Central New York’s Hallowed Grounds Set for 40th Running of Series’ Oldest Race.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A captivating and unpredictable summer has reached its most pivotal juncture, as the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is set to embark on the stretch run of its 11-race season. Central New York’s iconic Unadilla MX, arguably the most hallowed grounds in American motocross, will be the site of Round 26 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, kicking off a three-race stretch that will put a period on the regular season by crowning an outdoor 450SMX Class and 250SMX Class champion. The annual visit to the scenic Unadilla Valley will once again welcome title support from renowned multinational company ELF Fuels & Lubricants for the landmark 40th running of the ELF Lubricants Unadilla National this Saturday, August 15.
“After an extended break from racing, we’ve reached arguably the most crucial point of the Pro Motocross season,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “This final three-week run to crown champions will be filled with tension as the championship pressure builds for our top contenders with each gate drop. Just six motos remain in each class and the title fights in both 450SMX and 250SMX are amongst the closest we’ve ever seen. This is the kind of captivating drama that makes this sport so special and there’s no better place to kick off the stretch run than Unadilla, which is woven into the fabric of American motocross and was part of the inaugural Pro Motocross season 54 years ago in 1972.”
Unadilla is the lone venue on the championship calendar that was part of the Pro Motocross Championship’s inaugural season and is arguably the foundational pillar of the summer season because of that. Founded in 1969 by pioneering organizers Ward and Peg Robinson, Unadilla MX is the oldest venue in American motocross. The track served as a centerpiece of the sport’s expansion from its European origins into the United States, hosting Trans-AMA events that predated Pro Motocross and pitted the best from Europe against aspiring American talent. The track’s lore only grew from there as it became the site of the 250cc U.S. Grand Prix and earned the historic distinction of being the country’s first host venue for the FIM Motocross of Nations. Throughout its five decades of existence, Unadilla has been one of Pro Motocross’ crown jewels, with a European inspired natural-terrain layout that sprawls across the undulating landscape of the Unadilla Valley and maximizes the contours and elevation changes of the rolling hills. Unadilla isn’t about hang time and big air; it’s gritty old school motocross that has blended seamlessly into the modern era and remains as daunting of a challenge as ever for the most talented athletes on the planet.
Central New York’s iconic Unadilla MX will kick off the stretch run of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
This year’s Unadilla National will signify the third year ELF has served as the event’s title partner, as the legacy brand continues its U.S. expansion. Known as “A Brand of Passion,” ELF’s racing lineage mirrors the legacy of Unadilla by spanning more than 50 years. That passion has remained the driving force behind five decades of innovation and performance, where success on the proving grounds of racetracks ensure proven products for consumers and bring notoriety to the brand. Like Unadilla, ELF’s two-wheel legacy also dates back to the early 1970s, with hugely successful collaborations with the likes of Honda and Yamaha. Most recently, ELF has made a push in the off-road discipline with the same passion, innovation, and commitment to success that has defined the company from the very beginning.
On the track, the sibling battle between Hunter and Jett Lawrence will enter its next chapter at Unadilla, as Jett looks to end the recent surge of momentum by Hunter, who has claimed back-to-back victories to establish a 12-point lead. For Hunter, his midseason run has been nothing short of impressive, with four wins over the last five races and just a single finish outside the top two over those 10 motos. Jett, meanwhile, has been hampered by an uncharacteristic number of miscues that have put him on the ground several times and have likely cost him a couple wins, resulting in the loss of invaluable championship points. On the plus side for Jett, his record at Unadilla is exceptional with an undefeated mark in the premier class, providing a prime opportunity for a return to winning form. In fact, this will mark the first time in his 450SMX Class career that Jett comes into Unadilla without a chance to clinch the title.
As has been the case for most of the season, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan lurks in the background. With three straight podium finishes, the premier class rookie has asserted himself as the divisions’ third-best rider and has continued to improve while racing in the shadow of the Lawrence brothers. Deegan seems poised for a breakout ride if he can hit all his marks and continues to put in the work to give him the best chance at a breakthrough victory at one of the final three races.
Despite facing a double-digit deficit, Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence heads to one of his best tracks at Unadilla, where he’s undefeated in the premier class. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan brings a three-race podium streak into Unadilla. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
In the 250SMX Class, the battle for the championship appears to be a two-man race between Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies. The veteran experience of Kitchen has allowed him to maintain his hold of the red plate, but Davies has been the class of the field more often than not this summer and certainly has momentum on his side coming into the stretch run. Just seven points sit between the pair and the biggest difference maker on the racetrack will likely be their respective ability to get good launches out the starting gate. Davies has set the pace in the class for both holeshots (5) and average starting position (6.8), which has allowed him to also lead the way in moto wins (6) and overall wins (3). If not for a forgettable Spring Creek, the young New Zealander would likely be in control of his own destiny atop the standings.
On the other hand, Kitchen’s Achilles heel has been starts, where he’s giving up six positions on average to Davies, often starting outside the top 10 in a deep field of talent. To his credit, Kitchen has the best finishing average in the class at 4.7, but it’s required him to improve more than eight positions per moto. That rate will be hard to sustain over the final three races, particularly if Davies continues to start up front and applies more pressure on Kitchen. However, it’s been shown many times over the course of the summer that anything can and will happen in a topsy-turvy 250SMX Class.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen will need to improve his starts if he hopes to maintain possession of the 250SMX Class points lead. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies brings a wave of momentum into Unadilla and has consistently been the rider to beat this summer. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
In addition to the resumption of the title fights in the 450SMX and 250SMX classes, Unadilla will signify the anticipated return of the Women’s Motocross Championship Powered by Synchrony (WMX), which will also begin is stretch run of the 2026 campaign. Reigning back-to-back champion and Altus Motorsports bLUcRU Yamaha rider Lachlan Turner sits atop the standings halfway through the six-round season, but sits just nine points ahead of her Australian rival in Quad Lock Honda’s Charli Cannon, who entered the midseason break fresh off her breakthrough first victory on U.S. soil. Unadilla was the site of the pair’s most compelling battle last summer and is poised to once again play a pivotal role in this season’s battle for the WMX crown.
After a midsummer break, the WMX will return at Unadilla for its final three rounds of the season. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The ELF Lubricants Unadilla National will get underway this Saturday, August 15, with on-track action starting at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 p.m. ET before the gate drops on motos at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Comprehensive live streaming coverage from Unadilla will air exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET before coverage of the motos gets underway at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
For information about the Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
SIX AMERICAN WORLD CHAMPIONS REUNITE AT LAGUNA SECA FOR HISTORIC CELEBRATION OF JAPANESE MOTORSPORT
Monterey, Calif., Aug. 11, 2026
History is coming to life at WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA.
For the first time in nearly two decades, all six living American 500cc World Grand Prix Champions will reunite on the same track, bringing together an extraordinary generation of American motorcycle racing legends during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s celebration of Japanese Motorsport on August 14 and 15.
Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr. – six riders whose names are synonymous with an era of American dominance in Grand Prix motorcycle racing – will return to Laguna Seca to ride their iconic motorcycles in exhibition laps alongside legendary race cars.
For fans, this is a rare opportunity to see those champions together again: MEET THEM, HEAR THE STORIES BEHIND SOME OF RACING’S GREATEST BATTLES, COLLECT AUTOGRAPHS AND WATCH SIX World Champions take to the track once more.
Together, the six riders captured 14 of the 23 500cc World Championships between 1978 and 2000, representing one of the most dominant eras by any nation or group of riders in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history, and fittingly, all six have raced at Laguna Seca.
A WEEKEND OF UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS
The two-day celebration will give fans multiple opportunities to experience these legends up close, including exhibition laps (3:45 p.m. on Friday and 2:05 p.m. on Saturday); an autograph session on Saturday from 10 to 10:40 a.m. and a lively panel discussion on the paddock stage from 3:15 to 3:55 p.m. on Saturday.
“This is going to be an unbelievable experience for everyone attending the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” said Bruce Canepa of Friends of Laguna Seca. “To have these six World Champions together at Laguna Seca, riding the motorcycles that made them legends, is something fans will remember for a very long time. I’m a longtime motorcycle enthusiast, so I’ll be one of the many trying to get as close as possible!”
The gathering also marks a milestone for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. For the first time in the event’s 52-year history, motorcycles will play a defining role in the celebration, making the reunion of these six champions a fitting centerpiece of this year’s Japanese Motorsport theme.
MEET THE CHAMPIONS
Kenny Leroy Roberts, (a.k.a. Sr.)
KENNY ROBERTS: The first American to win the 500cc World Grand Prix Championship, Kenny Roberts changed the sport forever with three consecutive World Championships from 1978 through 1980. A dominant force in American racing before conquering the world stage, Roberts later founded his own World Championship team and mentored Wayne Rainey to three consecutive 500cc titles.
Freddie Spencer.
FREDDIE SPENCER: Known as “Fast Freddie,” Freddie Spencer produced one of the most remarkable seasons in motorcycle history in 1985, becoming the only rider ever to win both the 250cc and 500cc World Championships in the same year. His career included 27 Grand Prix victories and unforgettable championship rivalry with Kenny Roberts.
Eddie Lawson.
EDDIE LAWSON: A four-time 500cc World Champion, Eddie Lawson dominated Grand Prix racing in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989. The California native combined extraordinary consistency and versatility, winning championships in both AMA Superbike and AMA 250 Grand Prix racing, along with victories at the Daytona 200 and Suzuka 8-hour.
Wayne Rainey.
WAYNE RAINEY: Wayne Rainey captured three consecutive 500cc World Championships from 1990 through 1992 and amassed 24 premier-class Grand Prix victories. His legendary rivalry with Kevin Schwantz became one of the defining story lines of the era. After a career-ending crash in 1993, Rainey continued to shape motorcycle racing as a team owner and later as a co-founder of MotoAmerica.
Kevin Schwantz.
KEVIN SCHWANTZ: Few riders were as thrilling as Kevin Schwantz. The Texas native won the 1993 500cc World Championship and 25 premier class Grand Prix races, earning a reputation for an aggressive, fearless riding style. His fierce rivalry with Wayne Rainey captivated fans around the world and helped define one of the greatest eras in Grand Prix racing.
Kenny Lee Roberts, (a.k.a. Jr.)
KENNY ROBERTS JR.: In 2000, Kenny Roberts Jr. made history by joining his father as a 500cc World Champion, creating the first and only father-son duo to win Premier Class World Championships. His championship with Suzuki ended Honda’s six-year hold on the title and capped an extraordinary era of American success in Grand Prix racing.
A RARE CHANCE TO WITNESS HISTORY
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is renowned for bringing historic race cars back to the track exactly as they were intended to be driven. This year, that experience expands to two wheels as six of America’s greatest motorcycle racing champions return to the place where they once competed.
For one unforgettable weekend, the legends of American Grand Prix racing will be back where they belong – on the track at Laguna Seca.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion run August 12-15. Daily, multi-day and VIP experience packages are available at WeatherTech Raceway.com or by calling 831.242.8200. Tickets are also available at the admissions gate on South Boundary Road and the Highway 68 entrance.
About the ROLEX Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Recognized as one of the world’s premier motorsport lifestyle gatherings, the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will celebrate Japanese Performance as its featured marque. Led by Grand Marshal Peter Brock, the event will showcase legendary race cars and manufacturers that helped shape global motorsports, including Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Yamaha, Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, and Mitsubishi.
The four-day celebration, August 12-15, 2026, also features Bonhams|Cars auction, the return of Historic IROC, a new JDM Car Show, historic INDYCARS and hundreds of the world’s finest historic race cars and motorcycles competing on the iconic 11-turn circuit, creating an unforgettable experience for racing enthusiasts and collectors alike. Tickets and hospitality package are available at weathertechraceway.com.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned motorsport facility located in Monterey, California, operated and managed by Friends of Laguna Seca, a 501c(3) non-profit. Nestled among scenic hills, it has a rich history of hosting premier racing events, making it a favorite destination for motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. The 2.238-mile raceway features 11 challenging turns and approximately 180 feet of elevation change, including the world-famous Corkscrew, providing a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans. Friends of Laguna Seca is committed to delivering top-tier racing and entertainment experiences year after year. Find out how you can get involved at FriendsOfLagunaSeca.org.
For more than 50 years, the bimota brand has stood at the forefront of motorcycle innovation, building a reputation for creating some of the world’s most exclusive and technically advanced machines. Founded in Rimini, Italy in1973, the legendary Italian motorcycle manufacturer has become synonymous with groundbreaking engineering, handcrafted quality, and a relentless pursuit of performance.Today, through its partnership with Kawasaki, bimota continues to push the boundaries of motorcycle design by combining Italian artistry and craftsmanship with Kawasaki’s world-renowned performance and engineering expertise.
