MotoGP: Rins Quickest On Day Two Of Shakedown

Michael Gougis

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February 1, 2025

MotoGP: Rins Quickest On Day Two Of Shakedown

After their team launch on Friday night, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rolled out on track at the Shakedown on Saturday – and they immediately made an impact. Yamaha, thanks to their concessions, are able to field all their race riders. As the factory welcomes two more bikes to the grid this year, that means Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira can join Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo on track. So they did.

Aleix Espargaro made his Shakedown debut as well, joining fellow Honda HRC development rider Takaaki Nakagami on track. Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro were back out for KTM too, as were Michele Pirro for Ducati and Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia.

In terms of novelties, two bigger things caught the eye: updated tail units spotted at KTM and Honda.

In terms of times at the top, Rins was fastest with a 1:58.745, with Red Bull KTM test rider Pol Espargaro in hot pursuit just 0.003 off. Quartararo was third, 0.064 behind Pol Espargaro. Impressively, two of the three 2025 rookies made it into the 1:58 club too.

2024 Moto2™ champion Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and fellow debutant Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing MotoGP) impressed on Day 1, and Day 2 maybe even more so. The Japanese rider did a 1:58 on his Aprilia and the Spaniard was only 0.016 behind on his Ducati. The two were the final members of the 1:58 club on Saturday.

Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU LCR Honda) started his 2025 on Day 2, having not headed out on Friday. He was further towards the back of the field but for his first time on the track on a MotoGP bike, that’s to be expected as he looks to get up to speed!

Join us for more on Sunday as the final day of Shakedown action gets underway.

Yamaha Unveils MotoGP, Moto2 Plans For 2025 And Beyond

Michael Gougis

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January 31, 2025

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Yamaha Unveils MotoGP, Moto2 Plans For 2025 And Beyond

Today, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) and Yamaha Motor Racing Srl (YMR) used the grand occasion of the 2025 Yamaha MotoGP Launch Event to proudly present their new MotoGP strategic model, which entails a closer work relationship between the Japan-based Yamaha headquarters and the Italy-based MotoGP dedicated company.

The 2025 mid-term plan underlines the importance of ‘joint leadership’ and global talents to make sure that the best resources are available while tackling challenges and opportunities with Yamaha’s ‘Spirit of Challenge’ mindset. The mid-term plan is designed to further aid bike development, nurture talent, and finally strengthen Yamaha’s performance in MotoGP thanks to increased synergies between all involved parties, creating a shared ‘Blue Shift’ vision.

Looking forward, Yamaha Motor Company’s Motor Sports Division and Yamaha Motor Racing will share the responsibility of Yamaha’s MotoGP Project, including technical development, thus enhancing their synergies to secure a closer work relationship between the two entities. The strategy also warrants a strong collaboration between Yamaha and new addition and key player Pramac Racing.

The ’joint-leadership‘ key value is reflected in Yamaha Motor Racing’s organisational structure: in 2025, President Takahiro Sumi and Managing Director Paolo Pavesio will be at the helm of Yamaha Motor Racing. On the Track Operations side, Sumi-san and Pavesio will be overseeing the work of Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, who in turn will be working closely together with Technical Director Max Bartolini and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director Maio Meregalli.

On the Support side, carried out at the Gerno di Lesmo headquarters, Paolo Pavesio will be leading Sport Manager Maio Meregalli, Engineering Manager Michele Gadda, and Marketing and Communications Manager William Favero, with the valuable support of Senior Advisor Lin Jarvis.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team is again represented by Team Director Maio Meregalli and riders Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins, while the equipe introduces Paolo Pavesio as their new Team Principal this year.

Team Principal Paolo Campinoti and Team Director Gino Borsoi will be managing the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team, with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira in their rider line-up. The team and riders will have factory status and can count on Yamaha Motor Company’s and Yamaha Motor Racing’s full support. This second Factory team will also be sharing data and working closely together with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team to boost data gathering and YZR-M1 bike development.

Additionally, Yamaha and Pramac will debut a Moto2 team: the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Team. The introduction of BLU CRU to the MotoGP paddock is a crucial final part in Yamaha’s BLU CRU talent development programme. BLU CRU is the foundation of Yamaha’s racing pyramid, which is designed to cultivate the next generation of young riding talent in both road and off-road racing, with the premier classes in MotoGP, WorldSBK, and MXGP as its destination.

