Colorado Signs Motorcycle Lane-Filtering Legislation into Law
Joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states that permit lane filtering
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed SB24-079 on April 4, allowing motorcycles to filter between stopped cars in traffic and at stoplights.
The bill passed through both the Colorado House and Senate behind strong bipartisan support. Colorado now joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states with lane-filtering legislation signed into law.
“The signing of SB24-079 is a significant win for motorcyclists in the state of Colorado,” AMA Central States Representative Nick Sands said. “With this new legislation, motorcyclists will now be allowed to filter through stopped traffic, giving riders the ability to legally remove themselves from vulnerable traffic situations before ever coming into contact with a distracted or inattentive driver.”
The bill — sponsored by Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas), as well as Reps. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver, Jefferson) and Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer) — will go into effect on Aug. 7, 2024. It will allow all motorcycles to pass stopped motor vehicles in the same lane. Motorcycles will be required to travel 15 miles per hour or less when filtering and will only be allowed to do so if the road has lanes wide enough to pass safely. Conditions must also allow for “prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”
For the next three years, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will collect safety data on lane filtering and issue a report to the Colorado General Assembly regarding the newly passed law.
The AMA continues to support efforts regarding lane-filtering legislation, as its success in several other states indicates its long-term viability in protecting motorcyclists on the open road.
To stay up to date on the latest lane filtering news, visit the AMA Action Center.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current tuners/mechanics: Robem Engineering, Luigi Di Mario (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Twins Cup, N2/WERA National Endurance Championship.
Top sponsors: Rodio Racing, Robem Engineering, Aprilia, Dainese, HJC Helmets, Fast by Ferracci.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 8th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 podium finishes), co-rode to 4 Lightweight class wins in N2/WERA National Endurance Championship and finished 3rd overall twice; 2022 season, won AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won North America Talent Cup Championship (4 wins, 11 total podiums in 14 races), won 3 AMA Grand Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, Lightweight Twins Superbike, E Superstock), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, E Superstock); 2021 season, won WERA Sportsman F Superstock Expert National Championship (3 race wins, 14 total podiums with WERA); 2020 season, won E Superstock Novice AMA Grand Championship, won 2 WERA Sportsman Novice National Championships (won 28 WERA races).
2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Win MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Danilo Petrucci.
Favorite tracs: Barber Motorsports Park.
Favorite hobby: Skiing
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A motorcycle mechanic.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Here They Come: Mission King Of The Baggers Is Headed To COTA And MotoGP
MotoAmerica’s Mission King Of The Baggers Is Set To Strut Its Stuff In Front Of The World With Texas Invasion At Circuit Of The Americas, April 12-13
IRVINE, CA (April 9, 2024) – Harley-Davidson’s Kyle Wyman won the most important two Mission King Of The Baggers races of the 2024 season when he doubled up at Daytona International Speedway the second weekend in March.
Or did he?
The fact that he won both races at the “World Center Of Racing” isn’t up for debate. What is up for debate, however, is whether the Daytona round or this week’s round at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, which will take place in front of a worldwide audience with MotoGP, is the bigger event. Either way, they are both big.
Kyle Wyman arrives at COTA armed with his factory Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Road Glide and fresh off his two wins at Daytona. As the all-time wins leader in the class with 14 victories, Kyle Wyman has become the benchmark of the series and his two Daytona victories have him atop the 2024 standings with a perfect 50 points. Wyman also won the first of two races at COTA during the debut of the class in Texas this past September.
Defending MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim didn’t have the best Daytona as he opened his title defense on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, but his fourth and fifth-place finishes put him fourth in the championship heading to COTA. He trails Kyle Wyman by 26 points but, with the uncertainty of Baggers racing, that number isn’t as bad as it seems.
Gillim emerged from last year’s dramatic season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park with a win and a second place, and that earned him the title by 18 points over James Rispoli after a consistent season that saw him win three races and finish on the podium in eight others. Gillim can also take solace in the fact that he was fourth and fifth on one occasion last year at Road America, which mimics his Daytona results from a month ago.
Gillim also has the confidence that comes with two second-place finishes in the two Bagger races at COTA this past September.
Kyle Wyman’s new teammate for 2024 is Gillim’s old teammate from 2023 – Rispoli. He joins the factory Harley team after his runner-up finish in last year’s title chase, a season that had him atop the podium on two occasions with 10 total podiums. One of his victories came in race two at COTA after the Floridian was third in race one. Rispoli started his 2024 with two thirds at Daytona.
With Rispoli now on the factory team, 19-year-old Rocco Landers took his spot on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson in what is his debut season in the class. Landers, a former MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup Champion, knows his way around a podium as he’s tasted success in every class he’s attempted. Landers’ Baggers debut at Daytona resulted in fifth- and 10th-place finishes.
The racer who currently sits just 10 points behind Kyle Wyman in the 2024 title chase after Daytona is newcomer Troy Herfoss, the three-time Australian Superbike Champion who made not only his Mission King Of The Baggers debut at Daytona but also his MotoAmerica debut. Herfoss opened eyes when he finished second in both Daytona races in March. The Aussie will be making his COTA debut this coming weekend.
If Herfoss needs any help in learning COTA, he can get it from the other side of the canopy where the S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Indian Challenger of Tyler O’Hara is parked. O’Hara, the 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion, had an off-year (by his standards) in 2023 and finished fifth in the championship with five podiums (three of which were runner-up finishes) and no victories. O’Hara will also be trying to make amends for failing to score a point in the two races at COTA last year.
Fifth place in the championship after Daytona is held by RydFast Racing’s Kyle Ohnsorg and his Indian Challenger. Ohnsorg was sixth in both races at the Speedway. The Minnesotan likely has a fondness for Circuit of The Americas as he scored his first-career podium there last year.
The Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson team arrives in Texas with Cory West, Travis Wyman and Jake Lewis riding the team’s three Road Glides. The trio are eighth (Travis Wyman), 11th (Lewis) and 12th (West) after an issue-filled Daytona and are looking to rebound.
SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong won twice and had six total podiums last year, but he also had a difficult Daytona with a non-finish and a seventh on his scorecard.
Mad Monkey Motorsports’ Max Flinders sits in the top 10 following Daytona after his ninth- and 11th-place finishes in the two races. Flinders earned his first MotoAmerica podium last year in the Baggers season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Spaniard Ruben Xaus had a dismal beginning to his MotoAmerica debut season with just one point coming his way at Daytona. The Feuling Parts Harley racer comes to MotoAmerica with an impressive resume that includes race wins in the World Superbike Championship. Xaus, who lives in Andorra, will be looking to find his feet at COTA.
The Baggers hit the COTA road course for the first time at 8:20 a.m. on Friday, April 12 for Practice 1 and then again at 4:15 p.m. for a 15-minute qualifying session.
At 4:45 p.m., the Baggers will race for the first time in the three-lap Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge.
On Saturday, the first of two six-lap Mission King Of The Baggers races will start at 12:15 p.m. with race two slated for 4 p.m., following the MotoGP Sprint race that starts at 3 p.m.
Pre-Race Notes…
Kyle Wyman is the Mission King Of The Baggers lap record holder at Circuit Of The Americas with his 2:15.461 lap record set in Sunday morning warm up this past September. The fastest lap from the two races last year also goes to Wyman with his 2:16.429 set en route to him winning race one.
Thirteen riders have entered the Mission King Of The Baggers Presented By Drag Specialties. Eight of those are Harley-Davidson Road Glides with five Indian Challengers on the entry list.
Kyle Wyman is far and away the winningest rider in the short history of Mission King Of The Baggers with his 14 victories. Three riders are tied for second with three wins – Tyler O’Hara, Hayden Gillim and Bobby Fong. The other two riders to win King Of The Baggers races are Jeremy McWiliams and Travis Wyman, with those two having one win apiece.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+
The final round of the CVMA 23/24 Winter series was a slugfest with riders battling for valuable championship points in an effort to secure class championships. With double points up for grabs, everyone was riding as fast as they could.
On Friday, the New Racer School graduated five riders into the amateur ranks of the club.
On Saturday night, the club had a big end-of-season party complete with a taco dinner for all the riders and their guests and a ton of prizes donated by the series sponsors and other businesses in the motorsports community. The party was a blast and everyone had a great time celebrating the awesome season of racing with CVMA!
Saturday Qualifying
Saturday morning dawned clear and cold, but with sunny skies the track would heat up quickly and riders were able to turn some faster laps in the second round of qualifying.
The fastest of all in Saturday morning qualifying, Corey Alexander topped the field of open-class bikes turning a 1:45.187 lap time.
Owen Williams was the fastest on a middleweight, turning a 1:46.019 lap time.
Gio Alvarez was fastest on a lightweight bike with a 1:50.953 lap time.
Alex George was fastest on an ultra-lightweight bike with a 1:55.320 lap time.
