SSR MOTORSPORTS RELEASES ALL NEW 2025 XD250 DIRT BIKE
SSR Motorsports continues to push the boundaries of off-road excitement with the all-new XD250, the latest addition to the brand’s highly anticipated XD line-up. With its bold and modern design and powerful performance, the XD250 joins its sibling, the XD150, to form a formidable duo in the mid-size dirt bike category.
The XD250 is built for riders who demand more from their off-road adventures. Featuring a 223cc air-cooled, electric start engine, the XD250 delivers impressive power and torque, making it a great contender for tackling trails, tracks, and tough terrain. The bike’s adjustable front and rear suspensions ensure a smooth and controlled ride, while its 19” / 16” alloy wheels provide superior traction and stability across varying landscapes.
Whether you’re an experienced rider or an enthusiast looking to elevate your off-road game, this bike promises an exhilarating experience at an unbeatable price point. With an MSRP of just $2,799, the XD250 offers an exceptional value for riders seeking high performance without breaking the bank. Paired with the nimble XD150, the two models create a dynamic duo that sets a new standard in the mid-size dirt bike segment.
SSR Motorsports was established in 2002 to import and distribute powersports products in the United States. We provide products that are fun to ride, with cutting-edge design, superior engineering and well-managed quality control. Our Mission Statement: Provide Quality Powersports Products at an Affordable Price with Premier Customer Service.
We believe every enthusiast should be able to afford a brand-new powersport product that is backed by a manufacturer warranty, comprehensive dealer network, premier customer service and a West Coast distribution center stocked with readily available replacement parts. For more information, go to: https://www.ssrmotorsports.com/
The 83rd running of the iconic Daytona 200 came down to a battle at the front between Josh Herrin (Ducati #2), Richie Escalante (Suzuki #54) and Tyler Scott (Suzuki #70).
The post-race Daytona 200 and Mission King Of The Baggers press conferences:
History was made in the 83rd running of the Daytona 200, so check out the post-race press conference featuring the race winner, runner-up, and third-place finisher. Also watch and listen to the post-race comments from the podium finishers in the Daytona Bike Week-concluding Mission King Of The Baggers Race 2.
UPDATE: Promotor Tyler O’Hara says the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier scheduled for Sonoma Raceway on March 15th has been postponed to July 19-20th due to an approaching major rain storm. The forecast is for an atmospheric river to drench Northern California on the original date. Contact the promoter for more information.
(The original post on this event, seen below, was posted on February 5th, 2025.)
Tyler O’Hara To Host A MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier At Sonoma Raceway
MotoAmerica Star Will Organize And Host A Qualifying Round On March 15
MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is proud to announce that 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion and 2023 Super Hooligan National Champion Tyler O’Hara, along with Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp and NNKC Minimoto, will organize and host a MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifier at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, on March 15. The Qualifier will be for the Mission Mini Cup National Final, which will be held for the second consecutive year at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10. O’Hara has contracted NNKC Minimoto to officiate the racing action.
Qualifiers at the Sonoma event will be held for all six classes: Stock 50 (ages 6-8); Stock 110 (ages 8-12); GP 110 (ages 8-12); GP 160 (ages 10-14); GP 190 (ages 10-14); and Street GP (ages 14 and up).
The Sonoma event will also feature a Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp, with the MotoAmerica racer providing motorcycle training and lessons to all levels of riders/racers.
Additionally, former MotoGP star John Hopkins will be on hand with Ohvale USA and will have Ohvale 160 and 190 and 110s racebikes available for rent. The rentals are $250 per bike with a $500 deposit. Ohvale USA will also pay contingency money for the top three finishers in races that meet the minimum Ohvale 5-rider requirement.
“It’s great to see Tyler stepping up and supporting the future of our sport by helping young racers from Northern California qualify for the National Final,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Tyler’s dedication to helping up-and-coming talent is awesome, and he’s bringing some great ideas to the table, like having Hawk Mazzotta provide basic schooling for the young racers. We’re excited to see how his first event turns out and hope it sets the groundwork for many more to come.”
“I’m stoked to be promoting and hosting a Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier,” O’Hara said. “Helping others get started in motorcycling and motorcycle racing is something I enjoy and giving young racers in my area the chance to qualify and ultimately race in the National Final at Road America is cool. There have been a ton of racers from Northern California who have gone on to great things in motorcycle racing and we’d like to see that continue. With help from Hawk Mazzotta and his camp, and also Ohvale USA’s John Hopkins, we’re excited to work with MotoAmerica and can’t wait for March 15. With Hopkins bringing Ohvales to the event for racers to rent, we’re hopeful that youngsters from outside the area will travel to Sonoma to compete without having to bring their motorcycles.”
For more information and to pre-register for the Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp, email [email protected]
For more information on the Sierra Nevada Moto Championship, visit https://www.nnkcminimoto.com/
To reserve a rental Ohvale, visit www.minicupusa.com or email [email protected]
For more information about the MotoAmerica Mini Cup series or club participation in the series, 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+
More, from a press release issued by GP World Cup organizers Tyler O’Hara and Hawk Mazzotta:
Tyler O’Hara and Hawk Mazzotta to host GP World Cup alongside Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier
Nine support classes scheduled for the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier at Sonoma Raceway on March 15
In addition to hosting a qualifying round for the Mission Mini Cup National Final at Road America in Elkhart Lake, 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion and 2023 Super Hooligan National Champion, Tyler O’Hara, along with Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp and NNKC Minimoto, will be hosting a bumper undercard on March 15 at Sonoma Raceway, CA, that includes the Parts Unlimited GP World Cup, Metzeler Supermoto Pro and DTX19 Class.
The GP World Cup feeds off the burgeoning popularity of sub-500cc twin-cylinder motorcycles ridden at kart tracks such as the Kawasaki Ninja 500, Yamaha YZF-R3, and KTM 390 Duke. A minimum age of 15 is mandatory for all competitors, as is a valid AMA membership.
GP World Cup is for riders on bikes formerly seen in Junior Cup races.
With MotoAmerica moving away from production machines to specialized Krämer APX-350 MA machines for the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup, O’Hara’s and Mazzotta’s GP World Cup is the perfect opportunity for racers to continue to campaign the machines previously seen in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup.
Supermoto competitors have not been left out with the Supermoto Pro category for two-stroke machines 175cc-350cc, four-stroke machines from 250cc-550cc, and electric machines such as the Stark Varg eligible to compete.
Supermoto bikes are included in the event at Sonoma.
The Parts Unlimited GP World Cup field will be eligible for a $1500 purse while the Metzeler Supermoto Pro class will be eligible for a $1000 purse.
Other classes featured on the Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier weekend include Supermoto Amateur (running the same engine sizes as Supermoto Pro), the DTX19 Class for dirt track machines running 19-inch wheels and tires that run a front brake (again, running the same engine sizes as Supermoto Pro), SM3 Supermini for 12 year old and up riders, Supermoto Mini for 10 year old and up riders, Junior Class for riders six to 12 years old, Micromoto for four to eight year old riders, and a Stacyc category for riders two to five years old on the Stacyc 12 and 16 inch models.
Classes for young kids riding Stacyc electric bikes are also included.
O’Hara and Mazzotta will be teaming with former MotoGP podium finisher and Ohvale importer, John Hopkins, to offer rental racebikes in 190cc, 160cc and 110cc capacities for the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier.
Rumble Strip Rentals will also be offering race-ready Yamaha YZF-R3 machines for the GP World Cup class.
“I’m really pleased to be helping the sport grow by hosting the next generation of road racers, but I also wanted to give back to the local community of racers, which is why we’ve got such a massive program scheduled,” said Tyler O’Hara. “There’s going to be a class for almost anyone to compete in, and I especially feel the GP World Cup will be a great one to watch as there are a lot of riders who use these machines as the perfect training tool for road racing.
“I come from Supermoto, so I couldn’t host an event that didn’t have my roots in there! Supermoto is coming back in America quickly and we’ve got some world class riders who will be in attendance. We’ve got almost every aspect of tarmac competition covered, right down to the Stacyc class for the little rippers. It’s going to be an amazing weekend.”
Campionato Italiano MX – Brilliant Podium Finish on Debut for the Ducati Desmo250 MX
•The brand-new bike from the Borgo Panigale company was put to the test on the treacherous sands of Ottobiano and immediately demonstrated great competitiveness and reliability.
•The Desmo250 MX passes the first test of the season, taking third place in the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship with a strong Alessandro Lupino.
It took just a few weeks for the Ducati Desmo250 MX, raced by Team Beddini Factory Racing, to conquer the first Italian podium of its very young career. Despite a painful and swollen wrist, the reigning Italian MX1 Champion managed to get on the podium at the first attempt, demonstrating all his fight and tenacity.
It had been 10 years since Alessandro Lupino had ridden a 250 4-stroke, and the first round of the Italian Prestige Motocross MX2 Championship was also the occasion for him to debut in a class he had never competed in before in the Italian series. The nine-time Italian Motocross Champion, with 44 podiums to his name in MX1, riding the Ducati Desmo250 MX for its debut, also achieved his first personal top three in the Prestige MX2 Championship.
First in his group at the end of official practice on Saturday, Alessandro also recorded the best time in the subsequent timed session, earning the second gate pick for the two motos on Sunday.
At the start of race one, the 34-year-old began just outside the top five, moving into fourth after one lap. By the next lap, he was in third, maintaining an excellent pace and quickly closing the gap to second, eventually taking the position. However, his rival’s response was clumsy, and after making contact, Lupino was sent to the ground with a sore wrist and the bike severely damaged. The Italian didn’t give up, though, and admirably gritted his teeth to cross the finish line in 10th.
Then, in the second moto, Alessandro was fifth out of the first corner and, after three laps, was in second, as he superbly found his flow. From there, nothing stood between the Desmo250 MX and the third step of the podium, which served as a fitting reward for a brilliant moto.
After the first round of the championship, Lupino is third in the standings with 290 points. The next round of the Italian Prestige Championship will be held at the Mantova circuit on March 29 and 30, a track where, a year ago, Alessandro rode the Desmo450 MX for its debut.
Alessandro Lupino: “I’m happy once again, we did a great job, and I have to congratulate the team at Ducati, who performed a miracle. The Desmo250 MX has only been running for three weeks, and today we came for a test day. However, if I hadn’t been taken out, we could have secured two second-place finishes. As a rider, I’m pleasantly surprised to have made it onto the podium and to already have such a competitive bike on our first outing.”
From a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Gus Rodio Achieves Impressive 12th Place Finish in His First Daytona 200
In a remarkable debut at the iconic Daytona 200, Gus Rodio finished 12th, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination throughout the race. Competing for Rodio Racing, Gus qualified P7 in both qualifying sessions and secured P8 in the Time Attack, setting the stage for an exciting race day.
The Daytona 200, known for its challenging conditions and fierce competition, marked a significant milestone in Rodio’s racing career. His impressive qualifying times showcased his talent and preparation, positioning him well among seasoned competitors. Despite facing unexpected electronics issues during the race, Gus displayed resilience and focus, navigating through the challenges to achieve a commendable finish in his first Daytona 200.
“I’m thrilled to have competed in my first Daytona 200 and to finish 12th among such a talented field,” said Gus Rodio. “It was a learning experience, and while the electronics issues were frustrating, I believe we showed great potential. I’m grateful for the support from my team and can’t wait to build on this performance in future races.”
Team owner Kevin Rodio expressed pride in Gus’s debut and the team’s efforts. “This was a significant race for Gus, and he handled it with great poise. We faced some hurdles, but I am confident that with every race, we will grow stronger. Our focus now is on analyzing the race and ensuring we are better prepared for the next challenges ahead.”
