmerican Superbike, WERA.
Top sponsors: Historic GP Custom Leathers, Arai, Pirelli, K-Tech, inline4designs, Motul, Vortex.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (4 wins, 9 total podiums), placed 5th in FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (4 podium finishes), placed 4th in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (1 win, 9 total podiums).
2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship, win MIR Racing Finetwork Cup races.
Racing career goals: Win Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship.
Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.
Favorite track: Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A Pro soccer player.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Jonathan Rea took pole position during FIM Superbike World Championship Superpole qualifying Saturday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. The six-time Superbike World Champion turned a lap time of 1:42.650 on the wet 2.8-mile (4.4 km) course to top the field of 23 riders. This is Rea’s first pole position since joining Yamaha.
Rookie sensation Nicolo Bulega was the best of the rest with a 1:42.744 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, while Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 1:43.003 on his ROKiT BMW M 1000 RR earned him the third and final spot on the front row.
Sam Lowes qualified fourth with a 1:43.190 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Ducati, and his twin brother Alex Lowes (1:43.442) and his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR will line up right beside the World Superbike rookie on the grid. Remy Gardner claimed the final spot on row two, sixth overall, with a 1:43.633 on his GYTR GRT Yamaha.
American Garrett Gerloff finished 17th in Superpole qualifying with a 1:44.582 on his Bonovo Action BMW.
EWC CHAMPION TEAM YART CHARGES TO 24 HEURES MOTOS POLE WITH NEW LE MANS LAP RECORD
(19 April 2024):Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team has made a flying start to its FIM Endurance World Championship title defence with pole position – and a new lap record – for the 24 Heures Motos, the opening round of the unmissable 2024 season, from tomorrow (20 April).
Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika combined in style on the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti to claim top spot ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul and F.C.C. TSR Honda France, last year’s winner.
In doing so, Austria-based YART has bagged five championship points, with points also shared among the remaining fastest four teams, which included fourth-placed Honda Viltaïs Racing and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in fifth.
YART also holds the new qualifying lap record after Italian rider Canepa set a 1m34.708s best during First Qualifying on Thursday. YART rider Hanika’s 1m34.878s, set in 2022 was the previous best time.
“I’m really happy because the bike yesterday was unbelievable, the Bridgestone tyres, everything,” Canepà, 35, said. “We did a good choice yesterday to go all-in with the tyres and we set our best time because the conditions were really good and the lap time came. I’m especially happy because I’m not still 100 per cent fit due to my injury [in the Daytona 200 last month] but I am confident we can do a good race. My team-mates did an amazing job and also Max Neukirchner, our new crew chief.
“This morning we made the choice to start with the race configuration and we used the race tyres and each one of us did 12 laps in a row to get the feeling for the race. But it was really impressive the pace we could make. We didn’t push for a qualifying time like we did yesterday, it was a different strategy.”
Of his prospects for a first win at Le Mans since 2017, Canepa added: “The race is always very difficult and the competitors are really strong with many bikes that can be on the top, which is very nice for the fans and the people at home.”
In the Dunlop-equipped Superstock category, which counts for the FIM Endurance World Cup, National Motos Honda was the team to beat ahead of Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team and Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda.
As well as taking pole, National Motos Honda scored five points courtesy of riders Guillaume Raymond, from France, and Swiss brothers Sébastien and Valentin Suchet. Team 18 Sapeurs Pompers CMS Motostore and Wójcik Racing Team STK filled out the top five.
“It’s a satisfaction for the team,”South Korea-born Raymond said. “We have three riders with the same pace so it’s good, but the pole position is only a little part, for us the race is more important although for sure it’s a little satisfaction. Every year the Superstock class is faster and the gap is very small so our goal is to do no mistake and make the laps. It would be great for us to win after the disappointment of not winning the Bol d’Or [last September after we retired from the lead in the final 20 minutes].”
How the EWC 24 Heures Motos pole was won YART essentially did its hard work during First Qualifying on Thursday afternoon when Niccolò Canepa set a new lap record, a 1m34.708s. Despite Marvin Fritz having his best lap time disallowed for a track limits infringement and Karel Hanika crashing on his first flying lap, YART was fastest in three of the four Thursday sessions. With the final qualifying order based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team YART could not be toppled as it repeated its 2022 pole-winning performance.