Based in Rimini, Italy, each bimota motorcycle is produced in limited numbers where inspired engineering, premium materials, and artisanal craftsmanship come together to create motorcycles that transcend conventional design. With a racing mindset at its core, bimota develops unique machines that fuse innovation, exclusivity, and unmistakable Italian style into a riding experience unlike any other.Every model is designed for riders who demand originality, passion, and engineering ingenuity in a motorcycle that stands apart from the crowd.
bimota is proud to announce the limited production availability of select models in the United States through the exclusive U.S. dealer, Bimota Spirit. Available models include the World Superbike racemachine – KB998 Rimini, the revolutionary Tesi H2 and Tesi H2 TERA, along with the distinctive KB4and KB4RC. Each model represents bimota’s continued commitment to delivering exceptionalmotorcycles with high-end performance and timeless Italian craftsmanship.
bimota KB998 Rimini. Exterior designed for ultimate racetrack performance. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB998 Rimini. Dry carbon fibre with a high carbon content is specially-sculpted into each part of the exterior, along with all structural subframes. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB998 Rimini
Leading the lineup is the KB998 Rimini, a purpose-built superbike engineered to compete – and win – at the highest levels of production-based racing. The KB998 Rimini combines bimota’s handcrafted Italian philosophy with championship-proven Kawasaki performance to create a machine with no compromises. Designed as both a high-performance road machine and a true racing weapon, the KB998 Rimini embodies bimota’s relentless pursuit of perfection on the racetrack and signals a bold new era for the iconic Italian brand.
At the heart of the KB998 Rimini is a race-proven 998cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke inline-four engine derived from the same Kawasaki superbike platform that powered seven WorldSBK titles. Optimized for exceptional power delivery and rider control, the engine produces strong low- and mid-range performance for explosive corner exits while delivering peak torque high in the rpm range for relentless top-end acceleration. Advanced performance technologies including electronic throttle valves, dual fuel injectors, a Variable Air Intake (VAI) system, and a close-ratio transmission designed specifically for circuit riding further elevate the riding experience. A lightweight titanium Akrapovic silencer developed exclusively for the KB998 Rimini amplifies the engine’s unmistakable superbike character.
Surrounding the championship-winning powerplant is an equally advanced chassis and electronics package developed with precision racing performance in mind. The one-of-a-kind trellis-style chromium-molybdenum steel frame is paired with a billet aluminum swing arm and premium Show a suspension components, including a 43mm Balance Free Front Fork (BFF) and BFRC lite rear shock developed with WorldSBK input. A comprehensive suite of rider aids includes Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), a Bosch IMU, Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), engine brake control, selectable power modes, integrated riding modes, and electronic cruise control. A compact 4.3-inch TFT color instrumentation display gives riders easy access to information at a glance. Completing the package are specially designed Marchesini forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, high-performance Brembo M50 monobloc brakes, and full carbon fiber bodywork featuring the first-ever variable winglets fitted to a production motorcycle. Every frame and exterior component is hand-painted in Rimini, Italy, underscoring the KB998 Rimini’s exclusivity and artisanal craftsmanship.
The KB998 Rimini is powered by an engine featured on Kawasaki superbikes that were part of winning seven WorldSBK titles. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota Tesi H2
The Tesi H2 represents one of the most revolutionary motorcycles ever produced by bimota, combining futuristic engineering, exotic craftsmanship, and supercharged Kawasaki performance into a machine unlike anything else on the road. Designed with a relentless focus on functionality and innovation, every component of the Tesi H2 has been carefully selected to maximize performance, control, and rider connection. At the heart of the motorcycle is Kawasaki’s exhilarating 998cc inline four-cylinder supercharged engine, delivering immense power and razor-sharp acceleration while maintaining exceptional ride ability. Paired with advanced electronic rider aids and a lightweight chassis package, the Tesi H2 delivers an unforgettable riding experience that pushes the boundaries of motorcycle engineering.
With multiple adjustable settings, the bimota Tesi H2 can be precisely tailored to suit each rider’s preferences and riding style. Photo courtesy bimota.
Central to the Tesi H2’s identity is its highly advanced center hub steering system and ultra-rigid chassis design. Machined aluminum swing arms mount directly to the engine through alloy pivot plates, while a bonded carbon-fiber bridge on the front swingarm ensures equal rigidity on both sides for consistent steering characteristics with minimal dive and lift under braking. During aggressive deceleration, the swingarm pivot position helps disperse pitching forces to create a natural anti-dive effect, enhancing stability and rider confidence. Complementing the chassis is premium Öhlins suspension front and rear with full adjustability for compression, rebound, and preload, along with eccentric adjusters that allow riders to easily tailor ride height and footpeg position to their preferences.Lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork and a carbon-fiber fuel tank cover further contribute to the motorcycle’s advanced construction and striking design.
Supporting the Tesi H2’s extraordinary performance is a comprehensive suite of premium electronics and high-end components. Brembo radial-mount Stylema monobloc calipers paired with dual 330mm front discs and KIBS provide exceptional stopping power and precise control. Advanced rider technologies include KCMF, Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), KLCM, Kawasaki engine brake control, electronic throttle valves, a dual-direction Kawasaki Quick Shifter, and an IMU that continuously monitors chassis behavior for optimized performance. Bridgestone Battlax RS11 tires, TFT full-color instrumentation, Ram Air intake, and an Assist & Slipper Clutch complete the Tesi H2’s race-inspired package, creating a motorcycle engineered to stand at the forefront of innovation, exclusivity, and performance.
bimota Tesi H2. A lightweight chassis and compact rider position bring the rider closer to the engine for an exceptionally direct connection. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota Tesi H2 TERA
Blending groundbreaking engineering with long-distance capability, the Tesi H2 TERA redefines what a high-performance crossover motorcycle can be. Designed to transcend traditional categories, the Tesi H2 TERA combines bimota’s revolutionary Tesi center hub steering system with Kawasaki’s exhilarating supercharged performance to create a machine equally capable of high-speed asphalt riding and exploring beyond the pavement. Built for riders seeking adventure without compromise, the Tesi H2 TERA embodies elegance, innovation, and exclusivity while delivering a riding experience unlike anything else on the road today.
A carefully engineered chassis delivers a balanced, lightweight, and responsive ride on the Tesi H2 TERA. Photo courtesy bimota.
At the heart of the Tesi H2 TERA is a powerful 998cc inline four-cylinder supercharged engine paired with a titanium Akrapovic slip-on silencer developed exclusively for the model. Delivering exceptional acceleration and thrilling power delivery, the engine is complemented by an advanced electronics package derived from Kawasaki’s supercharged platform, including integrated riding modes, KTRC, KCMF, KLCM, Kawasaki engine brake control, KIBS, electronic cruise control and dual-direction KQS. Electronic throttle valves, an IMU, Ram Air intake system, Assist & Slipper Clutch, and TFT full-color instrumentation with smartphone connectivity further elevate the riding experience, giving riders advanced technology and seamless control across a wide range of riding conditions.
Central to the Tesi H2 TERA’s distinctive character is its innovative TERA chassis system, engineered to deliver consistent steering characteristics with minimal dive and lift during braking. The unique swingarm pivot position disperses pitching forces under deceleration to create a natural anti-dive effect, enhancing confidence and stability whether carving mountain roads or venturing onto unpaved terrain. Lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork, premium Öhlins suspension front and rear, adjustable handlebars, and high-performance Brembo radial-mount brakes contribute to the motorcycle’s sophisticated and highly functional design. Exclusive Anlas tires developed specifically for bimota and lightweight OZ Racing forged 17-inch wheels further reinforce the Tesi H2 TERA’s sporty DNA and premium craftsmanship, creating a machine that pushes the boundaries of performance, luxury, and innovation.
Kawasaki’s sophisticated electronics, enhanced by Bosch IMU input and tailored to the Tesi H2 TERA, deliver precise control and confidence across a wide range of riding surfaces. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB4
Paying tribute to bimota’s legendary heritage while embracing modern engineering innovation, the KB4 blends timeless neo-retro styling with exhilarating contemporary performance. Inspired by the iconic 1978 KB1, the first bimota to feature a Kawasaki engine, that helped define bimota’s racing legacy, the fourth-generation KB4 combines handcrafted Italian design, lightweight agility, and advanced Kawasaki performance into a motorcycle that captures the soul of a cherished era while delivering a thoroughly modern riding experience. Featuring a distinctive vintage-inspired design highlighted by a red-painted chassis reminiscent of the original models, the KB4 stands as a celebration of bimota’s past and future alike.
bimota KB4. A lightweight, high-rigidity frame paired with Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes delivers precise, nimble handling. Photo courtesy bimota.
At the heart of the KB4 is a powerful 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine renowned for its broad torque delivery and thrilling character. Paired with an innovative rear radiator layout and highly centralized mass design, the engine allows the KB4 to achieve an exceptionally short wheelbase comparable to that of a middleweight sportbike, contributing to remarkably light maneuverability and nimble handling. The chassis construction links the engine to the front and rear wheels in the shortest possible distance, utilizing a chromium-molybdenum steel front trellis frame and a machined aluminum pivot plate that mounts the three-piece swingarm directly to the engine. Combined with a lower-set riding position and fully adjustable Öhlins suspension front and rear, the KB4 delivers a uniquely agile and engaging ride that reflects the DNA of the original KB series more than four decades later.
Supporting the KB4’s performance-focused character is a premium collection of components and advanced rider technologies. Brembo radial-mount brakes provide exceptional stopping power and precise control, while Pirelli Supercorsa EVO tires, an Öhlins steering damper, and lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork further enhance handling and responsiveness. Riders can personalize the motorcycle through adjustable ride height and footpeg positioning, tailoring ergonomics to suit individual preferences and riding styles. Advanced electronics include KCMF, KTRC, KIBS, selectable power modes, electronic cruise control, dual-direction KQS, and TFT full-color instrumentation. Completing the package is a beautifully crafted real leather seat and carefully selected premium materials throughout, underscoring the KB4’s unique combination of heritage, exclusivity, and cutting-edge engineering.
bimota KB4. Retro Style, Modern Performance. Carbon-fibre bodywork, racing-inspired winglets, sporty ergonomics, and lightweight OZ Racing wheels blend timeless design with modern performance. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB4RC
Based on the same advanced technological foundation as the KB4, the KB4RC features a café racer-inspired naked design that places an even greater emphasis on raw styling, rider engagement, and street-focused character. While sharing the same compact chassis design, high-performance Kawasaki inline four-cylinder engine, and advanced electronics package as the KB4, the KB4RC distinguishes itself through unique styling, aerodynamics, and ergonomics that create a more aggressive and raw riding experience. Finished with a chassis painted in the signature “liquid red” inspired by the original KB models, the KB4RC proudly carries forward the legendary DNA.
bimota KB4RC. Freedom in Motion. Lightweight, torquey performance and adjustable ergonomics let riders tailor the KB4RC to their size and riding style. Photo courtesy bimota.
At the heart of the KB4RC is the same powerful 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine featured in the KB4, delivering a broad spread of torque and exhilarating acceleration. Combined with bimota’s innovative cooling system layout, mass centralization, and compact chassis dimensions, the motorcycle achieves remarkably light handling and exceptional agility thanks to a wheelbase comparable to that of a 600cc sportbike. The chromium-molybdenum steel front trellis frame and highly rigid machined aluminum swingarm mounted directly to the engine create a responsive and precise riding platform, while premium Öhlins fully adjustable racing suspension allows riders to tailor compression, rebound, preload, ride height, and footpeg position to suit virtually any riding condition or style.
The KB4RC’s distinctive personality comes from its stripped-back café racer design and more upright riding ergonomics. A classic round LED headlight reinforces the motorcycle’s vintage-inspired styling, while slightly higher handlebars create a more relaxed and street-oriented riding position compared to the tucked-in stance of the fully faired KB4. Exposed air intakes – which channel airflow to the innovative under-seat radiator system – give the KB4RC a bold industrial appearance that highlights its engineering-focused design. Brembo radial-mount brakes, Pirelli Supercorsa EVO tires, lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork, TFT full-color instrumentation, and a handcrafted real leather seat complete the premium package. Advanced rider technologies including KCMF, KTRC, KIBS, selectable power modes, electronic cruise control, dual-direction KQS, and electronic throttle valves ensure the KB4RC delivers both cutting-edge performance and timeless riding character.
bimota KB4RC. An under-seat radiator, short wheelbase, and long swingarm deliver agile handling, balanced performance, and exceptional traction. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB4RC. A 1,043 cc inline-four delivers strong low-rpm response and 142 PS, supported by Kawasaki’s latest rider-focused electronics. Photo courtesy bimota.
Exclusive U.S Dealer – Bimota Spirit
For more than five decades, bimota has built motorcycles that transcend performance, creating machines that evoke emotion, inspire passion, and embody a relentless pursuit of engineering excellence. As a dedicated steward of that legacy, Bimota Spirit has become the most respected ambassador of the brand in the United States, preserving the history, innovation, and craftsmanship that have defined bimota since its inception. Founded by longtime bimota enthusiast and expert Bob Steinbugler, whose relationship with the marque dates back to the late 1970s, Bimota Spirit serves as a destination for current owners, collectors, and new enthusiasts seeking to experience the unique character that makes every bimota special.
Today, Bimota Spirit continues that mission through a comprehensive offering of new and classic motorcycles, parts, service, and an extensive archive documenting more than 50 years of bimota history. With the next generation represented by Sean Steinbugler, an accomplished mechanic, custombuilder, and rider, Bimota Spirit is committed to carrying the brand’s heritage forward for decades tocome. From its growing museum collection in North Carolina featuring iconic models to its preservation of factory documentation, historic photography, and racing memorabilia, Bimota Spirit remains dedicated to celebrating and safeguarding the innovative spirit, technical artistry, and uncompromising passion that continue to define the bimota name.
