IRVINE, CA (March 3, 2026) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is set to return to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway from March 5-7, 2026. Headlined by the 84th running of the DAYTONA 200, the race weekend serves as a launchpad that celebrates 50 years of Superbike Racing.
A landmark celebration of U.S. road racing heritage takes place as the world’s premier Supersport competitors vie for their own place in the AMA and MotoAmerica history books. Joining the Supersport headliners are Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, collectively forming a high-octane drop of the green flag.
DAYTONA 200 Preview
The 84th edition of the DAYTONA 200 will serve as the opening round for the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. The change means the DAYTONA 200 will now pay critical Supersport points for the first time since 2014.
Supersport machines will also be limited to a 15.5L (4.09 U.S. Gal) fuel tank capacity, which amounts to a 4L (1.05 U.S. Gal.) decrease from previous years and represents a considerable fuel mileage challenge for each machine. Daytona has historically been a “two-stop-race” where a pit crew will refuel the motorcycle and install fresh tires all in under 25 seconds, twice in 57 laps. This decreased fuel capacity means teams must now plan a third pit stop for fuel, which demands perfection from the technicians on pit lane.
With a record $250,000 purse, the financial stakes at the “World Center of Racing” match its prestige, headlined by a $50,000 winner’s prize and a $100,000 total podium payout. Adding to the incentive, MotoAmerica’s Official Tire Supplier Dunlop—winners of 33 of the past 43 DAYTONA 200s—will cover the tire costs for the field’s top-finishing international rider.
This significant payout potential has drawn a global field of 49 elite Supersport riders representing seven different manufacturers. The grid showcases world-class talent from four continents and seven nations—including a strong contingent from the Americas, Europe, Australia, and South Africa—ready for a 57-lap showdown on the high banks.
“The DAYTONA 200 is unlike any other race on the MotoAmerica calendar,” commented Wayne Rainey, three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, 1987 DAYTONA 200 winner, and President of MotoAmerica. “The prestige of the 200 has so many layers, which is why it always attracts the top riders from around the world. It is a difficult race to win. You must take care of your motorcycle for the entire 200 miles, your pit crew needs to be flawless across multiple pit stops, and for the ‘run to the checkers,’ you need to time the draft perfectly.”
Favorites For The Win
Josh Herrin is playing a game of numbers at Daytona this year. Herrin’s number two machine returns to the Supersport class for the third time in his career as he rolls his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 into Daytona eyeing an historic fourth-consecutive DAYTONA 200 victory. A win this year would mark Herrin’s fifth career victory at the event and equal legends Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel for most DAYTONA 200 wins.
Rahal Ducati Moto has two more threats in their pit box, as well. The roster features Superbike standout PJ Jacobsen and 18-year-old phenom Kayla Yaakov, a candidate to become the first-ever female winner of the race.
Last year’s second- and third-place finishers, Richie Escalante and Tyler Scott return with the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Team for the DAYTONA 200 on their Suzuki GSX-R750s. While Scott will remain in the Supersport class for the entire season, Escalante will return to the Superbike class following his appearance in the DAYTONA 200. After past disappointments at Daytona, both riders are looking for redemption.
Four-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes storms into the DAYTONA 200 just one month shy of his 51st birthday. While Hayes remains a stone-cold threat—as evidenced by his legendary career and 89th career victory at Barber Motorsports Park in 2025—a spot remains in his massive trophy cabinet for the DAYTONA 200 trophy, not to mention the accompanying Rolex Daytona Cosmograph for his wrist. He campaigns a 2026 BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 alongside Daytona 200 rookie Brenden Ketelsen.
Josh Herrin leads the field through Turn 1 on his way to a third consecutive Daytona 200 win in 2025. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The Youth Movement
The Supersport class sees a significant influx of young riders this year, headlined by 2025 Twins Cup and Talent Champion Alessandro Di Mario making his debut with Rahal Ducati Moto on a Ducati Panigale V2. The 17-year-old will make his DAYTONA 200 debut and could become the first rider to win the race in his first try since Joey Pascarella in 2012.
Alessandro Di Mario looks to bring momentum from 2025 Twins Cup and 2025 Talent Cup Championships to Daytona for a strong start to his first MotoAmerica Supersport season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Also joining the Supersport ranks is MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher on the MV Agusta F3 RR, who will set a historic milestone. At just 16 years and 9 days old on race day, she is poised to make history as the youngest competitor ever to race in the DAYTONA 200.
MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher captured a third place finish in Talent Cup Race 1 at VIRginia International Raceway last year and finished fifth overall in Talent Cup points. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Nineteen-year-old Blake Davis piloted his Yamaha YZF-R9 to three wins in Supersport last season, including a dominant WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round. While this is not Blake’s first DAYTONA 200, it marks the inaugural trip to Daytona for the new Supersport machine from the tuning fork brand and the Strack Racing crew, who have experienced the pressures of “The 200” before.
Strack Racing Yamaha rider Blake Davis leads the field into Turn 5 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on his way to a double victory during the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
International Challengers
Underscoring the global prestige of the event is an influx of elite world talent. Most noteworthy is former MotoGP star Darryn Binder, who makes his high-profile MotoAmerica Supersport debut with last year’s DAYTONA 200-winning team Celtic/Economy Tire + Lube/Warhorse HSBK Ducati. Binder looks to leverage the teams winning experience, and the Ducati Panigale V2 to become the first South African to win The DAYTONA 200.
Other international challengers include last year’s fourth-place finisher and Isle of Man TT legend Peter Hickman who will campaign a factory-supported PHR Performance Triumph effort with his compatriot and teammate Davey Todd in his first attempt at the 200. Adding to the international roster is the extremely versatile British road racer and 2018 IRRC Superbike Champion Danny Webb on a Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R750.
PHR Performance Triumph’s Peter Hickman finished fourth in the 2025 DAYTONA 200 and returns for 2026 aboard the new Triumph Daytona Moto2 765. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission King Of The Baggers Daytona Preview
The Indian vs. Harley-Davidson rivalry lives on at Daytona International Speedway as the iconic American titans go fairing-to-fairing in the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship. The class has become a true spectacle of the high banks, where 630-pound touring motorcycles defy physics to reach speeds exceeding 190 mph. With the grid nearly split between manufacturers—six Harleys to five Indians—the stage is set for another historic duel at Daytona.
Kyle Wyman, who also happens to be the 2019 DAYTONA 200 champion, leads the charge on his Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing Road Glide as the defending champion and the class’s most decorated rider with the most titles and race wins overall. He is the heavy favorite on-hand and has won the past five consecutive Mission King Of The Baggers races at Daytona.
Wyman’s teammate, former MotoGP standout and testing specialist Bradley Smith, looks to extract every ounce of performance from his factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide to take the opening victory.
The J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian team will spearhead the Indian Motorcycle redemption effort with a powerhouse trio featuring 2024 class champion and three-time Australian Superbike king Troy Herfoss, joined by multi-time Mission King Of The Baggers race winners Hayden Gillim and Rocco Landers.
The historic Harley-Davidson vs. Indian Motorcycle rivalry at Daytona continues to rage on, decades after their first battle on the beach at Daytona back in 1937.
Kyle Wyman won both Mission King Of The Baggers races at Daytona in 2025 on his way to reclaiming the #1 plate from Troy Herfoss for the season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Twins Cup Daytona Preview
Twins Cup has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the Daytona schedule, serving as one of the premier proving grounds for elite young racers graduating from MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup. At Daytona these lightweight twin-cylinder motorcycles must prioritize drafting while making split-second decisions that can be the difference between a podium and the back of the pack. Given the class’s history of drafting duels, a photo-finish is virtually guaranteed for the weekend’s two scheduled Twins Cup races.
Leading the charge into the high banks for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is 2025 championship runner-up Matthew Chapin aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R. He is followed by his nearest finishing competitor from the 2025 standings, Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg riding the Aprilia RS 660.
The duo faces a hungry new guard of rookies, including Australian Sam Drane, who makes his highly anticipated class debut on a Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7, and his fellow countryman Bodie Paige aboard the M4 Ecstar Suzuki GSX-8R.
Matthew Chapin dominated Daytona last year, winning both races, and he hopes to start the 2026 season in the same fashion. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Daytona Preview
Completing the racing lineup is the “anything-goes” (within the rulebook) Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The unfaired and high-handlebar class has 46 riders entered on very diverse machinery. The entry list shows motorcycles from nine different manufacturers, and riders from as far away as Australia. Capping off the diversity in this group will be Josh Herrin and Kaleb De Keyrel racing a pair of (electric) Lightfighter V3 RH machines for OrangeCat Racing.
While Saddlemen Race Development rider James Rispoli returns to defend his crown aboard the #1 Harley-Davidson Pan America, the team’s strategy features an intriguing split. Travis Wyman, a veteran H-D specialist, has opted to swap his modern Pan America machine for a 1990 Harley-Davidson FXR—a move likely designed to celebrate the brand’s heritage and electrify the “Harley enthusiast” crowd.
Adding more nostalgia to the grid is the 1760cc, air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder Irving Vincent ridden by Australian Beau Beaton. Beaton looks to channel the spirit of his motorcycle’s 2008 performance at Daytona where it won the “Battle of the Twins” race ahead of more modern four-valve Superbike replicas of that era.
ARCH Racing represents the pinnacle of modern boutique craftmanship. Founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, the team returns for a second season with Corey Alexander aboard the air-cooled, eight-valve 1940cc ARCH 2s-R. Alexander and the team saw a solid upward trajectory and ended their 2025 campaign with a season-high fourth-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. ARCH and Alexander look to build on that momentum and secure their first podium finish in 2026.
2024 Mission Super Hooligan National Champion Cory West leads his Saddlemen Race Development Harley-Davidson teammate Travis Wyman and KWR Racing’s James Rispoli through the bus-stop chicane this past year at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Celebrating 50 years Of Superbike Racing in America
Although road racing existed for decades prior, 1976 marked the world’s first professional Superbike Championship. This 50th anniversary milestone signifies the transition from the two-stroke GP racers of the Formula 1 class in the early 1970’s, to the production-based machines that fans can buy at their local motorcycle dealer today.
“MotoAmerica is proud to enter into this historic season, as we always do, at Daytona International Speedway,” said Chuck Aksland, COO of MotoAmerica. “It’s the perfect location to launch our 50th season of Superbike racing and showcase everything from elite Supersport and Twins Cup racers to the raw grit of Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.”
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+
Ah, take a whiff of that! You smell it? It’s that unique scent of jungle, petrol and excitement which can only mean one thing:
MotoGP is back, baby!
Now, you might wonder why we just described the above mentioned (and highly questionable) smell. But you have to understand that Mat is currently at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand while being sick as a dog. Seriously, some vicious flu has got him down and he’s purely holding on through the strength of willpower and lozenges. The poor lad has even had to give up drinking this week! Here’s to hoping he will get through this unfortunate period of sobriety…
Luckily, there’s plenty to take the mind off things as we dive head-first into the opening race of the 2026 season. And will you look at that: it’s Aprilia and KTM dominating! What has given them an edge, and what does this mean for the rest of the season? That’s what we’re here to find out! Also, why on earth is Mat suddenly interested in the Saturday Sprint? Does he have a fever, or is there something more going on here?
Time to press that play button and find out…
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!
Daytona 1976: Steve McLaughlin and Reg Pridmore were 1st and 2nd in the very first AMA Superbike race. Meet them and see their bikes at Daytona this week, on March 6-7.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “bringing a knife to a gunfight,” haven’t you? It means “being severely under-prepared, out-matched, or ill-equipped for a challenge, confrontation, or task.” It implies a significant disadvantage where one’s tools or skills are insufficient in comparison to the opposition. The idiom is often used to highlight a foolish or doomed attempt at competition.
Well, in 1976 at Daytona, in the very first AMA Superbike race, the Butler & Smith BMW team essentially did just that. And won.
In 1976 at Daytona, Reg Pridmore finished second to his teammate Steve McLaughlin on this BMW R90S in the very first AMA Superbike race. Pridmore then went on to win the first AMA Superbike Championship. The 1976 Pridmore and McLaughlin Superbikes and their riders will be on display at Daytona this coming weekend.
Steve McLaughlin’s Daytona Superbike race-winning BMW R90S. Photo courtesy of RPM Ventures NC and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.
The team entered three air-cooled, horizontally opposed, 900cc, twin-cylinder BMW R90S motorcycles to do battle against a screaming horde of Kawasakis, Ducatis, Yamahas, and even a couple of Moto Guzzis and Laverdas. One of the three riders aboard the BMW Boxers, or “Stone Axes” as Cycle World referred to them, won the race.
Close-up of Gary Fisher’s Butler & Smith BMW R90S at Daytona in 1976. The bike had monoshock rear suspension replacing the stock dual-shock suspension. Also note the dual-spark-plug cylinder head. Photo by John Ulrich, copyright 2022.A look at one of the Butler & Smith BMW R90S Superbikes seen at Daytona in 1976, showing a cylinder head modified to use two spark plugs for more complete combustion and less chance of detonation. Photo by John Ulrich, copyright 2022.
For the first time in half a century, those three bikes, along with the winner of the 1976 Daytona Superbike race, plus his teammate and runner-up in that groundbreaking race, will be on hand during this year’s MotoAmerica season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway on March 6 and 7.
The Machines & The Riders
The celebration will feature the meticulously preserved motorcycles ridden by the legends of the 1976 season, including:
• The #83 BMW R90S raced by Steve McLaughlin, the man who, in 1976 at Daytona, claimed the victory in the first-ever AMA Superbike race.
• The #163 BMW R90S raced by Reg Pridmore, who finished second at Daytona in the first-ever Superbike race and went on to become the first-ever AMA Superbike Champion.
• The #24 BMW R90S raced by the late Gary Fisher, whose riding on a previous BMW prototype helped prove the BMW’s racing prowess.
Gary Fisher (24, R.I.P.) leads his Butler & Smith BMW teammates Reg Pridmore (163) and Steve McLaughlin (83) on the banking at Daytona during the first official AMA Superbike race, held at Daytona in March, 1976. McLaughlin won with Pridmore second. Photo by John Ulrich/copyright 2022.
