MotoGP: Michelin Bringing “Reinforced” Rear Tires To COTA

David Swarts

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April 10, 2024

MotoGP: Michelin Bringing “Reinforced” Rear Tires To COTA

MICHELIN Power Slick and Power Rain families of tyres defy the bumps and variations in asphalt of the Circuit of the Americas

• Third round of the MotoGP™ World Championship for the new MICHELIN Power Slick rubber compounds.

• COTA (Circuit of The Americas) presents a particular, selective and bumpy circuit on which the riders race in an anti-clockwise direction.

• Michelin has selected tyres that are reinforced on the right shoulder in order to compensate for the stresses exerted by a sequence of three particularly demanding turns.

COTA (Circuit of The Americas) has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and was built in the early 2010s on the territory of the town of Elroy (Travis County), near Austin, the capital of Texas. It has a length of 5.513 km, with 20 turns (9 right-handers and 11 left), and fairly significant elevation changes of close to 40 m, including an impressive uphill run to the first turn! The other highlights are its long straight of more than 1,200 m, where MotoGP bikes exceed 350 km/h, and also its 49 m high Cobra-shaped tower inside turn 17. The MotoGP World Championship has visited COTA annually since 2013, and once again it constitutes the third round of the season, following two very competitive races on the circuits of Lusail (Qatar) and Portimão (Portugal).

This circuit in the south of the United States also has some characteristics which directly impact the tyres, starting with the lack of grip on the asphalt. There is also the bumpy nature of the track to take into consideration, due to it being built on ground which is subject to deformation over time. The circuit’s technical services are well aware of this phenomenon and occasionally carry out planing operations. However, if the surface of the tarmac then becomes a little flatter, it is also more ribbed, which generates changes in grip levels in these modified areas. Fortunately, for all these conditions Michelin has tyres that will adapt, and will be able to offer, as always, a good level of performance as well as a feeling of confidence to its partners.

“We know the COTA circuit very well, but we are bringing our new rubber compounds this year, which creates some unknowns,” underlines Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin Two-Wheel competition. “On the other hand, we know that the grip will be low, and that its surface will be uneven in places. Based on our data and taking into account the configuration of the circuit, we selected symmetrical tyres for the front, in three compounds (Soft, Medium, Hard) and two asymmetrical options for the rear, in Soft and Medium. The right shoulder of the rear tyres will be harder, but this is not to compensate for the number of turns, but rather for the sequence of the triple right-handers (turns 16, 17 and 18) which generates very high stresses on the tyres. We intend to provide the perfect technical package to our partners, who broke numerous records on this track last year and who of course intend to try to do better this year, partly thanks to our tyres.”

In Austin, the weather is generally dry and the temperature reaches an average of 25°C during the day. However, Michelin will also bring its MICHELIN Power Rain range, in case of rain. This consists of symmetrical Soft and Medium tyres for the front, as well as asymmetrical Soft and Medium options for the rear, with a harder right side.

Race weekend schedule

On Friday, the first MotoGP free practice sessions will take place during a 45-minute session late in the morning. Then, the second session, this time of one hour in the afternoon, will allow the 10 fastest riders to directly access the second phase of qualifying, the next day.

Saturday will start with 30 minutes of free practice, then the first qualifying session (15 min) will allow the two fastest to join the 10 riders already qualified in Q2. This final session (also 15 minutes) will determine the order on the starting grid for the entire weekend.

The start of the 10-lap Sprint race will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the start of the 20-lap Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, at 2 p.m. local.

Records set in 2023

All time circuit lap record: 2’01.892, by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Race lap record: 2’03.126, by Alex Rins (LCR Honda), winner of the 2023 Grand Prix.

Race duration record: 41’14.649.

About Michelin

Michelin’s ambition is to sustainably improve its customers’ mobility. The leader in the mobility sector, Michelin designs, manufactures, and distributes the tires best suited to their requirements and uses as well as services and solutions to improve transport efficacy. Michelin also puts forward offers that allow its customers to enjoy unique moments when traveling. Michelin also develops high-technology equipment intended for multiple fields. Based in Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin is present in 175 countries, employs 132,200 people and operates 67 tire factories that, together, produced approximately 167 million tires in 2022. (www.michelin.com).

American Matsudaira Fifth In ESBK PreMoto3 Debut

David Swarts

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April 10, 2024

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American Matsudaira Fifth In ESBK PreMoto3 Debut

Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker Make Debut in ESBK Championship in PreMoto3 and Moto4 Categories, Matsudaira with a Top 5 Finish

April 10, 2024 – Americans Kensei Matsudaira and Nathan Gouker made their respective debuts in the PreMoto3 and Moto4 categories in the first round of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship with Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team this past weekend at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Andalusia, Spain.

