DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2023) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, continues its run of three consecutive awe-inspiring Miles with the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, this Saturday, May 27.
The Miles hold a special place in Championship lore, featuring a unique blend of shifting strategies, triple-digit speed, and inch-close racing that makes for one of the most spectacular forms of racing to be found anywhere in motorsport. And since first joining the Progressive AFT tour in 2017, the Red Mile has earned its place amongst the legendary Miles that have helped define the sport for decades.
Despite being a relatively recent addition to Progressive American Flat Track, the Red Mile boasts its own storied history, serving as a famed horse racing facility for nearly a century-and-a-half. It’s since proven to be just as adept at hosting mounts with a hundredfold the initially envisioned horsepower, delivering fantastic competition along with lush accommodations and ideal sightlines.
The Red Mile’s more recent history is tied directly to the development of reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) as one of the sport’s great Milers.
When he took the first Red Mile victory in 2017, Mees had just three prior Mile wins to his name. He comes into this year’s event in Lexington with 24 – including wins at the Red Mile in 2018, 2019, and 2022 – and in need of just one more to equal Bubba Shobert and Bryan Smith for third all time.
However, Mees’ perfect record at the venue was blemished a year ago when he was beaten by Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Mees did get a measure of revenge the next day, however, only after Daniels lost power while leading on the final lap.
Daniels has since emerged as Mees’ primary title rival in 2023, currently boasting a 20-point championship advantage. Their rematch – both in Lexington and in the wake of Mees’ recent win over Daniels at the Sacramento Mile – is obviously the weekend’s lead story, but there is a plethora of riders who could factor for the win.
In fact, it was JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who looked like the odds-on favorite to reign supreme at the Red Mile a year ago before mechanical issues spoiled his chances.
Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) showcased front-running speed in Sacramento despite suffering from some teething issues that negatively impacted his ultimate results. He’ll have a shot at redemption at a track where the KTM Duke sent shockwaves through the paddock when James Rispoli guided a Mission Production Twins-spec Wally Brown Racing-built KTM to the podium, finishing just fractions of a second short of taking the win himself.
Speaking of, Wally Brown Racing will be back in action this weekend with reigning Production Twins champ Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 790 Duke) now at the controls of the developing machine after winning a support class race in Lexington in ‘22.
And then there’s Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), who came up just 0.126 seconds short of stealing the win from Mees last year after Daniels faded from contention.
The list goes on, including a stacked field of independent riders with the potential to battle up front, including Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke), and Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods Indian FTR750).
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
As unpredictable as the premier class promises to be, it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite for the Red Mile Main Event in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event class. That’s no hyperbole considering the season has already seen five different riders representing four teams and three makes stand atop the podium.
The discussion always begins with defending champion and points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). That said, Kopp is still seeking a career-first Mile win, although he did come within 0.053 and 0.111 seconds of snagging one here a year ago.
Instead, the two wins went to Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), adding to American Honda’s remarkable record of Miles success in recent years.
Mischler will be joined in the effort to continue that streak by rolling teammates Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), the pair combining to score a win, three seconds, and a third in the season’s last three Main Events.
Gauthier has since switched allegiances, forming an all-new KTM satellite outfit. He should be considered a favorite nonetheless, as should Kopp’s teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), who was less than two tenths away from a pair of Red Mile wins himself last season.
Estenson Racing Yamaha boasts its own Mile aces in Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), the latter fresh from his maiden victory at the Sacramento Mile.
Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) have each come close to making it four different makes of winners in 2023, and Cose, in particular, was right there in the hunt at Sacramento.
And finally, there’s Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F), the class’ greatest-ever Miler, who teased that form last time out despite doing so without her dedicated Mile motor.
And since it’s Parts Unlimited AFT Singles, there’s always a chance for an emerging rider to step forward and battle it out with the established powers the way Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/3 Bros KTM 450 SX-F) did at Sacramento.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including the Kid Zone featuring two bounce houses, numerous vendors, expansive food and beverage options, live music, extensive motorcycle parking, and a fireworks display following the Mission SuperTwins Main Event.
Fans are also invited to attend the Indian Motorcycle of Lexington Red Mile AFT Celebration Open House on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27, from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The Open House will include the Royal Enfield Demo Truck which be on site and offering demo rides both days. Additionally, a rider meet-and-greet will take place at the dealership on Friday from 4:00pm to 5:00 p.m ET. Afterwards, fans can head over to The Break Room in the Lexington Distillery District for a pre-party that will go until midnight.
General Admission – Standing Room Only tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult) while Reserved Grandstand tickets located along the front straight are $55. Additionally, a limited number of tickets for the Mid-Level Box Seats and Turn 1 Hospitality Suite – VIP Experience – Wait List are still available so act fast.
Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PT).
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
RBoM Racing, based in Raleigh, NC, has been resurrected with some new misfits and, like all things racing, doesn’t seem to be getting any smarter. The purse money up for grabs in the N2/WERA National Endurance Series is way too good to be sitting on the sidelines, so RBoM Racing is dusting off an old Suzuki SV650 and headed to Road Atlanta for round 1 of the series. Giacomo Manera and Ryan Wolfe have been recruited for the riding duties as RBoM Racing looks to take on the seasoned Lightweight teams with this talented pair of young riders.
23-year-old Italian transplant Giacomo Manera, now residing in Greenville, SC, comes from a background of downhill bicycle racing and professional Supermoto racing, both in the US and Italy. With only limited road racing experience under his belt, Manera graduated to Expert status halfway through his 2022 novice season and is looking to build up his road racing resume with some endurance racing seat time.
Ryan Wolfe, an 18-year-old hailing from Mechanicsville, MD, was Giacomo’s archnemesis in 2022 as they battled for race wins on similarly prepared Suzuki SV650s. Although Manera chose to go Expert before the end of the 2022 season, Wolfe completed his Novice season with multiple Regional and National WERA Championships, including several wins at the 2022 WERA Grand National Finals. For 2023, in addition to contesting the N2/WERA National Endurance series, Wolfe is testing the waters in several East Coast MotoAmerica Twins Cup races against some of the best twins riders in the country.
Manera and Wolfe recently completed a successful test at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and should pose a serious threat for the Lightweight class win at Road Atlanta. The VIR test caught the eye of some savvy observers and trackday participants and an incentive-based support deal has been put together to put the pressure on Giacomo and Ryan to finish well. As the motto goes for endurance racing, “plan for the worst, hope for the best.” The RBoM Racing effort is back in full swing in support of the N2/WERA National Endurance series.
RBoM Racing seems to have been around longer than it should have but is still enthusiastic about Lightweight Twins racing. With various levels of support from companies like Kaufman Trailers, Blud Lubricants, DP Brakes, and potentially others, expectations are high and the results will speak for themselves.
N2 Trackdays has a practice/trackday event on Thursday May 25th before the first 4-hour race of the N2/WERA National Endurance series kicks off at 1:00pm Eastern Time on Friday May 26th. The weather forecast could not be better and RBoM Racing expects to take home its share of that free money!
Yamaha and Andrea Locatelli Extend Agreement for Two More Years
Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that Andrea Locatelli will remain with Yamaha until the end of the 2025 season, after agreeing terms with the 26-year-old Italian to extend the existing agreement for two more years.
Currently lying third in the WorldSBK championship standings, and a podium finisher five times already this season, Locatelli first rode for Yamaha back in 2020 when he switched from Moto2 to WorldSSP. An incredible debut season saw the Bergamasco dominate, winning 12 of the 14 races on his way to being crowned FIM Supersport World Champion, with a record breaking 333 points.
The reward for Locatelli was promotion to the WorldSBK class for 2021 where he was quick to make his mark in the official Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team. “Loka” finished an impressive fourth in the championship in his rookie season, during which he also played a vital role in securing both the Team and Manufacturer World Championship Titles.
A more difficult but consistent second season in 2022 saw Loka slip one place to fifth in the championship, but the Italian came out fighting in 2023. Podium finishes at each of the four rounds so far this season sees him currently lying third in the standings with a 33-point advantage over fourth placed Jonathan Rea.
Renewing the agreement with Locatelli for two more years demonstrates Yamaha’s commitment to their unique step-up program and their philosophy of developing in-house talent within the WorldSBK platform.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that we will continue for two more years with Andrea Locatelli, in line with Yamaha’s vision of nurturing talent and forging a long-term relationship with our riders. Our journey with Andrea started in 2020 when he dominated WorldSSP aboard our R6, but his performance in 2021 when we moved him up to WorldSBK was equally impressive, finishing the season fourth and as rookie of the year. We have seen Andrea mature as a rider, continually progressing to the point where he is now one of the strongest in the series. He has shown himself to be capable of making informed technical decisions during testing, while his determination in the short races is matched by his intelligent management of the longer feature races. These are all good signs, and this is what convinced us that, together, we can make further steps and secure even better results in the future. On behalf of Yamaha, but also from me personally, I would like to thank Andrea for the trust he has shown in us.”
Andrea Locatelli: Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team
“My objective was to continue with Yamaha, so I’m very happy to have signed for another two years. One of the best things about Yamaha is the people who believe in me, starting with Eric de Seynes, Paolo Pavesio and Andrea Dosoli, but also Riccardo Tisci and all the engineers and technicians who work so hard to give me the best bike possible. The same is true of the team. Since I arrived in WorldSBK I have enjoyed incredible support from Paul Denning and Andrew Pitt, and everyone involved in the project. All together we have achieved some good results but, more importantly, we have walked side-by-side on a path that has allowed me to feel more and more confident. We still have room for improvement in many areas, but I truly believe that with such a good relationship we will grow stronger together. If consistency is key as they say, then I think that with this extension we’ve laid the groundwork for a bright future.”
JESSE JAMES SHEDDEN WINS BOTH RACES AT ROUND 1 OF THE CIV APRILIA SPORT PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The American had a perfect first round, winning both races in the wet, including a wild race one after a highside and sustaining damage to his bike
ROME, Italy; May 22, 2023 – Jesse James Shedden has firmly established himself in the Italian paddock as a young talent to watch. Coming into round one with only one day of testing at the Vallelunga circuit, Jesse James put his head down and got straight to work.
Conditions were declared wet for both races. During race one, with an 18-second lead, Jesse James highsided with less than half race distance left. After losing a few positions while he collected himself and figured out damage to the bike, he was able to regain first position with two laps remaining and crossed the finish line with his first CIV win.
Race two was less dramatic, but equally impressive as Jesse took his second win. For both race one and race two, Jesse managed the fastest lap times of the race.
Jesse James heads to the Magione circuit for round two with a head start in the championship points.
Jesse James Shedden will continue with sponsors who have supported him during national racing in the U.S., including: Atlas Speed Factory, Fresh n Lean, KYT Helmets, Mithos USA, Dunlop Tires, ASV Inventions, TechSpec Tank Grips, Suspension Matters, Yoshimura R&D, Maxima Racing Oils, Bickle Racing, Produkte Designs, RJR Motorsports, Alpinestars, VNM Sport, Galfer USA, and APX AXN Motorsports Solutions.
Aprilia Sport Production Series Championship Schedule:
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne leaves Alabama with a pair of victories to expand his points lead in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
MARIETTA, Ga. – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne kept his win streak rolling with a masterclass performance in today’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. His perfect score at the second round of the championship also strengthened his title defense, expanding his lead to 24 points. Unfortunately, his teammate Cameron Petersen had a tough race and was unable to finish.
Gagne executed another flying start for a second holeshot on the weekend and then raised the bar with a new track record on Lap 2. The Colorado rider further extended his lead with some consistently fast laps and crossed the line with a commanding victory to sweep the weekend. Gagne’s third-consecutive win of the season gives him a 24-point lead over his rival heading into the third round of the championship.
Lined up on the grid in second, Petersen matched yesterday’s start and slotted into the runner-up spot behind his teammate. Unfortunately, he would lose the rear a few corners later in Turn 5 and had to pull into the pits to repair damage to the bike. His crew worked hard to get him back on track, and he rejoined on Lap 7 but ultimately had to withdraw from the race.
The Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team will do some testing before heading to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for Round 3 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road America on June 2-4.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“Today was an up-and-down day for the team. Jake rode a great race for the win and showed the strength of the Yamaha R1 against the competition. Cam unfortunately made a small mistake on the first lap and tipped over. It was a crash that caused a lot of damage and took time to repair. He rejoined but eventually had to retire from the race. We are now off to a mid-week test and then off to Road America for Round 3. We look forward to seeing our cheesehead fans in Wisconsin.”