In a rare gathering of racing royalty, both McLaughlin and Pridmore will be in attendance to share memories of the drafting battle that defined an era. Joining them is Udo Gietl, the visionary lead builder and “mad scientist” behind the Butler & Smith BMW program. Gietl’s engineering marvels—utilizing titanium rods, hollow lifters, and a custom monoshock rear suspension hidden behind the “stock” aesthetic—transformed the 60-horsepower R90S streetbike into a 100-horsepower racing titan.
Engineering A Miracle
The story of these bikes is one of extreme ingenuity. To achieve 150 mph on the banking, Gietl and fabricator Todd Schuster utilized aerospace materials and “borrowed” parts, such as McCullough chainsaw reed valves and Chrysler Hemi oil separators, to solve the unique challenges of the Boxer engine. “In 1976, we didn’t see anyone as a threat,” Gietl recalls. The results proved him right.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Fans will have the opportunity to see these iconic machines up close throughout the MotoAmerica weekend. The festivities will culminate in a Celebrity Dinner on March 7, where McLaughlin, Pridmore, Gietl, and other luminaries will recount the “metal chips and midnight oil” that fueled their journey to the top of the podium.
The golden anniversary celebration is made possible by RPM Ventures NC, in partnership with the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA), and also through the support of the motorcycling community, including key sponsors OrangeCat Racing of Chicago and Tytlers Cycle of Wisconsin.
On-site camping is available. For booking details, contact Rob McIsaac at [email protected]
Announcement Concerning the Relocation of Our U.S. Subsidiary and the Sale of Fixed Assets
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) has decided to relocate its U.S. group company, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (“YMUS”), currently located in Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia. This relocation will be happening, by function, over the period from the end of 2026 until the end of 2028.
In connection with this relocation, the Company has also decided to proceed with the sale of all fixed assets owned by YMUS in Cypress, including land, offices and warehouses. This initiative is positioned as one of the Company’s key measures aimed at improving asset efficiency and enhancing profitability in the United States.
The Cypress facility has served as the headquarters of YMUS for approximately 50 years,
since Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. acquired the land in 1978 and established the office in 1979.
However, in response to changes in the Company’s business focus within the U.S. market,
the Marine Business was relocated to Kennesaw in 1999 to serve the customer better, and
the Motorsports Business was relocated to Kennesaw as well in 2019.
As a result, the Cypress facility currently primarily houses corporate functions and the
Financial Services business. The total site area is approximately 25.1 acres (approximately
102,000 square meters).
In connection with the sale of these assets, the Company plans to utilize a sale-and-
leaseback arrangement for a certain period in order to ensure business continuity and to
facilitate a smooth relocation to Kennesaw.
Details such as the sale price, purchaser, and timing of the transaction are currently under
review.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is undertaking structural reforms aimed at improving the profitability of its U.S. operations in response to cost increases resulting from U.S. tariffs and changes in the market environment.
In addition to implementing cross-business cost reduction initiatives, the Company seeks
over the medium to long term to build a profit structure that is not solely dependent on top-line growth, thereby transforming itself into a more resilient and robust organization capable of adapting to change.
Overview of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Company Name: Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Head Office Location: 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA, 90630, U.S.A.
Business Activities: Importation and sales of Yamaha Motor products in the U.S. market
Yamaha is deeply involved in many levels of racing around the world. These bikes are from the 2024 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
On the Front Cover: Defending MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez (93) is shown testing aboard a 2026 Ducati Lenovo GP26. This season is the last for massive
wings and shape-shifting (lowering suspension for better starts and
more acceleration), banned for 2027. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
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MARCH / APRIL 2026 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: KTM’s hot-rod 2026 990 Duke R; MotoGP deserting Phillip
Island in favor of a street race in 2027; Marco Bezzecchi “marries”
his Aprilia; Barber Museum and Barber Motorsports Park founder
George Barber passes away, and more…
Intro: 2026 Triumph Trident 800 Roadster, Emphasis On “Road”
Tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, An Oasis Blooms
RACING
Racing History: Reg Pridmore, The World’s First Superbike King
MotoGP Analysis: Agent Carlos Pernat, The Last Wildman
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: A Racer And Business Man Says Goodbye
10 Years Ago: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich is on the cover of the March
2016 issue, riding a new 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R at Sepang
International Raceway in Malaysia. Rich Schlachter, the 1979-1980
AMA Formula One Champion, was featured in a where-are-they-now
piece, and said that at age 63, he was slowing down working
as a carpenter. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looked at Valentino Rossi
losing the 2015 MotoGP title, and also picked his favorite
MotoGP battles….
The Crash Page: Steve McLaughlin, Upside Down In 1976
2026 Racing, School & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich’s Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Headed to Daytona
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing dominate Buriram season opener race.
The first full-length race of the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand concluded with two Aprilia Racing riders on the podium. Starting from pole position, Marco Bezzecchi ran a solid race, maintaining the lead from the first corner to the chequered flag and claiming his first victory at the Thai circuit. This marks the Italian rider’s third consecutive Grand Prix win (Portimão, Valencia and Buriram). It is also his fourth victory in a full-length race in the top class with Aprilia, an all-time record. It was also a good day for Jorge Martín, who was in contention for the podium for much of the race and finished fourth at the flag, equalling his best result with Aprilia Racing in a full-length race.
The Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders also delivered an excellent performance. Raúl Fernández claimed third place in the full-length race, his second podium of the weekend after the sprint, while Ai Ogura completed a spectacular charge from further back to finish fifth, bringing four Aprilias into the top five.
Marco Bezzecchi at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “After the mistake in the sprint, it was important to stay calm and bounce back. The victory in Buriram is a very pleasing result. We worked well in testing, so it was crucial to confirm our form over the race weekend as well – something we were unable to do last year, despite a good test here. In the race, I tried to give it my all without making mistakes, so I’m very pleased with this victory.”
Jorge Martin at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
JORGE MARTÍN: “A few months ago, I couldn’t even feed myself, and today I finished the race in fourth position. I’m very happy and very grateful to the people who supported and helped me. It has been a winter of great mental preparation to feel ready and to believe in what I’m doing. Today I didn’t have high expectations, but from the very start I felt comfortable and was able to battle with Marc and Pedro.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “It’s great to see Marco pick up from where he finished last year. The dominance of this weekend may seem unusual, but if there is one thing I firmly believe in, it is the work of the Factory in Noale, and I have no doubt that the talent and determination of our riders will continue to come through strongly. However, it’s only the first race, and our competitors won’t sit back and watch. Marc remains the favourite, but Aprilia is right there.”
More from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
Sizzling 2nd place for Acosta at Thai MotoGP as Red Bull KTM lead the World Championship.
Red Bull KTM kicked off their tenth season of MotoGP Grand Prix racing through the demanding Thai heat with Pedro Acosta earning a brilliant runner-up result. 91,455 spectators on-site watched the opening chapter of the 22-round series where the team and brand walked away as world championship leaders for the first time.
Highlights and key moments from race day at the Chang International Circuit:
Pedro Acosta adds a confident runner-up Grand Prix finish to his Sprint victory from Saturday to lead MotoGP by seven points
Brad Binder is the next highest classifier on the KTM RC16 at Buriram with P7 through difficult conditions for the machinery and the tires
Valentin Perrone walks the Moto3™ podium with 3rd place on the Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC4 as Alvaro Carpe finishes a close 4th for Red Bull KTM Ajo
Pedro Acosta on the podium at Buriram. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM.
Scorching sunshine, sticky air and high temperatures created a typically draining Thai Grand Prix in the city of Buriram. 2026 marked the second year in a row that MotoGP launched at the packed Chang International Circuit, 300km north of Bangkok. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 started from qualifying slots on the second, third, sixth and seventh rows of the grid.
Pedro Acosta began the 26-lap chase from P6 and with his confidence high, less than 24 hours after he grabbed victory in the Saturday Sprint. The Spaniard had to work his way past two riders to reach 3rd place and then hunted P2 in what was an eye-catching display of overtaking and tire management. Pedro ended the weekend with 1-2 scores and 32 points to sit at the top of the standings. He now has four podiums from the last six rounds of MotoGP, stretching back to Indonesia 2025.
Brad Binder was busy in a close second group where the South African had to sustain grip and be cautious of tire pressures. Brad kept a solid pace to improve on his 2025 position in Thailand thanks to his P7. He occupies P6 in the early championship table. Enea Bastianini persevered for the race duration and used his skill in administering the best traction from the tire/set-up package to make his way from P19 on the grid to P12. Maverick Viñales had a tough first lap when he ran wide into Turn 12 but he also completed the distance and arrived back to the box with P16.
Round two will venture to Brazilian shores for the first time since 2004. The Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania will be the scene for the next episode of MotoGP on March 20-22.
Brad Binder at Buriram. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM.
Pedro Acosta, 2nd and 1st in the championship:“We’re not only leading the world championship for a day! The team is working super-good. We struggled so much here last year and this time we made back-to-back podiums. We have to be happy. Thanks to all at KTM; all the people back there must have been pushing for us in the early morning. Thanks to everyone at home who has been supporting me. We made good.”
Brad Binder, 7th and 6th in the championship: “Happy on one hand but on the other I’d like more than a 7th. We’re going step-by-step and moving forwards because it was good to be in Q2 directly on Friday and both races were pretty good. We’ve made a step with consistency. Today was a lot more challenging than the Sprint. The bike clearly has the potential, so we’ll keep working and try to catch up to Pedro.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “A win and a podium this weekend means we have to be very happy with the work, both by the team and the riders but also the factory after a busy winter. We made an obvious improvement from 2025. This race can be difficult for a few factors and I think we approached the weekend in the right way and showed some good early potential. Of course, there is still work to do and we can see the results for all four riders were quite different but this is the first GP of a long championship. Congratulations to Pedro, it is really good to begin the season with this positive feeling.”
More from a press release issued by Pertamino Enduro VR46 Racing Team:
Double Top10 for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in Thailand GP. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli finish Sunday’s race at Buriram in sixth and eighth place respectively.
The Thailand GP is in the history books, and it marks the end of the first race weekend of the 2026 campaign: in challenging conditions due to the extreme heat in Sunday’s race, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secured a double Top10 with Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is sixth at the finish line, and Franco Morbidelli, who had a comeback riding and ended in eighth place.
Starting from second row, Di Giannantonio immediately tried to join the podium battle. From the first laps, the heat put Fabio and his Ducati to the test, but they defended strongly, showing consistency despite the challenging conditions. The rider from Rome arrived at the finish line of the Thailand GP in sixth place – best Ducati rider at the chequered flag – and he now sits in seventh place in the World Standing with 12 points.
It was a comeback Sunday for Morbidelli, who started from the third row but was in nineteenth place at lap five. Despite the extreme heat, Franco showed a good speed and a strong pace, gaining many positions lap by lap. The Italian-Brazilian rider, with a decisive overtake in the final stage of the race, secured the eighth place in the Thailand GP and he now sits in ninth place in the World Standing with 8 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is back on track in two weeks, when the MotoGP World Championship flies to America for the Brazilian GP, which is going to take place from 20th to 22nd March at Goiana Circuit for the first time ever.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO: “The race plan was to start strong and immediately stay in the front group. Unfortunately, we struggled because the others had an incredibly fast start. So we had to manage the tyres. Then, we had a technical issue from lap six and I couldn’t push the way I wanted. On top of that, there was very little grip on track today and the temperatures were really high. But if we finished sixth despite a problem, we can be optimistic, because today we could have had a really great race. I think we could have fought at least for third place because we were there in terms of pace. Overall, the bike is working very well: it’s only the first race, there are many positives, and I’ve never prepared for a season this well. We’ve worked with calm and confidence. We’re very fast and we had a solid weekend. It’s a pity we couldn’t complete the job with two strong races, but we head to Brazil with a smile and the confidence that we can be competitive.”
Franco Morbidelli (21) at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI: “Today it felt like there were two races for us: at the start I struggled a lot, and I was nineteenth until lap five. Then I found my rhythm and started gaining many positions. I’d say the first part of the race wasn’t good, but after that it became very strong and solid. I had a bit of a grip issue. In this race the tyres were consuming quickly and the feeling wasn’t at its best, but I managed it well. Overall, it was a weekend of ups and downs. There are some aspects of the new package we still need to work on in depth. But there’s definitely a very good potential.”
PABLO NIETO: “I think it’s important to always be among the protagonists. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to be there in the Sprint on Saturday, but that’s racing. Today’s race was really tough – the temperatures and the heat put us to the test. We finished sixth with Fabio and eighth with Franco, which means we had a good weekend. Franco made an incredible comeback: at one point he was nineteenth, but he finished eighth. That shows the speed is there. We need to try to improve the opening laps. Now we go back home to recharge and work ahead of the next race in Brazil.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo:
Ninth-place finish for Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team in the Grand Prix of Thailand. Marc Márquez forced to retire while battling for the podium.
The Ducati Lenovo Team completed the opening Grand Prix of the season at the Chang International Circuit: Francesco Bagnaia was ninth at the flag, while Marc Márquez had to retire from the encounter with six laps remaining.
Bagnaia made up four positions in the first two laps, before moving up to seventh place in the closing stages and then finishing ninth. Following a good start from the front row of the grid, Márquez battled for the podium until lap twenty-one, when an impact with a kerb led to the deformation of the rear rim, which in turn caused the tyre to lose pressure.
As the Grand Prix of Thailand draws to a close, Marc Márquez is eighth in the championship standings with nine points. Francesco Bagnaia is tenth, one point behind his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team is fifth in the teams’ standings (17 points), while Ducati is third in the constructors’ championship (19 points).
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on March 20th for the first day of action of the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil, at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna.
Francesco Bagnaia (63) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th: “It was a tough race. I tried to manage the situation from the beginning, without pushing, in order to get to the end of the race with the best possible grip conditions. In the final laps, when I got closer to the group ahead of me, I started to feel the drop in grip. This weekend, unlike in testing, I had a hard time getting the bike stopped and making it turn the way I would have liked. We need to roll up our sleeves to get back to the front, but I think this race was a bit of a one-off.”
