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MotoAmerica: Tytlers Cycle Racing Makes It Official – Alexander, Beaubier, Jacobsen

Tytlers Cycle Racing’s trio of riders are ready for MotoAmerica season to begin in Atlanta

There is just one week to go until Tytlers Cycle Racing begin their 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike campaign at Road Atlanta and the team’s three riders are ready!

Reigning Stock 1000 champion Corey Alexander steps up to Superbikes joining PJ Jacobsen who remains with the squad. The pair are joined by multiple MotoAmerica champion and Moto2 World Championship podium finisher Cameron Beaubier, who returns to US National series after a couple of seasons competing on the world stage. The trio will once again take to the track on BMW M 1000 RR machinery and had this to say during a recent test in Alabama, ahead of Round 1.

Cameron Beaubier: “I really appreciate this opportunity with Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW to get back on a superbike again at home. They’re a great group of people and they have been working hard to get us ready to go racing. I’ve been loving being back on a superbike. We have been making some progress and I can’t wait to line up at Atlanta for the first MotoAmerica round!”

Corey Alexander: “I am super excited to get the 2023 season underway. After winning the Stock 1000 title last year my goal was to move up to superbike and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so with Tytlers Cycle Racing. Thanks to all the team for getting everything ready for the upcoming season, I know it has not been easy and they have done a lot behind the scenes to make sure we are in the best possible shape. I don’t have expectations for the year ahead, but I am keen to see how I progress during the season and to see how we compare to last year now I am on a full superbike and not a stock machine. A big thanks to all my personal sponsors and supporters, especially over the past four years which is when I returned to the MotoAmerica paddock. It’s a dream come true to race in Superbikes this year and it wouldn’t have been possible without those that have helped and continue to do so.”

PJ Jacobsen: “I’m really looking forward to my second season on the BMW with Tytlers Cycle Racing. I had a pretty good first year with the team and on the bike, especially at the end of the year with podiums and pole position. It will be interesting to see what we learned from last year and I am looking to do a better job than we did in our debut season together. I am grateful that Michael Kiley has given me another opportunity to stay with the team. I have never really been with the same team for two years in a row so having the same crew will be something really positive. We have had several tests trying new things and I felt good, and I cannot wait to start racing.”

Team Owner Michael Kiley is also optimistic for the year ahead: “It has been an exhilarating journey from “Tytlers Who?” to having talent like Dave Weaver, Scott Jensen, with all the professionalism they bring with them to having Corey Alexander, PJ Jacobsen, and Cam Beaubier on the bikes. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this team and this racing community.  I really enjoy the friendships that have come with the other teams we compete with. Attack Yamaha have been great champions but as a token of our respect and admiration we would like to relieve them of the pressure of being number one. It feels like the right thing to do.”

Moto3: Moreira Tops FP1 At COTA

Diogo Moreira, riding his MT Helmets – MSi KTM, topped Moto3 Free Practice One Friday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

Moto3 FP1

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Rocco Landers

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (12 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Rocco Landers. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Rocco Landers. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Rocco Landers 

Age: 18.

Current home: La Crescenta, California.

Current height/weight: 5’11/150 pounds.

Current school grade level: Graduated High School.

Began riding at age: 2 years.

First road race: 2010, Buttonwillow, California, SC MiniGP, Blata Cup, 1st Place.

Current racebike: Yamaha YZF-R6.

Current tuners/mechanics: Stoney Landers (father), Will Eikenberry, Matt Worbes.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Sponsors: CVMA, SoCal Track Days, Track Daz, Mithos, KFG Motorsports, California Superbike School, Keith Code, J4orce Training, Racer’s Edge Performance, Yamaha, M-Tech Motorsports, Dunlop, Öhlins, HJC.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, finished 2nd in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (4 wins, 12 total podiums in 18 races); 2021 season, finished 4th in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (4 podium finishes), 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship (9 wins and 12 podiums in 12 races), won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (15 wins and 18 podiums in 18 races); 2019 season, won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (won 14 of 17 races), won five CVMA class Championships, won multiple races and titles at Dunlop Invite event; 2018 season, finished 4th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc GP National Championship, 18 race wins with CVMA, 3 race wins with WERA West; 2017 season, finished 5th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc National Championship; 2016 season, finished 9th in CIV (Italian) 50cc MiniGP Championship; 2015-2010, multiple mini road racing Championships and race wins.

2023 racing goals: Win as many races and Championships as possible.

Racing career goals: Win races and Championships in World Superbike.

Racing heroes: Wayne Rainey, Josh Hayes, Ben Spies.

Favorite tracks: Sonoma Raceway, Auto Club Speedway.

Favorite hobbies: Riding flat track, studying history.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Moping around.

 

Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

MotoGP: Miller Excited To Try KTM At COTA

“Why not a win?”: Thursday talking points in Texas

Quotes from Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, Zarco, Alex Marquez, Miller, Quartararo and Oliveira ahead of the Americas GP

Thursday, 13 April 2023

From Termas we’ve landed in Texas and boy howdy is it great to be back! Two press conferences kicked us off on Thursday, the first comprising Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), and the second Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoData RNF MotoGP™). Here are some key quotes!

How special is it leading the championship for the first time?

MARCO BEZZECCHI: “Yeah, it was a particular week for me at home. It was a very nice feeling to come back and to see all the love from my family, friends, and all my fans at home. It was something that I didn’t expect honestly but it was fantastic. I feel good, and I feel happy but I also know it’s already time to race again so I also feel concentrated.”

 

MotoGP World Championship point leader Marco Bezzecchi. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoGP World Championship point leader Marco Bezzecchi. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

How many times did you watch that Termas race?

“Many. I think more than 20. As soon as I had some time I put it on the TV, and when I ate whenever I was at home. It was fantastic!”

What’s the message from the camp right now?

“Well, definitely to keep my feet on the ground because Matt, my dad, and everyone in the team is saying this to me, but it’s also what I think. We were already in this same way of thinking. To think about the championship, honestly, it’s very early so I’m not thinking about the championship I’m just enjoying the victory and in the end I arrive here how I arrived in Argentina, just being myself and trying to be fast.”

We saw how frustrated you were in Termas after losing the lead and 20 points, but what did you learn?

