EUROPEAN TALENT CUP: AMERICAN KRISTIAN DANIEL JR RETURNS TO AGR TEAM FOR 2024
Kristian Daniel returns to the team he raced with in his rookie season of the European Talent Cup
Barcelona, Spain – AGR Team is pleased to announce the return of Kristian Daniel Jr to the team in order to achieve great success together. The young Californian talent, who was previously an integral part of the AGR Team for the 2021 season, returns with a new perspective and valuable experience gained over the past three years.
Kristian, will continue his development in the European Talent Cup category with which he already has three years of experience. He made his debut in the Championship at the tender age of 12, making him one of the youngest drivers in his category. His return home is an exciting opportunity to continue his growth as a professional driver. As a team, we are committed to ensuring the success of this exciting joint venture.
With a dedicated team and a determined rider, AGR Team anticipates an exciting season full of achievements in the European Talent Cup. Let’s go for it!
Anscari Nadal: “I am pleased with the return of Kristian Daniel Jr to the AGR Team. We will continue where we left off and work together to achieve our goals with success. Kristian is a more mature rider with 3 years of experience. He started the European Talent Cup when he was only 12 years old, the youngest in the category, which was quite an achievement back then! We thank all the sponsors who make this new adventure possible. Although the budget presents challenges, AGR is committed to overcome them and move forward with determination.”
Kristian Daniel Jr: “I’m very happy to announce that I will be competing in the 2024 season in the ETC category with the AGR team, where I was already in 2021 and had my first contact with the category. I am sure it will be a very fun season, as I know most of the mechanics and data guys, I am more mature and older now and I know I can bring a lot more to the table. It’s a very special season for me”.
Editorial Note: To listen to this podcast, go here.
JOURNALIST AND CHAMPION MOTORCYCLE RACER DENNIS NOYES TAKES CENTER STAGE ON DRIVEN TO RIDE PODCAST
WHEATON, ILL. (March 7, 2024) — “Driven to Ride,” the podcast dedicated to motorcycle adventure and culture, is thrilled to announce a new episode featuring Dennis Noyes. The distinguished journalist, prominent television broadcaster, and champion motorcycle racer reveals a passion for two wheels that continues to reverberate around the world.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Dennis Noyes has come a long way from central Illinois, where he was born and raised. His father wrote for the “Stars And Stripes” and his mother was a linguistics professor at Purdue University, so words have always played a fundamental role in his life. Noyes, who now resides in Southern California, recently published his first novel, “Yonders, Illinois.”
In this interview, “Driven to Ride” host Mark Long delves into Noyes’ personal and professional history, which includes roles as a road-test editor for the largest-circulation motorcycle magazines in Spain. Noyes’ youngest son, Kenny, followed in his father’s wheel tracks, making his Moto2 World Championship debut in 2010 and winning the European Superbike title in 2014.
From his early days as a stock-car racer to Dorna VP of Grand Prix Promotion to 12 years of MotoGP commentary on Spanish TV, Noyes takes listeners on a fascinating journey. He shares riveting anecdotes, offering a behind-the-scenes look into his life on and around two wheels. His infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge promise to interest anyone with a passion for adventure.
Long expressed excitement about landing his most recent guest. “Having Dennis on the show is an absolute honor,” he said. “His unique perspective as both a journalist and a racer added a depth to our discussion that will resonate with the ‘Driven to Ride’ audience. This is an episode no motorcycle enthusiast should miss.”
ABOUT DRIVEN TO RIDE
The “Driven to Ride” podcast is an immersive exploration of the motorcycle and adventure lifestyle. Hosted by Mark Long, each episode showcases inspiring guests and notable figures in the motorcycle community who live and breathe the world of two wheels. With candid conversations and captivating storytelling, this podcast is required listening for anyone with a passion for the open road.
PAST EPISODES
From industry experts to adrenaline junkies, the “Driven to Ride” podcast covers a range of topics, making each episode a must-listen for anyone with a love for two-wheel adventures. This episode—along with past shows featuring Alonzo Bodden, Peter Egan, Ricky Carmichael, Dave Despain, Michael Lichter, Robert Pandya, Mike van der Sleesen, Austin Rothbard, and Bridget McCutchen plus a tour of the now-shuttered National Motorcycle Museum—is available at driventoridepodcast.com and on your favorite podcast platform. The video version of this podcast will be posted on the “Driven To Ride Podcast” YouTube channel on March 13.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Connect with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts and share your thoughts about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #DrivenToRidePodcast. For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more, follow the “Driven to Ride” podcast on:
Instagram: instagram.com/driventoridepodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/driventoridepodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/driventoridepodcast
Website: driventoridepodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOST
Mark Long, the charismatic host of the “Driven to Ride” podcast, is an avid motorcycle enthusiast with a deep passion for sharing the stories that drive the motorcycle community.
Pre-season testing raises questions, and racing answers them. Sunday’s Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar was only the first race weekend in a long season, but it showed that MotoGP looks much the same as it did at the end of 2023, although there were a few intriguing developments. The dominant force in the class last year, Ducati showed that it is still the bike to beat, that Jorge Martin is still a monster in the Sprints and Francesco Bagnaia is still sublime over the distance of a full Grand Prix.
After Bagnaia smashed lap records in pre-season testing, finishing the Sprint race off the podium seemed like an underachievement. But the defending MotoGP World Champion, who has an ability to stay calm and rebound from disappointments, regrouped and led every lap of the Grand Prix. More than that, he looked like he was in complete control the entire time, going faster when someone got close, and when it was over no one had gotten close enough to even attempt a pass.
Pedro Acosta (31). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Defending Moto2 World Champion and MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta rode like a seasoned professional, finishing second of the four KTM/GASGAS machines on the grid in both races and running with the leaders, even at the cost of destroying his tires, to observe what they were doing. It has been a long, hard road for Tech3 since joining the KTM family, but the excitement in Acosta’s garage in Qatar was palpable. The team believes they have a MotoGP race winner on their bike. And it was interesting to note that Acosta had the very latest KTM aero upgrades on his machine.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Marc Marquez fought with the leaders and looked a lot happier than he did at the end of last season when he was with Honda. On a year-old Ducati Desmosedici, Marquez set the fastest lap of Sprint race. With the Honda RC213Vs now buried toward the bottom of the time sheets at Qatar, it gives you an appreciation of just how much of the bike’s past success was due solely to Marquez.
Luca Marini (10). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Honda’s riders praised the new RC213V during pre-season testing, but in the heat of battle, it proved no more competitive than last year’s machine. Luca Marini was dead last in the Sprint race and ran last for much of the Grand Prix after KTM’s Jack Miller crashed and remounted and passed Marini.
Alex Rins (42). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Yamaha’s Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo said that it would take time for the team’s off-season technical personnel acquisitions to make significant improvements in the performance of the YZF-R1. Quartararo wasn’t exactly downcast during the post-Grand Prix media scrums, but the timing of his told the story – he rushed to the media center and got his publicity responsibilities out of the way and left before the fireworks from the podium celebration had even started. Quartararo was the top-finishing rider on a Japanese bike on Sunday in 10th place, more than 17 seconds back after 21 laps.
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Aprilia’s pre-season promise seemed to fall apart when the lights went out in Qatar. Aleix Espargaro’s third in the Sprint was the high point of the weekend for the Aprilia squad. The American Trackhouse Racing team’s best was 13th and 14th by Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in Saturday’s Sprint.
Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers” Announces Title Sponsorship with Drag Specialties for Fourth Consecutive Year
The Bagger Racing League (BRL) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its partnership with Drag Specialties as the Title Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to delivering unparalleled excitement and innovation to fans of Bagger Racing across the globe.
Renowned as the pinnacle in premium V-twin motorcycle parts and accessories, Drag Specialties has long been a trusted name within the motorcycle community. With an unwavering dedication to quality and advancement, Drag Specialties has consistently provided riders with a comprehensive range of aftermarket solutions, catering to the diverse needs of enthusiasts worldwide.