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne (1) won both races in Alabama. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Yamaha.
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“Coming into Barber, we knew this was a strong track for the Yamaha, so we wanted to take advantage of that as much as possible. It was a smooth weekend. We made some minor little tweaks, but straight off the truck the bike was working really well. We got another great start today, another holeshot, and even picked up the pace and got another track record. I was surprised by how fast we were able to go this afternoon. We had a little bit more of a comfortable gap up front and brought it home for another win. It was awesome for the team – a double win and a pole – and obviously good for the points. So great work from the team, as always. It’s definitely a good weekend when we get to come away with two wins.”
Cameron Petersen (45). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Yamaha.
Cameron Petersen – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“It was not the way we wanted to end the weekend. It was going well, and I was happy to get second yesterday, but unfortunately I got sucked in a little bit going into Turn 5 and had just a little too much lean angle, and the rear came around. It’s just unfortunate, but if you want to beat Jake, you have to take some risks at the beginning of the race in those first few laps. Honestly, more than anything, I hate letting down the team with all the hard work that they do. We had the potential to go 1-2 again today, so it’s a bummer to end the weekend like that, but at least we don’t have to wait too long to try and bounce back. We’re going to put this one behind us and focus forward from here.”
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).
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC:
RICHIE ESCALANTE PUTS THE GSX-R1000R IN THE TOP FIVE IN RACE 2
Suzuki GSX-R1000R Shines in Alabama in Superbike & Stock 1000 Races
BREA, CA – May 22, 2023 – With the weekend’s MotoAmerica Supersport action already concluded following Saturday’s long race at Barber Motorsports Park, Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer focused solely on its Superbike effort on Sunday. The squad performed well on center stage, with rising star Richie Escalante, in particular, excelling under the spotlight.
Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Superbike
Richie Escalante equaled the best result of his premier-class career after battling for the podium.
Toni Elias continued to gather data and rediscover his championship form in his return to competition.
Stock 1000
Team 4SR Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim dominated the class going two for two in the weekend’s Stock 1000 races.
Richie Escalante (54) shows the competitive strength of the GSX-R1000R with a strong fourth-place finish. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante demonstrated his mammoth potential on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, battling with some of the most decorated Superbike pilots on the planet en route to a fourth-place result. Escalante got away quickly from the second row aboard his factory-backed GSX-R1000R and found himself in fifth following an early incident and resulting back-and-forth action. Escalante scrapped for a podium position early with two former Superbike champions directly in his sights and a former World Superbike pilot right on his heels. Undaunted, he executed a slick switch-back maneuver to grab hold of fourth, a position he wouldn’t relinquish.
After matching his best-ever MotoAmerica Superbike result, Escalante said, “It was an amazing weekend. I got a great start and saw what was going on around me. I knew I had to make a pass as quickly as possible. After that, I was just working on my pace. I’m super happy – my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R was working so well. My crew is working so hard to give me the best bike possible. I’m getting closer and closer to the podium. Now it’s time to keep working. I just want to say thank you to my friends and team and all the people who support me.”
After a tough weekend, Toni Elias (24) caps the weekend off with a valuable top-10 finish. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Former MotoAmerica Superbike champion Toni Elias improved upon his Saturday result, claiming his third top ten in four attempts as he rounds back into his trademark form. The Spaniard had a front-row seat for the four-rider fight for third that involved his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki teammate in the opening stages of the contest before eventually fading to ninth.
“We definitely did better than yesterday. I improved one second with our fastest lap and with our pace in the race,” said Elias. “Our changes this morning helped the traction. Now, I need more feeling and confidence in the front. I think the team has worked hard and I am thankful. We were faster but it wasn’t where we want to be. We will keep fighting.”
Congrats to Hayden Gillim (69) on board the GSX-R1000R for a double win in the Stock 1000 class this weekend. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Meanwhile, the GSX-R1000R proved dominant in the Stock 1000 competition at Barber Motorsports Park, with weekend double-winner Hayden Gillim notching a pair of blowout victories aboard the 4SR Disrupt Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
Suzuki Motor USA will look to capitalize on its surging moment as the series next travels to the ultra-fast Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on June 2-4.
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Race bikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 129 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 346 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport.) The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia USA:
ROCCO LANDERS PILOTS THE APRILIA RS 660 TO PAIR OF CONFIDENT VICTORIES IN MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP RACES AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
LANDERS’ RESULTS PUT TWO RODIO RACING – POWERED BY ROBEM ENGINEERING RIDERS NEAR TOP OF TWINS CUP POINTS STANDINGS
BIRMINGHAM, AL – 22 MAY 2023 – Three-time MotoAmerica class champion Rocco Landers hadn’t raced an Aprilia RS 660 prior to the previous MotoAmerica round at Road Atlanta. The fill-in rider has found immediate success aboard the Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering package that he’s piloted to three wins in four races – including a double victory at this past weekend’s MotoAmerica round at Barber Motorsports Park.
Though Landers’ teammate, Gus Rodio – who was leading the championship standings at the start of the round – endured a challenging weekend, both Landers and Rodio are right near the top of the Twins Cup standings. Rodio’s points lead was large enough that — despite not scoring any points at Barber — he’s just two points behind the current leader. Landers is just 10 points behind Rodio despite not racing or scoring points in the first three contests of the season.
Rocco Landers (97). Photo by Sara Chappell Photo, courtesy Aprilia USA.
This was the second round Landers was filling in for Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering rider Ben Gloddy, who sustained an injury at the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway. Another top Aprilia rider who did not take part in the Barber round was Jody Barry, who was injured in a pre-race crash at the previous round.
The round kicked off with two Aprilia riders on top in Friday morning practice. Rodio paced the field with a time of 1:31.763, while Landers’s best lap was a mere 0.116 seconds off Rodio’s pace. The third Aprilia rider who finished in the top 10 in Friday practice was Unreal Racing’s Daniel Garver, who was the ninth-fastest rider.
Later Friday, Rodio and Landers were again at the top of the time sheets in Qualifying 1, but this time it was Landers at the point. He posted a best lap time of 1:29.946, and Rodio was less than half a second off Landers’ pace. Righteous Racing’s Ray Hofman finished Qualifying 1 in ninth place, giving Aprilia three riders in the top 10 for the session.
Qualifying concluded on Saturday morning with Landers having claimed his second pole position of the season. He improved his best lap time from Qualifying 1 by almost one second when he put in a 1:29.135. Rodio couldn’t improve on his best time from Qualifying 1 and had to settle for third on the starting grid. He missed out on completing an Aprilia 1-2 in qualifying by 0.065 seconds.
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Sara Chappell Photo, courtesy Aprilia USA.
In Saturday afternoon’s Race 1, Landers and Rodio both got off the line well and were running first and third, respectively, as the field entered Turn 1. Rodio quickly moved up to second place in the first few corners, and briefly took the lead from Landers on Lap 2. Landers moved back into first place a few corners later and built a lead as large as about 1.5 seconds by Lap 4. When light rain began to fall on Laps 5 and 6, Landers backed off his pace, which promoted Rodio to the race lead. At the start of Lap 7, Rodio high-sided as he was going through Turn 2, and the raced was quickly red flagged. Though Rodio was able to get his Aprilia back to the pits, MotoAmerica Race Control ruled he was not allowed to take part in the restarted race.
When racing got back underway, Landers got a great start and had moved up from ninth to second by the end of the first lap. Landers then took the lead on Lap 3 of the restarted five-lap race and claimed the win by a margin of 1.148 seconds. Hofman was the other Aprilia rider to finish in the top 10. He crossed the finish line in ninth place.
Sunday’s Race 2 mirrored Race 1 in the results. Landers and Rodio got good starts and were running 1-2 as the field entered Turn 1. The pair broke away from the field, though Landers methodically built a lead of more than a second over Rodio. On Lap 8, Rodio began losing pace, and a pack of three riders caught up to him on Lap 9. Unfortunately, another rider made contact with Rodio at Turn 11, and both riders crashed. Rodio was unable to rejoin the race. Landers managed his lead in the closing laps of the race to claim his second win of the weekend by 5.4 seconds. Hofman scored his second ninth-place finish, and Garver finished 10th to give Aprilia three riders in the top 10.
Of the 41 riders entered in Twins Cup for the Barber round, 19 were registered to race Aprilia RS 660s.
The Twins Cup is not scheduled to participate in the next MotoAmerica round at Road America and will be back in action when the series heads to The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wash., on June 23-25. The championship schedule, competitor information and class rules can be found at https://motoamerica.com/.
More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:
Strong showing from all three riders and another Superbike podium at Barber
Round two of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship saw Tytlers Cycle Racing at the sharp end once again, their three riders Cameron Beaubier, PJ Jacobsen and Corey Alexander all excelling at the undulating technical circuit that is Barber Motorsports Park.
Coming into the event as joint Championship leaders thanks to a win and second place at Road Atlanta all eyes were on former champion Cameron Beaubier. The ‘baby faced assassin‘, as he was nicknamed by MotoAmerica during a social media feature earlier in the weekend, was once again part of the podium fight on both days, finishing fourth in Saturday’s reduced sixteen lap encounter before going one better on Sunday in the twenty-lap race after making some changes overnight.
PJ Jacobsen, who has always gone well at the Alabama venue was also once again at the sharp end. Qualifying strongly on the second row, the #66 raced to a pair of fifths.
Corey Alexander was racing at Barber Motorsports Park for the first time as a full time Superbike rider and he too did a great job throughout the weekend. Ninth and seventh means that like Beaubier, Alexander too has scored points in all four races so far this season.
Heading to round three at Road America in a couple of weeks Tytlers Cycle Racing continue to be in the title fight with the BMW M1000 RR. Cameron Beaubier sits second on points with PJ Jacobsen and Corey Alexander both well inside the top nine.
Cameron Beaubier: “Today could have been better but I am taking the positives. We were pretty set on running the hard rear, but the track temperature had come up a lot right before the race making the soft probably a better choice. We cannot be too hard on ourselves as it is only our second round together and we are learning all the time. We made a step with the bike and myself in warm-up on Sunday morning and I rode good in the race but did not have a great start or first few laps. Nevertheless, I am happy to come home with a podium and taking the positives as I said to round three at Road America where I am confident, we can also be in the fight.”
PJ Jacobsen (99) leads Richie Escalante (54) during MotoAmerica Superbike Race One at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
PJ Jacobsen: “Race one was pretty good. I didn’t make the best start but was able to start moving forward after the first few laps. I felt good, but I was hoping to be closer to the front. We made some changes overnight and I thought race two was going to be better for me, but it wasn’t. The race was put back to the original twenty laps and it was quite difficult, but I gave it my all but couldn’t get to the pace I wanted. We leave Barber with two fifth place finishes which was all I could do and so we head to Road America where will look to move forward.”
Corey Alexander (23). Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
Corey Alexander: “Saturday’s race was another learning curve. We made some big changes for the race which were definitely a step in the right direction, but we made the wrong call on tyres. Overall, I was happy with the consistent race pace, but we need to improve a bit in the early stages. Race two was another small step in the right direction but I struggled with grip early on. Once again, we showed consistent pace and happy to come away with a top seven. I am excited to get to some other tracks on the calendar where I know I will be stronger at, and I am eager to keep progressing. Thanks to the team and everyone supporting me. See you at the next one!”
Mounsey & Dessoy split the spoils as Donington serves up two final corner deciders
The two share the wins and the luck in Round 2, with Belford taking over the points lead
Monday, 22 May 2023
Sullivan Mounsey (Wilson Racing/Maddison Media) is now an R&G British Talent Cup race winner! The first showdown at Donington saw the number 4 come out on top in a final corner classic, pinching the win from Evan Belford (City Lifting/RS Racing) with a perfectly-judged move up the inside at Goddards. Huge drama hit at the same time and place as Harley McCabe (McCabe Racing) high-sided out of contention right at the end of the race, trying to head up the inside of Lucas Brown (Amphibian Scaffolding/SP125 Racing) but overcooking it – leaving Brown unopposed to take fantastic first podium in third.
Ryan Frost (Talentum Motorsport by Azure Notions) took the holeshot before duelling it out with Mounsey, with Belford initially dropping a few positions from pole. Meanwhile Harrison Dessoy (Microlise Cresswell Racing/Eastern Garage Racing) slotted into third, but drama hit on Lap 2 as Frost made contact with Dessoy and the number 55 slid straight off onto the grass, rider ok but left gesticulating from the sidelines. There would be consequences for Frost’s weekend too as he was judged to be at fault, and he was given both a Long Lap for Race 1 and, with penalty points added and that taking his total to six, a back of the grid start for Race 2.