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA: “I understood that in the wet everything slips more than in the dry. We were looking with the team what could have caused the crash and the truth is that there is no explanation. It’s difficult to explain, but in any case we have to think about this weekend and focus on what we have to do.

 

Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

“This is not the time to think about the championship. It’s good not to take too many risks, but at that moment I was second and it was the first time I felt so competitive in the wet. I wasn’t thinking about staying calm or waiting, I just wanted to open a gap to Alex Marquez who was behind, but without taking too many risks. I didn’t do anything different, but I crashed.

“Now we move on. We are in Austin, I love this circuit and I love this country. It’s one of the most demanding circuits, but we are ready.”

Where can the strengths of the Ducati help you at COTA?

“I think in the first sector, well, in the first two sectors we can be more competitive because the engine is more agile and it helps to line up better in sector one and two. Last year I had problems, I was losing time under braking and that is something I will have to improve, but I think this year’s bike will help us.”

What do you like most about Austin and the United States?

“I love the atmosphere in America, it’s more relaxed. I love being here, going out, having a hamburger… I love walking around here. I’ve met a lot of people from the paddock around Austin, I think we all love it here.”

Could Marco Bezzecchi be a title contender?

“I think we all recognise Marco’s talent and speed, but it’s too early to be a title contender now. We are only in the third race, I don’t want to put my name on it either… we have to keep calm. There is plenty of time, but for sure Bezzecchi will be very competitive for the whole season and if I have to choose a rival I prefer it to be from Valentino’s Academy.”

On the absence of Marc and Enea:

“Honestly, Marc was one of the guys to beat here this year and Enea too, but it’s difficult to know because the level of the Honda’s is not the same as it was years ago and we have all moved on and grown. For Marc it might have been more complicated to be competitive, but for sure he would have been there to fight, his way of interpreting this circuit is incredible. So is Enea. We have two less contenders, but the level of the other riders is very high.”

How do you assess your start to 2023?

JOHANN ZARCO: “I’m pretty happy overall with the two races. For me, the sprint race is a good to prepare for the Sunday, and I’ve always been well prepared for the Sunday and the big result came twice. I’m happy about it. Clearly, the conditions in Termas were almost my conditions to perform easier compared to the dry. I expected to win but Marco was too fast at the beginning and in the end, I had to recover the time that I lost. But being third at the beginning of the third weekend is a pleasure, and it’s a sign that many things are possible. I’m happy, and as Marco said everything is so early so we need to get focused on the weekend and try to get a good feeling. It’s a tough track here. I was fast last year but not very consistent. If I can find a good pace I can wish for good things.”

 

Johann Zarco. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Johann Zarco. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Have you got any ideas on how to be more competitive in the opening laps?

“It’s a way to ride the bike. It seems the way I ride it at the end of the race when the others have less grip, I’ve got an advantage, but when the tyres are pretty fresh I miss a few tenths. But when everybody is fast around you, it’s also very tough to fight. The starts have been much better than last year and this is useful even if I could not fight very well at the beginning of the race I didn’t lost time at the start and at the first corners. It’s small things, we cannot say that we have to change anything. We are always talking about feeling and trying to get his pure feeling that will help me to do whatever I want when I want.”

ALEX MARQUEZ: “I’m so happy with the level we’re showing, it’s much better than what I imagined before starting the season with Ducati and Gresini but we also need to be realistic, we’re not on the level of the best Ducati riders in the dry so we need to keep working, we are in constant progression going up and that’s good, but we need to be realistic and go step-by-step. Starting like this is really good for the team and also for me because I’m coming from two difficult years, especially the last one, so to start like this for my confidence and motivation is really good. Were not on the level of the best Ducat riders but we need to do as we have until now, try to get points, try to be there for the Championship. We have a lot of races and Sprints ahead, so we need to focus on those points and not take any 0s. To be there will be important this year. Every weekend it’ll be important for us to take steps forward.”

 

Alex Marquez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alex Marquez. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

The Marquez name is no stranger to the top step… could this be a chance to win?

“If Marc comes to Austin, you know you only had half a chance to win. Without Marc here, maybe it becomes 85%! I don’t know, it’s a new track with this bike for me. I don’t know how it’ll come to us. We have quite clear ideas of what we need to improve, so we’ll try to do our best again and have a solid weekend. Why not a win? But it’s not our objective at the moment, we need to be realistic. Our position is between 4th and 7th more or less, but if we have the chance to take a podium or try and win, for sure we’ll try, but realistic for the moment it’s 4th to 8th.”

It feels like this has the making of a first big result here for you with KTM, do you get that vibe?

JACK MILLER: “Yeah for sure, I love coming back here to COTA. It’s definitely one of the Grand Prix that I look forward to most on the calendar, probably one of my favourites. The track is so different to everywhere else that we race. It has its positive points and its different points which is nice. I’m looking forward to it, I think with this KTM I’m excited to see what we can do around this track because the points that I’m finding myself strong on the bike generally play into the parts of this track. We’ll see what we can do this weekend, hopefully, we can get a decent crowd for both Saturday and Sunday and put on a decent show.”

 

Jack Miller. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jack Miller. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Is your front-end confidence with the KTM going to help at COTA, and where?

“Yeah, I think we’ve managed to improve the braking performance of the bike, the decelerating performance. I think going into this Grand Prix this is one of the key factors you need with corners like corner 1, and whatever it is before the back straight, and then after the back straight, and the last corner as well. I think having a decent bike that’s performing well on the brakes is going to be key, also the way the bike changes direction is really precise and it’s giving me good feedback through the handlebars in terms of wanting the change direction so I think sectors 1 and 2 will definitely be pretty nice on this thing.”

Your position at the moment doesn’t feel like a true reflection of your potential or speed this season, is that how you see it?

FABIO QUARTARARO: “Our potential in the wet in Argentina was great, the pace in the Sprint wasn’t the best but we’re not so far. Qualifying is the point we need to work on, and it’ll be key this weekend to have a great qualifying.”

 

Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

What’s missing in the M1 this year so far to make it feel like your bike?

