PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The 2026 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship presented by All Balls Racing will run July 5-10 at the iconic Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill. The event marks a major milestone as the AMA celebrates the 50th anniversary of the championship.
Established in 1976, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship has served as the proving ground for many of the sport’s most accomplished riders. As has been the case since its creation, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship is the only event in the United States where amateur flat track racers can earn an AMA National No. 1 plate.
“This is a special year for the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of this outstanding event,” AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said. “We have an exciting slate of activities planned for the anniversary, and we cannot wait to return to the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for another unforgettable week of competition.”
The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds provides an ideal setting for the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, with facilities capable of hosting all four flat track disciplines — Short Track, TT, Half-Mile and Mile — in one location.
Throughout the week, the AMA will crown national championships in each discipline, in addition to the overall class grand champions, putting numerous AMA National No. 1 plates up for grabs across every level of competition.
The 2026 event will again feature several of the AMA’s most prestigious awards, including the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award. This honor, named after AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Nicky Hayden, recognizes the amateur racers who show the most promise for immediate success in the pro ranks.
The AMA will also recognize the Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award — which is given to the racer that shows excellence on the track and in the classroom — as well as the AMA Vet/Senior Racer of the Year and the AMA Youth Racer of the Year.
Also returning in 2026 are the AMA Flat Track Holeshot Events, a precursor series to the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship that includes several rounds of racing at tracks across the country. Additional details regarding the AMA Flat Track Holeshot Events will be announced soon.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation motorcycle magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
The provisional calendar for the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship powered by HKC Koopmann, Anlas, Kineo and Blackburst has been announced with a greatly expanded ten-round series scheduled for next season, including an historic first date in Argentina.
Building on the growing success of the series over recent editions, next year’s championship will run from early-May until late-October and has grown from 2025’s six-round schedule.
The action gets under way at Roden in the Netherlands on 9 May and continues three weeks later with a visit to Terenzano in Italy. After a four-week break, round three will be staged at Haunstetten in Germany on 27 June with round four set for Donji Kraljevec in Croatia on 4 July.
Following the summer pause, the championship resumes on 22 August at Scheessel in Germany and then one week later moves to King’s Lynn in Great Britain for round six.
For round seven the series stops off at Vasad in Hungary on 12 September followed by a visit toPardubice in the Czech Republic on 3 October before leaving Europe for the first time and concluding in Argentina on 24-25 October.
Pipe Dreams Podcast, hosted by MotoAmerica racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli, welcomes Roger Lee Hayden for Episode 34. As a member of one of America’s most iconic racing families, Roger offers a rare look into life growing up in the legendary Hayden household in Owensboro, Kentucky.
In this episode, Roger reflects on riding every day with his brothers, the competitive atmosphere that shaped their careers, and the work ethic instilled by their parents from the very beginning. He discusses Nicky Hayden’s exceptional talent, the unforgettable Springfield TT podium sweep, and key moments from his own journey with factory Kawasaki and Suzuki — including his decision to turn down a MotoGP ride in pursuit of an AMA SuperSport title.
Roger also opens up about the loss of his brother Nicky, how it changed his perspective, and his transition into a new role as a MotoAmerica broadcaster. He shares his thoughts on the growth of the series, the rising talent in the U.S., and what’s needed for American road racing to continue moving forward.
🎧 Episode 34 is now streaming on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the full episodeis out now.
ASRA Midwest Banquet, 2026 schedule update, and a Black Friday license deal
Black Friday through Cyber Monday, ASRA racing licenses will be on sale at a discounted rate along with race credits.
Yes, the 2026 schedule will be out before then, along with the 2026 rulebook. Will there be schedule suprises? Yes!
The 2025 Midwest Region Championship Banquet is being held this coming Saturday, November 22, starting at 6:00 p.m. at:
Lakelawn Resort
2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, WI 53115
(262) 728-7950
It will have Texican buffet and the master of ceremonies will be Kenny Abbott.
Tickets on the ASRARACING.COM website.
Local hotel rooms are available at a special ASRA rate.
Atlantic banquet to be announced soon.
Daytona Live Streaming
Yes, the races from Daytona were all live-streamed. This is something we have been working on for a while. On-board views, corners, podiums. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/@ASRARacingOfficial
2026 Rule Book
Comments and concerns? New classes or anything? Send us an email at [email protected]
Black Friday through Cyber Monday discounted race credits, only available on the new ASRA app.
Several packages to choose from, but all of these have limited quantities and are only available during our Black Friday event.
The 21st annual TurkeyDaz event is nearly upon us! That’s right folks, this is the 21st annual event we’re hosting on Thanksgiving weekend November 29-30.
We’re using Buttonwilow Classic course, and rocking the traditional Config-13 in Clockwise Direction
We have a special event T-shirt that we include with price of entry while supplies last. Get yours at registration!!
ABC Groups / 20 minute rotations / 35 riders max per group
1-on-1 coaching available with or without video
you can purchase a session or two, or a half or whole day
2up rides available Free of Charge
Price for this event is $240 per rider/per day.
Add $100 extra if you want to sign up for Sunday’s New Racer School
Bitubo Suspension Training Seminar happening December 15–19 (Limited to 8 Seats)
Join us for an intensive, hands-on Bitubo Suspension Training Seminar designed for technicians and performance shops looking to elevate their suspension knowledge and capabilities. Over five focused days, attendees will learn the fundamentals and advanced principles of Bitubo suspension, both Race and Street, directly from certified experts. Participants will gain practical experience in set-up, tuning, service procedures, diagnostics, and performance optimization using real-world applications.
A Bitubo high performance racing shock.
Bitubo has been successful in MotoAmerica, British Superbike and other series worldwide.
All Attendees Receive:
–Official Bitubo Certification upon completion
–Authorized Dealer Access to Bitubo products
–Exclusive Technical Resources & Support
–Professional-level training trusted by top teams and performance centers
Only 8 seats are available to ensure a high-quality, hands-on learning environment.
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC Castrol:
Honda HRC Castrol kick start 2026 in Valencia.
The first day of 2026 produced reams of critical data for Honda HRC engineers to pore over as Joan Mir and Luca Marini finished in 12th and 14th respectively.
Overnight rain left the circuit damp in a number of spots, causing a heavy delay to proceedings as the Valencia Test began. A revised schedule saw action go until 17:30 Local Time to account for the lack of morning activity. After an early lunch, the Honda HRC Castrol team quickly got to work to make the most of the available track time.
Completing a total of 37 laps, Joan Mir ended the day as the fastest Honda rider in 12th place. Less than half a second off the top spot, times were deceptively close as the battle for 2026 supremacy began. Honda HRC’s objective for the one-day test was to confirm and finalise a number of items tried in recent rounds by Honda HRC riders ahead of the winter development program.
Luca Marini was able to complete a best time of 1’29.916 across his 44 laps of the Ricardo Tormo circuit. Like his Honda HRC Castrol teammate, Marini was able to tick off a number of different items. With the track in a unique condition due to the rain and a half day of running exclusively by MotoGP machines, Marini remained unphased by his position and lap time compared to other riders.
Now a winter of rest for some and intense work for others begins as the start of 2026 gets closer day by day.
Joan Mir (36) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda HRC Castrol
Joan Mir: “A productive test, working on a few items for 2026 with a similar base to what we’ve had. Today was about understanding what we need for the Sepang Test, after a year like this it’s good to have a day where we can confirm everything after everyone has been working so hard to deliver as much material as soon as possible. Some positives and negatives as always, but we’re able to find the direction and let the engineers and Test Team get to work. I have a lot of trust and confidence in how the winter will go in Japan, now we need to enjoy the winter and arrive strong and healthy in Malaysia.”
Luca Marini (10) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda HRC Castrol
Luca Marini:“Today we had a really busy day, trying a lot of things in a really short amount of time and it was easy to get lost in a situation like this. The team and engineers did a great job to keep everything focused through the day. Now we need to sit down and check what we have learned deeply, make a plan together and move forward over the winter. We made a good step in each area of the bike, it maybe doesn’t show on the times because the track condition and the tyres complicate everything. Now a little bit of time to recover before we arrive in Sepang and start again.”
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More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
The Ducati Lenovo Team celebrates Ducati’s centenary at the Valencia test.
The Ducati Lenovo Team’s final track appointment of the season ended, with Francesco Bagnaia and Nicolò Bulega taking part in the first official test of 2026 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. A challenging and retro-inspired day concluded with the eighth and tenth place in the combined standings. Both riders tested setups and new aerodynamic parts in view of the appointment at Sepang International Circuit the next February. Nicolò sings an excellent 1:29.661 (45 laps), a time that means the Top10, just over two tenths behind the top guys. Pecco also had positive feelings, set a best lap time of 1:29.731 (50 laps).
