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Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Trenton Keesee

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

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

 

Trenton Keesee. Photo courtesy AMA.

 

Trenton Keesee

Age: 17.

Current home: West Melbourne, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’7”/134 pounds.

Current school grade level: 11th grade + college classes.

Began riding at age: 2.5 years.

First road race: 2022, Homestead, Florida, CCS, 2nd place in all three races entered.

Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Current tuners/mechanics: Todd Keesee (father), Brevard Superbike.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Top sponsors: Brevard Superbike, Florida Native Roofing, Long Doggers, Dunlop, M4 Exhaust, EBC Brakes, RK Chain, Arai Americas, Mark Tenn Motorsports, Jerry Pellegrino, Spears Racing, Pit Viper, Global Racing Oil, Street & Competition, Core Moto.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award winner, won ASRA 400 Expert National Championship, won ASRA 400 GP National Championship (6 wins, 12 podiums with ASRA), 5 race wins in PanAmerican Superbike Series; 2022 season, won 3 CCS National Championships (300 Supersport, 300 Superbike, 300 GP), 17 wins and 27 podium finishes with CCS.

2024 racing goal:  Consistently finish in the top 5 in MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Career racing goal: To race in FIM Superbike World Championship.

Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.

Favorite track: Road Atlanta.

Favorite hobby: Working out/personal fitness.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Figuring out how to go racing.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

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

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

MotoGP: More From The Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas

Maverick Vinales made it a perfect weekend of pole position, new lap record and wins in the Sprint race and the Grand Prix race aboard his Aprilia RS-GP at the Circuit of The Americas. In doing so, Vinales became the first rider to win MotoGP Grand Prix races on three different makes of motorcycle – Suzuki, Yamaha and now Aprilia. Four-time 500cc World Champion Eddie Lawson won 500cc Grand Prix races with Honda, Yamaha and Cagiva, racking up 31 wins in 127 starts. Other riders who won with three manufacturers in premier-class Grand Prix racing include Mike Hailwood, Randy Mamola and Loris Capirossi.

Vinales said the team studied carefully the data on tire wear from Saturday’s sprint and came up with “two or three” turns where altering his approach allowed him to reduce his tire wear. Even a poor start, with an issue with the clutch and contact that left him back in 11th place at one point, didn’t prevent him from slicing through the field. Vinales now sits third in the points standings.

Maverick Vinales (12). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Pedro Acosta continued to stun, leading the Grand Prix race twice and only giving the lead up to Vinales after a fight. Acosta was the only front runner to go with a medium rear tire, a choice made after he slid down the order in the sprint after he made “a complete mess” of his tire management strategy. Jorge Martin led for six laps but faded at the end, ceding the final podium spot but clinging to the Championship lead.

Pedro Acosta (31) and Jorge Martin (89). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Enea Bastianini put in a strong ride at the track where his 2022 win put him on course for a promotion to the factory Ducati team. Plagued by injuries last year, Bastianini has been overshadowed this season by fellow Ducati riders Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, and his news conference demeanor was a mix of happiness and relief.

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Sergio Garcia led the Moto2 race from lights to flag, with American Joe Roberts leaping into second after qualifying fifth and taking his second podium of the season. Roberts is riding a wave of confidence and enjoying the familiar environs of the American Racing Team.

Sergio Garcia (3) leapt into the lead of the Moto2 race and won over Joe Roberts (16) by 0.452 seconds. Photo by Michael Gougis.

David Alonso rode away from the field and took the Moto3 win by 5.163 seconds. It was the second win of the season for the CFMOTO rider. The excitement took place further down the field, where Ivan Ortola and Stefano Nepa collided and fell. Ortola ran over to Nepa’s machine – the bike he raced last season – and jumped on. Nepa had to chase Ortola down and pull him off his bike. Both continued, with Ortola crashing out and Nepa finishing 18th.

David Alonso (80). Photo by Michael Gougis.

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From COTA

Maverick Vinales won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race, the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, Sunday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas. 

 

Maverick Vinales (12). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, Vinales won the 20-lap race by 1.728 seconds over rookie sensation Pedro Acosta and his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS.

Lenovo Ducati’s Enea Bastianini made a late-race pass to steal third from Jorge Martin, who finished fourth on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Bastianini’s teammate, two-time and defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia rounded out the top five finishers.

 

MotoGP Full Race Results
MotoGP Points after Race

Moto2 World Championship: Race Results From Circuit Of The Americas

Spaniard Sergio Garcia won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.

Riding his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro, Garcia won the 16-lap race by 0.492 second over American Joe Roberts and his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Joe Roberts (16). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Joe Roberts (16). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Fermin Aldeguer finished third, 3.2 seconds behind Garcia, on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro.