“It’s not so much, but everything is so tight that if you’re not 100% confident on the bike it’s still difficult. Portugal wasn’t too bad, but we had a test just before. We had to figure out in Argentina the conditions, every time we were going on track we were changing something and it was getting better and better. So hopefully we can find our base on this track, and especially in qualifying make a step forward.”

On Toprak:

“That’s not my thing… of course it was a great opportunity for him to try the bike for two days, but I’ve never really talked to him about this test. Then the future of Yamaha, it’s not in my hands, we’ll see who is my teammate next year, it could be Franco or someone else.”

Can you explain to us about your injury and recovery?

MIGUEL OLIVEIRA: “Yeah well, the injury was just a tendon that was a little bit damaged, a couple of tendons in the hip. So basically the problem was that I couldn’t open my leg and swing my leg over the bike without pain so the traveling to Argentina was very long. I was in a lot of pain for three days, it was pretty tough but I had to take the decision to rest. It’s a shame that the first couple of races were back-to-back otherwise I think I could’ve raced the following weekend as we are doing now. From everything that happened Sunday, I’m very grateful for not having any major injuries out of that.”

 

Miguel Oliveira. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miguel Oliveira. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Your pace in Portimao should give you confidence with the Aprilia for the rest of the season?

“Yes Portimao was indeed a track that maybe was better suited to my style and not the areas that I was struggling with the Aprilia which was straight braking. Here in Texas, I think I will struggle a bit more to adapt to this area where I’m not really comfortable yet, but I think we have the opportunity from tomorrow to start working on this and being able to get more comfortable with the bike. We have time, it’s a long season and I just want to restart my season here again and hopefully score points in both races which will be important.”

What are your expectations and hopes for the weekend?

“Well, I think I have to see tomorrow. I need to discover the track with this bike. I don’t see any specific reason why the Aprilias cannot be competitive here so we just need to start and make progress through the practices and the weekend as the time goes on and we get more time with the bike to be fast which is the main target.”

MotoGP: Court Of Appeal Grants Stay Of Execution In Marc Marquez Case

MotoGP™ Court of Appeal grants stay of execution in Marquez’s case

Thursday, 13 April 2023

Please find below the statement from the FIM:

On 26 March 2023, in the MotoGP™ Race of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal, the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Panel imposed a Double Long Lap Penalty on Mr Marc Marquez, Rider #93. On 28 March 2023, the same FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Panel notified the Application of the Sanction imposed on the rider to clarify the scope of its applicability.

Following the appeal from the rider and the HRC – Repsol Honda Team against the Application of the Sanction, the FIM Appeal Stewards decided to refer the case to the MotoGP Court of Appeal on 29 March 2023.

As a result, the MotoGP Court of Appeal ruled on the request to stay the execution of the Application of the Sanction submitted by the Appellants.

A decision granting the stay of execution of the Application of the Sanction was rendered on 12 April 2023 and notified the same day to the Appellants. A final decision on the appeal will be rendered in due course.

Read the full decision of the MotoGP Court of Appeal below.

Triumph Racing Signs Ivan Tedesco And Clément Desalle As Test Riders

TRIUMPH RACING SIGNS TEST RIDERS FOR 2024 SUPERMOTOCROSS AND MXGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

As preparations for Triumph’s debut in the 2024 SuperMotocross and MXGP/MX2 World Championships intensify, Triumph Racing confirms it has signed two top class riders to lead its race development testing.

Ivan Tedesco comes onboard as full-time test rider for the Triumph Racing US SuperMotocross World Championship Team, led by Bobby Hewitt, and Clément Desalle joins as test rider for the Triumph Racing MXGP/MX2 Team, run by Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni,

IVAN TEDESCO – TRIUMPH RACING US SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Ivan Tedesco (‘Hot Sauce’) began racing motorcycles at the age of eight years old and turned Pro in 1999, with a career that spanned 14 years. In his racing career, Tedesco won the AMA 125cc West Coast Supercross series twice (2004 and 2005), the AMA 125cc National Motocross series (2005) and the Motocross of Nations three times with Team USA (2005, 2006 and 2009).

After his retirement from professional racing in 2014, Ivan turned his talents to coaching up and coming racers and becoming one of the very best manufacturer development test riders of the current era.

Ivan Tedesco:

“I’m super excited to be part of the new Triumph racing program and to be working with Ricky and Bobby again. To have the opportunity to work with a new brand in our sport, to take a new bike and develop it to a race ready package, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The team that Triumph is assembling to compete in the SuperMotocross championship is second to none, and together with the support of the engineers at the Triumph Factory, I’m confident we will line up with a competitive bike for Anaheim 1 in 2024.”

Bobby Hewitt: Triumph Racing Team Principal – SMX:

“I’ve known Ivan for many years now, as a multi-time AMA SX Champion and AMA MX Champion who has raced at the highest level including being a member of Team USA multiple times at the Motocross of Nations.

Adding someone with his experience to the program adds another layer of quality and racing experience to an already strong foundation at Triumph Racing here in the US. In 2014 I had the privilege to have Ivan as a team member and pro-rider on one of my previous racing programs before he retired. During that time, I personally had the opportunity to work with him as a rider, experience his attention to detail as a test rider, and more importantly see first-hand how he works and would mentor upcoming riders.

Today is a great day and I’m very excited to add “Hot Sauce” to the program. I truly believe this is another example that the future here at Triumph Racing is very bright!”

RICKY CARMICHAEL – TRIUMPH OFF-ROAD AMBASSADOR

“This is so exciting. It’s just another example of Triumphs dedication to the development of the off-road line of motorcycles.  I have no doubt, that with guys like Ivan Tedesco and Clément Desalle and the knowledge they bring to the table from an R&D standpoint, that these bikes will be top of the line, from a race bike perspective as well as a production model.  These guys know what it takes to win at the highest level and will be a huge asset to the development of a great product!”

CLÉMENT DESALLE – TRIUMPH RACING MXGP/MX2 TEAM

Clément Desalle (‘MX Panda’) competed at the highest level in the MXGP World Championship for 15 years. One of the most consistent racers in the series, he claimed three Vice Champion finishes, was third in the World Championship three times and twice finished fourth. The Belgium national finished on the top step of the podium 23 times in his career, as well as being crowned the Pro open Belgian champion in 2009. He retired from racing in 2020 and turned his attention to test riding and developing race bikes, and is already making a major contribution to Triumph’s progress with its new race bike.