The common thread throughout the day was Ducati’s centenary, which will be in 2026. Pecco and Nicolò took to the track with two iconic liveries that recall iconic victories in the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s history. A tribute to the 750 Imola Desmo, the emblem of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari’s legendary one-two finish at the 1972 Imola 200 Miles, and to the 750 Supersport Desmo, the bike on which Franco Uncini won the Italian 750cc title in 1975.
Nicolo Bulega during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Ducati Lenovo Team
Nicolò Bulega: “I’m happy, although I’m disappointed about the mistake in the last corner in the time attack, where I lost two tenths. I’m starting to ride better and better, I feel the bike is a little more mine, and I’m able to push harder. Today was an important day: during the test, the atmosphere is more relaxed and there’s less stress. We worked more calmly, step by step, and at the end of the day, I put in some good laps and was even able to feel the new tires. It was a very useful experience, especially for my role as a test rider in 2026″.
Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Ducati Lenovo Team
Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m finishing the final round of 2026 with a definitely good feeling. Compared to the race weekend, I immediately felt comfortable with the 2026 prototype and we worked hard. The pace and the lap times were good from the first outing, and I didn’t have any difficulties. I’m happy; it was a test with really fast times. It’s a shame I didn’t do a final time attack with the soft tyres, but I’m satisfied. I’m going on holiday with a positive attitude”.
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More from a press release issued by Honda LCR:
Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira has completed his first MotoGP day in Valencia, finishing 21st.
The Valencia Test welcomed the newly crowned Moto2 World Champion to his new MotoGP home, the Honda LCR team.
It proved to be a day of firsts for the Brazilian, as he took his MotoGP machine onto the track for the very first time, began navigating the bike’s sophisticated electronics, and stepped into an entirely new competitive world.
Speed, an amazing feeling, and a dream fulfilled were the words the rider used to capture the emotions of his debut day in MotoGP.
Diogo Moreira (11) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda LCR
Diogo Moreira:“I’m super happy. Riding a MotoGP bike has always been a dream, and I’m really pleased with the evolution throughout the day, understanding the bike and improving as the laps went by. Until you try it, you can’t imagine this speed. I’d like to thank the team for all their help; they’ve been fantastic. We focused on learning the bike and adapting step by step. I can’t wait for the season to start!”
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More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Begins 2026 Journey: New YZR-M1 V4 on Track in Valencia Test with Miller and Razgatlioglu.
Two days after the end of the 2025 World Championship, MotoGP was back on track at Valencia‘s Ricardo Tormo circuit for the traditional collective test day — effectively the first step into 2026. It was an important day for the Prima Pramac Yamaha team, which not only debuted the new YZR-M1 prototype equipped with a V4 engine for next season, but also celebrated the official MotoGP debut of Toprak Razgatlioglu, the three-time Superbike World Champion who will race alongside Jack Miller in 2026. At the end of a day of discovery for both riders with the new bike — and especially for Toprak, who was also adapting to the new category — the Turkish rider finished 18th, with Miller 20th.
It was a special day for the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team. On this Tuesday that effectively kicks off the 2026 campaign with the traditional test day, the team officially welcomed 29-year-old Toprak Razgatlioglu to the garage as new teammate of confirmed Jack Miller. The Turkish rider from Alanya arrives fresh from his third Superbike world title, won just one month ago in Jerez de la Frontera, and is preparing for his first MotoGP season.
It was also a special day because both Razgatlioglu and Miller began the intense development work on Yamaha‘s new YZR-M1 prototype fitted with the new V4 engine.
The day started with several hours of delay due to a damp track caused by heavy rain the night before, preventing the teams from going out before 1 p.m. Before diving into the crucial early stages of learning — adapting to a completely new bike, new tyres, new electronics, as well as working with his crew chief Alberto Giribuola — Razgatlioglu broke the ice with his new team by offering everyone traditional Turkish pistachio baklava.
Once the green flag finally opened the session, Jack and Toprak took to the track with the goal of completing as many laps as possible on a prototype still in its early development phase. When the red light at 5:30 p.m. officially closed the MotoGP season, Razgatlioglu wrapped up his first official MotoGP test in 18th place, with a best lap of 1‘30”667 after completing 53 laps. Miller finished 20th with a 1‘30”864 after 51 laps.
Tomorrow, the Prima Pramac Yamaha team will stay on track for a private test session before closing the garage for the season and set the next appointment with the fans for 2026.
GINO BORSOI – Team Director, Prima Pramac Yamaha
“It was a hugely important day for Yamaha, as we‘ve started a new era with the V4 engine and had all four riders on track with the new YZR-M1 prototype. And of course, the real debut of Toprak — who, at this stage, can‘t give feedback at the level of Jack and the others because everything is new for him — but he started this new adventure extremely well. He was very good and very precise in understanding the bike‘s dynamics; you can tell he feels the bike from the feedback he gives, and in my opinion he was very fast — much faster than I expected, considering how little he knows so far. And as a person, I really like him: he‘s very easy to work with. What impressed me the most is his braking — it‘s incredible — although compared to Superbikes he has to adapt to these tires and this bike, learning to… brake less. But from the data you can see he has already understood this and is starting to apply it to be more efficient. Between him and the new bike, this is a new challenge for us — we need a new spirit, and Toprak will definitely be important here. And now we‘re already preparing for the first stoppie battle between him and Jack; with these two, we might just become world champions in this specialty!”
Jack Miller (43) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha
Jack Miller:“It was a busy day as we tried to understand the new bike and provide solid feedback. There‘s a lot to do, and we‘re working on it. This bike has only a few days of life so far, and it‘s still very much a work in progress, but we‘ll keep pushing. We know the strengths and we know the weaknesses — now it‘s our job to give the engineers the most precise feedback possible so they can work over the winter to find the best solutions.”
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More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
We got a first taste of 2026 on Tuesday as MotoGP™ was already back on track with the traditional Valencia Test, officially opening the upcoming season before we head to the winter break. What was meant to be a full day of testing turned into a 4-hour test, as the morning track conditions did not allow riders to hit the track until 13:30. The Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad made the most of these final 4 hours of the season, with Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini completing a total 103 laps between the two of them.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain from Monday evening over the Circuit Ricardo Tormo meant a cold and wet track this morning when the green flag launched the start of 2026 at 10:00. No riders were seen on track in the first hour, and then it was only Jack Miller and then Maverick Viñales who tried to go out for one lap, but they quickly returned to the pit box. The first session was red flagged due to track conditions, meaning no testing action on Tuesday morning.
The green flag was finally waved at 13:30 as bikes began hitting the track. Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini could both finally get on with their testing scheduled as they joined the action just before 14:00. The target for Maverick was to get as much track time as needed to regain the confidence on the bike heading to the winter break. In addition, the factory introduced a new seat configuration to try out and new aero elements, which were tried by the number 12 today as the factory aimed to gather feedback from all riders. Top Gun rode a total of 56 laps today, some solid work done by the Spaniard, who ended the final day on track of the year with the 6th time (1’29.620, +0.247), and a positive feeling heading to the off-season. Maverick will now have a bit more than 2 months to fully focus on getting back to his 100%. On his side, Enea Bastianini welcomed new crew chief Andres Madrid who joined the Tech3 ranks after spending a few seasons with Brad Binder. The day was all about getting to know each other and trying to build a solid base of work. Just like his teammate, Enea also tried the new seat configuration introduced by KTM, a request made by the Italian as he continues to search for the most comfortable way to ride his RC16. Some positives, some negatives, but a lot of data gathered which will be crucial to the engineers heading to the winter break. The Italian rode a total of 47 laps, with a fastest lap in 1’30.291 (+0.297 seconds) ridden in the final minutes of track action!
That’s all folks for 2025 track action, thank you to all those who have followed our adventures this year, and we can’t wait to be back on track next season! See you at the Sepang Test, on February 3-4-5, 2026!
Maverick Viñales (12) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Tech3
Maverick Viñales: “We tested many items, especially on the aerodynamics, and it gave me a clear picture of where we need to go for 2026, so we are quite happy. We still need to put things all together, but if we work smart during the pre-season, we will arrive to the first round in good shape. We are ending the year with a better feeling. All the team has the ideas clear heading to the winter break, so we are happy.”
Enea Bastianini (23) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Tech3
Enea Bastianini: “Unfortunately, the test was a bit short, so we did not do everything we wanted. I have tried a new seat, it has potential, but we still need to make a few adjustments. We tried some fairing, again, some positives, and some negatives, but I think overall we brought good information to the factory. The most important for us is the set up, because this year I was not comfortable on the bike at all, and I have not felt like ‘Enea’, so I hope that with my new crew chief we can figure that out for Sepang next year!”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “Enea Bastianini began the work with his new crew chief, Andres Madrid, who we are welcoming to our team! The target was for them both to get to know each other, and understand how they both work. Enea had a few items selected together with KTM to try out, but we unfortunately could not complete all our plan since we did not ride this morning. The main thing for Enea was trying a new seat configuration, because he has not really felt comfortable all year long. I think that there were some positives and negatives that we will look into in the winter. The plan was different for Maverick Viñales because of his shoulder of course. The main target for him was to recover his confidence on the bike, he did many laps, and I think that it is progressively coming back, we saw him smiling all day, which is a good sign. On top of that, he also had a few items to try, the seat too, and some aero elements, as we really needed to give feedback to KTM so they can prepare all the new parts, and eventually make some adjustments if required for the next test. I think we did a pretty good job today, now it is time for everyone to get some much needed rest after a busy season. We will all reflect on this season, and prepare in the best way possible for the next test in Malaysia in February. Thank you to everyone for their support, thank you to all the team for their efforts today, and I wish everyone a good winter, and see you all in Sepang!”