At the front that left a seven-rider group battling it out: Mounsey, Frost, Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing), Belford, McCabe, Brown and Alexander Rowan (Mortimer Racing Victoria House Academy). With Frost serving his penalty, it became a group of six, and by the final five laps it was a group of five as Rowan faded slightly from the podium fight.
It remained a group of five right to the final lap as Mounsey led the way over the line, with Belford then just about muscling his way past. Brown then took a two-for-one at McLeans, demoting both Mounsey and McCabe to take over in second. But Mounsey immediately hit back and tagged onto the rear wheel of Belford, attacking at the Melbourne loop and then two then exiting side-by-side with their elbows out. The number 4 then sliced up the inside into Goddards and pulled up to perfection, heading over the line to take his first win by just over a tenth, with Belford forced to settle for second.
Behind though, there was drama as a final corner highside for McCabe – rider ok – saw him crash out between Brown and Correa. Brown was left free to cross the line for his first podium, but Correa was forced onto the grass on his way to the flag, that seeing him get pipped by both Frost, who had stormed back past Rowan, and Rowan too.
Ollie Walker (Wright Morgan/SP125 Racing) escaped the second group battle to take seventh, ahead of Filip Surowiak (FS75 Racing / FAB Racing), Charlie Huntingford (Opteven Mototechniks) and Josh Bannister (Dunsley Heat Racing) completing the top ten.
After the bad luck of Race 1, Harrison Dessoy hit back on Sunday as the second contest of the weekend likewise went down to the final corner. The number 55 pitched it to perfection as the drama unfolded right behind him, taking his second win of the season as Harley McCabe came through to take second and also reverse his fortunes on Sunday. Evan Belford, after leading down in to the final corner, gathered it back up to take third and another podium, holding on to his lead in the Championship.
Julian Correa took the holeshot from pole, with Belford right on his tail and not waiting long to take over at the front. As ever, however, it was a group fight from the off – with Ryan Frost on a charge from the back of the grid after that penalty and up into P16 at the end of Lap 1.
Correa was able to get back past Belford and Dessoy had made his own impressive leap up the order from 10th on the grid to second, making the initial group Dessoy leading Correa, Race 1 winner Sullivan Mounsey, Belford, Lucas Brown, Alexander Rowan and Ollie Walker.
By Lap 4, Frost was up into the top ten but facing a gap to Charlie Huntingford up ahead, and then another to the group ahead of him. But he was making progress, as was the front group as Walker and Rowan started to lose touch with the top six. Not long after that gap appeared, Frost had caught and passed Huntingford too, up into ninth with the next target on the horizon now that Walker-Rowan duel.
There was no headway into that gap though, and it was a six-rider fight for the win as Mounsey, Dessoy, Belford, Brown, Correa and McCabe tussled it out in the final few laps. Just before the very last lap, however, Brown slid out into the final corner just as Dessoy, Mounsey and Belford made a break for it. At the Melbourne loop Belford then made his move and pulled off a stunning two-for-one, slicing into the lead heading into Goddards.
Just as there had been on Saturday, there was drama on Sunday. Belford headed in too deep, opening the door for Dessoy and Mounsey as both shot through. But Mounsey then suddenly high-sided out of second in a near replay of McCabe’s Race 1 drama, with the number 4 likewise splitting the group.
Dessoy took the win to bounce back from his bad luck on Saturday, with McCabe then able to come through into second as he avoided the aftermath of the Mounsey crash. Belford took third and Correa fourth, with an angry Mounsey left on the sidelines to watch Frost storm through into fifth. Rowan and Walker took sixth and seventh, with Huntingford, Harrison Mackay (Wilson Racing/Super Soco) and Clayton Edmunds (City Lifting/RS Racing) completing the top ten.
That’s it from a dramatic Round 2, with Dessoy bouncing back from bad luck, Belford’s consistency putting him top of the table and Mounsey taking a first win before that late race heartbreak on Sunday. He’ll be keen to bounce back as the R&G British Talent Cup returns next time out at Knockhill… and they’ll also have Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects/RS Racing) back in the chase as the former points lead and double podium finisher returns from ETC duty! Join us for more from the 16th to the 18th of June!
The world’s most exciting motorsport? Audiences agree as key markets show huge growth
Monday, 22 May 2023
On the heels of a record crowd that saw nearly 280,000 fans descend on the French Grand Prix last weekend, the broadcast audience figures are now in for the first quarter of the blockbuster 2023 MotoGP™ season – and they’re just as impressive. With notable growth across many of MotoGP™’s largest markets, the increase in weekend TV audiences is a sizeable 27%.
The Tissot Sprint has landed
The new sporting format is designed to create the best show possible, giving fans more MotoGP™ than ever and adding a new spectacle at every Grand Prix. The audience data so far confirms the success and popularity of the new-look weekend, with audiences increasing by an average of 51% on Saturdays as fans tune in to enjoy both the shootout for pole position and the Sprint.
What’s more, the overall increase in viewership is not solely attributed to the introduction of the Sprint on super Saturday. Viewing figures for the Grand Prix race on Sunday are up by nearly a fifth across key markets, showing the new format is not only garnering its own audience, but also driving interest and viewership for the sport overall.
The fans in the stands
The trend has also continued in the grandstands, with the first part of 2023 marking a notable surge in weekend attendance. On average across the first five races, the available data shows a 40% increase in fans coming to enjoy the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship at the track. Most notably, MotoGP™ also broke its all-time weekend attendance record at the Shark Grand Prix de France as well over a quarter of a million fans flocked through the gates at Le Mans – an achievement befitting the 1000th FIM Grand Prix.
Now the sport is ready to make more history across a tantalising triple-header, getting in gear with Mugello and the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley from the 9th to the 11th of June. Then it’s the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland as the Sachsenring puts more history on the table, before the Motul TT Assen stages a third showdown in three weeks. Tune in for more as the 2023 season continues to break records – on track and off!
Dan Rossomondo, Chief Commercial Officer, Dorna Sports: “We are very excited to reveal these audience increases for the first part of the season. The new weekend format and the introduction of the Tissot Sprint were designed to create a better show across the board, and we are encouraged by the initial performance. These numbers are a fantastic foundation, and we intend to keep building on it.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu to compete for BMW Motorrad Motorsport in WorldSBK from 2024.
Toprak Razgatlioglu will join the BMW Motorrad factory riders family in the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2024.
The 2021 World Champion will compete for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Dr. Markus Schramm: “This is a forward-looking step for our project and a strong commitment of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in World Superbike.”
Marc Bongers: “We are convinced that Toprak will settle into the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family very quickly.”
Munich. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport family in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) will have a new member from next season. From 2024, Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) will join the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK factory squad. The 2021 World Champion will compete on the BMW M 1000 RR of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the coming year. The other rider-team allocations will be announced at a later date.
26-year old Razgatlioglu, has been competing in WorldSBK since 2018. Already in his debut season he has celebrated his first podium finishes. In the 168 WorldSBK races the Turkish rider has contested in his successful career so far, he has notched up 33 wins and a total of 93 podiums. In the 2021 season he celebrated his greatest success to date when he was crowned Superbike World Champion.
“Welcome to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family, Toprak Razgatlioglu,” said Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad. “We are delighted to welcome him to our WorldSBK factory squad from next season on. I am very proud that Toprak has opted to join BMW Motorrad. This is a forward-looking step for our project and a strong commitment of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in World Superbike.”
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Toprak is undoubtedly one of the best riders in the field at the moment, which he proved by winning the 2021 World Championship title. He’s not just a fast motorcycle racer, he’s also a great personality off the track. We are convinced that Toprak will settle into the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family very quickly. We are looking forward to our collaboration and to our future together.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha and Razgatlıoğlu to Part Ways at End of 2023 WorldSBK Season
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
The 2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will leave the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team at the end of the 2023 season as he and Yamaha amicably end their successful four-year relationship together, with the Turkish rider seeking a new challenge for 2024.
Razgatlıoğlu’s potential on two wheels was clear from a young age. He won several national Turkish Motocross Championship titles as a child before being crowned European Superstock 600 Champion on his first attempt in 2015. Moving up to the Superbike World Championship in 2018, he became the first Turkish rider to score a podium and record a win in the class before signing with Yamaha for the 2020 season.
Razgatlıoğlu got his Yamaha career off to a stunning start, winning on his debut at Phillip Island in 2020, before taking two more convincing victories in Estoril at the end of the year on his way to fourth in the championship standings.
The 2021 season bore witness to one of the greatest title battles in WorldSBK history, with Razgatlıoğlu facing off with Jonathan Rea for the world championship crown. Ultimately, the Turkish rider reigned supreme, taking 13 victories, 29 podiums and three pole positions to lift the 2021 Superbike World Championship, ending Rea’s six-year reign as champion and securing Yamaha’s first title in the class since Ben Spies in 2009.
In 2022, the Turkish star was again locked in a fierce championship battle alongside Rea and Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista. Razgatlıoğlu missed out on a second consecutive title but ended the season with more wins (14) than in 2021, as well as 29 podiums, and four pole positions. He also became Yamaha’s most successful rider in WorldSBK history with 30 victories, surpassing the previous record held by Noriyuki Haga.
The 2023 season has seen the Turkish rider show incredible consistency and pace, with the 26-year-old currently second in the overall standings, having secured one victory and ten further podiums in the first 12 races.
However, after four seasons, one world title, 31 race wins, and 47 other appearances on the podium with Yamaha in WorldSBK, Razgatlıoğlu has decided to take on a new challenge in 2024 and will exit the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team at the end of this season. At the same time, both Yamaha and Razgatlıoğlu remain fully committed to fighting for the 2023 WorldSBK title.
Yamaha would like to thank Razgatlıoğlu for his immense contribution to Yamaha’s sporting success in WorldSBK and to take this opportunity to wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We will be sorry to see Toprak leave Yamaha at the end of this season. We wanted to continue what has been an incredibly successful partnership, with the obvious highlight being the triple crown of rider, manufacturer, and team world titles that we won together in 2021. We made what we felt was an offer that properly reflected Toprak’s value as a rider and an ambassador for Yamaha, as well as the competitiveness of our racing package and our racing strategy within the WorldSBK platform. However, as the negotiations progressed it became apparent to both parties that Toprak is motivated to embrace a new challenge in 2024 and we respect his decision. Although our paths will diverge at the end of the year, we are now fully focused on the battle for the 2023 WorldSBK title, which resumes shortly in Misano. Finally, I would like to thank Toprak on behalf of Yamaha but also personally, for his invaluable contribution to our WorldSBK project. His first World Championship title in 2021 was a just reward for him but also for all the people who, since we returned to WorldSBK in 2016, have worked so hard to make this project a success. It is a memory that everyone at Yamaha will cherish. We wish Toprak every success for the future but, for now, we have a job to finish.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team
“I want to say to the whole Yamaha family a very big thank you for the love and respect they have shown me. To win the world championship was my dream when I signed with Yamaha, and we reached that goal together. For next season I feel I need a new challenge and while there was an opportunity in MotoGP, I didn’t feel the same connection with the MotoGP bike that I have with the superbike. But if I am to stay in WorldSBK then I need a new target, a new ambition. I am sorry to leave Yamaha, both the brand and the people, as we have a very good relationship, but change is part of any sport and normal for any professional. So, a big thank you to Yamaha Motor Company, Yamaha Motor Europe, Yamaha Motor Turkiye, the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team and especially to my crew, who have all worked so hard for me.”
Editorial Notes: Canadian Torin Collins, riding his AGR Team KTM, finished 20th in JuniorGP Race One and 15th in Race Two. American Max Toth, riding his MMR Kalex, DNF the sole Moto2 race. American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding his MRE Talent Honda, finished 12th in European Talent Cup Race One but DNF Race Two.
Six of the best… thrilling Round 2 for JuniorGP™ in Valencia with title twists aplenty
From rookie revelations to a new winner at long last and one of the greatest comebacks seen, Sunday delivered the goods in the 2023 Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship paddock
It was a stunning second round of the 2023 Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain. It was a mighty display with first-time winners and rookie revelations headlining throughout a packed day of action. In the JuniorGP™ class, Angel Piqueras (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) finally took victory and doubled up, whilst in the Moto2™ European Championship, honours went to Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Junior Team), making it three from three. In a day of domination, Maximo Quiles (Aspar Junior Team) checked out in both European Talent Cup races in emphatic fashion and Daniel Muñoz (SP57 Racing Team) took a second Stock™ European Championship win of 2023.