Marc Marquez (93) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – DNF: “It’s true that other riders, even in testing, had jumped the kerb in that spot and nothing happened. I ran wide at turn four, but when I ran over the kerb I felt a strong impact and that the tyre had deflated due to the rim breaking. It was an unfortunate incident, as I was managing the situation. I knew it would have been a long race and my approach was therefore a conservative one, but in the end I saw that I was getting closer to the podium, so I tried to attack. Unfortunately, these things can happen, but we know we’re already at a good level.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Marini puts Honda in top ten as misfortune strikes promising Mir.
A demanding start to the season in what is already looking to be one of the hottest races of the year, Luca Marini opening his 2026 points account with tenth while heartbreak struck Joan Mir as he battled tooth and claw for a fantastic fifth.
Joan Mir (left) and Luca Marini (right) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
The 2026 MotoGP World Championship season officially began with the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix, a physically demanding affair as temperatures approached 40°C. Undeterred and unphased, the Honda HRC Castrol duo shot off the line when the lights went out and immediately began their battle.
From 14th on the grid, Luca Marini made a near perfect start to immediately close in on his teammate and charging into the top ten. Battling for the majority of the race with the likes of Bagnaia, Binder and Ogura, the Italian paid special attention to managing his tyres in the critical ambient temperatures of the day. Picking up where he left off in 2025, Luca Marini crossed the line in tenth – leading the remaining Honda trio and sitting as the lead Honda RC213V rider in the World Championship, 11th with six points.
Joan Mir authored an incredible race, starting strongly and quickly catching the group battling for third position. His confidence was easy to see as he demonstrated his unrivalled ability on the brakes, a particularly spectacular move on Fabio Di Giannantonio promoting him to fifth. Unfortunately, disaster would strike and the 2020 MotoGP World Champion was forced to retire through no fault of his own. He leaves Thailand in 15th place overall with three points.
New frontiers are waiting at round two as the MotoGP World Championship makes a welcome return to Brazil. The Autodromo Internacional de Goiania – Aryton Senna hosting round two, a brand-new circuit for the entire grid. In 2025, Luca Marini briefly lapped on a road bike and highlighted the high speed and exciting nature of the track.
Luca Marini (10) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini:“I think the race was tough for everyone, not so much from the temperature and the physical side because this is what we train for, but you really had to manage everything with the bike to arrive to the end. After four laps we weren’t able to brake as we’d like, which made the race very long as that is our strongest point normally. I made a really good start but then lost three positions on the straight quite soon after. Everyone from about fifth to 14th has a very similar pace, so if you miss something in Qualifying or early in the race you spend a lot of time catching up. But a good way to start the year, we learned a lot and know what we have to do next.”
Joan Mir (36) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Joan Mir:“A real shame what happened today. I really enjoyed the race, I was riding really well and making some great overtakes. Then something happened which was not in our control and our race finished. We have to check properly what happened. We have to focus on the positives that we have done this race weekend and bring it to Brazil. Normally at new tracks we can be strong, I think I am a quick learner, so we will try and take advantage of that. Focusing on the positives, we showed our speed and the progress Honda have made.”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco secured 11th place on Sunday in Buriram.
Facing extremely hot temperatures and a demanding 26-lap race, Zarco made a strong start and consistently maintained his pace throughout.
The Frenchman executed a smart and measured strategy, carefully managing all the variables, as tyre degradation and extreme heat proved to be decisive factors.
Ultimately, despite significant tyre drop-off, Zarco kept the situation under control and crossed the line in 11th position, collecting valuable points in the opening race of the season.
Johann Zarco (5) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Castrol Honda LCR.
Johann Zarco – 11th:“I’m happy to finish the race and take some points, it’s a good way to start the championship. We still have many races to go, but starting the season with this level of control is positive. I tried to manage the situation from the beginning and did my best considering the huge tyre drop. I managed to bring it to a close because if I had pushed harder, I probably wouldn’t have finished. I believe in the work we’re doing, the bike is performing well, we have a good base, and we just need to adjust a few small things”.
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
The 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship kicked off in spectacular style at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, where a record number of Thai fans created an electric atmosphere for the opening round of the season.
Under extreme heat on Sunday, the premier class lined up for the first Grand Prix of the year, ready to take on 26 demanding laps in front of over 91,000 attendees.
Starting from 20th on the grid, Enea Bastianini faced an early setback, losing a position on the opening lap. By the fourth lap, however, the Italian had recovered to 18th and began building momentum.
By the eighth lap, Bastianini was already up to 16th, and a couple of decisive overtakes soon followed as he continued carving his way through the field. With three riders retiring ahead, the #23 rider capitalised fully, jumping up to 12th and firmly placing himself back in the fight after a challenging start to the weekend.
On the other side of the garage, Maverick Viñales held firm in 17th on the opening lap but then lost ground on the straight heading into the next, dropping the Spaniard further down the order.
Struggling for grip and rhythm in the early stages, Viñales found himself down in 21st. Gradually, Top Gun climbed the order as the Marquez brothers and Joan Mir left the action. Finally, a well-executed overtake later in the race secured 16th, just shy of the points, rewarding Viñales’ persistence despite a difficult race.
Next up on the calendar is the Grand Prix of Brazil at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (20-22 March), as the 2026 campaign continues its global journey.
Enea Bastianini (23) and Diogo Moreira (11) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Enea Bastianini:“It was a difficult race, but we made a small step forward compared to the previous race. The feeling was similar to last year, even if the result was not as strong. In the final laps I was able to manage things quite well and gain some positions, which was encouraging. We’re still working on improving stability and overall feeling, but I’m confident we can make another step soon.”
Maverick Viñales (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Maverick Viñales: “It was a challenging race for us. We’re missing some front grip, especially through the corners, which makes it difficult to be consistent and carry the speed we need. On the straight we’re competitive, but we’re not able to maximise the potential when it matters most.We tried different things across the weekend and now it’s about analysing the data to understand where we can improve and how to generate more feeling from the front. The potential is there, so we need to stay focused, respond well and come back stronger at the next round.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager:“Clearly, this opening round in Thailand is a disappointment for Red Bull KTM Tech3. It’s not the result we were aiming for, and we have to take that honestly. Now it’s important that we sit down together, analyse what didn’t work as expected this weekend, and understand where we need to improve.We can see the potential of the package, which makes it even more important for us to find answers quickly. We have two weeks before Brazil, and our focus is to use that time constructively, come back stronger, and ensure we’re fighting where we belong.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 13th on Sunday in Buriram.
Following a positive Sprint on Saturday, Brazilian Diogo Moreira approached the Sunday race fully committed to maximize his performance.
The rider got off to a strong start and consistently positioned himself in the battle for points.
He acknowledged feeling the effects of significant tyre drop, which limited his ability to push further, but he rode cleanly and crossed the line in 13th, scoring points in his first-ever MotoGP Sunday race. Well done, Diogo!
Diogo Moreira (11) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Pro Honda LCR.
Diogo Moreira – 13th: “It was a good race, I’m super happy. I fought with Enea, and it was fun. The tyre dropped off quite a lot, so I struggled a bit, but overall it was really good. At some point I was alone pushing, because after 12 laps, the tyre degradation was significant, but it was still a positive race for me. We’ve started the season with high motivation, and this is a learning process. I can’t wait to do more races, I’ve had so much fun this weekend!”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Push On in Blistering Hot Buriram Race.
The Grand Prix of Thailand in sweltering heat proved a tricky season opener for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed the 26-lap MotoGP Race in 14th and 15th place respectively.
The incredibly hot 26-lap Grand Prix of Thailand MotoGP Race was a tough outing, but Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins persevered and found themselves in P14 and P15 at the chequered flag.
Quartararo launched from P16 and made up a position on the opening lap. Unable to make further inroads, he came under pressure from Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini and dropped to 17th place on lap 10. With three late DNFs for rivals, El Diablo ultimately held 14th position over the finish line.
Rins started from P18 and completed lap 1 in P16 behind Quartararo. He mainly rode amongst his fellow Yamaha riders during the 26-lap contest and was in P18 when he too benefitted from some late misfortunes of rivals. He held 15th place at the chequered flag.
Today’s race results put Quartararo in 16th place in the championship standings with 2 points. Rins is in 17th place with 1 point. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 9th position in the team classifications with 3 points, and Yamaha is fifth in the contructor rankings with 2 points.
The team will enjoy two weeks off before travelling to Brazil for Round 2, held at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna from 20-22 March.
Fabio Quartararo (20) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo:“It was a tough race, but a bit of what we expected. Hopefully in Brazil we will feel better with the bike.”
Alex Rins (42) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Alex Rins:“It was a really tough race, and it was very difficult to manage the tyres. I gave my 100% on every lap. We leave Thailand after preseason testing and the race weekend with some good conclusions. Let’s keep going, and let’s keep growing this project, and I’m looking forward to Brazil.”
Massimo Meregalli:“As expected, today’s Race was hugely challenging for us. The heat and humidity made the 26 laps a real test of endurance and an important benchmark for this brand new project. It’s still early on in the timeline, but we are getting to know the bike better lap by lap, learning about every aspect. On top of this, this type of circuit and the construction of the tyres usually assigned to us in very hot conditions made everything more difficult. There’s not much more to say right now except that we will study all the data we were able to gather this weekend to see if we can prepare a bit better for the next GP.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Opening round in Buriram proves a struggle for Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team.
In extremely hot conditions at the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship in Buriram, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu faced a demanding race, with both riders and their machinery appearing to suffer more from the heat and tyre drop than their direct competitors.
In the first full race for the 2026 Yamaha YZR-M1 machine, powered by the new V4 engine, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders battled extreme heat and tyre management issues in demanding conditions.
Despite crossing the line disappointed with their final positions, both Razgatlıoğlu and Miller remain focused on analysing the valuable data collected and continuing the development of the new package.
The attention now shifts to the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the team aims to start fresh with renewed motivation and build on the lessons learned in Buriram.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (07) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: “It was my first full race in MotoGP and, of course, I was hoping for a better result. But it was a long and very demanding race — 26 laps in that kind of heat is physically tough. We had some clear issues with rear grip, especially as the race went on, but I‘m not looking to put the blame anywhere else. I know I still have a lot to learn, and at the same time we know Yamaha is working hard to improve the package. Grip was quite limited throughout the race, and it seemed to be a common situation for all Yamaha riders, as we were running close together. Now we focus on the next race. I know I will give my best, and I know the whole team will do the same.”
Jack Miller (43) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Jack Miller:“Obviously it wasn‘t the race we were hoping for. Overall, the bike itself didn‘t feel bad over the distance and physically I felt fine, but from the very beginning I understood we had an issue with the rear tyre. I tried to manage it as best as I could — short-shifting, being smooth, waiting to pick the bike up on the exits — but as the laps went on it became more and more difficult. In the end the tyre was completely worn in the centre and on the straights I couldn‘t use more than about a quarter throttle. It was a tough situation to manage. Still, it was our first full race with the V4. It didn‘t go the way we wanted, but the important thing is that all four bikes finished and we gathered a lot of information. It‘s a base to build from, and there‘s plenty of room to improve as we head to Brazil.”
Gino Borsoi: “We knew Sunday was going to be difficult. During the tests we already struggled, and that was confirmed again in the race. On the positive side, the Sprint showed that we are capable of maintaining a fairly competitive rhythm, so that‘s something we can build on. Today the main issue was the high temperature, which affected everyone, but it seemed to impact us a little more. We have to accept that this is our starting point. We‘re confident that we can improve from here as we move into the next races.”
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini:
Thailand to forget.
RACEDAY
ALEX MARQUEZ DNF
MICHELE PIRRO 19º
Alex Marquez (73) at Buriram. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini.
ALEX MÁRQUEZ: “Starting from the third row didn’t help us, but it was still a race of management until the crash. The others have definitely improved, but we need to keep working and stay calm. My race was about staying behind Mir at a distance so as not to overheat the front tire, with no real chance to overtake. The crash came when I tried to push a bit more; I didn’t have any feeling with the front end and I lost it with a small mistake.”
Michele Pirro (51) at Buriram. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini.
MICHELE PIRRO: “I’m a bit disappointed, I thought I could do better by putting together all the pieces of the puzzle from these past few days. Instead, from the start of the race I immediately felt uncomfortable with the tires, a feeling I hadn’t had all weekend. I tried to manage the tire, but it was quite strange. I’m sorry because I wanted a bit more consistency. I gave it my all, and I want to thank Nadia and the whole group for the trust they’ve shown me over these days.”
Triumph unveils the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026 at the opening round of Moto2™ in Thailand; the #001 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a bespoke yoke engraving.
• Fans can vote for their favorite rider each round and enter a free prize draw to win their own #765 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a matching engraving.
• In preparation for the 2027 season, Triumph will begin testing 100% nonfossil fuels in the Moto2TM engines, assessing performance and durability.
On the eve of the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 MotoGP™ season, Triumph Motorcycles and MotoGP have pulled the covers off two exclusive Limited Edition prize bikes that will be awarded through year’s Triumph Triple Trophy competition.
The #001 Triumph Street Triple 765 Moto2™ Edition model will be awarded to the rider who delivers the most stand-out performances in Moto2 this season, as voted for by the fans. In addition, one lucky Triumph and Moto2™ fan will win the #765 model in a free prize draw for the 2026 season. With only 1,000 motorcycles being produced worldwide, the Moto2™ Edition features carbon fiber components, and these two bikes will feature an individually numbered and personalized billet-machined top yoke, making this prize even more exclusive.
At the official press conference at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent also outlined the next steps in Triumph’s sustainable fuel development program, ahead of the 2027 Moto2™ season when, regulations will mandate the use of 100% non-fossil fuels. Following successful durability testing with 40% non-fossil fuels last year, Triumph has now completed the majority of engine mapping and optimization work required to begin the next phase of testing. Throughout this year, Triumph and Moto2™ will evaluate samples of 100% non-fossil fuels for both performance and durability.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles said: “Powering the Moto2™ World Championship over the past seven years has been a journey. From the first race in Qatar in 2019, we haven’t stopped working to develop the Moto2™ project. Together, we have completed 1,781,698 kms in the Moto2™ World Championship and all that mileage helps us to develop and introduce updates to further benefit on-track performance. Alongside improving performance, we are also committed to supporting the development of a sustainable future for motorcycling and motorcycle sport. So, as the championship moves toward 100% non-fossil fuels, we will be using samples of 100% non-fossil fuels to test performance and durability during this season.”