 

Clément Desalle. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Clément Desalle. Photo courtesy Triumph.

 

Clément Desalle:

“Joining the Triumph MX2 program allows me to make use of my years of experience as a professional racer to help take the stock bike to a full factory race bike, ready for the MX2 season in 2024. Working with Thierry and Vincent, I know that Triumph have joined with the best people possible to deliver winning results in the quickest possible time and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Vincent Bereni: Triumph Racing Team Manager – MXGP:

“When Triumph asked us to join this MX project, we knew that the bike R&D and testing was a going to be major part of the success. Clément has a lot of experience of MXGP tracks, the requirements for the race disciplines and is still very fast.

We have worked with Clément for many years and he is a very demanding rider, who pays attention to every aspect of the motorcycle, so in our opinion he is the perfect candidate. We know and understand each other very well and he has already brought a lot to bike development, for both the production and racing application. We are very pleased that he joined the program.”

ABOUT TRIUMPH RACING’S OFF-ROAD PROGRAM:

SMX: Triumph Motorcycles will enter the Monster Energy AMA SuperMotocross World Championship at the start of the 2024 season, with a fully supported factory race program established in the United States to run motocross operations under the all-new global Triumph Racing banner.

Set-up and operated in partnership with Bobby Hewitt, this new Triumph Racing team will field three of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship West and East Coast series before entering the 450cc premier class in 2025.

MXGP: Similarly in 2024, Triumph Racing will also debut in the prestigious FIM Motocross World Championship with a factory supported race programme.

This landmark new Triumph Racing Team has been set-up in partnership with Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, one of the sport’s most experienced and successful team owners, who will field two of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 MX2 class and will add an entry into the 450cc MXGP class in 2025.

Triumph Racing is based at Triumph’s Global Headquarters in Hinckley, UK, where the brand’s off-road design engineering department is located – responsible for the concept and development of the powertrains and chassis for the all-new Motocross and Enduro motorcycle range.

The MXGP/MX2 World Championship team will be based at Thierry’s race facility near Eindhoven in Holland, while the SuperMotocross World Championship operation will be based at a dedicated new state-of-the-art race facility in the USA.

Engineering groups at the Triumph factory and the race teams are working closely together on continuously enhancing chassis and engine performance through an intensive testing schedule, led by Ivan Tedesco and Clément Desalle, underway in the USA, UK and Europe, building towards the competitive World Championship debut in 2024.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Damian Jigalov

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (12 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Damian Jigalov (right) with 3D Motorsports Team Owner Dustin Dominguez (left). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.
Damian Jigalov (right) with 3D Motorsports Team Owner Dustin Dominguez (left). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.

 

Damian Jigalov 

Age: 18.

Current home: Schaumburg, Illinois.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/145 pounds.

Current school grade level: Graduated High School.

Began riding at age: 3 years.

First road race: 2013, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Northwoods GP, Ultralight Superstock, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R750.

Current tuner/mechanic: Dustin Dominguez.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Top sponsors: 3D Motorsports, Dunlop, LS2 Helmets, 4SR Leathers.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 2nd 600 Superstock and 600 Superbike WERA National Challenge Championships (2 wins, 8 total podium finishes), finished 3rd in C Superbike AMA Grand Championship; 2021 season, finished 2nd in WERA National Challenge Series Open Superbike and Open Superstock Championships, finished 2nd in WERA Sportsman North Central Open Superbike and Open Superstock Championships (2 wins, 14 podiums with WERA in 2021); 2020 season, raced in European Talent Cup (best race finish was 22nd); 2019 season, finished 7th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 6 top-5 finishes); 2018 season, finished 12th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 Championship (best race finish of 6th), finished 13th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup (best race finish was 2nd, twice), won WERA Sportsman D Superstock National Championship, won 18 WERA races; 2017 season, placed 8th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 4T Championship (best race finish was 5th), placed 4th in Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Cup Final; 2016 season, placed 10th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 Championship (best race finish was 5th).

2023 racing goals: Run at the front in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Racing career goal: Make a living racing motorcycles.

Racing hero: Marc Marquez.

Favorite track: Mugello.

Favorite hobby: Fitness.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Working as a salesman at Motor Cycle Center, in Villa Park, Illinois.

 

Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

Video: Airfence Saves Lives

John Ulrich talks about how and why he started the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund, Inc. (RWAF) two decades ago, raising money to deploy Airfence and Alpina soft barriers. The effort changed the culture of motorcycle road racing in the U.S. for the better, by making attention to rider safety accepted and expected. If you see soft barriers at a racetrack in America, the chances are good that the 501(c)(3) Roadracing World Action Fund raised the money needed to pay for it.

Also, thanks to MotoUp for running a fund-raiser for RWAF this weekend at COTA.

 

MotoGP: Dorna Previews Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas At COTA

3, 2, 1… RODEO! MotoGP™ saddles up to take on Texas

The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas is ready to rock & roll in Austin

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

Argentina was another showdown overflowing with headlines and this time, the field have had a weekend off to get suited, booted, and ready to go. Now we saddle up for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas as the paddock heads for Austin, TX, with both a new Championship leader and MotoGP™ winner in the field: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). Another Tissot Sprint and another surefire show await us at the horsepower rodeo!

MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM

What to say about Marco Bezzecchi? The number 72 was on another level on Sunday last time out, and that’s earned him both the points lead and his maiden win. The question now is, can he follow it up? With his track record it seems likely the answer is yes, but when and where remains to be seen as yet. Teammate Luca Marini, meanwhile, also arrives from a first after taking a podium in the Tissot Sprint, and he’ll be more motivated than ever looking over to the other side of the garage…

DUCATI LENOVO TEAM

It started perfectly for Francesco Bagnaia in Portugal, but it continued with a couple of bumps in the road in Argentina. On Saturday it was a safe sixth in the Sprint, and then on Sunday it looked like a well-controlled podium… until it slid away. Resetting now will tell us much about what the reigning Champion has in the locker for 2022. For last year’s COTA winner Enea Bastianini, meanwhile, it’s sadly another event on the sidelines as he waits for his shoulder to heal, with test rider Michele Pirro stepping in.

