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WorldSBK: Championship Resumes This Coming Weekend At Catalunya

David Swarts
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WorldSBK: Championship Resumes This Coming Weekend At Catalunya

Destination Barcelona: WorldSBK gears up for its 450th Round

What to look out for in Barcelona

World SBK

The Supported Test, held on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, provided the WorldSBK grid with the opportunity to prepare for the Pirelli Catalunya Round.

It was Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega who dominated the Supported Test, having been fastest on both days of action.

Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes arrived in Barcelona leading the standings, closely followed by Rookie Nicolo Bulega.

The current Championship leader, Alex Lowes, is yet to clinch his first victory at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, the home race for Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) boasts mastery of the Catalan track with six wins to his name. His teammate, Nicolo Bulega, aims to maintain his strong season start and translate his efforts from the Supported Test into success.

After grappling with injury-related challenges at the Australian Round, Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) seeks to regain his pre-season form with the Yamaha YZF R1 at a circuit where he has secured two podium finishes. Teammate Andrea Locatelli, currently third in the standings, is determined to bounce back with a strong result after a technical issue prevented him from contending for victory in Race 2 of the Australian Round.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is poised to debut at the Catalan venue with BMW. He had a successful Supported Test prior to the Round, which suggests that he will be among the fastest during the event. Meanwhile, teammate Michael van Der Mark has previously clinched a victory at this track with a different manufacturer. Together, they will focus on adapting their BMW M 1000 RR to the circuit and aim for a strong performance.

Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) have both also tasted victory at this circuit. While Team HRC’s duo, Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona, the latter returning from injury sustained at Phillip Island, are focused on enhancing their performance for their home round.

More on worldsbk.com

WorldSBK | KEY STAT

Six different winners came out of 12 races run here so far: in 2022 Alvaro Bautista went from zero wins to the track record of three, doubling up last year, ending up at six. The only other rider to have more than one win here is Jonathan Rea at two.

WorldSSP

Yari Montella leads Championship charge into Pirelli Catalunya Round

What to look out for in Barcelona

Following his double win at Phillip Island, Yari Montella heads into the Pirelli Catalunya Round as the Supersport World Championship points leader, aiming to improve upon last year’s finishes at Barcelona, where he ended outside the top 10.

Marcel Schroetter will be a strong contender at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, building on his solid Australian campaign and impressive podium records at the Spanish circuit.

All eyes will be on Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), a double race winner, as he enters Barcelona. Having secured all three of his victories in Australia, Montella will be eager to affirm his status as a title contender with another strong performance in Barcelona. MV Agusta had a commendable weekend at the 2023 Catalunya Round, clinching a victory and achieving three podium finishes throughout the event. Following his impressive showing in the season’s opening round, where he secured two podium finishes, Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) is one to watch out for.

The Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team, with a previous race win in Barcelona, holds the potential for another solid result, particularly with Adrian Huertas, who finished on the podium in the preceding race. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), starting his 2024 season with a second-place finish in Race 1, will be eager to rebound from his DNF in Race 2 at Phillip Island. Having finished on the podium in 2023, he remains a contender for victory. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) also boasts a podium finish at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2022 and is determined to demonstrate his return to competitiveness after missing most of the 2023 season due to injury.

Charging into competition: WorldSSP300 set for 2024 season kickoff

The 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season ushers in a period of intense competition as riders prepare for fierce battles and thrilling races on the global stage, starting with the Pirelli Catalunya Round at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya. With competitors hailing from renowned manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, and Kove, each showcasing their distinct strengths and innovations, anticipation builds for an exhilarating showdown on the track in the upcoming WorldSSP300 season.

Grid updates

Reigning champion Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing) sets out on a mission to defend his title after securing back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2023, making him the only two-time champion in the category. Transitioning to KTM, Buis seeks to etch his legacy deeper into WorldSSP300 history amidst a field of formidable competitors.

Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki) emerges as one of the main competitors to Jeffrey Buis’s reign. Joining Buis’ former team, MTM Kawasaki, alongside Loris Veneman, Gennai brings his four-time race-winning prowess to the Championship, aiming to challenge the reigning champion’s dominance. Among the returning contenders are race winners from the 2023 season, including Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia), Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse), and Jose Manuel Osuna Saez (DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team). While Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki) also clinched victories as a wildcard entrant in the previous season, he returns full-time to the championship, as does Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki).

New regulations

In line with WorldSSP, the WorldSSP300 category experiences notable shifts in scheduling, with a significant change being the determination of grids for Race 2 based on the fastest laps recorded in Race 1. Additionally, the Tissot Superpole sessions occur on Friday following a morning Free Practice session.

Ducati Wins In Motocross Racing Debut

David Swarts
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Ducati Wins In Motocross Racing Debut

Historic debut of the Ducati Desmo450 MX in the Italian Motocross Championship

The Borgo Panigale prototype, ridden by Alessandro Lupino, wins race one and finishes second overall in the debut of Ducati in Motocross

The results in Mantua confirm the validity of the technical base of the Desmo450 MX prototype, competing in the Italian Prestige Championship, to develop the bike which will go into production in 2025

Mantua, 17 March 2024 – The Ducati Desmo450 MX ridden by Alessandro Lupino has taken pole position and victory on its debut in the Motocross Pro-Prestige MX1 Italian Championship, finishing second overall in the first round of 2024. The prototype marks Ducati’s entry into specialist off-road racing and represents the first step in a project that will see the birth of a complete range of off-road motorcycles, developed on the most demanding of race tracks.

In the first round of the Italian MX1 Championship, held on the International Circuit of Mantua, the eight-time Italian Champion, after having set the best benchmark both in free practice and in qualifying, led the opening heat from the first to the last lap. In the second heat, after a difficult start, Lupino finished seventh after a great comeback, sealing the second overall place in the round.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding: “This weekend in Mantua we wrote another chapter in the history of Ducati. Alessandro Lupino and our team gave us some great fun and, despite it being the first motocross race in our recent history, we immediately demonstrated outstanding performance. Best time in free practice, pole and victory in the first heat are truly a debut that lives up to expectations: we have gathered a lot of information which will be fundamental to best develop the bike that will be available to all enthusiasts next year. Congratulations to Alessandro and our entire off-road team, a fantastic start to a new story of sport and passion.”

Alessandro Lupino, official rider of the Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team: “These were two very exciting days, my debut with the Ducati was truly a dream: they told me it would be, but today I experienced it! Feeling like a Ducatista is a truly special sensation. Congratulations to all the guys who worked on this project, because in a very short time they created a spectacular bike, with a lot of potential, doing an incredible job. Together we wrote a page of history: first pole and first heat victory for the Ducati Desmo450 MX. Unfortunately, the second heat didn’t go as I would have liked: I got the start wrong and wasn’t able to recover. But that’s okay, now the engineers have the data to analyse two completely different situations!”

Sunday’s two heats allowed Ducati engineers to collect the first important data to continue the development of the Desmo450 MX which, upon its debut, has confirmed the validity of the technical base of the prototype. The focus of the Ducati Off-Road project is a combination of the search for lightness pushed to the extreme, top-of-the-line components and engines characterized by a very broad delivery curve. The latter is obtained thanks to the utilization of the Desmodromic system, used on all the sports bikes of the Borgo Panigale company starting from MotoGP. Ducati is in fact the only company in the world that uses the same valve return system on its highest performing production motorcycles as it uses on racing prototypes.

The next round of the Italian Motocross Championship is scheduled for 27 and 28 April on the Cingoli (MC) circuit. In the meantime, the tests of the Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team will continue together with Alessandro Lupino and Tony Cairoli, present in Mantua to support the eight-time Italian Motocross Champion.