Angel Piqueras (18) won both FIM JuniorGP races at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Starting with the JuniorGP™ races, it really was a master vs the apprentice feel, with Race 1 being a battle between the rookie exuberance of Joel Esteban (Aspar Junior Team) from a career-first pole, whilst Angel Piqueras’ seasoned experience saw him right in the mix. Championship leader Nico Carraro (Aspar Junior Team) was right in the mix too but due to exceeding track limits, was forced to take a Long Lap Penalty and the battle for fourth soon became a battle for third. Onto the last lap, Piqueras hit the front at Turn 1 and got ahead of Esteban, who couldn’t retaliate. Piqueras took a first victory of his JuniorGP™ career and thus became the 50th different winner since 2012. Esteban was second, whilst taking a hard-earned podium, Luca Lunetta (AC Racing Team) denied Jacob Roulstone (Aspar Junior Team). On the last lap at Turn 8, a collision between David Almansa (Finetwork Mir Racing Team) saw both end up in the gravel.
After a short delay to Race 2 for a technical fault, the action was back underway and for the majority of the action, it was a five-rider fight with Piqueras, Esteban, Roulstone, Carraro and Elia Bartolini (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0). A technical issue saw Esteban out in the second half of the race as he slowed up on the front straight, with a four-rider group doing battle through to the last lap. Going onto the final 4km of the race, a brave pass saw Piqueras go from third to first at Turn 11, sitting up Roulstone and Carraro ahead of him. Carraro was wide and Bartolini saw an opportunity, but collided with his fellow countryman and both crashed. Piqueras was left to double up whilst Roulstone fought through the drama for a first podium. Alvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing) took a mighty third, with plenty of reason to celebrate on the podium. Eddie O’Shea (British Talent Team) was top talent team rider in sixth, whereas Carraro remounted for 12th. Piqueras is the new Championship leader heading to Jerez.
With just one race on the billing for the Moto2™ ECh, Senna Agius never looked threatened as he once again swept the field away to take a fine victory, his third of the season. In second place after a strong ride and resisting a late challenge from behind, it was a career-best result for Italian star Mattia Rato (AGR Team), who returned his team to the podium and likewise moved up in the Championship standings to second. Completing the podium after a scary start, where he got away much slower than his rivals, Carlos Tatay (Pertamina SAG Racing Team) fought back to finish third, denying Roberto Garcia what would have been a first podium in the category. Elsewhere, Harrison Voight’s (Yamaha Philippines Stylobike Racing Team) front row start wasn’t converted as he had a Long Lap Penalty to serve, then outbraked himself at Turn 8 before crashing out all together at Turn 6; he was thankfully OK. Agius remains the Championship leader with a perfect 75 points achieved.
The ETC races were absolutely electric; in Race 1, one of the greatest comebacks through the field that we’ve ever seen was accomplished, as Maximo Quiles – who was scheduled to start from pole – had to go from 25th on the grid on row nine due to riding slowly in all sectors during qualifying; he also had a Long Lap Penalty to serve. In the early laps, defending title winner Guido Pini (AC Racing Team), Alberto Ferrandez (Finetwork Mir Racing Team), standings leader Brian Uriarte (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Dodo Boggio (Aspar Junior Team) to name all but a few, battled it out in classic ETC fashion, but before half-race distance, it was Quiles who came on through and hit the front at Turn 1, before clearing off into the distance for a stunning first win of 2023. Casey O’Gorman (VisionTrack Racing Team) was in the mix behind, along with Jesus Rios (MRE Talent), but the latter crashed with Ferrandez and O’Gorman at the final corner on the last lap. Pini took second, whilst Rico Salmela (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) came through for P3. Quiles’ win from P25 sets a new record for a win from the lowest grid slot, a record that stood since Matteo Patacca won from P17 in Valencia, 2018.
O’Gorman was out injured in Race 2 as his luckless start to 2023 season continued; going from pole and grabbing the holeshot on his way to a dominant double, Quiles was unrivalled at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit as he made it two wins, with three podiums from the first four races of 2023. The battle was fierce behind though and it was once again a final lap showdown. After looking for P2, Pini had to serve a Long Lap Penalty in the closing stages for exceeding track limits, which saw Uriarte and Ferrandez capitalise to complete the podium. Dodo Boggio (Aspar Junior Team) took fourth, but the day belonged to Quiles, who is the standings leader leaving Valencia by five points over Uriarte.
Concluding the day of action, the Stock™ class. However, there was a red flag on Lap 2 after Daniel Brooks’ (Yamaha GV Stratos) bike expired, leaving his teammate Mihail Florov and Eric Fernandez (FAU55 TEY Racing) on the floor. After a delay as the track was cleared up, a new 12-lap race distance was set and it was a tense stand-off from Estoril winner and polesitter Daniel Muñoz and Fernandez, who remounted his bike and made the restart. Fernandez was quicker in the second half of the lap but it was a strong first half of the lap that gave Muñoz a crucial advantage in the overtaking hotspots, limiting his vulnerability to attack from behind to hold for a second win of the year. Fernandez took second, whilst Dino Iozzo (IUM Motorsports) was a strong third. Muñoz is unbeaten in 2023, thus remains the Championship leader.
You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com
Dumas dominates race two at SMP, stretches out huge title lead
Shannonville, ON – It may only be one round into the five-round Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season, but Alex Dumas cracked the series wide open on Sunday with another victory at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
It was Sam Guerin who grabbed the holeshot for a second day in a row, but Dumas was far less patient his second time following the BMW rider, taking over the lead late on the opening lap. Guerin initially managed to hang with the race one winner, but it was only a matter of time as Dumas stretched out an insurmountable lead, cruising to perhaps the most dominant victory of his GP Bikes Pro Superbike career.
The result turned out even better for the Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki team, as rival and defending champion Ben Young saw his early title hopes unravel beneath him.
After charging through to second on lap four, Young curiously sped into the pit lane, revealing a loose tail-section that the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW mechanics had to rip off the machine. The bodywork issue left him stranded in ninth, facing an impossible comeback as Dumas torched the rest of the field.
Young would manage his way to sixth, but the damage was done as Dumas leaves Shannonville with a comfortable 23-point lead.
“It’s an awesome start to the season. Once I got some clear track, I just wanted to put my head down and stretch out a lead,” Dumas said. “It sucks what happened to Ben, but it’s good for our championship. Now we’re really looking forward to round two.”
Alex Dumas (23) stretched out a big early championship lead on Sunday, winning Race Two comfortably his Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Salvaging BMW’s hopes was Guerin, who redeemed himself from his Saturday crash out of the lead to finish second. It was hardly a straightforward race for the EFC Group BMW rider, however, as he faded back to fourth before returning to second in an epic battle with Jordan Szoke.
The result was long-overdue for Guerin, who stepped back onto the podium for the first time since his rookie season in 2020.
“I thought yesterday was my time, but I ended up on my butt,” he joked. “It was a fun battle with Jordan – hats off to him – but it’s good to be back.”
Szoke was the real hero of the day, fighting through injuries and poor health to score his 118th career podium, and first since returning from the frightening injuries that nearly ended his career.
The LDS Consultants Kawasaki rider – who his team confirmed was close to not racing on Sunday as he recovers from a recent infection and a rare Saturday crash – could barely stand as he mounted the podium, though the 14-time champion was likely uplifted by the (very deserved) praise from the fans for his effort.
“I don’t even know what to say. I only got a few laps in this morning…I’m in a lot of pain, but it feels good to be back up here,” Szoke said. “I saw something happened to Ben, so I was aiming for a podium. It was a good battle with Sam. I thought I could get him in the esses on the last lap, but he held me off.”
Jordan Szoke (101) put his LDS Consultants Kawasaki back on the podium Sunday for the first time since his career-altering injuries in 2022. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Finishing fourth was Trevor Daley, mounting a late comeback on the OneSpeed Suzuki machine as he began to reel in the battle for the final podium places. Daley’s effort was also crucial for Suzuki given the issues for Young, as he helps put the 2021 champions 16 points clear of the reigning winners entering round two.
Completing the top-five was Tomas Casas, who ran as high as third after finishing there on Saturday before arm pump issues relegated him behind the quicker Daley. Still, the pair of top-five finishes will place the Parts Canada Yamaha rider third overall in the championship, the highest he’s ever ranked in his GP Bikes Pro Superbike career.
Young’s comeback to sixth would at least earn him the FAST Riding School Hard Charger Award and a $500 prize, though he was understandably frustrated as he leaves round one with just 34 of a possible 58 points.
“Unfortunately, on the first lap the tail-section came loose, but it was okay for three or four laps so I thought it might be okay,” Young said. “After that it just got too sketchy, and I didn’t want it to affect anyone behind me. I tried to make the gentleman move and just rip it off, but obviously it limited us quite a bit – but the season’s far from over.”
Just behind Young was lBEW BMW’s Jordan Royds, who broke free of a battle with fellow BMW-mounted rider Philip Leckie on the SCM/TanIans machine, the pair finishing seventh and eighth in the final order to put four BMW’s in that group.
Alberta’s Paul Macdonell was the top rookie in ninth, putting his Acme Motorsports Yamaha atop the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year standings and keeping Yamaha ahead of Kawasaki for third in the Constructors Standings.
Full results can be found on the series’ official website.
More, from a press release issued by Ben Young Racing:
The opening round of the Canadian Superbike Championship was a bumpy ride for reigning champion Ben Young in more ways than one. A mixed bag of results after a challenging weekend saw Young leave Shannonville Motorsports Park with points for pole position, a second place, and a hard-fought 6th place finish after being forced to detour through the pit lane to remove a broken tail seat.
After setting a blistering pace during the Superpole session on Friday, Young was poised for a successful weekend. Aboard his Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW M1, Young put in a time of 1:04.749 which no one could come near.
A very rainy Saturday ushered in the first race of the season. Young didn’t feel overly comfortable given the conditions of the rain-soaked track. It’s a long season, and he played a smart race by cruising to a solid 2nd place, gaining valuable championship points.
Ben Young (1). Photo by Damian Pereira, courtesy Ben Young Racing.
A sunnier, albeit cool Sunday started off well for Young who would lead the morning’s practice session, feeling very at home on the BMW M1. After a poor start to race two, Young found himself in 5th position. On the first lap, the fiberglass seat under him collapsed. He fought back to 2nd position, but the seat was completely broken and was unsafe for himself and other riders. He was forced to detour into pit lane, where the team tore the seat off and Young rejoined the race in a distant 9th position. After an extremely uncomfortable ride perched atop the subframe and bike battery, Young still managed to fight back to 6th position.
Of the weekend Young said: “Obviously the weekend didn’t go how we’d planned. The 6th position isn’t ideal for the championship, but it’s better than no points. It’s a long season ahead and hopefully, that’s all the bad luck out the way”.
The next race will be held at Grand Bend Motorplex, Lake Huron, ON on June 8th-11th.
Young’s partners for his 2022 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season include; BMW Motorrad Canada, Van Dolder’s Home Team, Scot-build Developments Inc, Parts Canada, HJC Helmets, Alpinestars, Hindle Exhaust, Clearlite, Primitive Patterns, DP Brakes, alphaRacing, Vass Performance Cycle, Cartier Racing and Bickle Racing.
To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.BenYoungRacing.com, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter and Instagram: @benyoung_86.
Dallas Daniels (32) took the win over Jared Mees (1) and James Rispoli (43) at Red Mile I in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
No Shortage of Contenders in Red Mile Showdown
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2023) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, continues its run of three consecutive awe-inspiring Miles with the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, this Saturday, May 27.
The Miles hold a special place in Championship lore, featuring a unique blend of shifting strategies, triple-digit speed, and inch-close racing that makes for one of the most spectacular forms of racing to be found anywhere in motorsport. And since first joining the Progressive AFT tour in 2017, the Red Mile has earned its place amongst the legendary Miles that have helped define the sport for decades.
Despite being a relatively recent addition to Progressive American Flat Track, the Red Mile boasts its own storied history, serving as a famed horse racing facility for nearly a century-and-a-half. It’s since proven to be just as adept at hosting mounts with a hundredfold the initially envisioned horsepower, delivering fantastic competition along with lush accommodations and ideal sightlines.