For 13-year-old Japanese-American Kensei Matsudaira, it was his first race in the PreMoto3 category after moving up from a successful season fighting for wins and podiums in Moto4. Although Kensei and the team struggled to find outright pace in qualifying with a 14th place starting grid position, they continued to work to find the necessary settings to be competitive in the races. On Saturday, despite a poor start, Kensei steadily worked his way forward and finished the race in 11th position leading the second group with a gap of 15.3 seconds to the winner.

On Sunday, Kensei made an excellent start and fought his way up to finish in 5th place, only 3.5 seconds behind the winner.

Kensei Matsudaira:

“I’m really happy I was able to stay with the front group in race 2. It was difficult to start from P14 but I got a good start and just kept moving forward. I was able to get to the front of the second group with a 4 second gap and bring it down to less than 2 seconds at one point. I had a big moment while I was pushing to catch the front guys and lost a few seconds, but I as able to just work forward again and finish P5. Excited about the progress I made with my riding and the setup of the bike in the new category. I will be even stronger in Valencia which will be me and my team’s home race!”

For 12-year-old Nathan Gouker, it was his first time competing in the ESBK championship and he started the weekend strong, completing the free practice sessions on Friday with the 2nd fastest lap time in the Moto4 category. On Saturday, Nathan continued to show his potential with an impressive 6th place qualifying result.

In Saturday’s race, Nathan had a difficult start, getting pushed wide after contact with another rider and dropping to the back of the pack. However, he worked his way forward and finished in the lead of the second group in 11th place, 17.3 seconds behind the winner.

On Sunday, Nathan made a good start and was racing in the top group until lap 5 when he suffered a crash in turn 1. Despite the DNF result, Nathan showed his pace and potential to fight at the front in the Moto4 category.

Nathan Gouker:

“Overall it was a positive weekend with my new Ajevo/Stadler Race team. Qualifying P6 was a great start to the season and shows we can be up front, but I’m disappointed to not give them better race results from round 1. I feel very confident that we will find our place at round 2, in Valencia.”

Round 2 of the RFME ESBK Spanish Superbike Championship will be held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on June 1-2, 2024. This will be Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team’s home race. Fans, friends and supporters are encouraged to reach out to the team or riders for details on attendance.

There are also still openings within the team for additional riders interested in wildcard opportunities or joining the ESBK championship in the Moto4 and PreMoto3 categories.
Please direct all team inquiries to: [email protected]

The Ajevo Nox#27 Racing Team is supported by: Comodity Window Films, Alquilocar, FRC Fercometal, Reprocenter, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias

Kensei Matsudaira is supported by: Evike.com, Iconic Motorbikes, HJC Helmets, Dave Designs, Bullit Electric Cycles, Bison Track, TJ Corse, Alpinestars, Almassera El Teular, Project SLUSH, Moto Tecnica, California Superbike School, Slacker by Motool, Bickle Racing, MadLabs Minimoto, 73 Moto Parts, D.I.D Chain, Yoshimura R&D, NLAB Studio & Wraps, Karen E. Ott Photography, VNM Sport, Galfer USA, Vortex Racing, Hans King, The Starting Grid, Moto Survival School, Mini Moto Alliance, Live 100 Moto

Nathan Gouker is supported by: Stadler, CP Motorsports, Bob Robbins, Quarterly Racing, NGS Racing, KYT Americas, VO2 Leathers, Cornerspin, Fastglass Media, Motul USA, 64degrees Racing, 35 Motorsports, FormaBootsUSA, Carolina Supermoto, Ride Supermoto, Daniels Tire

About Our Sponsors

For over two decades, Evike.com has been the world’s most trusted innovator and retailer of airsoft training equipment. Evike.com is the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and authorized repair center of many premier airsoft brands in the sporting, military/law enforcement training, movie/film and commercial markets. The core values of innovation, a passion for quality, safety, and a personal touch in providing unparalleled customer support have made Evike.com second to none in the industry.

Iconic Motorbikes is a premier motorcycle dealership and online auction house that builds, restores, and sells classic sportbikes and motorcycles. With their expertise and passion for all motorbikes, they provide exceptional service and a seamless buying experience for motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a vintage bike to restore or a modern sportbike to hit the road, Iconic Motorbikes has something for every rider.