#Ducati #Desmo450MX

MotoGP: Ducati Signs Aldeguer For 2025 And Beyond

David Swarts
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MotoGP: Ducati Signs Aldeguer For 2025 And Beyond

Ducati Corse Announces Two-Season MotoGP Agreement with Fermín Aldeguer

The Spanish rider has signed an agreement that will see him ride a Desmosedici GP starting in 2025

Ducati Corse and Fermín Aldeguer are thrilled to announce their agreement, which will see the Spanish rider move up to MotoGP from the Moto2 category in 2025. Fermín will ride a Desmosedici GP for the next two years, with the option to extend the contract for another two years.

Aged 18, Aldeguer, hailing from La Ñora (Murcia, Spain), made his debut in the World Championship in 2021 directly in the Moto2 category, and he ended seventh in his debut race at Mugello (Italian GP). In 2022, Fermín completed his first entire season, and last year, he claimed his maiden victory and secured a third-place finish in the riders’ standings with five wins (four consecutive victories in the final four races), seven podium finishes, and three pole positions.

This year, Aldeguer continues to establish himself as one of the key contenders in the Moto2 World Championship, which commenced recently with the Qatar GP at the Lusail International Circuit.

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)

“I would like to welcome Fermín to the Ducati family warmly, and we can’t wait to see him riding our Desmosedici GP. I am thrilled with this agreement because Aldeguer is one of the strongest riders in the new generation of MotoGP. Over the last few years, we have followed his evolution; during the last season, he showed incredible speed. He is a very young guy with the potential and characteristics to do well, and we will give him all the technical support to help him grow.”

Fermín Aldeguer

“I’m ecstatic to have this opportunity; thanks to Ducati, I’ll realise the dream I’ve pursued since childhood. The time has arrived to take the big leap and compete with the world’s finest riders, and what’s more, I’ll be doing it with the best bike on the grid. I want to express my gratitude to Ducati, especially to Gigi Dall’Igna, for their faith in me from the beginning of our discussions. I extend my thanks to Luca Boscoscuro for everything we’ve shared and for what lies ahead of us this year. I’m also grateful to my family, my manager, Héctor Faubel, and everyone who, in one way or another, has contributed to my journey here. Now that I know what the future holds, it’s time to focus solely on this season, where I face a significant challenge in Moto2. I’ll give my all to leave this category with my head held high, aiming for the best possible results before embarking on the new adventure in MotoGP.”

American Shedden Racing In CIV PreMoto3 Italian National Championship

David Swarts
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American Shedden Racing In CIV PreMoto3 Italian National Championship

American Shedden Racing in Italy’s CIV Italian Speed Championship PreMoto3

JESSE JAMES SHEDDEN RETURNS WITH ITALIAN BIERRETI RACING FOR THE CIV ITALIAN SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP

After a successful 2023 Italian CIV Aprilia Sport Production series effort, American Jesse James Shedden will be able to return and compete in the increasing competitive PreMoto3 Championship with Bierreti Racing. He will race a Honda NSF250R new to Italy but seen in many established talent cups such as the European Talent Cup, Asia Talent Cup, and similar international youth series.  

HELENDALE, CA – Jesse James Shedden has returned with the premier Italian Bierreti Racing Team to compete in the CIV Italian Speed Championship onboard a Honda NSF250R. Jesse James notched multiple wins (3 wins and 5 podiums) aboard the Aprilia during the Aprilia Championship series, finishing 3rd of the championship. He is ready to handle unfinished business on board the Honda NSF250R and return home with an Italian Championship, against some of Italy’s top young racers. Signing with the Bierreti Racing team again sends a strong message to competitors that Jesse James is focused on winning.

Bierreti Racing has successfully competed in CIV, CEV, and FIM series, with multiple champions racing under the Bierreti Team name. Most recently, Aprilia Sport Production series and the CIV Junior series. A premier team in the paddock, Bierreti has years of experience to offer the 15-year-old American.

 

American Jesse James Shedden and his new Bierreti Racing Honda NSF250R. Photo by Snap Shot Foto/www.fotomoto.it, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.
American Jesse James Shedden and his new Bierreti Racing Honda NSF250R. Photo by Snap Shot Foto/www.fotomoto.it, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.

 

RIDER QUOTE

Shedden: “I’m really happy to race in the CIV Italian Speed Championship and to be back with Bierreti Racing. The team motivation is very high, and I feel pumped. I can’t wait to get on the Honda NSF250R. I have really high hopes for this bike being a stepping stone to the world stage of MotoGP. The Honda NSF250R is the bike to be on and Bierreti Racing is the team I know has the most knowledge and always works at the top, as shown by the past results. It will be a pleasure for me to work with them, especially to grow and improve. It’s going to be a great season.”

TEAM QUOTE

Guilia Strumble: “Jesse has a remarkable talent and left a strong impression in his first season in Italy with our team.  We were happy to welcome him in the Aprilia Sport Production championship and we are even happier to have him in the Italian Speed Championship with the Honda NSF250R this year. The way he improved is outstanding. We cannot wait to see how his progress will take us further down the road in one of the most competitive championships in the world.”

Jesse James Shedden will continue with sponsors who have supported him during national racing in the U.S., including: Bierreti Racing, Fresh N Lean, KYT Helmets, Alpinestars, Dunlop Tires, ASV Inventions, TechSpec Tank Grips, Suspension Matters, Yoshimura R&D, Produkte Designs, RJR Motorsports, VNM Sport, Galfer, and Cardiff.

CIV Dunlop Italian Speed Series Championship Schedule:

ROUND 1: 6-7 April 2024; Misano

ROUND 2: 25-26 May 2024; Vallelunga

ROUND 3: 22-23 June 2024; Mugello

ROUND 4: 3-4 August 2024; Misano (Racing Night)

ROUND 5: 31 August 1 September 2024; Mugello

ROUND 6: 28-29 September 2024; Imola

For more information on the CIV Italian Speed Series Championship, please visit: CIV | Italian Speed Championship

European Talent Cup: Change Of Teams For American Mikey Lou Sanchez

David Swarts
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European Talent Cup: Change Of Teams For American Mikey Lou Sanchez

American talent Mikey Lou Sanchez joins Finetwork MIR Racing Team to make his European Talent Cup debut in 2024

Mikey Lou Sanchez, a young talent born on 11 May 2010 in Texas (USA), joins the Finetwork and MIR Racing young talent program, after a 2023 season in which he was one of the great revelations of the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, with a total of 5 victories and 7 podiums in the Promo3 category. This served to attract the attention of the organization of the championship managed by Impormotor Group, who invited him to an exclusive test in Almeria in mid-February and already excelled in his first contact with the bike of the European Talent Cup.

Therefore, and after the positive feedback received from the staff of the team led by Javi Martinez, the Texas rider will participate in a total of 4 events in the ETC 2024, seeking to make it compatible with his participation in the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, where last year he was runner-up in Promo3. Once he reaches the minimum age to make his debut with the Finetwork MIR Racing Team, he will race at Barcelona, Portimao, Aragon and Valencia, with the aim of taking the pulse of the category and being able to fight for the title, with a full race program in 2025.

The incorporation of Mikey Lou as official rider of the Finetwork MIR Racing Team, together with the debut of Joel Pons last year in the ETC and the one that Pablo Olivares will make this year as a reward for the title achieved in 2023, only reinforces the commitment of Finetwork, MIR Racing and Impormotor with the young talents development program from the base to the elite of motorcycling. In this way, it reaffirms itself as a unique program in the sport of two wheels, putting at their disposal the best resources and technicians with experience in the MotoGP World Championship so that they can reach the World Championship with an unprecedented preparation.