By entering the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Team into the MotoGP intermediate class, the BLU CRU programme tops off the step-up strategy for hundreds of Yamaha riders, who can now aspire to the intermediate class of the MotoGP World Championship.

The new Moto2 squad is led by Team Principal Paolo Campinoti, Team Director Gino Borsoi, and Team Manager Alex De Angelis, who will steer riders Tony Arbolino and Izan Guevara.

The six Yamaha MotoGP and Moto2 riders (Fabio Quartararo, Álex Rins, Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira, Tony Arbolino, and Izan Guevara) are all directly signed by Yamaha Motor Company as factory riders.

The two MotoGP teams will occasionally be joined on track by the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team, composed of Team Manager Kazutoshi Seki and riders Augusto Fernandez and Cal Crutchlow. However, as Crutchlow is currently unfit to perform his testing duties, the Test Team will have Andrea Dovizioso offering his expert experience and services to help with the YZR-M1 development.

To express the connection between the two Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP teams, the bikes’ liveries and the team logo designs have been aligned to visualize a shared Yamaha brand identity and reflect the cooperation and harmony between the companies, teams, and riders.

The BLU CRU programme and its objectives and values lie at the heart of the new Moto2 team, therefore BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 required individual aesthetics and visual identity, including the new BLU CRU logo.

“Yamaha Motor Company has always been fully dedicated to its racing projects. Just a few days after the company was founded in 1955, a Yamaha motorcycle was entered in the third Mount Fuji Ascent Race and won. 1961 saw our first entry in a Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, and our first GP win was sealed in 1963. Yamaha has remained a key player in world-class road racing ever since.

“However, after we won the Title in 2021, the MotoGP championship’s competition level evolved quite quickly, and we have found it necessary to adapt and innovate. Yamaha is a global company with its roots in Japan, but over the course of the last year, we have understood that to win in a global challenge like MotoGP you need to leverage your talents wherever they are. We now have a more diverse team: we’re mixing Japanese and European talent to create a stronger package to bring us back to where we should be. We have different people working together based on shared values. We call it ‘joint-leadership’.

“In 2024, Yamaha has accelerated bike development, and for 2025 Yamaha has expanded its MotoGP programme even more through the addition of a new partner, Pramac. With our new mid-term strategy focused on development and fielding three factory teams in two classes, 2025 will be a very exciting year for Yamaha.

“2025 is also a historically significant year for us: on the 1st of July, we celebrate our 70th anniversary. It is an important milestone. The festivities that we have planned are still under embargo, but the fans can definitely expect us to pay homage to our extensive racing heritage, since it is also in our past that we find the energy and motivation to relaunch our challenge for the future.

“Yamaha has accomplished many successes and shown adaptability over the course of its journey so far. We will keep pushing the limits as much as we did when the company first started, and we look forward to sharing more and more good memories with MotoGP fans.”

— Takahiro Sumi, General Manager, Motor Sports Development Division

“Our goal is clear: Yamaha want to be back on top – just like everyone, be it in racing or business – but what sets us apart is how we’ve chosen to get there. Our strategy is rooted in ‘joint leadership’ – an approach that leverages the diversity we have within our global teams in Japan and Italy. Our commitment to be back on top of MotoGP brought us, naturally, to implement a new working model that does not move MotoGP to Italy but instead lets the best European resources work together with the best Japanese resources.

“In 2025 we will have two Yamaha Factory Racing Teams in MotoGP working closely together. We didn’t just need ‘a second team’, we needed ‘the best team’: our new partner Pramac Racing.

“The Yamaha-Pramac set-up is different: Pramac is not a satellite team, instead they are a ‘partner’ whose contribution is crucial to achieving our shared objectives. Pramac is fully committed to being a key player in Yamaha’s comeback to the top in MotoGP, and we believe they will help us to speed up the process.

“YMR’s and YMC’s shared values: teamwork, the ‘Spirit of Challenge’, and our passion for motorsports drive us towards a shared target – to provide the best possible package to our two factory MotoGP teams and four factory riders, giving them the tools to fight for the victory as soon as possible. There was no better way to express this new relationship than to design a logo that visually represents the association between those involved in the MotoGP Project.

“Yamaha is also pleased to present a new team in the intermediate class: the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team. This is a corporate project of great importance because it not only strengthens Yamaha’s presence in the MotoGP paddock, but beyond that, the BLU CRU concept is now officially incorporated in Yamaha’s MotoGP operations.