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More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Start 2026 Season with Valencia Test.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins returned to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo today to kick off their 2026 testing programme. They took 15th and 19th place respectively in today’s overall results.
After a one-day break, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team came back to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo to start the 2026 pre-season with today’s one-day Valencia Test. It was a momentous day for Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins, who mainly worked on getting acquainted with the V4 engine. They concluded the day in 15th and 19th place respectively in the overall timesheets.
Overnight rain resulted in the morning session being cancelled due to track conditions. The afternoon session was rescheduled for 13:20-17:30 (GMT+1).
Once the action got underway, Quartararo used the available riding time to renew his acquaintance with the V4 engine, which he had last tried at the Misano Test. Although featuring at the top of the timesheets for a while at the start of the session, he mainly spent the afternoon working on the base set-up. He posted a best time of 1’29.927s on lap 36/46 that put him in 15th position, 0.554s from the top.
Rins was excited to try the V4 engine again today. The Spaniard used the available track time to get familiar and comfortable with the 2026 prototype bike. He opted to solely focus on race pace and collecting data. His best time, a 1’30.720s, set on lap 4/33, put him in 19th place, 1.347s from first.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP will return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo tomorrow for a one-day private test. After that they will recharge their batteries during the winter break.
MotoGP will be back in action in the new year for the Sepang shakedown from 29-31 January, followed by the Sepang Test from 3-5 February and the Buriram Test on 21-22 February.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI – Team Director, Monster Energy Yamaha
“Today was the first day of 2026 winter testing. We were not so much looking at performance but rather focused on gathering as much data as possible. Unfortunately, the conditions of the track due to last night’s heavy rain didn’t help proceedings. But luckily, a few months ago we anticipated this, and we have a private test here booked for tomorrow. This extra day will most likely give us the time needed to evaluate the updated parts, such as a different chassis and a different aerodynamics package, and we can also work on set-ups.”
Fabio Quartararo (20) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo: “Today was quite a short day. It was not already the goal to find something better than in Misano. We were mainly working to find a base set-up and find the feeling on the front. The riding style is completely different, but I like riding with the V4. It’s still too early for a complete verdict. Luckily, tomorrow we have one more day of private testing – it will be an important day.”
Alex Rins (42) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha
Alex Rins:“The bike has slightly improved. They didn’t change anything such as the gearbox or big items, but I felt better than in Misano. I didn’t make many laps because of the track conditions, but the laps we did were proper laps in terms of feeling. We worked a lot on the settings, and I can say that having tomorrow as another test day, I focused more on race pace than putting a soft in for a time attack. Overall, I feel quite good, so we’re at a good starting point for tomorrow.”
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More from a press release issued by CASTROL Honda LCR:
CASTROL Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco has finished 13th on Tuesday at the Valencia Test.
A Tuesday marked by a wet track delayed Johann and the crew’s testing plans, as it took much longer than expected for conditions to dry, and riders were forced to stay in the box for most of the morning.
With limited time on track, the focus was on evaluating the updated bike Johann had already tried in Catalunya. The bike showed improved grip, and the team collected useful data.
The next aero update will arrive in Malaysia, where Johann will continue working with a similar package to build on today’s progress.
Johann Zarco (5) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda LCR
Johann Zarco:“Busy day today. The bike we tested showed better grip, which is encouraging, although we still need to find a different balance to fully adapt to this evolution. It’s the same bike I rode in Catalunya, and overall it seems to be working well. In Malaysia we’ll have an aero update, and there we’ll use a bike similar to this one. I believe the aero changes will make a difference; there’s clear potential. We’re making progress, and that’s what matters. Now it’s time to switch off and recharge the batteries for next season.”
Aprilia fastest, Yamaha stealing the headlines and some impressive rookie debuts – Tuesday’s test starts the talking points.
Fastest out of the blocks in 2026? Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Aprilia. The Valencian GP podium finisher ended the Valencia Test with a 1:29.373, with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) making it a Noale 1-2 to send the factory into the winter at the summit. P3 went the way of Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), with the top three split by less than a tenth during a busy few hours of crucial work at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. But there was more to testing than the timesheets as the new V4-powered Yamaha M1 took the reins, and two rookies made their debuts.
Let’s get into what we saw unfold on Tuesday…
Jorge Martin (89) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
APRILIA RACING & TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM
Brand-new front aerodynamic changes across the board were the most obvious parts to spot when Bezzecchi ventured out on a black and white painted RS-GP. Front, side and rear upgrades were tested by the Italian, and it was quite a lot different to what we saw Aprilia racing with in 2025.
On the other side of the box, 2024 World Champion Jorge Martin got to head out on an RS-GP that was fitted with the chassis that Bezzecchi was racing with in the last few Grands Prix of the campaign. And it’s safe to say that it birthed an immediate positive feeling. After an injury-hit year, gaining much-needed experience was a priority ahead of the winter for the #89, but work for 2026 was also key as Martin also lapped with the new aerodynamic package. It was P2 and P16 for the Aprilia Racing stars, with the vibes high heading into the winter break at Noale.
Speaking of good vibes, table-topping Fernandez was pleased with his day at the office. While there was nothing new to try in terms of parts from Aprilia, those will come at the Sepang Test, both Fernandez and Ai Ogura leave Valencia with a good feeling on board their RS-GPs.
Ogura was able to test some different settings and try something with his riding style, with Fernandez also able to run through some electronic work that riders and teams aren’t able to do during a Grand Prix. P1 and P11 for Trackhouse, with Ogura completing the most laps of anyone (64), spelt a promising day for the American outfit.
Luigi Dall’Igna (on the left) and Francesco Bagnaia during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
DUCATI LENOVO TEAM, BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP, PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM
Ducati’s day was solid as they began work towards 2026; in the factory squad, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed 32 laps and remained in the top six for the majority of the day. At the chequered flag, he was tenth and despite a crash at Turn 2 with just 45 minutes to go, Pecco was positive about the feeling he had on the first version of the GP26. Front-end feel on corner entry was much better, so the double MotoGP World Champion heads into the winter with a bigger smile on his face than before.
With just over an hour to go, his temporary teammate for the final two rounds of 2025 and the Valencia Test, Nicolo Bulega, briefly went P4 and top Ducati with his fastest laps of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. In the end, he finished the day in an impressive P8, not a bad way to conclude his stint in the team. The Italian was also feeling a lot more comfortable on the MotoGP bike ahead of testing duties continuing in 2026.
Alex Marquez (73) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
The fastest Ducati honours went the way of Alex Marquez who was also vital in the development of 2026’s bike. He was P3 whilst teammate Fermin Aldeguer was fourth as the #54 got to put the GP25 through its paces for the first time. Notching up 93 laps between them and both securing a spot in the top four, it was a strong way to end 2025.
In the manufacturer’s other Independent team, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) secured seventh but had a small technical problem just before 3pm. With Franco Morbidelli sadly out injured, there was one positive in a dream come true for Celestino Vietti, who got a late call-up to replace him. Setting 21 laps, the Italian stated that quite simply, it was “the best day of my life” as he watched on in the afternoon following his early festive season present.
Pedro Acosta (37) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING & RED BULL KTM TECH3
Throughout the day, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the fastest KTM rider on track and for plenty of it, the #37 was sporting a new side fairing. It was one of the main objectives from the day for the KTM quartet on track, with Acosta’s teammate Brad Binder also getting to try the RC16’s new side fairing set-up too. Overall, Acosta finished P5 on the timesheets having completed 53 laps, with Binder ending the day in P9 after posting 52 laps.
Tech3 Team Manager Nicolas Guyon confirmed that both Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales were trying a new seat configuration to help with the ergonomic set-up of the bike, something Bastianini in particular has struggled with in 2025. Viñales cut a positive figure at the end of the day, with aerodynamic work a big part of what the Spaniard did on Tuesday. Viñales finished the day in P6 and with a better feeling as he returns to full fitness, while Bastianini begins 2026 with a P17 on the timesheets.