In this way, the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup is positioned as a benchmark in which to participate if you want to complete the full path to the World Championship and, proof of this, is that 3 riders of the cup have raced with our FIM JuniorGP team, becoming a real option for all talents who demonstrate their potential in the cup.

 

American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) in action during 2023. Photo courtesy Finetwork MIR Racing Team.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) in action during 2023. Photo courtesy Finetwork MIR Racing Team.

 

Mikey Lou Sanchez: “I am very happy to join such a professional team that has become a world reference in such a short time, which shows their ambition to win and what better way to be part of it. I am very grateful to Dani and Javi for the opportunity they have given me and I am sure we are going to achieve a lot of success together, I can’t wait to get started!”

Daniel Antón (CEO MIR Racing and Impormotor): “Since we took the reins of what was previously the Cuna de Campeones, we have wanted to make the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup the reference championship for young talents worldwide. Proving that the cup is the perfect stepping stone to the FIM JuniorGP, Joel Pons was able to make his debut with our team in the ETC in 2023. And this year, Pablo Olivares and now Mikey Lou, a young American rider with very promising potential who dazzled in the cup last season, will be able to debut with a professional team in the step prior to the MotoGP World Championship. We will continue to work every day to make the dreams of the Marc Márquez or Pedro Acosta of the future come true”. 

Javier Martínez (CEO Finetwork MIR Racing Team): “From the team we have always been clear that our mission is to do things differently from the rest and facilitate access to the elite of motorcycling with our own structure and methodology. Despite still being a young project, David Almansa has already achieved his dream of reaching the World Championship, thanks to all the work done since joining the team at the end of 2020, and we are convinced that the addition of Mikey Lou to our structure only reinforces our strong line-up of riders that promises a future full of success. In addition, MotoGP is opening up more and more to the United States, so working to develop and grow one of the most promising young talents in the United States is a very exciting challenge for the whole team”.

MotoAmerica: UtahSBA Hosting Mini Cup Qualifiers

David Swarts
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MotoAmerica: UtahSBA Hosting Mini Cup Qualifiers

Utah Sport Bike Association To Host Three Mini Cup Qualifiers At Utah Motorsports Campus

Mini Cup Racers In Utah Can Battle For Qualifying Spots In Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final

IRVINE, CA (March 18, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that the Utah Sport Bike Association (UtahSBA) will host three Mission Mini Cup By Motul qualifying races in Utah.

UtahSBA will host the three qualifiers at Utah Motorsports Campus in Grantsville, Utah. The first of those will be held on April 28 with the second and third races slated for May 19 and June 23, respectively.

The Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 9-11.

UtahSBA’s qualifiers will run the full slate of Mission Mini Cup By Motul classes: GP160, GP190, Street GP, Stock 50, Stock 110 and Stock 125.

“The Utah Sport Bike Association is incredibly excited to host multiple 2024 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup By Motul qualifier events,” said Joshua Fisher, UtahSBA’s Supermoto Competition Manager. “Our club was founded upon rider education and development, and we see this partnership as an opportunity to grow the skills and future of our young riders. Utah Motorsports Campus is a world class venue, and we look forward to bringing national level motorcycle talent back to the campus.”

For more information, visit https://utahsba.com/supermoto/

For more information about the Mini Cup series or club participation, please contact [email protected]

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+ 

AMA Supercross: Race Report And Video Highlights From Indianapolis

David Swarts
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AMA Supercross: Race Report And Video Highlights From Indianapolis

Jett Lawrence Wins Three in a Row with Indianapolis Supercross Victory

Cameron McAdoo Takes 250SX Class Win and Points Lead

Indianapolis, Ind., (March 17, 2024) Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence took the win, his fifth victory of the season, at Round 10 the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lawrence became the second 450SX Class racer to sweep a Triple Crown event, which uses the results from three 12-minute plus one lap races to determine an overall winner.

Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen took second place in Indy with (2-2-3) Race scores on a soft and rutted track that challenged the racers throughout the night. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton put in a strong charge in Race 3 and finished in third place overall with (3-3-2) Race scores. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo earned his first win of the season with (1-2-3) Race finishes.  

Jett Lawrence (18). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Jett Lawrence (18). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

 

“It was pretty cool, and Lars [Lindstrom] told me after the race that the last person [to sweep a Triple Crown] was Kenny and it was on a Honda, too. So it’s kind of cool to keep that ritual going with the Honda, going 1-1-1… That track was gnarly, it can kind of catch you at any moment. It was scary riding next to someone in the rhythm, because you’re just – you’re trying to stay as straight as possible and it just kind of, it could catch you off guard pretty quickly… The track was gnarly but I think it creates some good racing.” – Jett Lawrence, when asked about the track and about being the second rider ever to sweep a Triple Crown. 

“You kind of just play things by ear… Every time I jump a jump or whatever [the obstacle], I try to look ahead and make sure that I’m picking a good rut to do it. But that’s what makes it so tough – you just don’t know what you’re getting on the take-offs. And then the sand made it tough because it’s hard underneath, so it’s not like you can just blast the sand berm… Those are some tricky, tricky, tricky conditions, you know? And physically, also, because this dirt is so grabby, you’re just muscling the whole time… You’ve got so much traction, and it pulls you all sorts of directions, so that’s what made it just incredibly tough. But my starts were on point tonight and that helped me out big time.” – Ken Roczen, when asked about balancing speed vs. risk on the rutted, changing track.  

“I feel like tonight was overall a better result for me. My riding’s getting better and better every weekend. Didn’t have the hottest qualifying [times], but I showed up [at race time]. I mean, didn’t obviously get the win, but I feel like I rode pretty well tonight with my starts. [I] got a better start in the third Main, made it work somewhat, and overall [we’re] just trying to build every weekend. We’re still not where we want to be, we still have some adjustments we need to make, but overall [we’re] heading in the right direction and looking forward to these next couple rounds – another Triple Crown in St. Louis, [and] Seattle next weekend, so [we’re] looking forward to these next seven rounds and trying to build every one of them.” – Chase Sexton  

 

 

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class held its Round 5 and Cameron McAdoo took his third career Supercross win; it was his second Triple Crown overall victory. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle grabbed a second-place overall finish with (4-3-1) race scores in the 10-minute plus one lap Races. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan battled back from a first turn crash in Race 3 to capture third place overall in Indianapolis with (2-1-6) finishes. McAdoo takes over the points lead and therefore the red plate as the Eastern Regional 250SX Class takes three weekends off before returning to racing at the Foxborough Supercross on April 13th.  

 

Cameron McAdoo (63). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Cameron McAdoo (63). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

“It’s been a while since I got a win. They all feel so good… I’m just so grateful to be in this position, to be this healthy, to fight for this, and just to race my dirt bike. Like, that was what I live for, going into that third race tied on points and just that lock-in [of focus]. And like I’ve been saying all night, just [focusing on] being present where my feet are, and gosh, I’m just so proud of that one. I’ve had a long road, just as all of us have. Dirt bikes are tough, and they’re so rewarding, but I’m just so grateful for my family who’ve been with me. They love me just as much every time, whether I come home and win or [get] 15th or whatever it is. And this is just so special to get to do it in front of you guys. I’ve said it before, this is my dream. Shout out to my dad. He had to work today; he’s in construction and he’s only like an hour and a half away from here but he couldn’t make it so – love you, Pops. Shout out to all my people behind me, every time… This is so special. And a quote that I’ve really tried to live by lately is – my wife has a sign in our room that says, ‘These are the good old days,’ and I truly believe that, so I’m grateful for this. Thank you to Indy fans. I love this city… This one felt really good and these aren’t easy to come by so I’m gonna soak it in. [When McAdoo was told his race bike will run the red plate the next time he rides it] That gives me chills. That’s surreal to me, still. I’ve had it twice and, yeah, I’m just gonna keep working for this, and keep doing our best; Can’t wait to get home to my pup.” – Cameron McAdoo  