“We are extremely proud to have Drag Specialties back for the 4th consecutive year and look forward to 2024 being our biggest and best year yet,” said Rob Buydos, Founder of BRL. The enduring partnership between BRL and Drag Specialties promises to elevate the Bagger Racing experience, captivating audiences with each exhilarating race.
As the title sponsor, Drag Specialties will lead the charge in igniting the BRL 2024 season, infusing every race with adrenaline-fueled excitement and pushing the boundaries of Bagger Racing. “Revving up the BRL 2024 season, Drag Specialties blazes the trail as the title sponsor, infusing every race with adrenaline-fueled excitement and pushing the boundaries of Bagger Racing,” remarked Paul Devine, VP LeMans – Drag Specialties.
The ongoing collaboration between BRL and Drag Specialties underscores a shared passion for excellence and innovation within the motorcycle community. Together, they are poised to captivate audiences and redefine the landscape of Bagger Racing in 2024 and beyond.
For more information about the Bagger Racing League and Drag Specialties, please visit www.baggerracingleague.com
SUZUKI’S TY SCOTT CAPTURES SECOND IN THE DAYTONA 200. ROCCO LANDERS EARNS FIRST SUZUKI GSX-8R TWINS CUP PODIUM RESULT.
Brea, CA — Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer saw the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/ FIM North American Road Racing Championship opener end in bittersweet fashion, highlighted by a runner-up finish in Saturday’s 82nd Daytona 200 to go along with the lap record and pole position the team secured earlier in the week. Suzuki GSX-Rs dominated the top ten, earning six of the top ten results in this year’s 200-mile contest.
Former Twins Cup class champion Rocco Landers (97) came out on top in an intense drafting battle in Daytona’s Twins Cup race 2, riding the new Suzuki GSX-8R parallel twin. Landers guided the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R to this exciting new bike’s first-ever MotoAmerica podium in a sterling racing debut.
Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Supersport
Tyler Scott stormed past the checkered flag in second position in the 57-lap Daytona 200.
Richie Escalante missed second after running short of fuel on the final lap, still earning fourth.
Brandon Paasch put in a steady ride to seventh.
Teagg Hobbs battled up from 22nd on the grid to the top ten.
Twins Cup
Rossi Moor improved to finish fourth in his second-career Twins Cup race.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki
Twins Cup
Rocco Landers came out on top of a four-rider battle for second to give the Suzuki GSX-8R a debut weekend podium.
Scott, who had separated his shoulder in a crash earlier in the weekend, said, “I’ve got to thank the whole Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki squad and my mom and dad and everyone for getting me here. The crew was amazing, and the pit stops went really smoothly. I had good pace and just kept putting laps down. It was unfortunate to see Richie run out of gas, but I’m happy with P2 even though I really wanted the win.”
Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers (97) earns the GSX-8R’s first podium. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Former MotoAmerica Twins Cup class champion Rocco Landers (97) came out on top of a four-rider drafting battle for second that also included Team Hammer’s Rossi Moor.
“I told the team last night, I think we have a podium on our hands,” Landers said. “The bike is brand new, obviously, and I first saw it on Wednesday. The team and Suzuki have been working hard, and we’ve been making consistent improvements. It’s incredible to put the GSX-8R on the podium in just the bike’s second race. This is a really good debut, and once the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines team gets some more development, this will no doubt be a consistent, race-winning bike.”
Rounding out the Suzuki GSX-8R’s spectacular racing debut, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor (92) battled to a strong fourth place finish in Daytona’s Twin’s Cup Race 2, giving the impressive new GSX-8R 40% of the top five places in the contest.
Richie Escalante (54) battled up front throughout the 57-lap race, but ran short of fuel to finish fourth. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
In the Daytona 200, Team Hammer’s Richie Escalante (54) led early aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 and spent the majority of the contest applying pressure on the leader from second, showcasing the speed that earned him the new Daytona track record during qualifying. However, while he was robbed of a near-certain runner-up finish after running short of fuel, he managed to coast the machine across the line and took fourth.
An early-race incident damaged Escalante’s windscreen. He felt the reduced aerodynamics, in combination with pushing the pace to close the gap to the leader most of the race, caused the issue.
“For sure, I really wanted to win today,” Escalante said. “I felt really good. I just tried my best, lap-by-lap, pushing, pushing, pushing. I could see the leader right there and was pushing so hard to try to close the gap and fight for the victory. But I ran out of fuel. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose – it’s just a part of racing. I tried my best and want to thank my team. The Suzuki was great all week long.”
Two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch rode a steady race earning seventh place in the 2024 Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Superbike regular Brandon Paasch (96) registered a steady ride, running with the front pack early before putting his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 in the top ten by claiming seventh.
“It was great other than some pit stop drama,” said Paasch. “It was a long race and out by myself for most of the time. It would have been good to get back on top again having won the race before, but it is what it is.”
Teagg Hobbs (79) rode up through the Daytona 200 pack, earning a top-ten finish. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Despite starting from the eighth row, Teagg Hobbs (79) clawed his way up from 22nd on the grid to earn tenth place after 200 high-speed miles.
“It wasn’t the greatest weekend for us,” said Hobbs. “We had some issues out of our control come up. I didn’t get up to speed and we didn’t get a lot of time to improve the bike. For the race, I did what I could to finish. I’m glad to get a top-ten result but we’re looking to be at the front. After the weekend we had, I’m happy to finish and ready to focus on the season.”
Rossi Moor (92) fought hard for a podium, ultimately finishing fourth in Daytona’s Twins Cup Race 2. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor (92) continued his quick acclimation to the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series, battling for the podium and finishing fourth in his second race aboard the brand-new, Suzuki GSX-8R.
“In one regard, it was good to battle for the podium,” said Moor. “We didn’t have the pace yesterday to do it, but the team worked hard and made the bike even better for me today. I made a small mistake on the last lap when I wheelied coming out of The Chicane and that cost me a shot at the podium. The team did a great job here of closing the gap. We will keep working hard and see what we can do from here.”
The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 133 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 362 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz and Ben Young Finish Top 10 at the 2024 Daytona 200 on Bridgestone Motorcycle Tires
Three riders finished in the top 10 at the 82nd running of the Daytona 200 on Bridgestone BATTLAX race tires: Karel Hanika (fifth place), Marvin Fritz (sixth place) and Ben Young (ninth place).
Bridgestone marked its largest presence to date at the Daytona 200, providing full engineering support, sponsorship and BATTLAX race tires to 15 riders from seven different countries.
All finishing Bridgestone-shod riders advanced significantly from their starting grid position.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 10, 2024) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced that three Bridgestone-backed riders secured top 10 finishes at the historic 82nd running of the Daytona 200. Karel Hanika rode his YART-ProKASRO Yamaha R6 to a fifth place finish, followed by YART teammate Marvin Fritz in sixth place and Ben Young of Team BATTLAX in ninth. This was a record showing for Bridgestone BATTLAX race tires at the Daytona 200.
In addition to three of the top 10 riders being on Bridgestone BATTLAX tires, Hanika completed the second overall fastest lap time at 1:48.628, only 0.003 seconds behind the fastest lap of the race. This was the first Daytona 200 for YART Yamaha teammates Hanika and Fritz, who are the reigning champs of the FIM Endurance World Championship series. Canadian Superbike Champion Ben Young was able to advance through the grid on his Team BATTLAX Suzuki Canada GSX-R750 for a ninth place finish.
Bridgestone marked its largest presence to date at this year’s Daytona 200, providing full engineering support, sponsorship and BATTLAX race tires to 15 riders from seven different countries:
Karel Hanika, YART Yamaha (Czech Republic)
Marvin Fritz, YART Yamaha (Austria)
Ben Young, Team BATTLAX (Canada)
Matt Truelove (England)
Diego Perez Zuasti (Spain)
Trevor Daley, Team BATTLAX (Canada)
Matt Simpson (Canada)
Alexandre Michel (Canada)
Maverick Cyr (Canada)
Niccolo Canepa, YART Yamaha (Italy)
Harry Truelove (England)
Alex Coelho (Portugal)
Sébastien Tremblay (Canada)
Brad MacRae (Canada)
Samuel Guérin (Canada)
An incredible effort was put in by all teams, although racing incidents and mechanical issues caused a few riders to miss the start or DNF. But notably, all Bridgestone riders that finished the race advanced significantly from their starting grid position.
