Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 Practice Two (P2) Friday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team Kalex, the Spainard covered the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:44.956 and topped the field of 30 riders.
American Joe Roberts was 25th with a time of 1:46.737 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly is not riding at Catalunya because he and his team have parted ways.
Moto2 P2
Ivan Ortola led Moto3 World Championship Practice Two (P2) Friday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. The Spaniard lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:48.702 on his Angeluss MTA Team KTM, topping the field of 30 riders.
Moto3 P2
Mattia Casadei led FIM MotoE World Championship Practice Two (P2) with another new All-Time Lap Record Friday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his HP Pons Los40 Ducati electric racebike, the Italian lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:48.832, which was nearly one second faster than the All-Time Lap Record of 1:49.867 he set in P1.
MotoE P2
Beach to Finish MotoAmerica Superbike Season with Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
JD Beach returns as a fill-in rider for the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing team at the final two MotoAmerica Superbike rounds of 2023
MARIETTA, Ga. – September 1, 2023 – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing is pleased to announce that JD Beach will return with the team as a fill-in rider for Cameron Petersen at the remaining rounds of the MotoAmerica Superbike season.
Despite not racing a Superbike full-time since 2019, Beach showed strength when he filled in for Petersen at the previous round at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PIRC). The dirt track/road racer also got some seat time last month at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) test before the tripleheader at PIRC and showed speed at the track where he earned his first MotoAmerica Supersport win in 2015. After the American Flat Track season finale this weekend at the Springfield Mile with the Estenson Racing team, Beach will head down to Austin, Texas, to line up on the grid aboard the Attack Performance Yamaha R1 at the penultimate MotoAmerica round at COTA on September 8-10. Then it’s on to the New Jersey Motorsports Park for the season finale on September 22-24, where Beach has also enjoyed success in the past.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“We are pleased to have JD Beach as our fill-in rider for the final two rounds. He adapted quickly at PIRC, regardless of the fact that he has been away from road racing for the past four seasons. He proved himself by improving every session and riding within reach of the podium. He also showed good speed at our recent COTA test and raced for the win on our R1 at NJMP in 2019. It should be good fun watching him build speed over the next two events.”
JD Beach – Estenson Racing
“I’m really excited to get to finish out the season with the Attack team. I feel like I’m building up some good speed with the bike and feeling better every time I get more laps. After having a full race weekend under our belt and now going back to COTA, where we tested, I think it will help a lot, as well as racing at New Jersey, which is a track where I’ve done well in the past. So I’m really looking forward to it and want to build on what I’ve done already. I’m thankful the Estenson team is okay with me doing this and that Yamaha wanted to keep me on the bike.”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
Aprilia factory riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales finished 1-2 in MotoGP Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding their Aprilia RS-GP machines, Espargaro did a 1:39.809 and Vinales turned a 1:40.073 on the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) circuit.
Jorge Martin was third-fastest with a 1:40.273 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, but then the times dropped off sharply with Brad Binder fourth at 1:40.859 – 1.050 seconds slower then Espargaro – on his Red Bull KTM RC16.
MotoGP FP1
American Moto2 World Championship rider Sean Dylan Kelly, also known as “SDK,” has split with American Racing Team.
After winning the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship, then-19-year-old Kelly signed a two-year contract to race with American Racing Team in Moto2.
Kelly’s riding was hindered in 2022 by arm pump issues in his right arm, and during the off-season he had surgery to try to alleviate the symptoms. However, Kelly’s arm did not heal normally and excessive internal scarring brought the arm pump issues back almost immediately.
Kelly struggled through the first several rounds of the 2023 season and then decided to use the five-week mid-season break to have a second surgery to fix his arm. Kelly did this, but during his recovery American Racing Team decided to put former team rider Marcos Ramirez on Kelly’s bike.