 

Moto2 Race
Moto2 Points

Erik Buell Releasing Album “Dust Settles” On June 7

SINGER/SONGWRITER/MULTI-INTRUMENTALIST ERIK BUELL SET TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN FOURTEEN YEARS; ‘DUST SETTLES’ OUT ON JUNE 7 

Twelve-Song Collection Produced By Ralph Carter 

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Erik Buell is set to release his second studio album ‘Dust Settles’ on June 7. Becoming known for his evocative songcraft, this new project blends Americana and heartland rock influences with Buell’s soul-tinged vocals as he sings about finding strength in honesty, the power of vulnerability and the experience of reconnecting and marrying his college sweetheart after decades apart.

Although Buell started playing music at fourteen years old, he didn’t record his first studio album ‘Anthem’ until 2010. For the past four decades, Buell’s name has been synonymous with the motorcycle industry, including a coveted spot in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Founder of Buell Motorcycles, his company was acquired by Harley-Davidson in 1993. Thereafter, he founded EBR, which built American superbikes and provided engineering consulting, followed by the creation of FUELL, a company for e-bicycles and e-motorcycles.

Three years ago, Buell started to move away from motorcycling and began to focus on music and his skills as a storyteller. He found himself making a stylistic departure from his previous hard rock recordings and leaning into Americana and country sounds. 

Recorded in Ventura, CA at Ralph’s Garage, ‘Dust Settles’ was produced by Ralph Carter and features twelve original songs, all written by Buell. For this project, Buell enlisted a bevy of notable session players and musician friends that share decades of studio and touring experience, aptly naming them “Friends Out West” including Carter (Eddie Money, Dancing With Stars) on bass, guitar, keys, percussion;  Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller, Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen) on drums and percussion; Phil Parlapiano (John Prine.The Shape of Water) on keys; Jesse Kennemer on guitar; Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams, John Mayer) on pedal steel and Annie Bzdawka on harmony vocals.

Of the new album, Buell says “I’ve had an amazing and blessed life overall. There have been many dark and sad times, as well as bright and happy times. For me, this album marks the first time I’ve been able to record songs that capture those deep feelings. Everything I’m writing these days comes from that uncovered well.”

“My hope is that these songs connect with others. At our core, we are all very much alike. We are full of emotions that we keep to ourselves, while wondering if others feel the same. Recognize that. Be kind to each other.The best of roads are ahead.”

The album kicks off with “You’re Not Alone In this World,” a potent roots-rocker about reconnecting with his wife after twenty-five years apart, followed by the atmospheric “Fading Perfume.”

Other highlights include the propulsive “Mr. Pious,” with its commentary on religious hypocrisy and the prog rock-tinged title track.  Switching gears, “Crank Up That Jukebox” is brimming with a swaggering blend of Western swing that takes the listener back to Buell’s days spent in the San Antonio honkytonks.

“Together” is a jaunty, pop-infused take on how love can change one’s outlook and life for the best. Rounding out the album, the sentimental, Caribbean-flared “In My Arms Again” shows Buell professing his appreciation for the love of his life and his gratitude for having found her again after being apart for many years.

‘Dust Settles’ Track Listing

You’re Not Alone In This World

Fading Perfume

Came For A Party

Mr. Pious

Forgotten Things

Dust Settles

Crank Up That Jukebox

I Don’t Know

Sweet River

Together

Warm Wind

In My Arms Again

Moto3: World Championship Race Results From COTA

Colombia’s David Alonso won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas.

The CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team rider won the 14-lap race by 5.163 seconds.

 

David Alonso (80) leads Matteo Bertelle (18) and Daniel Holgado (96) at COTA. Bertelle finished 10th, after serving three long-lap penalties. Photo by Michael Gougis.
David Alonso (80) leads Matteo Bertelle (18) and Daniel Holgado (96) at COTA. Bertelle finished 10th, after serving three long-lap penalties. Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Daniel Holgado was the runner-up on his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS, just 0.013 second in front of Leopard Racing Honda’s Angel Piqueras in third. 

 

Moto3 Race
Moto3 Points

MotoGP: Vinales Quickest In Warmup At COTA

Maverick Vinales continued his strong recent run of form by topping the MotoGP warmup session Sunday morning at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.

Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP on Michelin control tires, the Sprint race winner led the 22-rider field with a time of 2:02.341 around the 3.4-mile (5.5 km), 20-turn circuit.

Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was second-best with a 2:02.517 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP23, and Raul Fernandez jumped up the order to third with a time of 2:02.795 on his Trackhouse Racing Aprilia RS-GP.

The full-length MotoGP race is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

 

MotoGP Warmup

AMA Supercross: Race Report And Video Highlights From Foxborough

Cooper Webb Wins Foxborough Supercross, Advances into Tie in Championship Points

Haiden Deegan Earns Second Win with Victory Inside Gillette Stadium

Foxborough, Mass., (April 14, 2024) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb led every lap and took the win at the Foxborough Supercross; with the victory, Webb tied up the championship points at Round 13 of the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. It was Webb’s fourth win of the year, and in one night he erased an eight-point deficit in his pursuit of his third Supercross Championship.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton charged forward and challenged for the lead right up to the Final Lap as the crowd in Gillette Stadium cheered him on. Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen held second place for the majority of the race, and landed the final spot on the podium when the checkered flag flew. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan earned his second win of the season.