STADLER is a world-leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing post-consumer materials recovery facilities. Successful systems built by Stadler include those for sorting, screening and complete Material Recovery Solutions for MSW, co-mingled & single-stream, paper & OCC, lightweight packaging, plastic bottles, C&I, C&D, & RDF. STADLER has installed more than 300 complete turn-key recycling plants 10.000 single machines worldwide. STADLER’s high quality engineering and manufacturing is currently under its 8th generation of family ownership and is based in Germany with offices on every inhabited continent.

Results - ESBK 2024 PreMoto3 Round 1 Jerez
Results - ESBK 2024 Moto4 Round 1 Jerez

American Flat Track: Juniper Mountain Coffee Named Official Coffee Of AFT

David Swarts

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April 10, 2024

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American Flat Track: Juniper Mountain Coffee Named Official Coffee Of AFT

Juniper Mountain Coffee Named Official Coffee of Progressive AFT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 8, 2024) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is excited to welcome Juniper Mountain Coffee as its Official Coffee in an all-new partnership for the 2024 season.

Juniper Mountain Coffee crafts specialty coffee for those that still believe in forgotten values like hard work, integrity, and old school American grit. Carefully roasted in the USA on American made equipment, Juniper Mountain Coffee unapologetically supports American craftsmanship and manufacturing.

Founded by hunters, ranchers, farmers, and some of the foremost coffee experts in the world, JMC’s values are simple, operate with honesty and integrity, treat people right and never cut corners.

Made with meticulous attention to detail, each hand-crafted, small batch is roasted and packaged fresh at their Cocoa, FL import and roasting headquarters. By working directly with their farmers in a direct-trade relationship, Juniper Mountain Coffee is able to identify and source coffee from the best regions and producers on earth.

Progressive AFT fans will have an opportunity to experience this quality first-hand; the first 200 attendees at each race this season will receive a complimentary bag of Juniper Mountain Coffee. Additionally, members of the paddock will have access to a Juniper Mountain Coffee display to help fuel race days throughout the ’24 season.

For more information on Juniper Mountain Coffee visit https://www.junipermountaincoffee.com/.

The 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season will resume with its first Half-Mile of the year with the Mission Texas Half-Mile presented by Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda and Roof Systems of Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, April 27. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/texas-half-mile-86387 to secure your tickets today.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

About Juniper Mountain Coffee

Crafting the best coffee you can buy is the foundation of our company. But our mission is much deeper. Our mission is to stand with you against the decay of morals in our country. The corrosion of integrity, honor and tradition. We don’t compromise our coffee’s quality and we’ll never compromise our values. “Coffee Without Compromise” isn’t just some nice words. It’s an action. An action that is integral to everything we do and what we represent. When you buy from Juniper Mountain Coffee you can rest assured that your money not only stays in the USA, but actively supports and funds American craftsmanship and manufacturing.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. Progressive American Flat Track is televised on FOX Sports and streams live via FloRacing. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on X, and check us out on Instagram.

AMA: Colorado Legalizes “Lane-Filtering” By Motorcyclists

David Swarts

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April 10, 2024

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AMA: Colorado Legalizes “Lane-Filtering” By Motorcyclists

Colorado Signs Motorcycle Lane-Filtering Legislation into Law

Joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states that permit lane filtering

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed SB24-079 on April 4, allowing motorcycles to filter between stopped cars in traffic and at stoplights.

The bill passed through both the Colorado House and Senate behind strong bipartisan support. Colorado now joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states with lane-filtering legislation signed into law.

“The signing of SB24-079 is a significant win for motorcyclists in the state of Colorado,” AMA Central States Representative Nick Sands said. “With this new legislation, motorcyclists will now be allowed to filter through stopped traffic, giving riders the ability to legally remove themselves from vulnerable traffic situations before ever coming into contact with a distracted or inattentive driver.”

The bill — sponsored by Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas), as well as Reps. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver, Jefferson) and Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer) — will go into effect on Aug. 7, 2024. It will allow all motorcycles to pass stopped motor vehicles in the same lane. Motorcycles will be required to travel 15 miles per hour or less when filtering and will only be allowed to do so if the road has lanes wide enough to pass safely. Conditions must also allow for “prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”

For the next three years, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will collect safety data on lane filtering and issue a report to the Colorado General Assembly regarding the newly passed law.

The AMA continues to support efforts regarding lane-filtering legislation, as its success in several other states indicates its long-term viability in protecting motorcyclists on the open road.

To stay up to date on the latest lane filtering news, visit the AMA Action Center.