Rider
Number
Country
Grid Position
Finish Position
Karel Hanika
98
Czech Rep.
17
5
Marvin Fritz
17
Austria
14
6
Ben Young
86
Canada
20
9
Matt Truelove
123
England
21
12
Diego Perez Zuasti
135
Spain
34
16
Trevor Daley
166
Canada
30
20
Matt Simpson
191
Canada
46
25
Alex Michel
199
Canada
53
28
Maverick Cyr
104
Canada
39
30
“We’re thrilled that three riders finished in the top 10 on Bridgestone BATTLAX tires at the Daytona 200 this year, marking a first for Bridgestone,” said Jared Williams, General Manager Bridgestone Motorcycle Tire business in the United States and Canada. “These outstanding results, and the fact that each of the riders who finished advanced significantly through the grid from their starting positions, underscores the incredible grip, performance, and reliability of Bridgestone BATTLAX tires. Congratulations to all riders and teams on an incredible race weekend.”
“The Bridgestone tires performed unbelievably well,” said Young. “During the last stint in particular, the tires provided the extra edge and advantage needed to push past and gap the other riders to get the job done and end in the right position.”
Bridgestone’s top 10 finish at the Daytona 200 aligns with the “Emotion” and “Ease” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment, encompassing eight values all beginning with the letter “E,” solidifies Bridgestone’s dedication to fostering a more sustainable world.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RIDER KYLE WYMAN SNAGS DOUBLE DAYTONA VICTORIES TO OPEN 2024 KING OF THE BAGGERS RACE SEASON
Cory West Tops All-Harley Podium in Saturday’s Super Hooligan Race
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman scored a Daytona double by winning the first two MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers races of the 2024 season at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider James Rispoli finished in third place in both races. Wyman and Rispoli were aboard the team’s new race-prepared 2024 Road Glide® motorcycles.
Kyle Wyman (33). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
Team Saddlemen rider Cory West rode a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle to victory and topped an all-Harley podium in the Mission Super Hooligan race on Saturday. Team Saddlemen rider Jake Lewis finished second, and Gator Harley/KWR rider Cody Wyman was third completing the sweep. West also finished in third place in the Super Hooligan race on Friday and leads the series points after two of 10 scheduled rounds.
James Rispoli (43). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
The first King of the Baggers race on Friday saw a thundering pack of 17 bagger race motorcycles topping 185 mph on the high-banked oval portion of the 3.52-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. Wyman and Rispoli were part of a four-bike group that battled for the lead for the entire race and started the last of six laps separated by less than one second. Wyman had been quick through the backstraight chicane all race and on the last lap got a strong drive out of the final corner to pass Factory Indian rider Troy Herfoss for the lead heading onto the last section of the oval. Wyman had enough momentum to hold off Herfoss and Rispoli across the finish line with a 0.018 second advantage over Herfoss and 0.137 second over Rispoli. Defending King of the Baggers series champion Hayden Gillim finished fourth on the RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide, 0.837 seconds behind Wyman.
“On that last lap we were just about parked, but I refused to pass to lead the race until the moment it counted,” said Wyman. “I saw a window coming out of the chicane and was just able to hold them off for the win.”
The second King of the Baggers race on Saturday saw Wyman, Rispoli, Herfoss, Gillim, and Factory Indian rider Tyler O’Hara break away from the pack early in the race and swap positions on each lap. On the final lap, Herfoss gapped Wyman on the back stretch but braked late and over-shot the entry to the chicane, giving Wyman an opportunity to pounce. Wyman again got a strong drive onto the last section of the high-bank oval and was able to out-run Herfoss to the finish by 0.137 seconds. Rispoli finished 1.518 seconds back in third place.
“I was in survival mode on the last lap,” said Wyman. “I lost my quick-shifter and I was going to be happy to finish second, but Herfoss gave me a chance and we made it work. Hats off to my entire Harley-Davidson crew for all their hard work this weekend.”
“What an unreal weekend,” said Rispoli. “There was so much nervousness before the races. So, it was a massive relief to get two podiums in my first weekend with the Factory Harley-Davidson team. I am so stoked for the entire team, and I know we will be a force for the future rounds.”
Cory West (13) leading Super Hooligan Race Two at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
After 2 of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series Kyle Wyman leads with 50 points. Herfoss is second with 40 points, followed by Rispoli with 32 points and Gillim with 24 points.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing returns to action at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, April 12-13 at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Daytona International Speedway Race 1
Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
Zachary Schumacher (H-D) Nowaskey Extreme Performance
Gunnar Ouellette (H-D) Trask Performance
Ruben Xaus (H-D) Feuling Parts
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
GUS RODIO RIDES APRILIA RS 660 TO TWO COMMANDING VICTORIES IN MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
APRILIA RIDERS CLAIM FOUR OF THE SIX PODIUM PLACES AVAILABLE IN RACES HELD FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Gus Rodio. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Aprilia.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – 10 MARCH 2024 – Aprilia rider Gus Rodio’s campaign to clinch the MotoAmerica Twins Cup title he narrowly missed out on in 2023 could not have started in a better way. The Hammonton, N.J., resident piloted his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 to two victories by impressive margins at the season-opening round of MotoAmerica’s 2024 Twins
Cup at Daytona International Speedway.
Rodio’s two wins were just a couple of the successes Aprilia RS 660 riders had on Friday and Saturday on the iconic facility’s 3.51-mile motorcycle road course layout. Rodio’s teammates – Twins Cup rookie Alessandro Di Mario and veteran Ben Gloddy – and TopPro Racing’s Avery Dreher scored two podium finishes and three additional top-five finishes between them. In total, Aprilia riders claimed 11 of the 20 total Top-10 finishes on the double race weekend.
Rodio’s eye-popping pace was evident from the first on-track session of the round, as his best lap in the Thursday practice session was more than 1.5 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Dreher posted the second-best time, followed by Gloddy in third, Di Mario in eighth, Dreher’s TopPro Racing teammate, Romeo Chiavini, in ninth and Righteous Racing’s Ray Hofman in 10th.
The first of two qualifying sessions took place later Thursday, and Rodio was again at the top of the time sheets with a lap time that more than a second faster than his best time in practice. Dreher was third-fastest in the session, with Gloddy sixth-fastest, Di Mario seventh-fastest, Chiavini ninth-fastest and Hofman 10th.
Qualifying concluded on Friday morning with Rodio having secured the first pole position of the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season by 0.822 seconds. Dreher qualified third, giving Aprilia two machines on the front row of the grid. Gloddy ended up qualifying fifth, Di Mario seventh, and Chiavini 10th.
Friday afternoon’s Race 1 saw Rodio gradually pull away at the front while Dreher, Gloddy and Di Mario battled it out with two other riders for the last two steps on the podium. Rodio narrowly missed out on taking the holeshot but had assumed the race lead by the end of Lap 1 and led every lap thereafter – taking victory by a margin of more than 11 seconds. Gloddy, Dreher and Di Mario found themselves in
a four-way – and in the closing laps five-way – fight for the podium, as the group took turns drafting and re-drafting each other during the nine-lap race. On the run to the finish line, Dreher edged out Di Mario for the last step on the podium by 0.087 seconds. Gloddy finished sixth, missing out on a top-five finish by 0.343 seconds.
Other Aprilia riders who finished in the Top-10 include Chiavini in eighth and Hofman in 10th.
In Saturday morning’s Race 2, it took Rodio a little longer to break away from the field – but the result was the same. Like in Race 1, Rodio slotted into second place as the field reached Turn 1 for the first time and moved into the lead later on the first lap. Though another front runner drafted by Rodio to lead at the end of Lap 1, Rodio reassumed the lead on Lap 2 and led the remainder of the race.