The Red Mile’s more recent history is tied directly to the development of reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) as one of the sport’s great Milers.
When he took the first Red Mile victory in 2017, Mees had just three prior Mile wins to his name. He comes into this year’s event in Lexington with 24 – including wins at the Red Mile in 2018, 2019, and 2022 – and in need of just one more to equal Bubba Shobert and Bryan Smith for third all time.
However, Mees’ perfect record at the venue was blemished a year ago when he was beaten by Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Mees did get a measure of revenge the next day, however, only after Daniels lost power while leading on the final lap.
Daniels has since emerged as Mees’ primary title rival in 2023, currently boasting a 20-point championship advantage. Their rematch – both in Lexington and in the wake of Mees’ recent win over Daniels at the Sacramento Mile – is obviously the weekend’s lead story, but there is a plethora of riders who could factor for the win.
In fact, it was JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who looked like the odds-on favorite to reign supreme at the Red Mile a year ago before mechanical issues spoiled his chances.
Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) showcased front-running speed in Sacramento despite suffering from some teething issues that negatively impacted his ultimate results. He’ll have a shot at redemption at a track where the KTM Duke sent shockwaves through the paddock when James Rispoli guided a Mission Production Twins-spec Wally Brown Racing-built KTM to the podium, finishing just fractions of a second short of taking the win himself.
Speaking of, Wally Brown Racing will be back in action this weekend with reigning Production Twins champ Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 790 Duke) now at the controls of the developing machine after winning a support class race in Lexington in ‘22.
And then there’s Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), who came up just 0.126 seconds short of stealing the win from Mees last year after Daniels faded from contention.
The list goes on, including a stacked field of independent riders with the potential to battle up front, including Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke), and Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods Indian FTR750).
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
As unpredictable as the premier class promises to be, it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite for the Red Mile Main Event in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event class. That’s no hyperbole considering the season has already seen five different riders representing four teams and three makes stand atop the podium.
The discussion always begins with defending champion and points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). That said, Kopp is still seeking a career-first Mile win, although he did come within 0.053 and 0.111 seconds of snagging one here a year ago.
Instead, the two wins went to Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), adding to American Honda’s remarkable record of Miles success in recent years.
Mischler will be joined in the effort to continue that streak by rolling teammates Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), the pair combining to score a win, three seconds, and a third in the season’s last three Main Events.
Gauthier has since switched allegiances, forming an all-new KTM satellite outfit. He should be considered a favorite nonetheless, as should Kopp’s teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), who was less than two tenths away from a pair of Red Mile wins himself last season.
Estenson Racing Yamaha boasts its own Mile aces in Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), the latter fresh from his maiden victory at the Sacramento Mile.
Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) have each come close to making it four different makes of winners in 2023, and Cose, in particular, was right there in the hunt at Sacramento.
And finally, there’s Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F), the class’ greatest-ever Miler, who teased that form last time out despite doing so without her dedicated Mile motor.
And since it’s Parts Unlimited AFT Singles, there’s always a chance for an emerging rider to step forward and battle it out with the established powers the way Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/3 Bros KTM 450 SX-F) did at Sacramento.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including the Kid Zone featuring two bounce houses, numerous vendors, expansive food and beverage options, live music, extensive motorcycle parking, and a fireworks display following the Mission SuperTwins Main Event.
Fans are also invited to attend the Indian Motorcycle of Lexington Red Mile AFT Celebration Open House on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27, from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The Open House will include the Royal Enfield Demo Truck which be on site and offering demo rides both days. Additionally, a rider meet-and-greet will take place at the dealership on Friday from 4:00pm to 5:00 p.m ET. Afterwards, fans can head over to The Break Room in the Lexington Distillery District for a pre-party that will go until midnight.
General Admission – Standing Room Only tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult) while Reserved Grandstand tickets located along the front straight are $55. Additionally, a limited number of tickets for the Mid-Level Box Seats and Turn 1 Hospitality Suite – VIP Experience – Wait List are still available so act fast.
Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PT).
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
Ryan Wolfe (69) and Giacomo Manera (621) testing at VIR in preparation for the 2023 N2/WERA National Endurance Series. Photo by Apex Pro Photo, courtesy RBoM Racing.
RBoM Racing, based in Raleigh, NC, has been resurrected with some new misfits and, like all things racing, doesn’t seem to be getting any smarter. The purse money up for grabs in the N2/WERA National Endurance Series is way too good to be sitting on the sidelines, so RBoM Racing is dusting off an old Suzuki SV650 and headed to Road Atlanta for round 1 of the series. Giacomo Manera and Ryan Wolfe have been recruited for the riding duties as RBoM Racing looks to take on the seasoned Lightweight teams with this talented pair of young riders.
23-year-old Italian transplant Giacomo Manera, now residing in Greenville, SC, comes from a background of downhill bicycle racing and professional Supermoto racing, both in the US and Italy. With only limited road racing experience under his belt, Manera graduated to Expert status halfway through his 2022 novice season and is looking to build up his road racing resume with some endurance racing seat time.
Ryan Wolfe, an 18-year-old hailing from Mechanicsville, MD, was Giacomo’s archnemesis in 2022 as they battled for race wins on similarly prepared Suzuki SV650s. Although Manera chose to go Expert before the end of the 2022 season, Wolfe completed his Novice season with multiple Regional and National WERA Championships, including several wins at the 2022 WERA Grand National Finals. For 2023, in addition to contesting the N2/WERA National Endurance series, Wolfe is testing the waters in several East Coast MotoAmerica Twins Cup races against some of the best twins riders in the country.
Manera and Wolfe recently completed a successful test at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and should pose a serious threat for the Lightweight class win at Road Atlanta. The VIR test caught the eye of some savvy observers and trackday participants and an incentive-based support deal has been put together to put the pressure on Giacomo and Ryan to finish well. As the motto goes for endurance racing, “plan for the worst, hope for the best.” The RBoM Racing effort is back in full swing in support of the N2/WERA National Endurance series.
RBoM Racing seems to have been around longer than it should have but is still enthusiastic about Lightweight Twins racing. With various levels of support from companies like Kaufman Trailers, Blud Lubricants, DP Brakes, and potentially others, expectations are high and the results will speak for themselves.
N2 Trackdays has a practice/trackday event on Thursday May 25th before the first 4-hour race of the N2/WERA National Endurance series kicks off at 1:00pm Eastern Time on Friday May 26th. The weather forecast could not be better and RBoM Racing expects to take home its share of that free money!
Yamaha and Andrea Locatelli Extend Agreement for Two More Years
Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that Andrea Locatelli will remain with Yamaha until the end of the 2025 season, after agreeing terms with the 26-year-old Italian to extend the existing agreement for two more years.
Currently lying third in the WorldSBK championship standings, and a podium finisher five times already this season, Locatelli first rode for Yamaha back in 2020 when he switched from Moto2 to WorldSSP. An incredible debut season saw the Bergamasco dominate, winning 12 of the 14 races on his way to being crowned FIM Supersport World Champion, with a record breaking 333 points.
The reward for Locatelli was promotion to the WorldSBK class for 2021 where he was quick to make his mark in the official Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team. “Loka” finished an impressive fourth in the championship in his rookie season, during which he also played a vital role in securing both the Team and Manufacturer World Championship Titles.
A more difficult but consistent second season in 2022 saw Loka slip one place to fifth in the championship, but the Italian came out fighting in 2023. Podium finishes at each of the four rounds so far this season sees him currently lying third in the standings with a 33-point advantage over fourth placed Jonathan Rea.
Renewing the agreement with Locatelli for two more years demonstrates Yamaha’s commitment to their unique step-up program and their philosophy of developing in-house talent within the WorldSBK platform.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that we will continue for two more years with Andrea Locatelli, in line with Yamaha’s vision of nurturing talent and forging a long-term relationship with our riders. Our journey with Andrea started in 2020 when he dominated WorldSSP aboard our R6, but his performance in 2021 when we moved him up to WorldSBK was equally impressive, finishing the season fourth and as rookie of the year. We have seen Andrea mature as a rider, continually progressing to the point where he is now one of the strongest in the series. He has shown himself to be capable of making informed technical decisions during testing, while his determination in the short races is matched by his intelligent management of the longer feature races. These are all good signs, and this is what convinced us that, together, we can make further steps and secure even better results in the future. On behalf of Yamaha, but also from me personally, I would like to thank Andrea for the trust he has shown in us.”
Andrea Locatelli: Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team
“My objective was to continue with Yamaha, so I’m very happy to have signed for another two years. One of the best things about Yamaha is the people who believe in me, starting with Eric de Seynes, Paolo Pavesio and Andrea Dosoli, but also Riccardo Tisci and all the engineers and technicians who work so hard to give me the best bike possible. The same is true of the team. Since I arrived in WorldSBK I have enjoyed incredible support from Paul Denning and Andrew Pitt, and everyone involved in the project. All together we have achieved some good results but, more importantly, we have walked side-by-side on a path that has allowed me to feel more and more confident. We still have room for improvement in many areas, but I truly believe that with such a good relationship we will grow stronger together. If consistency is key as they say, then I think that with this extension we’ve laid the groundwork for a bright future.”
American Jesse James Shedden in action at the Vallelunga Circuit, in Italy. Photo by Fotoagenzia31 Davide Bianchi, courtesy Jesse James Shedden Racing.
JESSE JAMES SHEDDEN WINS BOTH RACES AT ROUND 1 OF THE CIV APRILIA SPORT PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The American had a perfect first round, winning both races in the wet, including a wild race one after a highside and sustaining damage to his bike
ROME, Italy; May 22, 2023 – Jesse James Shedden has firmly established himself in the Italian paddock as a young talent to watch. Coming into round one with only one day of testing at the Vallelunga circuit, Jesse James put his head down and got straight to work.
Conditions were declared wet for both races. During race one, with an 18-second lead, Jesse James highsided with less than half race distance left. After losing a few positions while he collected himself and figured out damage to the bike, he was able to regain first position with two laps remaining and crossed the finish line with his first CIV win.
Race two was less dramatic, but equally impressive as Jesse took his second win. For both race one and race two, Jesse managed the fastest lap times of the race.
Jesse James heads to the Magione circuit for round two with a head start in the championship points.
Jesse James Shedden will continue with sponsors who have supported him during national racing in the U.S., including: Atlas Speed Factory, Fresh n Lean, KYT Helmets, Mithos USA, Dunlop Tires, ASV Inventions, TechSpec Tank Grips, Suspension Matters, Yoshimura R&D, Maxima Racing Oils, Bickle Racing, Produkte Designs, RJR Motorsports, Alpinestars, VNM Sport, Galfer USA, and APX AXN Motorsports Solutions.
Aprilia Sport Production Series Championship Schedule:
Jake Gagne (1) leads Cameron Petersen (45) into Turn Five on the opening lap of the Medallia Superbike race. Petersen would crash seconds later and Gagne would race away to victory on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Gagne Sweeps Superbike at Barber
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne leaves Alabama with a pair of victories to expand his points lead in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
MARIETTA, Ga. – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne kept his win streak rolling with a masterclass performance in today’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. His perfect score at the second round of the championship also strengthened his title defense, expanding his lead to 24 points. Unfortunately, his teammate Cameron Petersen had a tough race and was unable to finish.
Gagne executed another flying start for a second holeshot on the weekend and then raised the bar with a new track record on Lap 2. The Colorado rider further extended his lead with some consistently fast laps and crossed the line with a commanding victory to sweep the weekend. Gagne’s third-consecutive win of the season gives him a 24-point lead over his rival heading into the third round of the championship.
Lined up on the grid in second, Petersen matched yesterday’s start and slotted into the runner-up spot behind his teammate. Unfortunately, he would lose the rear a few corners later in Turn 5 and had to pull into the pits to repair damage to the bike. His crew worked hard to get him back on track, and he rejoined on Lap 7 but ultimately had to withdraw from the race.
The Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team will do some testing before heading to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for Round 3 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road America on June 2-4.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“Today was an up-and-down day for the team. Jake rode a great race for the win and showed the strength of the Yamaha R1 against the competition. Cam unfortunately made a small mistake on the first lap and tipped over. It was a crash that caused a lot of damage and took time to repair. He rejoined but eventually had to retire from the race. We are now off to a mid-week test and then off to Road America for Round 3. We look forward to seeing our cheesehead fans in Wisconsin.”