Alexander Calloway was fastest on an American Twin with a 1:58.836 lap time.
Saturday Races
Saturday was a perfect day for racing with sunny skies and warm temperatures, all the riders were riding fast with many turning their personal best times.
Alexander took two wins on the day winning on both an open class bike and a middleweight. George won two races on his ultra-lightweight bike, and Alvarez won two on his lightweight twin.
Lap Records
Alexander Calloway – American Twins – 1:58.612
Luke Sanzone – Formula 40 Lightweight – 1:52.498
Sunday Shootouts
In the first of the shootout races, the Middleweight Shootout, Williams got the hole shot with Alexander second and Brenden Ketelsen starting third. Williams and Alexander ran nose to tail for the entire race with never more than a few bike lengths gap between them. Ketelsen ran a strong third but was not able to match the paces of the two riders at the front. On the final lap, Alexander made some attempts but was unable to overtake in turns four and five. However, a few turns later, he made an inside pass on Williams in turn seven to take the lead. Later in the final lap, Alexander passed a lapped a rider on the back straight, but Williams was unable to get by and was held up through turns eleven and twelve. In the end, Alexander was able to hold on for the win with Williams second and Ketelsen finishing third.
Owen Williams (15) leads Corey Alexander (1) and Brenden Ketelsen (144) in the Middleweight Shootout. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.
The Formula Lightweight Twins Shootout started with Alvarez getting the hole shot, Jack Roach second, and Alexander Enriquez running third. On the second lap, Enriquez made a brave outside pass in turn sixteen, but Roach took the position back just a few turns later in turn three. Unfortunately, Alvarez’s bike failed on the penultimate lap handing the lead to Roach. Roach held off Enriquez for the win with Justin Bordonaro ending up third.
Only two racers showed up for the start of the Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout. George Crashed on lap one and Ashten Bush won the shortened race.
In the premier race of the day, the Stock 1000 Shootout, Gilbert got the hole shot but Alexander quickly made a pass for the lead into turn three. By the end of the first lap, Bryce Prince was able to make his way into second with Alexander leading and Gilbert running third. Alexander and Prince ran very close the entire race with never more than a few bike lengths between them. Prince made several challenges for the lead but was never able to secure the pass. In the end, it was Alexander for the win, Prince second, and Gilbert third. Also of note, Jason Pridmore finished the race just off the podium in fourth.
All in all, it was a fantastic season of racing with CVMA and we saw some of the fastest riders from all over the country (and other countries as well) gathering together at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for the best club racing experience around. We look forward to our awards banquet later this summer and an even better series for the 2024-2025 winter series.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting in racing on the Friday before each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.
CVMA. Built for racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!
CVMA would also like to thank the 2023/2024 Winter Series Sponsors: Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, CaliPhotography, Racers Edge/Dunlop, RoadRace City/Bridgestone, Del’s Flooring, The California Superbike School, Ride HMVC, and First Team IT
NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Racer Gloves, and Racers Edge/Dunlop
CVMA would also like to thank all the companies that contributed to our end-of-season party: 2WTD, 6d, Alpinestars, Apex Assassins, ASV, Bison, CaliPhotography, Compact Octane, Del’s Flooring, Five Glove, Galfer, Hotbodies, JP43 Coaching, KYT, Lets Ride, Lieto Factory, Mithos, Pirelli, Pit Bull, Racer Gloves, RoadRace City, Ryder Gear, Snap-on, SoCal Track Days, TrackDaz, USBA, VNM, Vortex
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 4th overall in FIM MiniGP World Series 190cc Championship, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship; 2022 season, runner-up in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160 Championship; 2021 season, placed 3rd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship.
2024 racing goal: Finish top 3 in the MIR Racing Cup Promo3 Championship.
Racing career goal: Make it to the MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Fabio Quartararo.
Favorite track: Road America.
Favorite hobby: Sports.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing basketball.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Former Grand Prix racer Pat Hennen died April 7 at the age of 70.
Pat Hennen (P) on a Suzuki TR750 holds off the late great Gregg Hansford (G) and his Kawasaki KR750 and Hansford’s Team Kawasaki Australia teammate Murray Sayle in one of their torrid battles during the New Zealand Marlboro International Series in the 1970s. Photo by Rhys Jones.
The following is from Pat Hennen’s AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame biography:
Pat Hennen was the first American to win a 500cc World Grand Prix road race. His victory at the 1976 Finland GP paved the way for a flood of American riders who would come to dominate the sport. Hennen began his career in 1972 as an AMA dirt track and road racing competitor. His rapidly rising career was ended prematurely by a crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1978. Hennen’s short but brilliant career was an inspiration to all American road racers of his era. He proved that an American could win in the highest echelon of motorcycle racing at a time when few thought it could be done.
Hennen was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 27, 1953. His family moved to the San Francisco Bay area when he was a child. Hennen first became interested in motorcycle racing when he was 15 and spent four years honing his skills riding regional dirt track and scrambles races across Northern California. He rapidly became one of the top up-and-coming riders in Northern California.
Hennen entered his first professional event as a novice at the end of the 1971 season. Even though he was a promising flat track racer, Hennen began focusing his efforts more toward a career in road racing. In 1973, he scored two top-10 finishes in 250cc road races aboard a borrowed Suzuki built by his brothers, Chip and David. Hennen scored enough points in 1973 to turn expert, but he chose to stay in the Junior ranks one more season to earn more racing experience and to try to attract more sponsorship.
“I was getting good experience and doing well,” Hennen said. “If I would have moved up to Expert I would have been up against far more expensive equipment and I just wasn’t able to afford a winning machine at that time.”
Hennen’s first major win came at Daytona International Speedway in 1974 when he set the fastest qualifying time and won the junior event on a Ron Grant-sponsored Yamaha over a talent-laden field that included riders such as Wes Cooley, Pee Wee Gleason, Hank Scott and Randy Cleek. Hennen went on to win the Junior races at Loudon, New Hampshire, Monterey, California, and Talladega, Alabama, and ended 1974 as the AMA’s top-ranked Junior road racer.
Hennen gained further experience and confidence when he raced during the off-season in New Zealand and Australia where he scored some very strong finishes, including a podium in Australia’s Bathurst Grand Prix. He earned the New Zealand Marlboro Championship in both 1974 and ’75.
In 1975, Hennen became an expert and began a very rapid rise in his career. He signed as a factory rider with Suzuki. Mechanical issues often kept Hennen from showing his true potential, but he showed signs of brilliance by qualifying first at the road race national in Ontario, California. His best finish that season was fifth at Laguna Seca. Hennen was also part of the American team for the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. That year, the United States won over Great Britain for the first time.
Hennen shocked a lot of racing fans when he scored third in the 1976 Daytona 200 on a Suzuki TR-750 triple behind winner and world champion Johnny Cecotto and second-place Gary Nixon, a former AMA national champ. Hennen remained humble in spite of his excellent finish, saying after the race that he was just honored to be on the same podium with Cecotto and Nixon. Hennen also scored runner-up to Kenny Roberts in the Lightweight race at Daytona.
No matter how unexpected Hennen’s 1976 Daytona 200 finish was, it paled in comparison to what he pulled off in Imatra, Finland on August 1, 1976. That was the day that Hennen raced into history by winning the Finish Grand Prix to become the first American rider to win a World Championship 500cc Grand Prix road race. So unexpected was his victory in Finland that organizers didn’t have a sound track of the U.S. national anthem. Hennen wore a cowboy hat on the podium – a tribute to his father who was once a professional rodeo cowboy – much to the delight of the European photographers.
“My friend, Tepi [Lansivuori], helped me win that race,” Hennen said in a 1977 interview. “That was his home track. I had some problems in practice and didn’t get many laps. He let me follow him in practice to learn the place. It’s a long street circuit, about four miles around, and even where it’s straight there’s a jump. You could just go over it or use it as a launching pad. Tepi showed me that among other things.”
In the race, Hennen battled with Lansivuori and Giacomo Agostini before coming out on top on his Suzuki GB RG500.
Hennen scored two other podium finishes in 1976 and finished ranked third in the world championships. He was now truly an international racing star. Hennen quickly became a fan favorite. He was always accessible and his modest and soft-spoken manner endeared him to Europeans.
In 1977, Hennen scored a victory in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone riding a Suzuki. He took four other podium finishes and once again finished third in the final world standings.
In 1978 Hennen was coming into his prime. He opened the season with a dominating performance in the Trans-Atlantic Match Races, regularly beating Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene in the process of becoming the top scorer in the prestigious event. He then proceeded to win the Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama and took the world championship points lead.
“All I heard when I went to the GPs in 1978 was that I had to beat Barry Sheene,” Roberts said. “I was surprised when it turned out that Pat was the rider to beat that year. He was a very steady rider. You felt good racing hard against him. He didn’t do anything spectacular or crazy. He was just solid and fast.”