On Thursday, August 31, Kelly posted the following statement to his Instagram account:
“Unfortunately, my time with the American Racing Team has come to an end. Obviously this is a huge disappointment for me, but by no means is this the end of my Moto2 World Championship ambitions. As most of you know, my arm pump came back due to abnormal scar tissue growth and I had surgery during the summer break. After respecting the recovery time, I felt and was 100% ready to come back after Silverstone, but I have to be honest and say that this is where the team and I have differing opinions. This is not an easy time but I look forward to confirming my plans for 2024 and sharing them with you all as soon as I can. In the meantime I will be working hard to ensure I’m ready for any opportunity that might present itself from now until the end of the year. I want to thank Eitan, Avner and John for all they’ve done for me these last few years and I wish them all well for the rest of the season.”
Ai Ogura topped Moto2 World Championship Practice One (P1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Riding his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex, the Japanese rider lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) course in 1:44.804 to lead the field of 30 entries.
American Joe Roberts was fifth-fastest with a time of 1:44.961 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
Just 1.066 second covered the top 20 riders.
American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) and American Racing Team have parted ways, according to a social media post by the rider, and Marcos Ramirez is continuing in Kelly’s place.
Moto2 P1
Jaume Masia was quickest in Moto3 World Championship Practice One (P1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda, the Spaniard covered the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) track in 1:48.300 to lead the field of 30 riders.
Moto3 P1
Mattia Casadei led FIM MotoE World Championship Practice One (P1) with a new All-Time Lap Record Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his HP Pons Los40 electrified Ducati, the Italian lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:49.867, which smashed Fermin Aldeguer’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 1:50.399.
MotoE P1
Former 250cc World Champion Sito Pons Joins Forces with CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is proud to announce the partnership with two-times 250cc World Champion, Sito Pons which will start in the 2024 season. The decision announced by RNF particularly aims to harness Sito’s four decades of MotoGP experience specifically leveraging on his expertise. This strategic alliance between two powerhouses represents an important progression within the team’s strategic business plan, contributing towards achieving a part of the team’s carefully designed future objectives.
Sito Pons, a name synonymous with triumph and tenacity, brings with him a legacy that speaks volumes. His illustrious journey, marked by winning the World Championship twice with Honda in 1988 and 1989, is a testament to his strong determination.
Notably, Pons’ achievements extend beyond the racetrack, earning him the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for Sport in 1990. As the only motorcycle racer to hold this accolade, his contribution to the motorsport’s legacy is undeniable. Furthermore, his role as President of the International Road Racing Teams Association for over a decade, along with his representation of World Championship Racers on the International Motorcycling Federation, highlights his commitment to elevating the sport as a whole.
In this significant transition, Sito Pons, the mastermind behind one of the leading teams in the intermediate Moto2 category will begin a new chapter in MotoGP. His new role as Chief Revenue Officer with the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team will leverage his experience of over 40 years in the MotoGP World Championship with the focus on growing the team.
Razlan Razali, Founder & Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“We are thrilled to welcome Sito Pons to the RNF family. His extensive MotoGP experience, valuable insights and dedication align seamlessly with our vision of creating one of the best MotoGP teams. Together with Sito, our mission is to build a sustainable team and strive for strategic excellence with our partners.”
Sito Pons
“I’m excited to rejoin MotoGP, now as part of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team. In this new role, I’ll bring over 40 years of my MotoGP experience to the table – a decade as a rider and over three decades as a team principal in both MotoGP and Moto2. Working alongside Razlan and his team, we aim to enhance our portfolio by focusing on growing the value of the team. I love challenges and I’m very happy to be part of this new challenge.”
Ovidiu Toma, Co-founder and CEO of CryptoDATA Tech
“Sito Pons’ decision to join hands with CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team embodies our commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we’ll find new ways to achieve great performance off-track.”
Bogdan Mărunțiș, Co-founder and Head of Global Strategy of CryptoDATA Tech
“Sito Pons brings a wealth of experience and strategic prowess that aligns with our growth trajectory. This partnership marks a significant step towards our vision of pushing boundaries in MotoGP. There’s much to achieve, and we look forward to the journey ahead.”
