Cameron Beaubier posted the best lap time during MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Free Practice One Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. On board his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR and using Dunlop control tires, the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion turned a 1:24.916 to lead the field of 24 riders.
Josh Herrin was second-fastest with a lap of 1:25.184 on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, and three-time and defending Champion Jake Gagne was third-quickest with a time of 1:25.369 on his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1.
Richie Escalante was fourth with a 1:25.608 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R, making it four different brands in the top four. Bobby Fong rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:25.709 on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1.
PJ Jacobsen led MotoAmerica Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 on Dunlop control tires, Jacobsen lapped the 2.55-mile course in 1:29.667 to top the field of 43 riders.
Blake Davis was the best of the rest with a 1:29.989 on his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6, and Tyler Scott rounded out the top three with a time of 1:30.050 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.
Dylan Singh led MotoAmerica Junior Cup Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Singh Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400, Singh lapped the mostly dry 2.55-mile road course in 1:51.068 to lead the field of 24 riders.
Eli Block was second-best with a 1:51.123 on his BARTCON Racing Kawasaki, and Jayden Fernandez rounded out the top three with a 1:52.607 on his Fernandez Racing Ninja 400.
Can Oncu topped rain-affected FIM Supersport World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands.
Riding his Puccetti Racing Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R around the 2.8-mile (4.5 km) road course, the Turkish racer turned a lap time of 1:44.919 early in the session, before the rain intensified.
Niki Tuuli was second with a 1:46.355 on his EAB Racing Team Ducati Panigale V2, and Ondrej Vostatek rounded out the top three with a time of 1:47.521 on his PTR Triumph Street Triple RS 765.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise finished the wet session 25th with a 1:56.143 on his Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6.
Rocco Landers led MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R on Dunlop control tires, Landers lapped the damp-but-drying 2.55-mile road course in 1:46.669 to lead the field of 31 riders.
Avery Dreher, the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, was second-best with a time of 1:49.071 on his TopPro Racing Aprilia RS 660.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor turned a 1:49.780 to finish the session third.
Only 16 of the 31 entered riders went out in the tricky conditions. Current point leader Gus Rodio was among those who did not ride in FP1.
There is no more rain in Friday’s weather forecast.
KTM North America, Inc. proudly announces an increased contingency payout for the 2024 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.
Posting a total of $67,500 for the 10-round series, KTM is offering a $5,000 Championship bonus for the first time ever to the Super Hooligan National Championship winner! Additionally, the brand is paying out top-five finishers in the class at each of the 10 rounds, with a total offering of $6,250 per round.
To view the 2024 payouts and classes, visit www.ktmcash.com.
Toprak Razgatlioglu topped FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR on the damp-but-drying 2.8-mile (4.5 km) track, the Turkish star recorded a lap time of 1:35.684 to top the field of 23 riders.
Alex Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:35.974 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. Two-time and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista was third with a 1:36.271 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.
American Garrett Gerloff finished the session sixth with a time of 1:36.386 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
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.
Joshua Raymond, Jr. Photo courtesy Joshua Raymond, Sr.
Joshua Raymond, Jr.
Age: 13.
Current home: Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.
Current height/weight: 5’1”/95 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 4 years.
First road race: 2016, NJminiGP, Millville, New Jersey.
Current road racebikes: Ohvale GP2 190cc, Honda NSF250.
Current tuner/mechanic: Mike Skowronek.
Primary race series: British Talent Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup, ASRA.
Top Sponsors: American Racing Academy, GeoScapes Solar, Ohvale USA, Arai Helmets, Historic GP Custom Leathers, Dunlop, Liqui Moly, NJminiGP, Evolve Gt, John Martin Automotive, MotoAnatomy, Scott Powersports, Raymond Landscaping.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 2nd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (2 wins, 11 total podiums), finished 13th in FIM MiniGP World Series 190cc Championship; 2022 season, placed second in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (1 win, 7 total podiums).
2024 racing goal: Win the British Talent Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Win the MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.
Favorite track: Pittsburg International Race Complex.
Favorite hobby: Fishing.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Boxing.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
The best piece of protective equipment does you no good if it’s sitting on the shelf in the garage or hanging in a closet when you crash. Part of the trick of designing truly effective protection is making it easy to use and operate.