Rodio Racing remains committed to excellence and continuous improvement as they head to Barber Motorsports Park with Motoamerica April 4-6, 2025
For more information about Gus Rodio and Rodio Racing, please visit www.rodioracing.com or follow us on social media.
Gus Rodio (113) at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
From a press release issued by Dunlop:
Dunlop Riders Sweep the top Six at Daytona 200 with Josh Herrin on top once again!
Josh Herrin and Ducati once again triumphed at the 83rd edition of the Daytona 200, with five more competitors on Dunlop tires close behind!
This year’s Daytona 200 celebrated its 83rd anniversary, known for delivering unparalleled racing excitement. With an exceptional lineup of talent from all over the world, the 2025 race upheld this tradition. Josh Herrin, representing Celtic/Economy Lube+Tire/Warhorse HSBK Ducati, started from the first row, successfully building on his previous 2023 and 2024 victories aboard his Dunlop-supported Ducati Panigale V2. This win locks him in the record books as the first rider ever to win the Daytona 200 three years in a row and four in total, all on Dunlop tires.
Trailing Herrin by 5.33 seconds were fellow Dunlop riders Richie Escalante on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, his teammate and pole-sitter Tyler Scott; Peter Hickman on his PHR Performance Triumph; and then the TOBC Racing teammates Brandon Paasch and Danny Eslick, all claiming the top six positions, each on Dunlop tires!
Thanks to the efforts of MotoAmerica, the Daytona 200 continues to thrive, drawing top competitors such as Pirelli and Bridgestone, all competing for victory at one of the most challenging and revered events of the year. Dunlop’s steadfast commitment to excellence and winning remains evident, making success a foreseeable outcome. While Dunlop supports tire control programs, Dunlop eagerly awaits the next chance to showcase Dunlop’s unrivaled quality. This year, Dunlop has again demonstrated that its technology and performance are second to none, especially with the continuation of the Sportmax Slick line of race slicks.
Dunlop’s deep passion for success, along with a firm dedication to technological advancement and thorough testing, has cemented its reputation in the industry. As the exclusive tire supplier for the MotoAmerica Championship, Dunlop has leveraged their extensive racing experience and engineering expertise to develop tires capable of securing championships.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:
Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Twins Cup:
From a press release issued by Aprilia:
APRILIA RS 660 RIDER DI MARIO OPENS MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP TITLE DEFENSE WITH A PAIR OF SECOND PLACE FINISHES AT DAYTONA
ROBEM ENGINEERING RIDER LEAVES MARCH 6-8 ROUND AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY SECOND IN TWINS CUP POINTS STANDINGS
Defending MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion and Aprilia rider Alessandro Di Mario picked up right where he left off in 2024 at the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway. Di Mario and his Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 were the bike-rider tandem that the rest of the field was chasing in practice and qualifying, and Di Mario wrapped up the opening round with two hard-fought second place results.
The Kentuckian — who won the 2024 Twins Cup title as a rookie in the class — was the top-finishing Aprilia rider in both races, narrowly missing out on winning Friday and Saturday’s races by a combined 0.106 seconds. Di Mario leaves the Daytona round sitting second in the points standings ahead of the Twins Cup’s next round at one of his favorite tracks.
Di Mario was by far the fastest rider in Thursday morning practice. His best lap time — a 1:58.619 — was more than 1.2 seconds faster than the next-fastest rider. Three other Aprilia riders finished in the top 10 in Thursday morning practice – Andrew Weyh of Weyh Racing was sixth-fastest, Celtic HSBK’s Mavrick Cyr was ninth-fastest and 2018 Twins Cup Champion Chris Parrish was tenth-fastest on his Ghetto Customs-sponsored RS 660.
The first of two qualifying sessions took place later Thursday and concluded with Di Mario on provisional pole. Di Mario improved his best lap time by more than a second, and Weyh and Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison finished that session in sixth place and ninth place, respectively. Qualifying wrapped up Friday morning with Di Mario having cemented his grasp on pole position for the weekend’s two Twins Cup races. Other Aprilia riders who qualified in the top 10 include Weyh in sixth, Cunnison in seventh and Cyr in tenth.
Later Saturday in Race 1, Di Mario ended up being one of four riders to break away from the rest of the field early in the race. Di Mario led the race several times as the pack of four continually drafted past each other on Daytona’s high banks for nine hard-fought laps. On the run to the finish line, Di Mario made a valiant effort to fight to the front and missed out on clinching his first win at Daytona by a mere 0.087 seconds. The other Aprilia rider who finished in the top 10 was Cunnision in seventh place.
Saturday morning’s Race 2 was very similar to Friday’s race, as Di Mario spent the whole of the race duking it out with a small group at the front. Though there was an additional rider in the front-running pack, each rider took turns leading the race until the last lap. Though Di Mario was running in fourth place as the front-runners navigated NASCAR Turns 3 and 4 for the last time, he nearly drafted his way to a victory. He ended up finishing 0.019 seconds behind the race winner but still secured his second runner-up finish of the round. Weyh finished Race 2 in sixth place and Cunnison in tenth.
Of the 35 riders signed up to race in the MotoAmerica Twin Cup races at Daytona International Speedway, 14 were registered to compete aboard Aprilia RS 660’s.
The MotoAmerica Twins Cup is back in action April 4-6 when the series makes its annual visit to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 1
“The races were pretty good. The team did a perfect job by making sure the bike was at its best the whole weekend. I’m happy I was able to get as many points as possible here at Daytona, which is a track I struggle at. I am very excited for the next round at Barber, since it’s my favorite track.”
From a press release issued by Robem Engineering:
If Alessandro Di Mario is due for a sophomore slump in MotoAmerica Twins Cup, it wasn’t on display at the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway. The teenage phenom who rode an Aprilia RS 660 to a Twins Cup title as a rookie last year was the fastest rider in practice and qualifying at the March 6-8 Daytona round – and came up slivers of a second short of winning each race.
Alessandro Di Mario (1). Photo by Sara Chappell.
After two races, the Lexington, Ky., resident Di Mario left Daytona Beach a close second place in the Twins Cup points standings.
Di Mario’s pace in practice and qualifying at the Daytona International Speedway round was simply blistering. He started the round by posting a best lap time in Thursday morning practice that was more than a second faster than the next-best time and was on provisional pole when Thursday afternoon’s Qualifying 1 session came to a close. When the Qualifying 2 session wrapped up on Friday morning, Di Mario had secured pole position for the rounds’ two Twins Cup races by a margin of 0.349 seconds.
In Friday afternoon’s Twins Cup Race 1, Di Mario got a decent start and was one of four riders who quickly established themselves as the front runners. Di Mario took the lead on several occasions during the nine-lap race as the pack of four riders used the draft to repeatedly slingshot past each other. On the run to the finish line, Di Mario did his best to be at the front and came up just 0.087 second short of winning the first race of the 2025 season.
Saturday morning’s Race 2 ended up being a near clone of Friday’s race, as a small group of riders made an early break from the rest of the field and spent almost all of the nine-lap race drafting and re-drafting each other for position. Though Di Mario was in a less-than-ideal fourth position as the frontrunning pack began its final run to the tri-oval, Di Mario craftly used the draft to nearly claim the win. He finished in second place again – a mere 0.019 seconds behind the race winner.
The Robem Engineering team will be back in action at the next MotoAmerica Twins Cup round, which is slated to take place April 4-6 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.
Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2025 season include Accossato, Aprilia Racing, Blud Lubricants, Bitubo Suspension, Essex Parts, Millennium Technologies, NGK, NTK, Piaggio North America, Sara Chappell Photos, SC Project and Sprint Filters.
From a press release issued by Karns TST Industries
The Daytona 200 weekend was great, mixed with some adversity. All of the Karns TST Industries riders were quick out of the gate. Isaac Woodworth and Levi Badie were solidly in the top 10, after making improvements to the team’s Suzuki GSX-8Rs all weekend. Isaac used the draft to his advantage in both races, nipping Levi at the line, and they are now sitting 6th and 7th in the championship points going into Barber. We have some work to do and a game plan for there.
The Karns Performance/TST Industries pit area at Daytona.
Elisa Gendron-Belen had a great weekend qualifying for the race and making some key moves and passes improving her lap times and finishing position significantly from 26th to 17th.
“I feel we had a very successful first weekend in the new class with some of the best riders in the class. There were definitely some ups and downs. We learned a bunch and are looking forward to Barber,” said Jason Karns, Team principal.
A HUGE thank you goes out to TST Industries, Meck’s Auto Body, Adrenaline Engineering, Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension, NG Brakes, Speigler Brake Lines, Blumanstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Woodcraft Technologies.
Mission King Of The Baggers and Mission Super Hooligan:
From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON® X DYNOJET FACTORY RACER KYLE WYMAN DOMINATES MISSION KING OF THE BAGGERS SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA
Harley-Davidson Racers Sweep Super Hooligan National Championship Podiums Aboard Pan America STs
Kyle Wyman (right) won Mission King Of The Baggers Race One with Bradley Smith (left) finishing second. Brian J, Nelson photo.
Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team rider Kyle Wyman scored a perfect weekend of racing in the opening round of the 2025 Mission King of the Baggers road racing series at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Fla. Wyman rode a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle to a new track lap record to top qualifying, won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge sprint race, and won both Mission King of the Baggers feature races on Friday and Saturday. Wyman has won five consecutive Mission King of the Baggers races at Daytona dating back to 2023 and Saturday’s win gave him 20 total victories in the class. Wyman’s Road Glide carried the all-new team livery which debuted at Daytona earlier in the week with the all-new 2025 CVO™ Road Glide® RR.
“I love racing here at Daytona and there’s no better place to be than victory lane,” said Wyman after Saturday’s win. “It was such a game out there today. The Harley-Davidson Dynojet team put a really fast Road Glide under me and I had the power it took to win twice.”
Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 ST riders took all six podium spots in the two opening races of the 2025 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Presented By Roland Sands Designs and Powered by Harley-Davidson. Saddlemen Racing Performance riders Cory West, and Jake Lewis each scored a narrow race win, with their Saddlemen teammate Travis Wyman finishing second in both races by a combined total of .081-seconds. KWR rider James Rispoli finished third in race one.
Kyle Wyman Dominates
Wyman led all Mission King of the Baggers qualifiers with a new lap record time of 1:49.383 around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course. In first action with the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team, former MotoGP rider Bradley Smith qualified fourth, while teammate James Rispoli qualified fifth. Wyman won the two-lap Mission King of the Baggers Challenge race on Saturday, ahead of second-place Rispoli by 0.238 seconds.
Wyman led the 13-bike field at the start of the first eight-lap Mission King of the Baggers race on Friday. In the first turn, Rispoli and S&S/Indian Motorcycle rider Loris Baz touched wheels and both riders went off the course and did not return to the race. Wyman turned a blistering opening lap at 1:49.672 to open a gap on S&S/Indian Motorcycle rider Troy Herfoss and Smith. Herfoss left the track on lap 4 and was able to continue. Wyman crossed the finish line 2.602 seconds clear of second-place Smith. Cam Petersen was third on the SDI Racing Indian.
On Saturday, Wyman, Herfoss, Rispoli, and Baz paced the field at the start of the race, with Wyman and Herfoss trading the lead multiple times. Rispoli ran off track in the infield portion of the track on lap 5 and was unable to continue. Wyman and Herfoss raced wheel-to-wheel in the closing three laps. Wyman took the lead on the final lap as the riders entered the high-bank oval portion of the track and then used a great drive out of the backstraight chicane to open a gap on Herfoss with Wyman and his Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® crossing the finish line 0.056 seconds ahead of Herfoss. Baz finished third, 0.884 seconds behind Wyman.