Available now, Bimota Spirit is proud to offer limited-production units of the KB998 Rimini and the Tesi H2 nationwide paired with knowledge and insights that cannot be found anywhere else in the United States. The Tesi H2 TERA, KB4, and KB4RC are expected to arrive in late 2026. Contact Bimota Spirit today to reserve exclusive, meticulously crafted motorcycles that stand apart from the crowd.
Sixteen-year-old Texas road racer Mikey Lou Sanchez had a standout weekend at CMRA Round 7 at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas, August 8–9, winning all four of his races and setting a new clockwise motorcycle lap record.
Mikey Lou, an Austin native who currently lives and races in Spain, returned home to Texas for summer vacation and took the opportunity to race in front of family, friends, and the Texas motorcycle racing community.
Riding a 2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 owned by Texas Motorcycle Academy, Craig Gleason, and setup by Jimmy Cambora of Raceworx USA, Mikey Lou entered four Expert sprint races and won all four:
• Heavyweight Superbike Expert
• Heavyweight Superstock Expert
• NextGen Supersport Expert
• Formula 1 Expert
Mikey Lou Sanchez on the podium after a dominant weekend at Eagles Canyon. Photo courtesy Trinity Richardson Sanchez
Formula 1 is CMRA’s premier sprint class. Starting from the back of the grid, Mikey Lou worked his way through the field and won each of his four races by convincing margins.
Mikey Lou also broke the existing motorcycle lap record multiple times during the weekend, ultimately setting a new clockwise Eagles Canyon Raceway motorcycle lap record of 1:53.459.
Mikey Lou will next be on track Saturday, August 15, at Harris Hill Raceway in San Marcos, Texas, for a benefit fundraiser supporting his racing program.
He will then return to Spain for a two-day Moto4 European Championship test at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, August 26–27, followed by his next MotoJunior Championship race weekend at the same circuit, September 5–6.
SDK Leads Quad Lock Superbike Field Into Triple-Header At VIRginia International Raceway
Superbike Cup Competitors Running Out Of Chances To Catch Series Leader Andrew Lee
Irvine, CA (Aug. 11, 2026) – The MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike championship heats up this weekend at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), where OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) holds a 24-point lead over Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz. Scholtz capitalized on a red-flag-shortened Race 2 at Mid-Ohio to close the gap on Kelly, overtaking Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s JD Beach for second place in the standings. Beach now sits 32 points behind the leader in third, while his teammate, Bobby Fong, remains at a striking distance 55 points back. With three rounds and 200 points still on the table, the title fight remains wide open for all four riders entering Round 7.
The historic, 17-turn, 2.25-mile road course in Alton, Virginia, features a combination of high-speed sections, dramatic elevation changes, and technical corners that demand absolute precision and commitment. The circuit rewards riders who can carry momentum through its flowing layout while managing tire wear and the grueling physical demands of a long race. Add in the sweltering August heat and those physical demands will be significantly amplified for the Superbike field as they face three 20-lap contests across the weekend.
Scholtz aims to parlay his Mid-Ohio win into more victories to catch Kelly, while Fong and Beach chase vital podium momentum in the waning races of the season.
Kelly’s consistency has been the defining characteristic of his championship campaign. The 24-year-old Floridian has remained at the front throughout the season and currently rides a five-race podium streak. But three races in one weekend also presents three opportunities for his closest challengers to take points away.
Scholtz has proven he can mount a major charge in the standings when the opportunity strikes. The 33-year-old ignited the season with four consecutive podium finishes before slipping to third in the rankings by the midpoint at Laguna Seca. Despite that mid-season lull, the South African standout still commands a class-leading four victories. Having successfully fought his way back into second in the championship standings, Scholtz enters the weekend with three prime opportunities to significantly chip away at SDK’s advantage.
Mathew Scholtz must put his #11 Yamaha ahead of Sean Dylan Kelly (40) to continue his climb up the points standings. Here, PJ Jacobsen (15) and Bobby Fong (50) chase. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Beach has slightly more ground to make up, but the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider will be looking to reverse the recent trend after surrendering second place in the championship. Beach has already demonstrated his ability to dominate a weekend and manage tires, sweeping both races in dominant fashion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca earlier this season.
JD Beach (95) on his way to a podium finish in Superbike Race 1 at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong enters VIR with his own momentum after scoring two podium finishes at Mid-Ohio, and took both wins at the Virginia road course last year. The 34-year-old Californian remains within striking distance of the leaders but needs to put himself at the front to gain ground. Meanwhile, Wrench Motorcycles rider Cameron Petersen (-88 points) will look to rebound after a difficult Mid-Ohio weekend to keep himself fighting inside the top five.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch (-133 points) has quietly climbed to sixth in the standings, sitting just ahead of teammate Richie Escalante (-137 points). The duo continues to battle for shop bragging rights and they aim to finish the second half of the season strong, eyeing a possible top five championship finish.
VIR is famous for close photo finishes and legendary Superbike battles. Mat Mladin and Josh Hayes lead the track’s all-time win list with seven victories each, followed by Jake Gagne with four. On the current grid, however, Bobby Fong is the only rider who has won here before, thanks to his double victory in 2025.
In Superbike Cup competition, Real Steel Honda’s Andrew Lee continues to lead the championship chase, establishing himself as the class benchmark while challenging full-spec Superbikes in the combined field. The Northern California rider holds a 98-point lead over second-place Deion Campbell of BPR Racing Yamaha. Carl Soltisz of Super Carl Racing 57 Rider Development follows closely in third place, trailing Lee by 99 points.
Andrew Lee (14) has dominated the Superbike Cup standings thus far. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The triple-header gives Lee three opportunities to extend his advantage, but it also gives his Superbike Cup competitors additional chances to close the gap. The Cup riders will face the same 20-lap distances, heat and tire-management challenges as their Superbike trackmates.
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, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, 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+
GBrakes: A Brand Backed by Decades of North American Experience
American-made brake lines, Spanish-made rotors, championship performance – and a company determined to do things with the highest quality in mind.
CARSON CITY, Nev. – GBrakes may be a new name, but the team behind it is anything but new.
Created by Alessandro Milesi and owned and operated by Giocar America, GBrakes combines more than three decades of North American braking experience with innovative products, advanced technologies, and a clear vision for the future.
To clear up any possible market confusion, GBrakes is not a subsidiary, representative, continuation, or division of Galfer. Likewise, Galfer is not a subsidiary or division of GBrakes or Giocar America. The companies operate separately, and neither represents the other.
That distinction is important to GBrakes—and one the company is proud to make.
A Family History – and an Independent Future
The familiarity between the two organizations comes from the Milesi family’s history in the braking industry.
Alessandro’s grandfather, Maffio Milesi, founded Galfer in 1956. His father, Giorgio Milesi, later founded Giocar America in the United States in 1992 and contributed to the early development of the patented wave®-shaped motorcycle brake rotor, which Giocar was the first to introduce to the North American market under the WAVE® trademark.
GBrakes founder and CEO Sandro Milesi (center) confers with some of the 24 employees working at the company’s headquarters in Carson City, Nevada.
GBrakes, however, was created by Alessandro and built upon Giocar America’s own team, resources, relationships, and direct knowledge of the North American market.
“We respect our family’s history, but GBrakes has its own identity and direction,” said Alessandro Milesi, creator and CEO of GBrakes. “I created GBrakes with a clear vision for the future, supported by a team that knows this market, understands our customers, and is excited to build something distinctly our own.”
More Than Just Another Rotor Brand
Every GBrakes rotor is manufactured in Spain. The rotors are precision laser cut, double-disc ground, and cryogenically treated to deliver consistency, stability, and dependable performance.
GBrakes also owns the WAVE® trademark in the United States and Canada.
But GBrakes is about much more than rotors.
The company offers over 3,200 brake-hose applications designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States, along with performance brake pads manufactured in Europe and incorporating NRS technology.
For V-Twin riders and bike builders, GBrakes offers an exceptional level of customization, with a wide range of designs, finishes, colors, and configurations.
Rotors, brake lines, pads, customization, and knowledgeable technical support – all from one experienced North American organization.
Fast Out of the Gate
GBrakes launched in 2025 and wasted no time demonstrating what the brand could do.
During its first full Supercross season, GBrakes won the 2026 AMA 450SX Supercross Championship with Ken Roczen. The brand has also achieved strong racing results in the Bagger Racing League, MotoAmerica road racing, and motocross competition.
“We did not enter this market with promises about what we might accomplish someday,” Milesi said. “We came in with advanced products, an experienced team, and the confidence to compete at the highest level. Winning the 450SX Championship with Ken Roczen is an incredible validation of our products, our people, and our direction.”
Built for the North American Market
GBrakes is supported by longstanding relationships with some of the most recognized names in the North American powersports industry, including:
Western Power Sports
LeMans Corporation, including Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties
Comoto Holdings, including Cycle Gear, RevZilla, and J&P Cycles
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC
MotoSport
The company operates from Giocar America’s more than 28,000-square-foot United States facility, where a team of 24 employees provides inventory, customer service, technical assistance, sales, marketing, product development, and racing support.
“You do not learn the North American market by simply opening a building here,” Milesi added. “You learn it by spending decades working with its distributors, dealers, builders, racing teams, and riders. We have been doing that since 1992, and that experience is behind everything we do at GBrakes.”
GBrakes brings together the excitement and freedom of a new brand with the people, relationships, and experience of an established North American company.
It is independent, innovative, proven through competition – and just getting started.
About GBrakes
Created by Alessandro Milesi and owned and operated by Giocar America, GBrakes is an independent performance-braking brand serving the United States and the International community. It’s portfolio includes trademarked WAVE® rotors; over 3,200 American-designed, engineered, and manufactured brake-line applications, advanced performance brake pads, and extensive V-Twin customization.
TST Industries scored a stunning overall victory in the inaugural N2RA KYT Americas 6-Hours of VIR, defeating a field that included significantly more powerful machinery to claim both the Lightsport class and overall win at Virginia International Raceway. Riders Julian Correa, Justin Riley, and Levi Badie piloted the team’s Lightsport-spec Suzuki GSX-8R on Dunlop tires to victory, earning $7,000 in combined class and overall prize money.
Team Roberts added another memorable performance to the inaugural N2RA weekend, winning Saturday’s Alpha Omega 2-Hour Ultralight Endurance with 15-year-old Kensei Matsudaira completing the entire race solo aboard a Kramer APX-350.
Although N2 has been involved in endurance racing since 2017, the N2 Racing Association is completely new for 2026, with new rules, formats, staff, and a self-contained racing organization. The inaugural N2RA weekend at VIR brought all of those pieces together for three days of track time and racing.
“Overall, I couldn’t be happier with how our inaugural N2RA weekend turned out,” said N2 COO John Farrell. “We created N2RA to bring the same customer-first approach we’ve spent more than 12 years building in the track day community into motorcycle racing. We originally planned to launch in 2025, but we made the decision to wait until we knew we could deliver the experience we envisioned. When the opportunity at Virginia International Raceway became available for 2026, we knew we had the right venue to finally do it.
“Our goal was simple: make it easy for racers to come race motorcycles. From registration and tech to the Endurance 30 format and procedures for changing conditions, we tried to think through the details that make a race weekend better for the customer. Sunday was the ultimate test. We had never run a six-hour endurance race, the schedule was extremely tight, and everything had to operate with pinpoint accuracy to deliver the full six hours we promised. We did it, with more than 200 laps of racing with only two red flags. That says a tremendous amount about the talent, discipline, and professionalism of the racers and teams who competed.
“Was everything perfect? No, and we didn’t expect it to be. We came away with a lot of notes and tremendous feedback that will help us make N2RA even better. Most importantly, I want to thank every racer, team, and sponsor who trusted us before we had proven we could do this. Maybe the best indication of how I feel about the weekend is that planning for 2027 was already underway before my rig ever left the VIR paddock.”
Friday: N2 Track Day
The weekend began Friday, August 7, with a sold-out N2 Track Day racers’ practice. Four groups with limited rider counts provided competitors with substantial track time to learn the circuit, test setups, and prepare for the weekend’s racing.
Saturday: Endurance 30 and Alpha Omega 2-Hour
Saturday, August 8, opened with 30-minute practice sessions followed by 30-minute qualifying sessions for each class.
The afternoon introduced N2RA’s new Endurance 30 format: 30-minute-plus-one-lap mini-endurance races for Lightsport, Supersport, Ultralight, and Superbike competitors.
Team Estenson’s Sam Drane won the Lightsport Endurance 30 aboard a Yamaha YZF-R7, ahead of Kevin Olmedo and Chase Brown.
Julian Correa won the Supersport Endurance 30 aboard a Dunlop-shod Honda CBR600RR, followed by Tim Wilson and David Zaka.
Matt Spinak took the Superbike Endurance 30 victory aboard a Dunlop-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1, ahead of Ryan Manotti and Daniel Hughes.
Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira won the Ultralight Endurance 30 aboard a Kramer APX-350, ahead of Matt Patacca and Alex Ferreira.
Saturday’s featured race was the Alpha Omega 2-Hour Ultralight Endurance, which allowed competitors to race as teams or attempt the event solo.
Matsudaira chose the harder route.
The 15-year-old completed the race solo, stopping only for fuel and combining youthful endurance with impressive pace to take the victory in a race shortened by thunderstorms and lightning.