Alpinestars’ new Tech-Air 7X airbag system is, in my experience, the most comfortable, easy-to-use and easy-to-operate track-oriented airbag system I have used to date. It does not provide the absolute highest, MotoGP-rider level protection of its most protective system. But it is user-serviceable, easy to get on, and is cooler than other systems. And it is truly universal, in that it can be used under any suit that provides enough space for the system to deploy in the case of a crash.
I wore the system for seven 20-minute sessions at an Aprilia Racer Days event at Circuit of The Americas. When the sun came out, it was baking; when it was cloudy, it was humid. It was a test of the system’s wearability, and it passed that evaluation with five stars.
The internal mechanism of the Alpinstars Tech-Air 7X. In the center is the computer and the battery; the user-switchable argon canisters are on either side. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Tech Overview
Best to think of the Alpinestars Tech-Air 7X as an evolved version of the Tech-Air Race. It is FIM-homologated, meaning that you can race in the system in International-level competition where airbags are mandatory. It comes preset in Track mode, but the Tech-Air app allows the user to switch it to Road mode when desired. When deployed, the system decreases impact force by 90 percent compared to a passive Level One back protector.
The protection configuration differs from the company’s Tech-Air 10 system. The Tech-Air 7X does not have hip protection, and it offers individual bladders on each side of the riders’ chest. The Tech-Air 10 has a solid panel across the chest, offering more protection but flowing less air to the rider. The Tech-Air 7 also is worn like a vest, rather than a mid-thigh bodysuit (similar to a warm-water wetsuit) with the Tech-Air 10. The Tech-Air 7X inflates to cover the riders’ chest, back, collarbones and tailbone.
The Tech-Air 7X comes with two argon cartridges for two separate inflations, and the cartridges can be replaced at the track by the rider. A pull handle releases the protective cover over the internal mechanism, and the cartridges can be unscrewed and replaced literally in seconds. Each cartridge costs approximately $99, and the unit can be deployed four times before it has to be sent back to an Alpinestars service center for inspection and refurbishment. The units are carefully designed to ensure that cartridge replacement is done correctly – if not, the cover cannot be replaced. For racers who are obsessive about weight reduction, one of the argon cartridges can be removed and replaced with the plug that comes with the system.
Activating the system is as simple as attaching two velcro tabs across the chest. An LED array displays the system charging status and its mode, road or track.
When the velcro tab is connected, magnets connect and switch the system on. LEDs indicate charging status and mode. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
Riding Impressions
I found the Tech-Air 7X as easy to slip into as my regular passive Alpinestars protective vest, and the GP Force suit slid easily over the back protector/inflation control unit hump. The back protection construct itself is CE-certified as a Level One protector, which means that even if the airbag failed to deploy in a crash, the rider still has protection against impact forces. It’s nowhere near the protection of a deployed airbag, but I’m old enough to remember when we raced with no back protector at all, so it’s still a dramatic improvement over those days.
The only time I really thought about the Tech-Air 7X system was when I would sit up to brake. The airflow across the chest was noticeably greater than that of the Tech-Air 10, and it made a real difference in rider comfort.
Other than that, I zipped it up in the morning, took it off when I was done, and never thought about it the rest of the day. And that, for me, is the highest praise I can give safety gear without crashing.
I feel like until I experienced this unit, I was paying for airbag levels of protection with decreased comfort and ease of operation. While this system does not offer the protection of the Tech-Air 10, it is easier to use, easier to wear and easier on the rider when they are on the machine. And if that’s what it takes to get riders into an airbag system, that’s nothing but good.
YART FASTEST IN THE EWC SO FAR AFTER DRAMA-HIT FIRST QUALIFYING FOR 24 HEURES MOTOS
The battle for pole position in the 24 Heures Motos, round one of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship, is go with Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team on top in the first three sessions that help towards forming the grid for the famous Le Mans race.
Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika – riding with the #1 on their Bridgestone-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1 following their 2023 EWC title triumph – were quickest in the Blue, Yellow and Red sessions held on a sunny but chilly Circuit Bugatti this afternoon.
Once again, First Qualifying was split into four colour-coded rider groups (Blue, Yellow, Red and Green) with each group getting 20 minutes of running on the 4.185-kilometre track.