“Actually, it felt really good in the first moto, and then I had the crash in the whoops, so I was kind of frustrated. And I didn’t ride really good [in the] second one. I rode the best all day, I think, in the third one, and I’m pretty happy… The track was tough tonight, that’s for sure. I had a good start in the last [Race] and grabbed the win. After the crash [in the first Race] I was kind of frustrated, and I [said to myself that] I really wanna win the last one, and I was pretty happy with that one. I mean, we lost the red plate, and a couple of points, but [there are] still a lot of races to go; so we are still there in the fight and that’s what mattered tonight. And I’m really happy. I want to thank everyone here tonight who came to watch the race, and my team, sponsors, parents, family, everyone around me; thank you so much.” – Tom Vialle  

“It’s a little unfortunate but it’s racing, it happens… I’m not exactly sure how I hit it and just got spit in a 180… It’s unfortunate but you know we have three weeks off now. We’re going to work hard and I’m gonna come back swinging. We’ve got a lot of rounds left, we’ve got an East/West shootout, which I’m excited for, and the pace is getting there, man. It’s my first full week of training back and the pace is getting there; we’ve just got to keep improving… [I’m] just grateful to get on the podium and, you know [we’ll] keep pushing forward on these weeks off.” – Haiden Deegan, regarding his crash in Race 3 when his bike caught a Tuff Blox going into the first turn. 

 

 

The racers line up and do it again next Saturday, March 23rd inside Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington for Round 11 of the 450SX Class and Round 6 of the Western Regional 250SX Class. The Seattle Supercross will pay points toward both the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship.

Every Supercross and SuperMotocross round is available live and on-demand through PeacockTV. Select rounds will also be broadcast or streamed on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. International coverage is available through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) live and on-demand, in both English and Spanish.

The 2024 season continues the partnership between the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To join the great Love Moto Stop Cancer effort, please donate by going to supercrossLIVE.com/St-Jude or text “SUPER” to 785-833.

Tickets are available for each remaining Monster Energy Supercross event. For tickets, video highlights, event information, and more please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Sepang’s Tall Tales Of Testing

David Swarts
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0
Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Sepang’s Tall Tales Of Testing

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

This podcast is “Sepang’s Tall Tales Of Testing.”

The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.

 

From the Oxley Bom Podcast:

It’s time for the greatest test of the year, and the last one before the next MotoGP series starts! If you want to know what this season will look like, you need to be at Sepang. The bikes are new, the riders are ready and our hosts are right in the middle of it…

Oh yes, we’ve send Mat and Peter to Malaysia, and they’ve been very busy gathering every little bit of information they could get there hands on. Curious? Then grab a drink and turn up the volume, because it’s time for some tall tales of testing!

With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club, who wrote our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!    

WorldSBK: Bulega Quickest As Testing Concludes At Catalunya

David Swarts
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WorldSBK: Bulega Quickest As Testing Concludes At Catalunya

Bulega edged out Razgatlioglu on the second day of the Supported Test 

With just a razor-thin margin of 0.027 seconds, Bulega set a blistering pace, narrowly edging out Razgatlioglu by the end of Day 2, with both riders going under the lap record.

Rea showed significant improvement, securing fifth place and finishing only 0.6s behind Bulega’s best time. 

Bautista encountered obstacles, including a late crash at Turn 10, and finished the day more than a second behind the fastest time.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) showcased their prowess on Day 2 of the Supported Test, engaging in a tight battle with Bulega ultimately clinching the top spot by a mere 0.027s.

Meanwhile, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) displayed commendable pace, securing third position despite encountering technical issues and a crash earlier in the day. 
 
Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) showcased impressive performance, securing fourth place despite encountering an issue at Turn 5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) continued to build confidence, securing fifth place and finishing just 0.6s behind Bulega’s best time, indicating strong contention at the upcoming Round. Teammate Andrea Locatelli demonstrated resilience, overcoming knee pain from his Australia Race 2 highside to finish within the top six.

The day was not without drama as Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) led for Kawasaki despite two crashes, ultimately finishing in 9th place. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) suffered a late crash at Turn 10, disrupting his momentum, and finishing in 16th position by the day’s end.  Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) led the charge for Honda, demonstrating improvement after a challenging Day 1 for the manufacturer.
 
More on worldsbk.com

P1 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati

“We didn’t do anything special, just some different setups. We tried something different, but then in the end, we came back, especially after the small crash I had at Turn 1. We regained our feeling, so ultimately, it was a good test.

“I’m happy because my pace was also good. I did a great lap, but not in perfect conditions. Also, when I tried again with the second soft tyre, I made a mistake, and I was one tenth faster than my fastest time, but for just a test, it was good.”

The 2024 season continues with the Pirelli Catalunya Round, running from the 22nd to the 24th of March at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. 

 

WorldSBK_2024_Supported_Test_Combined_Results

PIERER Mobility AG Acquires Majority Stake In MV Agusta

David Swarts
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PIERER Mobility AG Acquires Majority Stake In MV Agusta

TIMUR SARDAROV: MV AGUSTA RELAUNCH PLAN NOW COMPLETE

PIERER Mobility AG acquires majority stake and initiates next industrial phase

Varese, March 15, 2024 – Timur Sardarov announces the successful completion of the 5-year plan to revitalize the company. His objective to bolster the historic Italian brand was completely fulfilled, resulting in stability and substantial advancement for the “Made in Schiranna” icon. During this period, measures have been taken to steady the company financially, and substantial improvements were made to both processes and products, while also ensuring job security in Varese.

The focus on quality and reliability has resulted in the consolidation of MV Agusta’s reputation and credibility among a growing global customer base. As a result, the company is now on track to achieve net profit for the first time in many years. In 2023 alone, MV Agusta introduced 5 new models, and all limited series were sold out within hours of their launch. Additionally, a new dealer network was established, further reinforcing the brand identity.

With this move, the Austrian group reaffirms its interest and commitment to the Schiranna brand, considering the strong results achieved in recent years under the guidance of the Sardarov family, who will maintain joint control and a 49.9% stake in the company.

With the early takeover of the majority and, as a commitment to the location and responsibility for the employees, Hubert Trunkenpolz, member of the executive board of PIERER Mobility AG, is taking over the role of CEO and Chairman from Timur Sardarov, who will continue to be available to the company as Vice-Chairman, brand ambassador and consultant.

Timur Sardarov commented: “MV Agusta embodies passion and a unique sense of romance that captivated me, a seasoned entrepreneur, from day one. The personal challenge of guiding the company out of crisis and steering it towards success through innovative business strategies, team expansion, and new product developments has been conquered. It is an honor to play a role in shaping MV Agusta’s legacy. Over the past five years, both the company and I have evolved significantly. Our growth together is a testament to the transformative journey we’ve shared. My time with MV Agusta has been a pivotal chapter in my life, filled with mutual joys and challenges. As I continue to serve as a dedicated Vice-Chairman, I am committed to supporting the company and its ongoing success.”

WorldSBK: Championship Resumes This Coming Weekend At Catalunya

Nicolo Bulega (11) and Andrea Iannone (29) battle for the lead at the start of a WorldSBK race at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Nicolo Bulega (11) and Andrea Iannone (29) battle for the lead at the start of a WorldSBK race at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Destination Barcelona: WorldSBK gears up for its 450th Round

What to look out for in Barcelona

World SBK

The Supported Test, held on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, provided the WorldSBK grid with the opportunity to prepare for the Pirelli Catalunya Round.

It was Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega who dominated the Supported Test, having been fastest on both days of action.

Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes arrived in Barcelona leading the standings, closely followed by Rookie Nicolo Bulega.

The current Championship leader, Alex Lowes, is yet to clinch his first victory at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, the home race for Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) boasts mastery of the Catalan track with six wins to his name. His teammate, Nicolo Bulega, aims to maintain his strong season start and translate his efforts from the Supported Test into success.

After grappling with injury-related challenges at the Australian Round, Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) seeks to regain his pre-season form with the Yamaha YZF R1 at a circuit where he has secured two podium finishes. Teammate Andrea Locatelli, currently third in the standings, is determined to bounce back with a strong result after a technical issue prevented him from contending for victory in Race 2 of the Australian Round.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is poised to debut at the Catalan venue with BMW. He had a successful Supported Test prior to the Round, which suggests that he will be among the fastest during the event. Meanwhile, teammate Michael van Der Mark has previously clinched a victory at this track with a different manufacturer. Together, they will focus on adapting their BMW M 1000 RR to the circuit and aim for a strong performance.

Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) have both also tasted victory at this circuit. While Team HRC’s duo, Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona, the latter returning from injury sustained at Phillip Island, are focused on enhancing their performance for their home round.

More on worldsbk.com

WorldSBK | KEY STAT

Six different winners came out of 12 races run here so far: in 2022 Alvaro Bautista went from zero wins to the track record of three, doubling up last year, ending up at six. The only other rider to have more than one win here is Jonathan Rea at two.

WorldSSP

Yari Montella leads Championship charge into Pirelli Catalunya Round

What to look out for in Barcelona

Following his double win at Phillip Island, Yari Montella heads into the Pirelli Catalunya Round as the Supersport World Championship points leader, aiming to improve upon last year’s finishes at Barcelona, where he ended outside the top 10.

Marcel Schroetter will be a strong contender at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, building on his solid Australian campaign and impressive podium records at the Spanish circuit.

All eyes will be on Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), a double race winner, as he enters Barcelona. Having secured all three of his victories in Australia, Montella will be eager to affirm his status as a title contender with another strong performance in Barcelona. MV Agusta had a commendable weekend at the 2023 Catalunya Round, clinching a victory and achieving three podium finishes throughout the event. Following his impressive showing in the season’s opening round, where he secured two podium finishes, Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) is one to watch out for.

The Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team, with a previous race win in Barcelona, holds the potential for another solid result, particularly with Adrian Huertas, who finished on the podium in the preceding race. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), starting his 2024 season with a second-place finish in Race 1, will be eager to rebound from his DNF in Race 2 at Phillip Island. Having finished on the podium in 2023, he remains a contender for victory. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) also boasts a podium finish at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2022 and is determined to demonstrate his return to competitiveness after missing most of the 2023 season due to injury.

Charging into competition: WorldSSP300 set for 2024 season kickoff

The 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season ushers in a period of intense competition as riders prepare for fierce battles and thrilling races on the global stage, starting with the Pirelli Catalunya Round at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya. With competitors hailing from renowned manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, and Kove, each showcasing their distinct strengths and innovations, anticipation builds for an exhilarating showdown on the track in the upcoming WorldSSP300 season.

Grid updates

Reigning champion Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing) sets out on a mission to defend his title after securing back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2023, making him the only two-time champion in the category. Transitioning to KTM, Buis seeks to etch his legacy deeper into WorldSSP300 history amidst a field of formidable competitors.

Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki) emerges as one of the main competitors to Jeffrey Buis’s reign. Joining Buis’ former team, MTM Kawasaki, alongside Loris Veneman, Gennai brings his four-time race-winning prowess to the Championship, aiming to challenge the reigning champion’s dominance. Among the returning contenders are race winners from the 2023 season, including Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia), Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse), and Jose Manuel Osuna Saez (DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team). While Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki) also clinched victories as a wildcard entrant in the previous season, he returns full-time to the championship, as does Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki).

New regulations

In line with WorldSSP, the WorldSSP300 category experiences notable shifts in scheduling, with a significant change being the determination of grids for Race 2 based on the fastest laps recorded in Race 1. Additionally, the Tissot Superpole sessions occur on Friday following a morning Free Practice session.

Ducati Wins In Motocross Racing Debut

Alessandro Lupino (77) in action in Italy. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Alessandro Lupino (77) in action in Italy. Photo courtesy Ducati.

Historic debut of the Ducati Desmo450 MX in the Italian Motocross Championship

The Borgo Panigale prototype, ridden by Alessandro Lupino, wins race one and finishes second overall in the debut of Ducati in Motocross

The results in Mantua confirm the validity of the technical base of the Desmo450 MX prototype, competing in the Italian Prestige Championship, to develop the bike which will go into production in 2025

Mantua, 17 March 2024 – The Ducati Desmo450 MX ridden by Alessandro Lupino has taken pole position and victory on its debut in the Motocross Pro-Prestige MX1 Italian Championship, finishing second overall in the first round of 2024. The prototype marks Ducati’s entry into specialist off-road racing and represents the first step in a project that will see the birth of a complete range of off-road motorcycles, developed on the most demanding of race tracks.

In the first round of the Italian MX1 Championship, held on the International Circuit of Mantua, the eight-time Italian Champion, after having set the best benchmark both in free practice and in qualifying, led the opening heat from the first to the last lap. In the second heat, after a difficult start, Lupino finished seventh after a great comeback, sealing the second overall place in the round.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding: “This weekend in Mantua we wrote another chapter in the history of Ducati. Alessandro Lupino and our team gave us some great fun and, despite it being the first motocross race in our recent history, we immediately demonstrated outstanding performance. Best time in free practice, pole and victory in the first heat are truly a debut that lives up to expectations: we have gathered a lot of information which will be fundamental to best develop the bike that will be available to all enthusiasts next year. Congratulations to Alessandro and our entire off-road team, a fantastic start to a new story of sport and passion.”

Alessandro Lupino, official rider of the Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team: “These were two very exciting days, my debut with the Ducati was truly a dream: they told me it would be, but today I experienced it! Feeling like a Ducatista is a truly special sensation. Congratulations to all the guys who worked on this project, because in a very short time they created a spectacular bike, with a lot of potential, doing an incredible job. Together we wrote a page of history: first pole and first heat victory for the Ducati Desmo450 MX. Unfortunately, the second heat didn’t go as I would have liked: I got the start wrong and wasn’t able to recover. But that’s okay, now the engineers have the data to analyse two completely different situations!”

Sunday’s two heats allowed Ducati engineers to collect the first important data to continue the development of the Desmo450 MX which, upon its debut, has confirmed the validity of the technical base of the prototype. The focus of the Ducati Off-Road project is a combination of the search for lightness pushed to the extreme, top-of-the-line components and engines characterized by a very broad delivery curve. The latter is obtained thanks to the utilization of the Desmodromic system, used on all the sports bikes of the Borgo Panigale company starting from MotoGP. Ducati is in fact the only company in the world that uses the same valve return system on its highest performing production motorcycles as it uses on racing prototypes.

The next round of the Italian Motocross Championship is scheduled for 27 and 28 April on the Cingoli (MC) circuit. In the meantime, the tests of the Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team will continue together with Alessandro Lupino and Tony Cairoli, present in Mantua to support the eight-time Italian Motocross Champion.

#Ducati #Desmo450MX

MotoGP: Ducati Signs Aldeguer For 2025 And Beyond

Fermin Aldeguer
Fermin Aldeguer (54), as seen in Qatar. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Ducati Corse Announces Two-Season MotoGP Agreement with Fermín Aldeguer

The Spanish rider has signed an agreement that will see him ride a Desmosedici GP starting in 2025

Ducati Corse and Fermín Aldeguer are thrilled to announce their agreement, which will see the Spanish rider move up to MotoGP from the Moto2 category in 2025. Fermín will ride a Desmosedici GP for the next two years, with the option to extend the contract for another two years.