“The BLU CRU programme has come to full fruition. Young talent now know they can aspire to the intermediate class of the MotoGP World Championship based on their talent and racing results in whatever level of championship they participate in, be it world, continental or national.”

— Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

“In every person‘s or company‘s life, there comes a time to take a new path in search of fresh challenges and inspiration. For us, that moment begins now, with the birth of the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team. This marks the beginning of our journey as a second Factory Team for a manufacturer that has made the history of our sport, as we prepare to face the upcoming seasons of the MotoGP World Championship.

“Being selected as a partner by Yamaha is the confirmation of the hard work our team has put in over the past few seasons. We‘ve grown from a junior team into one capable of competing for and winning world titles. Four consecutive years as the best independent team, and most notably, the 2023 MotoGP Team World Championship and the 2024 MotoGP Riders World Championship, are testament to our abilities and professionalism. These successes now position us for an even higher status as we enter the 2025 season.

“Yamaha is demonstrating a strong commitment to returning to the top of motorcycling, as evidenced by the improved performance in the final races of the last World Championship. The opportunity to double our efforts on the track will help us close the gap more quickly. The deep and open collaboration at every level, along with the shared vision we‘ve started to develop in these early weeks, fills me with optimism for the future.”

— Paolo Campinoti, Team Principal, Pramac Racing

MV Agusta Formalizes Separation From KTM

Michael Gougis

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January 31, 2025

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MV Agusta Formalizes Separation From KTM

MV Agusta confirms that Art of Mobility S.A., a company controlled by the Sardarov family, will regain full control of the MV Agusta Group, officially marking its separation from KTM.

After a successful year for MV Agusta, the financial situation recently unfolded at PIERER Mobility AG could have significantly impacted the Schiranna brand’s operations. This strategic agreement ensures that MV Agusta remains completely uninvolved in KTM’s ongoing financial restructuring process, allowing the company to continue its positive growth path. Over the past 18 months, MV Agusta has strengthened its financial stability under a fully revitalised management team. In 2024, the company sold 4,000 motorcycles, achieving an annual growth rate of 116% compared to 2023, with last year’s total sales already matched by July. 2024 also marked MV Agusta’s best year ever in parts sales, with a 99% availability rate covering models produced up to seven years ago.

With this move, the company also aims to safeguard its valued network of suppliers and dealers, shielding them from any potential financial disruptions, keeping them from being affected by KTM’s restructuring process, reinforcing MV Agusta’s stability and commitment to its stakeholders.

As for MV Agusta’s global sales network, all 219 active sales points, including 41 service points, will continue business as usual, with the total number expected to reach 270 this year. Additionally, 20 non-European importers are already part of the distribution network. MV Agusta’s business partners have played a crucial role in the company’s 2024 achievements, and they will continue to be key contributors to the brand’s future growth.

The company has everything in place to continue its positive expansion and to keep delivering on its commitments. MV Agusta’s operations remain fully independent, with Varese proudly continuing to serve as the central hub for all key activities, including product development, production, sales, marketing, and after-sales services. The development of next generation of motorcycles is progressing as planned, paving the way for a renewed, innovative, exclusive range and as always focused on celebrating its famous claim ‘Motorcycle Art’.

Timur Sardarov – CEO of Art of Mobility S.A.: “This is a moment of pride for all of us at MV Agusta. Regaining full control of the company means we are now stronger and more focused than ever on delivering excellence. Over the past two years, the company has significantly strengthened its processes, systems, and workforce. These structural changes are the foundation of the extraordinary results achieved in 2024 and will continue to drive our success in the years to come. I have full confidence in our leadership team, whose vision, combined with the dedication and professionalism of our renewed dealer network, will take MV Agusta to new heights. My commitment, and that of my family, is to be a vital force for the Varese team, the region, and all our partners.”

KYT Americas Raises $2,100 For Action Fund

Michael Gougis

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January 31, 2025

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KYT Americas Raises $2,100 For Action Fund

KYT Americas is proud to announce the success of its recent Black Friday initiative, which raised and donated over $2,100 to the ROADRACING WORLD Action Fund. This non-profit organization has been instrumental in improving rider safety and reducing injuries on racetracks through Airfence systems since 2001.

As a company founded by riders and racers, KYT Americas shares a deep passion for the two-wheel community and understands the critical importance of safety in motorsports.