Roberts won the next three rounds and the two Americans were separated by only a single point atop the world championship standings when tragedy struck Hennen at the Isle of Man TT.
Hennen did the TT to please his British sponsor. A crash there left him with a career-ending head injury. He would recover over time, but suffered lasting effects from the injury and never returned to racing. Hennen’s rival Kenny Roberts would go on to win the championship that year to become the first American to win the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship.
In spite of being forced out of racing in the prime of his career, Hennen left a strong legacy. His victory in Finland in 1976 was a seminal event in the history of American racing. It helped change the face of GP racing and opened the door for many American riders who followed in Hennen’s footsteps.
When inducted in 2007, Hennen still resided in Northern California and continued working in the motorcycling industry. He became a devout Christian and is active in church activities. Hennen said that the great people he met along the way in motorcycle racing was the best aspect of his career in the sport.
FIM Mini Cup USA has scheduled a special launch event Thursday, April 11 at the kart track at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas, as part of the lead-up to the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas MotoGP weekend. It’s open to the public.
Scheduled to attend the event include American Racing Team’s John Hopkins, Marcos Ramirez, and Joe Roberts along with special guests Roland Sands and Ryan Villapoto and FIM Mini Cup USA participants.
The FIM Mini Cup USA launch event is scheduled to run from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time.
In addition, Ohvale USA, the promoter of FIM Mini Cup USA, will have a vendor setup at COTA with an Ohvale racebike simulator, Roberts’ merchandise and copies of Hopkins’ book for sale, and multiple autograph signings.
John Hopkins (left), the Managing Director of Ohvale USA, with Kruz Maddison (right), the son of FMX rider Robbie Maddison. Photo courtesy Ohvale USA.
Welcome to the thrill-seekers’ saloon: MotoGP™ saddles up in Texas
22 riders. 300 horsepower each. Are you ready to rodeo?
Monday, 08 April 2024
Last time Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) led the World Championship, it didn’t last long as part of a rollercoaster duel to the end of the season. But this time, the hunter will remain the hunted not only from the conclusion of the Portuguese Grand Prix until the next round, but also until at least after the Tissot Sprint at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. 18 points doesn’t mean he can relax in this rodeo – it never does in the world’s most exciting sport – but it does mean he’s now holding quite a few cards as the paddock heads stateside for Round 3.
THE CHASERS
Closest to Martin heading to COTA is Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), whose season so far has consistently been one spent at the front barring that one DNF in the Sprint in Portugal. He’ll be the first looking to cut the gap back down, and looking to get back on the podium as a bare minimum.
Then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). One of only three riders in the field who’ve won at COTA and close to Martin’s tail by the end of the GP race in Portugal, the ‘Beast’ will want to come out swinging and show Qatar was most definitely a blip. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) arrives fresh from his first premier class podium and still very much riding a wave of fully deserved hype. Can he maintain the roll at COTA and finish as top RC16 again? Or more? Binder won his third race, so that’s one milestone on the line in a fight that’s fast mixing overtakes and pride in the KTM/GASGAS camp. Binder will also want to make his own statement in that.
PECCO vs MARQUEZ: PT1
There was already plenty to talk about in the fight just behind the top three in Portugal, even before *that* moment. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) didn’t find that step he had done in Qatar, and that was interesting in itself. Then came Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), in the #1’s postcode in 2024 despite Pecco’s domination at the venue the season before. But there’s even more.
From Bagnaia’s perspective, beating Marc Marquez in the way he tried to last Sunday was exactly what he had to do to take his first win. Lap after lap, the two disappeared at the front at Aragon in 2021: Marquez’ backyard, a talisman track. Bagnaia rolled on as the number 93 loomed, dropped back a couple of metres, and then loomed again. Over the last three laps, Marc Marquez made seven attempts at overtaking the now-two-time MotoGP™ champion ahead of him, and Bagnaia repelled all of them with perfect judgement of where the move was coming and how he needed to respond to brush it off. That’s consistently been one of his calling cards. So why change what worked a dream before?
From Marquez’ perspective, it’s a shorter term question: why change what worked a dream on Saturday? Sure, it may be a different rider, with a slightly different playbook, but it’s equally understandable to expect the same or a similar result when you make the same move. And it was clean enough. Going when he did, and not waiting for the final lap, also likely made the #93 more confident of success, thinking it was even less expected than it seemed it had been on Saturday. But this time round, there was a response, and the two lines crossed as the two Champions collided.
REVENGE: A DISH BEST SERVED AT COTA?
The judgement from the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards was racing incident. The fact you can make both cases and, ignoring one, make the other sound like the whole truth and nothing but, makes it hard to argue with that call from a neutral perspective. But Bagnaia and Marquez will remain partisan, and now the race is on to come out on top next time the two share a racetrack. In a battle, in pure pace, however it may be.
So now, we have an eight-time World Champion with seven wins at COTA, plus one comeback from dead last to sixth, looking to show that it’s not him in Bagnaia’s postcode, it’s the #1 trespassing on his. Especially here, a track that used to simply have Marquez pencilled next to victory as a formality. On a different bike, against different rivals, is an eighth about to prove a point, and at his 250th GP? Meanwhile Bagnaia, after stunning speed in the Sprint to win before a crash out the lead on Sunday at COTA last year, knows just how sweet it would be to prove the exact opposite. At a talisman track, just like Aragon.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
So what of the other drama in Portugal? Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) became a Tissot Sprint winner in style on Saturday, moving through to the front and then giving Martin no right to reply. He was also just about close enough coming out of the final corner on the penultimate lap on Sunday to at least still be looking for an opportunity to do the double. But it wasn’t to be as a late technical issue took the chance and those 20 points away, and they were 20 points that would have put him third in the standings. Can COTA bring some redemption, less for man and instead for machine? Teammate Aleix Espargaro, meanwhile, will want more too after a difficult weekend in Portugal looking for more pace, and Austin would be a statement place to find it after a tougher track record at the venue for the #41.
At Trackhouse Racing, Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez will both be looking for more on track, but the spotlight is guaranteed off it as the new American team prepare to race on home soil for the first time. Their bikes will be in downtown Austin, the sister NASCAR team will do a demo lap, the flags will be flying and the fans excited to see that incredible livery up close and personal. It’s also Raul Fernandez’ 100th GP so there will be plenty to celebrate.
ON THE MOVE
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a pretty successful Sunday he can use as a springboard to try and home in on the podium fight, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) wrung a solid result out on the Algarve too as Yamaha look for more progress. They’ve confirmed they’ll continue doing so with ‘El Diablo’ too as the Frenchman has been announced as staying for another two seasons. On the other side of the box, teammate Alex Rins will want to stay the course over race distance in the coming weekends, but this one in particular will be very interesting after the number 42 won in awesome style in Austin last season. It was also only his third weekend on the Honda. Now it’s his third weekend on the Yamaha, and his speed at COTA across the classes has been proven on plenty of occasions, as well as on two different premier class machines.
There were some positive signs for Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in Portugal too as the number #72 took sixth on Sunday after a really tough opener. It’s not victory but it’s a step towards it, onto more familiar turf. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), meanwhile, may well have crashed out early on Sunday last time out, but considering he missed all of pre-season due to the training crash he suffered at the very same venue, his speed itself was pretty noteworthy on the Algarve. Can he take another step in Austin?
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) should be noted for some positives from Portugal too, the 2020 Champion taking P12 but with quite some daylight ahead of the other Hondas, led by Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda LCR). The task is a group project to move forward for the Japanese factory, but the squabble for supremacy within had a very clear victor last time out. Mir also only had Quartararo ahead of him of those machines with the most concessions under the new system. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) also had a notable step forward last time out, just missing out on the top ten in a close finish behind Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
LOOKING FOR MORE
‘Diggia’ is one looking for his Qatar speed and form over the latter half of 2023, and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) is another after he’d had Mir’s number in Qatar, although he is very new to the bike, and so far has the edge on fellow Honda debutant Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team). Marini will hope that the venue where he took his first premier class podium, thanks to both form and memories, will prove a turning point as he adapts to a new machine.
Last but by no means least, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had a slightly AWOL weekend in Portugal, 13th in the Sprint and then crashing early on Sunday. Given his successes last season and a solid opener in Qatar, he’d be the first to say that the target is much more. Can he lock on target for a quick bounce back in Austin? We’re about to find out.
A new Championship leader with a gap that presents a conundrum between push and manage. A South African on the verge of becoming the rider from his nation with most podiums, with a point to prove on his machine as well as to the rest. A rookie whose point is already somewhat proven, a ‘Beast’ finding even more beauty… and a bubbling rivalry between two riders with a combined 11 world titles, one of whom saddles up with seven COTA trophies already nestled in his trophy cabinet. It’s time for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. Surely, we’ll see you there?