Aged 18, Aldeguer, hailing from La Ñora (Murcia, Spain), made his debut in the World Championship in 2021 directly in the Moto2 category, and he ended seventh in his debut race at Mugello (Italian GP). In 2022, Fermín completed his first entire season, and last year, he claimed his maiden victory and secured a third-place finish in the riders’ standings with five wins (four consecutive victories in the final four races), seven podium finishes, and three pole positions.

This year, Aldeguer continues to establish himself as one of the key contenders in the Moto2 World Championship, which commenced recently with the Qatar GP at the Lusail International Circuit.

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)

“I would like to welcome Fermín to the Ducati family warmly, and we can’t wait to see him riding our Desmosedici GP. I am thrilled with this agreement because Aldeguer is one of the strongest riders in the new generation of MotoGP. Over the last few years, we have followed his evolution; during the last season, he showed incredible speed. He is a very young guy with the potential and characteristics to do well, and we will give him all the technical support to help him grow.”

Fermín Aldeguer

“I’m ecstatic to have this opportunity; thanks to Ducati, I’ll realise the dream I’ve pursued since childhood. The time has arrived to take the big leap and compete with the world’s finest riders, and what’s more, I’ll be doing it with the best bike on the grid. I want to express my gratitude to Ducati, especially to Gigi Dall’Igna, for their faith in me from the beginning of our discussions. I extend my thanks to Luca Boscoscuro for everything we’ve shared and for what lies ahead of us this year. I’m also grateful to my family, my manager, Héctor Faubel, and everyone who, in one way or another, has contributed to my journey here. Now that I know what the future holds, it’s time to focus solely on this season, where I face a significant challenge in Moto2. I’ll give my all to leave this category with my head held high, aiming for the best possible results before embarking on the new adventure in MotoGP.”

American Shedden Racing In CIV PreMoto3 Italian National Championship

American Jesse James Shedden (76/61). Photo by Snap Shot Foto/www.fotomoto.it, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.
American Jesse James Shedden (76/61). Photo by Snap Shot Foto/www.fotomoto.it, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.

American Shedden Racing in Italy’s CIV Italian Speed Championship PreMoto3

JESSE JAMES SHEDDEN RETURNS WITH ITALIAN BIERRETI RACING FOR THE CIV ITALIAN SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP

After a successful 2023 Italian CIV Aprilia Sport Production series effort, American Jesse James Shedden will be able to return and compete in the increasing competitive PreMoto3 Championship with Bierreti Racing. He will race a Honda NSF250R new to Italy but seen in many established talent cups such as the European Talent Cup, Asia Talent Cup, and similar international youth series.  

HELENDALE, CA – Jesse James Shedden has returned with the premier Italian Bierreti Racing Team to compete in the CIV Italian Speed Championship onboard a Honda NSF250R. Jesse James notched multiple wins (3 wins and 5 podiums) aboard the Aprilia during the Aprilia Championship series, finishing 3rd of the championship. He is ready to handle unfinished business on board the Honda NSF250R and return home with an Italian Championship, against some of Italy’s top young racers. Signing with the Bierreti Racing team again sends a strong message to competitors that Jesse James is focused on winning.

Bierreti Racing has successfully competed in CIV, CEV, and FIM series, with multiple champions racing under the Bierreti Team name. Most recently, Aprilia Sport Production series and the CIV Junior series. A premier team in the paddock, Bierreti has years of experience to offer the 15-year-old American.

 

American Jesse James Shedden and his new Bierreti Racing Honda NSF250R. Photo by Snap Shot Foto/www.fotomoto.it, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.
American Jesse James Shedden and his new Bierreti Racing Honda NSF250R. Photo by Snap Shot Foto/www.fotomoto.it, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.

 

RIDER QUOTE

Shedden: “I’m really happy to race in the CIV Italian Speed Championship and to be back with Bierreti Racing. The team motivation is very high, and I feel pumped. I can’t wait to get on the Honda NSF250R. I have really high hopes for this bike being a stepping stone to the world stage of MotoGP. The Honda NSF250R is the bike to be on and Bierreti Racing is the team I know has the most knowledge and always works at the top, as shown by the past results. It will be a pleasure for me to work with them, especially to grow and improve. It’s going to be a great season.”

TEAM QUOTE

Guilia Strumble: “Jesse has a remarkable talent and left a strong impression in his first season in Italy with our team.  We were happy to welcome him in the Aprilia Sport Production championship and we are even happier to have him in the Italian Speed Championship with the Honda NSF250R this year. The way he improved is outstanding. We cannot wait to see how his progress will take us further down the road in one of the most competitive championships in the world.”

Jesse James Shedden will continue with sponsors who have supported him during national racing in the U.S., including: Bierreti Racing, Fresh N Lean, KYT Helmets, Alpinestars, Dunlop Tires, ASV Inventions, TechSpec Tank Grips, Suspension Matters, Yoshimura R&D, Produkte Designs, RJR Motorsports, VNM Sport, Galfer, and Cardiff.

CIV Dunlop Italian Speed Series Championship Schedule:

ROUND 1: 6-7 April 2024; Misano

ROUND 2: 25-26 May 2024; Vallelunga

ROUND 3: 22-23 June 2024; Mugello

ROUND 4: 3-4 August 2024; Misano (Racing Night)

ROUND 5: 31 August 1 September 2024; Mugello

ROUND 6: 28-29 September 2024; Imola

For more information on the CIV Italian Speed Series Championship, please visit: CIV | Italian Speed Championship

European Talent Cup: Change Of Teams For American Mikey Lou Sanchez

American Mikey Lou Sanchez. Photo courtesy Finetwork MIR Racing Team.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez in 2024. Photo courtesy Finetwork MIR Racing Team.

American talent Mikey Lou Sanchez joins Finetwork MIR Racing Team to make his European Talent Cup debut in 2024

Mikey Lou Sanchez, a young talent born on 11 May 2010 in Texas (USA), joins the Finetwork and MIR Racing young talent program, after a 2023 season in which he was one of the great revelations of the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, with a total of 5 victories and 7 podiums in the Promo3 category. This served to attract the attention of the organization of the championship managed by Impormotor Group, who invited him to an exclusive test in Almeria in mid-February and already excelled in his first contact with the bike of the European Talent Cup.

Therefore, and after the positive feedback received from the staff of the team led by Javi Martinez, the Texas rider will participate in a total of 4 events in the ETC 2024, seeking to make it compatible with his participation in the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup, where last year he was runner-up in Promo3. Once he reaches the minimum age to make his debut with the Finetwork MIR Racing Team, he will race at Barcelona, Portimao, Aragon and Valencia, with the aim of taking the pulse of the category and being able to fight for the title, with a full race program in 2025.

The incorporation of Mikey Lou as official rider of the Finetwork MIR Racing Team, together with the debut of Joel Pons last year in the ETC and the one that Pablo Olivares will make this year as a reward for the title achieved in 2023, only reinforces the commitment of Finetwork, MIR Racing and Impormotor with the young talents development program from the base to the elite of motorcycling. In this way, it reaffirms itself as a unique program in the sport of two wheels, putting at their disposal the best resources and technicians with experience in the MotoGP World Championship so that they can reach the World Championship with an unprecedented preparation.

In this way, the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup is positioned as a benchmark in which to participate if you want to complete the full path to the World Championship and, proof of this, is that 3 riders of the cup have raced with our FIM JuniorGP team, becoming a real option for all talents who demonstrate their potential in the cup.

 

American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) in action during 2023. Photo courtesy Finetwork MIR Racing Team.
American Mikey Lou Sanchez (55) in action during 2023. Photo courtesy Finetwork MIR Racing Team.