Friday’s Second Qualifying in focus Josh Hook topped today’s Blue Rider order after setting a time of 1m35.087s for F.C.C. TSR Honda France. Gregg Black clocked a Circuit Bugatti personal best – a 1m35.096s – with Illya Mykhalchyk third quickest for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. Niccolò Canepa and KM99’s Jérémy Guarnoni rounded out the top five. Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team’s Kenny Foray’s lap of 1m36.832s set the standard in the Superstock division. Chris Leesch was next up for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda followed by Enzo De La Vega (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Black and Eemeli Lahti (Pit-Lane Endurance) both suffered falls during the 20-minute session.
In the Yellow Rider session, Étienne Masson was quickest for Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul with a best effort of 1m35.664s. Florian Marino (KM99) and Sylvain Guintoli, on his first appearance for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, were second and third respectively, as Germany’s Marvin Fritz and Mike Di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) completed the Formula EWC top five. Valentin Suchet was the leading Superstock contender for National Motos Honda followed by Jan Bühn (Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team) and Baptiste Guittet (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). Guittet, Christian Gamarino and Team Racing 85 by Soleane’s Hugo Girardet all hit back from falls.
New-for-2024 Yoshimura SERT recruit Dan Linfoot’s 1m35.259s effort ensured the Briton topped the Red Rider group ahead of Alan Techer (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) and KM99’s Randy de Puniet. Czech Karel Hanika was fourth quickest followed by Honda Viltaïs Racing’s Argentine Leandro Marcado. Le Mans rookie Alessandro Delbianco was the Superstock pacesetter for Pit-Lane Endurance with Kevin Calia next up for the Aprilia-equipped Team Aviobike by M2 Revo outfit despite a fall. Guillaume Raymond took third for National Motos Honda.Takeshi Ishizuka (Maco Racing) and Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team both fell.
There was a heroic performance from Gino Rea in the Green Rider group when the Briton set the Superstock pace on his return to EWC action from serious head injuries sustained in a crash in 2022. The Honda-powered Wójcik Racing Team rider headed Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda’s Martin Renaudin and Alexis Masbou (Honda No Limits). Yoshimura SERT Motul reserve rider Cocoro Atsumi continued his fine Thursday form with the quickest time ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team’s back-up rider Robin Mulhauser.
Hannes Soomer got another opportunity to impress for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in third followed by James Westmoreland (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and Bálin Kovácas (Wójcik Racing Team). Guillaume Pot (3ART Best of Bike) and Flavio Ferroni (Team 33 Louit April Moto) fell during the closing stages of the session.
BEST LAPS
First Qualifying Blue Rider: Niccolò Canepa, 1m34.708s / Kenny Foray, 1m38.868s First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 1m35.139s / Jan Bühn, 1m37.679s First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 1m35.028s / Guillaume Raymond, 1m37.756s First Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m36.327s / Martin Renaudin, 1m37.667s
Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Josh Hook, 1m35.087s / Kenny Foray, 1m36.832s Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Étienne Masson, 1m35.664s / Valentin Suchet, 1m37.472s Second Qualifying Red Rider: Dan Linfoot, 1m35.259s / Alessandro Delbianco, 1m37.404s Second Qualifying Green Rider: Cocoro Atsumi, 1m37.187s / Gino Rea, 1m
WHAT’S NEXT? The 47th edition of the 24 Heures Motos is scheduled to begin at 15h00 CET tomorrow (Saturday 20 April)
Stefano Manzi (62) during a dry spell Friday at Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Stefano Manzi topped FIM Supersport World Championship Superpole qualifying Friday at rainy TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Pata Yamata Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on Pirelli control tires, Manzi lapped the wet 2.8-mile (4.5 km) course in 1:45.203 to top the field of 34 riders and earn pole position.
Manzi’s teammate Glenn Van Straalen was the best of the rest with a 1:46.193, and Adrian Huertas earned the third and final spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:46.251 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 10th with a 1:48.843 on his Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6.
Bobby Fong topped MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian Challenger on Dunlop control tires, Fong lapped the 2.55-mile course in 1:29.528. That time not only led the session and earned Fong provisional pole position but it also broke the All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.935 that Kyle Wyman set earlier in the day.
Multi-time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss was also under the old lap record with a second-best 1:29.720 on his S&S/Indian Motorcycle Challenger in spite of it being his first day riding at Road Atlanta.
Kyle Wyman’s session was interrupted with a crash, but the 1:29.793 he did on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide was good enough to claim the third and final spot on the provisional front row.
Defending Champion Hayden Gillim was fourth with a time of 1:30.352 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim’s teammate, class rookie Rocco Landers was fifth-fastest with a 1:30.633. And Herfoss’ teammate Tyler O’Hara rounded out the top six with a 1:30.736.
Update: Ruben Xaus informed Roadracingworld.com that his team is waiting on parts and plans to return to a future round of MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers.
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Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
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