Manuel Gonzalez was quickest during Moto2 Practice Two (P2) Friday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team Kalex, the Spainard covered the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:44.956 and topped the field of 30 riders.
American Joe Roberts was 25th with a time of 1:46.737 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly is not riding at Catalunya because he and his team have parted ways.
Moto2 P2
Ivan Ortola led Moto3 World Championship Practice Two (P2) Friday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. The Spaniard lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:48.702 on his Angeluss MTA Team KTM, topping the field of 30 riders.
Moto3 P2
Mattia Casadei led FIM MotoE World Championship Practice Two (P2) with another new All-Time Lap Record Friday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his HP Pons Los40 Ducati electric racebike, the Italian lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:48.832, which was nearly one second faster than the All-Time Lap Record of 1:49.867 he set in P1.
MotoE P2
Beach to Finish MotoAmerica Superbike Season with Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
JD Beach returns as a fill-in rider for the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing team at the final two MotoAmerica Superbike rounds of 2023
MARIETTA, Ga. – September 1, 2023 – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing is pleased to announce that JD Beach will return with the team as a fill-in rider for Cameron Petersen at the remaining rounds of the MotoAmerica Superbike season.
Despite not racing a Superbike full-time since 2019, Beach showed strength when he filled in for Petersen at the previous round at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PIRC). The dirt track/road racer also got some seat time last month at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) test before the tripleheader at PIRC and showed speed at the track where he earned his first MotoAmerica Supersport win in 2015. After the American Flat Track season finale this weekend at the Springfield Mile with the Estenson Racing team, Beach will head down to Austin, Texas, to line up on the grid aboard the Attack Performance Yamaha R1 at the penultimate MotoAmerica round at COTA on September 8-10. Then it’s on to the New Jersey Motorsports Park for the season finale on September 22-24, where Beach has also enjoyed success in the past.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“We are pleased to have JD Beach as our fill-in rider for the final two rounds. He adapted quickly at PIRC, regardless of the fact that he has been away from road racing for the past four seasons. He proved himself by improving every session and riding within reach of the podium. He also showed good speed at our recent COTA test and raced for the win on our R1 at NJMP in 2019. It should be good fun watching him build speed over the next two events.”
JD Beach – Estenson Racing
“I’m really excited to get to finish out the season with the Attack team. I feel like I’m building up some good speed with the bike and feeling better every time I get more laps. After having a full race weekend under our belt and now going back to COTA, where we tested, I think it will help a lot, as well as racing at New Jersey, which is a track where I’ve done well in the past. So I’m really looking forward to it and want to build on what I’ve done already. I’m thankful the Estenson team is okay with me doing this and that Yamaha wanted to keep me on the bike.”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
Aprilia factory riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales finished 1-2 in MotoGP Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding their Aprilia RS-GP machines, Espargaro did a 1:39.809 and Vinales turned a 1:40.073 on the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) circuit.
Jorge Martin was third-fastest with a 1:40.273 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, but then the times dropped off sharply with Brad Binder fourth at 1:40.859 – 1.050 seconds slower then Espargaro – on his Red Bull KTM RC16.
MotoGP FP1
American Moto2 World Championship rider Sean Dylan Kelly, also known as “SDK,” has split with American Racing Team.
After winning the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship, then-19-year-old Kelly signed a two-year contract to race with American Racing Team in Moto2.
Kelly’s riding was hindered in 2022 by arm pump issues in his right arm, and during the off-season he had surgery to try to alleviate the symptoms. However, Kelly’s arm did not heal normally and excessive internal scarring brought the arm pump issues back almost immediately.
Kelly struggled through the first several rounds of the 2023 season and then decided to use the five-week mid-season break to have a second surgery to fix his arm. Kelly did this, but during his recovery American Racing Team decided to put former team rider Marcos Ramirez on Kelly’s bike.