Diogo Moreira (11) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
HONDA HRC CASTROL & LCR HONDA
After Aleix Espargaro’s glowing reports of Honda’s new 2026 machine following test days at both Sepang and Aragon, Honda’s three factory-contracted riders had their first opportunity to try the updated RC213V today. A new engine, a fully reshaped and updated rear seat unit and aero, plus some small aerodynamic modifications to the side fairings were just the first step on a Honda machine that Alberto Puig is hopeful can push the Japanese factory back into the top five on a regular basis. Joan Mir finished the day in 12th, 0.022 clear of Johann Zarco in 13th, who was 0.022 clear of Honda HRC Castrol’s Luca Marini in 14th.
There were of course plenty of eyes on the newly-crowned Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira as he made his MotoGP debut. The Brazilian was adapting to life with the world’s best by using the RC213V that the factory riders finished the year with. 22nd and 1.824 adrift of top spot can go down as a successful first outing for the number 11.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (7) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP & PRIMA PRAMAC YAMAHA MOTOGP
Yamaha grabbed headlines for two separate reasons today as three-time WorldSBK King Toprak Razgatlioglu made his public debut and the next step in their V4 project was taken. The Turk impressed at a circuit he’d never raced at before, managing to close out his first day as a MotoGP rider three-quarters of a second behind the Iwata factory’s benchmark, Fabio Quartararo, and even ahead of both Alex Rins and Prima Pramac Yamaha teammate Jack Miller.
Still yet to turn the new engine up to 100% power, it was clear the new project is missing top-end speed down the start-finish straight, but they will also remain in Valencia for a further day of testing tomorrow, with factory boss Maio Meregalli confirming chassis and aero parts set to be tested.
Fabio Quartararo (20) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
Quartararo’s 1:29.927 was good enough for 15th on the timesheets as the Yamaha engineers now head back to the factory with a huge amount of data that they’re hopeful they can use to fine-tune the M1 into a competitive package in 2026. The Frenchman confirmed they’re still searching for a base setting on the new V4-powered YZR-M1 and have another important private test on Wednesday in Valencia, with Rins confirming that the day was a positive one on board the V4.
So there we go. That’s a wrap from 2025, and we have official lift-off in 2026. Now, a much-needed winter break arrives before we gear up for the Sepang Shakedown and Official Tests in February.
Brea, CA – In an unusual and unprecedented conclusion to the NHRA season, RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines rider Richard Gadson was crowned the 2025 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion on Sunday after relentless rain showers forced officials to cancel all racing activity at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, CA.
Race Highlights:
Richard Gadson won the 2025 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship on the strength of a breakout season that included four national event wins, two of which came during the Countdown to the Championship
Gaige Herrera finished runner-up in the championship with eight number one qualifiers and seven victories
The NHRA’s traditional season finale in Pomona was disrupted by a massive storm system that engulfed Southern California from Friday onward and forced the cancellation of qualifying sessions for all four NHRA professional classes. Elimination brackets were then set on the basis of the championship point standings coming into the sixth and final race of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which put Gadson on top of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field, just 21 points ahead of teammate Gaige Herrera.
But a hoped-for winner-take-all championship shootout between the two Vance & Hines riders ultimately floated away when dogged rain showers extended into Sunday afternoon and forced NHRA officials to cancel the race.
The decision handed Gadson his first NHRA world championship after a breakthrough season that featured his first four career victories, including two wins during the Countdown that propelled him into the championship lead at the most crucial point of the season.
For Gadson the turning point came with his realization that success in Pro Stock Motorcycle is as much a function of mental preparation as it is preparation of the machine.
“If you want to win out here you have to take it from great riders like Gaige Herrera, and they don’t give it up easily. I always knew that if I could find my groove, I had the capability to be a champion. It was a goal, not an expectation because I knew getting there would be hard and take a lot of determination, grit and tenacity. I didn’t have a timeline, if it would be my first season, my second season or never, but I’m really happy the team believed in me and gave me the chance to be here,” Gadson said.
“My crew-chief Eddie Krawiec and I worked really hard for this. We dug down deep to figure out how to up our game and put ourselves in this position. I was hungry and determined and I feel like I raced with a chip on my shoulder and I had something to prove, and we were able to get it done. Now I’m looking forward to next season, because Gaige will be even hungrier to get it back and I’ll be hungry to defend it.”
Gaige Herrera, shown here at Bristol Dragway, secured seven victories in 2025 to finish runner-up in the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship. Photo by Matt Polito
Despite winning seven races this year, Gaige Herrera’s bid for a third-straight world championship came to a soggy end for the rider who has been the class of the field since joining Vance & Hines in 2023.
Herrera’s 31 number one qualifiers and 28 wins over the past three seasons have made the two-time champion one of the most dominant racers in recent NHRA history in any class, but after securing the regular-season championship at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, a slow start to the Countdown put him on the back foot just as Gadson was gaining momentum.
Although Herrera equaled Gadson with two wins each during the Countdown, critical early round losses at races in Reading and Charlotte ultimately spelled doom for Herrera’s championship hopes. In the end, bad weather scuttled what had been shaping up to be a highly anticipated showdown.
Herrera took the disappointment of not being able to challenge Gadson head-to-head in stride.
“I was ready to race, so was Richard and the whole team, but there was nothing we could do about Mother Nature. She does what she does. I wish I was on top, but I’m happy for Richard too. He had one heck of a year, and we finished one-two in the championship, so as a team, we can’t ask for anything better. He deserves it,” Herrera said.
“All in all, I had a great season. I had a few bobbles in Reading and Charlotte, and I think that’s ultimately where the championship was decided. This year has put me in a different mindset than my first two championship seasons. It’s really tested me as a rider and tested how Andrew Hines and I work under tough conditions. We’ve grown from it and gotten stronger and it’s made us much better together. Next season Richard and I will be a deadly combination too. We might be teammates, but once we fire up our Hayabusas in the burnout box, the gloves will be off.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said it was disappointing not to be able to settle the championship battle on the track, but that the outcome nonetheless reflected highly on the team’s outstanding preparation throughout the season.
“We’re super proud of what we did for these guys to go one-two in the championship this year. We do our best as a team to try to give each rider the best bike every single round. The performance of our two Hayabusas was neck and neck all through the Countdown. It came down to a matter of whose fortunes went which way at the right time, and Richard was able to put it on kill almost every run. He was darned near flawless all season long. Now he’s a world champion,” Hines said.
“Next season it will be a cool dynamic for Eddie and me, both former world champions ourselves, to be tuning for the two most recent world champions in the class,” he said. “It’s another part of the great legacy of Vance & Hines and it makes us super proud of all the hard work we put in as a team.”
At the conclusion of the 2025 NHRA season, Gadson and Herrera finished first and second in the standings, with 2,584 and 2,563 points, respectively.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team returns to action at the opening round of the NHRA 75th Anniversary season March 5-6, 2026, at the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FL
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and a commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in the NHRA and MotoAmerica. For more information, visit www.vanceandhinesmotorsports.com.
About Suzuki:
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez (25) topped the MotoGP test at Valencia. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Cold temperatures and a track surface left slick after overnight rains meant that the first 2026 MotoGP test didn’t start until well into the afternoon at Circuit de Valencia. Once it did, several teams trialled new and different parts, mostly focusing on aerodynamic configurations. Yamaha deployed its new V4-powered YZR-M1 in force, with the new machines available for all of its riders. KTM and Aprilia tested the most unique bodywork. And rookies Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira did exactly what they needed to do – put in laps and start the process of getting comfortable on a MotoGP machine. Razgatlioglu finished the day with 53 laps and Moreira 57.
A view of the new front wing on the Aprilia RS-GP tested by Marco Bezzecchi, who finished the test second quickest. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (7) finished 18th quickest on his official MotoGP debut, 1.294 seconds off the fastest time. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Alex Marquez (73) tested several combinations of bodywork components. He finished third, 0.084 seconds behind Raul Fernandez. Photo by Michael Gougis.
KTM and Yamaha tested these large aero components on the front wheel. They cover the brake caliper, much of the disc and help clean up the air behind the fork lower. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Joan Mir (36) was the fastest Honda rider, finishing the test 12th. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira (11) finished 21st, 1.824 seconds off the pace. Maverick Vinales (12) was sixth, 0.247 seconds behind Fernandez. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Corner workers spent hours trying to dry the track surface. Photo by Michael Gougis.
More than 1,000 spectators were on hand for the MotoGP test. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Evan Kelleher (31), Chase Saathoff (88) and Evan Renshaw (65). Photo by GingerSnaps Photography
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The 2026 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship presented by All Balls Racing will run July 5-10 at the iconic Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill. The event marks a major milestone as the AMA celebrates the 50th anniversary of the championship.
Established in 1976, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship has served as the proving ground for many of the sport’s most accomplished riders. As has been the case since its creation, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship is the only event in the United States where amateur flat track racers can earn an AMA National No. 1 plate.
“This is a special year for the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of this outstanding event,” AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said. “We have an exciting slate of activities planned for the anniversary, and we cannot wait to return to the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for another unforgettable week of competition.”