Sargent continued, “The Triumph Triple Trophy competition is also proving to be increasingly popular with fans and riders. With a record number of votes last year and thousands of fans entering the competition from around the world, we wanted to create a Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike that was another step closer to the Moto2™ World Championship machine. That’s why we’re giving riders and fans the chance to win a highly exclusive Moto2TM Limited Edition Street Triple 765. Customized with specially engraved yokes, the riders will be fighting on the track for the #001 motorcycle, while the fans will be entering for their chance to take home the #765 model.”
Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director: “The Triumph Triple Trophy is a great way to connect with fans around the world, and it makes sure they feel part of the competition. Moto2™ continues to deliver exciting action, and we know that 2026 will be no different. It was amazing to see so many fans engage with the 2025 season, and congratulations to Mr. Ma from China who took home their own Triumph Triple Trophy bike. This year, it’s exciting to see these Moto2™ Edition models selected as the grand prize which makes the 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy even more special for the riders and fans to be involved in.”
Triumph Triple Trophy victor and 2025 Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira with his Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike. Photo courtesy Triumph.
RECOGNIZING STANDOUT PERFORMANCES SINCE 2020
Running alongside the Moto2™ World Championship, the Triumph Triple Trophy has celebrated standout performances since 2020, recognizing that there are more success stories during a Grand Prix weekend than just the race win. The inaugural Triumph Triple Trophy was won by Marco Bezzecchi in 2020, with Raul Fernandez in 2021, Jeremy Alcoba in 2022, Pedro Acosta in 2023, Ai Ogura in 2024, and Diogo Moreira in 2025 adding their names to the winners list.
Moreira, who was also crowned the Moto2™ World Champion, earned the most fan votes during the 2025 season and was declared the Triumph Triple Trophy winner after securing the decisive votes in the penultimate round at Portimão. He collected his Street Triple 765 RS the following week in Valencia.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
FINDING THE TRIUMPH TRIPLE TROPHY WINNER
On the Sunday of each Grand Prix weekend, three Moto2™ riders will be shortlisted by a judging panel made up of representatives from MotoGP and Triumph for their standout performances on track. Fans can then vote for their chosen rider through the official MotoGP™ Instagram channel, and each rider will receive points based on the number of votes cast.
In reference to Triumph’s 765cc engine, points at each GP are awarded as follows:
• 7 points for the rider with the most fan votes
• 6 points for the rider with the second most fan votes
• 5 points for the rider with the third most fan votes
Once voting closes, the final order of the three shortlisted riders is confirmed, and the leaderboard is updated after each round.
For the second year in a row, fans can also register to win their own Triumph Triple Trophy motorcycle through a free prize draw on the Triumph Motorcycles website. A simple entry form provides the chance to win, and last year the prize was awarded to a fan in China.
The 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy begins on Sunday, March 1, following the season opener at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, when the competition goes live and fans can vote and enter for the first time this season.
Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
TWO WINNERS, TWO PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLES
The two winners will each receive a highly exclusive Street Triple Moto2™ Edition, featuring the 765cc triple engine derived from the Moto2™ race platform. The #001 motorcycle is reserved for the winning Moto2™ rider, while number 765 will be presented to a fan at the end of the season.
This circuit-bred model includes premium race-inspired details such as carbon fiber side panels, a carbon fiber front mudguard, belly pan, and a carbon fiber silencer end cap that delivers a lightweight, high-tech finish. It features a bold Moto2™-embossed seat with a dimpled pattern for improved grip, a clear-lens rear light, and a laser-etched Moto2™ logo on the silencer. The striking Mineral Grey and Crystal White color scheme is paired with a vibrant Triumph Performance Yellow rear subframe and a matching rear wheel stripe for a distinctive race-bred look.
Each bike is individually numbered on a billet-machined top yoke, which also carries Moto2™ branding, positioned alongside a TFT display featuring a Moto2™ branded start-up screen. This will be enhanced with a personalized engraving and Triumph Triple Trophy branding, reinforcing its unique, limitededition status and collector appeal.
Follow to vote for your favorite rider and enter the free prize draw for a chance to win the Triumph Triple Trophy 2026 motorcycle.
Find out more about Triumph’s Street Triple 765 RS, RX and Moto2 Edition at triumphmotorcycles.com.
In the second race of the Moto4 Asia Cup at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, 15-year-old MotoAmerica Twins Cup racer Bodie Paige finished 9th, taking the checkered flag 3.419 seconds behind the race winner.
Bodie Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige’s social media.
His 14-year-old younger brother Jake Paige, who will be racing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup this season, crossed the finish line 17th, ending the race 31.587 seconds off the lead at Chang International Circuit.
Jake Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Jake Paige’s social media.
Bodie Paige is currently 12th in the Moto4 Asia Cup Championship standings with 11 points after the Thailand round, while Jake Paige is 20th overall with 0 points.
More from a press release issued by Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup:
Chishiki doubles up as podium fight goes to final corner. The Japanese star makes it two wins from two in Buriram as Irfan and Togashi clinch maiden podiums in the class.
Hayato Chishiki claimed a maximum 50 points from the opening weekend of Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup action in Thailand thanks to his classy Race 2 victory on Sunday morning. The Japanese rider rode clear of the chasers to earn a second win in the class by over two seconds, as Qabil Irfan and Kotaro Togashi clinched their first podiums in P2 and P3.
In the latter stages of the 15-lap race, Chishiki pulled the pin at the front and unlike in Race 1 where Waku Kunitate went with the #16, no one was able to tag onto the back of the eventual race winner. However, the fight for the final podium spots went right down to the wire. Irfan eventually won that particular battle by 0.127s over Togashi, as both the Malaysian and Japanese rising stars celebrate their first Moto4 Asia Cup rostrums.
Kunitate ended Race 2 in P4 to collect a good haul of points from Round 1, while Bintang Pranata eventually settled for P5 after the Indonesian was demoted one position after the chequered flag for irresponsible riding on the final lap.
What a start to the season then in Thailand! Next up, we rejoin the MotoGP paddock at the Qatar Grand Prix in April for Round 2, where we can expect more of the same epic racing.
Want to watch the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup race 2 ? Click HERE !
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It was a historic night inside The World Center of Racing for Round 8 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac cemented his place atop the all-time greatest racers at Daytona International Speedway with a record breaking eighth Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship win at the iconic venue. The Colorado native broke a three-year tie with NASCAR legend Richard Petty, owner of seven Daytona 500 victories, to become the most decorated athlete of the speedway’s celebrated 67-year history.
Eli Tomac Becomes Most Decorated Racer in Daytona International Speedway History with Eighth Monster Energy Supercross Victory at Iconic Venue.
It wasn’t an easy path to victory for Tomac, as he began the 450SMX Class Main Event in fourth, behind each of his primary competitors in the championship. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence, last week’s winner and current points leader, opened the 20 Minute + 1 Lap race with the holeshot, but was quickly passed by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion, slotted into third ahead of Tomac, which set the stage for a thrilling battle between the best in the class. As Roczen and Lawrence settled in out front, Tomac started his pursuit of the lead with an early pass on Webb for third. The top three continuously searched for faster lines on the ever-changing rutty, technical, sandy racetrack and sat within 1.5 seconds of one another with around 14 minutes remaining.
As the race approached the halfway point Tomac elected to make his push and took advantage of a couple sections on the track where he excelled to attack his rivals. He first made an assertive pass on Lawrence for second and on the ensuing lap railed the outside of an option lane to shoot past Roczen as they sprinted to the finish line jump. Tomac seized control of the lead with about 12:30 left on the race clock and quickly opened up a multi-second margin. Roczen held strong in second until the race closed in on the final five minutes, when Lawrence’s patience and persistence paid off and allowed the Australian to take over second. About three seconds separated Tomac from Lawrence, but the championship leader was unable to make significant inroads on his deficit as the race drew to a close.
Tomac was never challenged once he moved into the lead and carried on to take his fourth win of the season and the 57th victory of his career by 1.3 seconds over Lawrence. Roczen finished in a distant third while Webb was largely on his own en route to fourth, with Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy in fifth.
Tomac closed to within a single point of Lawrence in the championship standings, while Roczen and Webb now sit tied for third, 20 points out of the lead.
The fourth win of the season for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made him one of the most transcendent figures in motorsports history at Daytona with eight victories at the iconic speedway. Photo courtesy SMX
Eli Tomac – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“[The wins] are all awesome, but somehow, I’ve won eight of these. I don’t want to think about how old I am. I just go out there and roost the berms like I’m at my home track [in Colorado]. I love this dirt and just love how this track develops. Of course, I had to work for it there and went through all my main competition. I just had a great time on my motorcycle and happy to make up points this weekend.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence maintained his hold of the championship points lead with his fifth runner-up finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It was a tough [Main Event] on a really tough track. I was figuring out where to compensate with the bike and it just took me too long to do that. In the end I was kind of making it work, but it was too late and Eli [Tomac] got his eighth win here. I really wanted to stop that tonight, but I couldn’t make up the difference.”
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen led early on for the second week in a row and recorded his fifth podium result of the year. Photo courtesy SMX
Ken Roczen – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“I gave it my best out there and led for a bunch. I had a really good start too and in the Main Event that really counts. I was searching a little bit in the beginning, it was a tricky track and a lot faster than what we’ve seen the past few years here. Once I got passed, I knew those guys were maybe a little bit faster, so I tried to hang on and follow some lines. I was right there until the end and just got messed up by some lappers and those guys got away a little bit. I just wasn’t the best tonight, but I’m happy with a podium.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker Goes Wire-to-Wire for Dominant 250SMX Class Win
The second race of the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship featured an impressive showing from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who entered the night show banged up from a hard crash in afternoon qualifying. The Pennsylvania native was able to secure the holeshot over Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda and established a firm grasp on the lead from the outset of the 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event. Behind them was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Drew Adams, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown, the opening round winner and points leader.
As Hammaker and Shimoda asserted themselves out front, Adams continued what was turning into a breakout night with a pass for third. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was making moves as the fastest rider on the track. The New Zealander made an impressive climb from ninth off the start to pass both his teammates and move into fourth. He then set his sights on Adams and successfully made the pass for third with six minutes to go. Not long after that Adams crashed out of the race, which allowed Brown to assume fourth.
With just over a minute remaining Shimoda went down in the sand section as he simultaneously looked to close in on Hammaker and fend off Davies. The defending SMX World Champion remounted quickly, but not before Davies and Brown got by for second and third. Hammaker completed a dominant wire-to-wire effort by a margin of 4.2 seconds over Davies, while Brown rounded out the podium. Shimoda was forced to settle for fourth, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Daxton Bennick in fifth.
Hammaker’s fourth career win ended a reign of dominance for the Star Yamaha effort, which had won every 250SMX Class race of the season up to that point. The Kawasaki rider’s victory moved him into second in the Eastern Divisional standings, where he is now two points behind Brown for the lead. Shimoda dropped to third, five points back.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker dominated the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event with a wire-to-wire performance. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It feels unreal [to win at Daytona]. I had a big crash in qualifying, and I feel like it really tests you mentally how you come back from that. I’m proud of the effort tonight and the team crushed it. It’s super cool to get a win at Daytona. It’s an unreal feeling. Really good to get this win and keep the momentum rolling.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) made an impressive climb from ninth to second for his first podium finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX.
Cole Davies – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“They didn’t prep the gates all day, so I didn’t get good traction out the gate and was buried off the start. It was a good comeback. I did what I could. I wanted that win, but still a good ride.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown maintained his hold of the points lead with a third-place effort. Photo courtesy SMX.
Pierce Brown – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It was a battle. Not the best start. I took a gamble with my gate, and we chose the wrong one. It happens. We battled and were there late when other riders made mistakes to salvage a third. I can’t be too mad about it. We’re in good shape [in points] and will keep doing our thing.”
Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right) Cole Davies, Seth Hammaker, and Pierce Brown. Photo courtesy SMX
Daytona also signified the third race of SMX Next – Supercross, which featured 22 of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross. Two different winners stood atop the podium through the first two races and that trend continued as a third different up-and-coming racer claimed victory at Daytona. Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno opened the 8 Minute + 1 Lap with the holeshot and led early before he gave way to Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson. Denno fought back to reclaim the lead after just a lap and carried on to become the third different SMX Next winner in as many races. It was the first SMX Next victory for the 17-year-old Texan as well as the first for the budding Triumph amateur program. He took the checkered flag 4.4 seconds ahead of 18-year-old Landen Gordon, who rides for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, while 16-year-old Vincent Wey rounded out the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green.
Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno became the third different prospect to emerge victorious in SMX Next – Supercross competition this season. Photo courtesy SMX
Deacon Denno – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross:
“I got the start but then jumped the whoops for the first time after skimming all day and lost the lead. It was a dumb move by me, but I made the pass back. Last year here in Daytona I finished 14th. There’s a lot that’s been done since then and just proves that if you work your butt off you can be up here like I am. I knew I could do it and I put the track together. I’m so stoked.”
SMX Next – Supercross Podium (left to right) Landen Gordon, Deacon Denno, and Vincent Wey. Photo courtesy SMX
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 7, for the ninth race of the season from Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, which will signify the second Triple Crown race of the 2026 season. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Josh Herrin celebrated his third consecutive DAYTONA 200 win in 2025 and is looking for a record fourth-straight win this year. Photo courtesy of Brian J. Nelson.
IRVINE, CA (March 3, 2026) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is set to return to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway from March 5-7, 2026. Headlined by the 84th running of the DAYTONA 200, the race weekend serves as a launchpad that celebrates 50 years of Superbike Racing.
A landmark celebration of U.S. road racing heritage takes place as the world’s premier Supersport competitors vie for their own place in the AMA and MotoAmerica history books. Joining the Supersport headliners are Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, collectively forming a high-octane drop of the green flag.
DAYTONA 200 Preview
The 84th edition of the DAYTONA 200 will serve as the opening round for the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. The change means the DAYTONA 200 will now pay critical Supersport points for the first time since 2014.
Supersport machines will also be limited to a 15.5L (4.09 U.S. Gal) fuel tank capacity, which amounts to a 4L (1.05 U.S. Gal.) decrease from previous years and represents a considerable fuel mileage challenge for each machine. Daytona has historically been a “two-stop-race” where a pit crew will refuel the motorcycle and install fresh tires all in under 25 seconds, twice in 57 laps. This decreased fuel capacity means teams must now plan a third pit stop for fuel, which demands perfection from the technicians on pit lane.