The AMA’s position on lane filtering, and lane splitting, can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Alessandro Di Mario

David Swarts

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April 10, 2024

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Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Alessandro Di Mario

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

Alessandro Di Mario

Age: 15.

Current home: Lexington, Kentucky.

Current height/weight: 5’9”/140 pounds.

Current school grade level: 10^th grade.

Began riding at age: 5 years.

First road race: 2019, Garrettsville, Ohio, WERA, Clubman Novice, 3^rd.

Current racebikes: Aprilia RS 250 SP2, Aprilia RS 660, Yamaha YZF-R3.

Current tuners/mechanics: Robem Engineering, Luigi Di Mario (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Twins Cup, N2/WERA National Endurance Championship.

Top sponsors: Rodio Racing, Robem Engineering, Aprilia, Dainese, HJC Helmets, Fast by Ferracci.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 8^th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 podium finishes), co-rode to 4 Lightweight class wins in N2/WERA National Endurance Championship and finished 3rd overall twice; 2022 season, won AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won North America Talent Cup Championship (4 wins, 11 total podiums in 14 races), won 3 AMA Grand Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, Lightweight Twins Superbike, E Superstock), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, E Superstock); 2021 season, won WERA Sportsman F Superstock Expert National Championship (3 race wins, 14 total podiums with WERA); 2020 season, won E Superstock Novice AMA Grand Championship, won 2 WERA Sportsman Novice National Championships (won 28 WERA races).

2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.

Racing career goal: Win MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Danilo Petrucci.

Favorite tracs: Barber Motorsports Park.

Favorite hobby: Skiing

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A motorcycle mechanic.

…

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;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

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.

MotoAmerica Previews COTA King Of The Baggers Races

David Swarts

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April 9, 2024

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MotoAmerica Previews COTA King Of The Baggers Races

Here They Come: Mission King Of The Baggers Is Headed To COTA And MotoGP

MotoAmerica’s Mission King Of The Baggers Is Set To Strut Its Stuff In Front Of The World With Texas Invasion At Circuit Of The Americas, April 12-13

IRVINE, CA (April 9, 2024) – Harley-Davidson’s Kyle Wyman won the most important two Mission King Of The Baggers races of the 2024 season when he doubled up at Daytona International Speedway the second weekend in March.

Or did he?

The fact that he won both races at the “World Center Of Racing” isn’t up for debate. What is up for debate, however, is whether the Daytona round or this week’s round at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, which will take place in front of a worldwide audience with MotoGP, is the bigger event. Either way, they are both big.

Kyle Wyman arrives at COTA armed with his factory Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Road Glide and fresh off his two wins at Daytona. As the all-time wins leader in the class with 14 victories, Kyle Wyman has become the benchmark of the series and his two Daytona victories have him atop the 2024 standings with a perfect 50 points. Wyman also won the first of two races at COTA during the debut of the class in Texas this past September.

Defending MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim didn’t have the best Daytona as he opened his title defense on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, but his fourth and fifth-place finishes put him fourth in the championship heading to COTA. He trails Kyle Wyman by 26 points but, with the uncertainty of Baggers racing, that number isn’t as bad as it seems.

Gillim emerged from last year’s dramatic season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park with a win and a second place, and that earned him the title by 18 points over James Rispoli after a consistent season that saw him win three races and finish on the podium in eight others. Gillim can also take solace in the fact that he was fourth and fifth on one occasion last year at Road America, which mimics his Daytona results from a month ago.

Gillim also has the confidence that comes with two second-place finishes in the two Bagger races at COTA this past September.

Kyle Wyman’s new teammate for 2024 is Gillim’s old teammate from 2023 – Rispoli. He joins the factory Harley team after his runner-up finish in last year’s title chase, a season that had him atop the podium on two occasions with 10 total podiums. One of his victories came in race two at COTA after the Floridian was third in race one. Rispoli started his 2024 with two thirds at Daytona.

With Rispoli now on the factory team, 19-year-old Rocco Landers took his spot on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson in what is his debut season in the class. Landers, a former MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup Champion, knows his way around a podium as he’s tasted success in every class he’s attempted. Landers’ Baggers debut at Daytona resulted in fifth- and 10th-place finishes.

The racer who currently sits just 10 points behind Kyle Wyman in the 2024 title chase after Daytona is newcomer Troy Herfoss, the three-time Australian Superbike Champion who made not only his Mission King Of The Baggers debut at Daytona but also his MotoAmerica debut. Herfoss opened eyes when he finished second in both Daytona races in March. The Aussie will be making his COTA debut this coming weekend.