TISSOT SPRINT: 15:00 (UTC -5) on Saturday
GRAND PRIX RACE: 14:00 on Sunday
What’s happening at the #AmericasGP
Wednesday welcomes MotoGP™ back stateside in style, with a couple of events in downtown Austin. First, the Texas Governor’s Mansion – near the State Capitol – will welcome Trackhouse Racing bikes and riders for a photo opportunity at 15:30.
The Trackhouse MotoGP™ showbike will then be displayed at the Revival Cycles store on South Congress Avenue, an Austin icon in itself.
There’s plenty to talk about on Thursday. First, the podcast will welcome Brad Binder for a longer catch up after a great start to the season for the South African. Then, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will be joined by CCO Dan Rossomondo and CSO Carlos Ezpeleta in a press conference at 12:00 local time to talk about the exciting news revealed last week that Liberty Media is to acquire MotoGP™.
Then, the first rider press conference sees Championship leader Jorge Martin joined by Brad Binder and Enea Bastianini, before the second welcomes Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta and Fabio Quartararo.
At 12:00, the new-look MiniCUP USA will also take over COTA kart track to celebrate a new era for the Cup, with a few VIPs set to attend as the FIM MiniGP World Series competition showcases the stars of tomorrow on the Road to MotoGP™.
During the weekend proper, there are a few awesome side dishes too. A NASCAR Trackhouse car will head out for an exhibition lap after MotoGP™ Qualifying on Saturday at 11:35, and the King of the Baggers will have their second round of 2024 at COTA. Check out the time schedule below to see how they fit in to an awesome weekend of action in Austin.
Aron Canet (44) leads Joe Roberts (16) and Manuel Gonzalez (18). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto2™: can Canet keep the lead at COTA?
Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) waited a long time for his maiden Moto2™ win, but when it came it was in some style, and for the Championship lead. That’s something he’ll want to double down on at COTA, a track where he’s won in Moto3™ and once been on pole by nearly a whole second. In the dry. With his Moto2™ victory duck broken, can he rediscover that Texas pace?
Home hero Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) will be looking to impress again on home turf after taking second last time out, and fellow Algarve podium finisher Manuel Gonzalez (QJMotor Gresini Moto2™) will want to show he’s here to stay at the front. The biggest threat, however, despite neither being near the top of the Championship as it stands, may well be the Beta Tools SpeedUp pairing of Qatar GP winner Alonso Lopez and pre-season title favourite Fermin Aldeguer.
It’s been bad luck and trouble for both to varying degrees so far. Lopez won Qatar and then crashed out the lead in Portugal. Aldeguer went the opposite way to many on tyre choice in Qatar and failed to even score… and then jumped the start in Portugal. But that didn’t end the show, it started it. The number 54 went on an incredible charge to come back from the requisite two Long Laps given for the jump start, getting his elbows out in the podium fight before ultimately being forced to settle for fourth. If both avoid drama, they’re likely to take some beating at COTA.
Tune in for more awesome Moto2™ action at the Americas GP at 12:15 local time (UTC -5) to see who hits next!
Daniel Holgado (96) leads David Alonso (80), Riccardo Rossi (54), and the rest of the Moto3 field. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto3™: who can make their mark in Austin?
After a masterclass from David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) at Round 1, the Colombian was missing from the podium in Portugal as three key rivals hit back. Two stayed out of trouble after a more dramatic Qatar GP, but one simply went one better: Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). That puts Holgado in the Championship lead, with Alonso looking to overhaul a seven-point gap in second.
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) were the two who took their first podiums of the season on the Algarve, and after their Round 1 drama was also shared. Rueda will want to show he’s got staying power at the front and try and take that first win at COTA, whereas Ortola will be looking to go back-to-back. Last season, he took his maiden win at the track and in serious style, pulling off a miracle save and then charging back up the order. Can he do it again to cut that 22 point gap to the top as we arrive at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas? We’ll find out on Sunday at 11:00 (UTC -5)!
TEXAS BOUND! RED BULL GASGAS TECH3’S COWBOYS ARE READY FOR THE AMERICAN RODEO
American rodeo time! It is that time of the year for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, as the team is heading to Austin in Texas for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, the third round of the 2024 MotoGP™ World Championship. After two weeks away from the circuits due to the cancellation of the Grand Prix of Argentina, Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez will be eager to challenge themselves on their RC16s, on the very physical Circuit Of The Americas.
Two weeks should have allowed MotoGP™ rookie Pedro Acosta to come down from cloud nine after the nineteen year-old became the third youngest rider in the history of the championship to stand on a MotoGP™ podium, after he brilliantly finished third of the Portuguese Grand Prix, on his second race. Yet, another challenge awaits MotoGP™’s number 31 this week, as COTA’s bumps, its 20 corners and changes of directions make the American layout one of the most physically challenging of the season. Although the young Shark’s fast adaptation to the queen category has been impressive, it will be interesting to witness how he gets on with COTA on the MotoGP™ machine, on a circuit that he particularly enjoys after he won the edition in Moto2™ last season.
On his side, Augusto Fernandez holds good memories from the Red Bull Grand Prix of Americas after he signed off his first MotoGP™ Top 10 last season in Austin. The least we can say is that last season’s MotoGP™ race was chaotic, but the number 37 made it through the chaos to finish P10 on what was his fourth race in the category at the time. Time has flown by since then, and the Spaniard has been facing a challenging start to his 2024 campaign, but being back on a circuit where he performed well last season will surely give him an extra boost of confidence, as he continues his pursuit to reuniting with a good feeling on his GASGAS RC16.
America, we can not wait for the show to start! Track action will start on Friday with Free Practice 1 at 10:45 (GMT-5), followed later on in the afternoon with the one-hour Practice from 15:00 to 16:00. Can Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 cowboys secure a Q2 ticket with a top 10 finish on Friday? The action will then resume on the following day with a Super Saturday as we love them. Acosta and Fernandez will hit the track with Free Practice 2 at 10:10 local time, just before the qualifying sessions kick off at 10:50. At 15:00 local time, la crème de la crème of MotoGP™ will line up on the grid for the Tissot Sprint for a ten lap-shootout. Then it will all come down to Sunday as the main race is scheduled at 14:00 for twenty-laps. Will there be a new cowboy in town? We can not wait to find out!
Pedro Acosta
Championship: 5th
Points: 28
“We are heading to Austin after a very good weekend in Portugal. I have had time to train well and assimilate the last race, seeing what we did well and what we did wrong. COTA is a very nice circuit but one where we will have to work hard to continue with our main objectives. Let’s go for it!”
Augusto Fernandez
Championship: 16th
Points: 5
“After the first two rounds which were not easy, I am looking forward to going to Austin, to continue working, improving and recovering our feeling with the bike. COTA is amazing, very spectacular and I really enjoy riding there, so I am pleased to be back in the USA. Let’s continue to work hard, and get back to our level very soon.”
Nicolas Goyon
Team Manager
“It is that time of the year to give a visit to Uncle Sam’s country for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. It is going to be a very important round for the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team, as we share the same title sponsor as the event. In addition, the United States of America is a huge market for GASGAS, represented by local superstar Justin Barcia in supercross, so we know that we will have eyes on us. Austin is an atypical circuit, it is the first left hand-sided layout of the season, and its 20 corners make it the circuit with the most turns. Beyond everything else, it is one of the most physical races of the calendar, because riders have to deal with bumps and numerous changes of direction. Austin will be a proper test for our rookie Pedro Acosta. Our young star got a dream start to his MotoGP career, after he went on the podium after just two races. This round is not easy, but he won last year in Moto2 and he will be coming with good confidence, so we are looking forward to observing his evolution this weekend. Augusto Fernandez is in the process of regaining his confidence, which is what he did in Portimao. Last year, the weekend in Austin was very tricky for him, but after a chaotic race, he ended in the points and was first of the Pierer Mobility bikes, so I am sure that it will give him confidence. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get the show going!”
Here are complete ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge and Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic regional sprint race results from the April 6-7 event at Carolina Motorsports Park, in Kershaw, South Carolina.
ASRA’s next event is April 27-28 at the newly repaved New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, New Jersey.
Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize motorcyclists filtering between lanes of stopped traffic. Photo by Kevin Wing, courtesy AMA.
Colorado Signs Motorcycle Lane-Filtering Legislation into Law
Joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states that permit lane filtering
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed SB24-079 on April 4, allowing motorcycles to filter between stopped cars in traffic and at stoplights.
The bill passed through both the Colorado House and Senate behind strong bipartisan support. Colorado now joins California, Utah, Montana and Arizona as states with lane-filtering legislation signed into law.
“The signing of SB24-079 is a significant win for motorcyclists in the state of Colorado,” AMA Central States Representative Nick Sands said. “With this new legislation, motorcyclists will now be allowed to filter through stopped traffic, giving riders the ability to legally remove themselves from vulnerable traffic situations before ever coming into contact with a distracted or inattentive driver.”