PRIMA PRAMAC RACING

It was a somewhat anonymous Sprint for both Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin in Argentina, but Zarco certainly hit back on Sunday with that late race charge for the podium. He’ll want more as his search for that maiden win continues, and Martin will want to take a big step back to the front after a tougher weekend in Termas. His goal this year isn’t a win, it’s wins plural. Can Texas get the mission back on track with a little more time to heal up, too?

GRESINI RACING MotoGP™

After a slightly scrappy Portimao, it came good for Alex Marquez in Argentina as the number 73 took his first premier class pole position and turned it into a first podium with Ducati on Sunday. Can he keep or improve on that pace once again in Austin? He’s aiming to become a perennial presence in the fight for the rostrum. On the other side of the box, teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will want a lot more as he watches the likes of Bezzecchi win races, but the number 49 also took a step in Termas. Can he keep it rolling to the flag this time round?

APRILIA RACING

Friday in Argentina made for ominous reading for the rest of the field as Aprilia Racing ended the day first and second, but it just didn’t quite come together in the end. A year after the same venue staged his first win, Aleix Espargaro left Termas this time around with only 12 points in total, and he’ll be absolutely focused on gaining some more in Austin. Maverick Viñales, meanwhile, has a pretty good haul of 32 but won’t want to stay AWOL from that front group. The stars seem to threaten to align and then change their mind as he aims for that first win with Aprilia, so will it be a lucky visit to the Lone Star State or another wait?

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING

‘Sunday rider’ was always a compliment to Brad Binder, but it just isn’t true anymore after that stunning Saturday in Argentina. From 15th to 1st, the South African was simply not going to be stopped and put in a serious statement ride. Sunday saw bad luck hit early and makes COTA the follow up performance… so can we expect an encore? For Jack Miller, meanwhile, Argentina was another solid round. He’s adapting, the project is putting those pieces together and some solid consistency – as well as flashes of serious speed – put him sixth overall as it stands. Will COTA be another step forward as he continues to impress and enjoy proving his doubters wrong?

MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MotoGP™

Franco Morbidelli had a fantastic return to form in Argentina, and eyes will be on the number 21 to see if he can repeat the feat at another venue. Impressive in qualifying, the Sprint, and on Sunday, it was a weekend he’s needed and one he’ll be keen to back up. Teammate Fabio Quartararo was no slouch though. Despite yet more bad luck, Sunday especially saw the Frenchman prove his quality once again as he sliced through from well down the order after a little close attention earlier in the race. COTA has never been the best venue for Yamaha, but in 2023 anything can and has been happening… with both riders on form, what will the Iwata marque deliver in Austin?

LCR HONDA

As we head into a venue he’s ruled before, it’s Alex Rins holding the honour of top Honda after two pretty solid first rounds in his new home. With more and more track time we can likely expect more and more from the proven frontrunner, and COTA has some good memories from that previous win, his very first. What can Rins do this time out? Teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) will be hoping to cut the gap and get back on terms too.

REPSOL HONDA TEAM

The huge news ahead of the weekend was the withdrawal of Marc Marquez as his broken hand continues to recover. He’ll be replaced by test rider Stefan Bradl, and despite Honda having a tougher pre-season than some and Marquez having been injured in Portimao, his absence may seem a reprieve for some, such is the pure quality of his record at the track.

On the other side of the garage, Joan Mir, after that crash on Saturday in Argentina, will be hoping to get back into the learning curve and make more progress. Said progress was going pretty well in Portimao so we can be sure there’s much more to come from the 2020 World Champion.

GASGAS FACTORY RACING Tech3

There will be a new face on the grid for GASGAS in Austin, or more a new face for 2023. Jonas Folger joins the fold as the replacement for the recovering Pol Espargaro, and he’ll be an interesting addition after some time on the sidelines. He did test in pre-season, however. Rookie Augusto Fernandez, meanwhile, has already scored some points and diced it up in the mix with much more experienced riders, so COTA is another chance to double down on his progress.

CRYPTODATA RNF MotoGP™ TEAM

It was a tough Round 2 for the RNF squad and Raul Fernandez certainly will be eager to get more from the Americas GP. He arrives with only a couple of points so far but some good flashes of speed shown, so can he start to turn it around in Texas? On the other side of the garage, Miguel Oliveira is heading to Austin hoping he passes a medical test on Thursday at the circuit. If that happens, the Portuguese rider will be back in action after such bad luck in the season opener, looking to pick up where he left off in terms of pace.

SHOWTIME

Friday’s two practice sessions decide entrants to Q2, before the MotoGP™ grid qualify on Saturday morning. The Tissot Sprint then gets in gear at 15:00 on Saturday, before we rodeo on Sunday at 14:00. Don’t miss it!

Tissot Sprint: Saturday 15:00 (GMT -5)

Grand Prix Race: Sunday 14:00 (GMT -5)

See you there!

Can Arbolino keep the lead in Austin?

On the road to Austin, it’s now Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) who leads the way in the intermediate class… and guess who won at COTA last year? He was also joined on the podium by another rostrum finisher in Argentina, Jake Dixon (Asterius GASGAS Aspar), so the two have form. Meanwhile Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) hasn’t even ridden the track in Moto2™, but that’s not stopped him taking podiums and wins last year as a rookie either.

Speaking of last year’s rookies, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had a tougher time of it in the rain last time out and will want to reassert his speed, and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) will very much want to stop him. Despite a jump start and two Long Laps at Termas, the number 40 still took a top finish and will want more at COTA. Join us for another chapter of Moto2™at 12:15 (GMT -5) on Sunday!

Moto3™ tee up to take on COTA

He just missed out on the podium in Argentina, but Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) is still the Championship leader heading into Round 3… by just two points. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) remains the rider on the chase though, and after two podiums to start the year he’ll be looking for another as a minimum as he seeks that first win.

Meanwhile, Argentina winner Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) will be aiming to stay in the game, and teammate Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), last year’s Americas GP winner, wants that first visit to the rostrum this season. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) haven’t really got off the mark yet either, whereas Andrea Migno (CIP Green Power) already has a podium as a replacement rider… and was on the box last year at COTA. It’s an intriguing mix already, so get ready for more Moto3™ at 11:00 (GMT -5) on Sunday!