Matsudaira and Team Roberts finished ahead of Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg and Seth Dahmer aboard an Aprilia RS 457, with Matt Patacca and Mark Morrow finishing third aboard a Mark Morrow Roadracing School Dunlop-shod Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Kensei Matsudaira on the Team Roberts Kramer (74) at VIR. Photo by Apex Pro Photo
Sunday: KYT Americas 6-Hours of VIR
The feature event of the weekend was Sunday’s KYT Americas 6-Hours of VIR. Six hours of endurance racing brings heat, humidity, changing weather, crashes, mechanical problems, pit stops, rider changes, fuel strategy, and countless opportunities for mistakes. Outright speed alone rarely wins an endurance race. Consistency, preparation, teamwork, and minimizing mistakes ultimately decide the result.
TST Industries delivered all four.
With consistent pace, efficient pit stops, a talented lineup of young riders, and remarkably little drama, TST Industries kept its Lightsport-spec Suzuki GSX-8R in contention throughout the six-hour race.
When the checkered flag fell, the smaller Lightsport machine had beaten 24 other teams, including competitors aboard significantly more powerful Supersport and Superbike machinery.
TST Industries claimed the Lightsport victory and overall win, earning $4,000 for the class victory plus the $3,000 Overall Winner Bonus.
Supersport-class 3 Marines Racing finished second overall with riders Sloan West, Nathan Gauker, David Zaka, and John Hvizdak. TR2 Racing, with Emerson Amaya, Dan Kaepernik, and Kevin Olmedo, completed the overall podium in third.
Twenty-five teams competed across four classes: Superbike, Supersport, Lightsport, and the Relay Exhibition Class.
1st – KYT Americas – $4,000 (Donated to the Roadracing World Action Fund)
2nd – Team Velocity Racing – $2,500
3rd – MP13 – $1,500
Relay Exhibition Class
1st – A Proper Ding Dong
2nd – Hell Yeah Racing
3rd – Gotta Catch ’Em All
“What an incredible way to kick off our inaugural 6-Hours of VIR race event,” said N2 CEO Jim Curtis. “From the moment the bikes hit the track, the talent, speed, and determination of our riders and teams were on full display, delivering the kind of close, competitive racing that makes this sport so exciting.
“We’re extremely grateful to our sponsors and partners for believing in our vision and helping bring this event to life. KYT Americas and Alpha Omega generously stepped up as title sponsors of our two main endurance races. Kustom Cockpits, Pit Lane Moto, Yamaha Champions Riding School, and Rick Hammett contributed cash purse and bonus awards, while Yamaha Motor USA, Bridgestone, Hindle, Woodcraft, and Pirelli provided contingency support.
“These contributions put money and products directly into the hands of racers while helping us continue to grow endurance racing in America. We can’t wait to start working on what comes next.
“I also want to recognize our staff and volunteers, whose energy and hard work behind the scenes kept everything running smoothly, both on and off the track. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated and supportive individuals.”
N2RA Sponsors:
N2RA is proudly sponsored by: KYT Americas, Alpha Omega, Yamaha Motor USA, Bridgestone, Kustom Cockpits, Pit Lane Moto, Woodcraft Technologies, Hindle Exhaust, Pirelli, and Yamaha Champions Riding School.
ABOUT N2: RIDE. LEARN. RACE.:
Founded in 2014, N2’s mission is to build a sustainable motorcycle community through safe, structured track days and advanced rider-training programs based on Yamaha Champions Riding School methodology.
In 2017, N2 helped revive motorcycle endurance racing in America with the creation of the N2 National Endurance Series, the foundation for today’s N2 Racing Association.
The N2/BobbleHeadMoto Race Team has also won two national championships in the MotoAmerica Pro Racing series with rider Blake Davis.
N2 is a major contributor to the Roadracing World Action Fund through its racing efforts and the support of its large and dedicated member base.
Rio de Janeiro has successfully secured the right to host the official MotoGP 2027 Season Launch on 21 February 2027, bringing one of the championship’s premier global events to Brazil and placing the city at the centre of the sporting world ahead of the new MotoGP season.
The main Season Launch event is planned to take place on Botafogo Beach, creating a spectacular stage beneath Sugarloaf Mountain for the official presentation of the 2027 MotoGP season.
The announcement follows MotoGP’s hugely successful return to Brazil in 2026, when a sold-out Grand Prix weekend in Goiânia welcomed almost 150,000 spectators, reaffirming the country’s enduring passion for motorcycle racing and its position as one of the championship’s most vibrant markets. Building on that momentum, Rio de Janeiro will now take centre stage as host city for MotoGP’s flagship pre-season event, showcasing its internationally renowned landmarks alongside its proven ability to deliver world-class sporting and entertainment spectacles.
The MotoGP Season Launch has rapidly become one of the championship’s defining annual occasions, bringing together every MotoGP team, rider and manufacturer before the opening race of the season. More than a launch event, it is a global showcase for the sport, attracting international media, broadcasters, commercial partners and fans while generating worldwide TV, digital and social media coverage.
For host cities, the MotoGP Season Launch delivers far-reaching international exposure while generating significant tourism, media value and economic impact. The 2026 MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur generated more than USD$7 million in economic value, underlining the event’s growing importance as both a global sporting showcase and a catalyst for destination marketing and city activation. By securing the 2027 Season Launch, Rio de Janeiro will showcase its iconic landmarks, vibrant culture and world-renowned hospitality to a global audience.
Following the success of recent Season Launch events in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro will deliver MotoGP’s biggest celebration yet, blending the excitement of the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship with a world-class entertainment programme.
For fans, the MotoGP Season Launch will offer an experience unlike any other in the championship. Outside of a Grand Prix weekend, there is no other opportunity to see every MotoGP team, rider and factory motorcycle together in one place. Fans can get up close to the latest MotoGP machines before they race, enjoy official team presentations, rider appearances and interviews, explore interactive manufacturer displays, experience live entertainment, official merchandise and fan activities, all within a spectacular festival atmosphere on Rio’s iconic waterfront.
Internationally acclaimed artists will perform alongside leading Brazilian musicians and entertainers, celebrating the city’s globally renowned music scene while creating an unforgettable festival atmosphere. Together with spectacular live production, fan activations and the breathtaking backdrop of Botafogo Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain, the event will offer a uniquely Rio experience as MotoGP launches its 2027 season.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Group, said: “The MotoGP Season Launch has become one of the defining moments of the year for our championship, bringing together every team, rider and manufacturer as we begin a new season.
“The enthusiasm shown by Brazilian fans during our sold-out return to Goiânia in 2026 confirmed the extraordinary connection between MotoGP and Brazil. Following the success of our recent Season Launch events in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro provides the perfect stage to continue raising the bar, combining iconic locations, passionate fans and world-class entertainment. We look forward to delivering our biggest and most spectacular MotoGP Season Launch yet.”
Eduardo Cavaliere, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, said: “Rio de Janeiro is honoured to host the MotoGP 2027 Season Launch and welcome one of the most important annual events in international motorsport to our city. Following the outstanding success of MotoGP’s return to Brazil in Goiânia, we are proud to play our part in celebrating the beginning of a new season.
“Few cities can match Rio’s combination of natural beauty, sporting passion and globally recognised landmarks. From Botafogo Beach to Christ the Redeemer, this event will showcase the very best of Rio de Janeiro to millions of fans around the world while creating unforgettable experiences for riders, teams, partners and visitors. We look forward to welcoming the MotoGP family and fans from across the globe to our city.”
Further details regarding event programming, fan activities and media opportunities will be announced in due course.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Reigning Grand National Champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) doubled down at the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, backing up his Saturday stroll with another dominating outing in Monday’s Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club in Sturgis, South Dakota.
On the backfoot for much of his Mission AFT SuperTwins title defense, Daniels has rounded into form at the perfect time with just three rounds remaining in the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
And Daniels didn’t just walk away at the front Monday night… he did so twice. The Estenson Racing Yamaha star had stacked up a near four-second advantage when that lead was wiped out by a red flag just past half-distance.
No matter. Daniels resumed the drubbing when the Main got back underway, working his lead back up to 3.563 seconds when he took the checkered flag.
After the race, Daniels said, “Just one race, one round, one lap at a time. We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. I’ve been doing this for a little while now, and I’ve had good years and bad years. I know that these guys are good, and they’re going to be ready whenever we go again.
“I know I kind of got fortunate on that start – I got a really good start. My starts all day were subpar, and I just kind of dialed it in. But when I saw the red flag, I was like, ‘Come on – you’ve got to be kidding…’ But my bike was flawless. I owe it all to my Estenson Racing Monster Energy Yamaha team.”
Believe it or not, Daniels might not have even registered the most impressive ride of the evening. Pre-race favorite Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R) certainly has a claim of his own, minus a disastrous start.
Bauman suffered off the line and was then bumped up the track. That dropped him down to eighth early with few obvious ways to make those positions back up. Therefore, Bauman took the less obvious ways. After being stuck up top, he decided to plant his flag on the outside line that everyone else shunned and then made it work as he rolled around the outside of one rider after another.
With one minute remaining on the clock, Bauman stormed past Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) and then Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07) to end his charge in second.
Kopp snuck under Cose at the same moment Bauman powered above him to complete an all-title-contender podium.
Cose held on for fourth, followed by Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), who finished off an excellent week for Royal Enfield in fifth.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet), and Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 Bubba Boswell/Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson XG750R) were packed up tight, finishing sixth through ninth, respectively, in close formation. Henry Wiles (No. 911 DL Racing/HYMMCO Yamaha MT-07) rounded out the top ten.
As a result of his back-to-back victories, Daniels (249) has opened up just a bit of breathing space over rivals Kopp (236) and Bauman (233) as the Grand National Championship races towards its titanic Peoria and Springfield conclusion.
KICKER AFT Singles
Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) went from zero (negative five, actually) to hero in a matter of two days.
Following Saturday’s incident that saw Saathoff disqualified and docked five points after plowing into rival Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and knocking both riders to the ground, the 1st Impressions Husqvarna pilot returned to action on Monday with his aggression still intact, merely wielded more precisely.
It was needed. The tight racetrack offered few easy passing opportunities, and Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) owned the starts all night long.
That required Saathoof to balance his patience with his willingness to strike when the time was right, and he managed that balance to perfection. After showing a wheel on multiple occasions, Saathoff slipped up the inside of Pfanders a minute-and-a-half into the Main and immediately opened a gap.
That gap threatened to evaporate once Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) worked past Pfanders and started to reel Saathoff in, but a mistake only Tadman’s part allowed Saathoff to break that pursuit completely.
Even a run through traffic did little to slow Saathoff’s march, and he powered on to a 3.735-second margin of victory.
Saathoff, “Jared (Mees) was preaching to me, ‘Get off the line.’ I was struggling with that a bit; Pfanders was getting really good starts. I got out of the hole pretty good and tucked in behind him. He made a couple of pretty big mistakes, and then I just locked in and got past him. After I got around him, I kind of turned it down a little bit; I knew it was going to be hard to pass me. I just really focused on consistency.”
After giving up the chase for victory, Tadman was forced to defend second, turning away a charging Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F) for second late.
Pfanders stopped his descent in fourth, hitting the stripe with Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) just behind in fifth and sixth.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Drane’s week of Sturgis drama continued. At the start, the Australian got pinched off between fellow second-row starters Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450). He went down and was immediately run over by Jett Katarzy (No. 117 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), who had no room to maneuver.
For a moment, it looked as if Drane might not be allowed to take the restart, but he was deemed fit following a trackside medical check and returned to the fray. From there he battled his way up from the back of the grid to finish a respectable seventh.
Despite the difficult week, Drane remains in a commanding position. He still leads by 42 points over Saathoff (241-199) with Tadman a distant third at 183.
Next Up
One of global motorcycle racing’s most iconic events – The World Famous Caterpillar Peoria TT presented by Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson – will celebrate its 79th edition on Saturday, August 22, at the Peoria Motorcycle Club in Peoria, Illinois.
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visitinghttps://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 22, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT), with the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track set to air the following day, Sunday, August 23, at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT). The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres can be found at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
Some things are just meant to be together. You know: peanut butter and chocolate. Salt and pepper. Silverstone and Aprilia. Yes, Assen and Phillip Island are nice. But bring these bikes to Silverstone, and their aero really starts making the difference.
The result? A clear domination, where in one historic weekend the Italian manufacturer managed to lock down the grid’s front row, take all three top places during the sprint and then doing the same during the main race in a pretty historic victory. The result? Three of Aprilia’s four bikes are holding steady in the top three positions of the tournament.
So congratulations on that – but are these bikes getting a little too good for sportsmanship? We’re not in Formula 1-land just yet, but Peter’s feeling a little spooked. When does a briliant design become a danger to the game?
That might sound grim, but luckily there’s still the factor of the riders themselves and what they bring to play. Good thing Mat and Peter got some thoughts on those, too!
So come join us as we discuss Silverstone. Cheers!
Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! And additional thanks to flowerhead, who’s music you can find here.
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors:
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!
Honda HRC Progressive's Hunter Lawrence has won back-to-back races and has four wins over the last five rounds to carry a 12-point lead into Unadilla. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Central New York’s Hallowed Grounds Set for 40th Running of Series’ Oldest Race.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A captivating and unpredictable summer has reached its most pivotal juncture, as the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is set to embark on the stretch run of its 11-race season. Central New York’s iconic Unadilla MX, arguably the most hallowed grounds in American motocross, will be the site of Round 26 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, kicking off a three-race stretch that will put a period on the regular season by crowning an outdoor 450SMX Class and 250SMX Class champion. The annual visit to the scenic Unadilla Valley will once again welcome title support from renowned multinational company ELF Fuels & Lubricants for the landmark 40th running of the ELF Lubricants Unadilla National this Saturday, August 15.