The bill — sponsored by Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas), as well as Reps. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver, Jefferson) and Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer) — will go into effect on Aug. 7, 2024. It will allow all motorcycles to pass stopped motor vehicles in the same lane. Motorcycles will be required to travel 15 miles per hour or less when filtering and will only be allowed to do so if the road has lanes wide enough to pass safely. Conditions must also allow for “prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”
For the next three years, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will collect safety data on lane filtering and issue a report to the Colorado General Assembly regarding the newly passed law.
The AMA continues to support efforts regarding lane-filtering legislation, as its success in several other states indicates its long-term viability in protecting motorcyclists on the open road.
To stay up to date on the latest lane filtering news, visit the AMA Action Center.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Alessandro Di Mario (70). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Current tuners/mechanics: Robem Engineering, Luigi Di Mario (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Twins Cup, N2/WERA National Endurance Championship.
Top sponsors: Rodio Racing, Robem Engineering, Aprilia, Dainese, HJC Helmets, Fast by Ferracci.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 8th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 podium finishes), co-rode to 4 Lightweight class wins in N2/WERA National Endurance Championship and finished 3rd overall twice; 2022 season, won AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won North America Talent Cup Championship (4 wins, 11 total podiums in 14 races), won 3 AMA Grand Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, Lightweight Twins Superbike, E Superstock), won 2 WERA Sportsman National Championships (Lightweight Twins Superstock, E Superstock); 2021 season, won WERA Sportsman F Superstock Expert National Championship (3 race wins, 14 total podiums with WERA); 2020 season, won E Superstock Novice AMA Grand Championship, won 2 WERA Sportsman Novice National Championships (won 28 WERA races).
2024 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Win MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Danilo Petrucci.
Favorite tracs: Barber Motorsports Park.
Favorite hobby: Skiing
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A motorcycle mechanic.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Following his perfect weekend at Daytona, Kyle Wyman (33) leads the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship as the series heads to Circuit of The Americas for round two, April 12-13. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Here They Come: Mission King Of The Baggers Is Headed To COTA And MotoGP
MotoAmerica’s Mission King Of The Baggers Is Set To Strut Its Stuff In Front Of The World With Texas Invasion At Circuit Of The Americas, April 12-13
IRVINE, CA (April 9, 2024) – Harley-Davidson’s Kyle Wyman won the most important two Mission King Of The Baggers races of the 2024 season when he doubled up at Daytona International Speedway the second weekend in March.
Or did he?
The fact that he won both races at the “World Center Of Racing” isn’t up for debate. What is up for debate, however, is whether the Daytona round or this week’s round at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, which will take place in front of a worldwide audience with MotoGP, is the bigger event. Either way, they are both big.
Kyle Wyman arrives at COTA armed with his factory Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Road Glide and fresh off his two wins at Daytona. As the all-time wins leader in the class with 14 victories, Kyle Wyman has become the benchmark of the series and his two Daytona victories have him atop the 2024 standings with a perfect 50 points. Wyman also won the first of two races at COTA during the debut of the class in Texas this past September.
Defending MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim didn’t have the best Daytona as he opened his title defense on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, but his fourth and fifth-place finishes put him fourth in the championship heading to COTA. He trails Kyle Wyman by 26 points but, with the uncertainty of Baggers racing, that number isn’t as bad as it seems.
Gillim emerged from last year’s dramatic season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park with a win and a second place, and that earned him the title by 18 points over James Rispoli after a consistent season that saw him win three races and finish on the podium in eight others. Gillim can also take solace in the fact that he was fourth and fifth on one occasion last year at Road America, which mimics his Daytona results from a month ago.
Gillim also has the confidence that comes with two second-place finishes in the two Bagger races at COTA this past September.
Kyle Wyman’s new teammate for 2024 is Gillim’s old teammate from 2023 – Rispoli. He joins the factory Harley team after his runner-up finish in last year’s title chase, a season that had him atop the podium on two occasions with 10 total podiums. One of his victories came in race two at COTA after the Floridian was third in race one. Rispoli started his 2024 with two thirds at Daytona.
With Rispoli now on the factory team, 19-year-old Rocco Landers took his spot on the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson in what is his debut season in the class. Landers, a former MotoAmerica Twins Cup and Junior Cup Champion, knows his way around a podium as he’s tasted success in every class he’s attempted. Landers’ Baggers debut at Daytona resulted in fifth- and 10th-place finishes.
The racer who currently sits just 10 points behind Kyle Wyman in the 2024 title chase after Daytona is newcomer Troy Herfoss, the three-time Australian Superbike Champion who made not only his Mission King Of The Baggers debut at Daytona but also his MotoAmerica debut. Herfoss opened eyes when he finished second in both Daytona races in March. The Aussie will be making his COTA debut this coming weekend.
If Herfoss needs any help in learning COTA, he can get it from the other side of the canopy where the S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Indian Challenger of Tyler O’Hara is parked. O’Hara, the 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion, had an off-year (by his standards) in 2023 and finished fifth in the championship with five podiums (three of which were runner-up finishes) and no victories. O’Hara will also be trying to make amends for failing to score a point in the two races at COTA last year.
Fifth place in the championship after Daytona is held by RydFast Racing’s Kyle Ohnsorg and his Indian Challenger. Ohnsorg was sixth in both races at the Speedway. The Minnesotan likely has a fondness for Circuit of The Americas as he scored his first-career podium there last year.
The Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson team arrives in Texas with Cory West, Travis Wyman and Jake Lewis riding the team’s three Road Glides. The trio are eighth (Travis Wyman), 11th (Lewis) and 12th (West) after an issue-filled Daytona and are looking to rebound.
SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong won twice and had six total podiums last year, but he also had a difficult Daytona with a non-finish and a seventh on his scorecard.
Mad Monkey Motorsports’ Max Flinders sits in the top 10 following Daytona after his ninth- and 11th-place finishes in the two races. Flinders earned his first MotoAmerica podium last year in the Baggers season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Spaniard Ruben Xaus had a dismal beginning to his MotoAmerica debut season with just one point coming his way at Daytona. The Feuling Parts Harley racer comes to MotoAmerica with an impressive resume that includes race wins in the World Superbike Championship. Xaus, who lives in Andorra, will be looking to find his feet at COTA.
The Baggers hit the COTA road course for the first time at 8:20 a.m. on Friday, April 12 for Practice 1 and then again at 4:15 p.m. for a 15-minute qualifying session.
At 4:45 p.m., the Baggers will race for the first time in the three-lap Mission King Of The Baggers Challenge.
On Saturday, the first of two six-lap Mission King Of The Baggers races will start at 12:15 p.m. with race two slated for 4 p.m., following the MotoGP Sprint race that starts at 3 p.m.
Pre-Race Notes…
Kyle Wyman is the Mission King Of The Baggers lap record holder at Circuit Of The Americas with his 2:15.461 lap record set in Sunday morning warm up this past September. The fastest lap from the two races last year also goes to Wyman with his 2:16.429 set en route to him winning race one.
Thirteen riders have entered the Mission King Of The Baggers Presented By Drag Specialties. Eight of those are Harley-Davidson Road Glides with five Indian Challengers on the entry list.
Kyle Wyman is far and away the winningest rider in the short history of Mission King Of The Baggers with his 14 victories. Three riders are tied for second with three wins – Tyler O’Hara, Hayden Gillim and Bobby Fong. The other two riders to win King Of The Baggers races are Jeremy McWiliams and Travis Wyman, with those two having one win apiece.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+
Corey Alexander (1) leads Bryce Prince (17), Michael Gilbert (55), and Jason Pridmore (43) in the CVMA Stock 1000 Shootout at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.
CVMA Racing Round 7 2023/2024 Winter Series
April 6-7 2024 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway
The final round of the CVMA 23/24 Winter series was a slugfest with riders battling for valuable championship points in an effort to secure class championships. With double points up for grabs, everyone was riding as fast as they could.
On Friday, the New Racer School graduated five riders into the amateur ranks of the club.
On Saturday night, the club had a big end-of-season party complete with a taco dinner for all the riders and their guests and a ton of prizes donated by the series sponsors and other businesses in the motorsports community. The party was a blast and everyone had a great time celebrating the awesome season of racing with CVMA!
Saturday Qualifying
Saturday morning dawned clear and cold, but with sunny skies the track would heat up quickly and riders were able to turn some faster laps in the second round of qualifying.
The fastest of all in Saturday morning qualifying, Corey Alexander topped the field of open-class bikes turning a 1:45.187 lap time.
Owen Williams was the fastest on a middleweight, turning a 1:46.019 lap time.
Gio Alvarez was fastest on a lightweight bike with a 1:50.953 lap time.
Alex George was fastest on an ultra-lightweight bike with a 1:55.320 lap time.
Alexander Calloway was fastest on an American Twin with a 1:58.836 lap time.