Unfortunately for Dreher, an incident on Lap 1, Turn 1, caused him to crash heavily, and he was unable to rejoin the race. When the rider running in second place retired from the race on Lap 4, it allowed Gloddy, Di Mario and two other riders to have a four-way go at the last two podium places. Like in Race 1, riders in the group took turns drafting and re-drafting each other. Di Mario finished in third place – 0.044 seconds behind the second-place rider – and Gloddy clinched a top-five finish.
The other Aprilia riders who scored top-10 finishes include Hofman in eighth and Chiavini in ninth. After two races, Rodio has amassed a 19-point lead in the points standings. Di Mario sits in third place in the standings, Gloddy fifth, Dreher eighth, Chiavini ninth and Hofman in 10th.
Of the 26 riders registered for MotoAmerica Twins Cup at the Daytona round, 12 were slated to compete with Aprilia RS 660s.
The next MotoAmerica Twins Cup race takes place April 21-23 at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Ga.
Gus Rodio / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m super happy with a perfect weekend in Daytona. We couldn’t ask for anymore, and I’m excited to keep this momentum going into the next round.”
Alessandro Di Mario / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m really happy with how my first time at Daytona turned out. It was a challenging weekend for sure, but we were able to get some solid points for the championship. I want to thank the team for all the work they did behind the scenes, and I am really looking forward to the next rounds. Bring on Atlanta!”
More, from a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s Gus Rodio scores pair of wins in season-opening MotoAmerica Twins Cup races at Daytona International Speedway
Di Mario claims podium finish in Twins Cup debut weekend, Gloddy scores top-five at March 7-9 event
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – At the end of the 2023 season, Gus Rodio had proven himself to be one of the frontrunners in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup despite it being his first year racing in the class. At the 2024 season-opening Twins Cup round at Daytona International Speedway, Rodio looked like he was in a class all his own.
The Hammonton, N.J., resident and 2023 Twins Cup runner-up put in two dominating performances on Friday and Saturday to take victory by more than 11 seconds in both contests after being the fastest rider in all three practice and qualifying sessions at the March 7-9 round.
Rodio wasn’t the only rider of the team’s three-athlete lineup to find success at the Daytona round, as Twins Cup rookie Alessandro Di Mario scored a podium finish in his second MotoAmerica race aboard an Aprilia RS 660. And MotoAmerica veteran Ben Gloddy scored a top-five finish after not having ridden his Aprilia since the season-ending round at New Jersey Motorsports Park last year.
The event started off well for all three Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders, with Rodio pacing the field in practice on Thursday morning by more than 1.5 seconds and Gloddy and Di Mario finishing the session third-fastest and eighth-fastest, respectively. Rodio continued his impressive form later Thursday in Qualifying 1, taking provisional pole by 0.342 seconds. Gloddy finished that session in sixth place and Di Mario in seventh.
Twins Cup Qualifying 2 on Friday morning saw Rodio cement his grip on pole position while improving his best lap time on his Aprilia RS 660 by more than a second. Gloddy ended up qualifying fifth and Di Mario seventh.
Friday afternoon’s Race 1 proved Rodio was able to maintain the blistering pace he’d shown in qualifying over the course of a nine-lap race. Though he missed out on grabbing the holeshot, Rodio moved up to the race lead later on Lap 1 and never relinquished it, gradually building a large gap to the rest of the field and taking the win by 11.493 seconds. Gloddy and Di Mario were part of a multi-rider battle that was to determine the other two podium places. Di Mario came oh-so-close to getting a podium finish in his first Twins Cup race, but the draft on the long run to the finish line allowed another rider to best him for third place by a mere 0.087 seconds. Gloddy missed out on a top-five finish in similar fashion. He finished sixth — 0.343 seconds behind the rider ahead of him.
Race 2 took place Saturday morning and was the scene of another commanding effort from Rodio. Though he battled with another rider for the first lap, Rodio regained the lead on Lap 2 and began building another large gap – eventually finishing the race more than 11 second ahead of the scrap for the last two podium places. Gloddy and Di Mario were again in the mix for a podium finish, and Di Mario finished third after being edged out for second place by 0.044 seconds. Gloddy scored a fifth-place result and came within 0.041 seconds from taking fourth place.
Rodio’s blistering one-lap pace also was on display at Daytona. He lowered the all-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup lap record to a 1:55.193 in Friday morning’s Qualifying 2 session, then bested that the next day in the morning warm-up session with a lap time of 1:55.119. He also lowered the race lap record during Saturday’s Race 2 to a 1:55.413 — 0.132 seconds faster than the previous record.
The Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering team will be back in action next month at the next MotoAmerica Twins Cup round, which takes place April 21-23 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering.
Gus Rodio / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m super happy with a perfect weekend in Daytona. We couldn’t ask for anymore, and I’m excited to keep this momentum going into the next round.”
Alessandro Di Mario (27). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering.
Alessandro Di Mario / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m really happy with how my first time at Daytona turned out. It was a challenging weekend for sure, but we were able to get some solid points for the championship. I want to thank the team for all the work they did behind the scenes, and I am really looking forward to the next rounds. Bring on Atlanta!”
Ben Gloddy (72). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering.
Ben Gloddy / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I had a great weekend being back on the Aprilia RS 660 and had some solid finishes for not riding since New Jersey last year! I am hoping I can continue riding with the Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering team for the rest of 2024.”
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2024 season include Spellcaster Productions, Luxestar VIP, Geoscape Solar, MAR Contractors, Blud Lubricants, Spiegler Performance, Woodcraft Technologies, Dymag Performance Wheels, Millennium Technologies, Sprint Filter, Dunlop, SC Project, MVR Endeavor, GRG Designs, REB Graphics, NGK Spark Plugs, EvolveGT and N2 Racing.
Francesco Bagnaia (1) leads Jorge Martin (89) on the first lap of the MotoGP race in Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Two-time and defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia led every lap of the MotoGP Grand Prix in Qatar, winning the first GP of 2024 and taking an early lead in the Championship standings.
The factory Ducati rider managed his lead over Prima Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin, last year’s Championship runner up and winner of Saturday’s Sprint race, and factory KTM rider Brad Binder, who would swap second until Binder seized the place for good. Binder, who finished second in the Sprint, also held second in the Championship points, ahead of Martin.
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez started his new Ducati career strong, finishing fourth, the best of the 2023 Desmosedicis in the field and less than 1.5 seconds off the podium.
Sync SpeedUp’s Alonso Lopez won a tense Moto2 race in Qatar, barely holding off Barry Baltus and his RW-Idrofoglia Kalex by 0.055 seconds at the finish. Sergio Garcia was a close third on his MT Helmets – MTI Boscoscuro, ahead of teammate Ai Oruga.
American Joe Roberts came from 14th on the grid to seventh at the finish.
David Alonso (80) came from deep in the field to take the Moto3 win in Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
CFMOTO Aspar’s David Alonso took the season-opening Moto3 race in Qatar with a last-corner, last-lap pass on Daniel Holgado, who had led nearly the entire 16-lap Grand Prix.
Alonso crossed the line 0.041 seconds ahead of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Holgado, with Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato third, 0.143 seconds behind the leader. Furusato was the only Honda in the top 11.
Maverick Vinales was quickest in the warmup heading into Sunday evening’s MotoGP race at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar. Vinales’ time of 1:52.660 on the factory Aprilia RS-GP was faster than the existing race lap record of 1:52.987 set by Enea Bastianini in 2023, but well off the 1:50.789 all-time mark set in Saturday’s qualifying by Jorge Martin.
Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta completed the top five.
American Kristian Daniel, Jr. Photo courtesy AGR Team.