MotoAmerica: Tytlers Cycle Racing Makes It Official – Alexander, Beaubier, Jacobsen

Tytlers Cycle Racing 2023 riders (from left) Corey Alexander, Cameron Beaubier, and PJ Jacobsen.
Tytlers Cycle Racing 2023 riders (from left) Corey Alexander, Cameron Beaubier, and PJ Jacobsen.

Tytlers Cycle Racing’s trio of riders are ready for MotoAmerica season to begin in Atlanta

There is just one week to go until Tytlers Cycle Racing begin their 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike campaign at Road Atlanta and the team’s three riders are ready!

Reigning Stock 1000 champion Corey Alexander steps up to Superbikes joining PJ Jacobsen who remains with the squad. The pair are joined by multiple MotoAmerica champion and Moto2 World Championship podium finisher Cameron Beaubier, who returns to US National series after a couple of seasons competing on the world stage. The trio will once again take to the track on BMW M 1000 RR machinery and had this to say during a recent test in Alabama, ahead of Round 1.

Cameron Beaubier: “I really appreciate this opportunity with Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW to get back on a superbike again at home. They’re a great group of people and they have been working hard to get us ready to go racing. I’ve been loving being back on a superbike. We have been making some progress and I can’t wait to line up at Atlanta for the first MotoAmerica round!”

Corey Alexander: “I am super excited to get the 2023 season underway. After winning the Stock 1000 title last year my goal was to move up to superbike and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so with Tytlers Cycle Racing. Thanks to all the team for getting everything ready for the upcoming season, I know it has not been easy and they have done a lot behind the scenes to make sure we are in the best possible shape. I don’t have expectations for the year ahead, but I am keen to see how I progress during the season and to see how we compare to last year now I am on a full superbike and not a stock machine. A big thanks to all my personal sponsors and supporters, especially over the past four years which is when I returned to the MotoAmerica paddock. It’s a dream come true to race in Superbikes this year and it wouldn’t have been possible without those that have helped and continue to do so.”

PJ Jacobsen: “I’m really looking forward to my second season on the BMW with Tytlers Cycle Racing. I had a pretty good first year with the team and on the bike, especially at the end of the year with podiums and pole position. It will be interesting to see what we learned from last year and I am looking to do a better job than we did in our debut season together. I am grateful that Michael Kiley has given me another opportunity to stay with the team. I have never really been with the same team for two years in a row so having the same crew will be something really positive. We have had several tests trying new things and I felt good, and I cannot wait to start racing.”

Team Owner Michael Kiley is also optimistic for the year ahead: “It has been an exhilarating journey from “Tytlers Who?” to having talent like Dave Weaver, Scott Jensen, with all the professionalism they bring with them to having Corey Alexander, PJ Jacobsen, and Cam Beaubier on the bikes. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this team and this racing community.  I really enjoy the friendships that have come with the other teams we compete with. Attack Yamaha have been great champions but as a token of our respect and admiration we would like to relieve them of the pressure of being number one. It feels like the right thing to do.”

Moto3: Moreira Tops FP1 At COTA

Diogo Moreira (10). Photo courtesy MT Helmets - MSi.
Diogo Moreira (10). Photo courtesy MT Helmets - MSi.

Diogo Moreira, riding his MT Helmets – MSi KTM, topped Moto3 Free Practice One Friday morning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

Moto3 FP1

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Rocco Landers

Rocco Landers (97). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Rocco Landers (97). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (12 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Rocco Landers. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Rocco Landers. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

Rocco Landers 

Age: 18.

Current home: La Crescenta, California.

Current height/weight: 5’11/150 pounds.

Current school grade level: Graduated High School.

Began riding at age: 2 years.

First road race: 2010, Buttonwillow, California, SC MiniGP, Blata Cup, 1st Place.

Current racebike: Yamaha YZF-R6.

Current tuners/mechanics: Stoney Landers (father), Will Eikenberry, Matt Worbes.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Sponsors: CVMA, SoCal Track Days, Track Daz, Mithos, KFG Motorsports, California Superbike School, Keith Code, J4orce Training, Racer’s Edge Performance, Yamaha, M-Tech Motorsports, Dunlop, Öhlins, HJC.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, finished 2nd in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (4 wins, 12 total podiums in 18 races); 2021 season, finished 4th in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship (4 podium finishes), 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship (9 wins and 12 podiums in 12 races), won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (15 wins and 18 podiums in 18 races); 2019 season, won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (won 14 of 17 races), won five CVMA class Championships, won multiple races and titles at Dunlop Invite event; 2018 season, finished 4th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc GP National Championship, 18 race wins with CVMA, 3 race wins with WERA West; 2017 season, finished 5th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc National Championship; 2016 season, finished 9th in CIV (Italian) 50cc MiniGP Championship; 2015-2010, multiple mini road racing Championships and race wins.

2023 racing goals: Win as many races and Championships as possible.

Racing career goals: Win races and Championships in World Superbike.

Racing heroes: Wayne Rainey, Josh Hayes, Ben Spies.

Favorite tracks: Sonoma Raceway, Auto Club Speedway.

Favorite hobbies: Riding flat track, studying history.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Moping around.

 

Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

World Endurance: BMW Motorrad Team Quickest During Practice At Le Mans

BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team's Markus Reiterberger (37) leads a group of riders during practice Thursday at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team's Markus Reiterberger (37) leads a group of riders during practice Thursday at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
24-Heures-du-Mans-Motos-24-heures-Motos-Free-Practice-Sessions-Final-ranking
24-Heures-du-Mans-Motos-24-heures-Motos-Night-Free-Practice-Session-Final-ranking

MotoGP: Miller Excited To Try KTM At COTA

Jack Miller (43). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jack Miller (43). Photo courtesy Dorna.

“Why not a win?”: Thursday talking points in Texas

Quotes from Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, Zarco, Alex Marquez, Miller, Quartararo and Oliveira ahead of the Americas GP

Thursday, 13 April 2023

From Termas we’ve landed in Texas and boy howdy is it great to be back! Two press conferences kicked us off on Thursday, the first comprising Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), and the second Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoData RNF MotoGP™). Here are some key quotes!