 

Mikey Lou Sanchez: “I am very happy to join such a professional team that has become a world reference in such a short time, which shows their ambition to win and what better way to be part of it. I am very grateful to Dani and Javi for the opportunity they have given me and I am sure we are going to achieve a lot of success together, I can’t wait to get started!”

Daniel Antón (CEO MIR Racing and Impormotor): “Since we took the reins of what was previously the Cuna de Campeones, we have wanted to make the MIR Racing Finetwork Cup the reference championship for young talents worldwide. Proving that the cup is the perfect stepping stone to the FIM JuniorGP, Joel Pons was able to make his debut with our team in the ETC in 2023. And this year, Pablo Olivares and now Mikey Lou, a young American rider with very promising potential who dazzled in the cup last season, will be able to debut with a professional team in the step prior to the MotoGP World Championship. We will continue to work every day to make the dreams of the Marc Márquez or Pedro Acosta of the future come true”. 

Javier Martínez (CEO Finetwork MIR Racing Team): “From the team we have always been clear that our mission is to do things differently from the rest and facilitate access to the elite of motorcycling with our own structure and methodology. Despite still being a young project, David Almansa has already achieved his dream of reaching the World Championship, thanks to all the work done since joining the team at the end of 2020, and we are convinced that the addition of Mikey Lou to our structure only reinforces our strong line-up of riders that promises a future full of success. In addition, MotoGP is opening up more and more to the United States, so working to develop and grow one of the most promising young talents in the United States is a very exciting challenge for the whole team”.

MotoAmerica: UtahSBA Hosting Mini Cup Qualifiers

Grober Reyes (19) leads Weston Fager (71) and Cruise Texter (26) during a MotoAmerica Mini Cup Stock 50 race at Barber Motorsports Park in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.Grober Reyes (19) leads Weston Fager (71) and Cruise Texter (26) during a MotoAmerica Mini Cup Stock 50 race at Barber Motorsports Park in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Grober Reyes (19) leads Weston Fager (71) and Cruise Texter (26) during a MotoAmerica Mini Cup Stock 50 race at Barber Motorsports Park in 2023. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Utah Sport Bike Association To Host Three Mini Cup Qualifiers At Utah Motorsports Campus

Mini Cup Racers In Utah Can Battle For Qualifying Spots In Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final

IRVINE, CA (March 18, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that the Utah Sport Bike Association (UtahSBA) will host three Mission Mini Cup By Motul qualifying races in Utah.

UtahSBA will host the three qualifiers at Utah Motorsports Campus in Grantsville, Utah. The first of those will be held on April 28 with the second and third races slated for May 19 and June 23, respectively.

The Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 9-11.

UtahSBA’s qualifiers will run the full slate of Mission Mini Cup By Motul classes: GP160, GP190, Street GP, Stock 50, Stock 110 and Stock 125.

“The Utah Sport Bike Association is incredibly excited to host multiple 2024 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup By Motul qualifier events,” said Joshua Fisher, UtahSBA’s Supermoto Competition Manager. “Our club was founded upon rider education and development, and we see this partnership as an opportunity to grow the skills and future of our young riders. Utah Motorsports Campus is a world class venue, and we look forward to bringing national level motorcycle talent back to the campus.”

For more information, visit https://utahsba.com/supermoto/

For more information about the Mini Cup series or club participation, please contact [email protected]

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+ 

AMA Supercross: Race Report And Video Highlights From Indianapolis

Lucas Oil Stadium hosted its first Triple Crown event. For the sixth-consecutive race, strong attendance was on display as over 62,000 fans packed the house in Indy. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Lucas Oil Stadium hosted its first Triple Crown event. For the sixth-consecutive race, strong attendance was on display as over 62,000 fans packed the house in Indy. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Jett Lawrence Wins Three in a Row with Indianapolis Supercross Victory

Cameron McAdoo Takes 250SX Class Win and Points Lead

Indianapolis, Ind., (March 17, 2024) Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence took the win, his fifth victory of the season, at Round 10 the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lawrence became the second 450SX Class racer to sweep a Triple Crown event, which uses the results from three 12-minute plus one lap races to determine an overall winner.

Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen took second place in Indy with (2-2-3) Race scores on a soft and rutted track that challenged the racers throughout the night. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton put in a strong charge in Race 3 and finished in third place overall with (3-3-2) Race scores. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo earned his first win of the season with (1-2-3) Race finishes.  

Jett Lawrence (18). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.
Jett Lawrence (18). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports.

 

“It was pretty cool, and Lars [Lindstrom] told me after the race that the last person [to sweep a Triple Crown] was Kenny and it was on a Honda, too. So it’s kind of cool to keep that ritual going with the Honda, going 1-1-1… That track was gnarly, it can kind of catch you at any moment. It was scary riding next to someone in the rhythm, because you’re just – you’re trying to stay as straight as possible and it just kind of, it could catch you off guard pretty quickly… The track was gnarly but I think it creates some good racing.” – Jett Lawrence, when asked about the track and about being the second rider ever to sweep a Triple Crown. 

“You kind of just play things by ear… Every time I jump a jump or whatever [the obstacle], I try to look ahead and make sure that I’m picking a good rut to do it. But that’s what makes it so tough – you just don’t know what you’re getting on the take-offs. And then the sand made it tough because it’s hard underneath, so it’s not like you can just blast the sand berm… Those are some tricky, tricky, tricky conditions, you know? And physically, also, because this dirt is so grabby, you’re just muscling the whole time… You’ve got so much traction, and it pulls you all sorts of directions, so that’s what made it just incredibly tough. But my starts were on point tonight and that helped me out big time.” – Ken Roczen, when asked about balancing speed vs. risk on the rutted, changing track.  

“I feel like tonight was overall a better result for me. My riding’s getting better and better every weekend. Didn’t have the hottest qualifying [times], but I showed up [at race time]. I mean, didn’t obviously get the win, but I feel like I rode pretty well tonight with my starts. [I] got a better start in the third Main, made it work somewhat, and overall [we’re] just trying to build every weekend. We’re still not where we want to be, we still have some adjustments we need to make, but overall [we’re] heading in the right direction and looking forward to these next couple rounds – another Triple Crown in St. Louis, [and] Seattle next weekend, so [we’re] looking forward to these next seven rounds and trying to build every one of them.” – Chase Sexton  

 

 

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class held its Round 5 and Cameron McAdoo took his third career Supercross win; it was his second Triple Crown overall victory. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle grabbed a second-place overall finish with (4-3-1) race scores in the 10-minute plus one lap Races. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan battled back from a first turn crash in Race 3 to capture third place overall in Indianapolis with (2-1-6) finishes. McAdoo takes over the points lead and therefore the red plate as the Eastern Regional 250SX Class takes three weekends off before returning to racing at the Foxborough Supercross on April 13th.  