EUROPEAN TALENT CUP: AMERICAN KRISTIAN DANIEL JR RETURNS TO AGR TEAM FOR 2024
Kristian Daniel returns to the team he raced with in his rookie season of the European Talent Cup
Barcelona, Spain – AGR Team is pleased to announce the return of Kristian Daniel Jr to the team in order to achieve great success together. The young Californian talent, who was previously an integral part of the AGR Team for the 2021 season, returns with a new perspective and valuable experience gained over the past three years.
Kristian, will continue his development in the European Talent Cup category with which he already has three years of experience. He made his debut in the Championship at the tender age of 12, making him one of the youngest drivers in his category. His return home is an exciting opportunity to continue his growth as a professional driver. As a team, we are committed to ensuring the success of this exciting joint venture.
With a dedicated team and a determined rider, AGR Team anticipates an exciting season full of achievements in the European Talent Cup. Let’s go for it!
Anscari Nadal: “I am pleased with the return of Kristian Daniel Jr to the AGR Team. We will continue where we left off and work together to achieve our goals with success. Kristian is a more mature rider with 3 years of experience. He started the European Talent Cup when he was only 12 years old, the youngest in the category, which was quite an achievement back then! We thank all the sponsors who make this new adventure possible. Although the budget presents challenges, AGR is committed to overcome them and move forward with determination.”
Kristian Daniel Jr: “I’m very happy to announce that I will be competing in the 2024 season in the ETC category with the AGR team, where I was already in 2021 and had my first contact with the category. I am sure it will be a very fun season, as I know most of the mechanics and data guys, I am more mature and older now and I know I can bring a lot more to the table. It’s a very special season for me”.
Editorial Note: To listen to this podcast, go here.
JOURNALIST AND CHAMPION MOTORCYCLE RACER DENNIS NOYES TAKES CENTER STAGE ON DRIVEN TO RIDE PODCAST
WHEATON, ILL. (March 7, 2024) — “Driven to Ride,” the podcast dedicated to motorcycle adventure and culture, is thrilled to announce a new episode featuring Dennis Noyes. The distinguished journalist, prominent television broadcaster, and champion motorcycle racer reveals a passion for two wheels that continues to reverberate around the world.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Dennis Noyes has come a long way from central Illinois, where he was born and raised. His father wrote for the “Stars And Stripes” and his mother was a linguistics professor at Purdue University, so words have always played a fundamental role in his life. Noyes, who now resides in Southern California, recently published his first novel, “Yonders, Illinois.”
In this interview, “Driven to Ride” host Mark Long delves into Noyes’ personal and professional history, which includes roles as a road-test editor for the largest-circulation motorcycle magazines in Spain. Noyes’ youngest son, Kenny, followed in his father’s wheel tracks, making his Moto2 World Championship debut in 2010 and winning the European Superbike title in 2014.
From his early days as a stock-car racer to Dorna VP of Grand Prix Promotion to 12 years of MotoGP commentary on Spanish TV, Noyes takes listeners on a fascinating journey. He shares riveting anecdotes, offering a behind-the-scenes look into his life on and around two wheels. His infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge promise to interest anyone with a passion for adventure.
Long expressed excitement about landing his most recent guest. “Having Dennis on the show is an absolute honor,” he said. “His unique perspective as both a journalist and a racer added a depth to our discussion that will resonate with the ‘Driven to Ride’ audience. This is an episode no motorcycle enthusiast should miss.”
ABOUT DRIVEN TO RIDE
The “Driven to Ride” podcast is an immersive exploration of the motorcycle and adventure lifestyle. Hosted by Mark Long, each episode showcases inspiring guests and notable figures in the motorcycle community who live and breathe the world of two wheels. With candid conversations and captivating storytelling, this podcast is required listening for anyone with a passion for the open road.
PAST EPISODES
From industry experts to adrenaline junkies, the “Driven to Ride” podcast covers a range of topics, making each episode a must-listen for anyone with a love for two-wheel adventures. This episode—along with past shows featuring Alonzo Bodden, Peter Egan, Ricky Carmichael, Dave Despain, Michael Lichter, Robert Pandya, Mike van der Sleesen, Austin Rothbard, and Bridget McCutchen plus a tour of the now-shuttered National Motorcycle Museum—is available at driventoridepodcast.com and on your favorite podcast platform. The video version of this podcast will be posted on the “Driven To Ride Podcast” YouTube channel on March 13.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Connect with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts and share your thoughts about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #DrivenToRidePodcast. For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more, follow the “Driven to Ride” podcast on:
Instagram: instagram.com/driventoridepodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/driventoridepodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/driventoridepodcast
Website: driventoridepodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOST
Mark Long, the charismatic host of the “Driven to Ride” podcast, is an avid motorcycle enthusiast with a deep passion for sharing the stories that drive the motorcycle community.
Pre-season testing raises questions, and racing answers them. Sunday’s Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar was only the first race weekend in a long season, but it showed that MotoGP looks much the same as it did at the end of 2023, although there were a few intriguing developments. The dominant force in the class last year, Ducati showed that it is still the bike to beat, that Jorge Martin is still a monster in the Sprints and Francesco Bagnaia is still sublime over the distance of a full Grand Prix.
After Bagnaia smashed lap records in pre-season testing, finishing the Sprint race off the podium seemed like an underachievement. But the defending MotoGP World Champion, who has an ability to stay calm and rebound from disappointments, regrouped and led every lap of the Grand Prix. More than that, he looked like he was in complete control the entire time, going faster when someone got close, and when it was over no one had gotten close enough to even attempt a pass.
Pedro Acosta (31). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Defending Moto2 World Champion and MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta rode like a seasoned professional, finishing second of the four KTM/GASGAS machines on the grid in both races and running with the leaders, even at the cost of destroying his tires, to observe what they were doing. It has been a long, hard road for Tech3 since joining the KTM family, but the excitement in Acosta’s garage in Qatar was palpable. The team believes they have a MotoGP race winner on their bike. And it was interesting to note that Acosta had the very latest KTM aero upgrades on his machine.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Marc Marquez fought with the leaders and looked a lot happier than he did at the end of last season when he was with Honda. On a year-old Ducati Desmosedici, Marquez set the fastest lap of Sprint race. With the Honda RC213Vs now buried toward the bottom of the time sheets at Qatar, it gives you an appreciation of just how much of the bike’s past success was due solely to Marquez.
Luca Marini (10). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Honda’s riders praised the new RC213V during pre-season testing, but in the heat of battle, it proved no more competitive than last year’s machine. Luca Marini was dead last in the Sprint race and ran last for much of the Grand Prix after KTM’s Jack Miller crashed and remounted and passed Marini.
Alex Rins (42). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Yamaha’s Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo said that it would take time for the team’s off-season technical personnel acquisitions to make significant improvements in the performance of the YZF-R1. Quartararo wasn’t exactly downcast during the post-Grand Prix media scrums, but the timing of his told the story – he rushed to the media center and got his publicity responsibilities out of the way and left before the fireworks from the podium celebration had even started. Quartararo was the top-finishing rider on a Japanese bike on Sunday in 10th place, more than 17 seconds back after 21 laps.
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Aprilia’s pre-season promise seemed to fall apart when the lights went out in Qatar. Aleix Espargaro’s third in the Sprint was the high point of the weekend for the Aprilia squad. The American Trackhouse Racing team’s best was 13th and 14th by Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in Saturday’s Sprint.
Reigning Bagger Racing League (BRL) Champion Shane Narbonne (1) on his turbocharged TRASK Harley-Davidson. Photo courtesy BRL.
Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers” Announces Title Sponsorship with Drag Specialties for Fourth Consecutive Year
The Bagger Racing League (BRL) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its partnership with Drag Specialties as the Title Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to delivering unparalleled excitement and innovation to fans of Bagger Racing across the globe.
Renowned as the pinnacle in premium V-twin motorcycle parts and accessories, Drag Specialties has long been a trusted name within the motorcycle community. With an unwavering dedication to quality and advancement, Drag Specialties has consistently provided riders with a comprehensive range of aftermarket solutions, catering to the diverse needs of enthusiasts worldwide.