 

Cooper Webb (2). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Cooper Webb (2). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

“It’s crazy, you know, the season’s never over, you’ve just gotta put your head down and now it’s tied; it’s pretty crazy. So we’ll just stick to our thing, but man, it was great. Great race, had a great pace out front, and then made a big mistake. I missed the rhythm, and the guys got [up to] me. And then Chase was riding really well, I could feel him coming. [I lost time] just being kind of dumb in the whoops. [On the] last lap I decided to skim, and it was the best I hit them. But it was great, man. To get a holeshot like that, to lead every lap, was huge. The track was really tricky, especially when it started to rain, it could reach up and bite you. So it was a great race and, man, to get [into] the points lead is amazing. I want to give it up to the Good Lord, the whole Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team, they worked their butts off, my mechanic Alex, [other sponsors], my wife, and man, this feels great.” – Cooper Webb  

“I had a few good lines on the track. I was good on the on-off going outside, but it put me on the outside. And then Ken caught on to my line in the sand and was riding smart, so he made it tough on me. I set that pass up for almost a lap, and it was just a tough track overall. I feel like tonight I rode pretty well. I came from fifth or sixth, so [we’re] getting better and better. Obviously wanted that win; I was pretty close, I tried to hit that corner pretty hard after the finish line and slid out [at the start of the final lap]. Other than that, though, we’re making progress and happy to be getting a little closer in points; losing points to Cooper, but we’re kind of inching up a little bit. So we need to click off some wins and end this season on a high.” – Chase Sexton, when asked about having difficultly passing Roczen for second place.  

“That was gnarly, but I had a lot of fun. I got off to a really good start… That track was really hardpack and shiny on some areas, and then the whoops got super edgy, and you could just see the ruts were hardpack. It just made for tricky [conditions], especially from the wall [area of the Stadium] through the sand section, and everything, it was really tight. So, it was a track that was hard to stay loose on; there’s a very fine line between pushing and trying to carry momentum. But that was a really good race. I was in second for a long time, and even with a lap to go we all bunched up again. Man, that was a fun race. I’m just really thankful to be back on the podium, that was really important for us. I’m sure the team was wondering sometimes what I was doing out there; especially in practice, I mean it was horrendous, but I’m just happy to be back up on the box.” – Ken Roczen  

 

 

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class held its sixth round and Haiden Deegan took the victory with three rounds remaining in the regional championship. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo battled forward to second but then steadily lost ground to Deegan. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle held steady for a third-place finish on a challenging track with inconsistent traction.

 

Haiden Deegan (38). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Haiden Deegan (38). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

 

“I knew I could do it. It’s inside of me, but man, the highs and lows of this sport, they get to you… I was just days just sitting in my room [after] not winning, I’m like, ‘Dude, this hurts, bro,’ like, it hurt bad. And I was like, ‘I need to win….’ I did a lot of work with our little break and let me tell you, it definitely paid off. I felt super consistent, super smooth, [and] executed my start… That’s just what I needed to do. Unfortunately, we have a big points gap that I need to try and close, but I’m going to do my best. I just gotta thank God for putting me in this position and blessing me with this life. Thank you to my whole team as well, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing put in a ton of work, my mechanic, my family – man we just, we grind baby.” – Haiden Deegan, when asked if he feels back to 100% after injuries earlier in the season.  

“To be back after three weeks off, it was just exciting to be back racing and back with the team. It was my first time in Foxborough, so I really enjoyed myself tonight. Haiden rode a great race, too, and I’m just stoked to put together another great points-building night and just happy with where we’re at… I’m just grateful and we’re going to keep on focusing on the same weekend that we’re on and staying where we’re at. So, shout out to all my people behind me, my family, my mechanic, my whole team; they’re so awesome. I’ve been together with them for a while and we’re just enjoying this so thank you everyone. Foxborough, you guys are awesome.” – Cameron McAdoo  

“I had a good start, and they [Deegan and McAdoo] were both riding good, and to be honest I wasn’t really comfortable tonight. The track is really slippery, and I couldn’t really find good lines during the whole Main Event. So of course I’m not really happy with my result, but P-3, I didn’t lose a lot [of points] for the championship and we are still in the fight. I enjoy riding here, another great track, and I’m really looking forward to next weekend.” – Tom Vialle  

 

 

The SX Futures Class held its fourth round of 2024 and Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Drew Adams took the win, his third in a row. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Gavin Towers took second place, and KTM Elite Monster Energy’s Luke Fauser earned third after an exciting defense of the position late in the race from round one winner Troy Lee Designs GASGAS’s Cole Davies, who eventually finished in fifth.

“I’d say [the track] was probably a little bit rougher in qualifying earlier today just because of all the rain we had [earlier in the week]… Two weeks ago in St. Louis I had a really bad start, so I had to work really hard there, and so these past two weeks I’ve just been working on starts. Yeah, it looks like I fixed it.” – Drew Adams, when asked about racing the track straight after the 450 Heats and about his better start compared to the SX Futures race in St. Louis.  