If Herfoss needs any help in learning COTA, he can get it from the other side of the canopy where the S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Indian Challenger of Tyler O’Hara is parked. O’Hara, the 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion, had an off-year (by his standards) in 2023 and finished fifth in the championship with five podiums (three of which were runner-up finishes) and no victories. O’Hara will also be trying to make amends for failing to score a point in the two races at COTA last year.

Fifth place in the championship after Daytona is held by RydFast Racing’s Kyle Ohnsorg and his Indian Challenger. Ohnsorg was sixth in both races at the Speedway. The Minnesotan likely has a fondness for Circuit of The Americas as he scored his first-career podium there last year.

The Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson team arrives in Texas with Cory West, Travis Wyman and Jake Lewis riding the team’s three Road Glides. The trio are eighth (Travis Wyman), 11th (Lewis) and 12th (West) after an issue-filled Daytona and are looking to rebound.

SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong won twice and had six total podiums last year, but he also had a difficult Daytona with a non-finish and a seventh on his scorecard.

Mad Monkey Motorsports’ Max Flinders sits in the top 10 following Daytona after his ninth- and 11th-place finishes in the two races. Flinders earned his first MotoAmerica podium last year in the Baggers season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Spaniard Ruben Xaus had a dismal beginning to his MotoAmerica debut season with just one point coming his way at Daytona. The Feuling Parts Harley racer comes to MotoAmerica with an impressive resume that includes race wins in the World Superbike Championship. Xaus, who lives in Andorra, will be looking to find his feet at COTA.

The Baggers hit the COTA road course for the first time at 8:20 a.m. on Friday, April 12 for Practice 1 and then again at 4:15 p.m. for a 15-minute qualifying session.

At 4:45 p.m., the Baggers will race for the first time in the three-lap Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge.

On Saturday, the first of two six-lap Mission King Of The Baggers races will start at 12:15 p.m. with race two slated for 4 p.m., following the MotoGP Sprint race that starts at 3 p.m.

Pre-Race Notes…

Kyle Wyman is the Mission King Of The Baggers lap record holder at Circuit Of The Americas with his 2:15.461 lap record set in Sunday morning warm up this past September. The fastest lap from the two races last year also goes to Wyman with his 2:16.429 set en route to him winning race one.

Thirteen riders have entered the Mission King Of The Baggers Presented By Drag Specialties. Eight of those are Harley-Davidson Road Glides with five Indian Challengers on the entry list.

Kyle Wyman is far and away the winningest rider in the short history of Mission King Of The Baggers with his 14 victories. Three riders are tied for second with three wins – Tyler O’Hara, Hayden Gillim and Bobby Fong. The other two riders to win King Of The Baggers races are Jeremy McWiliams and Travis Wyman, with those two having one win apiece.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

CVMA: Alexander Finishes 2023-2024 Winter Series With More Wins

David Swarts

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April 9, 2024

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CVMA: Alexander Finishes 2023-2024 Winter Series With More Wins

CVMA Racing Round 7 2023/2024 Winter Series

April 6-7 2024 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway

The final round of the CVMA 23/24 Winter series was a slugfest with riders battling for valuable championship points in an effort to secure class championships. With double points up for grabs, everyone was riding as fast as they could.

On Friday, the New Racer School graduated five riders into the amateur ranks of the club.

On Saturday night, the club had a big end-of-season party complete with a taco dinner for all the riders and their guests and a ton of prizes donated by the series sponsors and other businesses in the motorsports community. The party was a blast and everyone had a great time celebrating the awesome season of racing with CVMA!

Saturday Qualifying

Saturday morning dawned clear and cold, but with sunny skies the track would heat up quickly and riders were able to turn some faster laps in the second round of qualifying.

The fastest of all in Saturday morning qualifying, Corey Alexander topped the field of open-class bikes turning a 1:45.187 lap time.

Owen Williams was the fastest on a middleweight, turning a 1:46.019 lap time.

Gio Alvarez was fastest on a lightweight bike with a 1:50.953 lap time.

Alex George was fastest on an ultra-lightweight bike with a 1:55.320 lap time.

Alexander Calloway was fastest on an American Twin with a 1:58.836 lap time.

Saturday Races

Saturday was a perfect day for racing with sunny skies and warm temperatures, all the riders were riding fast with many turning their personal best times.

Alexander took two wins on the day winning on both an open class bike and a middleweight. George won two races on his ultra-lightweight bike, and Alvarez won two on his lightweight twin.