Saturday Races
Saturday was a perfect day for racing with sunny skies and warm temperatures, all the riders were riding fast with many turning their personal best times.
Alexander took two wins on the day winning on both an open class bike and a middleweight. George won two races on his ultra-lightweight bike, and Alvarez won two on his lightweight twin.
Lap Records
Alexander Calloway – American Twins – 1:58.612
Luke Sanzone – Formula 40 Lightweight – 1:52.498
Sunday Shootouts
In the first of the shootout races, the Middleweight Shootout, Williams got the hole shot with Alexander second and Brenden Ketelsen starting third. Williams and Alexander ran nose to tail for the entire race with never more than a few bike lengths gap between them. Ketelsen ran a strong third but was not able to match the paces of the two riders at the front. On the final lap, Alexander made some attempts but was unable to overtake in turns four and five. However, a few turns later, he made an inside pass on Williams in turn seven to take the lead. Later in the final lap, Alexander passed a lapped a rider on the back straight, but Williams was unable to get by and was held up through turns eleven and twelve. In the end, Alexander was able to hold on for the win with Williams second and Ketelsen finishing third.
Owen Williams (15) leads Corey Alexander (1) and Brenden Ketelsen (144) in the Middleweight Shootout. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.
The Formula Lightweight Twins Shootout started with Alvarez getting the hole shot, Jack Roach second, and Alexander Enriquez running third. On the second lap, Enriquez made a brave outside pass in turn sixteen, but Roach took the position back just a few turns later in turn three. Unfortunately, Alvarez’s bike failed on the penultimate lap handing the lead to Roach. Roach held off Enriquez for the win with Justin Bordonaro ending up third.
Only two racers showed up for the start of the Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout. George Crashed on lap one and Ashten Bush won the shortened race.
In the premier race of the day, the Stock 1000 Shootout, Gilbert got the hole shot but Alexander quickly made a pass for the lead into turn three. By the end of the first lap, Bryce Prince was able to make his way into second with Alexander leading and Gilbert running third. Alexander and Prince ran very close the entire race with never more than a few bike lengths between them. Prince made several challenges for the lead but was never able to secure the pass. In the end, it was Alexander for the win, Prince second, and Gilbert third. Also of note, Jason Pridmore finished the race just off the podium in fourth.
All in all, it was a fantastic season of racing with CVMA and we saw some of the fastest riders from all over the country (and other countries as well) gathering together at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for the best club racing experience around. We look forward to our awards banquet later this summer and an even better series for the 2024-2025 winter series.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting in racing on the Friday before each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.
CVMA. Built for racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!
CVMA would also like to thank the 2023/2024 Winter Series Sponsors: Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, CaliPhotography, Racers Edge/Dunlop, RoadRace City/Bridgestone, Del’s Flooring, The California Superbike School, Ride HMVC, and First Team IT
NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Racer Gloves, and Racers Edge/Dunlop
CVMA would also like to thank all the companies that contributed to our end-of-season party: 2WTD, 6d, Alpinestars, Apex Assassins, ASV, Bison, CaliPhotography, Compact Octane, Del’s Flooring, Five Glove, Galfer, Hotbodies, JP43 Coaching, KYT, Lets Ride, Lieto Factory, Mithos, Pirelli, Pit Bull, Racer Gloves, RoadRace City, Ryder Gear, Snap-on, SoCal Track Days, TrackDaz, USBA, VNM, Vortex
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 28th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 13 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2024 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2023 season, placed 4th overall in FIM MiniGP World Series 190cc Championship, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM North America Mini Cup Ohvale 190 Championship; 2022 season, runner-up in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160 Championship; 2021 season, placed 3rd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship.
2024 racing goal: Finish top 3 in the MIR Racing Cup Promo3 Championship.
Racing career goal: Make it to the MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Fabio Quartararo.
Favorite track: Road America.
Favorite hobby: Sports.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing basketball.
…
Some of the riders who have graduated from Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and multi-time MotoAmerica Superbike race winner J.D. Beach;
five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and Moto2 World Championship point scorer Cameron Beaubier;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2023 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and three-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, Moto2 World Championship point scorer, and MotoAmerica Superbike racer Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2020 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up Rocco Landers;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and three-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and 2023 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship runner-up James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
2022 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up and 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship runner-up Gus Rodio;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and MotoAmerica Super Hooligan race winner Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Former Grand Prix racer Pat Hennen died April 7 at the age of 70.
Pat Hennen (P) on a Suzuki TR750 holds off the late great Gregg Hansford (G) and his Kawasaki KR750 and Hansford’s Team Kawasaki Australia teammate Murray Sayle in one of their torrid battles during the New Zealand Marlboro International Series in the 1970s. Photo by Rhys Jones.
The following is from Pat Hennen’s AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame biography:
Pat Hennen was the first American to win a 500cc World Grand Prix road race. His victory at the 1976 Finland GP paved the way for a flood of American riders who would come to dominate the sport. Hennen began his career in 1972 as an AMA dirt track and road racing competitor. His rapidly rising career was ended prematurely by a crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1978. Hennen’s short but brilliant career was an inspiration to all American road racers of his era. He proved that an American could win in the highest echelon of motorcycle racing at a time when few thought it could be done.
Hennen was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 27, 1953. His family moved to the San Francisco Bay area when he was a child. Hennen first became interested in motorcycle racing when he was 15 and spent four years honing his skills riding regional dirt track and scrambles races across Northern California. He rapidly became one of the top up-and-coming riders in Northern California.
Hennen entered his first professional event as a novice at the end of the 1971 season. Even though he was a promising flat track racer, Hennen began focusing his efforts more toward a career in road racing. In 1973, he scored two top-10 finishes in 250cc road races aboard a borrowed Suzuki built by his brothers, Chip and David. Hennen scored enough points in 1973 to turn expert, but he chose to stay in the Junior ranks one more season to earn more racing experience and to try to attract more sponsorship.
“I was getting good experience and doing well,” Hennen said. “If I would have moved up to Expert I would have been up against far more expensive equipment and I just wasn’t able to afford a winning machine at that time.”
Hennen’s first major win came at Daytona International Speedway in 1974 when he set the fastest qualifying time and won the junior event on a Ron Grant-sponsored Yamaha over a talent-laden field that included riders such as Wes Cooley, Pee Wee Gleason, Hank Scott and Randy Cleek. Hennen went on to win the Junior races at Loudon, New Hampshire, Monterey, California, and Talladega, Alabama, and ended 1974 as the AMA’s top-ranked Junior road racer.
Hennen gained further experience and confidence when he raced during the off-season in New Zealand and Australia where he scored some very strong finishes, including a podium in Australia’s Bathurst Grand Prix. He earned the New Zealand Marlboro Championship in both 1974 and ’75.
In 1975, Hennen became an expert and began a very rapid rise in his career. He signed as a factory rider with Suzuki. Mechanical issues often kept Hennen from showing his true potential, but he showed signs of brilliance by qualifying first at the road race national in Ontario, California. His best finish that season was fifth at Laguna Seca. Hennen was also part of the American team for the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. That year, the United States won over Great Britain for the first time.
Hennen shocked a lot of racing fans when he scored third in the 1976 Daytona 200 on a Suzuki TR-750 triple behind winner and world champion Johnny Cecotto and second-place Gary Nixon, a former AMA national champ. Hennen remained humble in spite of his excellent finish, saying after the race that he was just honored to be on the same podium with Cecotto and Nixon. Hennen also scored runner-up to Kenny Roberts in the Lightweight race at Daytona.
No matter how unexpected Hennen’s 1976 Daytona 200 finish was, it paled in comparison to what he pulled off in Imatra, Finland on August 1, 1976. That was the day that Hennen raced into history by winning the Finish Grand Prix to become the first American rider to win a World Championship 500cc Grand Prix road race. So unexpected was his victory in Finland that organizers didn’t have a sound track of the U.S. national anthem. Hennen wore a cowboy hat on the podium – a tribute to his father who was once a professional rodeo cowboy – much to the delight of the European photographers.
“My friend, Tepi [Lansivuori], helped me win that race,” Hennen said in a 1977 interview. “That was his home track. I had some problems in practice and didn’t get many laps. He let me follow him in practice to learn the place. It’s a long street circuit, about four miles around, and even where it’s straight there’s a jump. You could just go over it or use it as a launching pad. Tepi showed me that among other things.”
In the race, Hennen battled with Lansivuori and Giacomo Agostini before coming out on top on his Suzuki GB RG500.
Hennen scored two other podium finishes in 1976 and finished ranked third in the world championships. He was now truly an international racing star. Hennen quickly became a fan favorite. He was always accessible and his modest and soft-spoken manner endeared him to Europeans.
In 1977, Hennen scored a victory in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone riding a Suzuki. He took four other podium finishes and once again finished third in the final world standings.