The Foxborough event kicked off the final stretch of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The final four rounds take place over the next four consecutive Saturdays, each in an open-air stadium. The next race, Round 14, will be inside Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee; it will host the season’s first East/West 250SX Class Showdown.

The final races will wrap up what has been one of the closest and most exciting seasons in the sport’s history. Every event also pays points towards the SuperMotocross World Championship, which is in its second year. The SMX series combines points from the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the 11-round Pro Motocross Championship to seed riders into the sport’s post-season racing with a points-reset to the equivalent of points normally earned at a single event. Increasing point payouts through two Playoffs and one Final will determine an overall SMX World Champion.

Every race of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship is available live and on-demand on PeacockTV, with select races also broadcast or streamed domestically via NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. CNBC airs next-day encore presentations of all 31 rounds, and live audio coverage for each Supercross race can be heard via NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85. International viewers can find live and on-demand coverage, with both English and Spanish commentary, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).

For the ultimate family-friendly sports experience, catch one of the remaining Supercross races in-person. Tickets are available for purchase now, along with video highlights, race results, SX Insider insights, and more, all at SupercrossLIVE.com.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Nathan Gouker

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

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

 

Nathan Gouker. Photo courtesy Phillip Gouker.
Nathan Gouker. Photo courtesy Phillip Gouker.

 

Nathan Gouker

Age: 12.

Current home: Lexington, North Carolina.

Current height/weight: 4’10”/83 pounds.

Current school grade level: 6th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2018, Alton, Virginia, SFLminiGP, Spec 50, 3rd place.

Current racebikes: BeOn Moto4, Moriwaki 250, Honda NSF250R.

Current tuners/mechanics: 35 Motorsports, Phillip Gouker (father).

Primary race series: RFME ESBK Moto4 Spanish National Championship, ASRA, WERA.

Top sponsors: Stadler, CP Motorsports, Bob Robbins, NGS Racing, Dunlop, 1/4ley Racing, KYT Americas, VO2 Leathers, Forma Boots USA, Cornerspin, Fast Glass Media, Motul USA, 35 Motorsports, 64 Degree Racing, Carolina Supermoto, Daniels Tire, Ride Supermoto, Alquilocar, Comodity Window Films, FRC Fercometal, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 5th overall in FIM MiniGP World Final 160 Championship, took 2 top-five finishes in MIR Racing Cup Moto5 races at Cartagena, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (11 wins), placed 2nd in FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (6 wins, 9 total podiums), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (8 race wins with WERA); 2022 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 110 and 160 National Championships, finished 12th overall in FIM MiniGP World Finals at Valencia, won 10 WERA Sportsman Regional Novice Championships (won 29 races from 32 starts with WERA).

2024 racing goals: Finish in top 5 of RFME ESBK Moto4 Championship.

Racing career goal: To make a living racing at the highest level I can.

Racing hero: Jack Miller.

Favorite track: Jerez.

Favorite hobby: Riding my One Wheel.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Racing my One Wheel.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

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

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

MotoGP: More From Saturday At The Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas

Maverick Vinales showed that his speed in Friday practice was not just by chance, as he took pole, snatched the lead and rode away from the field to win the MotoGP Sprint race on Saturday. 

Vinales said that he had lost confidence in his factory Aprilia RS-GP after a crash in pre-season testing in Malaysia, but in Portugal, the team had changed the balance of the bike dramatically and, as he said, “Now I have the feeling like I did last year.” It was Vinales’ second straight Sprint race victory, and the Spaniard was in contention for the Grand Prix race victory in the Portimao race until a mechanical malfunction threw him to the ground.

Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Marc Marquez resisted the pressure from Pedro Acosta at the beginning of the race and scored his second straight Sprint race podium. Texas has been a happy hunting ground for the eight-time World Champion, and he was pushing. Marquez had more than one hairy moment in qualifying and in the race, but in the end he was well clear of any challenge from behind.

Defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (1). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia qualified well but had a horrible start, salvaging only two points with an eighth-place finish.

Raul Fernandez (25). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Raul Fernandez took ninth for the American Trackhouse Racing team on his 2023-spec Aprilia RS-GP. That made it three Aprilias in the top nine, with Aleix Espargaro fifth.

Joe Roberts (16). Photo by Michael Gougis.

American Joe Roberts (16) recovered from a difficult Friday to put his American Racing Team Kalex in fifth place on the Moto2 grid. Roberts edged teammate Marcos Ramirez and cleanly out-qualified both riders on the Italtrans Racing Team he raced with for three years.

 

 

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Trenton Keesee

Trenton Keesee (31). Photo by Raul Jerez/HighsidePhoto.com.
Trenton Keesee (31). Photo by Raul Jerez/HighsidePhoto.com.

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

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

 

Trenton Keesee. Photo courtesy AMA.

 

Trenton Keesee

Age: 17.

Current home: West Melbourne, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’7”/134 pounds.

Current school grade level: 11th grade + college classes.

Began riding at age: 2.5 years.

First road race: 2022, Homestead, Florida, CCS, 2nd place in all three races entered.

Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Current tuners/mechanics: Todd Keesee (father), Brevard Superbike.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Top sponsors: Brevard Superbike, Florida Native Roofing, Long Doggers, Dunlop, M4 Exhaust, EBC Brakes, RK Chain, Arai Americas, Mark Tenn Motorsports, Jerry Pellegrino, Spears Racing, Pit Viper, Global Racing Oil, Street & Competition, Core Moto.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award winner, won ASRA 400 Expert National Championship, won ASRA 400 GP National Championship (6 wins, 12 podiums with ASRA), 5 race wins in PanAmerican Superbike Series; 2022 season, won 3 CCS National Championships (300 Supersport, 300 Superbike, 300 GP), 17 wins and 27 podium finishes with CCS.

2024 racing goal:  Consistently finish in the top 5 in MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Career racing goal: To race in FIM Superbike World Championship.

Racing hero: Nicky Hayden.

Favorite track: Road Atlanta.

Favorite hobby: Working out/personal fitness.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Figuring out how to go racing.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

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

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

MotoGP: More From The Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas

Start of the MotoGP Grand Prix race on Sunday at Circuit of The Americas. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Maverick Vinales made it a perfect weekend of pole position, new lap record and wins in the Sprint race and the Grand Prix race aboard his Aprilia RS-GP at the Circuit of The Americas. In doing so, Vinales became the first rider to win MotoGP Grand Prix races on three different makes of motorcycle – Suzuki, Yamaha and now Aprilia. Four-time 500cc World Champion Eddie Lawson won 500cc Grand Prix races with Honda, Yamaha and Cagiva, racking up 31 wins in 127 starts. Other riders who won with three manufacturers in premier-class Grand Prix racing include Mike Hailwood, Randy Mamola and Loris Capirossi.

Vinales said the team studied carefully the data on tire wear from Saturday’s sprint and came up with “two or three” turns where altering his approach allowed him to reduce his tire wear. Even a poor start, with an issue with the clutch and contact that left him back in 11th place at one point, didn’t prevent him from slicing through the field. Vinales now sits third in the points standings.

Maverick Vinales (12). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Pedro Acosta continued to stun, leading the Grand Prix race twice and only giving the lead up to Vinales after a fight. Acosta was the only front runner to go with a medium rear tire, a choice made after he slid down the order in the sprint after he made “a complete mess” of his tire management strategy. Jorge Martin led for six laps but faded at the end, ceding the final podium spot but clinging to the Championship lead.

Pedro Acosta (31) and Jorge Martin (89). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Enea Bastianini put in a strong ride at the track where his 2022 win put him on course for a promotion to the factory Ducati team. Plagued by injuries last year, Bastianini has been overshadowed this season by fellow Ducati riders Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, and his news conference demeanor was a mix of happiness and relief.

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Sergio Garcia led the Moto2 race from lights to flag, with American Joe Roberts leaping into second after qualifying fifth and taking his second podium of the season. Roberts is riding a wave of confidence and enjoying the familiar environs of the American Racing Team.

Sergio Garcia (3) leapt into the lead of the Moto2 race and won over Joe Roberts (16) by 0.452 seconds. Photo by Michael Gougis.

David Alonso rode away from the field and took the Moto3 win by 5.163 seconds. It was the second win of the season for the CFMOTO rider. The excitement took place further down the field, where Ivan Ortola and Stefano Nepa collided and fell. Ortola ran over to Nepa’s machine – the bike he raced last season – and jumped on. Nepa had to chase Ortola down and pull him off his bike. Both continued, with Ortola crashing out and Nepa finishing 18th.

David Alonso (80). Photo by Michael Gougis.

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From COTA

Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Michelin.
Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Michelin.

Maverick Vinales won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race, the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, Sunday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas. 

 

Maverick Vinales (12). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, Vinales won the 20-lap race by 1.728 seconds over rookie sensation Pedro Acosta and his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS.

Lenovo Ducati’s Enea Bastianini made a late-race pass to steal third from Jorge Martin, who finished fourth on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Bastianini’s teammate, two-time and defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia rounded out the top five finishers.

 

MotoGP Full Race Results
MotoGP Points after Race

Moto2 World Championship: Race Results From Circuit Of The Americas

Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Michelin.
Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Michelin.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.

Riding his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro, Garcia won the 16-lap race by 0.492 second over American Joe Roberts and his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Joe Roberts (16). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Joe Roberts (16). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Fermin Aldeguer finished third, 3.2 seconds behind Garcia, on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro.

 

Moto2 Race
Moto2 Points

Erik Buell Releasing Album “Dust Settles” On June 7

FUELL Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. Photo courtesy FUELL.
FUELL Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. Photo courtesy FUELL.

SINGER/SONGWRITER/MULTI-INTRUMENTALIST ERIK BUELL SET TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN FOURTEEN YEARS; ‘DUST SETTLES’ OUT ON JUNE 7 

Twelve-Song Collection Produced By Ralph Carter 

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Erik Buell is set to release his second studio album ‘Dust Settles’ on June 7. Becoming known for his evocative songcraft, this new project blends Americana and heartland rock influences with Buell’s soul-tinged vocals as he sings about finding strength in honesty, the power of vulnerability and the experience of reconnecting and marrying his college sweetheart after decades apart.