“After an extended break from racing, we’ve reached arguably the most crucial point of the Pro Motocross season,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “This final three-week run to crown champions will be filled with tension as the championship pressure builds for our top contenders with each gate drop. Just six motos remain in each class and the title fights in both 450SMX and 250SMX are amongst the closest we’ve ever seen. This is the kind of captivating drama that makes this sport so special and there’s no better place to kick off the stretch run than Unadilla, which is woven into the fabric of American motocross and was part of the inaugural Pro Motocross season 54 years ago in 1972.”
Unadilla is the lone venue on the championship calendar that was part of the Pro Motocross Championship’s inaugural season and is arguably the foundational pillar of the summer season because of that. Founded in 1969 by pioneering organizers Ward and Peg Robinson, Unadilla MX is the oldest venue in American motocross. The track served as a centerpiece of the sport’s expansion from its European origins into the United States, hosting Trans-AMA events that predated Pro Motocross and pitted the best from Europe against aspiring American talent. The track’s lore only grew from there as it became the site of the 250cc U.S. Grand Prix and earned the historic distinction of being the country’s first host venue for the FIM Motocross of Nations. Throughout its five decades of existence, Unadilla has been one of Pro Motocross’ crown jewels, with a European inspired natural-terrain layout that sprawls across the undulating landscape of the Unadilla Valley and maximizes the contours and elevation changes of the rolling hills. Unadilla isn’t about hang time and big air; it’s gritty old school motocross that has blended seamlessly into the modern era and remains as daunting of a challenge as ever for the most talented athletes on the planet.
Central New York’s iconic Unadilla MX will kick off the stretch run of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
This year’s Unadilla National will signify the third year ELF has served as the event’s title partner, as the legacy brand continues its U.S. expansion. Known as “A Brand of Passion,” ELF’s racing lineage mirrors the legacy of Unadilla by spanning more than 50 years. That passion has remained the driving force behind five decades of innovation and performance, where success on the proving grounds of racetracks ensure proven products for consumers and bring notoriety to the brand. Like Unadilla, ELF’s two-wheel legacy also dates back to the early 1970s, with hugely successful collaborations with the likes of Honda and Yamaha. Most recently, ELF has made a push in the off-road discipline with the same passion, innovation, and commitment to success that has defined the company from the very beginning.
On the track, the sibling battle between Hunter and Jett Lawrence will enter its next chapter at Unadilla, as Jett looks to end the recent surge of momentum by Hunter, who has claimed back-to-back victories to establish a 12-point lead. For Hunter, his midseason run has been nothing short of impressive, with four wins over the last five races and just a single finish outside the top two over those 10 motos. Jett, meanwhile, has been hampered by an uncharacteristic number of miscues that have put him on the ground several times and have likely cost him a couple wins, resulting in the loss of invaluable championship points. On the plus side for Jett, his record at Unadilla is exceptional with an undefeated mark in the premier class, providing a prime opportunity for a return to winning form. In fact, this will mark the first time in his 450SMX Class career that Jett comes into Unadilla without a chance to clinch the title.
As has been the case for most of the season, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan lurks in the background. With three straight podium finishes, the premier class rookie has asserted himself as the divisions’ third-best rider and has continued to improve while racing in the shadow of the Lawrence brothers. Deegan seems poised for a breakout ride if he can hit all his marks and continues to put in the work to give him the best chance at a breakthrough victory at one of the final three races.
Despite facing a double-digit deficit, Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence heads to one of his best tracks at Unadilla, where he’s undefeated in the premier class. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan brings a three-race podium streak into Unadilla. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
In the 250SMX Class, the battle for the championship appears to be a two-man race between Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies. The veteran experience of Kitchen has allowed him to maintain his hold of the red plate, but Davies has been the class of the field more often than not this summer and certainly has momentum on his side coming into the stretch run. Just seven points sit between the pair and the biggest difference maker on the racetrack will likely be their respective ability to get good launches out the starting gate. Davies has set the pace in the class for both holeshots (5) and average starting position (6.8), which has allowed him to also lead the way in moto wins (6) and overall wins (3). If not for a forgettable Spring Creek, the young New Zealander would likely be in control of his own destiny atop the standings.
On the other hand, Kitchen’s Achilles heel has been starts, where he’s giving up six positions on average to Davies, often starting outside the top 10 in a deep field of talent. To his credit, Kitchen has the best finishing average in the class at 4.7, but it’s required him to improve more than eight positions per moto. That rate will be hard to sustain over the final three races, particularly if Davies continues to start up front and applies more pressure on Kitchen. However, it’s been shown many times over the course of the summer that anything can and will happen in a topsy-turvy 250SMX Class.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen will need to improve his starts if he hopes to maintain possession of the 250SMX Class points lead. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies brings a wave of momentum into Unadilla and has consistently been the rider to beat this summer. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
In addition to the resumption of the title fights in the 450SMX and 250SMX classes, Unadilla will signify the anticipated return of the Women’s Motocross Championship Powered by Synchrony (WMX), which will also begin is stretch run of the 2026 campaign. Reigning back-to-back champion and Altus Motorsports bLUcRU Yamaha rider Lachlan Turner sits atop the standings halfway through the six-round season, but sits just nine points ahead of her Australian rival in Quad Lock Honda’s Charli Cannon, who entered the midseason break fresh off her breakthrough first victory on U.S. soil. Unadilla was the site of the pair’s most compelling battle last summer and is poised to once again play a pivotal role in this season’s battle for the WMX crown.
After a midsummer break, the WMX will return at Unadilla for its final three rounds of the season. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.
The ELF Lubricants Unadilla National will get underway this Saturday, August 15, with on-track action starting at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 p.m. ET before the gate drops on motos at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Comprehensive live streaming coverage from Unadilla will air exclusively on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET before coverage of the motos gets underway at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
For information about the Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Wayne Rainey (2) powers out of Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2025. Photo by Michael Gougis.
SIX AMERICAN WORLD CHAMPIONS REUNITE AT LAGUNA SECA FOR HISTORIC CELEBRATION OF JAPANESE MOTORSPORT
Monterey, Calif., Aug. 11, 2026
History is coming to life at WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA.
For the first time in nearly two decades, all six living American 500cc World Grand Prix Champions will reunite on the same track, bringing together an extraordinary generation of American motorcycle racing legends during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s celebration of Japanese Motorsport on August 14 and 15.
Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr. – six riders whose names are synonymous with an era of American dominance in Grand Prix motorcycle racing – will return to Laguna Seca to ride their iconic motorcycles in exhibition laps alongside legendary race cars.
For fans, this is a rare opportunity to see those champions together again: MEET THEM, HEAR THE STORIES BEHIND SOME OF RACING’S GREATEST BATTLES, COLLECT AUTOGRAPHS AND WATCH SIX World Champions take to the track once more.
Together, the six riders captured 14 of the 23 500cc World Championships between 1978 and 2000, representing one of the most dominant eras by any nation or group of riders in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history, and fittingly, all six have raced at Laguna Seca.
A WEEKEND OF UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS
The two-day celebration will give fans multiple opportunities to experience these legends up close, including exhibition laps (3:45 p.m. on Friday and 2:05 p.m. on Saturday); an autograph session on Saturday from 10 to 10:40 a.m. and a lively panel discussion on the paddock stage from 3:15 to 3:55 p.m. on Saturday.
“This is going to be an unbelievable experience for everyone attending the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” said Bruce Canepa of Friends of Laguna Seca. “To have these six World Champions together at Laguna Seca, riding the motorcycles that made them legends, is something fans will remember for a very long time. I’m a longtime motorcycle enthusiast, so I’ll be one of the many trying to get as close as possible!”
The gathering also marks a milestone for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. For the first time in the event’s 52-year history, motorcycles will play a defining role in the celebration, making the reunion of these six champions a fitting centerpiece of this year’s Japanese Motorsport theme.
MEET THE CHAMPIONS
Kenny Leroy Roberts, (a.k.a. Sr.)
KENNY ROBERTS: The first American to win the 500cc World Grand Prix Championship, Kenny Roberts changed the sport forever with three consecutive World Championships from 1978 through 1980. A dominant force in American racing before conquering the world stage, Roberts later founded his own World Championship team and mentored Wayne Rainey to three consecutive 500cc titles.
Freddie Spencer.
FREDDIE SPENCER: Known as “Fast Freddie,” Freddie Spencer produced one of the most remarkable seasons in motorcycle history in 1985, becoming the only rider ever to win both the 250cc and 500cc World Championships in the same year. His career included 27 Grand Prix victories and unforgettable championship rivalry with Kenny Roberts.
Eddie Lawson.
EDDIE LAWSON: A four-time 500cc World Champion, Eddie Lawson dominated Grand Prix racing in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989. The California native combined extraordinary consistency and versatility, winning championships in both AMA Superbike and AMA 250 Grand Prix racing, along with victories at the Daytona 200 and Suzuka 8-hour.
Wayne Rainey.
WAYNE RAINEY: Wayne Rainey captured three consecutive 500cc World Championships from 1990 through 1992 and amassed 24 premier-class Grand Prix victories. His legendary rivalry with Kevin Schwantz became one of the defining story lines of the era. After a career-ending crash in 1993, Rainey continued to shape motorcycle racing as a team owner and later as a co-founder of MotoAmerica.
Kevin Schwantz.
KEVIN SCHWANTZ: Few riders were as thrilling as Kevin Schwantz. The Texas native won the 1993 500cc World Championship and 25 premier class Grand Prix races, earning a reputation for an aggressive, fearless riding style. His fierce rivalry with Wayne Rainey captivated fans around the world and helped define one of the greatest eras in Grand Prix racing.
Kenny Lee Roberts, (a.k.a. Jr.)
KENNY ROBERTS JR.: In 2000, Kenny Roberts Jr. made history by joining his father as a 500cc World Champion, creating the first and only father-son duo to win Premier Class World Championships. His championship with Suzuki ended Honda’s six-year hold on the title and capped an extraordinary era of American success in Grand Prix racing.
A RARE CHANCE TO WITNESS HISTORY
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is renowned for bringing historic race cars back to the track exactly as they were intended to be driven. This year, that experience expands to two wheels as six of America’s greatest motorcycle racing champions return to the place where they once competed.
For one unforgettable weekend, the legends of American Grand Prix racing will be back where they belong – on the track at Laguna Seca.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion run August 12-15. Daily, multi-day and VIP experience packages are available at WeatherTech Raceway.com or by calling 831.242.8200. Tickets are also available at the admissions gate on South Boundary Road and the Highway 68 entrance.
About the ROLEX Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Recognized as one of the world’s premier motorsport lifestyle gatherings, the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will celebrate Japanese Performance as its featured marque. Led by Grand Marshal Peter Brock, the event will showcase legendary race cars and manufacturers that helped shape global motorsports, including Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Yamaha, Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, and Mitsubishi.
The four-day celebration, August 12-15, 2026, also features Bonhams|Cars auction, the return of Historic IROC, a new JDM Car Show, historic INDYCARS and hundreds of the world’s finest historic race cars and motorcycles competing on the iconic 11-turn circuit, creating an unforgettable experience for racing enthusiasts and collectors alike. Tickets and hospitality package are available at weathertechraceway.com.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned motorsport facility located in Monterey, California, operated and managed by Friends of Laguna Seca, a 501c(3) non-profit. Nestled among scenic hills, it has a rich history of hosting premier racing events, making it a favorite destination for motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. The 2.238-mile raceway features 11 challenging turns and approximately 180 feet of elevation change, including the world-famous Corkscrew, providing a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans. Friends of Laguna Seca is committed to delivering top-tier racing and entertainment experiences year after year. Find out how you can get involved at FriendsOfLagunaSeca.org.
For more than 50 years, the bimota brand has stood at the forefront of motorcycle innovation, building a reputation for creating some of the world’s most exclusive and technically advanced machines. Founded in Rimini, Italy in1973, the legendary Italian motorcycle manufacturer has become synonymous with groundbreaking engineering, handcrafted quality, and a relentless pursuit of performance.Today, through its partnership with Kawasaki, bimota continues to push the boundaries of motorcycle design by combining Italian artistry and craftsmanship with Kawasaki’s world-renowned performance and engineering expertise.
Based in Rimini, Italy, each bimota motorcycle is produced in limited numbers where inspired engineering, premium materials, and artisanal craftsmanship come together to create motorcycles that transcend conventional design. With a racing mindset at its core, bimota develops unique machines that fuse innovation, exclusivity, and unmistakable Italian style into a riding experience unlike any other.Every model is designed for riders who demand originality, passion, and engineering ingenuity in a motorcycle that stands apart from the crowd.
bimota is proud to announce the limited production availability of select models in the United States through the exclusive U.S. dealer, Bimota Spirit. Available models include the World Superbike racemachine – KB998 Rimini, the revolutionary Tesi H2 and Tesi H2 TERA, along with the distinctive KB4and KB4RC. Each model represents bimota’s continued commitment to delivering exceptionalmotorcycles with high-end performance and timeless Italian craftsmanship.
bimota KB998 Rimini. Exterior designed for ultimate racetrack performance. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB998 Rimini. Dry carbon fibre with a high carbon content is specially-sculpted into each part of the exterior, along with all structural subframes. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB998 Rimini
Leading the lineup is the KB998 Rimini, a purpose-built superbike engineered to compete – and win – at the highest levels of production-based racing. The KB998 Rimini combines bimota’s handcrafted Italian philosophy with championship-proven Kawasaki performance to create a machine with no compromises. Designed as both a high-performance road machine and a true racing weapon, the KB998 Rimini embodies bimota’s relentless pursuit of perfection on the racetrack and signals a bold new era for the iconic Italian brand.