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne (1) won both races in Alabama. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Yamaha.
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“Coming into Barber, we knew this was a strong track for the Yamaha, so we wanted to take advantage of that as much as possible. It was a smooth weekend. We made some minor little tweaks, but straight off the truck the bike was working really well. We got another great start today, another holeshot, and even picked up the pace and got another track record. I was surprised by how fast we were able to go this afternoon. We had a little bit more of a comfortable gap up front and brought it home for another win. It was awesome for the team – a double win and a pole – and obviously good for the points. So great work from the team, as always. It’s definitely a good weekend when we get to come away with two wins.”
Cameron Petersen (45). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Yamaha.
Cameron Petersen – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“It was not the way we wanted to end the weekend. It was going well, and I was happy to get second yesterday, but unfortunately I got sucked in a little bit going into Turn 5 and had just a little too much lean angle, and the rear came around. It’s just unfortunate, but if you want to beat Jake, you have to take some risks at the beginning of the race in those first few laps. Honestly, more than anything, I hate letting down the team with all the hard work that they do. We had the potential to go 1-2 again today, so it’s a bummer to end the weekend like that, but at least we don’t have to wait too long to try and bounce back. We’re going to put this one behind us and focus forward from here.”
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).
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC:
RICHIE ESCALANTE PUTS THE GSX-R1000R IN THE TOP FIVE IN RACE 2
Suzuki GSX-R1000R Shines in Alabama in Superbike & Stock 1000 Races
BREA, CA – May 22, 2023 – With the weekend’s MotoAmerica Supersport action already concluded following Saturday’s long race at Barber Motorsports Park, Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer focused solely on its Superbike effort on Sunday. The squad performed well on center stage, with rising star Richie Escalante, in particular, excelling under the spotlight.
Race Highlights:
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Superbike
Richie Escalante equaled the best result of his premier-class career after battling for the podium.
Toni Elias continued to gather data and rediscover his championship form in his return to competition.
Stock 1000
Team 4SR Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim dominated the class going two for two in the weekend’s Stock 1000 races.
Richie Escalante (54) shows the competitive strength of the GSX-R1000R with a strong fourth-place finish. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante demonstrated his mammoth potential on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, battling with some of the most decorated Superbike pilots on the planet en route to a fourth-place result. Escalante got away quickly from the second row aboard his factory-backed GSX-R1000R and found himself in fifth following an early incident and resulting back-and-forth action. Escalante scrapped for a podium position early with two former Superbike champions directly in his sights and a former World Superbike pilot right on his heels. Undaunted, he executed a slick switch-back maneuver to grab hold of fourth, a position he wouldn’t relinquish.
After matching his best-ever MotoAmerica Superbike result, Escalante said, “It was an amazing weekend. I got a great start and saw what was going on around me. I knew I had to make a pass as quickly as possible. After that, I was just working on my pace. I’m super happy – my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R was working so well. My crew is working so hard to give me the best bike possible. I’m getting closer and closer to the podium. Now it’s time to keep working. I just want to say thank you to my friends and team and all the people who support me.”
After a tough weekend, Toni Elias (24) caps the weekend off with a valuable top-10 finish. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Former MotoAmerica Superbike champion Toni Elias improved upon his Saturday result, claiming his third top ten in four attempts as he rounds back into his trademark form. The Spaniard had a front-row seat for the four-rider fight for third that involved his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki teammate in the opening stages of the contest before eventually fading to ninth.
“We definitely did better than yesterday. I improved one second with our fastest lap and with our pace in the race,” said Elias. “Our changes this morning helped the traction. Now, I need more feeling and confidence in the front. I think the team has worked hard and I am thankful. We were faster but it wasn’t where we want to be. We will keep fighting.”
Congrats to Hayden Gillim (69) on board the GSX-R1000R for a double win in the Stock 1000 class this weekend. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Meanwhile, the GSX-R1000R proved dominant in the Stock 1000 competition at Barber Motorsports Park, with weekend double-winner Hayden Gillim notching a pair of blowout victories aboard the 4SR Disrupt Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
Suzuki Motor USA will look to capitalize on its surging moment as the series next travels to the ultra-fast Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on June 2-4.
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Race bikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 129 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 346 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport.) The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia USA:
ROCCO LANDERS PILOTS THE APRILIA RS 660 TO PAIR OF CONFIDENT VICTORIES IN MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP RACES AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
LANDERS’ RESULTS PUT TWO RODIO RACING – POWERED BY ROBEM ENGINEERING RIDERS NEAR TOP OF TWINS CUP POINTS STANDINGS
BIRMINGHAM, AL – 22 MAY 2023 – Three-time MotoAmerica class champion Rocco Landers hadn’t raced an Aprilia RS 660 prior to the previous MotoAmerica round at Road Atlanta. The fill-in rider has found immediate success aboard the Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering package that he’s piloted to three wins in four races – including a double victory at this past weekend’s MotoAmerica round at Barber Motorsports Park.
Though Landers’ teammate, Gus Rodio – who was leading the championship standings at the start of the round – endured a challenging weekend, both Landers and Rodio are right near the top of the Twins Cup standings. Rodio’s points lead was large enough that — despite not scoring any points at Barber — he’s just two points behind the current leader. Landers is just 10 points behind Rodio despite not racing or scoring points in the first three contests of the season.
Rocco Landers (97). Photo by Sara Chappell Photo, courtesy Aprilia USA.
This was the second round Landers was filling in for Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering rider Ben Gloddy, who sustained an injury at the season-opening round at Daytona International Speedway. Another top Aprilia rider who did not take part in the Barber round was Jody Barry, who was injured in a pre-race crash at the previous round.
The round kicked off with two Aprilia riders on top in Friday morning practice. Rodio paced the field with a time of 1:31.763, while Landers’s best lap was a mere 0.116 seconds off Rodio’s pace. The third Aprilia rider who finished in the top 10 in Friday practice was Unreal Racing’s Daniel Garver, who was the ninth-fastest rider.
Later Friday, Rodio and Landers were again at the top of the time sheets in Qualifying 1, but this time it was Landers at the point. He posted a best lap time of 1:29.946, and Rodio was less than half a second off Landers’ pace. Righteous Racing’s Ray Hofman finished Qualifying 1 in ninth place, giving Aprilia three riders in the top 10 for the session.
Qualifying concluded on Saturday morning with Landers having claimed his second pole position of the season. He improved his best lap time from Qualifying 1 by almost one second when he put in a 1:29.135. Rodio couldn’t improve on his best time from Qualifying 1 and had to settle for third on the starting grid. He missed out on completing an Aprilia 1-2 in qualifying by 0.065 seconds.
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Sara Chappell Photo, courtesy Aprilia USA.
In Saturday afternoon’s Race 1, Landers and Rodio both got off the line well and were running first and third, respectively, as the field entered Turn 1. Rodio quickly moved up to second place in the first few corners, and briefly took the lead from Landers on Lap 2. Landers moved back into first place a few corners later and built a lead as large as about 1.5 seconds by Lap 4. When light rain began to fall on Laps 5 and 6, Landers backed off his pace, which promoted Rodio to the race lead. At the start of Lap 7, Rodio high-sided as he was going through Turn 2, and the raced was quickly red flagged. Though Rodio was able to get his Aprilia back to the pits, MotoAmerica Race Control ruled he was not allowed to take part in the restarted race.
When racing got back underway, Landers got a great start and had moved up from ninth to second by the end of the first lap. Landers then took the lead on Lap 3 of the restarted five-lap race and claimed the win by a margin of 1.148 seconds. Hofman was the other Aprilia rider to finish in the top 10. He crossed the finish line in ninth place.
Sunday’s Race 2 mirrored Race 1 in the results. Landers and Rodio got good starts and were running 1-2 as the field entered Turn 1. The pair broke away from the field, though Landers methodically built a lead of more than a second over Rodio. On Lap 8, Rodio began losing pace, and a pack of three riders caught up to him on Lap 9. Unfortunately, another rider made contact with Rodio at Turn 11, and both riders crashed. Rodio was unable to rejoin the race. Landers managed his lead in the closing laps of the race to claim his second win of the weekend by 5.4 seconds. Hofman scored his second ninth-place finish, and Garver finished 10th to give Aprilia three riders in the top 10.
Of the 41 riders entered in Twins Cup for the Barber round, 19 were registered to race Aprilia RS 660s.
The Twins Cup is not scheduled to participate in the next MotoAmerica round at Road America and will be back in action when the series heads to The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wash., on June 23-25. The championship schedule, competitor information and class rules can be found at https://motoamerica.com/.
More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:
Strong showing from all three riders and another Superbike podium at Barber
Round two of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship saw Tytlers Cycle Racing at the sharp end once again, their three riders Cameron Beaubier, PJ Jacobsen and Corey Alexander all excelling at the undulating technical circuit that is Barber Motorsports Park.
Coming into the event as joint Championship leaders thanks to a win and second place at Road Atlanta all eyes were on former champion Cameron Beaubier. The ‘baby faced assassin‘, as he was nicknamed by MotoAmerica during a social media feature earlier in the weekend, was once again part of the podium fight on both days, finishing fourth in Saturday’s reduced sixteen lap encounter before going one better on Sunday in the twenty-lap race after making some changes overnight.
PJ Jacobsen, who has always gone well at the Alabama venue was also once again at the sharp end. Qualifying strongly on the second row, the #66 raced to a pair of fifths.
Corey Alexander was racing at Barber Motorsports Park for the first time as a full time Superbike rider and he too did a great job throughout the weekend. Ninth and seventh means that like Beaubier, Alexander too has scored points in all four races so far this season.
Heading to round three at Road America in a couple of weeks Tytlers Cycle Racing continue to be in the title fight with the BMW M1000 RR. Cameron Beaubier sits second on points with PJ Jacobsen and Corey Alexander both well inside the top nine.
Cameron Beaubier: “Today could have been better but I am taking the positives. We were pretty set on running the hard rear, but the track temperature had come up a lot right before the race making the soft probably a better choice. We cannot be too hard on ourselves as it is only our second round together and we are learning all the time. We made a step with the bike and myself in warm-up on Sunday morning and I rode good in the race but did not have a great start or first few laps. Nevertheless, I am happy to come home with a podium and taking the positives as I said to round three at Road America where I am confident, we can also be in the fight.”
PJ Jacobsen (99) leads Richie Escalante (54) during MotoAmerica Superbike Race One at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
PJ Jacobsen: “Race one was pretty good. I didn’t make the best start but was able to start moving forward after the first few laps. I felt good, but I was hoping to be closer to the front. We made some changes overnight and I thought race two was going to be better for me, but it wasn’t. The race was put back to the original twenty laps and it was quite difficult, but I gave it my all but couldn’t get to the pace I wanted. We leave Barber with two fifth place finishes which was all I could do and so we head to Road America where will look to move forward.”
Corey Alexander (23). Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle Racing.
Corey Alexander: “Saturday’s race was another learning curve. We made some big changes for the race which were definitely a step in the right direction, but we made the wrong call on tyres. Overall, I was happy with the consistent race pace, but we need to improve a bit in the early stages. Race two was another small step in the right direction but I struggled with grip early on. Once again, we showed consistent pace and happy to come away with a top seven. I am excited to get to some other tracks on the calendar where I know I will be stronger at, and I am eager to keep progressing. Thanks to the team and everyone supporting me. See you at the next one!”
American Julian Correa (40) fought for the lead in both British Talent Cup races at Donington Park. Here, the Floridian chases teammate Harrison Dessoy (55), who won Race Two. Correa was a close fourth. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Mounsey & Dessoy split the spoils as Donington serves up two final corner deciders
The two share the wins and the luck in Round 2, with Belford taking over the points lead
Monday, 22 May 2023
Sullivan Mounsey (Wilson Racing/Maddison Media) is now an R&G British Talent Cup race winner! The first showdown at Donington saw the number 4 come out on top in a final corner classic, pinching the win from Evan Belford (City Lifting/RS Racing) with a perfectly-judged move up the inside at Goddards. Huge drama hit at the same time and place as Harley McCabe (McCabe Racing) high-sided out of contention right at the end of the race, trying to head up the inside of Lucas Brown (Amphibian Scaffolding/SP125 Racing) but overcooking it – leaving Brown unopposed to take fantastic first podium in third.