After 2 of 14 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Wyman leads in series points with 50, followed by Herfoss with 28 points, Smith with 26, S&S/Indian rider Tyler O’Hara with 23, TAB Performance Indian rider Kyle Ohnsorg with 22, RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Rocco Landers with 20, and Saddlemen Racing Performance rider Jake Lewis with 19 points.
The Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team returns to action May 2-4 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
The Mission King of the Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles competing in 14 races over seven doubleheader weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
The Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team is sponsored by Rockford Fosgate®, Mission® Foods, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Akrapovič, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results – Daytona Race 1
1. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
2. Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
10.Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson Riders Dominate Mission Super Hooligan Opener
Saddlemen Racing Performance riders Cory West and Jake Lewis won the opening rounds of the 2025 Mission Super Hooligan Championship aboard race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 ST motorcycles. West, the defending series champion, was the top qualifier for the double-header session with a time of 1:51.032 around the Daytona road course. On Friday, West opened his championship defense by leading all six race laps and holding off a last-lap charge by his Saddlemen Racing Performance teammate Travis Wyman to take the win by 0.042 seconds. James Risopli was third aboard the KWR Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST. The Saturday race was a classic Daytona drafting duel, with six riders exiting the backstretch chicane in a pack and charging elbow-to-elbow at 170+ mph for the finish. Lewis moved from sixth place to the lead, drafting past West, KWR Harley-Davidson riders Cody Wyman and, Rispoli, and Yamaha rider Dominic Doyle to catch Travis Wyman at the finish line and win by 0.039 seconds. West finished third, 0.286 second back, to complete a Saddlemen Racing Performance/Harley-Davidson lock on the podium.
After two of 10 races in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Presented By Roland Sands Designs and Powered by Harley-Davidson®, West leads with 41 points, followed by Travis Wyman with 40 points, Lewis with 32 points, Rispoli with 27 points and Cody Wyman with 26 points. The Mission Super Hooligan championship resumes May 2-4 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
2. Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen Racing Performance
3. Cory West (H-D) Saddlemen Racing Performance
4. Cody Wyman (H-D) KWR Harley-Davidson
5. James Rispoli (H-D) KWR Harley-Davidson
6. Dominic Doyle (Yam) Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing
7. Corey Alexander (Arc) ARCH Racing
8. Hayden Schultz (H-D) KWR Harley-Davidson
9. Andy DiBrino (Tri) Competition Werkes Racing
10. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam) Strack Racing
About Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.
AHRMA Brings Pro Challenge to Barber Vintage Festival
Pro racers will once again add to the sights, sounds, and smells of the Barber Vintage Festival.
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is hosting the fourth annual Pro Challenge set for October 4, 2025, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. This event will occur during the 20th Annual Barber Vintage Festival as part of the 2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia.
The Pro Challenge will showcase a diverse lineup of today’s most dynamic racing motorcycles, piloted by pro racers and eligible AHRMA competitors. A cash purse, to be revealed soon, will also be part of the excitement.
“We are excited to feature one of AHRMA’s most popular modern race classes for the 2025 AHRMA Pro Challenge at the legendary Barber Vintage Festival. Last year, Sound of Thunder 2 had over 120 unique individual racers participate, with more than 400 race entries across the season.” said Leasha Overturf, AHRMA’s Road Race Director. “AHRMA’s unique class structure brings out a wide mix of machines from Ducati, Triumph, BMW, Aprilia, Kramer and others. I look forward to welcoming everyone running in the SOT2 Pro Challenge this year!”
To be eligible, a Pro Challenge racer must meet the following criteria:
Be a licensed AHRMA member/competitor.
2. Be in compliance with the AHRMA Barber Racer Eligibility Requirements (found at ahrma.org/schedules-results).
3. Take part in the Friday practice (Thursday optional).
4. Take part in a 20-minute timed qualifying session on Friday afternoon.
5. Be registered in the “Pro Challenge” race on Saturday.
6. Be capable of racing at a competitive pace within the Pro Challenge race (based on lap times during the Friday qualifying session).
Eligible machines include liquid-cooled twins to 900cc; unlimited air-cooled twins; triples up to 765cc; and two-strokes to 250cc. Please see the AHRMA Handbook for full details regarding the Sound of Thunder 2 class at ahrma.org/ahrma-handbook/
Select FIM professional licensed road racers may obtain a special waiver from AHRMA for the competition. Waivers must be submitted through the online AHRMA Barber Road Race Waiver Request Form no later than September 19th at 12pm CDT. https://www.ahrma.org/barber-vintage-festival-waiver-request-form/
In addition to FIM professional licensed road racers, any AHRMA member pre-qualified to race at the 2025 Barber event with AHRMA may register for the Pro Challenge but must participate in qualifying and meet the qualifying criteria.
The opening of race registration will be announced at a future date.
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.
Josh Herrin makes history with an incredible fourth Daytona 200 victory on the Panigale V2
Josh Herrin etched his and Ducati’s name in the history books by securing his fourth Daytona 200 victory and third consecutive win for Ducati, marking the first time in the race’s history that a rider and manufacturer have achieved this feat.
The 2025 Daytona 200 was disrupted by two red flags: one for rain just before the halfway point and another for a crash during the restart. However, regardless of the challenges faced by the red number 2 Ducati, Herrin rose to the occasion.
Herrin’s blistering speed through the infield remained a cornerstone of his attack as he consistently gapped his opponents before the first banking. At that point, the Celtic/Economy Lube & Tire by Warhorse HSBK Ducati Panigale V2 took over to keep him at the front of the pack.
The last quarter of the race saw Herrin at his best performance by setting a phenomenal new lap record of 1:47.879 on lap 51. He leveraged his experience to maneuver around lapped riders, breaking free from any potential slipstream created by the pursuing riders and securing a controlled 5.33-second victory over Escalante and Scott.
The 2025 victory puts Herrin tied for third with Danny Eslick on the all-time Daytona 200 win list with four triumphs, with only AMA legends Miguel Duhamel and Scott Russell ahead on five wins each.
2025 Daytona 200 Results
1. Josh Herrin (Ducati)
2. Richie Escalante +5.330
3. Tyler Scott +5.338
4. Peter Hickman +35.963
5. Brandon Paasch +44.906
Josh Herrin makes history with an incredible fourth Daytona 200 victory on the Panigale V2
“Man, what a crazy weekend,” Herrin said with enthusiasm. “It’s my fourth win and third with Ducati; it doesn’t get much better than this. I see this as the biggest race in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Being the only person to win three in a row and rank in the top four of all-time wins is incredibly special.
“It’s a very difficult race to win once, let alone four times, and we’ve had some problems here in the past so it shows you need a bit of luck on your side. The bike felt incredible all weekend and I have an amazing crew behind me, so I really need to thank the whole Warhorse HSBK racing Ducati team, Brew Watch Co., Economy Lube and Tire, Ducati USA, and Ducati in Italy. I am so happy to be on the Panigale V2, and hopefully, we’ll see a surge in 2025 Panigale V2 sales!”
More, From Suzuki Motor USA:
SUZUKI TAKES ON DAYTONA AS ESCALANTE, SCOTT, AND CHAPIN SHINE
Suzuki Enjoys Strong Season Opener with Pole Position, Podium Finishes, and Twins Cup Sweep
Suzuki Motor USA kicked off the 2025 MotoAmerica season in outstanding fashion, with the Suzuki GSX-R750 claiming pole position and two podium positions in the 83rd Daytona 200 and the Suzuki GSX-8R sweeping both Twins Cup victories.
Richie Escalante achieved a hard-fought second-place finish in the legendary Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/Suzuki
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Superbike regular Richie Escalante capped off a near-flawless weekend for the team by earning second-place in the iconic Daytona 200 aboard the team’s next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750 Supersport machine. Escalante was in the mix, at or near the front throughout despite a rain delay and second red flag stoppage due to a crash. The Mexican born racer was calm and fast, aided by his team’s pit stop acumen that earlier won the squad the Pitstop Challenge victory. He ultimately edged teammate Tyler Scott for the runner-up position by a scant 0.08-second margin at the checkered flag.
“Honestly, it was a difficult weekend for us,” Escalante admitted. “I didn’t have the best feeling during the weekend, especially during the Time Attack. I wasn’t confident this morning, so I said, ‘Okay, let’s go back to the setting from last year.’ And I was very strong in the race. I felt really good, and we battled with so many different riders.
“I’m happy to finish on the podium. Of course, I want to win, but that’s not always possible. I’m super happy. Big thanks to my entire Team Hammer Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew.”
Tyler Scott delivered another strong performance in the Daytona 200, battling at the front. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/Suzuki
Scott finished on the podium after earlier taking the Suzuki GSX-R750 to pole for the second consecutive season. He led at the start and at several other points along the way before crossing the stripe side-by-side with his teammate in third.
He said, “It was a difficult day for sure with the rain and everything, but the whole Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki team put in so much effort from the end of last season to today. A lot of hard work, so much training, and a lot of testing. The bike we have here today is a way better motorcycle than we had last year, and I’m more fit than last year.
“Overall, it was a very good race. The pit stops were perfect. I can’t give enough thanks to all my guys. I’m really excited because the bike feels amazing going into the first round of the MotoAmerica Supersport championship.”
Making an electrifying Twins Cup debut, Matthew Chapin claimed to back-to-back victories aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/Suzuki
Reigning Junior Cup champion Matthew Chapin scored a pair of dramatic Twins Cup victories in his first race outing aboard the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R. Chapin came out on top of a four-rider scrap to win on Friday by a narrow .087-second margin and then upped the stakes with a five-rider, 0.019-second triumph on Saturday.
Chapin said, “I think my whole plan was just to be patient until the last lap let those guys fight it out at the front. I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks; I knew I had the bike underneath me to do it. So I just used the draft at the end and got it done.
“Huge thanks to everyone at RevZilla, Motul, and Vance & Hines for believing in me.”
About Team Hammer
The 2025 season marks Team Hammer’s 45th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 375 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol and won four F-USA Championships.
About Vision Wheel
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
MARCH 9, 2025: Is there no stopping the Bay of Plenty-based Honda Team Rees juggernaut in this season’s New Zealand Superbike Championships?
When the third round of four in the annual motorcycle road-racing series wrapped up at the Hampton Downs circuit, just north of Hamilton, on Sunday afternoon, it was again 32-year-old Mitch Rees unbeaten and on the top step of the podium in the premier 1000cc Superbike class, with his 57-year-old father Tony Rees climbing up to join him, on the second step. Christchurch’s Alastair Hoogenboezem was forced to settle for the third podium spot on Sunday.
In terms of the series points, however, it is Mitch Rees comfortably in front, a massive 68 points ahead of Hoogenboezem, with Tony Rees in third overall, now just one point further adrift.
Every post was a winning one for Mitch Rees at the weekend, the man from Whakatane qualifying his Honda CBR1000 on pole – that achievement also worth one additional competition point – before he then went out and turned that incredible pace into a hat-trick of wins, the two-time former New Zealand champion also setting a new Hampton Downs lap record in the process.
Not unsurprisingly, Mitch Rees also claimed the Tourist Trophy (TT) title, an additional prize bestowed upon the various winners of the third and final race in each class at Hampton Downs.
In total, Mitch Rees has now won eight races from nine starts in this series and his only “failure” was his finishing runner-up to Christchurch’s Dale Finch in one of his three races at round two at Timaru last month.
Evergreen multi-time former New Zealand champion Tony Rees said he was thrilled to be able to again join his son on the podium and, depending on what transpires at the fourth and final round at Taupo next weekend, the championships may well end up a 1-2 finish for the family.
“It was a perfect weekend I suppose you could say,” said Mitch Rees afterwards. “I have a good points buffer now and can possibly wrap up the title with a solid result in the first of my three races at Taupo’s finale next weekend.