How special is it leading the championship for the first time?

MARCO BEZZECCHI: “Yeah, it was a particular week for me at home. It was a very nice feeling to come back and to see all the love from my family, friends, and all my fans at home. It was something that I didn’t expect honestly but it was fantastic. I feel good, and I feel happy but I also know it’s already time to race again so I also feel concentrated.”

 

MotoGP World Championship point leader Marco Bezzecchi. Photo courtesy Dorna.
MotoGP World Championship point leader Marco Bezzecchi. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

How many times did you watch that Termas race?

“Many. I think more than 20. As soon as I had some time I put it on the TV, and when I ate whenever I was at home. It was fantastic!”

What’s the message from the camp right now?

“Well, definitely to keep my feet on the ground because Matt, my dad, and everyone in the team is saying this to me, but it’s also what I think. We were already in this same way of thinking. To think about the championship, honestly, it’s very early so I’m not thinking about the championship I’m just enjoying the victory and in the end I arrive here how I arrived in Argentina, just being myself and trying to be fast.”

We saw how frustrated you were in Termas after losing the lead and 20 points, but what did you learn?

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA: “I understood that in the wet everything slips more than in the dry. We were looking with the team what could have caused the crash and the truth is that there is no explanation. It’s difficult to explain, but in any case we have to think about this weekend and focus on what we have to do.

 

Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Defending MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

“This is not the time to think about the championship. It’s good not to take too many risks, but at that moment I was second and it was the first time I felt so competitive in the wet. I wasn’t thinking about staying calm or waiting, I just wanted to open a gap to Alex Marquez who was behind, but without taking too many risks. I didn’t do anything different, but I crashed.

“Now we move on. We are in Austin, I love this circuit and I love this country. It’s one of the most demanding circuits, but we are ready.”

Where can the strengths of the Ducati help you at COTA?

“I think in the first sector, well, in the first two sectors we can be more competitive because the engine is more agile and it helps to line up better in sector one and two. Last year I had problems, I was losing time under braking and that is something I will have to improve, but I think this year’s bike will help us.”

What do you like most about Austin and the United States?

“I love the atmosphere in America, it’s more relaxed. I love being here, going out, having a hamburger… I love walking around here. I’ve met a lot of people from the paddock around Austin, I think we all love it here.”

Could Marco Bezzecchi be a title contender?

“I think we all recognise Marco’s talent and speed, but it’s too early to be a title contender now. We are only in the third race, I don’t want to put my name on it either… we have to keep calm. There is plenty of time, but for sure Bezzecchi will be very competitive for the whole season and if I have to choose a rival I prefer it to be from Valentino’s Academy.”

On the absence of Marc and Enea:

“Honestly, Marc was one of the guys to beat here this year and Enea too, but it’s difficult to know because the level of the Honda’s is not the same as it was years ago and we have all moved on and grown. For Marc it might have been more complicated to be competitive, but for sure he would have been there to fight, his way of interpreting this circuit is incredible. So is Enea. We have two less contenders, but the level of the other riders is very high.”

How do you assess your start to 2023?

JOHANN ZARCO: “I’m pretty happy overall with the two races. For me, the sprint race is a good to prepare for the Sunday, and I’ve always been well prepared for the Sunday and the big result came twice. I’m happy about it. Clearly, the conditions in Termas were almost my conditions to perform easier compared to the dry. I expected to win but Marco was too fast at the beginning and in the end, I had to recover the time that I lost. But being third at the beginning of the third weekend is a pleasure, and it’s a sign that many things are possible. I’m happy, and as Marco said everything is so early so we need to get focused on the weekend and try to get a good feeling. It’s a tough track here. I was fast last year but not very consistent. If I can find a good pace I can wish for good things.”

 

Johann Zarco. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Johann Zarco. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Have you got any ideas on how to be more competitive in the opening laps?

“It’s a way to ride the bike. It seems the way I ride it at the end of the race when the others have less grip, I’ve got an advantage, but when the tyres are pretty fresh I miss a few tenths. But when everybody is fast around you, it’s also very tough to fight. The starts have been much better than last year and this is useful even if I could not fight very well at the beginning of the race I didn’t lost time at the start and at the first corners. It’s small things, we cannot say that we have to change anything. We are always talking about feeling and trying to get his pure feeling that will help me to do whatever I want when I want.”

ALEX MARQUEZ: “I’m so happy with the level we’re showing, it’s much better than what I imagined before starting the season with Ducati and Gresini but we also need to be realistic, we’re not on the level of the best Ducati riders in the dry so we need to keep working, we are in constant progression going up and that’s good, but we need to be realistic and go step-by-step. Starting like this is really good for the team and also for me because I’m coming from two difficult years, especially the last one, so to start like this for my confidence and motivation is really good. Were not on the level of the best Ducat riders but we need to do as we have until now, try to get points, try to be there for the Championship. We have a lot of races and Sprints ahead, so we need to focus on those points and not take any 0s. To be there will be important this year. Every weekend it’ll be important for us to take steps forward.”

 

Alex Marquez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alex Marquez. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

The Marquez name is no stranger to the top step… could this be a chance to win?

“If Marc comes to Austin, you know you only had half a chance to win. Without Marc here, maybe it becomes 85%! I don’t know, it’s a new track with this bike for me. I don’t know how it’ll come to us. We have quite clear ideas of what we need to improve, so we’ll try to do our best again and have a solid weekend. Why not a win? But it’s not our objective at the moment, we need to be realistic. Our position is between 4th and 7th more or less, but if we have the chance to take a podium or try and win, for sure we’ll try, but realistic for the moment it’s 4th to 8th.”

It feels like this has the making of a first big result here for you with KTM, do you get that vibe?

JACK MILLER: “Yeah for sure, I love coming back here to COTA. It’s definitely one of the Grand Prix that I look forward to most on the calendar, probably one of my favourites. The track is so different to everywhere else that we race. It has its positive points and its different points which is nice. I’m looking forward to it, I think with this KTM I’m excited to see what we can do around this track because the points that I’m finding myself strong on the bike generally play into the parts of this track. We’ll see what we can do this weekend, hopefully, we can get a decent crowd for both Saturday and Sunday and put on a decent show.”