Although Buell started playing music at fourteen years old, he didn’t record his first studio album ‘Anthem’ until 2010. For the past four decades, Buell’s name has been synonymous with the motorcycle industry, including a coveted spot in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Founder of Buell Motorcycles, his company was acquired by Harley-Davidson in 1993. Thereafter, he founded EBR, which built American superbikes and provided engineering consulting, followed by the creation of FUELL, a company for e-bicycles and e-motorcycles.

Three years ago, Buell started to move away from motorcycling and began to focus on music and his skills as a storyteller. He found himself making a stylistic departure from his previous hard rock recordings and leaning into Americana and country sounds. 

Recorded in Ventura, CA at Ralph’s Garage, ‘Dust Settles’ was produced by Ralph Carter and features twelve original songs, all written by Buell. For this project, Buell enlisted a bevy of notable session players and musician friends that share decades of studio and touring experience, aptly naming them “Friends Out West” including Carter (Eddie Money, Dancing With Stars) on bass, guitar, keys, percussion;  Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller, Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen) on drums and percussion; Phil Parlapiano (John Prine.The Shape of Water) on keys; Jesse Kennemer on guitar; Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams, John Mayer) on pedal steel and Annie Bzdawka on harmony vocals.

Of the new album, Buell says “I’ve had an amazing and blessed life overall. There have been many dark and sad times, as well as bright and happy times. For me, this album marks the first time I’ve been able to record songs that capture those deep feelings. Everything I’m writing these days comes from that uncovered well.”

“My hope is that these songs connect with others. At our core, we are all very much alike. We are full of emotions that we keep to ourselves, while wondering if others feel the same. Recognize that. Be kind to each other.The best of roads are ahead.”

The album kicks off with “You’re Not Alone In this World,” a potent roots-rocker about reconnecting with his wife after twenty-five years apart, followed by the atmospheric “Fading Perfume.”

Other highlights include the propulsive “Mr. Pious,” with its commentary on religious hypocrisy and the prog rock-tinged title track.  Switching gears, “Crank Up That Jukebox” is brimming with a swaggering blend of Western swing that takes the listener back to Buell’s days spent in the San Antonio honkytonks.

“Together” is a jaunty, pop-infused take on how love can change one’s outlook and life for the best. Rounding out the album, the sentimental, Caribbean-flared “In My Arms Again” shows Buell professing his appreciation for the love of his life and his gratitude for having found her again after being apart for many years.

‘Dust Settles’ Track Listing

You’re Not Alone In This World

Fading Perfume

Came For A Party

Mr. Pious

Forgotten Things

Dust Settles

Crank Up That Jukebox

I Don’t Know

Sweet River

Together

Warm Wind

In My Arms Again

Moto3: World Championship Race Results From COTA

Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Michelin.
Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Michelin.

Colombia’s David Alonso won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas.

The CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team rider won the 14-lap race by 5.163 seconds.

 

David Alonso (80) leads Matteo Bertelle (18) and Daniel Holgado (96) at COTA. Bertelle finished 10th, after serving three long-lap penalties. Photo by Michael Gougis.
David Alonso (80) leads Matteo Bertelle (18) and Daniel Holgado (96) at COTA. Bertelle finished 10th, after serving three long-lap penalties. Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Daniel Holgado was the runner-up on his Red Bull Tech3 GASGAS, just 0.013 second in front of Leopard Racing Honda’s Angel Piqueras in third. 

 

Moto3 Race
Moto3 Points

MotoGP: Vinales Quickest In Warmup At COTA

Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Aprilia.

Maverick Vinales continued his strong recent run of form by topping the MotoGP warmup session Sunday morning at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.

Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP on Michelin control tires, the Sprint race winner led the 22-rider field with a time of 2:02.341 around the 3.4-mile (5.5 km), 20-turn circuit.

Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was second-best with a 2:02.517 on his Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP23, and Raul Fernandez jumped up the order to third with a time of 2:02.795 on his Trackhouse Racing Aprilia RS-GP.

The full-length MotoGP race is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

 

MotoGP Warmup

AMA Supercross: Race Report And Video Highlights From Foxborough

Gillette Stadium provided good racing conditions after rains the day before the event. There was some rain during the 450SX Class Main Event, but the skies cooperated to provide excellent racing. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Gillette Stadium provided good racing conditions after rains the day before the event. There was some rain during the 450SX Class Main Event, but the skies cooperated to provide excellent racing. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

Cooper Webb Wins Foxborough Supercross, Advances into Tie in Championship Points

Haiden Deegan Earns Second Win with Victory Inside Gillette Stadium

Foxborough, Mass., (April 14, 2024) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb led every lap and took the win at the Foxborough Supercross; with the victory, Webb tied up the championship points at Round 13 of the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. It was Webb’s fourth win of the year, and in one night he erased an eight-point deficit in his pursuit of his third Supercross Championship.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton charged forward and challenged for the lead right up to the Final Lap as the crowd in Gillette Stadium cheered him on. Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen held second place for the majority of the race, and landed the final spot on the podium when the checkered flag flew. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan earned his second win of the season.