With a record $250,000 purse, the financial stakes at the “World Center of Racing” match its prestige, headlined by a $50,000 winner’s prize and a $100,000 total podium payout. Adding to the incentive, MotoAmerica’s Official Tire Supplier Dunlop—winners of 33 of the past 43 DAYTONA 200s—will cover the tire costs for the field’s top-finishing international rider.
This significant payout potential has drawn a global field of 49 elite Supersport riders representing seven different manufacturers. The grid showcases world-class talent from four continents and seven nations—including a strong contingent from the Americas, Europe, Australia, and South Africa—ready for a 57-lap showdown on the high banks.
“The DAYTONA 200 is unlike any other race on the MotoAmerica calendar,” commented Wayne Rainey, three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, 1987 DAYTONA 200 winner, and President of MotoAmerica. “The prestige of the 200 has so many layers, which is why it always attracts the top riders from around the world. It is a difficult race to win. You must take care of your motorcycle for the entire 200 miles, your pit crew needs to be flawless across multiple pit stops, and for the ‘run to the checkers,’ you need to time the draft perfectly.”
Favorites For The Win
Josh Herrin is playing a game of numbers at Daytona this year. Herrin’s number two machine returns to the Supersport class for the third time in his career as he rolls his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 into Daytona eyeing an historic fourth-consecutive DAYTONA 200 victory. A win this year would mark Herrin’s fifth career victory at the event and equal legends Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel for most DAYTONA 200 wins.
Rahal Ducati Moto has two more threats in their pit box, as well. The roster features Superbike standout PJ Jacobsen and 18-year-old phenom Kayla Yaakov, a candidate to become the first-ever female winner of the race.
Last year’s second- and third-place finishers, Richie Escalante and Tyler Scott return with the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Team for the DAYTONA 200 on their Suzuki GSX-R750s. While Scott will remain in the Supersport class for the entire season, Escalante will return to the Superbike class following his appearance in the DAYTONA 200. After past disappointments at Daytona, both riders are looking for redemption.
Four-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes storms into the DAYTONA 200 just one month shy of his 51st birthday. While Hayes remains a stone-cold threat—as evidenced by his legendary career and 89th career victory at Barber Motorsports Park in 2025—a spot remains in his massive trophy cabinet for the DAYTONA 200 trophy, not to mention the accompanying Rolex Daytona Cosmograph for his wrist. He campaigns a 2026 BPR Racing Yamaha YZF-R9 alongside Daytona 200 rookie Brenden Ketelsen.
Josh Herrin leads the field through Turn 1 on his way to a third consecutive Daytona 200 win in 2025. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The Youth Movement
The Supersport class sees a significant influx of young riders this year, headlined by 2025 Twins Cup and Talent Champion Alessandro Di Mario making his debut with Rahal Ducati Moto on a Ducati Panigale V2. The 17-year-old will make his DAYTONA 200 debut and could become the first rider to win the race in his first try since Joey Pascarella in 2012.
Alessandro Di Mario looks to bring momentum from 2025 Twins Cup and 2025 Talent Cup Championships to Daytona for a strong start to his first MotoAmerica Supersport season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Also joining the Supersport ranks is MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher on the MV Agusta F3 RR, who will set a historic milestone. At just 16 years and 9 days old on race day, she is poised to make history as the youngest competitor ever to race in the DAYTONA 200.
MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher captured a third place finish in Talent Cup Race 1 at VIRginia International Raceway last year and finished fifth overall in Talent Cup points. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Nineteen-year-old Blake Davis piloted his Yamaha YZF-R9 to three wins in Supersport last season, including a dominant WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round. While this is not Blake’s first DAYTONA 200, it marks the inaugural trip to Daytona for the new Supersport machine from the tuning fork brand and the Strack Racing crew, who have experienced the pressures of “The 200” before.
Strack Racing Yamaha rider Blake Davis leads the field into Turn 5 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on his way to a double victory during the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
International Challengers
Underscoring the global prestige of the event is an influx of elite world talent. Most noteworthy is former MotoGP star Darryn Binder, who makes his high-profile MotoAmerica Supersport debut with last year’s DAYTONA 200-winning team Celtic/Economy Tire + Lube/Warhorse HSBK Ducati. Binder looks to leverage the teams winning experience, and the Ducati Panigale V2 to become the first South African to win The DAYTONA 200.
Other international challengers include last year’s fourth-place finisher and Isle of Man TT legend Peter Hickman who will campaign a factory-supported PHR Performance Triumph effort with his compatriot and teammate Davey Todd in his first attempt at the 200. Adding to the international roster is the extremely versatile British road racer and 2018 IRRC Superbike Champion Danny Webb on a Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R750.
PHR Performance Triumph’s Peter Hickman finished fourth in the 2025 DAYTONA 200 and returns for 2026 aboard the new Triumph Daytona Moto2 765. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission King Of The Baggers Daytona Preview
The Indian vs. Harley-Davidson rivalry lives on at Daytona International Speedway as the iconic American titans go fairing-to-fairing in the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship. The class has become a true spectacle of the high banks, where 630-pound touring motorcycles defy physics to reach speeds exceeding 190 mph. With the grid nearly split between manufacturers—six Harleys to five Indians—the stage is set for another historic duel at Daytona.
Kyle Wyman, who also happens to be the 2019 DAYTONA 200 champion, leads the charge on his Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing Road Glide as the defending champion and the class’s most decorated rider with the most titles and race wins overall. He is the heavy favorite on-hand and has won the past five consecutive Mission King Of The Baggers races at Daytona.
Wyman’s teammate, former MotoGP standout and testing specialist Bradley Smith, looks to extract every ounce of performance from his factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide to take the opening victory.
The J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian team will spearhead the Indian Motorcycle redemption effort with a powerhouse trio featuring 2024 class champion and three-time Australian Superbike king Troy Herfoss, joined by multi-time Mission King Of The Baggers race winners Hayden Gillim and Rocco Landers.
The historic Harley-Davidson vs. Indian Motorcycle rivalry at Daytona continues to rage on, decades after their first battle on the beach at Daytona back in 1937.
Kyle Wyman won both Mission King Of The Baggers races at Daytona in 2025 on his way to reclaiming the #1 plate from Troy Herfoss for the season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Twins Cup Daytona Preview
Twins Cup has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the Daytona schedule, serving as one of the premier proving grounds for elite young racers graduating from MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup. At Daytona these lightweight twin-cylinder motorcycles must prioritize drafting while making split-second decisions that can be the difference between a podium and the back of the pack. Given the class’s history of drafting duels, a photo-finish is virtually guaranteed for the weekend’s two scheduled Twins Cup races.
Leading the charge into the high banks for M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is 2025 championship runner-up Matthew Chapin aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R. He is followed by his nearest finishing competitor from the 2025 standings, Robem Engineering’s Hank Vossberg riding the Aprilia RS 660.
The duo faces a hungry new guard of rookies, including Australian Sam Drane, who makes his highly anticipated class debut on a Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing YZF-R7, and his fellow countryman Bodie Paige aboard the M4 Ecstar Suzuki GSX-8R.
Matthew Chapin dominated Daytona last year, winning both races, and he hopes to start the 2026 season in the same fashion. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Daytona Preview
Completing the racing lineup is the “anything-goes” (within the rulebook) Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The unfaired and high-handlebar class has 46 riders entered on very diverse machinery. The entry list shows motorcycles from nine different manufacturers, and riders from as far away as Australia. Capping off the diversity in this group will be Josh Herrin and Kaleb De Keyrel racing a pair of (electric) Lightfighter V3 RH machines for OrangeCat Racing.
While Saddlemen Race Development rider James Rispoli returns to defend his crown aboard the #1 Harley-Davidson Pan America, the team’s strategy features an intriguing split. Travis Wyman, a veteran H-D specialist, has opted to swap his modern Pan America machine for a 1990 Harley-Davidson FXR—a move likely designed to celebrate the brand’s heritage and electrify the “Harley enthusiast” crowd.
Adding more nostalgia to the grid is the 1760cc, air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder Irving Vincent ridden by Australian Beau Beaton. Beaton looks to channel the spirit of his motorcycle’s 2008 performance at Daytona where it won the “Battle of the Twins” race ahead of more modern four-valve Superbike replicas of that era.
ARCH Racing represents the pinnacle of modern boutique craftmanship. Founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, the team returns for a second season with Corey Alexander aboard the air-cooled, eight-valve 1940cc ARCH 2s-R. Alexander and the team saw a solid upward trajectory and ended their 2025 campaign with a season-high fourth-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. ARCH and Alexander look to build on that momentum and secure their first podium finish in 2026.
2024 Mission Super Hooligan National Champion Cory West leads his Saddlemen Race Development Harley-Davidson teammate Travis Wyman and KWR Racing’s James Rispoli through the bus-stop chicane this past year at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Celebrating 50 years Of Superbike Racing in America
Although road racing existed for decades prior, 1976 marked the world’s first professional Superbike Championship. This 50th anniversary milestone signifies the transition from the two-stroke GP racers of the Formula 1 class in the early 1970’s, to the production-based machines that fans can buy at their local motorcycle dealer today.
“MotoAmerica is proud to enter into this historic season, as we always do, at Daytona International Speedway,” said Chuck Aksland, COO of MotoAmerica. “It’s the perfect location to launch our 50th season of Superbike racing and showcase everything from elite Supersport and Twins Cup racers to the raw grit of Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.”
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+
Marco Bezzecchi won the MotoGP race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
Ah, take a whiff of that! You smell it? It’s that unique scent of jungle, petrol and excitement which can only mean one thing:
MotoGP is back, baby!
Now, you might wonder why we just described the above mentioned (and highly questionable) smell. But you have to understand that Mat is currently at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand while being sick as a dog. Seriously, some vicious flu has got him down and he’s purely holding on through the strength of willpower and lozenges. The poor lad has even had to give up drinking this week! Here’s to hoping he will get through this unfortunate period of sobriety…
Luckily, there’s plenty to take the mind off things as we dive head-first into the opening race of the 2026 season. And will you look at that: it’s Aprilia and KTM dominating! What has given them an edge, and what does this mean for the rest of the season? That’s what we’re here to find out! Also, why on earth is Mat suddenly interested in the Saturday Sprint? Does he have a fever, or is there something more going on here?
Time to press that play button and find out…
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!
Reg Pridmore (163) leads his Butler & Smith BMW R90S teammates Gary Fisher (24, R.I.P.) and Steve McLaughlin (83) during an AMA Superbike race in 1976. McLaughlin, Pridmore, and all three bikes will be at Daytona for the 50th anniversary of BMW winning the first AMA Superbike race. Photo by John Ulrich, copyright 2022.
Daytona 1976: Steve McLaughlin and Reg Pridmore were 1st and 2nd in the very first AMA Superbike race. Meet them and see their bikes at Daytona this week, on March 6-7.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “bringing a knife to a gunfight,” haven’t you? It means “being severely under-prepared, out-matched, or ill-equipped for a challenge, confrontation, or task.” It implies a significant disadvantage where one’s tools or skills are insufficient in comparison to the opposition. The idiom is often used to highlight a foolish or doomed attempt at competition.
Well, in 1976 at Daytona, in the very first AMA Superbike race, the Butler & Smith BMW team essentially did just that. And won.
In 1976 at Daytona, Reg Pridmore finished second to his teammate Steve McLaughlin on this BMW R90S in the very first AMA Superbike race. Pridmore then went on to win the first AMA Superbike Championship. The 1976 Pridmore and McLaughlin Superbikes and their riders will be on display at Daytona this coming weekend.
Steve McLaughlin’s Daytona Superbike race-winning BMW R90S. Photo courtesy of RPM Ventures NC and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.
The team entered three air-cooled, horizontally opposed, 900cc, twin-cylinder BMW R90S motorcycles to do battle against a screaming horde of Kawasakis, Ducatis, Yamahas, and even a couple of Moto Guzzis and Laverdas. One of the three riders aboard the BMW Boxers, or “Stone Axes” as Cycle World referred to them, won the race.
Close-up of Gary Fisher’s Butler & Smith BMW R90S at Daytona in 1976. The bike had monoshock rear suspension replacing the stock dual-shock suspension. Also note the dual-spark-plug cylinder head. Photo by John Ulrich, copyright 2022.A look at one of the Butler & Smith BMW R90S Superbikes seen at Daytona in 1976, showing a cylinder head modified to use two spark plugs for more complete combustion and less chance of detonation. Photo by John Ulrich, copyright 2022.
For the first time in half a century, those three bikes, along with the winner of the 1976 Daytona Superbike race, plus his teammate and runner-up in that groundbreaking race, will be on hand during this year’s MotoAmerica season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway on March 6 and 7.
The Machines & The Riders
The celebration will feature the meticulously preserved motorcycles ridden by the legends of the 1976 season, including:
• The #83 BMW R90S raced by Steve McLaughlin, the man who, in 1976 at Daytona, claimed the victory in the first-ever AMA Superbike race.
• The #163 BMW R90S raced by Reg Pridmore, who finished second at Daytona in the first-ever Superbike race and went on to become the first-ever AMA Superbike Champion.
• The #24 BMW R90S raced by the late Gary Fisher, whose riding on a previous BMW prototype helped prove the BMW’s racing prowess.
Gary Fisher (24, R.I.P.) leads his Butler & Smith BMW teammates Reg Pridmore (163) and Steve McLaughlin (83) on the banking at Daytona during the first official AMA Superbike race, held at Daytona in March, 1976. McLaughlin won with Pridmore second. Photo by John Ulrich/copyright 2022.
In a rare gathering of racing royalty, both McLaughlin and Pridmore will be in attendance to share memories of the drafting battle that defined an era. Joining them is Udo Gietl, the visionary lead builder and “mad scientist” behind the Butler & Smith BMW program. Gietl’s engineering marvels—utilizing titanium rods, hollow lifters, and a custom monoshock rear suspension hidden behind the “stock” aesthetic—transformed the 60-horsepower R90S streetbike into a 100-horsepower racing titan.