In 1978 Hennen was coming into his prime. He opened the season with a dominating performance in the Trans-Atlantic Match Races, regularly beating Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene in the process of becoming the top scorer in the prestigious event. He then proceeded to win the Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama and took the world championship points lead.
“All I heard when I went to the GPs in 1978 was that I had to beat Barry Sheene,” Roberts said. “I was surprised when it turned out that Pat was the rider to beat that year. He was a very steady rider. You felt good racing hard against him. He didn’t do anything spectacular or crazy. He was just solid and fast.”
Roberts won the next three rounds and the two Americans were separated by only a single point atop the world championship standings when tragedy struck Hennen at the Isle of Man TT.
Hennen did the TT to please his British sponsor. A crash there left him with a career-ending head injury. He would recover over time, but suffered lasting effects from the injury and never returned to racing. Hennen’s rival Kenny Roberts would go on to win the championship that year to become the first American to win the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship.
In spite of being forced out of racing in the prime of his career, Hennen left a strong legacy. His victory in Finland in 1976 was a seminal event in the history of American racing. It helped change the face of GP racing and opened the door for many American riders who followed in Hennen’s footsteps.
When inducted in 2007, Hennen still resided in Northern California and continued working in the motorcycling industry. He became a devout Christian and is active in church activities. Hennen said that the great people he met along the way in motorcycle racing was the best aspect of his career in the sport.
John Hopkins (74) chasing Fabio Quartararo on board Ohvale mini racebikes at Apex Racing Center in Perris, California, in 2023. Photo courtesy Ohvale USA.
FIM Mini Cup USA has scheduled a special launch event Thursday, April 11 at the kart track at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas, as part of the lead-up to the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas MotoGP weekend. It’s open to the public.
Scheduled to attend the event include American Racing Team’s John Hopkins, Marcos Ramirez, and Joe Roberts along with special guests Roland Sands and Ryan Villapoto and FIM Mini Cup USA participants.
The FIM Mini Cup USA launch event is scheduled to run from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time.
In addition, Ohvale USA, the promoter of FIM Mini Cup USA, will have a vendor setup at COTA with an Ohvale racebike simulator, Roberts’ merchandise and copies of Hopkins’ book for sale, and multiple autograph signings.
John Hopkins (left), the Managing Director of Ohvale USA, with Kruz Maddison (right), the son of FMX rider Robbie Maddison. Photo courtesy Ohvale USA.
Welcome to the thrill-seekers’ saloon: MotoGP™ saddles up in Texas
22 riders. 300 horsepower each. Are you ready to rodeo?
Monday, 08 April 2024
Last time Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) led the World Championship, it didn’t last long as part of a rollercoaster duel to the end of the season. But this time, the hunter will remain the hunted not only from the conclusion of the Portuguese Grand Prix until the next round, but also until at least after the Tissot Sprint at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. 18 points doesn’t mean he can relax in this rodeo – it never does in the world’s most exciting sport – but it does mean he’s now holding quite a few cards as the paddock heads stateside for Round 3.
THE CHASERS
Closest to Martin heading to COTA is Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), whose season so far has consistently been one spent at the front barring that one DNF in the Sprint in Portugal. He’ll be the first looking to cut the gap back down, and looking to get back on the podium as a bare minimum.
Then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). One of only three riders in the field who’ve won at COTA and close to Martin’s tail by the end of the GP race in Portugal, the ‘Beast’ will want to come out swinging and show Qatar was most definitely a blip. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) arrives fresh from his first premier class podium and still very much riding a wave of fully deserved hype. Can he maintain the roll at COTA and finish as top RC16 again? Or more? Binder won his third race, so that’s one milestone on the line in a fight that’s fast mixing overtakes and pride in the KTM/GASGAS camp. Binder will also want to make his own statement in that.
PECCO vs MARQUEZ: PT1
There was already plenty to talk about in the fight just behind the top three in Portugal, even before *that* moment. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) didn’t find that step he had done in Qatar, and that was interesting in itself. Then came Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), in the #1’s postcode in 2024 despite Pecco’s domination at the venue the season before. But there’s even more.
From Bagnaia’s perspective, beating Marc Marquez in the way he tried to last Sunday was exactly what he had to do to take his first win. Lap after lap, the two disappeared at the front at Aragon in 2021: Marquez’ backyard, a talisman track. Bagnaia rolled on as the number 93 loomed, dropped back a couple of metres, and then loomed again. Over the last three laps, Marc Marquez made seven attempts at overtaking the now-two-time MotoGP™ champion ahead of him, and Bagnaia repelled all of them with perfect judgement of where the move was coming and how he needed to respond to brush it off. That’s consistently been one of his calling cards. So why change what worked a dream before?
From Marquez’ perspective, it’s a shorter term question: why change what worked a dream on Saturday? Sure, it may be a different rider, with a slightly different playbook, but it’s equally understandable to expect the same or a similar result when you make the same move. And it was clean enough. Going when he did, and not waiting for the final lap, also likely made the #93 more confident of success, thinking it was even less expected than it seemed it had been on Saturday. But this time round, there was a response, and the two lines crossed as the two Champions collided.
REVENGE: A DISH BEST SERVED AT COTA?
The judgement from the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards was racing incident. The fact you can make both cases and, ignoring one, make the other sound like the whole truth and nothing but, makes it hard to argue with that call from a neutral perspective. But Bagnaia and Marquez will remain partisan, and now the race is on to come out on top next time the two share a racetrack. In a battle, in pure pace, however it may be.
So now, we have an eight-time World Champion with seven wins at COTA, plus one comeback from dead last to sixth, looking to show that it’s not him in Bagnaia’s postcode, it’s the #1 trespassing on his. Especially here, a track that used to simply have Marquez pencilled next to victory as a formality. On a different bike, against different rivals, is an eighth about to prove a point, and at his 250th GP? Meanwhile Bagnaia, after stunning speed in the Sprint to win before a crash out the lead on Sunday at COTA last year, knows just how sweet it would be to prove the exact opposite. At a talisman track, just like Aragon.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
So what of the other drama in Portugal? Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) became a Tissot Sprint winner in style on Saturday, moving through to the front and then giving Martin no right to reply. He was also just about close enough coming out of the final corner on the penultimate lap on Sunday to at least still be looking for an opportunity to do the double. But it wasn’t to be as a late technical issue took the chance and those 20 points away, and they were 20 points that would have put him third in the standings. Can COTA bring some redemption, less for man and instead for machine? Teammate Aleix Espargaro, meanwhile, will want more too after a difficult weekend in Portugal looking for more pace, and Austin would be a statement place to find it after a tougher track record at the venue for the #41.
At Trackhouse Racing, Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez will both be looking for more on track, but the spotlight is guaranteed off it as the new American team prepare to race on home soil for the first time. Their bikes will be in downtown Austin, the sister NASCAR team will do a demo lap, the flags will be flying and the fans excited to see that incredible livery up close and personal. It’s also Raul Fernandez’ 100th GP so there will be plenty to celebrate.
ON THE MOVE
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a pretty successful Sunday he can use as a springboard to try and home in on the podium fight, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) wrung a solid result out on the Algarve too as Yamaha look for more progress. They’ve confirmed they’ll continue doing so with ‘El Diablo’ too as the Frenchman has been announced as staying for another two seasons. On the other side of the box, teammate Alex Rins will want to stay the course over race distance in the coming weekends, but this one in particular will be very interesting after the number 42 won in awesome style in Austin last season. It was also only his third weekend on the Honda. Now it’s his third weekend on the Yamaha, and his speed at COTA across the classes has been proven on plenty of occasions, as well as on two different premier class machines.
There were some positive signs for Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in Portugal too as the number #72 took sixth on Sunday after a really tough opener. It’s not victory but it’s a step towards it, onto more familiar turf. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), meanwhile, may well have crashed out early on Sunday last time out, but considering he missed all of pre-season due to the training crash he suffered at the very same venue, his speed itself was pretty noteworthy on the Algarve. Can he take another step in Austin?
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) should be noted for some positives from Portugal too, the 2020 Champion taking P12 but with quite some daylight ahead of the other Hondas, led by Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda LCR). The task is a group project to move forward for the Japanese factory, but the squabble for supremacy within had a very clear victor last time out. Mir also only had Quartararo ahead of him of those machines with the most concessions under the new system. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) also had a notable step forward last time out, just missing out on the top ten in a close finish behind Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).
LOOKING FOR MORE
‘Diggia’ is one looking for his Qatar speed and form over the latter half of 2023, and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) is another after he’d had Mir’s number in Qatar, although he is very new to the bike, and so far has the edge on fellow Honda debutant Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team). Marini will hope that the venue where he took his first premier class podium, thanks to both form and memories, will prove a turning point as he adapts to a new machine.