But with the final qualifying order based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team (the results of the fourth rider are not taken into account), it’s not until after Second Qualifying on Friday morning that the grid for the 47th 24 Heures Moto is known.
Niccolò Canepa was the quickest Blue Rider for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team in an unofficial lap record time of 1m34.708s followed by Florian Alt (Honda Viltaïs Racing), Gregg Black (Yoshimura SERT Motul), Josh Hook (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) and Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team).
Canepa, who is still recovery from a shoulder injury sustained during a crash while practicing for the Daytona 200 in the USA last month, said: “I’m really happy especially because I didn’t do many winter tests. I still don’t fell 100 per cent with my shoulder and I know the race is going to be very tough so I will have to count on my team-mates a lot because I still have pain and not so much power. But to do one lap I really enjoyed and it came out an incredible lap that I really didn’t expect, but the bike and the tyres were really amazing. I was sure this was a record that would not last long because I thought Marvin and Karel would beat it. Unfortunately they couldn’t beat it so I can keep it but they still did an amazing job. It was a bit of drama for them and I am sorry but I’m really happy for the result of today and we are all three in the first place and this is what counts.”
Kenny Foray was the quickest Superstock category contender on a 1m36.868s for Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team with Sébastien Suchet (National Motos Honda) and Yudai Kamei (Team Étoile) next up. Tom Ward (TRT27 AZ Moto), Eemeli Lahti (Pit-Lane Endurance) and Martin Vugrinec (Maco Racing) all fell.
In the Yellow Rider session, Marvin Fritz continued YART’s impressive qualifying performance in a time of 1m35.139s, although his initial best lap 1m34.738s was cancelled due to a track limits infrignement. Steven Odendaal was second for Honda Viltaïs Racing with F.C.C. TSR Honda France rider Mike Di Meglio in third. Despite a fall, Christian Gamarino (Kawasaki Webike Trickstar) excelled on his step up to the Formula EWC category having helped Team 33 Louit April Moto win the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup in 2023. Randy Krummenacher was fifth fastest for Tati Team Beringer Racing, now Honda-powered in the EWC. Jan Bühn (Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team) headed the Superstock order followed by Valentin Suchet (National Motos Honda) and Baptiste Guittet, who returns to Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore following a season competing in the Formula EWC category with Tati Team Beringer Racing. Meanwhile, Florian Marino (KM99) and Kamil Krzemień (Wójcik Racing Team EWC) both suffered falls during their 20-minute session.
Karel Hanika took over the #1 Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team for the Red Rider session and continued the Austrian squad’s dominance in a time of 1m35.028s, despite crashing on his first flying lap, which resulted in his mechanics spending just under seven minutes repairing his damaged bike. Alan Techer was second quickest for F.C.C. TSR Honda France followed by Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team), Leandro Mercado (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and Dan Linfoot on his debut for Yoshimura SERT Motul. National Motos Honda’s Guillaume Raymond was the quickest Superstock contender with a 1m37.756s best. Kevin Calia was second quickest on Team Aviobike by M2 Revo’s Aprilia as Philipp Steinmayr went third fastest on his debut for Honda No Limits. Fallers in the penultimate First Qualifying session included Alan Agogue (TCP Racing), Maiku Watanuki (3ART Best of Bike).
The Green Rider session is taking on added significance for Superstock riders this season under new rules that allow teams contesting the FIM Endurance World Cup to nominate four race riders rather than the traditional three. Martin Renaudin was fastest in the Dunlop-equipped class for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda followed by Gino Rea (Wójcik Racing Team) on his competition comeback following serious injury. Dylan Mille was third fastest for Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki. The quickest overall session time went to Yoshimura SERT Motul’s reserve rider Cocoro Atsumi ahead of Robin Mulhauser (Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team) and Hannes Soomer, on his first EWC appearance for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.
Following Night Practice from 20h30 local time today, Second Qualifying is due to get under way at 10h20 tomorrow (Friday).
Cameron Beaubier posted the best lap time during MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Free Practice One Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. On board his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR and using Dunlop control tires, the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion turned a 1:24.916 to lead the field of 24 riders.
Josh Herrin was second-fastest with a lap of 1:25.184 on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R, and three-time and defending Champion Jake Gagne was third-quickest with a time of 1:25.369 on his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1.