The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds provides an ideal setting for the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, with facilities capable of hosting all four flat track disciplines — Short Track, TT, Half-Mile and Mile — in one location.
Throughout the week, the AMA will crown national championships in each discipline, in addition to the overall class grand champions, putting numerous AMA National No. 1 plates up for grabs across every level of competition.
The 2026 event will again feature several of the AMA’s most prestigious awards, including the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award. This honor, named after AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Nicky Hayden, recognizes the amateur racers who show the most promise for immediate success in the pro ranks.
The AMA will also recognize the Bill Werner AMA Fast Brain Award — which is given to the racer that shows excellence on the track and in the classroom — as well as the AMA Vet/Senior Racer of the Year and the AMA Youth Racer of the Year.
Also returning in 2026 are the AMA Flat Track Holeshot Events, a precursor series to the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship that includes several rounds of racing at tracks across the country. Additional details regarding the AMA Flat Track Holeshot Events will be announced soon.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation motorcycle magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
2025 FIM Flat Track World Championship in Vasad (Hungary). Photo by Štěpán Ševčík
The provisional calendar for the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship powered by HKC Koopmann, Anlas, Kineo and Blackburst has been announced with a greatly expanded ten-round series scheduled for next season, including an historic first date in Argentina.
Building on the growing success of the series over recent editions, next year’s championship will run from early-May until late-October and has grown from 2025’s six-round schedule.
The action gets under way at Roden in the Netherlands on 9 May and continues three weeks later with a visit to Terenzano in Italy. After a four-week break, round three will be staged at Haunstetten in Germany on 27 June with round four set for Donji Kraljevec in Croatia on 4 July.
Following the summer pause, the championship resumes on 22 August at Scheessel in Germany and then one week later moves to King’s Lynn in Great Britain for round six.
For round seven the series stops off at Vasad in Hungary on 12 September followed by a visit toPardubice in the Czech Republic on 3 October before leaving Europe for the first time and concluding in Argentina on 24-25 October.
Roger Hayden (95) leads Cameron Beaubier (6) and Josh Hayes (1) in MotoAmerica Superbike Race Two at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2015. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Pipe Dreams Podcast, hosted by MotoAmerica racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli, welcomes Roger Lee Hayden for Episode 34. As a member of one of America’s most iconic racing families, Roger offers a rare look into life growing up in the legendary Hayden household in Owensboro, Kentucky.
In this episode, Roger reflects on riding every day with his brothers, the competitive atmosphere that shaped their careers, and the work ethic instilled by their parents from the very beginning. He discusses Nicky Hayden’s exceptional talent, the unforgettable Springfield TT podium sweep, and key moments from his own journey with factory Kawasaki and Suzuki — including his decision to turn down a MotoGP ride in pursuit of an AMA SuperSport title.
Roger also opens up about the loss of his brother Nicky, how it changed his perspective, and his transition into a new role as a MotoAmerica broadcaster. He shares his thoughts on the growth of the series, the rising talent in the U.S., and what’s needed for American road racing to continue moving forward.
🎧 Episode 34 is now streaming on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the full episodeis out now.
An ASRA Midwest Region grid at Blackhawk Farms Raceway.
ASRA Midwest Banquet, 2026 schedule update, and a Black Friday license deal
Black Friday through Cyber Monday, ASRA racing licenses will be on sale at a discounted rate along with race credits.
Yes, the 2026 schedule will be out before then, along with the 2026 rulebook. Will there be schedule suprises? Yes!
The 2025 Midwest Region Championship Banquet is being held this coming Saturday, November 22, starting at 6:00 p.m. at:
Lakelawn Resort
2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, WI 53115
(262) 728-7950
It will have Texican buffet and the master of ceremonies will be Kenny Abbott.
Tickets on the ASRARACING.COM website.
Local hotel rooms are available at a special ASRA rate.
Atlantic banquet to be announced soon.
Daytona Live Streaming
Yes, the races from Daytona were all live-streamed. This is something we have been working on for a while. On-board views, corners, podiums. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/@ASRARacingOfficial
2026 Rule Book
Comments and concerns? New classes or anything? Send us an email at [email protected]
Black Friday through Cyber Monday discounted race credits, only available on the new ASRA app.
Several packages to choose from, but all of these have limited quantities and are only available during our Black Friday event.
Some students riding on track during a TrackDaz event. Photo courtesy TrackDaz
Get signed up today!
Attention in the pits.
The 21st annual TurkeyDaz event is nearly upon us! That’s right folks, this is the 21st annual event we’re hosting on Thanksgiving weekend November 29-30.
We’re using Buttonwilow Classic course, and rocking the traditional Config-13 in Clockwise Direction
We have a special event T-shirt that we include with price of entry while supplies last. Get yours at registration!!
ABC Groups / 20 minute rotations / 35 riders max per group
1-on-1 coaching available with or without video
you can purchase a session or two, or a half or whole day
2up rides available Free of Charge
Price for this event is $240 per rider/per day.
Add $100 extra if you want to sign up for Sunday’s New Racer School
Two MotoAmerica Twins Cup bikes equipped with Bitubo Suspension at the podium, after finishing first and second in a 2023 race.
Bitubo Suspension partners with Rodio Performance
Bitubo Suspension Training Seminar happening December 15–19 (Limited to 8 Seats)
Join us for an intensive, hands-on Bitubo Suspension Training Seminar designed for technicians and performance shops looking to elevate their suspension knowledge and capabilities. Over five focused days, attendees will learn the fundamentals and advanced principles of Bitubo suspension, both Race and Street, directly from certified experts. Participants will gain practical experience in set-up, tuning, service procedures, diagnostics, and performance optimization using real-world applications.
A Bitubo high performance racing shock.
Bitubo has been successful in MotoAmerica, British Superbike and other series worldwide.
All Attendees Receive:
–Official Bitubo Certification upon completion
–Authorized Dealer Access to Bitubo products
–Exclusive Technical Resources & Support
–Professional-level training trusted by top teams and performance centers
Only 8 seats are available to ensure a high-quality, hands-on learning environment.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (7) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC Castrol:
Honda HRC Castrol kick start 2026 in Valencia.
The first day of 2026 produced reams of critical data for Honda HRC engineers to pore over as Joan Mir and Luca Marini finished in 12th and 14th respectively.
Overnight rain left the circuit damp in a number of spots, causing a heavy delay to proceedings as the Valencia Test began. A revised schedule saw action go until 17:30 Local Time to account for the lack of morning activity. After an early lunch, the Honda HRC Castrol team quickly got to work to make the most of the available track time.
Completing a total of 37 laps, Joan Mir ended the day as the fastest Honda rider in 12th place. Less than half a second off the top spot, times were deceptively close as the battle for 2026 supremacy began. Honda HRC’s objective for the one-day test was to confirm and finalise a number of items tried in recent rounds by Honda HRC riders ahead of the winter development program.
Luca Marini was able to complete a best time of 1’29.916 across his 44 laps of the Ricardo Tormo circuit. Like his Honda HRC Castrol teammate, Marini was able to tick off a number of different items. With the track in a unique condition due to the rain and a half day of running exclusively by MotoGP machines, Marini remained unphased by his position and lap time compared to other riders.
Now a winter of rest for some and intense work for others begins as the start of 2026 gets closer day by day.
Joan Mir (36) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda HRC Castrol
Joan Mir: “A productive test, working on a few items for 2026 with a similar base to what we’ve had. Today was about understanding what we need for the Sepang Test, after a year like this it’s good to have a day where we can confirm everything after everyone has been working so hard to deliver as much material as soon as possible. Some positives and negatives as always, but we’re able to find the direction and let the engineers and Test Team get to work. I have a lot of trust and confidence in how the winter will go in Japan, now we need to enjoy the winter and arrive strong and healthy in Malaysia.”
Luca Marini (10) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda HRC Castrol
Luca Marini:“Today we had a really busy day, trying a lot of things in a really short amount of time and it was easy to get lost in a situation like this. The team and engineers did a great job to keep everything focused through the day. Now we need to sit down and check what we have learned deeply, make a plan together and move forward over the winter. We made a good step in each area of the bike, it maybe doesn’t show on the times because the track condition and the tyres complicate everything. Now a little bit of time to recover before we arrive in Sepang and start again.”
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More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
The Ducati Lenovo Team celebrates Ducati’s centenary at the Valencia test.
The Ducati Lenovo Team’s final track appointment of the season ended, with Francesco Bagnaia and Nicolò Bulega taking part in the first official test of 2026 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. A challenging and retro-inspired day concluded with the eighth and tenth place in the combined standings. Both riders tested setups and new aerodynamic parts in view of the appointment at Sepang International Circuit the next February. Nicolò sings an excellent 1:29.661 (45 laps), a time that means the Top10, just over two tenths behind the top guys. Pecco also had positive feelings, set a best lap time of 1:29.731 (50 laps).