At the heart of the KB998 Rimini is a race-proven 998cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke inline-four engine derived from the same Kawasaki superbike platform that powered seven WorldSBK titles. Optimized for exceptional power delivery and rider control, the engine produces strong low- and mid-range performance for explosive corner exits while delivering peak torque high in the rpm range for relentless top-end acceleration. Advanced performance technologies including electronic throttle valves, dual fuel injectors, a Variable Air Intake (VAI) system, and a close-ratio transmission designed specifically for circuit riding further elevate the riding experience. A lightweight titanium Akrapovic silencer developed exclusively for the KB998 Rimini amplifies the engine’s unmistakable superbike character.
Surrounding the championship-winning powerplant is an equally advanced chassis and electronics package developed with precision racing performance in mind. The one-of-a-kind trellis-style chromium-molybdenum steel frame is paired with a billet aluminum swing arm and premium Show a suspension components, including a 43mm Balance Free Front Fork (BFF) and BFRC lite rear shock developed with WorldSBK input. A comprehensive suite of rider aids includes Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), a Bosch IMU, Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), engine brake control, selectable power modes, integrated riding modes, and electronic cruise control. A compact 4.3-inch TFT color instrumentation display gives riders easy access to information at a glance. Completing the package are specially designed Marchesini forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, high-performance Brembo M50 monobloc brakes, and full carbon fiber bodywork featuring the first-ever variable winglets fitted to a production motorcycle. Every frame and exterior component is hand-painted in Rimini, Italy, underscoring the KB998 Rimini’s exclusivity and artisanal craftsmanship.
The KB998 Rimini is powered by an engine featured on Kawasaki superbikes that were part of winning seven WorldSBK titles. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota Tesi H2
The Tesi H2 represents one of the most revolutionary motorcycles ever produced by bimota, combining futuristic engineering, exotic craftsmanship, and supercharged Kawasaki performance into a machine unlike anything else on the road. Designed with a relentless focus on functionality and innovation, every component of the Tesi H2 has been carefully selected to maximize performance, control, and rider connection. At the heart of the motorcycle is Kawasaki’s exhilarating 998cc inline four-cylinder supercharged engine, delivering immense power and razor-sharp acceleration while maintaining exceptional ride ability. Paired with advanced electronic rider aids and a lightweight chassis package, the Tesi H2 delivers an unforgettable riding experience that pushes the boundaries of motorcycle engineering.
With multiple adjustable settings, the bimota Tesi H2 can be precisely tailored to suit each rider’s preferences and riding style. Photo courtesy bimota.
Central to the Tesi H2’s identity is its highly advanced center hub steering system and ultra-rigid chassis design. Machined aluminum swing arms mount directly to the engine through alloy pivot plates, while a bonded carbon-fiber bridge on the front swingarm ensures equal rigidity on both sides for consistent steering characteristics with minimal dive and lift under braking. During aggressive deceleration, the swingarm pivot position helps disperse pitching forces to create a natural anti-dive effect, enhancing stability and rider confidence. Complementing the chassis is premium Öhlins suspension front and rear with full adjustability for compression, rebound, and preload, along with eccentric adjusters that allow riders to easily tailor ride height and footpeg position to their preferences.Lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork and a carbon-fiber fuel tank cover further contribute to the motorcycle’s advanced construction and striking design.
Supporting the Tesi H2’s extraordinary performance is a comprehensive suite of premium electronics and high-end components. Brembo radial-mount Stylema monobloc calipers paired with dual 330mm front discs and KIBS provide exceptional stopping power and precise control. Advanced rider technologies include KCMF, Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), KLCM, Kawasaki engine brake control, electronic throttle valves, a dual-direction Kawasaki Quick Shifter, and an IMU that continuously monitors chassis behavior for optimized performance. Bridgestone Battlax RS11 tires, TFT full-color instrumentation, Ram Air intake, and an Assist & Slipper Clutch complete the Tesi H2’s race-inspired package, creating a motorcycle engineered to stand at the forefront of innovation, exclusivity, and performance.
bimota Tesi H2. A lightweight chassis and compact rider position bring the rider closer to the engine for an exceptionally direct connection. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota Tesi H2 TERA
Blending groundbreaking engineering with long-distance capability, the Tesi H2 TERA redefines what a high-performance crossover motorcycle can be. Designed to transcend traditional categories, the Tesi H2 TERA combines bimota’s revolutionary Tesi center hub steering system with Kawasaki’s exhilarating supercharged performance to create a machine equally capable of high-speed asphalt riding and exploring beyond the pavement. Built for riders seeking adventure without compromise, the Tesi H2 TERA embodies elegance, innovation, and exclusivity while delivering a riding experience unlike anything else on the road today.
A carefully engineered chassis delivers a balanced, lightweight, and responsive ride on the Tesi H2 TERA. Photo courtesy bimota.
At the heart of the Tesi H2 TERA is a powerful 998cc inline four-cylinder supercharged engine paired with a titanium Akrapovic slip-on silencer developed exclusively for the model. Delivering exceptional acceleration and thrilling power delivery, the engine is complemented by an advanced electronics package derived from Kawasaki’s supercharged platform, including integrated riding modes, KTRC, KCMF, KLCM, Kawasaki engine brake control, KIBS, electronic cruise control and dual-direction KQS. Electronic throttle valves, an IMU, Ram Air intake system, Assist & Slipper Clutch, and TFT full-color instrumentation with smartphone connectivity further elevate the riding experience, giving riders advanced technology and seamless control across a wide range of riding conditions.
Central to the Tesi H2 TERA’s distinctive character is its innovative TERA chassis system, engineered to deliver consistent steering characteristics with minimal dive and lift during braking. The unique swingarm pivot position disperses pitching forces under deceleration to create a natural anti-dive effect, enhancing confidence and stability whether carving mountain roads or venturing onto unpaved terrain. Lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork, premium Öhlins suspension front and rear, adjustable handlebars, and high-performance Brembo radial-mount brakes contribute to the motorcycle’s sophisticated and highly functional design. Exclusive Anlas tires developed specifically for bimota and lightweight OZ Racing forged 17-inch wheels further reinforce the Tesi H2 TERA’s sporty DNA and premium craftsmanship, creating a machine that pushes the boundaries of performance, luxury, and innovation.
Kawasaki’s sophisticated electronics, enhanced by Bosch IMU input and tailored to the Tesi H2 TERA, deliver precise control and confidence across a wide range of riding surfaces. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB4
Paying tribute to bimota’s legendary heritage while embracing modern engineering innovation, the KB4 blends timeless neo-retro styling with exhilarating contemporary performance. Inspired by the iconic 1978 KB1, the first bimota to feature a Kawasaki engine, that helped define bimota’s racing legacy, the fourth-generation KB4 combines handcrafted Italian design, lightweight agility, and advanced Kawasaki performance into a motorcycle that captures the soul of a cherished era while delivering a thoroughly modern riding experience. Featuring a distinctive vintage-inspired design highlighted by a red-painted chassis reminiscent of the original models, the KB4 stands as a celebration of bimota’s past and future alike.
bimota KB4. A lightweight, high-rigidity frame paired with Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes delivers precise, nimble handling. Photo courtesy bimota.
At the heart of the KB4 is a powerful 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine renowned for its broad torque delivery and thrilling character. Paired with an innovative rear radiator layout and highly centralized mass design, the engine allows the KB4 to achieve an exceptionally short wheelbase comparable to that of a middleweight sportbike, contributing to remarkably light maneuverability and nimble handling. The chassis construction links the engine to the front and rear wheels in the shortest possible distance, utilizing a chromium-molybdenum steel front trellis frame and a machined aluminum pivot plate that mounts the three-piece swingarm directly to the engine. Combined with a lower-set riding position and fully adjustable Öhlins suspension front and rear, the KB4 delivers a uniquely agile and engaging ride that reflects the DNA of the original KB series more than four decades later.
Supporting the KB4’s performance-focused character is a premium collection of components and advanced rider technologies. Brembo radial-mount brakes provide exceptional stopping power and precise control, while Pirelli Supercorsa EVO tires, an Öhlins steering damper, and lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork further enhance handling and responsiveness. Riders can personalize the motorcycle through adjustable ride height and footpeg positioning, tailoring ergonomics to suit individual preferences and riding styles. Advanced electronics include KCMF, KTRC, KIBS, selectable power modes, electronic cruise control, dual-direction KQS, and TFT full-color instrumentation. Completing the package is a beautifully crafted real leather seat and carefully selected premium materials throughout, underscoring the KB4’s unique combination of heritage, exclusivity, and cutting-edge engineering.
bimota KB4. Retro Style, Modern Performance. Carbon-fibre bodywork, racing-inspired winglets, sporty ergonomics, and lightweight OZ Racing wheels blend timeless design with modern performance. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB4RC
Based on the same advanced technological foundation as the KB4, the KB4RC features a café racer-inspired naked design that places an even greater emphasis on raw styling, rider engagement, and street-focused character. While sharing the same compact chassis design, high-performance Kawasaki inline four-cylinder engine, and advanced electronics package as the KB4, the KB4RC distinguishes itself through unique styling, aerodynamics, and ergonomics that create a more aggressive and raw riding experience. Finished with a chassis painted in the signature “liquid red” inspired by the original KB models, the KB4RC proudly carries forward the legendary DNA.
bimota KB4RC. Freedom in Motion. Lightweight, torquey performance and adjustable ergonomics let riders tailor the KB4RC to their size and riding style. Photo courtesy bimota.
At the heart of the KB4RC is the same powerful 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine featured in the KB4, delivering a broad spread of torque and exhilarating acceleration. Combined with bimota’s innovative cooling system layout, mass centralization, and compact chassis dimensions, the motorcycle achieves remarkably light handling and exceptional agility thanks to a wheelbase comparable to that of a 600cc sportbike. The chromium-molybdenum steel front trellis frame and highly rigid machined aluminum swingarm mounted directly to the engine create a responsive and precise riding platform, while premium Öhlins fully adjustable racing suspension allows riders to tailor compression, rebound, preload, ride height, and footpeg position to suit virtually any riding condition or style.
The KB4RC’s distinctive personality comes from its stripped-back café racer design and more upright riding ergonomics. A classic round LED headlight reinforces the motorcycle’s vintage-inspired styling, while slightly higher handlebars create a more relaxed and street-oriented riding position compared to the tucked-in stance of the fully faired KB4. Exposed air intakes – which channel airflow to the innovative under-seat radiator system – give the KB4RC a bold industrial appearance that highlights its engineering-focused design. Brembo radial-mount brakes, Pirelli Supercorsa EVO tires, lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork, TFT full-color instrumentation, and a handcrafted real leather seat complete the premium package. Advanced rider technologies including KCMF, KTRC, KIBS, selectable power modes, electronic cruise control, dual-direction KQS, and electronic throttle valves ensure the KB4RC delivers both cutting-edge performance and timeless riding character.
bimota KB4RC. An under-seat radiator, short wheelbase, and long swingarm deliver agile handling, balanced performance, and exceptional traction. Photo courtesy bimota.
bimota KB4RC. A 1,043 cc inline-four delivers strong low-rpm response and 142 PS, supported by Kawasaki’s latest rider-focused electronics. Photo courtesy bimota.
Exclusive U.S Dealer – Bimota Spirit
For more than five decades, bimota has built motorcycles that transcend performance, creating machines that evoke emotion, inspire passion, and embody a relentless pursuit of engineering excellence. As a dedicated steward of that legacy, Bimota Spirit has become the most respected ambassador of the brand in the United States, preserving the history, innovation, and craftsmanship that have defined bimota since its inception. Founded by longtime bimota enthusiast and expert Bob Steinbugler, whose relationship with the marque dates back to the late 1970s, Bimota Spirit serves as a destination for current owners, collectors, and new enthusiasts seeking to experience the unique character that makes every bimota special.
Today, Bimota Spirit continues that mission through a comprehensive offering of new and classic motorcycles, parts, service, and an extensive archive documenting more than 50 years of bimota history. With the next generation represented by Sean Steinbugler, an accomplished mechanic, custombuilder, and rider, Bimota Spirit is committed to carrying the brand’s heritage forward for decades tocome. From its growing museum collection in North Carolina featuring iconic models to its preservation of factory documentation, historic photography, and racing memorabilia, Bimota Spirit remains dedicated to celebrating and safeguarding the innovative spirit, technical artistry, and uncompromising passion that continue to define the bimota name.
Available now, Bimota Spirit is proud to offer limited-production units of the KB998 Rimini and the Tesi H2 nationwide paired with knowledge and insights that cannot be found anywhere else in the United States. The Tesi H2 TERA, KB4, and KB4RC are expected to arrive in late 2026. Contact Bimota Spirit today to reserve exclusive, meticulously crafted motorcycles that stand apart from the crowd.