 

Cooper Webb (2). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Cooper Webb (2). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

“It’s crazy, you know, the season’s never over, you’ve just gotta put your head down and now it’s tied; it’s pretty crazy. So we’ll just stick to our thing, but man, it was great. Great race, had a great pace out front, and then made a big mistake. I missed the rhythm, and the guys got [up to] me. And then Chase was riding really well, I could feel him coming. [I lost time] just being kind of dumb in the whoops. [On the] last lap I decided to skim, and it was the best I hit them. But it was great, man. To get a holeshot like that, to lead every lap, was huge. The track was really tricky, especially when it started to rain, it could reach up and bite you. So it was a great race and, man, to get [into] the points lead is amazing. I want to give it up to the Good Lord, the whole Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team, they worked their butts off, my mechanic Alex, [other sponsors], my wife, and man, this feels great.” – Cooper Webb  

“I had a few good lines on the track. I was good on the on-off going outside, but it put me on the outside. And then Ken caught on to my line in the sand and was riding smart, so he made it tough on me. I set that pass up for almost a lap, and it was just a tough track overall. I feel like tonight I rode pretty well. I came from fifth or sixth, so [we’re] getting better and better. Obviously wanted that win; I was pretty close, I tried to hit that corner pretty hard after the finish line and slid out [at the start of the final lap]. Other than that, though, we’re making progress and happy to be getting a little closer in points; losing points to Cooper, but we’re kind of inching up a little bit. So we need to click off some wins and end this season on a high.” – Chase Sexton, when asked about having difficultly passing Roczen for second place.  

“That was gnarly, but I had a lot of fun. I got off to a really good start… That track was really hardpack and shiny on some areas, and then the whoops got super edgy, and you could just see the ruts were hardpack. It just made for tricky [conditions], especially from the wall [area of the Stadium] through the sand section, and everything, it was really tight. So, it was a track that was hard to stay loose on; there’s a very fine line between pushing and trying to carry momentum. But that was a really good race. I was in second for a long time, and even with a lap to go we all bunched up again. Man, that was a fun race. I’m just really thankful to be back on the podium, that was really important for us. I’m sure the team was wondering sometimes what I was doing out there; especially in practice, I mean it was horrendous, but I’m just happy to be back up on the box.” – Ken Roczen  

 

 

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class held its sixth round and Haiden Deegan took the victory with three rounds remaining in the regional championship. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo battled forward to second but then steadily lost ground to Deegan. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle held steady for a third-place finish on a challenging track with inconsistent traction.

 

Haiden Deegan (38). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Haiden Deegan (38). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

 

“I knew I could do it. It’s inside of me, but man, the highs and lows of this sport, they get to you… I was just days just sitting in my room [after] not winning, I’m like, ‘Dude, this hurts, bro,’ like, it hurt bad. And I was like, ‘I need to win….’ I did a lot of work with our little break and let me tell you, it definitely paid off. I felt super consistent, super smooth, [and] executed my start… That’s just what I needed to do. Unfortunately, we have a big points gap that I need to try and close, but I’m going to do my best. I just gotta thank God for putting me in this position and blessing me with this life. Thank you to my whole team as well, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing put in a ton of work, my mechanic, my family – man we just, we grind baby.” – Haiden Deegan, when asked if he feels back to 100% after injuries earlier in the season.  

“To be back after three weeks off, it was just exciting to be back racing and back with the team. It was my first time in Foxborough, so I really enjoyed myself tonight. Haiden rode a great race, too, and I’m just stoked to put together another great points-building night and just happy with where we’re at… I’m just grateful and we’re going to keep on focusing on the same weekend that we’re on and staying where we’re at. So, shout out to all my people behind me, my family, my mechanic, my whole team; they’re so awesome. I’ve been together with them for a while and we’re just enjoying this so thank you everyone. Foxborough, you guys are awesome.” – Cameron McAdoo  

“I had a good start, and they [Deegan and McAdoo] were both riding good, and to be honest I wasn’t really comfortable tonight. The track is really slippery, and I couldn’t really find good lines during the whole Main Event. So of course I’m not really happy with my result, but P-3, I didn’t lose a lot [of points] for the championship and we are still in the fight. I enjoy riding here, another great track, and I’m really looking forward to next weekend.” – Tom Vialle  

 

 

The SX Futures Class held its fourth round of 2024 and Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Drew Adams took the win, his third in a row. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Gavin Towers took second place, and KTM Elite Monster Energy’s Luke Fauser earned third after an exciting defense of the position late in the race from round one winner Troy Lee Designs GASGAS’s Cole Davies, who eventually finished in fifth.