The common thread throughout the day was Ducati’s centenary, which will be in 2026. Pecco and Nicolò took to the track with two iconic liveries that recall iconic victories in the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s history. A tribute to the 750 Imola Desmo, the emblem of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari’s legendary one-two finish at the 1972 Imola 200 Miles, and to the 750 Supersport Desmo, the bike on which Franco Uncini won the Italian 750cc title in 1975.
Nicolo Bulega during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Ducati Lenovo Team
Nicolò Bulega: “I’m happy, although I’m disappointed about the mistake in the last corner in the time attack, where I lost two tenths. I’m starting to ride better and better, I feel the bike is a little more mine, and I’m able to push harder. Today was an important day: during the test, the atmosphere is more relaxed and there’s less stress. We worked more calmly, step by step, and at the end of the day, I put in some good laps and was even able to feel the new tires. It was a very useful experience, especially for my role as a test rider in 2026″.
Francesco Bagnaia (63) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Ducati Lenovo Team
Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m finishing the final round of 2026 with a definitely good feeling. Compared to the race weekend, I immediately felt comfortable with the 2026 prototype and we worked hard. The pace and the lap times were good from the first outing, and I didn’t have any difficulties. I’m happy; it was a test with really fast times. It’s a shame I didn’t do a final time attack with the soft tyres, but I’m satisfied. I’m going on holiday with a positive attitude”.
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More from a press release issued by Honda LCR:
Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira has completed his first MotoGP day in Valencia, finishing 21st.
The Valencia Test welcomed the newly crowned Moto2 World Champion to his new MotoGP home, the Honda LCR team.
It proved to be a day of firsts for the Brazilian, as he took his MotoGP machine onto the track for the very first time, began navigating the bike’s sophisticated electronics, and stepped into an entirely new competitive world.
Speed, an amazing feeling, and a dream fulfilled were the words the rider used to capture the emotions of his debut day in MotoGP.
Diogo Moreira (11) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda LCR
Diogo Moreira:“I’m super happy. Riding a MotoGP bike has always been a dream, and I’m really pleased with the evolution throughout the day, understanding the bike and improving as the laps went by. Until you try it, you can’t imagine this speed. I’d like to thank the team for all their help; they’ve been fantastic. We focused on learning the bike and adapting step by step. I can’t wait for the season to start!”
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More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Begins 2026 Journey: New YZR-M1 V4 on Track in Valencia Test with Miller and Razgatlioglu.
Two days after the end of the 2025 World Championship, MotoGP was back on track at Valencia‘s Ricardo Tormo circuit for the traditional collective test day — effectively the first step into 2026. It was an important day for the Prima Pramac Yamaha team, which not only debuted the new YZR-M1 prototype equipped with a V4 engine for next season, but also celebrated the official MotoGP debut of Toprak Razgatlioglu, the three-time Superbike World Champion who will race alongside Jack Miller in 2026. At the end of a day of discovery for both riders with the new bike — and especially for Toprak, who was also adapting to the new category — the Turkish rider finished 18th, with Miller 20th.
It was a special day for the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team. On this Tuesday that effectively kicks off the 2026 campaign with the traditional test day, the team officially welcomed 29-year-old Toprak Razgatlioglu to the garage as new teammate of confirmed Jack Miller. The Turkish rider from Alanya arrives fresh from his third Superbike world title, won just one month ago in Jerez de la Frontera, and is preparing for his first MotoGP season.
It was also a special day because both Razgatlioglu and Miller began the intense development work on Yamaha‘s new YZR-M1 prototype fitted with the new V4 engine.
The day started with several hours of delay due to a damp track caused by heavy rain the night before, preventing the teams from going out before 1 p.m. Before diving into the crucial early stages of learning — adapting to a completely new bike, new tyres, new electronics, as well as working with his crew chief Alberto Giribuola — Razgatlioglu broke the ice with his new team by offering everyone traditional Turkish pistachio baklava.
Once the green flag finally opened the session, Jack and Toprak took to the track with the goal of completing as many laps as possible on a prototype still in its early development phase. When the red light at 5:30 p.m. officially closed the MotoGP season, Razgatlioglu wrapped up his first official MotoGP test in 18th place, with a best lap of 1‘30”667 after completing 53 laps. Miller finished 20th with a 1‘30”864 after 51 laps.
Tomorrow, the Prima Pramac Yamaha team will stay on track for a private test session before closing the garage for the season and set the next appointment with the fans for 2026.
GINO BORSOI – Team Director, Prima Pramac Yamaha
“It was a hugely important day for Yamaha, as we‘ve started a new era with the V4 engine and had all four riders on track with the new YZR-M1 prototype. And of course, the real debut of Toprak — who, at this stage, can‘t give feedback at the level of Jack and the others because everything is new for him — but he started this new adventure extremely well. He was very good and very precise in understanding the bike‘s dynamics; you can tell he feels the bike from the feedback he gives, and in my opinion he was very fast — much faster than I expected, considering how little he knows so far. And as a person, I really like him: he‘s very easy to work with. What impressed me the most is his braking — it‘s incredible — although compared to Superbikes he has to adapt to these tires and this bike, learning to… brake less. But from the data you can see he has already understood this and is starting to apply it to be more efficient. Between him and the new bike, this is a new challenge for us — we need a new spirit, and Toprak will definitely be important here. And now we‘re already preparing for the first stoppie battle between him and Jack; with these two, we might just become world champions in this specialty!”
Jack Miller (43) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha
Jack Miller:“It was a busy day as we tried to understand the new bike and provide solid feedback. There‘s a lot to do, and we‘re working on it. This bike has only a few days of life so far, and it‘s still very much a work in progress, but we‘ll keep pushing. We know the strengths and we know the weaknesses — now it‘s our job to give the engineers the most precise feedback possible so they can work over the winter to find the best solutions.”
——
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
We got a first taste of 2026 on Tuesday as MotoGP™ was already back on track with the traditional Valencia Test, officially opening the upcoming season before we head to the winter break. What was meant to be a full day of testing turned into a 4-hour test, as the morning track conditions did not allow riders to hit the track until 13:30. The Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad made the most of these final 4 hours of the season, with Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini completing a total 103 laps between the two of them.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain from Monday evening over the Circuit Ricardo Tormo meant a cold and wet track this morning when the green flag launched the start of 2026 at 10:00. No riders were seen on track in the first hour, and then it was only Jack Miller and then Maverick Viñales who tried to go out for one lap, but they quickly returned to the pit box. The first session was red flagged due to track conditions, meaning no testing action on Tuesday morning.
The green flag was finally waved at 13:30 as bikes began hitting the track. Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini could both finally get on with their testing scheduled as they joined the action just before 14:00. The target for Maverick was to get as much track time as needed to regain the confidence on the bike heading to the winter break. In addition, the factory introduced a new seat configuration to try out and new aero elements, which were tried by the number 12 today as the factory aimed to gather feedback from all riders. Top Gun rode a total of 56 laps today, some solid work done by the Spaniard, who ended the final day on track of the year with the 6th time (1’29.620, +0.247), and a positive feeling heading to the off-season. Maverick will now have a bit more than 2 months to fully focus on getting back to his 100%. On his side, Enea Bastianini welcomed new crew chief Andres Madrid who joined the Tech3 ranks after spending a few seasons with Brad Binder. The day was all about getting to know each other and trying to build a solid base of work. Just like his teammate, Enea also tried the new seat configuration introduced by KTM, a request made by the Italian as he continues to search for the most comfortable way to ride his RC16. Some positives, some negatives, but a lot of data gathered which will be crucial to the engineers heading to the winter break. The Italian rode a total of 47 laps, with a fastest lap in 1’30.291 (+0.297 seconds) ridden in the final minutes of track action!
That’s all folks for 2025 track action, thank you to all those who have followed our adventures this year, and we can’t wait to be back on track next season! See you at the Sepang Test, on February 3-4-5, 2026!
Maverick Viñales (12) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Tech3
Maverick Viñales: “We tested many items, especially on the aerodynamics, and it gave me a clear picture of where we need to go for 2026, so we are quite happy. We still need to put things all together, but if we work smart during the pre-season, we will arrive to the first round in good shape. We are ending the year with a better feeling. All the team has the ideas clear heading to the winter break, so we are happy.”