 

Cameron McAdoo (63). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Cameron McAdoo (63). Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

 

“It’s been a while since I got a win. They all feel so good… I’m just so grateful to be in this position, to be this healthy, to fight for this, and just to race my dirt bike. Like, that was what I live for, going into that third race tied on points and just that lock-in [of focus]. And like I’ve been saying all night, just [focusing on] being present where my feet are, and gosh, I’m just so proud of that one. I’ve had a long road, just as all of us have. Dirt bikes are tough, and they’re so rewarding, but I’m just so grateful for my family who’ve been with me. They love me just as much every time, whether I come home and win or [get] 15th or whatever it is. And this is just so special to get to do it in front of you guys. I’ve said it before, this is my dream. Shout out to my dad. He had to work today; he’s in construction and he’s only like an hour and a half away from here but he couldn’t make it so – love you, Pops. Shout out to all my people behind me, every time… This is so special. And a quote that I’ve really tried to live by lately is – my wife has a sign in our room that says, ‘These are the good old days,’ and I truly believe that, so I’m grateful for this. Thank you to Indy fans. I love this city… This one felt really good and these aren’t easy to come by so I’m gonna soak it in. [When McAdoo was told his race bike will run the red plate the next time he rides it] That gives me chills. That’s surreal to me, still. I’ve had it twice and, yeah, I’m just gonna keep working for this, and keep doing our best; Can’t wait to get home to my pup.” – Cameron McAdoo  

“Actually, it felt really good in the first moto, and then I had the crash in the whoops, so I was kind of frustrated. And I didn’t ride really good [in the] second one. I rode the best all day, I think, in the third one, and I’m pretty happy… The track was tough tonight, that’s for sure. I had a good start in the last [Race] and grabbed the win. After the crash [in the first Race] I was kind of frustrated, and I [said to myself that] I really wanna win the last one, and I was pretty happy with that one. I mean, we lost the red plate, and a couple of points, but [there are] still a lot of races to go; so we are still there in the fight and that’s what mattered tonight. And I’m really happy. I want to thank everyone here tonight who came to watch the race, and my team, sponsors, parents, family, everyone around me; thank you so much.” – Tom Vialle  

“It’s a little unfortunate but it’s racing, it happens… I’m not exactly sure how I hit it and just got spit in a 180… It’s unfortunate but you know we have three weeks off now. We’re going to work hard and I’m gonna come back swinging. We’ve got a lot of rounds left, we’ve got an East/West shootout, which I’m excited for, and the pace is getting there, man. It’s my first full week of training back and the pace is getting there; we’ve just got to keep improving… [I’m] just grateful to get on the podium and, you know [we’ll] keep pushing forward on these weeks off.” – Haiden Deegan, regarding his crash in Race 3 when his bike caught a Tuff Blox going into the first turn. 

 

 

The racers line up and do it again next Saturday, March 23rd inside Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington for Round 11 of the 450SX Class and Round 6 of the Western Regional 250SX Class. The Seattle Supercross will pay points toward both the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship.

Every Supercross and SuperMotocross round is available live and on-demand through PeacockTV. Select rounds will also be broadcast or streamed on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. International coverage is available through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) live and on-demand, in both English and Spanish.

The 2024 season continues the partnership between the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To join the great Love Moto Stop Cancer effort, please donate by going to supercrossLIVE.com/St-Jude or text “SUPER” to 785-833.

Tickets are available for each remaining Monster Energy Supercross event. For tickets, video highlights, event information, and more please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: Sepang’s Tall Tales Of Testing

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley (right) and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom (left). Photo courtesy Mat Oxley.
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley (right) and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom (left). Photo courtesy Mat Oxley.

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

This podcast is “Sepang’s Tall Tales Of Testing.”

The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.

 

From the Oxley Bom Podcast:

It’s time for the greatest test of the year, and the last one before the next MotoGP series starts! If you want to know what this season will look like, you need to be at Sepang. The bikes are new, the riders are ready and our hosts are right in the middle of it…

Oh yes, we’ve send Mat and Peter to Malaysia, and they’ve been very busy gathering every little bit of information they could get there hands on. Curious? Then grab a drink and turn up the volume, because it’s time for some tall tales of testing!

With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club, who wrote our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!    

WorldSBK: Bulega Quickest As Testing Concludes At Catalunya

Nicolo Bulega (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Nicolo Bulega (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Bulega edged out Razgatlioglu on the second day of the Supported Test 

With just a razor-thin margin of 0.027 seconds, Bulega set a blistering pace, narrowly edging out Razgatlioglu by the end of Day 2, with both riders going under the lap record.

Rea showed significant improvement, securing fifth place and finishing only 0.6s behind Bulega’s best time. 

Bautista encountered obstacles, including a late crash at Turn 10, and finished the day more than a second behind the fastest time.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) showcased their prowess on Day 2 of the Supported Test, engaging in a tight battle with Bulega ultimately clinching the top spot by a mere 0.027s.

Meanwhile, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) displayed commendable pace, securing third position despite encountering technical issues and a crash earlier in the day. 
 
Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) showcased impressive performance, securing fourth place despite encountering an issue at Turn 5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) continued to build confidence, securing fifth place and finishing just 0.6s behind Bulega’s best time, indicating strong contention at the upcoming Round. Teammate Andrea Locatelli demonstrated resilience, overcoming knee pain from his Australia Race 2 highside to finish within the top six.

The day was not without drama as Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) led for Kawasaki despite two crashes, ultimately finishing in 9th place. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) suffered a late crash at Turn 10, disrupting his momentum, and finishing in 16th position by the day’s end.  Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) led the charge for Honda, demonstrating improvement after a challenging Day 1 for the manufacturer.
 
More on worldsbk.com

P1 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati

“We didn’t do anything special, just some different setups. We tried something different, but then in the end, we came back, especially after the small crash I had at Turn 1. We regained our feeling, so ultimately, it was a good test.

“I’m happy because my pace was also good. I did a great lap, but not in perfect conditions. Also, when I tried again with the second soft tyre, I made a mistake, and I was one tenth faster than my fastest time, but for just a test, it was good.”

The 2024 season continues with the Pirelli Catalunya Round, running from the 22nd to the 24th of March at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. 

 

WorldSBK_2024_Supported_Test_Combined_Results

PIERER Mobility AG Acquires Majority Stake In MV Agusta

Tim Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta. Photo courtesy of MV Agusta.
Timur Sardarov, is transitioning from CEO of MV Agusta to a new role as Vice-Chairman and ambassador. Photo courtesy of MV Agusta.

TIMUR SARDAROV: MV AGUSTA RELAUNCH PLAN NOW COMPLETE

PIERER Mobility AG acquires majority stake and initiates next industrial phase

Varese, March 15, 2024 – Timur Sardarov announces the successful completion of the 5-year plan to revitalize the company. His objective to bolster the historic Italian brand was completely fulfilled, resulting in stability and substantial advancement for the “Made in Schiranna” icon. During this period, measures have been taken to steady the company financially, and substantial improvements were made to both processes and products, while also ensuring job security in Varese.

The focus on quality and reliability has resulted in the consolidation of MV Agusta’s reputation and credibility among a growing global customer base. As a result, the company is now on track to achieve net profit for the first time in many years. In 2023 alone, MV Agusta introduced 5 new models, and all limited series were sold out within hours of their launch. Additionally, a new dealer network was established, further reinforcing the brand identity.

With this move, the Austrian group reaffirms its interest and commitment to the Schiranna brand, considering the strong results achieved in recent years under the guidance of the Sardarov family, who will maintain joint control and a 49.9% stake in the company.

With the early takeover of the majority and, as a commitment to the location and responsibility for the employees, Hubert Trunkenpolz, member of the executive board of PIERER Mobility AG, is taking over the role of CEO and Chairman from Timur Sardarov, who will continue to be available to the company as Vice-Chairman, brand ambassador and consultant.

Timur Sardarov commented: “MV Agusta embodies passion and a unique sense of romance that captivated me, a seasoned entrepreneur, from day one. The personal challenge of guiding the company out of crisis and steering it towards success through innovative business strategies, team expansion, and new product developments has been conquered. It is an honor to play a role in shaping MV Agusta’s legacy. Over the past five years, both the company and I have evolved significantly. Our growth together is a testament to the transformative journey we’ve shared. My time with MV Agusta has been a pivotal chapter in my life, filled with mutual joys and challenges. As I continue to serve as a dedicated Vice-Chairman, I am committed to supporting the company and its ongoing success.”

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