“I’d say [the track] was probably a little bit rougher in qualifying earlier today just because of all the rain we had [earlier in the week]… Two weeks ago in St. Louis I had a really bad start, so I had to work really hard there, and so these past two weeks I’ve just been working on starts. Yeah, it looks like I fixed it.” – Drew Adams, when asked about racing the track straight after the 450 Heats and about his better start compared to the SX Futures race in St. Louis.  

The Foxborough event kicked off the final stretch of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The final four rounds take place over the next four consecutive Saturdays, each in an open-air stadium. The next race, Round 14, will be inside Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee; it will host the season’s first East/West 250SX Class Showdown.

The final races will wrap up what has been one of the closest and most exciting seasons in the sport’s history. Every event also pays points towards the SuperMotocross World Championship, which is in its second year. The SMX series combines points from the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the 11-round Pro Motocross Championship to seed riders into the sport’s post-season racing with a points-reset to the equivalent of points normally earned at a single event. Increasing point payouts through two Playoffs and one Final will determine an overall SMX World Champion.

Every race of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship is available live and on-demand on PeacockTV, with select races also broadcast or streamed domestically via NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. CNBC airs next-day encore presentations of all 31 rounds, and live audio coverage for each Supercross race can be heard via NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85. International viewers can find live and on-demand coverage, with both English and Spanish commentary, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).

For the ultimate family-friendly sports experience, catch one of the remaining Supercross races in-person. Tickets are available for purchase now, along with video highlights, race results, SX Insider insights, and more, all at SupercrossLIVE.com.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2024: Nathan Gouker

Nathan Gouker (47). Photo by Kohei Hirota.
Nathan Gouker (47). 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.

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

 

Nathan Gouker. Photo courtesy Phillip Gouker.
Nathan Gouker. Photo courtesy Phillip Gouker.

 

Nathan Gouker

Age: 12.

Current home: Lexington, North Carolina.

Current height/weight: 4’10”/83 pounds.

Current school grade level: 6th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2018, Alton, Virginia, SFLminiGP, Spec 50, 3rd place.

Current racebikes: BeOn Moto4, Moriwaki 250, Honda NSF250R.

Current tuners/mechanics: 35 Motorsports, Phillip Gouker (father).

Primary race series: RFME ESBK Moto4 Spanish National Championship, ASRA, WERA.

Top sponsors: Stadler, CP Motorsports, Bob Robbins, NGS Racing, Dunlop, 1/4ley Racing, KYT Americas, VO2 Leathers, Forma Boots USA, Cornerspin, Fast Glass Media, Motul USA, 35 Motorsports, 64 Degree Racing, Carolina Supermoto, Daniels Tire, Ride Supermoto, Alquilocar, Comodity Window Films, FRC Fercometal, Nadalfret, Viel Carrocerias.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 5th overall in FIM MiniGP World Final 160 Championship, took 2 top-five finishes in MIR Racing Cup Moto5 races at Cartagena, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (11 wins), placed 2nd in FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 160 Championship (6 wins, 9 total podiums), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (8 race wins with WERA); 2022 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 110 and 160 National Championships, finished 12th overall in FIM MiniGP World Finals at Valencia, won 10 WERA Sportsman Regional Novice Championships (won 29 races from 32 starts with WERA).

2024 racing goals: Finish in top 5 of RFME ESBK Moto4 Championship.

Racing career goal: To make a living racing at the highest level I can.

Racing hero: Jack Miller.

Favorite track: Jerez.

Favorite hobby: Riding my One Wheel.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Racing my One Wheel.

…

Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

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

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

MotoGP: More From Saturday At The Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas

Maverick Vinales (12) took his second straight MotoGP Sprint race victory. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Maverick Vinales showed that his speed in Friday practice was not just by chance, as he took pole, snatched the lead and rode away from the field to win the MotoGP Sprint race on Saturday. 

Vinales said that he had lost confidence in his factory Aprilia RS-GP after a crash in pre-season testing in Malaysia, but in Portugal, the team had changed the balance of the bike dramatically and, as he said, “Now I have the feeling like I did last year.” It was Vinales’ second straight Sprint race victory, and the Spaniard was in contention for the Grand Prix race victory in the Portimao race until a mechanical malfunction threw him to the ground.

Marc Marquez (93). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Marc Marquez resisted the pressure from Pedro Acosta at the beginning of the race and scored his second straight Sprint race podium. Texas has been a happy hunting ground for the eight-time World Champion, and he was pushing. Marquez had more than one hairy moment in qualifying and in the race, but in the end he was well clear of any challenge from behind.

Defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (1). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia qualified well but had a horrible start, salvaging only two points with an eighth-place finish.

Raul Fernandez (25). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Raul Fernandez took ninth for the American Trackhouse Racing team on his 2023-spec Aprilia RS-GP. That made it three Aprilias in the top nine, with Aleix Espargaro fifth.

Joe Roberts (16). Photo by Michael Gougis.

American Joe Roberts (16) recovered from a difficult Friday to put his American Racing Team Kalex in fifth place on the Moto2 grid. Roberts edged teammate Marcos Ramirez and cleanly out-qualified both riders on the Italtrans Racing Team he raced with for three years.