“I actually had an issue to deal with regarding the bike in race one at Hampton Downs. It had rained midway through the day, and so we changed tyres after practice. Somehow the wheel rim got a dent in it, and this affected the bike’s handling in race one. I managed to ride around the problem.
“Dad did magnificently to finish where he did at Hampton Downs too, especially considering he wasn’t feeling 100 percent. He just has so much experience that racing is second nature to him.
“It’s going to be a busy weekend at Taupo next week and the aim now is to make it a Rees family 1-2 for the championship. I like the Taupo track and hold the lap record there, so that’s a positive omen.”
Meanwhile, other national championship class and TT title winners at Hampton Downs at the weekend included Christchurch man Jake Lewis (Supersport 600 class and TT title); Auckland’s Cameron Leslie (Supersport 300 class and TT title); Taupiri’s Billee Fuller (Pro Twins 650 class and TT title); Hokitika’s Luke Ryder (Super Twins and TT title); Silverdale’s Tyler King (Superlites class); Taupo’s Karl Hooper (Superlites class TT title); Lower Hutt’s Nixon Frost (Supersport 150 class); Christchurch’s Hunter Charlett (Supersport 150 class TT title), Gisborne’s Phillip Law with Angus Ravenwood (sidecars class); Palmerston North’s Barry Smith with Auckland’s Stu Dawe (sidecars class TT title).
The series wraps up with round four at Taupo next weekend, on March 15-16.
DATES FOR 2025 NZ SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS SEASON:
Round 1, Feb 7-9, 2025, Teretonga Park, Invercargill (part of Burt Munro Challenge week);
Round 2, Feb 14-15 (Friday and Saturday), 2025, Levels International Motor Raceway, Timaru;
Round 3, March 8-9, 2025, Hampton Downs (MotoFest);
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb led all 25 laps of Round 9 of the Monster Energy Supercross series for his third win in the last four races and his sixth consecutive podium, all of which have been second or better. Webb built a solid lead in the first 12 laps and extended his advantage in the second half of the race after Chase Sexton tipped over in the sand while running second. Webb ultimately ended the race with an eight-second lead over teammate Justin Cooper.
The Indianapolis fans showed up once again for Supercross’ 18th visit to Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis Colts Cornerback and Captain, Kenny Moore II, acted as the Grand Marshal for the race.
First place 450SX Class, Cooper Webb
“I was pissed off. I made a lot of mistakes today. Man, that was an awesome main event for me, probably one of the easier ones of my career. Got a good lead and could ride the pace. Obviously when Chase went down it really opened up the cushion. … I executed my start, rode great laps in the beginning and then put it on cruise control and (had a) drama-free race.” – Cooper Webb
Second place 450SX Class, Justin Cooper
“I’ve been fighting demons. I’ve been top-five the last four weekends, three of them being fourths, so it’s been tough to go home, regroup and go after that podium again. I’ve been sticking to it, trusting the process and really been riding good each weekend, consistent. … It’s cool for the team. One-two is big. This has been long overdue for me and I feel like I’ve been fighting for this for a while now.” – Justin Cooper
Third place 450SX Class, Chase Sexton
“I had a good flow going for the first half of the race and when I hit that red cross flag (for Joey Savatgy’s crash) I started losing my flow and ended up going down. Tough track. Battled back toward the end. I had Justin (Barcia) close behind me, so I just tried to get on the podium, build a little bit of momentum going into this break. (I need to) get some rest, try and regroup and come out swinging for the last eight.” — Chase Sexton
250SX
The 250 division featured the first of three East / West Showdowns in the 2025 season. Seth Hammaker earned the holeshot and led every lap to become the eighth winner in nine rounds of 250 competition. This was the second career victory of his career. Hammaker had pressure from fellow East Coast contender Tom Vialle in the closing laps but kept his composure to stretch his advantage to five seconds at the checkers. Haiden Deegan survived a trip through the safety netting to round out the podium.
First place 250SX Class, Seth Hammaker
“Man, what an unreal feeling. My second win of my career and it’s been a while since I stood on the top of the podium, so that feels amazing. Got myself off to an excellent start. Tried to sprint away those first couple of laps. … When you’re out there in the lead and (have) a little bit of a gap, it was a little challenging to stay focused but I’m proud of myself, proud of the team, the group of people I have around me, my whole family.” – Seth Hammaker
Second place 250SX Class, Tom Vialle
“Slowly getting back in the rhythm and I felt great tonight. Like Daytona, I was again close to victory but Seth rode amazing. I’m pretty happy with second-place. The track was pretty tricky tonight, pretty easy to make a mistake.” – Tom Vialle
Third place 250SX Class, Haiden Deegan
“I was upset. Obviously I wanted the win. … I ended up airing out that quad, or whatever you call it, and I ended up busting up something in my engine when I landed super hard so those last few laps, I tried to be smart and ride it in. My gears were clanging a little bit. No excuses. Those boys rode great: Tom and Seth were better guys tonight.” – Haiden Deegan
The Indianapolis round also acted as the annual Love Moto Stop Cancer race, which kicks off a yearly auction that raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Love Moto Stop Cancer partnership between Supercross and St. Jude is in its ninth year. The Supercross fans and racing community have raised over 2 million dollars for the organization that fights childhood cancer and keeps families together during treatment. The teams and racers increase their support at the special round each year with bike graphics and gear designs inspired by and incorporating art from the young patients at St. Jude. The custom items, along with special items kindly donated by series’ partners will be available for auction starting on Monday, April 28. The auction will run through the final round in Salt Lake City, ending on Monday, May 13. For more information, please visit our St. Jude page on the SupercrossLIVE.com website at (https://www.supercrosslive.com/st-jude/). In the meantime, fans can also get involved in the racing community efforts by donating, just text SUPER to 785-833 to become a partner in hope with the Love Moto Stop Cancer text-to-donate campaign, or SUZUKI to 99126 for a chance to win Ken Roczen’s 2025 RM-Z Suzuki 450. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our mission is clear: Finding Cures. Saving Children.
The Indianapolis Supercross pays points toward both the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as toward the SMX World Championship post-season, which seeds racers from Supercross and the AMA Pro Motocross championships into two Playoffs and the SMX World ChampionshipTM.
For fans awaiting the Supercross season to come to their city, live and on-demand viewing is available on Peacock. Select events are also broadcast or streamed on NBC, CNBC, USA Network, and NBC Sports digital platforms. Telemundo Deportes’ Facebook and YouTube channels provide Spanish-language coverage in the US, while live international coverage can be accessed through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) with English, Spanish and French language broadcasts. Each round can also be heard live on NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85.
The series takes one week off before heading to Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama for the second trip to the market on March 22nd, 2025. The first gate drops at 7:00 p.m. ET next Saturday. The Birmingham Supercross round will feature the second Triple Crown format race of the season with a 450 race and the 250 East riders.For more information, race results, live timing, video highlights, and ticket sales to attend an event please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
Knee-down on the electric LiveWire S2 Alpinista. Action photos by Geoffrey McCarthy/courtesy Alpinestars.
It’s like Alpinestars engineers sat down with a list of objections to wearing airbags and eliminated or minimized every one of them with the new Tech-Air 5 Plasma inflatable protection vest.
No more changing body armor based on the type of ride. The new system, which protects the back, chest and collarbones, features three different ride modes. Alpinestars incorporated triggering algorithms from its enduro-capable system into the Plasma, making the system capable of handling adventure riding. This is added to the street and track modes available on the earlier Tech-Air 5 system.
No more downloading an app onto your smartphone to change riding modes. Track, street or off-road modes are selected with a push of a button on a small panel on the lower right side of the vest. Hold the button down and toggle through the riding modes. The display panel also indicates battery charge level and system status and provides an easily accessible Type C USB charging port.
No more struggling to get a racing suit on over the vest. The computer, gyroscope, accelerometer and single gas canister now sit in a slimmer compartment, which is barely thicker than a quality passive back protector. The single-canister configuration helps reduce the weight by 25%, to 3.373 pounds. And a zip-up fabric cover makes it even easier to slip into and out of leathers or jackets while wearing the vest.
Front and back view of the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma vest, showing control panel, new coverage configuration for the front bladders, and high-airflow panels. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
No more sending the vest back for constant repacking. The Tech-Air 5 is fully serviceable by the user, and it takes about 30 seconds to replace a depleted canister. Replacement canisters cost $119.95, and the bladder system is good for six deployments before it has to go back to a service center. If the rider is unsure if the bladder has been compromised, a test valve allows the owner to inflate the bladder and check for leaks.
No more worrying about battery life. Out of the box, the system gets charged overnight. After that, four hours of charging provides 30 hours of riding functionality. And even if the system completely fails, the Plasma back protector incorporated into the unit meets CE Level One impact absorption standards.
Single canister can be replaced by the user. Bladders are good for six discharges before service. Orange material is viscoelastic thermoplastic composite and serves as a Level One impact absorption back protector. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
And … more breathability. The system has been designed with a chest/shoulder protector that looks like an “H,” covering the ribs but allowing air to flow over most of the chest and abdomen. More high-airflow panels are incorporated into the arms, the abdomen, the neck and the back.
The level of impact attenuation remains the same as before – in simple terms, the deployed airbag absorbs the same amount of force as nine stacked-up Level Two back protectors or 18 stacked-up Level One protectors. And all of this for the same price, $789.95, as the prior model.
Riding With The Tech-Air 5
Alpinestars brought journalists out to the Antelope Valley in Southern California to sample the new system. We did a brief off-road ride, approximately 100 miles on the street and an afternoon on the Streets of Willow course at Willow Springs International Raceway.
Put it on like any other vest, zip it shut, hit the button to turn it on. Check to see that it’s got charge and that it’s in the right ride mode. Zip up your jacket. That’s it. Couldn’t be more simple. It is just a little thicker than the passive chest/back protector I normally wear under racing leathers, and I’m still breaking in my newest suit, so it rode up a bit when I pulled the leathers on. But I reached around behind my neck, pushed it back down, zipped up my leathers and that was the last time I thought about the vest.
Track riding on any sunny day in the high deserts of SoCal gets hot, and the increased ventilation definitely paid off. The Tech-Air 10 full race unit has an FIM-mandated single bladder across the entire chest, and I definitely felt it blocking the air flow. The Tech-Air 5 feels lighter, cooler, and I didn’t find it restrictive in any way.
The technology of airbag systems continues to mature, and the Tech-Air 5 incorporates the advances in the art of inflatable armor. It addresses many of the concerns that have prevented or discouraged riders from using airbags. It is hard to beat the protection offered by an inflatable system, and Alpinestars has just lowered the barriers for using one.
The SSR XD250 is a 223cc air-cooled, electric-start dirt bike with power and torque for riding on trails, tracks, and tough terrain.
SSR MOTORSPORTS RELEASES ALL NEW 2025 XD250 DIRT BIKE
SSR Motorsports continues to push the boundaries of off-road excitement with the all-new XD250, the latest addition to the brand’s highly anticipated XD line-up. With its bold and modern design and powerful performance, the XD250 joins its sibling, the XD150, to form a formidable duo in the mid-size dirt bike category.
The XD250 is built for riders who demand more from their off-road adventures. Featuring a 223cc air-cooled, electric start engine, the XD250 delivers impressive power and torque, making it a great contender for tackling trails, tracks, and tough terrain. The bike’s adjustable front and rear suspensions ensure a smooth and controlled ride, while its 19” / 16” alloy wheels provide superior traction and stability across varying landscapes.