Richie Escalante was fourth with a 1:25.608 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R, making it four different brands in the top four. Bobby Fong rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:25.709 on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1.
PJ Jacobsen led MotoAmerica Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 on Dunlop control tires, Jacobsen lapped the 2.55-mile course in 1:29.667 to top the field of 43 riders.
Blake Davis was the best of the rest with a 1:29.989 on his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6, and Tyler Scott rounded out the top three with a time of 1:30.050 on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.
Dylan Singh led MotoAmerica Junior Cup Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his Singh Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400, Singh lapped the mostly dry 2.55-mile road course in 1:51.068 to lead the field of 24 riders.
Eli Block was second-best with a 1:51.123 on his BARTCON Racing Kawasaki, and Jayden Fernandez rounded out the top three with a 1:52.607 on his Fernandez Racing Ninja 400.
Can Oncu topped rain-affected FIM Supersport World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands.
Riding his Puccetti Racing Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R around the 2.8-mile (4.5 km) road course, the Turkish racer turned a lap time of 1:44.919 early in the session, before the rain intensified.
Niki Tuuli was second with a 1:46.355 on his EAB Racing Team Ducati Panigale V2, and Ondrej Vostatek rounded out the top three with a time of 1:47.521 on his PTR Triumph Street Triple RS 765.
Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise finished the wet session 25th with a 1:56.143 on his Evan Bros. Yamaha YZF-R6.
Rocco Landers led MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R on Dunlop control tires, Landers lapped the damp-but-drying 2.55-mile road course in 1:46.669 to lead the field of 31 riders.
Avery Dreher, the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, was second-best with a time of 1:49.071 on his TopPro Racing Aprilia RS 660.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor turned a 1:49.780 to finish the session third.
Only 16 of the 31 entered riders went out in the tricky conditions. Current point leader Gus Rodio was among those who did not ride in FP1.
There is no more rain in Friday’s weather forecast.
Andy DiBrino (62) at speed on his KTM 890 Duke R earlier this season at Daytona. Photo courtesy Andy DiBrino Racing.
KTM North America, Inc. proudly announces an increased contingency payout for the 2024 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.
Posting a total of $67,500 for the 10-round series, KTM is offering a $5,000 Championship bonus for the first time ever to the Super Hooligan National Championship winner! Additionally, the brand is paying out top-five finishers in the class at each of the 10 rounds, with a total offering of $6,250 per round.
To view the 2024 payouts and classes, visit www.ktmcash.com.
Toprak Razgatlioglu topped FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR on the damp-but-drying 2.8-mile (4.5 km) track, the Turkish star recorded a lap time of 1:35.684 to top the field of 23 riders.
Alex Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:35.974 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. Two-time and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista was third with a 1:36.271 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.
American Garrett Gerloff finished the session sixth with a time of 1:36.386 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
Joshua Raymond, Jr. (76) in action at the 2023 FIM MiniGP World Final 190 Championship in Valencia, Spain. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Joshua Raymond, Jr. Photo courtesy Joshua Raymond, Sr.
Joshua Raymond, Jr.
Age: 13.
Current home: Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.
Current height/weight: 5’1”/95 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 4 years.
First road race: 2016, NJminiGP, Millville, New Jersey.
Current road racebikes: Ohvale GP2 190cc, Honda NSF250.
Current tuner/mechanic: Mike Skowronek.
Primary race series: British Talent Cup, MotoAmerica Mini Cup, ASRA.
Top Sponsors: American Racing Academy, GeoScapes Solar, Ohvale USA, Arai Helmets, Historic GP Custom Leathers, Dunlop, Liqui Moly, NJminiGP, Evolve Gt, John Martin Automotive, MotoAnatomy, Scott Powersports, Raymond Landscaping.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 2nd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (2 wins, 11 total podiums), finished 13th in FIM MiniGP World Series 190cc Championship; 2022 season, placed second in MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship (1 win, 7 total podiums).
2024 racing goal: Win the British Talent Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Win the MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.
Favorite track: Pittsburg International Race Complex.
Favorite hobby: Fishing.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Boxing.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
The author at an Aprilia Racer Days event held in conjunction with RideSmart Motorcycle School at Circuit of The Americas, 2024. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
The best piece of protective equipment does you no good if it’s sitting on the shelf in the garage or hanging in a closet when you crash. Part of the trick of designing truly effective protection is making it easy to use and operate.