Mikey Lou Sanchez celebrates a dominant CMRA Round 7 at Eagles Canyon Raceway after sweeping all four Expert races and setting a new motorcycle lap record. Photo courtesy Trinity Richardson Sanchez
Sixteen-year-old Texas road racer Mikey Lou Sanchez had a standout weekend at CMRA Round 7 at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas, August 8–9, winning all four of his races and setting a new clockwise motorcycle lap record.
Mikey Lou, an Austin native who currently lives and races in Spain, returned home to Texas for summer vacation and took the opportunity to race in front of family, friends, and the Texas motorcycle racing community.
Riding a 2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 owned by Texas Motorcycle Academy, Craig Gleason, and setup by Jimmy Cambora of Raceworx USA, Mikey Lou entered four Expert sprint races and won all four:
• Heavyweight Superbike Expert
• Heavyweight Superstock Expert
• NextGen Supersport Expert
• Formula 1 Expert
Mikey Lou Sanchez on the podium after a dominant weekend at Eagles Canyon. Photo courtesy Trinity Richardson Sanchez
Formula 1 is CMRA’s premier sprint class. Starting from the back of the grid, Mikey Lou worked his way through the field and won each of his four races by convincing margins.
Mikey Lou also broke the existing motorcycle lap record multiple times during the weekend, ultimately setting a new clockwise Eagles Canyon Raceway motorcycle lap record of 1:53.459.
Mikey Lou will next be on track Saturday, August 15, at Harris Hill Raceway in San Marcos, Texas, for a benefit fundraiser supporting his racing program.
He will then return to Spain for a two-day Moto4 European Championship test at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, August 26–27, followed by his next MotoJunior Championship race weekend at the same circuit, September 5–6.
SDK (40) led Mathew Scholtz (11), Bobby Fong (50), Richie Escalante (54), PJ Jacobsen (15), Loris Baz (76) and the rest of the Quad Lock Superbike field early in Race 2 at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
SDK Leads Quad Lock Superbike Field Into Triple-Header At VIRginia International Raceway
Superbike Cup Competitors Running Out Of Chances To Catch Series Leader Andrew Lee
Irvine, CA (Aug. 11, 2026) – The MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike championship heats up this weekend at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), where OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) holds a 24-point lead over Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz. Scholtz capitalized on a red-flag-shortened Race 2 at Mid-Ohio to close the gap on Kelly, overtaking Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s JD Beach for second place in the standings. Beach now sits 32 points behind the leader in third, while his teammate, Bobby Fong, remains at a striking distance 55 points back. With three rounds and 200 points still on the table, the title fight remains wide open for all four riders entering Round 7.
The historic, 17-turn, 2.25-mile road course in Alton, Virginia, features a combination of high-speed sections, dramatic elevation changes, and technical corners that demand absolute precision and commitment. The circuit rewards riders who can carry momentum through its flowing layout while managing tire wear and the grueling physical demands of a long race. Add in the sweltering August heat and those physical demands will be significantly amplified for the Superbike field as they face three 20-lap contests across the weekend.
Scholtz aims to parlay his Mid-Ohio win into more victories to catch Kelly, while Fong and Beach chase vital podium momentum in the waning races of the season.
Kelly’s consistency has been the defining characteristic of his championship campaign. The 24-year-old Floridian has remained at the front throughout the season and currently rides a five-race podium streak. But three races in one weekend also presents three opportunities for his closest challengers to take points away.
Scholtz has proven he can mount a major charge in the standings when the opportunity strikes. The 33-year-old ignited the season with four consecutive podium finishes before slipping to third in the rankings by the midpoint at Laguna Seca. Despite that mid-season lull, the South African standout still commands a class-leading four victories. Having successfully fought his way back into second in the championship standings, Scholtz enters the weekend with three prime opportunities to significantly chip away at SDK’s advantage.
Mathew Scholtz must put his #11 Yamaha ahead of Sean Dylan Kelly (40) to continue his climb up the points standings. Here, PJ Jacobsen (15) and Bobby Fong (50) chase. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Beach has slightly more ground to make up, but the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing rider will be looking to reverse the recent trend after surrendering second place in the championship. Beach has already demonstrated his ability to dominate a weekend and manage tires, sweeping both races in dominant fashion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca earlier this season.
JD Beach (95) on his way to a podium finish in Superbike Race 1 at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Fong enters VIR with his own momentum after scoring two podium finishes at Mid-Ohio, and took both wins at the Virginia road course last year. The 34-year-old Californian remains within striking distance of the leaders but needs to put himself at the front to gain ground. Meanwhile, Wrench Motorcycles rider Cameron Petersen (-88 points) will look to rebound after a difficult Mid-Ohio weekend to keep himself fighting inside the top five.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch (-133 points) has quietly climbed to sixth in the standings, sitting just ahead of teammate Richie Escalante (-137 points). The duo continues to battle for shop bragging rights and they aim to finish the second half of the season strong, eyeing a possible top five championship finish.
VIR is famous for close photo finishes and legendary Superbike battles. Mat Mladin and Josh Hayes lead the track’s all-time win list with seven victories each, followed by Jake Gagne with four. On the current grid, however, Bobby Fong is the only rider who has won here before, thanks to his double victory in 2025.
In Superbike Cup competition, Real Steel Honda’s Andrew Lee continues to lead the championship chase, establishing himself as the class benchmark while challenging full-spec Superbikes in the combined field. The Northern California rider holds a 98-point lead over second-place Deion Campbell of BPR Racing Yamaha. Carl Soltisz of Super Carl Racing 57 Rider Development follows closely in third place, trailing Lee by 99 points.
Andrew Lee (14) has dominated the Superbike Cup standings thus far. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The triple-header gives Lee three opportunities to extend his advantage, but it also gives his Superbike Cup competitors additional chances to close the gap. The Cup riders will face the same 20-lap distances, heat and tire-management challenges as their Superbike trackmates.
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, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, 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+
GBrakes: A Brand Backed by Decades of North American Experience
American-made brake lines, Spanish-made rotors, championship performance – and a company determined to do things with the highest quality in mind.
CARSON CITY, Nev. – GBrakes may be a new name, but the team behind it is anything but new.
Created by Alessandro Milesi and owned and operated by Giocar America, GBrakes combines more than three decades of North American braking experience with innovative products, advanced technologies, and a clear vision for the future.
To clear up any possible market confusion, GBrakes is not a subsidiary, representative, continuation, or division of Galfer. Likewise, Galfer is not a subsidiary or division of GBrakes or Giocar America. The companies operate separately, and neither represents the other.
That distinction is important to GBrakes—and one the company is proud to make.
A Family History – and an Independent Future
The familiarity between the two organizations comes from the Milesi family’s history in the braking industry.
Alessandro’s grandfather, Maffio Milesi, founded Galfer in 1956. His father, Giorgio Milesi, later founded Giocar America in the United States in 1992 and contributed to the early development of the patented wave®-shaped motorcycle brake rotor, which Giocar was the first to introduce to the North American market under the WAVE® trademark.
GBrakes founder and CEO Sandro Milesi (center) confers with some of the 24 employees working at the company’s headquarters in Carson City, Nevada.
GBrakes, however, was created by Alessandro and built upon Giocar America’s own team, resources, relationships, and direct knowledge of the North American market.
“We respect our family’s history, but GBrakes has its own identity and direction,” said Alessandro Milesi, creator and CEO of GBrakes. “I created GBrakes with a clear vision for the future, supported by a team that knows this market, understands our customers, and is excited to build something distinctly our own.”
More Than Just Another Rotor Brand
Every GBrakes rotor is manufactured in Spain. The rotors are precision laser cut, double-disc ground, and cryogenically treated to deliver consistency, stability, and dependable performance.
GBrakes also owns the WAVE® trademark in the United States and Canada.
But GBrakes is about much more than rotors.
The company offers over 3,200 brake-hose applications designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States, along with performance brake pads manufactured in Europe and incorporating NRS technology.
For V-Twin riders and bike builders, GBrakes offers an exceptional level of customization, with a wide range of designs, finishes, colors, and configurations.
Rotors, brake lines, pads, customization, and knowledgeable technical support – all from one experienced North American organization.
Fast Out of the Gate
GBrakes launched in 2025 and wasted no time demonstrating what the brand could do.
During its first full Supercross season, GBrakes won the 2026 AMA 450SX Supercross Championship with Ken Roczen. The brand has also achieved strong racing results in the Bagger Racing League, MotoAmerica road racing, and motocross competition.
“We did not enter this market with promises about what we might accomplish someday,” Milesi said. “We came in with advanced products, an experienced team, and the confidence to compete at the highest level. Winning the 450SX Championship with Ken Roczen is an incredible validation of our products, our people, and our direction.”
Built for the North American Market
GBrakes is supported by longstanding relationships with some of the most recognized names in the North American powersports industry, including:
Western Power Sports
LeMans Corporation, including Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties
Comoto Holdings, including Cycle Gear, RevZilla, and J&P Cycles
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC
MotoSport
The company operates from Giocar America’s more than 28,000-square-foot United States facility, where a team of 24 employees provides inventory, customer service, technical assistance, sales, marketing, product development, and racing support.
“You do not learn the North American market by simply opening a building here,” Milesi added. “You learn it by spending decades working with its distributors, dealers, builders, racing teams, and riders. We have been doing that since 1992, and that experience is behind everything we do at GBrakes.”
GBrakes brings together the excitement and freedom of a new brand with the people, relationships, and experience of an established North American company.
It is independent, innovative, proven through competition – and just getting started.
About GBrakes
Created by Alessandro Milesi and owned and operated by Giocar America, GBrakes is an independent performance-braking brand serving the United States and the International community. It’s portfolio includes trademarked WAVE® rotors; over 3,200 American-designed, engineered, and manufactured brake-line applications, advanced performance brake pads, and extensive V-Twin customization.
Julian Correa (129) on the TST Suzuki at VIR. Photo by Apex Pro Photo
TST Industries scored a stunning overall victory in the inaugural N2RA KYT Americas 6-Hours of VIR, defeating a field that included significantly more powerful machinery to claim both the Lightsport class and overall win at Virginia International Raceway. Riders Julian Correa, Justin Riley, and Levi Badie piloted the team’s Lightsport-spec Suzuki GSX-8R on Dunlop tires to victory, earning $7,000 in combined class and overall prize money.
Team Roberts added another memorable performance to the inaugural N2RA weekend, winning Saturday’s Alpha Omega 2-Hour Ultralight Endurance with 15-year-old Kensei Matsudaira completing the entire race solo aboard a Kramer APX-350.
Although N2 has been involved in endurance racing since 2017, the N2 Racing Association is completely new for 2026, with new rules, formats, staff, and a self-contained racing organization. The inaugural N2RA weekend at VIR brought all of those pieces together for three days of track time and racing.
“Overall, I couldn’t be happier with how our inaugural N2RA weekend turned out,” said N2 COO John Farrell. “We created N2RA to bring the same customer-first approach we’ve spent more than 12 years building in the track day community into motorcycle racing. We originally planned to launch in 2025, but we made the decision to wait until we knew we could deliver the experience we envisioned. When the opportunity at Virginia International Raceway became available for 2026, we knew we had the right venue to finally do it.
“Our goal was simple: make it easy for racers to come race motorcycles. From registration and tech to the Endurance 30 format and procedures for changing conditions, we tried to think through the details that make a race weekend better for the customer. Sunday was the ultimate test. We had never run a six-hour endurance race, the schedule was extremely tight, and everything had to operate with pinpoint accuracy to deliver the full six hours we promised. We did it, with more than 200 laps of racing with only two red flags. That says a tremendous amount about the talent, discipline, and professionalism of the racers and teams who competed.
“Was everything perfect? No, and we didn’t expect it to be. We came away with a lot of notes and tremendous feedback that will help us make N2RA even better. Most importantly, I want to thank every racer, team, and sponsor who trusted us before we had proven we could do this. Maybe the best indication of how I feel about the weekend is that planning for 2027 was already underway before my rig ever left the VIR paddock.”
Friday: N2 Track Day
The weekend began Friday, August 7, with a sold-out N2 Track Day racers’ practice. Four groups with limited rider counts provided competitors with substantial track time to learn the circuit, test setups, and prepare for the weekend’s racing.
Saturday: Endurance 30 and Alpha Omega 2-Hour
Saturday, August 8, opened with 30-minute practice sessions followed by 30-minute qualifying sessions for each class.
The afternoon introduced N2RA’s new Endurance 30 format: 30-minute-plus-one-lap mini-endurance races for Lightsport, Supersport, Ultralight, and Superbike competitors.
Team Estenson’s Sam Drane won the Lightsport Endurance 30 aboard a Yamaha YZF-R7, ahead of Kevin Olmedo and Chase Brown.
Julian Correa won the Supersport Endurance 30 aboard a Dunlop-shod Honda CBR600RR, followed by Tim Wilson and David Zaka.
Matt Spinak took the Superbike Endurance 30 victory aboard a Dunlop-equipped Yamaha YZF-R1, ahead of Ryan Manotti and Daniel Hughes.
Team Roberts’ Kensei Matsudaira won the Ultralight Endurance 30 aboard a Kramer APX-350, ahead of Matt Patacca and Alex Ferreira.
Saturday’s featured race was the Alpha Omega 2-Hour Ultralight Endurance, which allowed competitors to race as teams or attempt the event solo.
Matsudaira chose the harder route.