Ryan Frost (Talentum Motorsport by Azure Notions) took the holeshot before duelling it out with Mounsey, with Belford initially dropping a few positions from pole. Meanwhile Harrison Dessoy (Microlise Cresswell Racing/Eastern Garage Racing) slotted into third, but drama hit on Lap 2 as Frost made contact with Dessoy and the number 55 slid straight off onto the grass, rider ok but left gesticulating from the sidelines. There would be consequences for Frost’s weekend too as he was judged to be at fault, and he was given both a Long Lap for Race 1 and, with penalty points added and that taking his total to six, a back of the grid start for Race 2.
At the front that left a seven-rider group battling it out: Mounsey, Frost, Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing), Belford, McCabe, Brown and Alexander Rowan (Mortimer Racing Victoria House Academy). With Frost serving his penalty, it became a group of six, and by the final five laps it was a group of five as Rowan faded slightly from the podium fight.
It remained a group of five right to the final lap as Mounsey led the way over the line, with Belford then just about muscling his way past. Brown then took a two-for-one at McLeans, demoting both Mounsey and McCabe to take over in second. But Mounsey immediately hit back and tagged onto the rear wheel of Belford, attacking at the Melbourne loop and then two then exiting side-by-side with their elbows out. The number 4 then sliced up the inside into Goddards and pulled up to perfection, heading over the line to take his first win by just over a tenth, with Belford forced to settle for second.
Behind though, there was drama as a final corner highside for McCabe – rider ok – saw him crash out between Brown and Correa. Brown was left free to cross the line for his first podium, but Correa was forced onto the grass on his way to the flag, that seeing him get pipped by both Frost, who had stormed back past Rowan, and Rowan too.
Ollie Walker (Wright Morgan/SP125 Racing) escaped the second group battle to take seventh, ahead of Filip Surowiak (FS75 Racing / FAB Racing), Charlie Huntingford (Opteven Mototechniks) and Josh Bannister (Dunsley Heat Racing) completing the top ten.
After the bad luck of Race 1, Harrison Dessoy hit back on Sunday as the second contest of the weekend likewise went down to the final corner. The number 55 pitched it to perfection as the drama unfolded right behind him, taking his second win of the season as Harley McCabe came through to take second and also reverse his fortunes on Sunday. Evan Belford, after leading down in to the final corner, gathered it back up to take third and another podium, holding on to his lead in the Championship.
Julian Correa took the holeshot from pole, with Belford right on his tail and not waiting long to take over at the front. As ever, however, it was a group fight from the off – with Ryan Frost on a charge from the back of the grid after that penalty and up into P16 at the end of Lap 1.
Correa was able to get back past Belford and Dessoy had made his own impressive leap up the order from 10th on the grid to second, making the initial group Dessoy leading Correa, Race 1 winner Sullivan Mounsey, Belford, Lucas Brown, Alexander Rowan and Ollie Walker.
By Lap 4, Frost was up into the top ten but facing a gap to Charlie Huntingford up ahead, and then another to the group ahead of him. But he was making progress, as was the front group as Walker and Rowan started to lose touch with the top six. Not long after that gap appeared, Frost had caught and passed Huntingford too, up into ninth with the next target on the horizon now that Walker-Rowan duel.
There was no headway into that gap though, and it was a six-rider fight for the win as Mounsey, Dessoy, Belford, Brown, Correa and McCabe tussled it out in the final few laps. Just before the very last lap, however, Brown slid out into the final corner just as Dessoy, Mounsey and Belford made a break for it. At the Melbourne loop Belford then made his move and pulled off a stunning two-for-one, slicing into the lead heading into Goddards.
Just as there had been on Saturday, there was drama on Sunday. Belford headed in too deep, opening the door for Dessoy and Mounsey as both shot through. But Mounsey then suddenly high-sided out of second in a near replay of McCabe’s Race 1 drama, with the number 4 likewise splitting the group.
Dessoy took the win to bounce back from his bad luck on Saturday, with McCabe then able to come through into second as he avoided the aftermath of the Mounsey crash. Belford took third and Correa fourth, with an angry Mounsey left on the sidelines to watch Frost storm through into fifth. Rowan and Walker took sixth and seventh, with Huntingford, Harrison Mackay (Wilson Racing/Super Soco) and Clayton Edmunds (City Lifting/RS Racing) completing the top ten.
That’s it from a dramatic Round 2, with Dessoy bouncing back from bad luck, Belford’s consistency putting him top of the table and Mounsey taking a first win before that late race heartbreak on Sunday. He’ll be keen to bounce back as the R&G British Talent Cup returns next time out at Knockhill… and they’ll also have Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects/RS Racing) back in the chase as the former points lead and double podium finisher returns from ETC duty! Join us for more from the 16th to the 18th of June!
The start of the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, France, where 280,000 fans came out to watch MotoGP in person. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoGP™ audiences enjoy record surge in 2023
The world’s most exciting motorsport? Audiences agree as key markets show huge growth
Monday, 22 May 2023
On the heels of a record crowd that saw nearly 280,000 fans descend on the French Grand Prix last weekend, the broadcast audience figures are now in for the first quarter of the blockbuster 2023 MotoGP™ season – and they’re just as impressive. With notable growth across many of MotoGP™’s largest markets, the increase in weekend TV audiences is a sizeable 27%.
The Tissot Sprint has landed
The new sporting format is designed to create the best show possible, giving fans more MotoGP™ than ever and adding a new spectacle at every Grand Prix. The audience data so far confirms the success and popularity of the new-look weekend, with audiences increasing by an average of 51% on Saturdays as fans tune in to enjoy both the shootout for pole position and the Sprint.
What’s more, the overall increase in viewership is not solely attributed to the introduction of the Sprint on super Saturday. Viewing figures for the Grand Prix race on Sunday are up by nearly a fifth across key markets, showing the new format is not only garnering its own audience, but also driving interest and viewership for the sport overall.
The fans in the stands
The trend has also continued in the grandstands, with the first part of 2023 marking a notable surge in weekend attendance. On average across the first five races, the available data shows a 40% increase in fans coming to enjoy the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship at the track. Most notably, MotoGP™ also broke its all-time weekend attendance record at the Shark Grand Prix de France as well over a quarter of a million fans flocked through the gates at Le Mans – an achievement befitting the 1000th FIM Grand Prix.
Now the sport is ready to make more history across a tantalising triple-header, getting in gear with Mugello and the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley from the 9th to the 11th of June. Then it’s the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland as the Sachsenring puts more history on the table, before the Motul TT Assen stages a third showdown in three weeks. Tune in for more as the 2023 season continues to break records – on track and off!
Dan Rossomondo, Chief Commercial Officer, Dorna Sports: “We are very excited to reveal these audience increases for the first part of the season. The new weekend format and the introduction of the Tissot Sprint were designed to create a better show across the board, and we are encouraged by the initial performance. These numbers are a fantastic foundation, and we intend to keep building on it.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Toprak Razgatlioglu to compete for BMW Motorrad Motorsport in WorldSBK from 2024.
Toprak Razgatlioglu will join the BMW Motorrad factory riders family in the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2024.
The 2021 World Champion will compete for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Dr. Markus Schramm: “This is a forward-looking step for our project and a strong commitment of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in World Superbike.”
Marc Bongers: “We are convinced that Toprak will settle into the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family very quickly.”
Munich. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport family in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) will have a new member from next season. From 2024, Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) will join the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK factory squad. The 2021 World Champion will compete on the BMW M 1000 RR of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the coming year. The other rider-team allocations will be announced at a later date.
26-year old Razgatlioglu, has been competing in WorldSBK since 2018. Already in his debut season he has celebrated his first podium finishes. In the 168 WorldSBK races the Turkish rider has contested in his successful career so far, he has notched up 33 wins and a total of 93 podiums. In the 2021 season he celebrated his greatest success to date when he was crowned Superbike World Champion.
“Welcome to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family, Toprak Razgatlioglu,” said Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad. “We are delighted to welcome him to our WorldSBK factory squad from next season on. I am very proud that Toprak has opted to join BMW Motorrad. This is a forward-looking step for our project and a strong commitment of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in World Superbike.”
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Toprak is undoubtedly one of the best riders in the field at the moment, which he proved by winning the 2021 World Championship title. He’s not just a fast motorcycle racer, he’s also a great personality off the track. We are convinced that Toprak will settle into the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family very quickly. We are looking forward to our collaboration and to our future together.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha and Razgatlıoğlu to Part Ways at End of 2023 WorldSBK Season
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
The 2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will leave the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team at the end of the 2023 season as he and Yamaha amicably end their successful four-year relationship together, with the Turkish rider seeking a new challenge for 2024.
Razgatlıoğlu’s potential on two wheels was clear from a young age. He won several national Turkish Motocross Championship titles as a child before being crowned European Superstock 600 Champion on his first attempt in 2015. Moving up to the Superbike World Championship in 2018, he became the first Turkish rider to score a podium and record a win in the class before signing with Yamaha for the 2020 season.
Razgatlıoğlu got his Yamaha career off to a stunning start, winning on his debut at Phillip Island in 2020, before taking two more convincing victories in Estoril at the end of the year on his way to fourth in the championship standings.
The 2021 season bore witness to one of the greatest title battles in WorldSBK history, with Razgatlıoğlu facing off with Jonathan Rea for the world championship crown. Ultimately, the Turkish rider reigned supreme, taking 13 victories, 29 podiums and three pole positions to lift the 2021 Superbike World Championship, ending Rea’s six-year reign as champion and securing Yamaha’s first title in the class since Ben Spies in 2009.
In 2022, the Turkish star was again locked in a fierce championship battle alongside Rea and Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista. Razgatlıoğlu missed out on a second consecutive title but ended the season with more wins (14) than in 2021, as well as 29 podiums, and four pole positions. He also became Yamaha’s most successful rider in WorldSBK history with 30 victories, surpassing the previous record held by Noriyuki Haga.
The 2023 season has seen the Turkish rider show incredible consistency and pace, with the 26-year-old currently second in the overall standings, having secured one victory and ten further podiums in the first 12 races.
However, after four seasons, one world title, 31 race wins, and 47 other appearances on the podium with Yamaha in WorldSBK, Razgatlıoğlu has decided to take on a new challenge in 2024 and will exit the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team at the end of this season. At the same time, both Yamaha and Razgatlıoğlu remain fully committed to fighting for the 2023 WorldSBK title.
Yamaha would like to thank Razgatlıoğlu for his immense contribution to Yamaha’s sporting success in WorldSBK and to take this opportunity to wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
Andrea Dosoli: Road Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“We will be sorry to see Toprak leave Yamaha at the end of this season. We wanted to continue what has been an incredibly successful partnership, with the obvious highlight being the triple crown of rider, manufacturer, and team world titles that we won together in 2021. We made what we felt was an offer that properly reflected Toprak’s value as a rider and an ambassador for Yamaha, as well as the competitiveness of our racing package and our racing strategy within the WorldSBK platform. However, as the negotiations progressed it became apparent to both parties that Toprak is motivated to embrace a new challenge in 2024 and we respect his decision. Although our paths will diverge at the end of the year, we are now fully focused on the battle for the 2023 WorldSBK title, which resumes shortly in Misano. Finally, I would like to thank Toprak on behalf of Yamaha but also personally, for his invaluable contribution to our WorldSBK project. His first World Championship title in 2021 was a just reward for him but also for all the people who, since we returned to WorldSBK in 2016, have worked so hard to make this project a success. It is a memory that everyone at Yamaha will cherish. We wish Toprak every success for the future but, for now, we have a job to finish.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team
“I want to say to the whole Yamaha family a very big thank you for the love and respect they have shown me. To win the world championship was my dream when I signed with Yamaha, and we reached that goal together. For next season I feel I need a new challenge and while there was an opportunity in MotoGP, I didn’t feel the same connection with the MotoGP bike that I have with the superbike. But if I am to stay in WorldSBK then I need a new target, a new ambition. I am sorry to leave Yamaha, both the brand and the people, as we have a very good relationship, but change is part of any sport and normal for any professional. So, a big thank you to Yamaha Motor Company, Yamaha Motor Europe, Yamaha Motor Turkiye, the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team and especially to my crew, who have all worked so hard for me.”
Angel Piqueras (18) leads the start of FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race Two at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Editorial Notes: Canadian Torin Collins, riding his AGR Team KTM, finished 20th in JuniorGP Race One and 15th in Race Two. American Max Toth, riding his MMR Kalex, DNF the sole Moto2 race. American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding his MRE Talent Honda, finished 12th in European Talent Cup Race One but DNF Race Two.