Last but by no means least, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had a slightly AWOL weekend in Portugal, 13th in the Sprint and then crashing early on Sunday. Given his successes last season and a solid opener in Qatar, he’d be the first to say that the target is much more. Can he lock on target for a quick bounce back in Austin? We’re about to find out.
A new Championship leader with a gap that presents a conundrum between push and manage. A South African on the verge of becoming the rider from his nation with most podiums, with a point to prove on his machine as well as to the rest. A rookie whose point is already somewhat proven, a ‘Beast’ finding even more beauty… and a bubbling rivalry between two riders with a combined 11 world titles, one of whom saddles up with seven COTA trophies already nestled in his trophy cabinet. It’s time for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. Surely, we’ll see you there?
TISSOT SPRINT: 15:00 (UTC -5) on Saturday
GRAND PRIX RACE: 14:00 on Sunday
What’s happening at the #AmericasGP
Wednesday welcomes MotoGP™ back stateside in style, with a couple of events in downtown Austin. First, the Texas Governor’s Mansion – near the State Capitol – will welcome Trackhouse Racing bikes and riders for a photo opportunity at 15:30.
The Trackhouse MotoGP™ showbike will then be displayed at the Revival Cycles store on South Congress Avenue, an Austin icon in itself.
There’s plenty to talk about on Thursday. First, the podcast will welcome Brad Binder for a longer catch up after a great start to the season for the South African. Then, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will be joined by CCO Dan Rossomondo and CSO Carlos Ezpeleta in a press conference at 12:00 local time to talk about the exciting news revealed last week that Liberty Media is to acquire MotoGP™.
Then, the first rider press conference sees Championship leader Jorge Martin joined by Brad Binder and Enea Bastianini, before the second welcomes Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta and Fabio Quartararo.
At 12:00, the new-look MiniCUP USA will also take over COTA kart track to celebrate a new era for the Cup, with a few VIPs set to attend as the FIM MiniGP World Series competition showcases the stars of tomorrow on the Road to MotoGP™.
During the weekend proper, there are a few awesome side dishes too. A NASCAR Trackhouse car will head out for an exhibition lap after MotoGP™ Qualifying on Saturday at 11:35, and the King of the Baggers will have their second round of 2024 at COTA. Check out the time schedule below to see how they fit in to an awesome weekend of action in Austin.
Aron Canet (44) leads Joe Roberts (16) and Manuel Gonzalez (18). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto2™: can Canet keep the lead at COTA?
Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) waited a long time for his maiden Moto2™ win, but when it came it was in some style, and for the Championship lead. That’s something he’ll want to double down on at COTA, a track where he’s won in Moto3™ and once been on pole by nearly a whole second. In the dry. With his Moto2™ victory duck broken, can he rediscover that Texas pace?
Home hero Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) will be looking to impress again on home turf after taking second last time out, and fellow Algarve podium finisher Manuel Gonzalez (QJMotor Gresini Moto2™) will want to show he’s here to stay at the front. The biggest threat, however, despite neither being near the top of the Championship as it stands, may well be the Beta Tools SpeedUp pairing of Qatar GP winner Alonso Lopez and pre-season title favourite Fermin Aldeguer.
It’s been bad luck and trouble for both to varying degrees so far. Lopez won Qatar and then crashed out the lead in Portugal. Aldeguer went the opposite way to many on tyre choice in Qatar and failed to even score… and then jumped the start in Portugal. But that didn’t end the show, it started it. The number 54 went on an incredible charge to come back from the requisite two Long Laps given for the jump start, getting his elbows out in the podium fight before ultimately being forced to settle for fourth. If both avoid drama, they’re likely to take some beating at COTA.
Tune in for more awesome Moto2™ action at the Americas GP at 12:15 local time (UTC -5) to see who hits next!
Daniel Holgado (96) leads David Alonso (80), Riccardo Rossi (54), and the rest of the Moto3 field. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Moto3™: who can make their mark in Austin?
After a masterclass from David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) at Round 1, the Colombian was missing from the podium in Portugal as three key rivals hit back. Two stayed out of trouble after a more dramatic Qatar GP, but one simply went one better: Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). That puts Holgado in the Championship lead, with Alonso looking to overhaul a seven-point gap in second.
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) were the two who took their first podiums of the season on the Algarve, and after their Round 1 drama was also shared. Rueda will want to show he’s got staying power at the front and try and take that first win at COTA, whereas Ortola will be looking to go back-to-back. Last season, he took his maiden win at the track and in serious style, pulling off a miracle save and then charging back up the order. Can he do it again to cut that 22 point gap to the top as we arrive at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas? We’ll find out on Sunday at 11:00 (UTC -5)!
Pedro Acosta (31), as seen in Portugal. Photo courtesy Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Racing.
TEXAS BOUND! RED BULL GASGAS TECH3’S COWBOYS ARE READY FOR THE AMERICAN RODEO
American rodeo time! It is that time of the year for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, as the team is heading to Austin in Texas for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, the third round of the 2024 MotoGP™ World Championship. After two weeks away from the circuits due to the cancellation of the Grand Prix of Argentina, Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez will be eager to challenge themselves on their RC16s, on the very physical Circuit Of The Americas.
Two weeks should have allowed MotoGP™ rookie Pedro Acosta to come down from cloud nine after the nineteen year-old became the third youngest rider in the history of the championship to stand on a MotoGP™ podium, after he brilliantly finished third of the Portuguese Grand Prix, on his second race. Yet, another challenge awaits MotoGP™’s number 31 this week, as COTA’s bumps, its 20 corners and changes of directions make the American layout one of the most physically challenging of the season. Although the young Shark’s fast adaptation to the queen category has been impressive, it will be interesting to witness how he gets on with COTA on the MotoGP™ machine, on a circuit that he particularly enjoys after he won the edition in Moto2™ last season.
On his side, Augusto Fernandez holds good memories from the Red Bull Grand Prix of Americas after he signed off his first MotoGP™ Top 10 last season in Austin. The least we can say is that last season’s MotoGP™ race was chaotic, but the number 37 made it through the chaos to finish P10 on what was his fourth race in the category at the time. Time has flown by since then, and the Spaniard has been facing a challenging start to his 2024 campaign, but being back on a circuit where he performed well last season will surely give him an extra boost of confidence, as he continues his pursuit to reuniting with a good feeling on his GASGAS RC16.
America, we can not wait for the show to start! Track action will start on Friday with Free Practice 1 at 10:45 (GMT-5), followed later on in the afternoon with the one-hour Practice from 15:00 to 16:00. Can Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 cowboys secure a Q2 ticket with a top 10 finish on Friday? The action will then resume on the following day with a Super Saturday as we love them. Acosta and Fernandez will hit the track with Free Practice 2 at 10:10 local time, just before the qualifying sessions kick off at 10:50. At 15:00 local time, la crème de la crème of MotoGP™ will line up on the grid for the Tissot Sprint for a ten lap-shootout. Then it will all come down to Sunday as the main race is scheduled at 14:00 for twenty-laps. Will there be a new cowboy in town? We can not wait to find out!
Pedro Acosta
Championship: 5th
Points: 28
“We are heading to Austin after a very good weekend in Portugal. I have had time to train well and assimilate the last race, seeing what we did well and what we did wrong. COTA is a very nice circuit but one where we will have to work hard to continue with our main objectives. Let’s go for it!”
Augusto Fernandez
Championship: 16th
Points: 5
“After the first two rounds which were not easy, I am looking forward to going to Austin, to continue working, improving and recovering our feeling with the bike. COTA is amazing, very spectacular and I really enjoy riding there, so I am pleased to be back in the USA. Let’s continue to work hard, and get back to our level very soon.”
Nicolas Goyon
Team Manager
“It is that time of the year to give a visit to Uncle Sam’s country for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. It is going to be a very important round for the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team, as we share the same title sponsor as the event. In addition, the United States of America is a huge market for GASGAS, represented by local superstar Justin Barcia in supercross, so we know that we will have eyes on us. Austin is an atypical circuit, it is the first left hand-sided layout of the season, and its 20 corners make it the circuit with the most turns. Beyond everything else, it is one of the most physical races of the calendar, because riders have to deal with bumps and numerous changes of direction. Austin will be a proper test for our rookie Pedro Acosta. Our young star got a dream start to his MotoGP career, after he went on the podium after just two races. This round is not easy, but he won last year in Moto2 and he will be coming with good confidence, so we are looking forward to observing his evolution this weekend. Augusto Fernandez is in the process of regaining his confidence, which is what he did in Portimao. Last year, the weekend in Austin was very tricky for him, but after a chaotic race, he ended in the points and was first of the Pierer Mobility bikes, so I am sure that it will give him confidence. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get the show going!”
Here are complete ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge and Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic regional sprint race results from the April 6-7 event at Carolina Motorsports Park, in Kershaw, South Carolina.
ASRA’s next event is April 27-28 at the newly repaved New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, New Jersey.
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