“I’ve competed in some of the most challenging races around the world, including the Isle of Man, The Northwest 200, and Macau,” said Brandon Cretu from KYT Helmets. “These experiences have underscored how dangerous racing can be. John Ulrich and the ROADRACING WORLD Action Fund’s incredible work has significantly improved racer safety for nearly 25 years. For our part, KYT Americas is committed to supporting the racing community that has embraced our products. Through ongoing promotions and initiatives, the company aims to give back to the riders and racers who trust KYT for safety and performance.”

MotoGP: Espargaro Fastest On Shakedown Day One

Michael Gougis

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January 31, 2025

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MotoGP: Espargaro Fastest On Shakedown Day One

The Shakedown is underway and Friday welcomed a mix of new faces and veteran test riders to the track in Malaysia. From MotoGP Legends Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso to headline-grabbing performance from rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), it was an intriguing return to action for MotoGP.

The Shakedown, which is for factory test riders and rookies, also allows manufacturers with concessions to field their race riders. For Friday though, Red Bull KTM test rider Pol Espargaro was fastest, ahead of a stunner from Ogura with a 1:59.862 as his best. Honda HRC development rider Takaaki Nakagami completed the top three, with Dani Pedrosa slotting into fourth having led for much of the day for Red Bull KTM.

The fastest rookie – and second overall – was Ogura, but the Japanese rider was actually only a couple of tenths clear of Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing MotoGP) as the Spaniard gets to grips with his Ducati GP24. He slotted in behind Pedrosa. Thai rider Somkiat Chantra didn’t head out to actually ride his new MotoGP machine at IDEMITSU LCR Honda on Friday, taking it as a prep day before he’ll roll out tomorrow.

As well as Pol Espargaro and Pedrosa at KTM and Nakagami’s first outing in his new role with Honda, Dovizioso was out for Yamaha, putting three machines through their paces. Ducati were repped by longtime test rider Michele Pirro and Aprilia by Lorenzo Savadori. The latter took every Aprilia on site for a spin, truly shaking them down on Day 1.

Saturday brings the anticipated arrival of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, and Prima Pramac Yamaha’s new line-up of Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller. They were in the centre of Kuala Lumpur on Friday presenting their new colours for 2025, but are expected on track on Saturday.

We’re also waiting to see when more of the Honda contingent might head out, including newly arrived test rider Aleix Espargaro. Honda HRC race riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini are in Jakarta at the moment, preparing to take the covers off their 2025 machines in their team presentation tomorrow.

MotoAmerica: SC Project Title Sponsor For Twins Cup

Michael Gougis

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January 30, 2025

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MotoAmerica: SC Project Title Sponsor For Twins Cup

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that SC-Project, a high-performance Italian exhaust manufacturer, is now the title sponsor of the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, since 2006, SC-Project manufactures exhaust systems for 18 different motorcycle companies from Aprilia to Harley-Davidson and virtually every brand in between.

“With multiple MotoAmerica Championships secured by teams using SC-Project exhausts, we wanted to show increased support for the MotoAmerica organization,” said Nate Seyer, of SC-Project’s North American division. “We are grateful for the amazing job that MotoAmerica has done to nurture American motorcycle racing. Racing is a universal language that knows no boundaries, and we feel this partnership can do great things to benefit the motorcycle racing community.”

With the simple goal of producing high-quality exhaust systems, SC-Project’s hand-made systems have been racing and winning around the world – from the Dakar Rally to MotoGP.

“We welcome SC-Project as the title sponsor for MotoAmerica’s Twins Cup class,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “SC-Project’s exhaust systems are a popular choice among many of the race teams in our paddock. They have a proven record of success around the globe with a high-quality product made 100 percent in Italy. The SC-Project Twins Cup promises to once again deliver some of our closest competition, and we look forward to the first round at Daytona, March 6-8.”

2025 SC-Project Twins Cup Series

March 6-8 Daytona Int’l Speedway | Daytona Beach, FL

April 4-6 Barber Motorsports Park | Birmingham, AL

June 27-29 Ridge Motorsports Park | Shelton, WA

July 11-13 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | Monterey, CA

Aug. 1-3 VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, VA

Sept. 26-28 New Jersey Motorsports Park | Millville, NJ

World Endurance: Dunlop Sole Supplier For Production World Trophy

Michael Gougis

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January 30, 2025

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World Endurance: Dunlop Sole Supplier For Production World Trophy

The long-term partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports, promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship, and tyre manufacturer Dunlop is continuing – and expanding.

From 2025, Dunlop will become the exclusive tyre supplier to the all-new FIM Production World Trophy, the first step on the EWC’s pathway to the top of endurance racing.