Enea Bastianini (23) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Tech3
Enea Bastianini: “Unfortunately, the test was a bit short, so we did not do everything we wanted. I have tried a new seat, it has potential, but we still need to make a few adjustments. We tried some fairing, again, some positives, and some negatives, but I think overall we brought good information to the factory. The most important for us is the set up, because this year I was not comfortable on the bike at all, and I have not felt like ‘Enea’, so I hope that with my new crew chief we can figure that out for Sepang next year!”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “Enea Bastianini began the work with his new crew chief, Andres Madrid, who we are welcoming to our team! The target was for them both to get to know each other, and understand how they both work. Enea had a few items selected together with KTM to try out, but we unfortunately could not complete all our plan since we did not ride this morning. The main thing for Enea was trying a new seat configuration, because he has not really felt comfortable all year long. I think that there were some positives and negatives that we will look into in the winter. The plan was different for Maverick Viñales because of his shoulder of course. The main target for him was to recover his confidence on the bike, he did many laps, and I think that it is progressively coming back, we saw him smiling all day, which is a good sign. On top of that, he also had a few items to try, the seat too, and some aero elements, as we really needed to give feedback to KTM so they can prepare all the new parts, and eventually make some adjustments if required for the next test. I think we did a pretty good job today, now it is time for everyone to get some much needed rest after a busy season. We will all reflect on this season, and prepare in the best way possible for the next test in Malaysia in February. Thank you to everyone for their support, thank you to all the team for their efforts today, and I wish everyone a good winter, and see you all in Sepang!”
——
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Start 2026 Season with Valencia Test.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins returned to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo today to kick off their 2026 testing programme. They took 15th and 19th place respectively in today’s overall results.
After a one-day break, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team came back to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo to start the 2026 pre-season with today’s one-day Valencia Test. It was a momentous day for Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins, who mainly worked on getting acquainted with the V4 engine. They concluded the day in 15th and 19th place respectively in the overall timesheets.
Overnight rain resulted in the morning session being cancelled due to track conditions. The afternoon session was rescheduled for 13:20-17:30 (GMT+1).
Once the action got underway, Quartararo used the available riding time to renew his acquaintance with the V4 engine, which he had last tried at the Misano Test. Although featuring at the top of the timesheets for a while at the start of the session, he mainly spent the afternoon working on the base set-up. He posted a best time of 1’29.927s on lap 36/46 that put him in 15th position, 0.554s from the top.
Rins was excited to try the V4 engine again today. The Spaniard used the available track time to get familiar and comfortable with the 2026 prototype bike. He opted to solely focus on race pace and collecting data. His best time, a 1’30.720s, set on lap 4/33, put him in 19th place, 1.347s from first.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP will return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo tomorrow for a one-day private test. After that they will recharge their batteries during the winter break.
MotoGP will be back in action in the new year for the Sepang shakedown from 29-31 January, followed by the Sepang Test from 3-5 February and the Buriram Test on 21-22 February.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI – Team Director, Monster Energy Yamaha
“Today was the first day of 2026 winter testing. We were not so much looking at performance but rather focused on gathering as much data as possible. Unfortunately, the conditions of the track due to last night’s heavy rain didn’t help proceedings. But luckily, a few months ago we anticipated this, and we have a private test here booked for tomorrow. This extra day will most likely give us the time needed to evaluate the updated parts, such as a different chassis and a different aerodynamics package, and we can also work on set-ups.”
Fabio Quartararo (20) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo: “Today was quite a short day. It was not already the goal to find something better than in Misano. We were mainly working to find a base set-up and find the feeling on the front. The riding style is completely different, but I like riding with the V4. It’s still too early for a complete verdict. Luckily, tomorrow we have one more day of private testing – it will be an important day.”
Alex Rins (42) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha
Alex Rins:“The bike has slightly improved. They didn’t change anything such as the gearbox or big items, but I felt better than in Misano. I didn’t make many laps because of the track conditions, but the laps we did were proper laps in terms of feeling. We worked a lot on the settings, and I can say that having tomorrow as another test day, I focused more on race pace than putting a soft in for a time attack. Overall, I feel quite good, so we’re at a good starting point for tomorrow.”
——
More from a press release issued by CASTROL Honda LCR:
CASTROL Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco has finished 13th on Tuesday at the Valencia Test.
A Tuesday marked by a wet track delayed Johann and the crew’s testing plans, as it took much longer than expected for conditions to dry, and riders were forced to stay in the box for most of the morning.
With limited time on track, the focus was on evaluating the updated bike Johann had already tried in Catalunya. The bike showed improved grip, and the team collected useful data.
The next aero update will arrive in Malaysia, where Johann will continue working with a similar package to build on today’s progress.
Johann Zarco (5) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Honda LCR
Johann Zarco:“Busy day today. The bike we tested showed better grip, which is encouraging, although we still need to find a different balance to fully adapt to this evolution. It’s the same bike I rode in Catalunya, and overall it seems to be working well. In Malaysia we’ll have an aero update, and there we’ll use a bike similar to this one. I believe the aero changes will make a difference; there’s clear potential. We’re making progress, and that’s what matters. Now it’s time to switch off and recharge the batteries for next season.”
Raul Fernandez (25) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
Aprilia fastest, Yamaha stealing the headlines and some impressive rookie debuts – Tuesday’s test starts the talking points.
Fastest out of the blocks in 2026? Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Aprilia. The Valencian GP podium finisher ended the Valencia Test with a 1:29.373, with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) making it a Noale 1-2 to send the factory into the winter at the summit. P3 went the way of Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), with the top three split by less than a tenth during a busy few hours of crucial work at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. But there was more to testing than the timesheets as the new V4-powered Yamaha M1 took the reins, and two rookies made their debuts.
Let’s get into what we saw unfold on Tuesday…
Jorge Martin (89) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
APRILIA RACING & TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM
Brand-new front aerodynamic changes across the board were the most obvious parts to spot when Bezzecchi ventured out on a black and white painted RS-GP. Front, side and rear upgrades were tested by the Italian, and it was quite a lot different to what we saw Aprilia racing with in 2025.
On the other side of the box, 2024 World Champion Jorge Martin got to head out on an RS-GP that was fitted with the chassis that Bezzecchi was racing with in the last few Grands Prix of the campaign. And it’s safe to say that it birthed an immediate positive feeling. After an injury-hit year, gaining much-needed experience was a priority ahead of the winter for the #89, but work for 2026 was also key as Martin also lapped with the new aerodynamic package. It was P2 and P16 for the Aprilia Racing stars, with the vibes high heading into the winter break at Noale.
Speaking of good vibes, table-topping Fernandez was pleased with his day at the office. While there was nothing new to try in terms of parts from Aprilia, those will come at the Sepang Test, both Fernandez and Ai Ogura leave Valencia with a good feeling on board their RS-GPs.
Ogura was able to test some different settings and try something with his riding style, with Fernandez also able to run through some electronic work that riders and teams aren’t able to do during a Grand Prix. P1 and P11 for Trackhouse, with Ogura completing the most laps of anyone (64), spelt a promising day for the American outfit.
Luigi Dall’Igna (on the left) and Francesco Bagnaia during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
DUCATI LENOVO TEAM, BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP, PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM
Ducati’s day was solid as they began work towards 2026; in the factory squad, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed 32 laps and remained in the top six for the majority of the day. At the chequered flag, he was tenth and despite a crash at Turn 2 with just 45 minutes to go, Pecco was positive about the feeling he had on the first version of the GP26. Front-end feel on corner entry was much better, so the double MotoGP World Champion heads into the winter with a bigger smile on his face than before.
With just over an hour to go, his temporary teammate for the final two rounds of 2025 and the Valencia Test, Nicolo Bulega, briefly went P4 and top Ducati with his fastest laps of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. In the end, he finished the day in an impressive P8, not a bad way to conclude his stint in the team. The Italian was also feeling a lot more comfortable on the MotoGP bike ahead of testing duties continuing in 2026.
Alex Marquez (73) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
The fastest Ducati honours went the way of Alex Marquez who was also vital in the development of 2026’s bike. He was P3 whilst teammate Fermin Aldeguer was fourth as the #54 got to put the GP25 through its paces for the first time. Notching up 93 laps between them and both securing a spot in the top four, it was a strong way to end 2025.
In the manufacturer’s other Independent team, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) secured seventh but had a small technical problem just before 3pm. With Franco Morbidelli sadly out injured, there was one positive in a dream come true for Celestino Vietti, who got a late call-up to replace him. Setting 21 laps, the Italian stated that quite simply, it was “the best day of my life” as he watched on in the afternoon following his early festive season present.
Pedro Acosta (37) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING & RED BULL KTM TECH3
Throughout the day, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the fastest KTM rider on track and for plenty of it, the #37 was sporting a new side fairing. It was one of the main objectives from the day for the KTM quartet on track, with Acosta’s teammate Brad Binder also getting to try the RC16’s new side fairing set-up too. Overall, Acosta finished P5 on the timesheets having completed 53 laps, with Binder ending the day in P9 after posting 52 laps.
Tech3 Team Manager Nicolas Guyon confirmed that both Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales were trying a new seat configuration to help with the ergonomic set-up of the bike, something Bastianini in particular has struggled with in 2025. Viñales cut a positive figure at the end of the day, with aerodynamic work a big part of what the Spaniard did on Tuesday. Viñales finished the day in P6 and with a better feeling as he returns to full fitness, while Bastianini begins 2026 with a P17 on the timesheets.