Alpinestars’ new Tech-Air 7X airbag system is, in my experience, the most comfortable, easy-to-use and easy-to-operate track-oriented airbag system I have used to date. It does not provide the absolute highest, MotoGP-rider level protection of its most protective system. But it is user-serviceable, easy to get on, and is cooler than other systems. And it is truly universal, in that it can be used under any suit that provides enough space for the system to deploy in the case of a crash.
I wore the system for seven 20-minute sessions at an Aprilia Racer Days event at Circuit of The Americas. When the sun came out, it was baking; when it was cloudy, it was humid. It was a test of the system’s wearability, and it passed that evaluation with five stars.
The internal mechanism of the Alpinstars Tech-Air 7X. In the center is the computer and the battery; the user-switchable argon canisters are on either side. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Tech Overview
Best to think of the Alpinestars Tech-Air 7X as an evolved version of the Tech-Air Race. It is FIM-homologated, meaning that you can race in the system in International-level competition where airbags are mandatory. It comes preset in Track mode, but the Tech-Air app allows the user to switch it to Road mode when desired. When deployed, the system decreases impact force by 90 percent compared to a passive Level One back protector.
The protection configuration differs from the company’s Tech-Air 10 system. The Tech-Air 7X does not have hip protection, and it offers individual bladders on each side of the riders’ chest. The Tech-Air 10 has a solid panel across the chest, offering more protection but flowing less air to the rider. The Tech-Air 7 also is worn like a vest, rather than a mid-thigh bodysuit (similar to a warm-water wetsuit) with the Tech-Air 10. The Tech-Air 7X inflates to cover the riders’ chest, back, collarbones and tailbone.
The Tech-Air 7X comes with two argon cartridges for two separate inflations, and the cartridges can be replaced at the track by the rider. A pull handle releases the protective cover over the internal mechanism, and the cartridges can be unscrewed and replaced literally in seconds. Each cartridge costs approximately $99, and the unit can be deployed four times before it has to be sent back to an Alpinestars service center for inspection and refurbishment. The units are carefully designed to ensure that cartridge replacement is done correctly – if not, the cover cannot be replaced. For racers who are obsessive about weight reduction, one of the argon cartridges can be removed and replaced with the plug that comes with the system.
Activating the system is as simple as attaching two velcro tabs across the chest. An LED array displays the system charging status and its mode, road or track.
When the velcro tab is connected, magnets connect and switch the system on. LEDs indicate charging status and mode. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
Riding Impressions
I found the Tech-Air 7X as easy to slip into as my regular passive Alpinestars protective vest, and the GP Force suit slid easily over the back protector/inflation control unit hump. The back protection construct itself is CE-certified as a Level One protector, which means that even if the airbag failed to deploy in a crash, the rider still has protection against impact forces. It’s nowhere near the protection of a deployed airbag, but I’m old enough to remember when we raced with no back protector at all, so it’s still a dramatic improvement over those days.
The only time I really thought about the Tech-Air 7X system was when I would sit up to brake. The airflow across the chest was noticeably greater than that of the Tech-Air 10, and it made a real difference in rider comfort.
Other than that, I zipped it up in the morning, took it off when I was done, and never thought about it the rest of the day. And that, for me, is the highest praise I can give safety gear without crashing.
I feel like until I experienced this unit, I was paying for airbag levels of protection with decreased comfort and ease of operation. While this system does not offer the protection of the Tech-Air 10, it is easier to use, easier to wear and easier on the rider when they are on the machine. And if that’s what it takes to get riders into an airbag system, that’s nothing but good.
Niccolo Canepa (1) turned the fastest lap time during provisional FIM World Endurance qualifying Thursday at the 24-Hours of Le Mans, helping Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC finish on top. Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe.
YART FASTEST IN THE EWC SO FAR AFTER DRAMA-HIT FIRST QUALIFYING FOR 24 HEURES MOTOS
The battle for pole position in the 24 Heures Motos, round one of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship, is go with Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team on top in the first three sessions that help towards forming the grid for the famous Le Mans race.
Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika – riding with the #1 on their Bridgestone-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1 following their 2023 EWC title triumph – were quickest in the Blue, Yellow and Red sessions held on a sunny but chilly Circuit Bugatti this afternoon.
Once again, First Qualifying was split into four colour-coded rider groups (Blue, Yellow, Red and Green) with each group getting 20 minutes of running on the 4.185-kilometre track.
But with the final qualifying order based on the average time of the fastest two riders from each team (the results of the fourth rider are not taken into account), it’s not until after Second Qualifying on Friday morning that the grid for the 47th 24 Heures Moto is known.
Niccolò Canepa was the quickest Blue Rider for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team in an unofficial lap record time of 1m34.708s followed by Florian Alt (Honda Viltaïs Racing), Gregg Black (Yoshimura SERT Motul), Josh Hook (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) and Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team).
Canepa, who is still recovery from a shoulder injury sustained during a crash while practicing for the Daytona 200 in the USA last month, said: “I’m really happy especially because I didn’t do many winter tests. I still don’t fell 100 per cent with my shoulder and I know the race is going to be very tough so I will have to count on my team-mates a lot because I still have pain and not so much power. But to do one lap I really enjoyed and it came out an incredible lap that I really didn’t expect, but the bike and the tyres were really amazing. I was sure this was a record that would not last long because I thought Marvin and Karel would beat it. Unfortunately they couldn’t beat it so I can keep it but they still did an amazing job. It was a bit of drama for them and I am sorry but I’m really happy for the result of today and we are all three in the first place and this is what counts.”
Kenny Foray was the quickest Superstock category contender on a 1m36.868s for Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team with Sébastien Suchet (National Motos Honda) and Yudai Kamei (Team Étoile) next up. Tom Ward (TRT27 AZ Moto), Eemeli Lahti (Pit-Lane Endurance) and Martin Vugrinec (Maco Racing) all fell.
In the Yellow Rider session, Marvin Fritz continued YART’s impressive qualifying performance in a time of 1m35.139s, although his initial best lap 1m34.738s was cancelled due to a track limits infrignement. Steven Odendaal was second for Honda Viltaïs Racing with F.C.C. TSR Honda France rider Mike Di Meglio in third. Despite a fall, Christian Gamarino (Kawasaki Webike Trickstar) excelled on his step up to the Formula EWC category having helped Team 33 Louit April Moto win the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup in 2023. Randy Krummenacher was fifth fastest for Tati Team Beringer Racing, now Honda-powered in the EWC. Jan Bühn (Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team) headed the Superstock order followed by Valentin Suchet (National Motos Honda) and Baptiste Guittet, who returns to Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore following a season competing in the Formula EWC category with Tati Team Beringer Racing. Meanwhile, Florian Marino (KM99) and Kamil Krzemień (Wójcik Racing Team EWC) both suffered falls during their 20-minute session.
Karel Hanika took over the #1 Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team for the Red Rider session and continued the Austrian squad’s dominance in a time of 1m35.028s, despite crashing on his first flying lap, which resulted in his mechanics spending just under seven minutes repairing his damaged bike. Alan Techer was second quickest for F.C.C. TSR Honda France followed by Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team), Leandro Mercado (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and Dan Linfoot on his debut for Yoshimura SERT Motul. National Motos Honda’s Guillaume Raymond was the quickest Superstock contender with a 1m37.756s best. Kevin Calia was second quickest on Team Aviobike by M2 Revo’s Aprilia as Philipp Steinmayr went third fastest on his debut for Honda No Limits. Fallers in the penultimate First Qualifying session included Alan Agogue (TCP Racing), Maiku Watanuki (3ART Best of Bike).
The Green Rider session is taking on added significance for Superstock riders this season under new rules that allow teams contesting the FIM Endurance World Cup to nominate four race riders rather than the traditional three. Martin Renaudin was fastest in the Dunlop-equipped class for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda followed by Gino Rea (Wójcik Racing Team) on his competition comeback following serious injury. Dylan Mille was third fastest for Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki. The quickest overall session time went to Yoshimura SERT Motul’s reserve rider Cocoro Atsumi ahead of Robin Mulhauser (Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team) and Hannes Soomer, on his first EWC appearance for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.
Following Night Practice from 20h30 local time today, Second Qualifying is due to get under way at 10h20 tomorrow (Friday).
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November 11, 2026
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