As a result, Dunlop will provide its tyres, expertise and support to every team competing in the new FIM Production World Trophy and the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup, which it has supplied on an exclusive basis since 2022.

Dunlop will also continue to work with teams fighting for the overall victory in the Formula EWC category, which remains an open tyre competition. Meanwhile, the commercial partnership between WBD Sports and Dunlop, which began in 2016, continues on a multi-year basis.

Since becoming the exclusive Superstock tyre supplier in 2022, the category has grown each year with lap times decreasing and the quality of racing constantly improving. Five teams entered the 2024 season finale in contention for the title, underlining the sheer competitiveness of this class.

This has created space for the new entry level FIM Production World Trophy. Competitors will be on track at the same time as the Formula EWC and Superstock riders. They will race 1000cc motorcycles that closely resemble their roadgoing counterparts but with only basic modifications allowed to limit running costs and ensure the new class is accessible both financially and in performance terms.

As the exclusive tyre supplier, Dunlop will share its expertise with every team in the new category and give them access to the same range of Dunlop KR racing slicks as their counterparts in Superstock.

Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Events Director, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports: “Having supplied the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup on an exclusive basis since 2022 to a very high standard, we know we can count on Dunlop as a tried and tested partner. It was therefore an obvious step to expand our alliance with Dunlop for it to become the exclusive tyre supplier to the all-new FIM Production World Trophy, a very exciting addition to the EWC Pyramid from 2025. Furthermore, we are delighted to be extending our multi-year commercial partnership with Dunlop, which began in 2016 and has helped to strengthen the EWC year on year.”

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We’re delighted to continue and expand our partnership with the FIM Endurance World Championship. Working with Warner Bros Discovery Sports as one of the championship’s Official Partners, we’re excited to introduce the Production World Trophy in order to allow more teams to compete in an accessible and rewarding environment and create an even more thrilling spectacle for fans with bigger grids and more action.”

The 2025 EWC season gets under way with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in France from 17-20 April. It continues with the 8 Hours of Spa Motos (6-7 June), 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race (1-3 August) and the Circuit Paul Ricard, France-based Bol d’Or 24-hour finale (18-21 September).

MotoAmerica: Gillim, Landers On Vance & Hines Baggers In 2025

Michael Gougis

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January 30, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Gillim, Landers On Vance & Hines Baggers In 2025

Vance & Hines Motorsports is excited to announce that former MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim and teammate Rocco Landers will return to lead the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team for the 2025 season.

Gillim, who clinched the 2023 championship with a dominant performance, will once again pilot the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide in his pursuit of a second King of the Baggers title. His consistency and determination saw him finish the 2024 season with three victories and 10 podiums, and he remains a cornerstone of the team’s success.

“Racing with the Vance & Hines Motorsports team is like being with family,” Gillim said. “The hard work everyone puts in shows in our results. The competition in the King of the Baggers class is getting stronger every year, but I know we have what it takes to stay on top. Daytona can’t come soon enough!”

Rocco Landers, who impressed in his 2024 debut season in the King of the Baggers series with two wins and seven podiums, will return to the team alongside Gillim. Landers brings youth and energy to the grid and is looking to build on his success from last year. Riding the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide, he aims to solidify himself as one of the top riders in the class while balancing his transition to the MotoAmerica Stock1000 class.

“Getting back on the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson for another year is a dream come true,” Landers said. “I learned so much in my first season, and with Hayden as a teammate and mentor, I’ve been able to develop my skills on the Bagger. I can’t wait to push even harder this season and aim for more wins. Let’s get to work!”

Terry Vance, owner of Vance & Hines Motorsports, expressed excitement for the 2025 season: “Having both Hayden and Rocco back on the team is a huge win for us. Hayden is a proven champion and the anchor of our King of the Baggers program, while Rocco brings incredible talent and a fresh perspective. With RevZilla, Motul, and Harley-Davidson behind us, we’re looking forward to another fantastic year.”

The 2025 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 6-8.

MotoAmerica: Suzuki Fielding Landers In Stock 1000, Chapin In Twins (Updated)

Michael Gougis

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January 30, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Suzuki Fielding Landers In Stock 1000, Chapin In Twins (Updated)

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC reaffirms its commitment to professional road racing with the announcement of two exceptional riders set to compete in the 2025 MotoAmerica season. Multi-time champion Rocco Landers and rising star Matthew Chapin will showcase their talents aboard Suzuki machinery in the highly competitive Stock 1000 and Twins Cup classes, respectively.