Six of the best… thrilling Round 2 for JuniorGP™ in Valencia with title twists aplenty
From rookie revelations to a new winner at long last and one of the greatest comebacks seen, Sunday delivered the goods in the 2023 Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship paddock
It was a stunning second round of the 2023 Finetwork FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain. It was a mighty display with first-time winners and rookie revelations headlining throughout a packed day of action. In the JuniorGP™ class, Angel Piqueras (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) finally took victory and doubled up, whilst in the Moto2™ European Championship, honours went to Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Junior Team), making it three from three. In a day of domination, Maximo Quiles (Aspar Junior Team) checked out in both European Talent Cup races in emphatic fashion and Daniel Muñoz (SP57 Racing Team) took a second Stock™ European Championship win of 2023.
Angel Piqueras (18) won both FIM JuniorGP races at Valencia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Starting with the JuniorGP™ races, it really was a master vs the apprentice feel, with Race 1 being a battle between the rookie exuberance of Joel Esteban (Aspar Junior Team) from a career-first pole, whilst Angel Piqueras’ seasoned experience saw him right in the mix. Championship leader Nico Carraro (Aspar Junior Team) was right in the mix too but due to exceeding track limits, was forced to take a Long Lap Penalty and the battle for fourth soon became a battle for third. Onto the last lap, Piqueras hit the front at Turn 1 and got ahead of Esteban, who couldn’t retaliate. Piqueras took a first victory of his JuniorGP™ career and thus became the 50th different winner since 2012. Esteban was second, whilst taking a hard-earned podium, Luca Lunetta (AC Racing Team) denied Jacob Roulstone (Aspar Junior Team). On the last lap at Turn 8, a collision between David Almansa (Finetwork Mir Racing Team) saw both end up in the gravel.
After a short delay to Race 2 for a technical fault, the action was back underway and for the majority of the action, it was a five-rider fight with Piqueras, Esteban, Roulstone, Carraro and Elia Bartolini (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0). A technical issue saw Esteban out in the second half of the race as he slowed up on the front straight, with a four-rider group doing battle through to the last lap. Going onto the final 4km of the race, a brave pass saw Piqueras go from third to first at Turn 11, sitting up Roulstone and Carraro ahead of him. Carraro was wide and Bartolini saw an opportunity, but collided with his fellow countryman and both crashed. Piqueras was left to double up whilst Roulstone fought through the drama for a first podium. Alvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing) took a mighty third, with plenty of reason to celebrate on the podium. Eddie O’Shea (British Talent Team) was top talent team rider in sixth, whereas Carraro remounted for 12th. Piqueras is the new Championship leader heading to Jerez.
With just one race on the billing for the Moto2™ ECh, Senna Agius never looked threatened as he once again swept the field away to take a fine victory, his third of the season. In second place after a strong ride and resisting a late challenge from behind, it was a career-best result for Italian star Mattia Rato (AGR Team), who returned his team to the podium and likewise moved up in the Championship standings to second. Completing the podium after a scary start, where he got away much slower than his rivals, Carlos Tatay (Pertamina SAG Racing Team) fought back to finish third, denying Roberto Garcia what would have been a first podium in the category. Elsewhere, Harrison Voight’s (Yamaha Philippines Stylobike Racing Team) front row start wasn’t converted as he had a Long Lap Penalty to serve, then outbraked himself at Turn 8 before crashing out all together at Turn 6; he was thankfully OK. Agius remains the Championship leader with a perfect 75 points achieved.
The ETC races were absolutely electric; in Race 1, one of the greatest comebacks through the field that we’ve ever seen was accomplished, as Maximo Quiles – who was scheduled to start from pole – had to go from 25th on the grid on row nine due to riding slowly in all sectors during qualifying; he also had a Long Lap Penalty to serve. In the early laps, defending title winner Guido Pini (AC Racing Team), Alberto Ferrandez (Finetwork Mir Racing Team), standings leader Brian Uriarte (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Dodo Boggio (Aspar Junior Team) to name all but a few, battled it out in classic ETC fashion, but before half-race distance, it was Quiles who came on through and hit the front at Turn 1, before clearing off into the distance for a stunning first win of 2023. Casey O’Gorman (VisionTrack Racing Team) was in the mix behind, along with Jesus Rios (MRE Talent), but the latter crashed with Ferrandez and O’Gorman at the final corner on the last lap. Pini took second, whilst Rico Salmela (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) came through for P3. Quiles’ win from P25 sets a new record for a win from the lowest grid slot, a record that stood since Matteo Patacca won from P17 in Valencia, 2018.
O’Gorman was out injured in Race 2 as his luckless start to 2023 season continued; going from pole and grabbing the holeshot on his way to a dominant double, Quiles was unrivalled at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit as he made it two wins, with three podiums from the first four races of 2023. The battle was fierce behind though and it was once again a final lap showdown. After looking for P2, Pini had to serve a Long Lap Penalty in the closing stages for exceeding track limits, which saw Uriarte and Ferrandez capitalise to complete the podium. Dodo Boggio (Aspar Junior Team) took fourth, but the day belonged to Quiles, who is the standings leader leaving Valencia by five points over Uriarte.
Concluding the day of action, the Stock™ class. However, there was a red flag on Lap 2 after Daniel Brooks’ (Yamaha GV Stratos) bike expired, leaving his teammate Mihail Florov and Eric Fernandez (FAU55 TEY Racing) on the floor. After a delay as the track was cleared up, a new 12-lap race distance was set and it was a tense stand-off from Estoril winner and polesitter Daniel Muñoz and Fernandez, who remounted his bike and made the restart. Fernandez was quicker in the second half of the lap but it was a strong first half of the lap that gave Muñoz a crucial advantage in the overtaking hotspots, limiting his vulnerability to attack from behind to hold for a second win of the year. Fernandez took second, whilst Dino Iozzo (IUM Motorsports) was a strong third. Muñoz is unbeaten in 2023, thus remains the Championship leader.
You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com
First lap Superbike action from Race Two Sunday at SMP with race winner Alex Dumas (23) leading over Sam Guerin (2), Jordan Szoke (101), Ben Young (1), Tomas Casas (18), Trevor Daley (9), and the rest. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Dumas dominates race two at SMP, stretches out huge title lead
Shannonville, ON – It may only be one round into the five-round Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season, but Alex Dumas cracked the series wide open on Sunday with another victory at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
It was Sam Guerin who grabbed the holeshot for a second day in a row, but Dumas was far less patient his second time following the BMW rider, taking over the lead late on the opening lap. Guerin initially managed to hang with the race one winner, but it was only a matter of time as Dumas stretched out an insurmountable lead, cruising to perhaps the most dominant victory of his GP Bikes Pro Superbike career.
The result turned out even better for the Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki team, as rival and defending champion Ben Young saw his early title hopes unravel beneath him.
After charging through to second on lap four, Young curiously sped into the pit lane, revealing a loose tail-section that the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW mechanics had to rip off the machine. The bodywork issue left him stranded in ninth, facing an impossible comeback as Dumas torched the rest of the field.
Young would manage his way to sixth, but the damage was done as Dumas leaves Shannonville with a comfortable 23-point lead.
“It’s an awesome start to the season. Once I got some clear track, I just wanted to put my head down and stretch out a lead,” Dumas said. “It sucks what happened to Ben, but it’s good for our championship. Now we’re really looking forward to round two.”
Alex Dumas (23) stretched out a big early championship lead on Sunday, winning Race Two comfortably his Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Salvaging BMW’s hopes was Guerin, who redeemed himself from his Saturday crash out of the lead to finish second. It was hardly a straightforward race for the EFC Group BMW rider, however, as he faded back to fourth before returning to second in an epic battle with Jordan Szoke.
The result was long-overdue for Guerin, who stepped back onto the podium for the first time since his rookie season in 2020.
“I thought yesterday was my time, but I ended up on my butt,” he joked. “It was a fun battle with Jordan – hats off to him – but it’s good to be back.”
Szoke was the real hero of the day, fighting through injuries and poor health to score his 118th career podium, and first since returning from the frightening injuries that nearly ended his career.
The LDS Consultants Kawasaki rider – who his team confirmed was close to not racing on Sunday as he recovers from a recent infection and a rare Saturday crash – could barely stand as he mounted the podium, though the 14-time champion was likely uplifted by the (very deserved) praise from the fans for his effort.
“I don’t even know what to say. I only got a few laps in this morning…I’m in a lot of pain, but it feels good to be back up here,” Szoke said. “I saw something happened to Ben, so I was aiming for a podium. It was a good battle with Sam. I thought I could get him in the esses on the last lap, but he held me off.”
Jordan Szoke (101) put his LDS Consultants Kawasaki back on the podium Sunday for the first time since his career-altering injuries in 2022. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Finishing fourth was Trevor Daley, mounting a late comeback on the OneSpeed Suzuki machine as he began to reel in the battle for the final podium places. Daley’s effort was also crucial for Suzuki given the issues for Young, as he helps put the 2021 champions 16 points clear of the reigning winners entering round two.
Completing the top-five was Tomas Casas, who ran as high as third after finishing there on Saturday before arm pump issues relegated him behind the quicker Daley. Still, the pair of top-five finishes will place the Parts Canada Yamaha rider third overall in the championship, the highest he’s ever ranked in his GP Bikes Pro Superbike career.
Young’s comeback to sixth would at least earn him the FAST Riding School Hard Charger Award and a $500 prize, though he was understandably frustrated as he leaves round one with just 34 of a possible 58 points.
“Unfortunately, on the first lap the tail-section came loose, but it was okay for three or four laps so I thought it might be okay,” Young said. “After that it just got too sketchy, and I didn’t want it to affect anyone behind me. I tried to make the gentleman move and just rip it off, but obviously it limited us quite a bit – but the season’s far from over.”
Just behind Young was lBEW BMW’s Jordan Royds, who broke free of a battle with fellow BMW-mounted rider Philip Leckie on the SCM/TanIans machine, the pair finishing seventh and eighth in the final order to put four BMW’s in that group.
Alberta’s Paul Macdonell was the top rookie in ninth, putting his Acme Motorsports Yamaha atop the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year standings and keeping Yamaha ahead of Kawasaki for third in the Constructors Standings.
Full results can be found on the series’ official website.
More, from a press release issued by Ben Young Racing:
The opening round of the Canadian Superbike Championship was a bumpy ride for reigning champion Ben Young in more ways than one. A mixed bag of results after a challenging weekend saw Young leave Shannonville Motorsports Park with points for pole position, a second place, and a hard-fought 6th place finish after being forced to detour through the pit lane to remove a broken tail seat.
After setting a blistering pace during the Superpole session on Friday, Young was poised for a successful weekend. Aboard his Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW M1, Young put in a time of 1:04.749 which no one could come near.
A very rainy Saturday ushered in the first race of the season. Young didn’t feel overly comfortable given the conditions of the rain-soaked track. It’s a long season, and he played a smart race by cruising to a solid 2nd place, gaining valuable championship points.
Ben Young (1). Photo by Damian Pereira, courtesy Ben Young Racing.
A sunnier, albeit cool Sunday started off well for Young who would lead the morning’s practice session, feeling very at home on the BMW M1. After a poor start to race two, Young found himself in 5th position. On the first lap, the fiberglass seat under him collapsed. He fought back to 2nd position, but the seat was completely broken and was unsafe for himself and other riders. He was forced to detour into pit lane, where the team tore the seat off and Young rejoined the race in a distant 9th position. After an extremely uncomfortable ride perched atop the subframe and bike battery, Young still managed to fight back to 6th position.
Of the weekend Young said: “Obviously the weekend didn’t go how we’d planned. The 6th position isn’t ideal for the championship, but it’s better than no points. It’s a long season ahead and hopefully, that’s all the bad luck out the way”.
The next race will be held at Grand Bend Motorplex, Lake Huron, ON on June 8th-11th.
Young’s partners for his 2022 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season include; BMW Motorrad Canada, Van Dolder’s Home Team, Scot-build Developments Inc, Parts Canada, HJC Helmets, Alpinestars, Hindle Exhaust, Clearlite, Primitive Patterns, DP Brakes, alphaRacing, Vass Performance Cycle, Cartier Racing and Bickle Racing.
To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.BenYoungRacing.com, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter and Instagram: @benyoung_86.
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