Engineering A Miracle
The story of these bikes is one of extreme ingenuity. To achieve 150 mph on the banking, Gietl and fabricator Todd Schuster utilized aerospace materials and “borrowed” parts, such as McCullough chainsaw reed valves and Chrysler Hemi oil separators, to solve the unique challenges of the Boxer engine. “In 1976, we didn’t see anyone as a threat,” Gietl recalls. The results proved him right.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Fans will have the opportunity to see these iconic machines up close throughout the MotoAmerica weekend. The festivities will culminate in a Celebrity Dinner on March 7, where McLaughlin, Pridmore, Gietl, and other luminaries will recount the “metal chips and midnight oil” that fueled their journey to the top of the podium.
The golden anniversary celebration is made possible by RPM Ventures NC, in partnership with the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA), and also through the support of the motorcycling community, including key sponsors OrangeCat Racing of Chicago and Tytlers Cycle of Wisconsin.
On-site camping is available. For booking details, contact Rob McIsaac at [email protected]
The headquarters building at Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. in Japan. The company has decided to move its U.S subsidiary's HQ from California to Georgia, to reduce costs. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.
Announcement Concerning the Relocation of Our U.S. Subsidiary and the Sale of Fixed Assets
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) has decided to relocate its U.S. group company, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (“YMUS”), currently located in Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia. This relocation will be happening, by function, over the period from the end of 2026 until the end of 2028.
In connection with this relocation, the Company has also decided to proceed with the sale of all fixed assets owned by YMUS in Cypress, including land, offices and warehouses. This initiative is positioned as one of the Company’s key measures aimed at improving asset efficiency and enhancing profitability in the United States.
The Cypress facility has served as the headquarters of YMUS for approximately 50 years,
since Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. acquired the land in 1978 and established the office in 1979.
However, in response to changes in the Company’s business focus within the U.S. market,
the Marine Business was relocated to Kennesaw in 1999 to serve the customer better, and
the Motorsports Business was relocated to Kennesaw as well in 2019.
As a result, the Cypress facility currently primarily houses corporate functions and the
Financial Services business. The total site area is approximately 25.1 acres (approximately
102,000 square meters).
In connection with the sale of these assets, the Company plans to utilize a sale-and-
leaseback arrangement for a certain period in order to ensure business continuity and to
facilitate a smooth relocation to Kennesaw.
Details such as the sale price, purchaser, and timing of the transaction are currently under
review.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is undertaking structural reforms aimed at improving the profitability of its U.S. operations in response to cost increases resulting from U.S. tariffs and changes in the market environment.
In addition to implementing cross-business cost reduction initiatives, the Company seeks
over the medium to long term to build a profit structure that is not solely dependent on top-line growth, thereby transforming itself into a more resilient and robust organization capable of adapting to change.
Overview of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Company Name: Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Head Office Location: 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA, 90630, U.S.A.
Business Activities: Importation and sales of Yamaha Motor products in the U.S. market
Yamaha is deeply involved in many levels of racing around the world. These bikes are from the 2024 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
On the Front Cover: Defending MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez (93) is shown testing aboard a 2026 Ducati Lenovo GP26. This season is the last for massive
wings and shape-shifting (lowering suspension for better starts and
more acceleration), banned for 2027. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.
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MARCH / APRIL 2026 ISSUE
FEATURES
Inside Info: KTM’s hot-rod 2026 990 Duke R; MotoGP deserting Phillip
Island in favor of a street race in 2027; Marco Bezzecchi “marries”
his Aprilia; Barber Museum and Barber Motorsports Park founder
George Barber passes away, and more…
Intro: 2026 Triumph Trident 800 Roadster, Emphasis On “Road”
Tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, An Oasis Blooms
RACING
Racing History: Reg Pridmore, The World’s First Superbike King
MotoGP Analysis: Agent Carlos Pernat, The Last Wildman
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor: A Racer And Business Man Says Goodbye
10 Years Ago: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich is on the cover of the March
2016 issue, riding a new 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R at Sepang
International Raceway in Malaysia. Rich Schlachter, the 1979-1980
AMA Formula One Champion, was featured in a where-are-they-now
piece, and said that at age 63, he was slowing down working
as a carpenter. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looked at Valentino Rossi
losing the 2015 MotoGP title, and also picked his favorite
MotoGP battles….
The Crash Page: Steve McLaughlin, Upside Down In 1976
2026 Racing, School & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride
Classified Ads/Advertiser Index
High Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich’s Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Headed to Daytona
Marco Bezzecchi won the MotoGP race at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing dominate Buriram season opener race.
The first full-length race of the 2026 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand concluded with two Aprilia Racing riders on the podium. Starting from pole position, Marco Bezzecchi ran a solid race, maintaining the lead from the first corner to the chequered flag and claiming his first victory at the Thai circuit. This marks the Italian rider’s third consecutive Grand Prix win (Portimão, Valencia and Buriram). It is also his fourth victory in a full-length race in the top class with Aprilia, an all-time record. It was also a good day for Jorge Martín, who was in contention for the podium for much of the race and finished fourth at the flag, equalling his best result with Aprilia Racing in a full-length race.
The Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders also delivered an excellent performance. Raúl Fernández claimed third place in the full-length race, his second podium of the weekend after the sprint, while Ai Ogura completed a spectacular charge from further back to finish fifth, bringing four Aprilias into the top five.
Marco Bezzecchi at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “After the mistake in the sprint, it was important to stay calm and bounce back. The victory in Buriram is a very pleasing result. We worked well in testing, so it was crucial to confirm our form over the race weekend as well – something we were unable to do last year, despite a good test here. In the race, I tried to give it my all without making mistakes, so I’m very pleased with this victory.”
Jorge Martin at Buriram. Photo courtesy Aprilia.
JORGE MARTÍN: “A few months ago, I couldn’t even feed myself, and today I finished the race in fourth position. I’m very happy and very grateful to the people who supported and helped me. It has been a winter of great mental preparation to feel ready and to believe in what I’m doing. Today I didn’t have high expectations, but from the very start I felt comfortable and was able to battle with Marc and Pedro.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “It’s great to see Marco pick up from where he finished last year. The dominance of this weekend may seem unusual, but if there is one thing I firmly believe in, it is the work of the Factory in Noale, and I have no doubt that the talent and determination of our riders will continue to come through strongly. However, it’s only the first race, and our competitors won’t sit back and watch. Marc remains the favourite, but Aprilia is right there.”
More from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
Sizzling 2nd place for Acosta at Thai MotoGP as Red Bull KTM lead the World Championship.
Red Bull KTM kicked off their tenth season of MotoGP Grand Prix racing through the demanding Thai heat with Pedro Acosta earning a brilliant runner-up result. 91,455 spectators on-site watched the opening chapter of the 22-round series where the team and brand walked away as world championship leaders for the first time.
Highlights and key moments from race day at the Chang International Circuit:
Pedro Acosta adds a confident runner-up Grand Prix finish to his Sprint victory from Saturday to lead MotoGP by seven points
Brad Binder is the next highest classifier on the KTM RC16 at Buriram with P7 through difficult conditions for the machinery and the tires
Valentin Perrone walks the Moto3™ podium with 3rd place on the Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC4 as Alvaro Carpe finishes a close 4th for Red Bull KTM Ajo
Pedro Acosta on the podium at Buriram. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM.
Scorching sunshine, sticky air and high temperatures created a typically draining Thai Grand Prix in the city of Buriram. 2026 marked the second year in a row that MotoGP launched at the packed Chang International Circuit, 300km north of Bangkok. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 started from qualifying slots on the second, third, sixth and seventh rows of the grid.
Pedro Acosta began the 26-lap chase from P6 and with his confidence high, less than 24 hours after he grabbed victory in the Saturday Sprint. The Spaniard had to work his way past two riders to reach 3rd place and then hunted P2 in what was an eye-catching display of overtaking and tire management. Pedro ended the weekend with 1-2 scores and 32 points to sit at the top of the standings. He now has four podiums from the last six rounds of MotoGP, stretching back to Indonesia 2025.
Brad Binder was busy in a close second group where the South African had to sustain grip and be cautious of tire pressures. Brad kept a solid pace to improve on his 2025 position in Thailand thanks to his P7. He occupies P6 in the early championship table. Enea Bastianini persevered for the race duration and used his skill in administering the best traction from the tire/set-up package to make his way from P19 on the grid to P12. Maverick Viñales had a tough first lap when he ran wide into Turn 12 but he also completed the distance and arrived back to the box with P16.
Round two will venture to Brazilian shores for the first time since 2004. The Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania will be the scene for the next episode of MotoGP on March 20-22.
Brad Binder at Buriram. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM.
Pedro Acosta, 2nd and 1st in the championship:“We’re not only leading the world championship for a day! The team is working super-good. We struggled so much here last year and this time we made back-to-back podiums. We have to be happy. Thanks to all at KTM; all the people back there must have been pushing for us in the early morning. Thanks to everyone at home who has been supporting me. We made good.”
Brad Binder, 7th and 6th in the championship: “Happy on one hand but on the other I’d like more than a 7th. We’re going step-by-step and moving forwards because it was good to be in Q2 directly on Friday and both races were pretty good. We’ve made a step with consistency. Today was a lot more challenging than the Sprint. The bike clearly has the potential, so we’ll keep working and try to catch up to Pedro.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “A win and a podium this weekend means we have to be very happy with the work, both by the team and the riders but also the factory after a busy winter. We made an obvious improvement from 2025. This race can be difficult for a few factors and I think we approached the weekend in the right way and showed some good early potential. Of course, there is still work to do and we can see the results for all four riders were quite different but this is the first GP of a long championship. Congratulations to Pedro, it is really good to begin the season with this positive feeling.”
More from a press release issued by Pertamino Enduro VR46 Racing Team:
Double Top10 for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in Thailand GP. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli finish Sunday’s race at Buriram in sixth and eighth place respectively.
The Thailand GP is in the history books, and it marks the end of the first race weekend of the 2026 campaign: in challenging conditions due to the extreme heat in Sunday’s race, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secured a double Top10 with Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is sixth at the finish line, and Franco Morbidelli, who had a comeback riding and ended in eighth place.
Starting from second row, Di Giannantonio immediately tried to join the podium battle. From the first laps, the heat put Fabio and his Ducati to the test, but they defended strongly, showing consistency despite the challenging conditions. The rider from Rome arrived at the finish line of the Thailand GP in sixth place – best Ducati rider at the chequered flag – and he now sits in seventh place in the World Standing with 12 points.
It was a comeback Sunday for Morbidelli, who started from the third row but was in nineteenth place at lap five. Despite the extreme heat, Franco showed a good speed and a strong pace, gaining many positions lap by lap. The Italian-Brazilian rider, with a decisive overtake in the final stage of the race, secured the eighth place in the Thailand GP and he now sits in ninth place in the World Standing with 8 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is back on track in two weeks, when the MotoGP World Championship flies to America for the Brazilian GP, which is going to take place from 20th to 22nd March at Goiana Circuit for the first time ever.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49) at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO: “The race plan was to start strong and immediately stay in the front group. Unfortunately, we struggled because the others had an incredibly fast start. So we had to manage the tyres. Then, we had a technical issue from lap six and I couldn’t push the way I wanted. On top of that, there was very little grip on track today and the temperatures were really high. But if we finished sixth despite a problem, we can be optimistic, because today we could have had a really great race. I think we could have fought at least for third place because we were there in terms of pace. Overall, the bike is working very well: it’s only the first race, there are many positives, and I’ve never prepared for a season this well. We’ve worked with calm and confidence. We’re very fast and we had a solid weekend. It’s a pity we couldn’t complete the job with two strong races, but we head to Brazil with a smile and the confidence that we can be competitive.”
Franco Morbidelli (21) at Buriram. Photo courtesy VR46 Team.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI: “Today it felt like there were two races for us: at the start I struggled a lot, and I was nineteenth until lap five. Then I found my rhythm and started gaining many positions. I’d say the first part of the race wasn’t good, but after that it became very strong and solid. I had a bit of a grip issue. In this race the tyres were consuming quickly and the feeling wasn’t at its best, but I managed it well. Overall, it was a weekend of ups and downs. There are some aspects of the new package we still need to work on in depth. But there’s definitely a very good potential.”
PABLO NIETO: “I think it’s important to always be among the protagonists. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to be there in the Sprint on Saturday, but that’s racing. Today’s race was really tough – the temperatures and the heat put us to the test. We finished sixth with Fabio and eighth with Franco, which means we had a good weekend. Franco made an incredible comeback: at one point he was nineteenth, but he finished eighth. That shows the speed is there. We need to try to improve the opening laps. Now we go back home to recharge and work ahead of the next race in Brazil.”
More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo:
Ninth-place finish for Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team in the Grand Prix of Thailand. Marc Márquez forced to retire while battling for the podium.
The Ducati Lenovo Team completed the opening Grand Prix of the season at the Chang International Circuit: Francesco Bagnaia was ninth at the flag, while Marc Márquez had to retire from the encounter with six laps remaining.
Bagnaia made up four positions in the first two laps, before moving up to seventh place in the closing stages and then finishing ninth. Following a good start from the front row of the grid, Márquez battled for the podium until lap twenty-one, when an impact with a kerb led to the deformation of the rear rim, which in turn caused the tyre to lose pressure.
As the Grand Prix of Thailand draws to a close, Marc Márquez is eighth in the championship standings with nine points. Francesco Bagnaia is tenth, one point behind his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team is fifth in the teams’ standings (17 points), while Ducati is third in the constructors’ championship (19 points).
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on March 20th for the first day of action of the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Brazil, at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna.
Francesco Bagnaia (63) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th: “It was a tough race. I tried to manage the situation from the beginning, without pushing, in order to get to the end of the race with the best possible grip conditions. In the final laps, when I got closer to the group ahead of me, I started to feel the drop in grip. This weekend, unlike in testing, I had a hard time getting the bike stopped and making it turn the way I would have liked. We need to roll up our sleeves to get back to the front, but I think this race was a bit of a one-off.”