Rocco Landers is set to pilot the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-R1000R as he takes the next step in his racing career.

Three-time MotoAmerica Champion Rocco Landers is set to step up to the Stock 1000 class in 2025, piloting the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Landers has consistently proven himself as one of the most versatile and accomplished riders in the MotoAmerica paddock, amassing 54 career wins and 81 podiums across multiple classes, including Junior Cup, Twins Cup, Supersport, and King of the Baggers.

Following an impressive 2024 season, where he took the all-new GSX-8R to second overall in the Twins Cup Championship with four national event wins, Landers is eager to take on the challenge of Stock 1000 competition.

“I’m incredibly excited to step up to the Stock 1000 class with Vance & Hines Motorsports,” said Landers. “The Suzuki GSX-R1000R is an amazing machine, and I’m confident in the team around me. This is an important step in my career, and I’m ready to give it my all. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can accomplish in 2025.”

Matthew Chapin. Photo courtesy Vance & Hines/Suzuki.

Defending MotoAmerica Junior Cup National Champion Matthew Chapin will make his debut in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup aboard the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R. Chapin’s dominance in the 2024 Junior Cup season, where he secured seven wins and nine podiums, has established him as one of the brightest young talents in American road racing. As he transitions to the Twins Cup, he will bring his race-winning pedigree and relentless determination to this fiercely competitive category.

“I’m beyond excited to join Vance & Hines Motorsports and take on this new challenge in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup,” said Chapin. “I know the competition will be tough, but I’m ready to push myself, learn, and give it everything I have. I can’t wait to start testing and prepare for Daytona.”

Terry Vance, owner of Vance & Hines Motorsports, shared his excitement about the team’s 2025 lineup:

“We have always been committed to developing young talent, and both Matthew and Rocco have proven themselves as top competitors. Watching Matthew’s performance in the Junior Cup, we knew he had what it takes to succeed at the next level, and we’re excited to see him step up to the Twins Cup. Rocco has consistently shown his ability to win across multiple classes, and we have no doubt he will be a force in Stock 1000. The Suzuki GSX-R1000R is a proven championship-winning platform, and with Rocco’s talent and work ethic, we expect to see great results this season.”

Suzuki Motor USA remains dedicated to racing excellence and the continued development of elite riders through its collaboration with Vance & Hines Motorsports. With Chapin and Landers leading the charge in their respective classes, Suzuki is poised for an exciting and competitive 2025 MotoAmerica season.

More, from a press release issued by Vance & Hines Motorsports:

Rocco Landers Set to Tackle Stock1000 Class in 2025 MotoAmerica Season

Vance & Hines Motorsports is proud to announce that three-time MotoAmerica Champion Rocco Landers will step up to the Stock1000 class for the 2025 season, riding the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team’s 2025 Suzuki GSX-R1000R.

Rocco’s impressive career trajectory has seen him excel across multiple MotoAmerica classes, including a standout performance in the 2024 season, where he earned four national event wins in the Twins Cup Championship and finished 2nd overall aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R. With 54 career wins and 81 podiums across MotoAmerica’s Junior Cup, Twins Cup, Supersport, and King of the Baggers classes, Rocco is eager to bring his talent and determination to one of the most competitive series in the MotoAmerica lineup.

“I’m incredibly excited to make the jump to the Stock1000 class with Vance & Hines Motorsports,” said Landers. “The Suzuki GSX-R1000R is an incredible machine, and the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team has given me everything I need to be competitive. This is a big step forward in my career, and I’m ready to give it my all. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve in 2025.”

Rocco’s promotion to Stock1000 comes on the heels of his success in the Twins Cup, where he was a consistent race winner and brought excitement to the grid. Known for his fearless riding style and vibrant personality, Landers is expected to make an immediate impact in the Stock1000 class.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Rocco to take this next step,” said Terry Vance, owner of Vance & Hines Motorsports. “He’s proven time and again that he’s a winner, and we believe the Stock1000 class will give him the opportunity to show just how far his talent can take him. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 R is a powerhouse, and with Rocco’s skills and determination, Vance & Hines Motorsports expects great results.”

The 2025 MotoAmerica Stock1000 season kicks off at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Atlanta, May 2-4.

Chapin Set to Lead Vance & Hines Motorsports in MotoAmerica Twins Cup

Vance & Hines Motorsports is excited to announce that Matthew Chapin will race for the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R in the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season—a machine that has proven to be a strong contender in this highly competitive class.