Whether you’re an experienced rider or an enthusiast looking to elevate your off-road game, this bike promises an exhilarating experience at an unbeatable price point. With an MSRP of just $2,799, the XD250 offers an exceptional value for riders seeking high performance without breaking the bank. Paired with the nimble XD150, the two models create a dynamic duo that sets a new standard in the mid-size dirt bike segment.
SSR Motorsports was established in 2002 to import and distribute powersports products in the United States. We provide products that are fun to ride, with cutting-edge design, superior engineering and well-managed quality control. Our Mission Statement: Provide Quality Powersports Products at an Affordable Price with Premier Customer Service.
We believe every enthusiast should be able to afford a brand-new powersport product that is backed by a manufacturer warranty, comprehensive dealer network, premier customer service and a West Coast distribution center stocked with readily available replacement parts. For more information, go to: https://www.ssrmotorsports.com/
Josh Herrin (2) leads Tyler Scott (70), Richie Escalante (54) and the rest of the field during a restart of the 2025 Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The 83rd running of the iconic Daytona 200 came down to a battle at the front between Josh Herrin (Ducati #2), Richie Escalante (Suzuki #54) and Tyler Scott (Suzuki #70).
The post-race Daytona 200 and Mission King Of The Baggers press conferences:
History was made in the 83rd running of the Daytona 200, so check out the post-race press conference featuring the race winner, runner-up, and third-place finisher. Also watch and listen to the post-race comments from the podium finishers in the Daytona Bike Week-concluding Mission King Of The Baggers Race 2.
MotoAmerica star Tyler O'Hara gives advice to Haydn Meng. O'Hara will host a MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifier at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, on March 15. Photo courtesy Tyler O'Hara.
UPDATE: Promotor Tyler O’Hara says the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier scheduled for Sonoma Raceway on March 15th has been postponed to July 19-20th due to an approaching major rain storm. The forecast is for an atmospheric river to drench Northern California on the original date. Contact the promoter for more information.
(The original post on this event, seen below, was posted on February 5th, 2025.)
Tyler O’Hara To Host A MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier At Sonoma Raceway
MotoAmerica Star Will Organize And Host A Qualifying Round On March 15
MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is proud to announce that 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion and 2023 Super Hooligan National Champion Tyler O’Hara, along with Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp and NNKC Minimoto, will organize and host a MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifier at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, on March 15. The Qualifier will be for the Mission Mini Cup National Final, which will be held for the second consecutive year at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 8-10. O’Hara has contracted NNKC Minimoto to officiate the racing action.
Qualifiers at the Sonoma event will be held for all six classes: Stock 50 (ages 6-8); Stock 110 (ages 8-12); GP 110 (ages 8-12); GP 160 (ages 10-14); GP 190 (ages 10-14); and Street GP (ages 14 and up).
The Sonoma event will also feature a Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp, with the MotoAmerica racer providing motorcycle training and lessons to all levels of riders/racers.
Additionally, former MotoGP star John Hopkins will be on hand with Ohvale USA and will have Ohvale 160 and 190 and 110s racebikes available for rent. The rentals are $250 per bike with a $500 deposit. Ohvale USA will also pay contingency money for the top three finishers in races that meet the minimum Ohvale 5-rider requirement.
“It’s great to see Tyler stepping up and supporting the future of our sport by helping young racers from Northern California qualify for the National Final,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Tyler’s dedication to helping up-and-coming talent is awesome, and he’s bringing some great ideas to the table, like having Hawk Mazzotta provide basic schooling for the young racers. We’re excited to see how his first event turns out and hope it sets the groundwork for many more to come.”
“I’m stoked to be promoting and hosting a Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier,” O’Hara said. “Helping others get started in motorcycling and motorcycle racing is something I enjoy and giving young racers in my area the chance to qualify and ultimately race in the National Final at Road America is cool. There have been a ton of racers from Northern California who have gone on to great things in motorcycle racing and we’d like to see that continue. With help from Hawk Mazzotta and his camp, and also Ohvale USA’s John Hopkins, we’re excited to work with MotoAmerica and can’t wait for March 15. With Hopkins bringing Ohvales to the event for racers to rent, we’re hopeful that youngsters from outside the area will travel to Sonoma to compete without having to bring their motorcycles.”
For more information and to pre-register for the Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp, email [email protected]
For more information on the Sierra Nevada Moto Championship, visit https://www.nnkcminimoto.com/
To reserve a rental Ohvale, visit www.minicupusa.com or email [email protected]
For more information about the MotoAmerica Mini Cup series or club participation in the series, 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+
More, from a press release issued by GP World Cup organizers Tyler O’Hara and Hawk Mazzotta:
Tyler O’Hara and Hawk Mazzotta to host GP World Cup alongside Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier
Nine support classes scheduled for the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier at Sonoma Raceway on March 15
In addition to hosting a qualifying round for the Mission Mini Cup National Final at Road America in Elkhart Lake, 2022 Mission King Of The Baggers Champion and 2023 Super Hooligan National Champion, Tyler O’Hara, along with Hawk Mazzotta Moto Camp and NNKC Minimoto, will be hosting a bumper undercard on March 15 at Sonoma Raceway, CA, that includes the Parts Unlimited GP World Cup, Metzeler Supermoto Pro and DTX19 Class.
The GP World Cup feeds off the burgeoning popularity of sub-500cc twin-cylinder motorcycles ridden at kart tracks such as the Kawasaki Ninja 500, Yamaha YZF-R3, and KTM 390 Duke. A minimum age of 15 is mandatory for all competitors, as is a valid AMA membership.
GP World Cup is for riders on bikes formerly seen in Junior Cup races.
With MotoAmerica moving away from production machines to specialized Krämer APX-350 MA machines for the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup, O’Hara’s and Mazzotta’s GP World Cup is the perfect opportunity for racers to continue to campaign the machines previously seen in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup.
Supermoto competitors have not been left out with the Supermoto Pro category for two-stroke machines 175cc-350cc, four-stroke machines from 250cc-550cc, and electric machines such as the Stark Varg eligible to compete.
Supermoto bikes are included in the event at Sonoma.
The Parts Unlimited GP World Cup field will be eligible for a $1500 purse while the Metzeler Supermoto Pro class will be eligible for a $1000 purse.
Other classes featured on the Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier weekend include Supermoto Amateur (running the same engine sizes as Supermoto Pro), the DTX19 Class for dirt track machines running 19-inch wheels and tires that run a front brake (again, running the same engine sizes as Supermoto Pro), SM3 Supermini for 12 year old and up riders, Supermoto Mini for 10 year old and up riders, Junior Class for riders six to 12 years old, Micromoto for four to eight year old riders, and a Stacyc category for riders two to five years old on the Stacyc 12 and 16 inch models.
Classes for young kids riding Stacyc electric bikes are also included.
O’Hara and Mazzotta will be teaming with former MotoGP podium finisher and Ohvale importer, John Hopkins, to offer rental racebikes in 190cc, 160cc and 110cc capacities for the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier.
Rumble Strip Rentals will also be offering race-ready Yamaha YZF-R3 machines for the GP World Cup class.
“I’m really pleased to be helping the sport grow by hosting the next generation of road racers, but I also wanted to give back to the local community of racers, which is why we’ve got such a massive program scheduled,” said Tyler O’Hara. “There’s going to be a class for almost anyone to compete in, and I especially feel the GP World Cup will be a great one to watch as there are a lot of riders who use these machines as the perfect training tool for road racing.
“I come from Supermoto, so I couldn’t host an event that didn’t have my roots in there! Supermoto is coming back in America quickly and we’ve got some world class riders who will be in attendance. We’ve got almost every aspect of tarmac competition covered, right down to the Stacyc class for the little rippers. It’s going to be an amazing weekend.”
The Ducati Desmo250 MX finishes third in an Italian Prestige MX2 Championship race, ridden by Alessandro Lupino.
Campionato Italiano MX – Brilliant Podium Finish on Debut for the Ducati Desmo250 MX
•The brand-new bike from the Borgo Panigale company was put to the test on the treacherous sands of Ottobiano and immediately demonstrated great competitiveness and reliability.
•The Desmo250 MX passes the first test of the season, taking third place in the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship with a strong Alessandro Lupino.
It took just a few weeks for the Ducati Desmo250 MX, raced by Team Beddini Factory Racing, to conquer the first Italian podium of its very young career. Despite a painful and swollen wrist, the reigning Italian MX1 Champion managed to get on the podium at the first attempt, demonstrating all his fight and tenacity.
It had been 10 years since Alessandro Lupino had ridden a 250 4-stroke, and the first round of the Italian Prestige Motocross MX2 Championship was also the occasion for him to debut in a class he had never competed in before in the Italian series. The nine-time Italian Motocross Champion, with 44 podiums to his name in MX1, riding the Ducati Desmo250 MX for its debut, also achieved his first personal top three in the Prestige MX2 Championship.
First in his group at the end of official practice on Saturday, Alessandro also recorded the best time in the subsequent timed session, earning the second gate pick for the two motos on Sunday.
At the start of race one, the 34-year-old began just outside the top five, moving into fourth after one lap. By the next lap, he was in third, maintaining an excellent pace and quickly closing the gap to second, eventually taking the position. However, his rival’s response was clumsy, and after making contact, Lupino was sent to the ground with a sore wrist and the bike severely damaged. The Italian didn’t give up, though, and admirably gritted his teeth to cross the finish line in 10th.
Then, in the second moto, Alessandro was fifth out of the first corner and, after three laps, was in second, as he superbly found his flow. From there, nothing stood between the Desmo250 MX and the third step of the podium, which served as a fitting reward for a brilliant moto.
After the first round of the championship, Lupino is third in the standings with 290 points. The next round of the Italian Prestige Championship will be held at the Mantova circuit on March 29 and 30, a track where, a year ago, Alessandro rode the Desmo450 MX for its debut.
Alessandro Lupino: “I’m happy once again, we did a great job, and I have to congratulate the team at Ducati, who performed a miracle. The Desmo250 MX has only been running for three weeks, and today we came for a test day. However, if I hadn’t been taken out, we could have secured two second-place finishes. As a rider, I’m pleasantly surprised to have made it onto the podium and to already have such a competitive bike on our first outing.”
Rodio Racing's Gus Rodio (#113). Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Daytona 200:
From a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Gus Rodio Achieves Impressive 12th Place Finish in His First Daytona 200
In a remarkable debut at the iconic Daytona 200, Gus Rodio finished 12th, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination throughout the race. Competing for Rodio Racing, Gus qualified P7 in both qualifying sessions and secured P8 in the Time Attack, setting the stage for an exciting race day.
The Daytona 200, known for its challenging conditions and fierce competition, marked a significant milestone in Rodio’s racing career. His impressive qualifying times showcased his talent and preparation, positioning him well among seasoned competitors. Despite facing unexpected electronics issues during the race, Gus displayed resilience and focus, navigating through the challenges to achieve a commendable finish in his first Daytona 200.
“I’m thrilled to have competed in my first Daytona 200 and to finish 12th among such a talented field,” said Gus Rodio. “It was a learning experience, and while the electronics issues were frustrating, I believe we showed great potential. I’m grateful for the support from my team and can’t wait to build on this performance in future races.”
Team owner Kevin Rodio expressed pride in Gus’s debut and the team’s efforts. “This was a significant race for Gus, and he handled it with great poise. We faced some hurdles, but I am confident that with every race, we will grow stronger. Our focus now is on analyzing the race and ensuring we are better prepared for the next challenges ahead.”
Rodio Racing remains committed to excellence and continuous improvement as they head to Barber Motorsports Park with Motoamerica April 4-6, 2025
For more information about Gus Rodio and Rodio Racing, please visit www.rodioracing.com or follow us on social media.
Gus Rodio (113) at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
From a press release issued by Dunlop:
Dunlop Riders Sweep the top Six at Daytona 200 with Josh Herrin on top once again!