Marc Marquez (93) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – DNF: “It’s true that other riders, even in testing, had jumped the kerb in that spot and nothing happened. I ran wide at turn four, but when I ran over the kerb I felt a strong impact and that the tyre had deflated due to the rim breaking. It was an unfortunate incident, as I was managing the situation. I knew it would have been a long race and my approach was therefore a conservative one, but in the end I saw that I was getting closer to the podium, so I tried to attack. Unfortunately, these things can happen, but we know we’re already at a good level.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Marini puts Honda in top ten as misfortune strikes promising Mir.
A demanding start to the season in what is already looking to be one of the hottest races of the year, Luca Marini opening his 2026 points account with tenth while heartbreak struck Joan Mir as he battled tooth and claw for a fantastic fifth.
Joan Mir (left) and Luca Marini (right) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
The 2026 MotoGP World Championship season officially began with the 26-lap Thai Grand Prix, a physically demanding affair as temperatures approached 40°C. Undeterred and unphased, the Honda HRC Castrol duo shot off the line when the lights went out and immediately began their battle.
From 14th on the grid, Luca Marini made a near perfect start to immediately close in on his teammate and charging into the top ten. Battling for the majority of the race with the likes of Bagnaia, Binder and Ogura, the Italian paid special attention to managing his tyres in the critical ambient temperatures of the day. Picking up where he left off in 2025, Luca Marini crossed the line in tenth – leading the remaining Honda trio and sitting as the lead Honda RC213V rider in the World Championship, 11th with six points.
Joan Mir authored an incredible race, starting strongly and quickly catching the group battling for third position. His confidence was easy to see as he demonstrated his unrivalled ability on the brakes, a particularly spectacular move on Fabio Di Giannantonio promoting him to fifth. Unfortunately, disaster would strike and the 2020 MotoGP World Champion was forced to retire through no fault of his own. He leaves Thailand in 15th place overall with three points.
New frontiers are waiting at round two as the MotoGP World Championship makes a welcome return to Brazil. The Autodromo Internacional de Goiania – Aryton Senna hosting round two, a brand-new circuit for the entire grid. In 2025, Luca Marini briefly lapped on a road bike and highlighted the high speed and exciting nature of the track.
Luca Marini (10) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Luca Marini:“I think the race was tough for everyone, not so much from the temperature and the physical side because this is what we train for, but you really had to manage everything with the bike to arrive to the end. After four laps we weren’t able to brake as we’d like, which made the race very long as that is our strongest point normally. I made a really good start but then lost three positions on the straight quite soon after. Everyone from about fifth to 14th has a very similar pace, so if you miss something in Qualifying or early in the race you spend a lot of time catching up. But a good way to start the year, we learned a lot and know what we have to do next.”
Joan Mir (36) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Honda HRC.
Joan Mir:“A real shame what happened today. I really enjoyed the race, I was riding really well and making some great overtakes. Then something happened which was not in our control and our race finished. We have to check properly what happened. We have to focus on the positives that we have done this race weekend and bring it to Brazil. Normally at new tracks we can be strong, I think I am a quick learner, so we will try and take advantage of that. Focusing on the positives, we showed our speed and the progress Honda have made.”
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco secured 11th place on Sunday in Buriram.
Facing extremely hot temperatures and a demanding 26-lap race, Zarco made a strong start and consistently maintained his pace throughout.
The Frenchman executed a smart and measured strategy, carefully managing all the variables, as tyre degradation and extreme heat proved to be decisive factors.
Ultimately, despite significant tyre drop-off, Zarco kept the situation under control and crossed the line in 11th position, collecting valuable points in the opening race of the season.
Johann Zarco (5) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Castrol Honda LCR.
Johann Zarco – 11th:“I’m happy to finish the race and take some points, it’s a good way to start the championship. We still have many races to go, but starting the season with this level of control is positive. I tried to manage the situation from the beginning and did my best considering the huge tyre drop. I managed to bring it to a close because if I had pushed harder, I probably wouldn’t have finished. I believe in the work we’re doing, the bike is performing well, we have a good base, and we just need to adjust a few small things”.
More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
The 2026 MotoGP™ World Championship kicked off in spectacular style at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, where a record number of Thai fans created an electric atmosphere for the opening round of the season.
Under extreme heat on Sunday, the premier class lined up for the first Grand Prix of the year, ready to take on 26 demanding laps in front of over 91,000 attendees.
Starting from 20th on the grid, Enea Bastianini faced an early setback, losing a position on the opening lap. By the fourth lap, however, the Italian had recovered to 18th and began building momentum.
By the eighth lap, Bastianini was already up to 16th, and a couple of decisive overtakes soon followed as he continued carving his way through the field. With three riders retiring ahead, the #23 rider capitalised fully, jumping up to 12th and firmly placing himself back in the fight after a challenging start to the weekend.
On the other side of the garage, Maverick Viñales held firm in 17th on the opening lap but then lost ground on the straight heading into the next, dropping the Spaniard further down the order.
Struggling for grip and rhythm in the early stages, Viñales found himself down in 21st. Gradually, Top Gun climbed the order as the Marquez brothers and Joan Mir left the action. Finally, a well-executed overtake later in the race secured 16th, just shy of the points, rewarding Viñales’ persistence despite a difficult race.
Next up on the calendar is the Grand Prix of Brazil at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (20-22 March), as the 2026 campaign continues its global journey.
Enea Bastianini (23) and Diogo Moreira (11) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Enea Bastianini:“It was a difficult race, but we made a small step forward compared to the previous race. The feeling was similar to last year, even if the result was not as strong. In the final laps I was able to manage things quite well and gain some positions, which was encouraging. We’re still working on improving stability and overall feeling, but I’m confident we can make another step soon.”
Maverick Viñales (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Tech3.
Maverick Viñales: “It was a challenging race for us. We’re missing some front grip, especially through the corners, which makes it difficult to be consistent and carry the speed we need. On the straight we’re competitive, but we’re not able to maximise the potential when it matters most.We tried different things across the weekend and now it’s about analysing the data to understand where we can improve and how to generate more feeling from the front. The potential is there, so we need to stay focused, respond well and come back stronger at the next round.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager:“Clearly, this opening round in Thailand is a disappointment for Red Bull KTM Tech3. It’s not the result we were aiming for, and we have to take that honestly. Now it’s important that we sit down together, analyse what didn’t work as expected this weekend, and understand where we need to improve.We can see the potential of the package, which makes it even more important for us to find answers quickly. We have two weeks before Brazil, and our focus is to use that time constructively, come back stronger, and ensure we’re fighting where we belong.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 13th on Sunday in Buriram.
Following a positive Sprint on Saturday, Brazilian Diogo Moreira approached the Sunday race fully committed to maximize his performance.
The rider got off to a strong start and consistently positioned himself in the battle for points.
He acknowledged feeling the effects of significant tyre drop, which limited his ability to push further, but he rode cleanly and crossed the line in 13th, scoring points in his first-ever MotoGP Sunday race. Well done, Diogo!
Diogo Moreira (11) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Pro Honda LCR.
Diogo Moreira – 13th: “It was a good race, I’m super happy. I fought with Enea, and it was fun. The tyre dropped off quite a lot, so I struggled a bit, but overall it was really good. At some point I was alone pushing, because after 12 laps, the tyre degradation was significant, but it was still a positive race for me. We’ve started the season with high motivation, and this is a learning process. I can’t wait to do more races, I’ve had so much fun this weekend!”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Push On in Blistering Hot Buriram Race.
The Grand Prix of Thailand in sweltering heat proved a tricky season opener for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed the 26-lap MotoGP Race in 14th and 15th place respectively.
The incredibly hot 26-lap Grand Prix of Thailand MotoGP Race was a tough outing, but Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins persevered and found themselves in P14 and P15 at the chequered flag.
Quartararo launched from P16 and made up a position on the opening lap. Unable to make further inroads, he came under pressure from Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini and dropped to 17th place on lap 10. With three late DNFs for rivals, El Diablo ultimately held 14th position over the finish line.
Rins started from P18 and completed lap 1 in P16 behind Quartararo. He mainly rode amongst his fellow Yamaha riders during the 26-lap contest and was in P18 when he too benefitted from some late misfortunes of rivals. He held 15th place at the chequered flag.
Today’s race results put Quartararo in 16th place in the championship standings with 2 points. Rins is in 17th place with 1 point. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 9th position in the team classifications with 3 points, and Yamaha is fifth in the contructor rankings with 2 points.
The team will enjoy two weeks off before travelling to Brazil for Round 2, held at the Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia – Ayrton Senna from 20-22 March.
Fabio Quartararo (20) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Fabio Quartararo:“It was a tough race, but a bit of what we expected. Hopefully in Brazil we will feel better with the bike.”
Alex Rins (42) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Alex Rins:“It was a really tough race, and it was very difficult to manage the tyres. I gave my 100% on every lap. We leave Thailand after preseason testing and the race weekend with some good conclusions. Let’s keep going, and let’s keep growing this project, and I’m looking forward to Brazil.”
Massimo Meregalli:“As expected, today’s Race was hugely challenging for us. The heat and humidity made the 26 laps a real test of endurance and an important benchmark for this brand new project. It’s still early on in the timeline, but we are getting to know the bike better lap by lap, learning about every aspect. On top of this, this type of circuit and the construction of the tyres usually assigned to us in very hot conditions made everything more difficult. There’s not much more to say right now except that we will study all the data we were able to gather this weekend to see if we can prepare a bit better for the next GP.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Opening round in Buriram proves a struggle for Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team.
In extremely hot conditions at the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship in Buriram, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu faced a demanding race, with both riders and their machinery appearing to suffer more from the heat and tyre drop than their direct competitors.
In the first full race for the 2026 Yamaha YZR-M1 machine, powered by the new V4 engine, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders battled extreme heat and tyre management issues in demanding conditions.
Despite crossing the line disappointed with their final positions, both Razgatlıoğlu and Miller remain focused on analysing the valuable data collected and continuing the development of the new package.
The attention now shifts to the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the team aims to start fresh with renewed motivation and build on the lessons learned in Buriram.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (07) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: “It was my first full race in MotoGP and, of course, I was hoping for a better result. But it was a long and very demanding race — 26 laps in that kind of heat is physically tough. We had some clear issues with rear grip, especially as the race went on, but I‘m not looking to put the blame anywhere else. I know I still have a lot to learn, and at the same time we know Yamaha is working hard to improve the package. Grip was quite limited throughout the race, and it seemed to be a common situation for all Yamaha riders, as we were running close together. Now we focus on the next race. I know I will give my best, and I know the whole team will do the same.”
Jack Miller (43) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Prima Pramac Yamaha.
Jack Miller:“Obviously it wasn‘t the race we were hoping for. Overall, the bike itself didn‘t feel bad over the distance and physically I felt fine, but from the very beginning I understood we had an issue with the rear tyre. I tried to manage it as best as I could — short-shifting, being smooth, waiting to pick the bike up on the exits — but as the laps went on it became more and more difficult. In the end the tyre was completely worn in the centre and on the straights I couldn‘t use more than about a quarter throttle. It was a tough situation to manage. Still, it was our first full race with the V4. It didn‘t go the way we wanted, but the important thing is that all four bikes finished and we gathered a lot of information. It‘s a base to build from, and there‘s plenty of room to improve as we head to Brazil.”
Gino Borsoi: “We knew Sunday was going to be difficult. During the tests we already struggled, and that was confirmed again in the race. On the positive side, the Sprint showed that we are capable of maintaining a fairly competitive rhythm, so that‘s something we can build on. Today the main issue was the high temperature, which affected everyone, but it seemed to impact us a little more. We have to accept that this is our starting point. We‘re confident that we can improve from here as we move into the next races.”
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini:
Thailand to forget.
RACEDAY
ALEX MARQUEZ DNF
MICHELE PIRRO 19º
Alex Marquez (73) at Buriram. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini.
ALEX MÁRQUEZ: “Starting from the third row didn’t help us, but it was still a race of management until the crash. The others have definitely improved, but we need to keep working and stay calm. My race was about staying behind Mir at a distance so as not to overheat the front tire, with no real chance to overtake. The crash came when I tried to push a bit more; I didn’t have any feeling with the front end and I lost it with a small mistake.”
Michele Pirro (51) at Buriram. Photo courtesy BK8 Gresini.
MICHELE PIRRO: “I’m a bit disappointed, I thought I could do better by putting together all the pieces of the puzzle from these past few days. Instead, from the start of the race I immediately felt uncomfortable with the tires, a feeling I hadn’t had all weekend. I tried to manage the tire, but it was quite strange. I’m sorry because I wanted a bit more consistency. I gave it my all, and I want to thank Nadia and the whole group for the trust they’ve shown me over these days.”
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Triumph unveils the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026 at the opening round of Moto2™ in Thailand; the #001 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a bespoke yoke engraving.
• Fans can vote for their favorite rider each round and enter a free prize draw to win their own #765 Triumph Street Triple Moto2™ Edition with a matching engraving.
• In preparation for the 2027 season, Triumph will begin testing 100% nonfossil fuels in the Moto2TM engines, assessing performance and durability.
On the eve of the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 MotoGP™ season, Triumph Motorcycles and MotoGP have pulled the covers off two exclusive Limited Edition prize bikes that will be awarded through year’s Triumph Triple Trophy competition.
The #001 Triumph Street Triple 765 Moto2™ Edition model will be awarded to the rider who delivers the most stand-out performances in Moto2 this season, as voted for by the fans. In addition, one lucky Triumph and Moto2™ fan will win the #765 model in a free prize draw for the 2026 season. With only 1,000 motorcycles being produced worldwide, the Moto2™ Edition features carbon fiber components, and these two bikes will feature an individually numbered and personalized billet-machined top yoke, making this prize even more exclusive.
At the official press conference at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent also outlined the next steps in Triumph’s sustainable fuel development program, ahead of the 2027 Moto2™ season when, regulations will mandate the use of 100% non-fossil fuels. Following successful durability testing with 40% non-fossil fuels last year, Triumph has now completed the majority of engine mapping and optimization work required to begin the next phase of testing. Throughout this year, Triumph and Moto2™ will evaluate samples of 100% non-fossil fuels for both performance and durability.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles said: “Powering the Moto2™ World Championship over the past seven years has been a journey. From the first race in Qatar in 2019, we haven’t stopped working to develop the Moto2™ project. Together, we have completed 1,781,698 kms in the Moto2™ World Championship and all that mileage helps us to develop and introduce updates to further benefit on-track performance. Alongside improving performance, we are also committed to supporting the development of a sustainable future for motorcycling and motorcycle sport. So, as the championship moves toward 100% non-fossil fuels, we will be using samples of 100% non-fossil fuels to test performance and durability during this season.”