Diogo Moreira (11) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
HONDA HRC CASTROL & LCR HONDA
After Aleix Espargaro’s glowing reports of Honda’s new 2026 machine following test days at both Sepang and Aragon, Honda’s three factory-contracted riders had their first opportunity to try the updated RC213V today. A new engine, a fully reshaped and updated rear seat unit and aero, plus some small aerodynamic modifications to the side fairings were just the first step on a Honda machine that Alberto Puig is hopeful can push the Japanese factory back into the top five on a regular basis. Joan Mir finished the day in 12th, 0.022 clear of Johann Zarco in 13th, who was 0.022 clear of Honda HRC Castrol’s Luca Marini in 14th.
There were of course plenty of eyes on the newly-crowned Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira as he made his MotoGP debut. The Brazilian was adapting to life with the world’s best by using the RC213V that the factory riders finished the year with. 22nd and 1.824 adrift of top spot can go down as a successful first outing for the number 11.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (7) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP & PRIMA PRAMAC YAMAHA MOTOGP
Yamaha grabbed headlines for two separate reasons today as three-time WorldSBK King Toprak Razgatlioglu made his public debut and the next step in their V4 project was taken. The Turk impressed at a circuit he’d never raced at before, managing to close out his first day as a MotoGP rider three-quarters of a second behind the Iwata factory’s benchmark, Fabio Quartararo, and even ahead of both Alex Rins and Prima Pramac Yamaha teammate Jack Miller.
Still yet to turn the new engine up to 100% power, it was clear the new project is missing top-end speed down the start-finish straight, but they will also remain in Valencia for a further day of testing tomorrow, with factory boss Maio Meregalli confirming chassis and aero parts set to be tested.
Fabio Quartararo (20) during the MotoGP Test at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna
Quartararo’s 1:29.927 was good enough for 15th on the timesheets as the Yamaha engineers now head back to the factory with a huge amount of data that they’re hopeful they can use to fine-tune the M1 into a competitive package in 2026. The Frenchman confirmed they’re still searching for a base setting on the new V4-powered YZR-M1 and have another important private test on Wednesday in Valencia, with Rins confirming that the day was a positive one on board the V4.
So there we go. That’s a wrap from 2025, and we have official lift-off in 2026. Now, a much-needed winter break arrives before we gear up for the Sepang Shakedown and Official Tests in February.
Richard Gadson, pictured here at Maple Grove Raceway, delivered a breakout season that culminated in his first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Championship. Photo by Matt Polito
Brea, CA – In an unusual and unprecedented conclusion to the NHRA season, RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines rider Richard Gadson was crowned the 2025 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion on Sunday after relentless rain showers forced officials to cancel all racing activity at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, CA.
Race Highlights:
Richard Gadson won the 2025 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship on the strength of a breakout season that included four national event wins, two of which came during the Countdown to the Championship
Gaige Herrera finished runner-up in the championship with eight number one qualifiers and seven victories
The NHRA’s traditional season finale in Pomona was disrupted by a massive storm system that engulfed Southern California from Friday onward and forced the cancellation of qualifying sessions for all four NHRA professional classes. Elimination brackets were then set on the basis of the championship point standings coming into the sixth and final race of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which put Gadson on top of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field, just 21 points ahead of teammate Gaige Herrera.
But a hoped-for winner-take-all championship shootout between the two Vance & Hines riders ultimately floated away when dogged rain showers extended into Sunday afternoon and forced NHRA officials to cancel the race.
The decision handed Gadson his first NHRA world championship after a breakthrough season that featured his first four career victories, including two wins during the Countdown that propelled him into the championship lead at the most crucial point of the season.
For Gadson the turning point came with his realization that success in Pro Stock Motorcycle is as much a function of mental preparation as it is preparation of the machine.
“If you want to win out here you have to take it from great riders like Gaige Herrera, and they don’t give it up easily. I always knew that if I could find my groove, I had the capability to be a champion. It was a goal, not an expectation because I knew getting there would be hard and take a lot of determination, grit and tenacity. I didn’t have a timeline, if it would be my first season, my second season or never, but I’m really happy the team believed in me and gave me the chance to be here,” Gadson said.
“My crew-chief Eddie Krawiec and I worked really hard for this. We dug down deep to figure out how to up our game and put ourselves in this position. I was hungry and determined and I feel like I raced with a chip on my shoulder and I had something to prove, and we were able to get it done. Now I’m looking forward to next season, because Gaige will be even hungrier to get it back and I’ll be hungry to defend it.”
Gaige Herrera, shown here at Bristol Dragway, secured seven victories in 2025 to finish runner-up in the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship. Photo by Matt Polito
Despite winning seven races this year, Gaige Herrera’s bid for a third-straight world championship came to a soggy end for the rider who has been the class of the field since joining Vance & Hines in 2023.
Herrera’s 31 number one qualifiers and 28 wins over the past three seasons have made the two-time champion one of the most dominant racers in recent NHRA history in any class, but after securing the regular-season championship at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, a slow start to the Countdown put him on the back foot just as Gadson was gaining momentum.
Although Herrera equaled Gadson with two wins each during the Countdown, critical early round losses at races in Reading and Charlotte ultimately spelled doom for Herrera’s championship hopes. In the end, bad weather scuttled what had been shaping up to be a highly anticipated showdown.
Herrera took the disappointment of not being able to challenge Gadson head-to-head in stride.
“I was ready to race, so was Richard and the whole team, but there was nothing we could do about Mother Nature. She does what she does. I wish I was on top, but I’m happy for Richard too. He had one heck of a year, and we finished one-two in the championship, so as a team, we can’t ask for anything better. He deserves it,” Herrera said.
“All in all, I had a great season. I had a few bobbles in Reading and Charlotte, and I think that’s ultimately where the championship was decided. This year has put me in a different mindset than my first two championship seasons. It’s really tested me as a rider and tested how Andrew Hines and I work under tough conditions. We’ve grown from it and gotten stronger and it’s made us much better together. Next season Richard and I will be a deadly combination too. We might be teammates, but once we fire up our Hayabusas in the burnout box, the gloves will be off.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said it was disappointing not to be able to settle the championship battle on the track, but that the outcome nonetheless reflected highly on the team’s outstanding preparation throughout the season.
“We’re super proud of what we did for these guys to go one-two in the championship this year. We do our best as a team to try to give each rider the best bike every single round. The performance of our two Hayabusas was neck and neck all through the Countdown. It came down to a matter of whose fortunes went which way at the right time, and Richard was able to put it on kill almost every run. He was darned near flawless all season long. Now he’s a world champion,” Hines said.
“Next season it will be a cool dynamic for Eddie and me, both former world champions ourselves, to be tuning for the two most recent world champions in the class,” he said. “It’s another part of the great legacy of Vance & Hines and it makes us super proud of all the hard work we put in as a team.”
At the conclusion of the 2025 NHRA season, Gadson and Herrera finished first and second in the standings, with 2,584 and 2,563 points, respectively.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team returns to action at the opening round of the NHRA 75th Anniversary season March 5-6, 2026, at the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FL
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and a commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in the NHRA and MotoAmerica. For more information, visit www.vanceandhinesmotorsports.com.
About Suzuki:
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
Aprilia tested a new tail configuration with wide-set end plates, similar to those seen on the rear wing of an open-wheel Formula racing car. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez (25) topped the MotoGP test at Valencia. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Cold temperatures and a track surface left slick after overnight rains meant that the first 2026 MotoGP test didn’t start until well into the afternoon at Circuit de Valencia. Once it did, several teams trialled new and different parts, mostly focusing on aerodynamic configurations. Yamaha deployed its new V4-powered YZR-M1 in force, with the new machines available for all of its riders. KTM and Aprilia tested the most unique bodywork. And rookies Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira did exactly what they needed to do – put in laps and start the process of getting comfortable on a MotoGP machine. Razgatlioglu finished the day with 53 laps and Moreira 57.
A view of the new front wing on the Aprilia RS-GP tested by Marco Bezzecchi, who finished the test second quickest. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (7) finished 18th quickest on his official MotoGP debut, 1.294 seconds off the fastest time. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Alex Marquez (73) tested several combinations of bodywork components. He finished third, 0.084 seconds behind Raul Fernandez. Photo by Michael Gougis.
KTM and Yamaha tested these large aero components on the front wheel. They cover the brake caliper, much of the disc and help clean up the air behind the fork lower. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Joan Mir (36) was the fastest Honda rider, finishing the test 12th. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira (11) finished 21st, 1.824 seconds off the pace. Maverick Vinales (12) was sixth, 0.247 seconds behind Fernandez. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Corner workers spent hours trying to dry the track surface. Photo by Michael Gougis.
More than 1,000 spectators were on hand for the MotoGP test. Photo by Michael Gougis.
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for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
GINO BORSOI – Team Director, Prima Pramac Yamaha 
MASSIMO MEREGALLI – Team Director, Monster Energy Yamaha 