Josh Herrin and Ducati once again triumphed at the 83rd edition of the Daytona 200, with five more competitors on Dunlop tires close behind!
This year’s Daytona 200 celebrated its 83rd anniversary, known for delivering unparalleled racing excitement. With an exceptional lineup of talent from all over the world, the 2025 race upheld this tradition. Josh Herrin, representing Celtic/Economy Lube+Tire/Warhorse HSBK Ducati, started from the first row, successfully building on his previous 2023 and 2024 victories aboard his Dunlop-supported Ducati Panigale V2. This win locks him in the record books as the first rider ever to win the Daytona 200 three years in a row and four in total, all on Dunlop tires.
Trailing Herrin by 5.33 seconds were fellow Dunlop riders Richie Escalante on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, his teammate and pole-sitter Tyler Scott; Peter Hickman on his PHR Performance Triumph; and then the TOBC Racing teammates Brandon Paasch and Danny Eslick, all claiming the top six positions, each on Dunlop tires!
Thanks to the efforts of MotoAmerica, the Daytona 200 continues to thrive, drawing top competitors such as Pirelli and Bridgestone, all competing for victory at one of the most challenging and revered events of the year. Dunlop’s steadfast commitment to excellence and winning remains evident, making success a foreseeable outcome. While Dunlop supports tire control programs, Dunlop eagerly awaits the next chance to showcase Dunlop’s unrivaled quality. This year, Dunlop has again demonstrated that its technology and performance are second to none, especially with the continuation of the Sportmax Slick line of race slicks.
Dunlop’s deep passion for success, along with a firm dedication to technological advancement and thorough testing, has cemented its reputation in the industry. As the exclusive tire supplier for the MotoAmerica Championship, Dunlop has leveraged their extensive racing experience and engineering expertise to develop tires capable of securing championships.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:
Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Twins Cup:
From a press release issued by Aprilia:
APRILIA RS 660 RIDER DI MARIO OPENS MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP TITLE DEFENSE WITH A PAIR OF SECOND PLACE FINISHES AT DAYTONA
ROBEM ENGINEERING RIDER LEAVES MARCH 6-8 ROUND AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY SECOND IN TWINS CUP POINTS STANDINGS
Defending MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion and Aprilia rider Alessandro Di Mario picked up right where he left off in 2024 at the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway. Di Mario and his Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 were the bike-rider tandem that the rest of the field was chasing in practice and qualifying, and Di Mario wrapped up the opening round with two hard-fought second place results.
The Kentuckian — who won the 2024 Twins Cup title as a rookie in the class — was the top-finishing Aprilia rider in both races, narrowly missing out on winning Friday and Saturday’s races by a combined 0.106 seconds. Di Mario leaves the Daytona round sitting second in the points standings ahead of the Twins Cup’s next round at one of his favorite tracks.
Di Mario was by far the fastest rider in Thursday morning practice. His best lap time — a 1:58.619 — was more than 1.2 seconds faster than the next-fastest rider. Three other Aprilia riders finished in the top 10 in Thursday morning practice – Andrew Weyh of Weyh Racing was sixth-fastest, Celtic HSBK’s Mavrick Cyr was ninth-fastest and 2018 Twins Cup Champion Chris Parrish was tenth-fastest on his Ghetto Customs-sponsored RS 660.
The first of two qualifying sessions took place later Thursday and concluded with Di Mario on provisional pole. Di Mario improved his best lap time by more than a second, and Weyh and Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison finished that session in sixth place and ninth place, respectively. Qualifying wrapped up Friday morning with Di Mario having cemented his grasp on pole position for the weekend’s two Twins Cup races. Other Aprilia riders who qualified in the top 10 include Weyh in sixth, Cunnison in seventh and Cyr in tenth.
Later Saturday in Race 1, Di Mario ended up being one of four riders to break away from the rest of the field early in the race. Di Mario led the race several times as the pack of four continually drafted past each other on Daytona’s high banks for nine hard-fought laps. On the run to the finish line, Di Mario made a valiant effort to fight to the front and missed out on clinching his first win at Daytona by a mere 0.087 seconds. The other Aprilia rider who finished in the top 10 was Cunnision in seventh place.
Saturday morning’s Race 2 was very similar to Friday’s race, as Di Mario spent the whole of the race duking it out with a small group at the front. Though there was an additional rider in the front-running pack, each rider took turns leading the race until the last lap. Though Di Mario was running in fourth place as the front-runners navigated NASCAR Turns 3 and 4 for the last time, he nearly drafted his way to a victory. He ended up finishing 0.019 seconds behind the race winner but still secured his second runner-up finish of the round. Weyh finished Race 2 in sixth place and Cunnison in tenth.
Of the 35 riders signed up to race in the MotoAmerica Twin Cup races at Daytona International Speedway, 14 were registered to compete aboard Aprilia RS 660’s.
The MotoAmerica Twins Cup is back in action April 4-6 when the series makes its annual visit to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 1
“The races were pretty good. The team did a perfect job by making sure the bike was at its best the whole weekend. I’m happy I was able to get as many points as possible here at Daytona, which is a track I struggle at. I am very excited for the next round at Barber, since it’s my favorite track.”
From a press release issued by Robem Engineering:
If Alessandro Di Mario is due for a sophomore slump in MotoAmerica Twins Cup, it wasn’t on display at the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway. The teenage phenom who rode an Aprilia RS 660 to a Twins Cup title as a rookie last year was the fastest rider in practice and qualifying at the March 6-8 Daytona round – and came up slivers of a second short of winning each race.
Alessandro Di Mario (1). Photo by Sara Chappell.
After two races, the Lexington, Ky., resident Di Mario left Daytona Beach a close second place in the Twins Cup points standings.
Di Mario’s pace in practice and qualifying at the Daytona International Speedway round was simply blistering. He started the round by posting a best lap time in Thursday morning practice that was more than a second faster than the next-best time and was on provisional pole when Thursday afternoon’s Qualifying 1 session came to a close. When the Qualifying 2 session wrapped up on Friday morning, Di Mario had secured pole position for the rounds’ two Twins Cup races by a margin of 0.349 seconds.
In Friday afternoon’s Twins Cup Race 1, Di Mario got a decent start and was one of four riders who quickly established themselves as the front runners. Di Mario took the lead on several occasions during the nine-lap race as the pack of four riders used the draft to repeatedly slingshot past each other. On the run to the finish line, Di Mario did his best to be at the front and came up just 0.087 second short of winning the first race of the 2025 season.
Saturday morning’s Race 2 ended up being a near clone of Friday’s race, as a small group of riders made an early break from the rest of the field and spent almost all of the nine-lap race drafting and re-drafting each other for position. Though Di Mario was in a less-than-ideal fourth position as the frontrunning pack began its final run to the tri-oval, Di Mario craftly used the draft to nearly claim the win. He finished in second place again – a mere 0.019 seconds behind the race winner.
The Robem Engineering team will be back in action at the next MotoAmerica Twins Cup round, which is slated to take place April 4-6 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.
Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2025 season include Accossato, Aprilia Racing, Blud Lubricants, Bitubo Suspension, Essex Parts, Millennium Technologies, NGK, NTK, Piaggio North America, Sara Chappell Photos, SC Project and Sprint Filters.
From a press release issued by Karns TST Industries
The Daytona 200 weekend was great, mixed with some adversity. All of the Karns TST Industries riders were quick out of the gate. Isaac Woodworth and Levi Badie were solidly in the top 10, after making improvements to the team’s Suzuki GSX-8Rs all weekend. Isaac used the draft to his advantage in both races, nipping Levi at the line, and they are now sitting 6th and 7th in the championship points going into Barber. We have some work to do and a game plan for there.
The Karns Performance/TST Industries pit area at Daytona.
Elisa Gendron-Belen had a great weekend qualifying for the race and making some key moves and passes improving her lap times and finishing position significantly from 26th to 17th.
“I feel we had a very successful first weekend in the new class with some of the best riders in the class. There were definitely some ups and downs. We learned a bunch and are looking forward to Barber,” said Jason Karns, Team principal.
A HUGE thank you goes out to TST Industries, Meck’s Auto Body, Adrenaline Engineering, Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension, NG Brakes, Speigler Brake Lines, Blumanstock Machine, M4 Exhaust, Blud Lubricants, Woodcraft Technologies.
Mission King Of The Baggers and Mission Super Hooligan:
From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON® X DYNOJET FACTORY RACER KYLE WYMAN DOMINATES MISSION KING OF THE BAGGERS SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA
Harley-Davidson Racers Sweep Super Hooligan National Championship Podiums Aboard Pan America STs
Kyle Wyman (right) won Mission King Of The Baggers Race One with Bradley Smith (left) finishing second. Brian J, Nelson photo.
Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team rider Kyle Wyman scored a perfect weekend of racing in the opening round of the 2025 Mission King of the Baggers road racing series at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Fla. Wyman rode a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle to a new track lap record to top qualifying, won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge sprint race, and won both Mission King of the Baggers feature races on Friday and Saturday. Wyman has won five consecutive Mission King of the Baggers races at Daytona dating back to 2023 and Saturday’s win gave him 20 total victories in the class. Wyman’s Road Glide carried the all-new team livery which debuted at Daytona earlier in the week with the all-new 2025 CVO™ Road Glide® RR.
“I love racing here at Daytona and there’s no better place to be than victory lane,” said Wyman after Saturday’s win. “It was such a game out there today. The Harley-Davidson Dynojet team put a really fast Road Glide under me and I had the power it took to win twice.”
Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 ST riders took all six podium spots in the two opening races of the 2025 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Presented By Roland Sands Designs and Powered by Harley-Davidson. Saddlemen Racing Performance riders Cory West, and Jake Lewis each scored a narrow race win, with their Saddlemen teammate Travis Wyman finishing second in both races by a combined total of .081-seconds. KWR rider James Rispoli finished third in race one.
Kyle Wyman Dominates
Wyman led all Mission King of the Baggers qualifiers with a new lap record time of 1:49.383 around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course. In first action with the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team, former MotoGP rider Bradley Smith qualified fourth, while teammate James Rispoli qualified fifth. Wyman won the two-lap Mission King of the Baggers Challenge race on Saturday, ahead of second-place Rispoli by 0.238 seconds.
Wyman led the 13-bike field at the start of the first eight-lap Mission King of the Baggers race on Friday. In the first turn, Rispoli and S&S/Indian Motorcycle rider Loris Baz touched wheels and both riders went off the course and did not return to the race. Wyman turned a blistering opening lap at 1:49.672 to open a gap on S&S/Indian Motorcycle rider Troy Herfoss and Smith. Herfoss left the track on lap 4 and was able to continue. Wyman crossed the finish line 2.602 seconds clear of second-place Smith. Cam Petersen was third on the SDI Racing Indian.
On Saturday, Wyman, Herfoss, Rispoli, and Baz paced the field at the start of the race, with Wyman and Herfoss trading the lead multiple times. Rispoli ran off track in the infield portion of the track on lap 5 and was unable to continue. Wyman and Herfoss raced wheel-to-wheel in the closing three laps. Wyman took the lead on the final lap as the riders entered the high-bank oval portion of the track and then used a great drive out of the backstraight chicane to open a gap on Herfoss with Wyman and his Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® crossing the finish line 0.056 seconds ahead of Herfoss. Baz finished third, 0.884 seconds behind Wyman.
After 2 of 14 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Wyman leads in series points with 50, followed by Herfoss with 28 points, Smith with 26, S&S/Indian rider Tyler O’Hara with 23, TAB Performance Indian rider Kyle Ohnsorg with 22, RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Rocco Landers with 20, and Saddlemen Racing Performance rider Jake Lewis with 19 points.
The Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team returns to action May 2-4 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
The Mission King of the Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles competing in 14 races over seven doubleheader weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
The Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team is sponsored by Rockford Fosgate®, Mission® Foods, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Akrapovič, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Race Results – Daytona Race 1
1. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
2. Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
10.Bradley Smith (H-D) Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team
Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson Riders Dominate Mission Super Hooligan Opener
Saddlemen Racing Performance riders Cory West and Jake Lewis won the opening rounds of the 2025 Mission Super Hooligan Championship aboard race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 ST motorcycles. West, the defending series champion, was the top qualifier for the double-header session with a time of 1:51.032 around the Daytona road course. On Friday, West opened his championship defense by leading all six race laps and holding off a last-lap charge by his Saddlemen Racing Performance teammate Travis Wyman to take the win by 0.042 seconds. James Risopli was third aboard the KWR Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST. The Saturday race was a classic Daytona drafting duel, with six riders exiting the backstretch chicane in a pack and charging elbow-to-elbow at 170+ mph for the finish. Lewis moved from sixth place to the lead, drafting past West, KWR Harley-Davidson riders Cody Wyman and, Rispoli, and Yamaha rider Dominic Doyle to catch Travis Wyman at the finish line and win by 0.039 seconds. West finished third, 0.286 second back, to complete a Saddlemen Racing Performance/Harley-Davidson lock on the podium.
After two of 10 races in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Presented By Roland Sands Designs and Powered by Harley-Davidson®, West leads with 41 points, followed by Travis Wyman with 40 points, Lewis with 32 points, Rispoli with 27 points and Cody Wyman with 26 points. The Mission Super Hooligan championship resumes May 2-4 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
2. Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen Racing Performance
3. Cory West (H-D) Saddlemen Racing Performance
4. Cody Wyman (H-D) KWR Harley-Davidson
5. James Rispoli (H-D) KWR Harley-Davidson
6. Dominic Doyle (Yam) Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing
7. Corey Alexander (Arc) ARCH Racing
8. Hayden Schultz (H-D) KWR Harley-Davidson
9. Andy DiBrino (Tri) Competition Werkes Racing
10. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam) Strack Racing
About Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.
Seen in Sound of Thunder 2 during the 2024 Barber Vintage Festival are Paul Canale (9R), Conner Dylan (198), Maxon McLaughlin (713), Eric Burrell (6E), John Waverka (647), Nicolas de Sena (806), Brian Lowe (73), Landen Smith (786), Jim Barker (59), Shawn Velsz (901), and Peter Nicolosi (447). Photo by Etechphoto.com
AHRMA Brings Pro Challenge to Barber Vintage Festival
Pro racers will once again add to the sights, sounds, and smells of the Barber Vintage Festival.
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is hosting the fourth annual Pro Challenge set for October 4, 2025, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. This event will occur during the 20th Annual Barber Vintage Festival as part of the 2025 AHRMA Roadracing Series presented by Motobilia.
The Pro Challenge will showcase a diverse lineup of today’s most dynamic racing motorcycles, piloted by pro racers and eligible AHRMA competitors. A cash purse, to be revealed soon, will also be part of the excitement.
“We are excited to feature one of AHRMA’s most popular modern race classes for the 2025 AHRMA Pro Challenge at the legendary Barber Vintage Festival. Last year, Sound of Thunder 2 had over 120 unique individual racers participate, with more than 400 race entries across the season.” said Leasha Overturf, AHRMA’s Road Race Director. “AHRMA’s unique class structure brings out a wide mix of machines from Ducati, Triumph, BMW, Aprilia, Kramer and others. I look forward to welcoming everyone running in the SOT2 Pro Challenge this year!”
To be eligible, a Pro Challenge racer must meet the following criteria:
Be a licensed AHRMA member/competitor.
2. Be in compliance with the AHRMA Barber Racer Eligibility Requirements (found at ahrma.org/schedules-results).
3. Take part in the Friday practice (Thursday optional).
4. Take part in a 20-minute timed qualifying session on Friday afternoon.
5. Be registered in the “Pro Challenge” race on Saturday.
6. Be capable of racing at a competitive pace within the Pro Challenge race (based on lap times during the Friday qualifying session).
Eligible machines include liquid-cooled twins to 900cc; unlimited air-cooled twins; triples up to 765cc; and two-strokes to 250cc. Please see the AHRMA Handbook for full details regarding the Sound of Thunder 2 class at ahrma.org/ahrma-handbook/
Select FIM professional licensed road racers may obtain a special waiver from AHRMA for the competition. Waivers must be submitted through the online AHRMA Barber Road Race Waiver Request Form no later than September 19th at 12pm CDT. https://www.ahrma.org/barber-vintage-festival-waiver-request-form/
In addition to FIM professional licensed road racers, any AHRMA member pre-qualified to race at the 2025 Barber event with AHRMA may register for the Pro Challenge but must participate in qualifying and meet the qualifying criteria.
The opening of race registration will be announced at a future date.
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.
Josh Herrin and his family celebrate his 4th Daytona 200 win with fans and his team, Celtic/Economy Lube & Tire by Warhorse HSBK Ducati. Ducati photo.
Josh Herrin makes history with an incredible fourth Daytona 200 victory on the Panigale V2
Josh Herrin etched his and Ducati’s name in the history books by securing his fourth Daytona 200 victory and third consecutive win for Ducati, marking the first time in the race’s history that a rider and manufacturer have achieved this feat.
The 2025 Daytona 200 was disrupted by two red flags: one for rain just before the halfway point and another for a crash during the restart. However, regardless of the challenges faced by the red number 2 Ducati, Herrin rose to the occasion.
Herrin’s blistering speed through the infield remained a cornerstone of his attack as he consistently gapped his opponents before the first banking. At that point, the Celtic/Economy Lube & Tire by Warhorse HSBK Ducati Panigale V2 took over to keep him at the front of the pack.
The last quarter of the race saw Herrin at his best performance by setting a phenomenal new lap record of 1:47.879 on lap 51. He leveraged his experience to maneuver around lapped riders, breaking free from any potential slipstream created by the pursuing riders and securing a controlled 5.33-second victory over Escalante and Scott.
The 2025 victory puts Herrin tied for third with Danny Eslick on the all-time Daytona 200 win list with four triumphs, with only AMA legends Miguel Duhamel and Scott Russell ahead on five wins each.
2025 Daytona 200 Results
1. Josh Herrin (Ducati)
2. Richie Escalante +5.330
3. Tyler Scott +5.338
4. Peter Hickman +35.963
5. Brandon Paasch +44.906
Josh Herrin makes history with an incredible fourth Daytona 200 victory on the Panigale V2
“Man, what a crazy weekend,” Herrin said with enthusiasm. “It’s my fourth win and third with Ducati; it doesn’t get much better than this. I see this as the biggest race in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Being the only person to win three in a row and rank in the top four of all-time wins is incredibly special.
“It’s a very difficult race to win once, let alone four times, and we’ve had some problems here in the past so it shows you need a bit of luck on your side. The bike felt incredible all weekend and I have an amazing crew behind me, so I really need to thank the whole Warhorse HSBK racing Ducati team, Brew Watch Co., Economy Lube and Tire, Ducati USA, and Ducati in Italy. I am so happy to be on the Panigale V2, and hopefully, we’ll see a surge in 2025 Panigale V2 sales!”
More, From Suzuki Motor USA:
SUZUKI TAKES ON DAYTONA AS ESCALANTE, SCOTT, AND CHAPIN SHINE
Suzuki Enjoys Strong Season Opener with Pole Position, Podium Finishes, and Twins Cup Sweep
Suzuki Motor USA kicked off the 2025 MotoAmerica season in outstanding fashion, with the Suzuki GSX-R750 claiming pole position and two podium positions in the 83rd Daytona 200 and the Suzuki GSX-8R sweeping both Twins Cup victories.
Richie Escalante achieved a hard-fought second-place finish in the legendary Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/Suzuki
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Superbike regular Richie Escalante capped off a near-flawless weekend for the team by earning second-place in the iconic Daytona 200 aboard the team’s next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750 Supersport machine. Escalante was in the mix, at or near the front throughout despite a rain delay and second red flag stoppage due to a crash. The Mexican born racer was calm and fast, aided by his team’s pit stop acumen that earlier won the squad the Pitstop Challenge victory. He ultimately edged teammate Tyler Scott for the runner-up position by a scant 0.08-second margin at the checkered flag.
“Honestly, it was a difficult weekend for us,” Escalante admitted. “I didn’t have the best feeling during the weekend, especially during the Time Attack. I wasn’t confident this morning, so I said, ‘Okay, let’s go back to the setting from last year.’ And I was very strong in the race. I felt really good, and we battled with so many different riders.
“I’m happy to finish on the podium. Of course, I want to win, but that’s not always possible. I’m super happy. Big thanks to my entire Team Hammer Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew.”
Tyler Scott delivered another strong performance in the Daytona 200, battling at the front. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/Suzuki
Scott finished on the podium after earlier taking the Suzuki GSX-R750 to pole for the second consecutive season. He led at the start and at several other points along the way before crossing the stripe side-by-side with his teammate in third.
He said, “It was a difficult day for sure with the rain and everything, but the whole Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki team put in so much effort from the end of last season to today. A lot of hard work, so much training, and a lot of testing. The bike we have here today is a way better motorcycle than we had last year, and I’m more fit than last year.
“Overall, it was a very good race. The pit stops were perfect. I can’t give enough thanks to all my guys. I’m really excited because the bike feels amazing going into the first round of the MotoAmerica Supersport championship.”
Making an electrifying Twins Cup debut, Matthew Chapin claimed to back-to-back victories aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R. Photo by Brian J. Nelson/Suzuki
Reigning Junior Cup champion Matthew Chapin scored a pair of dramatic Twins Cup victories in his first race outing aboard the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R. Chapin came out on top of a four-rider scrap to win on Friday by a narrow .087-second margin and then upped the stakes with a five-rider, 0.019-second triumph on Saturday.
Chapin said, “I think my whole plan was just to be patient until the last lap let those guys fight it out at the front. I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks; I knew I had the bike underneath me to do it. So I just used the draft at the end and got it done.
“Huge thanks to everyone at RevZilla, Motul, and Vance & Hines for believing in me.”
About Team Hammer
The 2025 season marks Team Hammer’s 45th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 375 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol and won four F-USA Championships.
About Vision Wheel
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
Mitch Rees (Team Rees Honda CBR1000), has dominated the premier class at all three rounds thus far in the 2025 New Zealand Superbike Championships, winning convincingly in Invercargill, Timaru and now Hampton Downs. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
HONDA SUPERBIKE FAMILY AFFAIR CONTINUES AT PACE
MARCH 9, 2025: Is there no stopping the Bay of Plenty-based Honda Team Rees juggernaut in this season’s New Zealand Superbike Championships?
When the third round of four in the annual motorcycle road-racing series wrapped up at the Hampton Downs circuit, just north of Hamilton, on Sunday afternoon, it was again 32-year-old Mitch Rees unbeaten and on the top step of the podium in the premier 1000cc Superbike class, with his 57-year-old father Tony Rees climbing up to join him, on the second step. Christchurch’s Alastair Hoogenboezem was forced to settle for the third podium spot on Sunday.
In terms of the series points, however, it is Mitch Rees comfortably in front, a massive 68 points ahead of Hoogenboezem, with Tony Rees in third overall, now just one point further adrift.
Every post was a winning one for Mitch Rees at the weekend, the man from Whakatane qualifying his Honda CBR1000 on pole – that achievement also worth one additional competition point – before he then went out and turned that incredible pace into a hat-trick of wins, the two-time former New Zealand champion also setting a new Hampton Downs lap record in the process.