Chapin, an honor roll student and the reigning MotoAmerica Junior Cup National Champion, brings an impressive racing pedigree to the team. In 2024, Chapin dominated the Junior Cup with 7 wins and 9 podiums, showcasing his consistency, discipline, and raw talent. His progression through the ranks has been nothing short of remarkable, and the Vance & Hines Motorsports team is excited to support his continued growth as he steps up to the Twins Cup.

“I’m beyond excited to join Vance & Hines Motorsports and take on this new challenge in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup,” said Chapin. “I’ve been watching this series closely, and I know the competition is fierce, but I’m ready to learn, adapt, and give it everything I’ve got. I can’t wait to start testing and prepare for Daytona.”

Terry Vance, owner of Vance & Hines Motorsports. “We’re excited to bring Matthew into the fold. We love young talent and after watching his performance in the Junior Cup Series, we’re looking forward to seeing what he can achieve in the Twins Cup. This season is shaping up to be a memorable one for Vance & Hines Motorsports.”

The 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 6-8.

MotoGP: KTM Unveils 2025 Livery; “We Are Here To Race”

Michael Gougis

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January 30, 2025

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MotoGP: KTM Unveils 2025 Livery; “We Are Here To Race”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 have revealed the 2025 KTM RC16s for the manufacturer’s ninth year in the series and will enter the fray with its strongest line-up to-date.

KTM are aiming to boost their figures of seven GP wins and two Sprint wins. They will be represented by Italian, Spanish and South African talent in 2025. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 will boast talent that have secured five world championships and a total of 72 wins across the categories. All four riders have won in Grand Prix.

The KTM GP Academy will continue to develop and help young racers making their way through the ranks from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup to Moto3™, Moto2™ and to the premier class of MotoGP.

Brad Binder (29, from Potchefstroom with 17 wins, 2 in MotoGP) and Pedro Acosta (20, from Murcia with 16 wins) will team-up for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Enea Bastianini (27, from Rimini with 13 wins, 7 in MotoGP) Maverick Viñales (30, from Roses with 26 wins, 10 in MotoGP) are the charges for Red Bull KTM Tech3 this year and all 22 rounds of the championship that will visit 18 countries.

Binder approaches his sixth campaign in MotoGP and has classified in the top six for the previous four seasons in a row and in the top five for the last two. 2025 will be his sixth as part of the Red Bull KTM crew in MotoGP. The South African will be joined by Pedro Acosta, the youngest rider on the grid, for his second term and after an impressive rookie year in 2024 where he finished 6th in the championship and with five podium results. Like Binder, Acosta has sailed through the Grand Prix ‘pyramid’ in Red Bull colors and through the KTM GP Academy at every step.

Bastianini and Viñales are new recruits for the family but bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and potential into the camp. Bastianini stood on the box nine times (twice from the top step) last season as he finished P4 in the standings. The Italian has grabbed a podium trophy at least once in all four of his years in the MotoGP class so far. Viñales has enormous pedigree and has toasted success in the premier class with three different manufacturers; the last coming at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in 2024. Maverick was 7th best last year, meaning that KTM will assist four racers from the first seven places in the rankings going into the new contest.

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “It is crazy to think that this is my sixth season in MotoGP already. To be honest 2024 was the year where I probably learnt the most. Coming into 2025 I feel that it has made me a much better rider. My goal for the season is to take what I learnt and make that step forward to fight with the guys at the front. We are not far. We finished 2nd in the Constructors championship so we have one left in front of us. When I see how hard people are working at the factory and how much energy there is behind the scenes it is clear we are going to get there.”

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “For sure, 2024 was a good year, and we still have some goals that we keep in the pocket. I learned how to control a race, and how to adapt to MotoGP. It was a dream come true coming to the factory team after being in Moto3 and Moto2. Also having Brad as a teammate and helping develop the bike will be a very good point. It will help that he has a lot of experience in the class and I think we will make a good match together. The two main important points for 2025 will be the qualifying and then the first few laps of the race. Last year we saw that we had pace to fight for podiums or wins but we were struggling during qualifying. So, these two points will be the most important things to improve during this season.”

Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “I’m very curious for this season.We have to stay calm at the start because it’s important to understand the bike and the team. But I’m motivated and I think that about the third or fourth race we can be competitive. When I tried the bike I understood all the potential and it’s impressive how you can go on the edge of the corner and how the gearbox is faster, it’s so fast. So, yeah, I’m very impressed.”