“We are extremely proud to have Drag Specialties back for the 4th consecutive year and look forward to 2024 being our biggest and best year yet,” said Rob Buydos, Founder of BRL. The enduring partnership between BRL and Drag Specialties promises to elevate the Bagger Racing experience, captivating audiences with each exhilarating race.
As the title sponsor, Drag Specialties will lead the charge in igniting the BRL 2024 season, infusing every race with adrenaline-fueled excitement and pushing the boundaries of Bagger Racing. “Revving up the BRL 2024 season, Drag Specialties blazes the trail as the title sponsor, infusing every race with adrenaline-fueled excitement and pushing the boundaries of Bagger Racing,” remarked Paul Devine, VP LeMans – Drag Specialties.
The ongoing collaboration between BRL and Drag Specialties underscores a shared passion for excellence and innovation within the motorcycle community. Together, they are poised to captivate audiences and redefine the landscape of Bagger Racing in 2024 and beyond.
For more information about the Bagger Racing League and Drag Specialties, please visit www.baggerracingleague.com
Tyler Scott (70) took the pole and raced to a second-place finish in the 82nd running of the Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
SUZUKI’S TY SCOTT CAPTURES SECOND IN THE DAYTONA 200. ROCCO LANDERS EARNS FIRST SUZUKI GSX-8R TWINS CUP PODIUM RESULT.
Brea, CA — Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer saw the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/ FIM North American Road Racing Championship opener end in bittersweet fashion, highlighted by a runner-up finish in Saturday’s 82nd Daytona 200 to go along with the lap record and pole position the team secured earlier in the week. Suzuki GSX-Rs dominated the top ten, earning six of the top ten results in this year’s 200-mile contest.
Former Twins Cup class champion Rocco Landers (97) came out on top in an intense drafting battle in Daytona’s Twins Cup race 2, riding the new Suzuki GSX-8R parallel twin. Landers guided the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R to this exciting new bike’s first-ever MotoAmerica podium in a sterling racing debut.
Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Supersport
Tyler Scott stormed past the checkered flag in second position in the 57-lap Daytona 200.
Richie Escalante missed second after running short of fuel on the final lap, still earning fourth.
Brandon Paasch put in a steady ride to seventh.
Teagg Hobbs battled up from 22nd on the grid to the top ten.
Twins Cup
Rossi Moor improved to finish fourth in his second-career Twins Cup race.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki
Twins Cup
Rocco Landers came out on top of a four-rider battle for second to give the Suzuki GSX-8R a debut weekend podium.
Scott, who had separated his shoulder in a crash earlier in the weekend, said, “I’ve got to thank the whole Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki squad and my mom and dad and everyone for getting me here. The crew was amazing, and the pit stops went really smoothly. I had good pace and just kept putting laps down. It was unfortunate to see Richie run out of gas, but I’m happy with P2 even though I really wanted the win.”
Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers (97) earns the GSX-8R’s first podium. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Former MotoAmerica Twins Cup class champion Rocco Landers (97) came out on top of a four-rider drafting battle for second that also included Team Hammer’s Rossi Moor.
“I told the team last night, I think we have a podium on our hands,” Landers said. “The bike is brand new, obviously, and I first saw it on Wednesday. The team and Suzuki have been working hard, and we’ve been making consistent improvements. It’s incredible to put the GSX-8R on the podium in just the bike’s second race. This is a really good debut, and once the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines team gets some more development, this will no doubt be a consistent, race-winning bike.”
Rounding out the Suzuki GSX-8R’s spectacular racing debut, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor (92) battled to a strong fourth place finish in Daytona’s Twin’s Cup Race 2, giving the impressive new GSX-8R 40% of the top five places in the contest.
Richie Escalante (54) battled up front throughout the 57-lap race, but ran short of fuel to finish fourth. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
In the Daytona 200, Team Hammer’s Richie Escalante (54) led early aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 and spent the majority of the contest applying pressure on the leader from second, showcasing the speed that earned him the new Daytona track record during qualifying. However, while he was robbed of a near-certain runner-up finish after running short of fuel, he managed to coast the machine across the line and took fourth.
An early-race incident damaged Escalante’s windscreen. He felt the reduced aerodynamics, in combination with pushing the pace to close the gap to the leader most of the race, caused the issue.
“For sure, I really wanted to win today,” Escalante said. “I felt really good. I just tried my best, lap-by-lap, pushing, pushing, pushing. I could see the leader right there and was pushing so hard to try to close the gap and fight for the victory. But I ran out of fuel. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose – it’s just a part of racing. I tried my best and want to thank my team. The Suzuki was great all week long.”
Two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch rode a steady race earning seventh place in the 2024 Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Superbike regular Brandon Paasch (96) registered a steady ride, running with the front pack early before putting his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 in the top ten by claiming seventh.
“It was great other than some pit stop drama,” said Paasch. “It was a long race and out by myself for most of the time. It would have been good to get back on top again having won the race before, but it is what it is.”
Teagg Hobbs (79) rode up through the Daytona 200 pack, earning a top-ten finish. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Despite starting from the eighth row, Teagg Hobbs (79) clawed his way up from 22nd on the grid to earn tenth place after 200 high-speed miles.
“It wasn’t the greatest weekend for us,” said Hobbs. “We had some issues out of our control come up. I didn’t get up to speed and we didn’t get a lot of time to improve the bike. For the race, I did what I could to finish. I’m glad to get a top-ten result but we’re looking to be at the front. After the weekend we had, I’m happy to finish and ready to focus on the season.”
Rossi Moor (92) fought hard for a podium, ultimately finishing fourth in Daytona’s Twins Cup Race 2. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor (92) continued his quick acclimation to the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series, battling for the podium and finishing fourth in his second race aboard the brand-new, Suzuki GSX-8R.
“In one regard, it was good to battle for the podium,” said Moor. “We didn’t have the pace yesterday to do it, but the team worked hard and made the bike even better for me today. I made a small mistake on the last lap when I wheelied coming out of The Chicane and that cost me a shot at the podium. The team did a great job here of closing the gap. We will keep working hard and see what we can do from here.”
The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 133 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 362 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
Canadian Superbike Champion Ben Young (86) at speed on his Team BATTLAX Suzuki at Daytona International Speedway. Photo courtesy Bridgestone.
Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz and Ben Young Finish Top 10 at the 2024 Daytona 200 on Bridgestone Motorcycle Tires
Three riders finished in the top 10 at the 82nd running of the Daytona 200 on Bridgestone BATTLAX race tires: Karel Hanika (fifth place), Marvin Fritz (sixth place) and Ben Young (ninth place).
Bridgestone marked its largest presence to date at the Daytona 200, providing full engineering support, sponsorship and BATTLAX race tires to 15 riders from seven different countries.
All finishing Bridgestone-shod riders advanced significantly from their starting grid position.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 10, 2024) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced that three Bridgestone-backed riders secured top 10 finishes at the historic 82nd running of the Daytona 200. Karel Hanika rode his YART-ProKASRO Yamaha R6 to a fifth place finish, followed by YART teammate Marvin Fritz in sixth place and Ben Young of Team BATTLAX in ninth. This was a record showing for Bridgestone BATTLAX race tires at the Daytona 200.
In addition to three of the top 10 riders being on Bridgestone BATTLAX tires, Hanika completed the second overall fastest lap time at 1:48.628, only 0.003 seconds behind the fastest lap of the race. This was the first Daytona 200 for YART Yamaha teammates Hanika and Fritz, who are the reigning champs of the FIM Endurance World Championship series. Canadian Superbike Champion Ben Young was able to advance through the grid on his Team BATTLAX Suzuki Canada GSX-R750 for a ninth place finish.