The 15-year-old completed the race solo, stopping only for fuel and combining youthful endurance with impressive pace to take the victory in a race shortened by thunderstorms and lightning.
Matsudaira and Team Roberts finished ahead of Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg and Seth Dahmer aboard an Aprilia RS 457, with Matt Patacca and Mark Morrow finishing third aboard a Mark Morrow Roadracing School Dunlop-shod Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Kensei Matsudaira on the Team Roberts Kramer (74) at VIR. Photo by Apex Pro Photo
Sunday: KYT Americas 6-Hours of VIR
The feature event of the weekend was Sunday’s KYT Americas 6-Hours of VIR. Six hours of endurance racing brings heat, humidity, changing weather, crashes, mechanical problems, pit stops, rider changes, fuel strategy, and countless opportunities for mistakes. Outright speed alone rarely wins an endurance race. Consistency, preparation, teamwork, and minimizing mistakes ultimately decide the result.
TST Industries delivered all four.
With consistent pace, efficient pit stops, a talented lineup of young riders, and remarkably little drama, TST Industries kept its Lightsport-spec Suzuki GSX-8R in contention throughout the six-hour race.
When the checkered flag fell, the smaller Lightsport machine had beaten 24 other teams, including competitors aboard significantly more powerful Supersport and Superbike machinery.
TST Industries claimed the Lightsport victory and overall win, earning $4,000 for the class victory plus the $3,000 Overall Winner Bonus.
Supersport-class 3 Marines Racing finished second overall with riders Sloan West, Nathan Gauker, David Zaka, and John Hvizdak. TR2 Racing, with Emerson Amaya, Dan Kaepernik, and Kevin Olmedo, completed the overall podium in third.
Twenty-five teams competed across four classes: Superbike, Supersport, Lightsport, and the Relay Exhibition Class.
1st – KYT Americas – $4,000 (Donated to the Roadracing World Action Fund)
2nd – Team Velocity Racing – $2,500
3rd – MP13 – $1,500
Relay Exhibition Class
1st – A Proper Ding Dong
2nd – Hell Yeah Racing
3rd – Gotta Catch ’Em All
“What an incredible way to kick off our inaugural 6-Hours of VIR race event,” said N2 CEO Jim Curtis. “From the moment the bikes hit the track, the talent, speed, and determination of our riders and teams were on full display, delivering the kind of close, competitive racing that makes this sport so exciting.
“We’re extremely grateful to our sponsors and partners for believing in our vision and helping bring this event to life. KYT Americas and Alpha Omega generously stepped up as title sponsors of our two main endurance races. Kustom Cockpits, Pit Lane Moto, Yamaha Champions Riding School, and Rick Hammett contributed cash purse and bonus awards, while Yamaha Motor USA, Bridgestone, Hindle, Woodcraft, and Pirelli provided contingency support.
“These contributions put money and products directly into the hands of racers while helping us continue to grow endurance racing in America. We can’t wait to start working on what comes next.
“I also want to recognize our staff and volunteers, whose energy and hard work behind the scenes kept everything running smoothly, both on and off the track. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated and supportive individuals.”
N2RA Sponsors:
N2RA is proudly sponsored by: KYT Americas, Alpha Omega, Yamaha Motor USA, Bridgestone, Kustom Cockpits, Pit Lane Moto, Woodcraft Technologies, Hindle Exhaust, Pirelli, and Yamaha Champions Riding School.
ABOUT N2: RIDE. LEARN. RACE.:
Founded in 2014, N2’s mission is to build a sustainable motorcycle community through safe, structured track days and advanced rider-training programs based on Yamaha Champions Riding School methodology.
In 2017, N2 helped revive motorcycle endurance racing in America with the creation of the N2 National Endurance Series, the foundation for today’s N2 Racing Association.
The N2/BobbleHeadMoto Race Team has also won two national championships in the MotoAmerica Pro Racing series with rider Blake Davis.
N2 is a major contributor to the Roadracing World Action Fund through its racing efforts and the support of its large and dedicated member base.
MotoGP Race start in Brazil. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
Rio de Janeiro has successfully secured the right to host the official MotoGP 2027 Season Launch on 21 February 2027, bringing one of the championship’s premier global events to Brazil and placing the city at the centre of the sporting world ahead of the new MotoGP season.
The main Season Launch event is planned to take place on Botafogo Beach, creating a spectacular stage beneath Sugarloaf Mountain for the official presentation of the 2027 MotoGP season.
The announcement follows MotoGP’s hugely successful return to Brazil in 2026, when a sold-out Grand Prix weekend in Goiânia welcomed almost 150,000 spectators, reaffirming the country’s enduring passion for motorcycle racing and its position as one of the championship’s most vibrant markets. Building on that momentum, Rio de Janeiro will now take centre stage as host city for MotoGP’s flagship pre-season event, showcasing its internationally renowned landmarks alongside its proven ability to deliver world-class sporting and entertainment spectacles.
The MotoGP Season Launch has rapidly become one of the championship’s defining annual occasions, bringing together every MotoGP team, rider and manufacturer before the opening race of the season. More than a launch event, it is a global showcase for the sport, attracting international media, broadcasters, commercial partners and fans while generating worldwide TV, digital and social media coverage.
For host cities, the MotoGP Season Launch delivers far-reaching international exposure while generating significant tourism, media value and economic impact. The 2026 MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur generated more than USD$7 million in economic value, underlining the event’s growing importance as both a global sporting showcase and a catalyst for destination marketing and city activation. By securing the 2027 Season Launch, Rio de Janeiro will showcase its iconic landmarks, vibrant culture and world-renowned hospitality to a global audience.
Following the success of recent Season Launch events in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro will deliver MotoGP’s biggest celebration yet, blending the excitement of the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship with a world-class entertainment programme.
For fans, the MotoGP Season Launch will offer an experience unlike any other in the championship. Outside of a Grand Prix weekend, there is no other opportunity to see every MotoGP team, rider and factory motorcycle together in one place. Fans can get up close to the latest MotoGP machines before they race, enjoy official team presentations, rider appearances and interviews, explore interactive manufacturer displays, experience live entertainment, official merchandise and fan activities, all within a spectacular festival atmosphere on Rio’s iconic waterfront.
Internationally acclaimed artists will perform alongside leading Brazilian musicians and entertainers, celebrating the city’s globally renowned music scene while creating an unforgettable festival atmosphere. Together with spectacular live production, fan activations and the breathtaking backdrop of Botafogo Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain, the event will offer a uniquely Rio experience as MotoGP launches its 2027 season.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Group, said: “The MotoGP Season Launch has become one of the defining moments of the year for our championship, bringing together every team, rider and manufacturer as we begin a new season.
“The enthusiasm shown by Brazilian fans during our sold-out return to Goiânia in 2026 confirmed the extraordinary connection between MotoGP and Brazil. Following the success of our recent Season Launch events in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro provides the perfect stage to continue raising the bar, combining iconic locations, passionate fans and world-class entertainment. We look forward to delivering our biggest and most spectacular MotoGP Season Launch yet.”
Eduardo Cavaliere, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, said: “Rio de Janeiro is honoured to host the MotoGP 2027 Season Launch and welcome one of the most important annual events in international motorsport to our city. Following the outstanding success of MotoGP’s return to Brazil in Goiânia, we are proud to play our part in celebrating the beginning of a new season.
“Few cities can match Rio’s combination of natural beauty, sporting passion and globally recognised landmarks. From Botafogo Beach to Christ the Redeemer, this event will showcase the very best of Rio de Janeiro to millions of fans around the world while creating unforgettable experiences for riders, teams, partners and visitors. We look forward to welcoming the MotoGP family and fans from across the globe to our city.”
Further details regarding event programming, fan activities and media opportunities will be announced in due course.
Dallas Daniels (No. 1) fighting off Kody Kopp (No. 12) and Chad Cose (No. 49) during the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track. Photo by Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Reigning Grand National Champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) doubled down at the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, backing up his Saturday stroll with another dominating outing in Monday’s Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club in Sturgis, South Dakota.
On the backfoot for much of his Mission AFT SuperTwins title defense, Daniels has rounded into form at the perfect time with just three rounds remaining in the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
And Daniels didn’t just walk away at the front Monday night… he did so twice. The Estenson Racing Yamaha star had stacked up a near four-second advantage when that lead was wiped out by a red flag just past half-distance.
No matter. Daniels resumed the drubbing when the Main got back underway, working his lead back up to 3.563 seconds when he took the checkered flag.
After the race, Daniels said, “Just one race, one round, one lap at a time. We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. I’ve been doing this for a little while now, and I’ve had good years and bad years. I know that these guys are good, and they’re going to be ready whenever we go again.
“I know I kind of got fortunate on that start – I got a really good start. My starts all day were subpar, and I just kind of dialed it in. But when I saw the red flag, I was like, ‘Come on – you’ve got to be kidding…’ But my bike was flawless. I owe it all to my Estenson Racing Monster Energy Yamaha team.”
Believe it or not, Daniels might not have even registered the most impressive ride of the evening. Pre-race favorite Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R) certainly has a claim of his own, minus a disastrous start.
Bauman suffered off the line and was then bumped up the track. That dropped him down to eighth early with few obvious ways to make those positions back up. Therefore, Bauman took the less obvious ways. After being stuck up top, he decided to plant his flag on the outside line that everyone else shunned and then made it work as he rolled around the outside of one rider after another.
With one minute remaining on the clock, Bauman stormed past Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) and then Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07) to end his charge in second.
Kopp snuck under Cose at the same moment Bauman powered above him to complete an all-title-contender podium.
Cose held on for fourth, followed by Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), who finished off an excellent week for Royal Enfield in fifth.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet), and Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 Bubba Boswell/Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson XG750R) were packed up tight, finishing sixth through ninth, respectively, in close formation. Henry Wiles (No. 911 DL Racing/HYMMCO Yamaha MT-07) rounded out the top ten.
As a result of his back-to-back victories, Daniels (249) has opened up just a bit of breathing space over rivals Kopp (236) and Bauman (233) as the Grand National Championship races towards its titanic Peoria and Springfield conclusion.
KICKER AFT Singles
Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) went from zero (negative five, actually) to hero in a matter of two days.
Following Saturday’s incident that saw Saathoff disqualified and docked five points after plowing into rival Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and knocking both riders to the ground, the 1st Impressions Husqvarna pilot returned to action on Monday with his aggression still intact, merely wielded more precisely.
It was needed. The tight racetrack offered few easy passing opportunities, and Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) owned the starts all night long.
That required Saathoof to balance his patience with his willingness to strike when the time was right, and he managed that balance to perfection. After showing a wheel on multiple occasions, Saathoff slipped up the inside of Pfanders a minute-and-a-half into the Main and immediately opened a gap.
That gap threatened to evaporate once Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) worked past Pfanders and started to reel Saathoff in, but a mistake only Tadman’s part allowed Saathoff to break that pursuit completely.
Even a run through traffic did little to slow Saathoff’s march, and he powered on to a 3.735-second margin of victory.
Saathoff, “Jared (Mees) was preaching to me, ‘Get off the line.’ I was struggling with that a bit; Pfanders was getting really good starts. I got out of the hole pretty good and tucked in behind him. He made a couple of pretty big mistakes, and then I just locked in and got past him. After I got around him, I kind of turned it down a little bit; I knew it was going to be hard to pass me. I just really focused on consistency.”
After giving up the chase for victory, Tadman was forced to defend second, turning away a charging Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F) for second late.
Pfanders stopped his descent in fourth, hitting the stripe with Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) just behind in fifth and sixth.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Drane’s week of Sturgis drama continued. At the start, the Australian got pinched off between fellow second-row starters Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450). He went down and was immediately run over by Jett Katarzy (No. 117 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), who had no room to maneuver.
For a moment, it looked as if Drane might not be allowed to take the restart, but he was deemed fit following a trackside medical check and returned to the fray. From there he battled his way up from the back of the grid to finish a respectable seventh.
Despite the difficult week, Drane remains in a commanding position. He still leads by 42 points over Saathoff (241-199) with Tadman a distant third at 183.
Next Up
One of global motorcycle racing’s most iconic events – The World Famous Caterpillar Peoria TT presented by Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson – will celebrate its 79th edition on Saturday, August 22, at the Peoria Motorcycle Club in Peoria, Illinois.
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visitinghttps://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 22, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT), with the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track set to air the following day, Sunday, August 23, at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT). The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres can be found at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.
MotoGP Race podium at Silverstone with, from left to right, Jorge Martin, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
By Mat Oxley:
Some things are just meant to be together. You know: peanut butter and chocolate. Salt and pepper. Silverstone and Aprilia. Yes, Assen and Phillip Island are nice. But bring these bikes to Silverstone, and their aero really starts making the difference.
The result? A clear domination, where in one historic weekend the Italian manufacturer managed to lock down the grid’s front row, take all three top places during the sprint and then doing the same during the main race in a pretty historic victory. The result? Three of Aprilia’s four bikes are holding steady in the top three positions of the tournament.
So congratulations on that – but are these bikes getting a little too good for sportsmanship? We’re not in Formula 1-land just yet, but Peter’s feeling a little spooked. When does a briliant design become a danger to the game?
That might sound grim, but luckily there’s still the factor of the riders themselves and what they bring to play. Good thing Mat and Peter got some thoughts on those, too!
So come join us as we discuss Silverstone. Cheers!
Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! And additional thanks to flowerhead, who’s music you can find here.
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors:
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!
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Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 10, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