Not unsurprisingly, Mitch Rees also claimed the Tourist Trophy (TT) title, an additional prize bestowed upon the various winners of the third and final race in each class at Hampton Downs.
In total, Mitch Rees has now won eight races from nine starts in this series and his only “failure” was his finishing runner-up to Christchurch’s Dale Finch in one of his three races at round two at Timaru last month.
Evergreen multi-time former New Zealand champion Tony Rees said he was thrilled to be able to again join his son on the podium and, depending on what transpires at the fourth and final round at Taupo next weekend, the championships may well end up a 1-2 finish for the family.
“It was a perfect weekend I suppose you could say,” said Mitch Rees afterwards. “I have a good points buffer now and can possibly wrap up the title with a solid result in the first of my three races at Taupo’s finale next weekend.
“I actually had an issue to deal with regarding the bike in race one at Hampton Downs. It had rained midway through the day, and so we changed tyres after practice. Somehow the wheel rim got a dent in it, and this affected the bike’s handling in race one. I managed to ride around the problem.
“Dad did magnificently to finish where he did at Hampton Downs too, especially considering he wasn’t feeling 100 percent. He just has so much experience that racing is second nature to him.
“It’s going to be a busy weekend at Taupo next week and the aim now is to make it a Rees family 1-2 for the championship. I like the Taupo track and hold the lap record there, so that’s a positive omen.”
Meanwhile, other national championship class and TT title winners at Hampton Downs at the weekend included Christchurch man Jake Lewis (Supersport 600 class and TT title); Auckland’s Cameron Leslie (Supersport 300 class and TT title); Taupiri’s Billee Fuller (Pro Twins 650 class and TT title); Hokitika’s Luke Ryder (Super Twins and TT title); Silverdale’s Tyler King (Superlites class); Taupo’s Karl Hooper (Superlites class TT title); Lower Hutt’s Nixon Frost (Supersport 150 class); Christchurch’s Hunter Charlett (Supersport 150 class TT title), Gisborne’s Phillip Law with Angus Ravenwood (sidecars class); Palmerston North’s Barry Smith with Auckland’s Stu Dawe (sidecars class TT title).
The series wraps up with round four at Taupo next weekend, on March 15-16.
DATES FOR 2025 NZ SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS SEASON:
Round 1, Feb 7-9, 2025, Teretonga Park, Invercargill (part of Burt Munro Challenge week);
Round 2, Feb 14-15 (Friday and Saturday), 2025, Levels International Motor Raceway, Timaru;
Round 3, March 8-9, 2025, Hampton Downs (MotoFest);
450SX Class podium (riders left to right) Justin Cooper, Cooper Webb, and Chase Sexton.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb led all 25 laps of Round 9 of the Monster Energy Supercross series for his third win in the last four races and his sixth consecutive podium, all of which have been second or better. Webb built a solid lead in the first 12 laps and extended his advantage in the second half of the race after Chase Sexton tipped over in the sand while running second. Webb ultimately ended the race with an eight-second lead over teammate Justin Cooper.
The Indianapolis fans showed up once again for Supercross’ 18th visit to Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis Colts Cornerback and Captain, Kenny Moore II, acted as the Grand Marshal for the race.
First place 450SX Class, Cooper Webb
“I was pissed off. I made a lot of mistakes today. Man, that was an awesome main event for me, probably one of the easier ones of my career. Got a good lead and could ride the pace. Obviously when Chase went down it really opened up the cushion. … I executed my start, rode great laps in the beginning and then put it on cruise control and (had a) drama-free race.” – Cooper Webb
Second place 450SX Class, Justin Cooper
“I’ve been fighting demons. I’ve been top-five the last four weekends, three of them being fourths, so it’s been tough to go home, regroup and go after that podium again. I’ve been sticking to it, trusting the process and really been riding good each weekend, consistent. … It’s cool for the team. One-two is big. This has been long overdue for me and I feel like I’ve been fighting for this for a while now.” – Justin Cooper
Third place 450SX Class, Chase Sexton
“I had a good flow going for the first half of the race and when I hit that red cross flag (for Joey Savatgy’s crash) I started losing my flow and ended up going down. Tough track. Battled back toward the end. I had Justin (Barcia) close behind me, so I just tried to get on the podium, build a little bit of momentum going into this break. (I need to) get some rest, try and regroup and come out swinging for the last eight.” — Chase Sexton
250SX
The 250 division featured the first of three East / West Showdowns in the 2025 season. Seth Hammaker earned the holeshot and led every lap to become the eighth winner in nine rounds of 250 competition. This was the second career victory of his career. Hammaker had pressure from fellow East Coast contender Tom Vialle in the closing laps but kept his composure to stretch his advantage to five seconds at the checkers. Haiden Deegan survived a trip through the safety netting to round out the podium.
First place 250SX Class, Seth Hammaker
“Man, what an unreal feeling. My second win of my career and it’s been a while since I stood on the top of the podium, so that feels amazing. Got myself off to an excellent start. Tried to sprint away those first couple of laps. … When you’re out there in the lead and (have) a little bit of a gap, it was a little challenging to stay focused but I’m proud of myself, proud of the team, the group of people I have around me, my whole family.” – Seth Hammaker
Second place 250SX Class, Tom Vialle
“Slowly getting back in the rhythm and I felt great tonight. Like Daytona, I was again close to victory but Seth rode amazing. I’m pretty happy with second-place. The track was pretty tricky tonight, pretty easy to make a mistake.” – Tom Vialle
Third place 250SX Class, Haiden Deegan
“I was upset. Obviously I wanted the win. … I ended up airing out that quad, or whatever you call it, and I ended up busting up something in my engine when I landed super hard so those last few laps, I tried to be smart and ride it in. My gears were clanging a little bit. No excuses. Those boys rode great: Tom and Seth were better guys tonight.” – Haiden Deegan
The Indianapolis round also acted as the annual Love Moto Stop Cancer race, which kicks off a yearly auction that raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Love Moto Stop Cancer partnership between Supercross and St. Jude is in its ninth year. The Supercross fans and racing community have raised over 2 million dollars for the organization that fights childhood cancer and keeps families together during treatment. The teams and racers increase their support at the special round each year with bike graphics and gear designs inspired by and incorporating art from the young patients at St. Jude. The custom items, along with special items kindly donated by series’ partners will be available for auction starting on Monday, April 28. The auction will run through the final round in Salt Lake City, ending on Monday, May 13. For more information, please visit our St. Jude page on the SupercrossLIVE.com website at (https://www.supercrosslive.com/st-jude/). In the meantime, fans can also get involved in the racing community efforts by donating, just text SUPER to 785-833 to become a partner in hope with the Love Moto Stop Cancer text-to-donate campaign, or SUZUKI to 99126 for a chance to win Ken Roczen’s 2025 RM-Z Suzuki 450. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our mission is clear: Finding Cures. Saving Children.
The Indianapolis Supercross pays points toward both the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as toward the SMX World Championship post-season, which seeds racers from Supercross and the AMA Pro Motocross championships into two Playoffs and the SMX World ChampionshipTM.
For fans awaiting the Supercross season to come to their city, live and on-demand viewing is available on Peacock. Select events are also broadcast or streamed on NBC, CNBC, USA Network, and NBC Sports digital platforms. Telemundo Deportes’ Facebook and YouTube channels provide Spanish-language coverage in the US, while live international coverage can be accessed through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) with English, Spanish and French language broadcasts. Each round can also be heard live on NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85.
The series takes one week off before heading to Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama for the second trip to the market on March 22nd, 2025. The first gate drops at 7:00 p.m. ET next Saturday. The Birmingham Supercross round will feature the second Triple Crown format race of the season with a 450 race and the 250 East riders.For more information, race results, live timing, video highlights, and ticket sales to attend an event please visit SupercrossLIVE.com.
Riding an Aprilia RS457 at Streets of Willow wearing the new Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma. Photo by Geoffrey McCarthy/courtesy Alpinestars.
Knee-down on the electric LiveWire S2 Alpinista. Action photos by Geoffrey McCarthy/courtesy Alpinestars.
It’s like Alpinestars engineers sat down with a list of objections to wearing airbags and eliminated or minimized every one of them with the new Tech-Air 5 Plasma inflatable protection vest.
No more changing body armor based on the type of ride. The new system, which protects the back, chest and collarbones, features three different ride modes. Alpinestars incorporated triggering algorithms from its enduro-capable system into the Plasma, making the system capable of handling adventure riding. This is added to the street and track modes available on the earlier Tech-Air 5 system.
No more downloading an app onto your smartphone to change riding modes. Track, street or off-road modes are selected with a push of a button on a small panel on the lower right side of the vest. Hold the button down and toggle through the riding modes. The display panel also indicates battery charge level and system status and provides an easily accessible Type C USB charging port.
No more struggling to get a racing suit on over the vest. The computer, gyroscope, accelerometer and single gas canister now sit in a slimmer compartment, which is barely thicker than a quality passive back protector. The single-canister configuration helps reduce the weight by 25%, to 3.373 pounds. And a zip-up fabric cover makes it even easier to slip into and out of leathers or jackets while wearing the vest.
Front and back view of the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma vest, showing control panel, new coverage configuration for the front bladders, and high-airflow panels. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
No more sending the vest back for constant repacking. The Tech-Air 5 is fully serviceable by the user, and it takes about 30 seconds to replace a depleted canister. Replacement canisters cost $119.95, and the bladder system is good for six deployments before it has to go back to a service center. If the rider is unsure if the bladder has been compromised, a test valve allows the owner to inflate the bladder and check for leaks.
No more worrying about battery life. Out of the box, the system gets charged overnight. After that, four hours of charging provides 30 hours of riding functionality. And even if the system completely fails, the Plasma back protector incorporated into the unit meets CE Level One impact absorption standards.
Single canister can be replaced by the user. Bladders are good for six discharges before service. Orange material is viscoelastic thermoplastic composite and serves as a Level One impact absorption back protector. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
And … more breathability. The system has been designed with a chest/shoulder protector that looks like an “H,” covering the ribs but allowing air to flow over most of the chest and abdomen. More high-airflow panels are incorporated into the arms, the abdomen, the neck and the back.
The level of impact attenuation remains the same as before – in simple terms, the deployed airbag absorbs the same amount of force as nine stacked-up Level Two back protectors or 18 stacked-up Level One protectors. And all of this for the same price, $789.95, as the prior model.
Riding With The Tech-Air 5
Alpinestars brought journalists out to the Antelope Valley in Southern California to sample the new system. We did a brief off-road ride, approximately 100 miles on the street and an afternoon on the Streets of Willow course at Willow Springs International Raceway.
Put it on like any other vest, zip it shut, hit the button to turn it on. Check to see that it’s got charge and that it’s in the right ride mode. Zip up your jacket. That’s it. Couldn’t be more simple. It is just a little thicker than the passive chest/back protector I normally wear under racing leathers, and I’m still breaking in my newest suit, so it rode up a bit when I pulled the leathers on. But I reached around behind my neck, pushed it back down, zipped up my leathers and that was the last time I thought about the vest.
Track riding on any sunny day in the high deserts of SoCal gets hot, and the increased ventilation definitely paid off. The Tech-Air 10 full race unit has an FIM-mandated single bladder across the entire chest, and I definitely felt it blocking the air flow. The Tech-Air 5 feels lighter, cooler, and I didn’t find it restrictive in any way.
The technology of airbag systems continues to mature, and the Tech-Air 5 incorporates the advances in the art of inflatable armor. It addresses many of the concerns that have prevented or discouraged riders from using airbags. It is hard to beat the protection offered by an inflatable system, and Alpinestars has just lowered the barriers for using one.
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June 15, 2025
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