Bridgestone marked its largest presence to date at this year’s Daytona 200, providing full engineering support, sponsorship and BATTLAX race tires to 15 riders from seven different countries:
Karel Hanika, YART Yamaha (Czech Republic)
Marvin Fritz, YART Yamaha (Austria)
Ben Young, Team BATTLAX (Canada)
Matt Truelove (England)
Diego Perez Zuasti (Spain)
Trevor Daley, Team BATTLAX (Canada)
Matt Simpson (Canada)
Alexandre Michel (Canada)
Maverick Cyr (Canada)
Niccolo Canepa, YART Yamaha (Italy)
Harry Truelove (England)
Alex Coelho (Portugal)
Sébastien Tremblay (Canada)
Brad MacRae (Canada)
Samuel Guérin (Canada)
An incredible effort was put in by all teams, although racing incidents and mechanical issues caused a few riders to miss the start or DNF. But notably, all Bridgestone riders that finished the race advanced significantly from their starting grid position.
Rider
Number
Country
Grid Position
Finish Position
Karel Hanika
98
Czech Rep.
17
5
Marvin Fritz
17
Austria
14
6
Ben Young
86
Canada
20
9
Matt Truelove
123
England
21
12
Diego Perez Zuasti
135
Spain
34
16
Trevor Daley
166
Canada
30
20
Matt Simpson
191
Canada
46
25
Alex Michel
199
Canada
53
28
Maverick Cyr
104
Canada
39
30
“We’re thrilled that three riders finished in the top 10 on Bridgestone BATTLAX tires at the Daytona 200 this year, marking a first for Bridgestone,” said Jared Williams, General Manager Bridgestone Motorcycle Tire business in the United States and Canada. “These outstanding results, and the fact that each of the riders who finished advanced significantly through the grid from their starting positions, underscores the incredible grip, performance, and reliability of Bridgestone BATTLAX tires. Congratulations to all riders and teams on an incredible race weekend.”
“The Bridgestone tires performed unbelievably well,” said Young. “During the last stint in particular, the tires provided the extra edge and advantage needed to push past and gap the other riders to get the job done and end in the right position.”
Bridgestone’s top 10 finish at the Daytona 200 aligns with the “Emotion” and “Ease” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment, encompassing eight values all beginning with the letter “E,” solidifies Bridgestone’s dedication to fostering a more sustainable world.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RIDER KYLE WYMAN SNAGS DOUBLE DAYTONA VICTORIES TO OPEN 2024 KING OF THE BAGGERS RACE SEASON
Cory West Tops All-Harley Podium in Saturday’s Super Hooligan Race
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman scored a Daytona double by winning the first two MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers races of the 2024 season at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider James Rispoli finished in third place in both races. Wyman and Rispoli were aboard the team’s new race-prepared 2024 Road Glide® motorcycles.
Kyle Wyman (33). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
Team Saddlemen rider Cory West rode a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle to victory and topped an all-Harley podium in the Mission Super Hooligan race on Saturday. Team Saddlemen rider Jake Lewis finished second, and Gator Harley/KWR rider Cody Wyman was third completing the sweep. West also finished in third place in the Super Hooligan race on Friday and leads the series points after two of 10 scheduled rounds.
James Rispoli (43). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
The first King of the Baggers race on Friday saw a thundering pack of 17 bagger race motorcycles topping 185 mph on the high-banked oval portion of the 3.52-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. Wyman and Rispoli were part of a four-bike group that battled for the lead for the entire race and started the last of six laps separated by less than one second. Wyman had been quick through the backstraight chicane all race and on the last lap got a strong drive out of the final corner to pass Factory Indian rider Troy Herfoss for the lead heading onto the last section of the oval. Wyman had enough momentum to hold off Herfoss and Rispoli across the finish line with a 0.018 second advantage over Herfoss and 0.137 second over Rispoli. Defending King of the Baggers series champion Hayden Gillim finished fourth on the RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide, 0.837 seconds behind Wyman.
“On that last lap we were just about parked, but I refused to pass to lead the race until the moment it counted,” said Wyman. “I saw a window coming out of the chicane and was just able to hold them off for the win.”
The second King of the Baggers race on Saturday saw Wyman, Rispoli, Herfoss, Gillim, and Factory Indian rider Tyler O’Hara break away from the pack early in the race and swap positions on each lap. On the final lap, Herfoss gapped Wyman on the back stretch but braked late and over-shot the entry to the chicane, giving Wyman an opportunity to pounce. Wyman again got a strong drive onto the last section of the high-bank oval and was able to out-run Herfoss to the finish by 0.137 seconds. Rispoli finished 1.518 seconds back in third place.
“I was in survival mode on the last lap,” said Wyman. “I lost my quick-shifter and I was going to be happy to finish second, but Herfoss gave me a chance and we made it work. Hats off to my entire Harley-Davidson crew for all their hard work this weekend.”
“What an unreal weekend,” said Rispoli. “There was so much nervousness before the races. So, it was a massive relief to get two podiums in my first weekend with the Factory Harley-Davidson team. I am so stoked for the entire team, and I know we will be a force for the future rounds.”
Cory West (13) leading Super Hooligan Race Two at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Harley-Davidson.
After 2 of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series Kyle Wyman leads with 50 points. Herfoss is second with 40 points, followed by Rispoli with 32 points and Gillim with 24 points.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing returns to action at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, April 12-13 at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Daytona International Speedway Race 1
Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
Zachary Schumacher (H-D) Nowaskey Extreme Performance
Gunnar Ouellette (H-D) Trask Performance
Ruben Xaus (H-D) Feuling Parts
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
GUS RODIO RIDES APRILIA RS 660 TO TWO COMMANDING VICTORIES IN MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
APRILIA RIDERS CLAIM FOUR OF THE SIX PODIUM PLACES AVAILABLE IN RACES HELD FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Gus Rodio. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Aprilia.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – 10 MARCH 2024 – Aprilia rider Gus Rodio’s campaign to clinch the MotoAmerica Twins Cup title he narrowly missed out on in 2023 could not have started in a better way. The Hammonton, N.J., resident piloted his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 to two victories by impressive margins at the season-opening round of MotoAmerica’s 2024 Twins
Cup at Daytona International Speedway.
Rodio’s two wins were just a couple of the successes Aprilia RS 660 riders had on Friday and Saturday on the iconic facility’s 3.51-mile motorcycle road course layout. Rodio’s teammates – Twins Cup rookie Alessandro Di Mario and veteran Ben Gloddy – and TopPro Racing’s Avery Dreher scored two podium finishes and three additional top-five finishes between them. In total, Aprilia riders claimed 11 of the 20 total Top-10 finishes on the double race weekend.
Rodio’s eye-popping pace was evident from the first on-track session of the round, as his best lap in the Thursday practice session was more than 1.5 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Dreher posted the second-best time, followed by Gloddy in third, Di Mario in eighth, Dreher’s TopPro Racing teammate, Romeo Chiavini, in ninth and Righteous Racing’s Ray Hofman in 10th.
The first of two qualifying sessions took place later Thursday, and Rodio was again at the top of the time sheets with a lap time that more than a second faster than his best time in practice. Dreher was third-fastest in the session, with Gloddy sixth-fastest, Di Mario seventh-fastest, Chiavini ninth-fastest and Hofman 10th.
Qualifying concluded on Friday morning with Rodio having secured the first pole position of the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season by 0.822 seconds. Dreher qualified third, giving Aprilia two machines on the front row of the grid. Gloddy ended up qualifying fifth, Di Mario seventh, and Chiavini 10th.
Friday afternoon’s Race 1 saw Rodio gradually pull away at the front while Dreher, Gloddy and Di Mario battled it out with two other riders for the last two steps on the podium. Rodio narrowly missed out on taking the holeshot but had assumed the race lead by the end of Lap 1 and led every lap thereafter – taking victory by a margin of more than 11 seconds. Gloddy, Dreher and Di Mario found themselves in
a four-way – and in the closing laps five-way – fight for the podium, as the group took turns drafting and re-drafting each other during the nine-lap race. On the run to the finish line, Dreher edged out Di Mario for the last step on the podium by 0.087 seconds. Gloddy finished sixth, missing out on a top-five finish by 0.343 seconds.
Other Aprilia riders who finished in the Top-10 include Chiavini in eighth and Hofman in 10th.