Maverick Viñales, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “To wear the Red Bull KTM colors feels very good. Since I’ve been a kid I’ve seen them on motocross, on racing…so, it’s a dream team for me. My first thought of the KTM RC16 was: “wow, this is a beast, it’s fast!”. I remember in Montmelo it was very fast, and this is important in the new MotoGP era, as most of the race are the first five-six laps. The first year when you go to a new bike, you need to be always concentrated, always open to new experiences. Every time you go to a new track it’s a completely different experience from the previous years so you have to have an open mentality and be very focused, so my objective is to be focused and to be able to perform at my maximum. The good thing is that as soon as I jump on the KTM it feels like home. It’s a bike that I like, that suits my riding style, entering the corner. So, this is a very important thing.”

Aki Ajo, Team Manager, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “We are enthusiastic about the season ahead of us. We have been working hard during the winter to develop our project and the RC16 to be even faster and better than last season. Our aim is high, but we are prepared to keep working hard, and it is a joy to have such skilled and dedicated people in the project, and in the company. Our motivation is high, and I believe that we have made some important progress to enhance our performance. We have also strong and experienced riders, and we are all very motivated and look forward to the action of the new 2025 season. Thank you to all the staff, partners and the management and all the people at KTM that have shown big support MotoGP project. We are ready to race.”

Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “The wait is finally over, and we are all really excited to launch our 2025 MotoGP season. We are back to Red Bull KTM colours, with two amazing talents, who we are all really thrilled to welcome amongst our ranks. Maverick and Enea are both extremely experienced riders, cumulating between the two of them 17 wins and over 50 podiums in MotoGP, and they will form the strongest line up Tech3 has ever had. We believe they will both be a great fit in our project, and strong assets for the brand. We are thankful to Red Bull KTM for trusting us with two brilliant riders, and we will do everything we can to take the MotoGP project to the next level.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “There have been many questions but we have been clear since the last day of the 2024 season: we are here to race and we are very serious about success in this fantastic championship that spreads motorcycling and motorcycle racing to many corners of the world. 2025 has started strongly for us with the important Dakar victory and also winning in AMA Supercross, now it is a real pleasure to present our MotoGP teams and see our bike ready to race for the ninth year in a row. Competition is such a big part of KTM’s DNA and we are committed. For the coming season and with Brad, Pedro, Enea and Maverick as well as all the experience and knowledge in the pitboxes there is a lot of positivity and adrenaline to get started. This season could be massive for us, and I hope it will be.”

MotoGP: Rins Quickest On Day Two Of Shakedown

February 1, 2025

Rins barcelona gougis DSC_0545 — Alex Rins (42) in testing at Barcelona. Photo by Michael Gougis.

After their team launch on Friday night, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rolled out on track at the Shakedown on Saturday – and they immediately made an impact. Yamaha, thanks to their concessions, are able to field all their race riders. As the factory welcomes two more bikes to the grid this year, that means Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira can join Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo on track. So they did.

Aleix Espargaro made his Shakedown debut as well, joining fellow Honda HRC development rider Takaaki Nakagami on track. Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro were back out for KTM too, as were Michele Pirro for Ducati and Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia.

In terms of novelties, two bigger things caught the eye: updated tail units spotted at KTM and Honda.

In terms of times at the top, Rins was fastest with a 1:58.745, with Red Bull KTM test rider Pol Espargaro in hot pursuit just 0.003 off. Quartararo was third, 0.064 behind Pol Espargaro. Impressively, two of the three 2025 rookies made it into the 1:58 club too.

2024 Moto2™ champion Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and fellow debutant Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing MotoGP) impressed on Day 1, and Day 2 maybe even more so. The Japanese rider did a 1:58 on his Aprilia and the Spaniard was only 0.016 behind on his Ducati. The two were the final members of the 1:58 club on Saturday.

Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU LCR Honda) started his 2025 on Day 2, having not headed out on Friday. He was further towards the back of the field but for his first time on the track on a MotoGP bike, that’s to be expected as he looks to get up to speed!

Join us for more on Sunday as the final day of Shakedown action gets underway.

Yamaha Unveils MotoGP, Moto2 Plans For 2025 And Beyond

January 31, 2025

yamaha blu cru 2025 — From left, Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Izan Guevara and Tony Arbolino. Photo courtesy Yamaha Racing.