Sargent continued, “The Triumph Triple Trophy competition is also proving to be increasingly popular with fans and riders. With a record number of votes last year and thousands of fans entering the competition from around the world, we wanted to create a Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike that was another step closer to the Moto2™ World Championship machine. That’s why we’re giving riders and fans the chance to win a highly exclusive Moto2TM Limited Edition Street Triple 765. Customized with specially engraved yokes, the riders will be fighting on the track for the #001 motorcycle, while the fans will be entering for their chance to take home the #765 model.”
Alfonso Cartujo, MotoGP Sporting Director: “The Triumph Triple Trophy is a great way to connect with fans around the world, and it makes sure they feel part of the competition. Moto2™ continues to deliver exciting action, and we know that 2026 will be no different. It was amazing to see so many fans engage with the 2025 season, and congratulations to Mr. Ma from China who took home their own Triumph Triple Trophy bike. This year, it’s exciting to see these Moto2™ Edition models selected as the grand prize which makes the 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy even more special for the riders and fans to be involved in.”
Triumph Triple Trophy victor and 2025 Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira with his Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike. Photo courtesy Triumph.
RECOGNIZING STANDOUT PERFORMANCES SINCE 2020
Running alongside the Moto2™ World Championship, the Triumph Triple Trophy has celebrated standout performances since 2020, recognizing that there are more success stories during a Grand Prix weekend than just the race win. The inaugural Triumph Triple Trophy was won by Marco Bezzecchi in 2020, with Raul Fernandez in 2021, Jeremy Alcoba in 2022, Pedro Acosta in 2023, Ai Ogura in 2024, and Diogo Moreira in 2025 adding their names to the winners list.
Moreira, who was also crowned the Moto2™ World Champion, earned the most fan votes during the 2025 season and was declared the Triumph Triple Trophy winner after securing the decisive votes in the penultimate round at Portimão. He collected his Street Triple 765 RS the following week in Valencia.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles and the Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
FINDING THE TRIUMPH TRIPLE TROPHY WINNER
On the Sunday of each Grand Prix weekend, three Moto2™ riders will be shortlisted by a judging panel made up of representatives from MotoGP and Triumph for their standout performances on track. Fans can then vote for their chosen rider through the official MotoGP™ Instagram channel, and each rider will receive points based on the number of votes cast.
In reference to Triumph’s 765cc engine, points at each GP are awarded as follows:
• 7 points for the rider with the most fan votes
• 6 points for the rider with the second most fan votes
• 5 points for the rider with the third most fan votes
Once voting closes, the final order of the three shortlisted riders is confirmed, and the leaderboard is updated after each round.
For the second year in a row, fans can also register to win their own Triumph Triple Trophy motorcycle through a free prize draw on the Triumph Motorcycles website. A simple entry form provides the chance to win, and last year the prize was awarded to a fan in China.
The 2026 Triumph Triple Trophy begins on Sunday, March 1, following the season opener at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, when the competition goes live and fans can vote and enter for the first time this season.
Triumph Triple Trophy prize bike for 2026. Photo courtesy Triumph.
TWO WINNERS, TWO PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLES
The two winners will each receive a highly exclusive Street Triple Moto2™ Edition, featuring the 765cc triple engine derived from the Moto2™ race platform. The #001 motorcycle is reserved for the winning Moto2™ rider, while number 765 will be presented to a fan at the end of the season.
This circuit-bred model includes premium race-inspired details such as carbon fiber side panels, a carbon fiber front mudguard, belly pan, and a carbon fiber silencer end cap that delivers a lightweight, high-tech finish. It features a bold Moto2™-embossed seat with a dimpled pattern for improved grip, a clear-lens rear light, and a laser-etched Moto2™ logo on the silencer. The striking Mineral Grey and Crystal White color scheme is paired with a vibrant Triumph Performance Yellow rear subframe and a matching rear wheel stripe for a distinctive race-bred look.
Each bike is individually numbered on a billet-machined top yoke, which also carries Moto2™ branding, positioned alongside a TFT display featuring a Moto2™ branded start-up screen. This will be enhanced with a personalized engraving and Triumph Triple Trophy branding, reinforcing its unique, limitededition status and collector appeal.
Follow to vote for your favorite rider and enter the free prize draw for a chance to win the Triumph Triple Trophy 2026 motorcycle.
Find out more about Triumph’s Street Triple 765 RS, RX and Moto2 Edition at triumphmotorcycles.com.
Bodie Paige (12) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige's social media.
In the second race of the Moto4 Asia Cup at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, 15-year-old MotoAmerica Twins Cup racer Bodie Paige finished 9th, taking the checkered flag 3.419 seconds behind the race winner.
Bodie Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Bodie Paige’s social media.
His 14-year-old younger brother Jake Paige, who will be racing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup this season, crossed the finish line 17th, ending the race 31.587 seconds off the lead at Chang International Circuit.
Jake Paige at Buriram. Photo courtesy Jake Paige’s social media.
Bodie Paige is currently 12th in the Moto4 Asia Cup Championship standings with 11 points after the Thailand round, while Jake Paige is 20th overall with 0 points.
More from a press release issued by Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup:
Chishiki doubles up as podium fight goes to final corner. The Japanese star makes it two wins from two in Buriram as Irfan and Togashi clinch maiden podiums in the class.
Hayato Chishiki claimed a maximum 50 points from the opening weekend of Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup action in Thailand thanks to his classy Race 2 victory on Sunday morning. The Japanese rider rode clear of the chasers to earn a second win in the class by over two seconds, as Qabil Irfan and Kotaro Togashi clinched their first podiums in P2 and P3.
In the latter stages of the 15-lap race, Chishiki pulled the pin at the front and unlike in Race 1 where Waku Kunitate went with the #16, no one was able to tag onto the back of the eventual race winner. However, the fight for the final podium spots went right down to the wire. Irfan eventually won that particular battle by 0.127s over Togashi, as both the Malaysian and Japanese rising stars celebrate their first Moto4 Asia Cup rostrums.
Kunitate ended Race 2 in P4 to collect a good haul of points from Round 1, while Bintang Pranata eventually settled for P5 after the Indonesian was demoted one position after the chequered flag for irresponsible riding on the final lap.
What a start to the season then in Thailand! Next up, we rejoin the MotoGP paddock at the Qatar Grand Prix in April for Round 2, where we can expect more of the same epic racing.
Want to watch the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup race 2 ? Click HERE !
The most unique setting in Monster Energy Supercross welcomed a
massive crowd to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway
for the 56th running of the Daytona Supercross. Photo courtesy SMX
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It was a historic night inside The World Center of Racing for Round 8 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship, as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac cemented his place atop the all-time greatest racers at Daytona International Speedway with a record breaking eighth Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship win at the iconic venue. The Colorado native broke a three-year tie with NASCAR legend Richard Petty, owner of seven Daytona 500 victories, to become the most decorated athlete of the speedway’s celebrated 67-year history.
Eli Tomac Becomes Most Decorated Racer in Daytona International Speedway History with Eighth Monster Energy Supercross Victory at Iconic Venue.
It wasn’t an easy path to victory for Tomac, as he began the 450SMX Class Main Event in fourth, behind each of his primary competitors in the championship. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence, last week’s winner and current points leader, opened the 20 Minute + 1 Lap race with the holeshot, but was quickly passed by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, the defending series champion, slotted into third ahead of Tomac, which set the stage for a thrilling battle between the best in the class. As Roczen and Lawrence settled in out front, Tomac started his pursuit of the lead with an early pass on Webb for third. The top three continuously searched for faster lines on the ever-changing rutty, technical, sandy racetrack and sat within 1.5 seconds of one another with around 14 minutes remaining.
As the race approached the halfway point Tomac elected to make his push and took advantage of a couple sections on the track where he excelled to attack his rivals. He first made an assertive pass on Lawrence for second and on the ensuing lap railed the outside of an option lane to shoot past Roczen as they sprinted to the finish line jump. Tomac seized control of the lead with about 12:30 left on the race clock and quickly opened up a multi-second margin. Roczen held strong in second until the race closed in on the final five minutes, when Lawrence’s patience and persistence paid off and allowed the Australian to take over second. About three seconds separated Tomac from Lawrence, but the championship leader was unable to make significant inroads on his deficit as the race drew to a close.
Tomac was never challenged once he moved into the lead and carried on to take his fourth win of the season and the 57th victory of his career by 1.3 seconds over Lawrence. Roczen finished in a distant third while Webb was largely on his own en route to fourth, with Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy in fifth.
Tomac closed to within a single point of Lawrence in the championship standings, while Roczen and Webb now sit tied for third, 20 points out of the lead.
The fourth win of the season for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made him one of the most transcendent figures in motorsports history at Daytona with eight victories at the iconic speedway. Photo courtesy SMX
Eli Tomac – 1st Place – 450SMX Class:
“[The wins] are all awesome, but somehow, I’ve won eight of these. I don’t want to think about how old I am. I just go out there and roost the berms like I’m at my home track [in Colorado]. I love this dirt and just love how this track develops. Of course, I had to work for it there and went through all my main competition. I just had a great time on my motorcycle and happy to make up points this weekend.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence maintained his hold of the championship points lead with his fifth runner-up finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class:
“It was a tough [Main Event] on a really tough track. I was figuring out where to compensate with the bike and it just took me too long to do that. In the end I was kind of making it work, but it was too late and Eli [Tomac] got his eighth win here. I really wanted to stop that tonight, but I couldn’t make up the difference.”
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen led early on for the second week in a row and recorded his fifth podium result of the year. Photo courtesy SMX
Ken Roczen – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class:
“I gave it my best out there and led for a bunch. I had a really good start too and in the Main Event that really counts. I was searching a little bit in the beginning, it was a tricky track and a lot faster than what we’ve seen the past few years here. Once I got passed, I knew those guys were maybe a little bit faster, so I tried to hang on and follow some lines. I was right there until the end and just got messed up by some lappers and those guys got away a little bit. I just wasn’t the best tonight, but I’m happy with a podium.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right) Hunter Lawrence, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker Goes Wire-to-Wire for Dominant 250SMX Class Win
The second race of the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship featured an impressive showing from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who entered the night show banged up from a hard crash in afternoon qualifying. The Pennsylvania native was able to secure the holeshot over Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda and established a firm grasp on the lead from the outset of the 15 Minute + 1 Lap Main Event. Behind them was Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Drew Adams, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown, the opening round winner and points leader.
As Hammaker and Shimoda asserted themselves out front, Adams continued what was turning into a breakout night with a pass for third. Behind them, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was making moves as the fastest rider on the track. The New Zealander made an impressive climb from ninth off the start to pass both his teammates and move into fourth. He then set his sights on Adams and successfully made the pass for third with six minutes to go. Not long after that Adams crashed out of the race, which allowed Brown to assume fourth.
With just over a minute remaining Shimoda went down in the sand section as he simultaneously looked to close in on Hammaker and fend off Davies. The defending SMX World Champion remounted quickly, but not before Davies and Brown got by for second and third. Hammaker completed a dominant wire-to-wire effort by a margin of 4.2 seconds over Davies, while Brown rounded out the podium. Shimoda was forced to settle for fourth, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Daxton Bennick in fifth.
Hammaker’s fourth career win ended a reign of dominance for the Star Yamaha effort, which had won every 250SMX Class race of the season up to that point. The Kawasaki rider’s victory moved him into second in the Eastern Divisional standings, where he is now two points behind Brown for the lead. Shimoda dropped to third, five points back.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker dominated the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Main Event with a wire-to-wire performance. Photo courtesy SMX
Seth Hammaker – 1st Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It feels unreal [to win at Daytona]. I had a big crash in qualifying, and I feel like it really tests you mentally how you come back from that. I’m proud of the effort tonight and the team crushed it. It’s super cool to get a win at Daytona. It’s an unreal feeling. Really good to get this win and keep the momentum rolling.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies (37) made an impressive climb from ninth to second for his first podium finish of the season. Photo courtesy SMX.
Cole Davies – 2nd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“They didn’t prep the gates all day, so I didn’t get good traction out the gate and was buried off the start. It was a good comeback. I did what I could. I wanted that win, but still a good ride.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown maintained his hold of the points lead with a third-place effort. Photo courtesy SMX.
Pierce Brown – 3rd Place – Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class:
“It was a battle. Not the best start. I took a gamble with my gate, and we chose the wrong one. It happens. We battled and were there late when other riders made mistakes to salvage a third. I can’t be too mad about it. We’re in good shape [in points] and will keep doing our thing.”
Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right) Cole Davies, Seth Hammaker, and Pierce Brown. Photo courtesy SMX
Daytona also signified the third race of SMX Next – Supercross, which featured 22 of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross. Two different winners stood atop the podium through the first two races and that trend continued as a third different up-and-coming racer claimed victory at Daytona. Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno opened the 8 Minute + 1 Lap with the holeshot and led early before he gave way to Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson. Denno fought back to reclaim the lead after just a lap and carried on to become the third different SMX Next winner in as many races. It was the first SMX Next victory for the 17-year-old Texan as well as the first for the budding Triumph amateur program. He took the checkered flag 4.4 seconds ahead of 18-year-old Landen Gordon, who rides for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, while 16-year-old Vincent Wey rounded out the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green.
Triumph Racing’s Deacon Denno became the third different prospect to emerge victorious in SMX Next – Supercross competition this season. Photo courtesy SMX
Deacon Denno – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross:
“I got the start but then jumped the whoops for the first time after skimming all day and lost the lead. It was a dumb move by me, but I made the pass back. Last year here in Daytona I finished 14th. There’s a lot that’s been done since then and just proves that if you work your butt off you can be up here like I am. I knew I could do it and I put the track together. I’m so stoked.”
SMX Next – Supercross Podium (left to right) Landen Gordon, Deacon Denno, and Vincent Wey. Photo courtesy SMX
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday, March 7, for the ninth race of the season from Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, which will signify the second Triple Crown race of the 2026 season. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET. Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final are now on sale at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
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