Lap Records

Alexander Calloway – American Twins – 1:58.612

Luke Sanzone – Formula 40 Lightweight – 1:52.498

Sunday Shootouts

In the first of the shootout races, the Middleweight Shootout, Williams got the hole shot with Alexander second and Brenden Ketelsen starting third. Williams and Alexander ran nose to tail for the entire race with never more than a few bike lengths gap between them. Ketelsen ran a strong third but was not able to match the paces of the two riders at the front. On the final lap, Alexander made some attempts but was unable to overtake in turns four and five. However, a few turns later, he made an inside pass on Williams in turn seven to take the lead. Later in the final lap, Alexander passed a lapped a rider on the back straight, but Williams was unable to get by and was held up through turns eleven and twelve. In the end, Alexander was able to hold on for the win with Williams second and Ketelsen finishing third.

Owen Williams (15) leads Corey Alexander (1) and Brenden Ketelsen (144) in the Middleweight Shootout. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.

The Formula Lightweight Twins Shootout started with Alvarez getting the hole shot, Jack Roach second, and Alexander Enriquez running third. On the second lap, Enriquez made a brave outside pass in turn sixteen, but Roach took the position back just a few turns later in turn three. Unfortunately, Alvarez’s bike failed on the penultimate lap handing the lead to Roach. Roach held off Enriquez for the win with Justin Bordonaro ending up third.

Only two racers showed up for the start of the Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout. George Crashed on lap one and Ashten Bush won the shortened race.

In the premier race of the day, the Stock 1000 Shootout, Gilbert got the hole shot but Alexander quickly made a pass for the lead into turn three. By the end of the first lap, Bryce Prince was able to make his way into second with Alexander leading and Gilbert running third. Alexander and Prince ran very close the entire race with never more than a few bike lengths between them. Prince made several challenges for the lead but was never able to secure the pass. In the end, it was Alexander for the win, Prince second, and Gilbert third. Also of note, Jason Pridmore finished the race just off the podium in fourth.

Full results for the weekend can be found on Speedhive: https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/2560083

All in all, it was a fantastic season of racing with CVMA and we saw some of the fastest riders from all over the country (and other countries as well) gathering together at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for the best club racing experience around. We look forward to our awards banquet later this summer and an even better series for the 2024-2025 winter series.

CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.

CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting in racing on the Friday before each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.

CVMA. Built for racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!

CVMA would also like to thank the 2023/2024 Winter Series Sponsors: Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, CaliPhotography, Racers Edge/Dunlop, RoadRace City/Bridgestone, Del’s Flooring, The California Superbike School, Ride HMVC, and First Team IT

NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Racer Gloves, and Racers Edge/Dunlop

CVMA would also like to thank all the companies that contributed to our end-of-season party: 2WTD, 6d, Alpinestars, Apex Assassins, ASV, Bison, CaliPhotography, Compact Octane, Del’s Flooring, Five Glove, Galfer, Hotbodies, JP43 Coaching, KYT, Lets Ride, Lieto Factory, Mithos, Pirelli, Pit Bull, Racer Gloves, RoadRace City, Ryder Gear, Snap-on, SoCal Track Days, TrackDaz, USBA, VNM, Vortex

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Ryder Davis

David Swarts

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April 9, 2024

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Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Ryder Davis

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.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2024 is featured in the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

Ryder Davis. Photo by Casey Davis.

Ryder Davis

Age: 14.

Current home: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Current height/weight: 5’0″/96 pounds.

Current school grade level: 8th grade.

Began riding at age: 3 years.

First road race: 2019, Circleville, Ohio, OMRL – Ohio Mini Racing League, F2 Novice, 5th place.

Current road racebikes: Ohvale 190 GP-2, Honda NSF250R.

Current tuners/mechanics: Jeremy Haynes, Casey Davis.

Primary race series: MIR Racing Cup Promo3 Championship, ASRA, WERA.

Top Sponsors: Xtreme Autoglass Pros, Pittsburgh Vinyl Graphics, GPMSC, Alpha Omega, Ice Barn, Dabb Transport.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 4^th overall in FIM MiniGP World Series 190cc Championship, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship; 2022 season, runner-up in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160 Championship; 2021 season, placed 3rd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship.

2024 racing goal: Finish top 3 in the MIR Racing Cup Promo3 Championship.

Racing career goal: Make it to the MotoGP World Championship.

Racing hero: Fabio Quartararo.

Favorite track: Road America.

Favorite hobby: Sports.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing basketball.