In Saturday morning’s Race 2, it took Rodio a little longer to break away from the field – but the result was the same. Like in Race 1, Rodio slotted into second place as the field reached Turn 1 for the first time and moved into the lead later on the first lap. Though another front runner drafted by Rodio to lead at the end of Lap 1, Rodio reassumed the lead on Lap 2 and led the remainder of the race.
Unfortunately for Dreher, an incident on Lap 1, Turn 1, caused him to crash heavily, and he was unable to rejoin the race. When the rider running in second place retired from the race on Lap 4, it allowed Gloddy, Di Mario and two other riders to have a four-way go at the last two podium places. Like in Race 1, riders in the group took turns drafting and re-drafting each other. Di Mario finished in third place – 0.044 seconds behind the second-place rider – and Gloddy clinched a top-five finish.
The other Aprilia riders who scored top-10 finishes include Hofman in eighth and Chiavini in ninth. After two races, Rodio has amassed a 19-point lead in the points standings. Di Mario sits in third place in the standings, Gloddy fifth, Dreher eighth, Chiavini ninth and Hofman in 10th.
Of the 26 riders registered for MotoAmerica Twins Cup at the Daytona round, 12 were slated to compete with Aprilia RS 660s.
The next MotoAmerica Twins Cup race takes place April 21-23 at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Ga.
Gus Rodio / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m super happy with a perfect weekend in Daytona. We couldn’t ask for anymore, and I’m excited to keep this momentum going into the next round.”
Alessandro Di Mario / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m really happy with how my first time at Daytona turned out. It was a challenging weekend for sure, but we were able to get some solid points for the championship. I want to thank the team for all the work they did behind the scenes, and I am really looking forward to the next rounds. Bring on Atlanta!”
More, from a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s Gus Rodio scores pair of wins in season-opening MotoAmerica Twins Cup races at Daytona International Speedway
Di Mario claims podium finish in Twins Cup debut weekend, Gloddy scores top-five at March 7-9 event
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – At the end of the 2023 season, Gus Rodio had proven himself to be one of the frontrunners in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup despite it being his first year racing in the class. At the 2024 season-opening Twins Cup round at Daytona International Speedway, Rodio looked like he was in a class all his own.
The Hammonton, N.J., resident and 2023 Twins Cup runner-up put in two dominating performances on Friday and Saturday to take victory by more than 11 seconds in both contests after being the fastest rider in all three practice and qualifying sessions at the March 7-9 round.
Rodio wasn’t the only rider of the team’s three-athlete lineup to find success at the Daytona round, as Twins Cup rookie Alessandro Di Mario scored a podium finish in his second MotoAmerica race aboard an Aprilia RS 660. And MotoAmerica veteran Ben Gloddy scored a top-five finish after not having ridden his Aprilia since the season-ending round at New Jersey Motorsports Park last year.
The event started off well for all three Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders, with Rodio pacing the field in practice on Thursday morning by more than 1.5 seconds and Gloddy and Di Mario finishing the session third-fastest and eighth-fastest, respectively. Rodio continued his impressive form later Thursday in Qualifying 1, taking provisional pole by 0.342 seconds. Gloddy finished that session in sixth place and Di Mario in seventh.
Twins Cup Qualifying 2 on Friday morning saw Rodio cement his grip on pole position while improving his best lap time on his Aprilia RS 660 by more than a second. Gloddy ended up qualifying fifth and Di Mario seventh.
Friday afternoon’s Race 1 proved Rodio was able to maintain the blistering pace he’d shown in qualifying over the course of a nine-lap race. Though he missed out on grabbing the holeshot, Rodio moved up to the race lead later on Lap 1 and never relinquished it, gradually building a large gap to the rest of the field and taking the win by 11.493 seconds. Gloddy and Di Mario were part of a multi-rider battle that was to determine the other two podium places. Di Mario came oh-so-close to getting a podium finish in his first Twins Cup race, but the draft on the long run to the finish line allowed another rider to best him for third place by a mere 0.087 seconds. Gloddy missed out on a top-five finish in similar fashion. He finished sixth — 0.343 seconds behind the rider ahead of him.
Race 2 took place Saturday morning and was the scene of another commanding effort from Rodio. Though he battled with another rider for the first lap, Rodio regained the lead on Lap 2 and began building another large gap – eventually finishing the race more than 11 second ahead of the scrap for the last two podium places. Gloddy and Di Mario were again in the mix for a podium finish, and Di Mario finished third after being edged out for second place by 0.044 seconds. Gloddy scored a fifth-place result and came within 0.041 seconds from taking fourth place.
Rodio’s blistering one-lap pace also was on display at Daytona. He lowered the all-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup lap record to a 1:55.193 in Friday morning’s Qualifying 2 session, then bested that the next day in the morning warm-up session with a lap time of 1:55.119. He also lowered the race lap record during Saturday’s Race 2 to a 1:55.413 — 0.132 seconds faster than the previous record.
The Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering team will be back in action next month at the next MotoAmerica Twins Cup round, which takes place April 21-23 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering.
Gus Rodio / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m super happy with a perfect weekend in Daytona. We couldn’t ask for anymore, and I’m excited to keep this momentum going into the next round.”
Alessandro Di Mario (27). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering.
Alessandro Di Mario / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I’m really happy with how my first time at Daytona turned out. It was a challenging weekend for sure, but we were able to get some solid points for the championship. I want to thank the team for all the work they did behind the scenes, and I am really looking forward to the next rounds. Bring on Atlanta!”
Ben Gloddy (72). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering.
Ben Gloddy / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I had a great weekend being back on the Aprilia RS 660 and had some solid finishes for not riding since New Jersey last year! I am hoping I can continue riding with the Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering team for the rest of 2024.”
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2024 season include Spellcaster Productions, Luxestar VIP, Geoscape Solar, MAR Contractors, Blud Lubricants, Spiegler Performance, Woodcraft Technologies, Dymag Performance Wheels, Millennium Technologies, Sprint Filter, Dunlop, SC Project, MVR Endeavor, GRG Designs, REB Graphics, NGK Spark Plugs, EvolveGT and N2 Racing.
Lusail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Francesco Bagnaia (1) leads Jorge Martin (89) on the first lap of the MotoGP race in Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Two-time and defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia led every lap of the MotoGP Grand Prix in Qatar, winning the first GP of 2024 and taking an early lead in the Championship standings.
The factory Ducati rider managed his lead over Prima Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin, last year’s Championship runner up and winner of Saturday’s Sprint race, and factory KTM rider Brad Binder, who would swap second until Binder seized the place for good. Binder, who finished second in the Sprint, also held second in the Championship points, ahead of Martin.
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez started his new Ducati career strong, finishing fourth, the best of the 2023 Desmosedicis in the field and less than 1.5 seconds off the podium.
Lusail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Alonso Lopez (21). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Sync SpeedUp’s Alonso Lopez won a tense Moto2 race in Qatar, barely holding off Barry Baltus and his RW-Idrofoglia Kalex by 0.055 seconds at the finish. Sergio Garcia was a close third on his MT Helmets – MTI Boscoscuro, ahead of teammate Ai Oruga.
American Joe Roberts came from 14th on the grid to seventh at the finish.
Lusail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
David Alonso (80) came from deep in the field to take the Moto3 win in Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.
CFMOTO Aspar’s David Alonso took the season-opening Moto3 race in Qatar with a last-corner, last-lap pass on Daniel Holgado, who had led nearly the entire 16-lap Grand Prix.
Alonso crossed the line 0.041 seconds ahead of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Holgado, with Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato third, 0.143 seconds behind the leader. Furusato was the only Honda in the top 11.
Maverick Vinales was quickest in the warmup heading into Sunday evening’s MotoGP race at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar. Vinales’ time of 1:52.660 on the factory Aprilia RS-GP was faster than the existing race lap record of 1:52.987 set by Enea Bastianini in 2023, but well off the 1:50.789 all-time mark set in Saturday’s qualifying by Jorge Martin.
Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta completed the top five.
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