On Thursday, August 31, Kelly posted the following statement to his Instagram account:
“Unfortunately, my time with the American Racing Team has come to an end. Obviously this is a huge disappointment for me, but by no means is this the end of my Moto2 World Championship ambitions. As most of you know, my arm pump came back due to abnormal scar tissue growth and I had surgery during the summer break. After respecting the recovery time, I felt and was 100% ready to come back after Silverstone, but I have to be honest and say that this is where the team and I have differing opinions. This is not an easy time but I look forward to confirming my plans for 2024 and sharing them with you all as soon as I can. In the meantime I will be working hard to ensure I’m ready for any opportunity that might present itself from now until the end of the year. I want to thank Eitan, Avner and John for all they’ve done for me these last few years and I wish them all well for the rest of the season.”
Ai Ogura topped Moto2 World Championship Practice One (P1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Riding his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex, the Japanese rider lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) course in 1:44.804 to lead the field of 30 entries.
American Joe Roberts was fifth-fastest with a time of 1:44.961 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
Just 1.066 second covered the top 20 riders.
American Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) and American Racing Team have parted ways, according to a social media post by the rider, and Marcos Ramirez is continuing in Kelly’s place.
Moto2 P1
Jaume Masia was quickest in Moto3 World Championship Practice One (P1) Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda, the Spaniard covered the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) track in 1:48.300 to lead the field of 30 riders.
Moto3 P1
Mattia Casadei led FIM MotoE World Championship Practice One (P1) with a new All-Time Lap Record Friday morning at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Spain. Riding his HP Pons Los40 electrified Ducati, the Italian lapped the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) road course in 1:49.867, which smashed Fermin Aldeguer’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 1:50.399.
MotoE P1
Former 250cc World Champion Sito Pons Joins Forces with CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is proud to announce the partnership with two-times 250cc World Champion, Sito Pons which will start in the 2024 season. The decision announced by RNF particularly aims to harness Sito’s four decades of MotoGP experience specifically leveraging on his expertise. This strategic alliance between two powerhouses represents an important progression within the team’s strategic business plan, contributing towards achieving a part of the team’s carefully designed future objectives.
Sito Pons, a name synonymous with triumph and tenacity, brings with him a legacy that speaks volumes. His illustrious journey, marked by winning the World Championship twice with Honda in 1988 and 1989, is a testament to his strong determination.
Notably, Pons’ achievements extend beyond the racetrack, earning him the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for Sport in 1990. As the only motorcycle racer to hold this accolade, his contribution to the motorsport’s legacy is undeniable. Furthermore, his role as President of the International Road Racing Teams Association for over a decade, along with his representation of World Championship Racers on the International Motorcycling Federation, highlights his commitment to elevating the sport as a whole.
In this significant transition, Sito Pons, the mastermind behind one of the leading teams in the intermediate Moto2 category will begin a new chapter in MotoGP. His new role as Chief Revenue Officer with the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team will leverage his experience of over 40 years in the MotoGP World Championship with the focus on growing the team.
Razlan Razali, Founder & Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“We are thrilled to welcome Sito Pons to the RNF family. His extensive MotoGP experience, valuable insights and dedication align seamlessly with our vision of creating one of the best MotoGP teams. Together with Sito, our mission is to build a sustainable team and strive for strategic excellence with our partners.”
Sito Pons
“I’m excited to rejoin MotoGP, now as part of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team. In this new role, I’ll bring over 40 years of my MotoGP experience to the table – a decade as a rider and over three decades as a team principal in both MotoGP and Moto2. Working alongside Razlan and his team, we aim to enhance our portfolio by focusing on growing the value of the team. I love challenges and I’m very happy to be part of this new challenge.”
Ovidiu Toma, Co-founder and CEO of CryptoDATA Tech
“Sito Pons’ decision to join hands with CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team embodies our commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we’ll find new ways to achieve great performance off-track.”
Bogdan Mărunțiș, Co-founder and Head of Global Strategy of CryptoDATA Tech
“Sito Pons brings a wealth of experience and strategic prowess that aligns with our growth trajectory. This partnership marks a significant step towards our vision of pushing boundaries in MotoGP. There’s much to achieve, and we look forward to the journey ahead.”