 

Jack Miller. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jack Miller. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Is your front-end confidence with the KTM going to help at COTA, and where?

“Yeah, I think we’ve managed to improve the braking performance of the bike, the decelerating performance. I think going into this Grand Prix this is one of the key factors you need with corners like corner 1, and whatever it is before the back straight, and then after the back straight, and the last corner as well. I think having a decent bike that’s performing well on the brakes is going to be key, also the way the bike changes direction is really precise and it’s giving me good feedback through the handlebars in terms of wanting the change direction so I think sectors 1 and 2 will definitely be pretty nice on this thing.”

Your position at the moment doesn’t feel like a true reflection of your potential or speed this season, is that how you see it?

FABIO QUARTARARO: “Our potential in the wet in Argentina was great, the pace in the Sprint wasn’t the best but we’re not so far. Qualifying is the point we need to work on, and it’ll be key this weekend to have a great qualifying.”

 

Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

What’s missing in the M1 this year so far to make it feel like your bike?

“It’s not so much, but everything is so tight that if you’re not 100% confident on the bike it’s still difficult. Portugal wasn’t too bad, but we had a test just before. We had to figure out in Argentina the conditions, every time we were going on track we were changing something and it was getting better and better. So hopefully we can find our base on this track, and especially in qualifying make a step forward.”

On Toprak:

“That’s not my thing… of course it was a great opportunity for him to try the bike for two days, but I’ve never really talked to him about this test. Then the future of Yamaha, it’s not in my hands, we’ll see who is my teammate next year, it could be Franco or someone else.”

Can you explain to us about your injury and recovery?

MIGUEL OLIVEIRA: “Yeah well, the injury was just a tendon that was a little bit damaged, a couple of tendons in the hip. So basically the problem was that I couldn’t open my leg and swing my leg over the bike without pain so the traveling to Argentina was very long. I was in a lot of pain for three days, it was pretty tough but I had to take the decision to rest. It’s a shame that the first couple of races were back-to-back otherwise I think I could’ve raced the following weekend as we are doing now. From everything that happened Sunday, I’m very grateful for not having any major injuries out of that.”

 

Miguel Oliveira. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miguel Oliveira. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Your pace in Portimao should give you confidence with the Aprilia for the rest of the season?

“Yes Portimao was indeed a track that maybe was better suited to my style and not the areas that I was struggling with the Aprilia which was straight braking. Here in Texas, I think I will struggle a bit more to adapt to this area where I’m not really comfortable yet, but I think we have the opportunity from tomorrow to start working on this and being able to get more comfortable with the bike. We have time, it’s a long season and I just want to restart my season here again and hopefully score points in both races which will be important.”

What are your expectations and hopes for the weekend?

“Well, I think I have to see tomorrow. I need to discover the track with this bike. I don’t see any specific reason why the Aprilias cannot be competitive here so we just need to start and make progress through the practices and the weekend as the time goes on and we get more time with the bike to be fast which is the main target.”

MotoGP: Court Of Appeal Grants Stay Of Execution In Marc Marquez Case

Marc Marquez, after colliding with Miguel Oliveira at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Marc Marquez, after colliding with and injuring Miguel Oliveira at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal. Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.

MotoGP™ Court of Appeal grants stay of execution in Marquez’s case

Thursday, 13 April 2023

Please find below the statement from the FIM:

On 26 March 2023, in the MotoGP™ Race of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal, the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Panel imposed a Double Long Lap Penalty on Mr Marc Marquez, Rider #93. On 28 March 2023, the same FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Panel notified the Application of the Sanction imposed on the rider to clarify the scope of its applicability.

Following the appeal from the rider and the HRC – Repsol Honda Team against the Application of the Sanction, the FIM Appeal Stewards decided to refer the case to the MotoGP Court of Appeal on 29 March 2023.

As a result, the MotoGP Court of Appeal ruled on the request to stay the execution of the Application of the Sanction submitted by the Appellants.

A decision granting the stay of execution of the Application of the Sanction was rendered on 12 April 2023 and notified the same day to the Appellants. A final decision on the appeal will be rendered in due course.

Read the full decision of the MotoGP Court of Appeal below.

Triumph Racing Signs Ivan Tedesco And Clément Desalle As Test Riders

Ivan Tedesco. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Ivan Tedesco. Photo courtesy Triumph.

TRIUMPH RACING SIGNS TEST RIDERS FOR 2024 SUPERMOTOCROSS AND MXGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

As preparations for Triumph’s debut in the 2024 SuperMotocross and MXGP/MX2 World Championships intensify, Triumph Racing confirms it has signed two top class riders to lead its race development testing.

Ivan Tedesco comes onboard as full-time test rider for the Triumph Racing US SuperMotocross World Championship Team, led by Bobby Hewitt, and Clément Desalle joins as test rider for the Triumph Racing MXGP/MX2 Team, run by Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni,

IVAN TEDESCO – TRIUMPH RACING US SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Ivan Tedesco (‘Hot Sauce’) began racing motorcycles at the age of eight years old and turned Pro in 1999, with a career that spanned 14 years. In his racing career, Tedesco won the AMA 125cc West Coast Supercross series twice (2004 and 2005), the AMA 125cc National Motocross series (2005) and the Motocross of Nations three times with Team USA (2005, 2006 and 2009).

After his retirement from professional racing in 2014, Ivan turned his talents to coaching up and coming racers and becoming one of the very best manufacturer development test riders of the current era.

Ivan Tedesco:

“I’m super excited to be part of the new Triumph racing program and to be working with Ricky and Bobby again. To have the opportunity to work with a new brand in our sport, to take a new bike and develop it to a race ready package, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The team that Triumph is assembling to compete in the SuperMotocross championship is second to none, and together with the support of the engineers at the Triumph Factory, I’m confident we will line up with a competitive bike for Anaheim 1 in 2024.”

Bobby Hewitt: Triumph Racing Team Principal – SMX:

“I’ve known Ivan for many years now, as a multi-time AMA SX Champion and AMA MX Champion who has raced at the highest level including being a member of Team USA multiple times at the Motocross of Nations.

Adding someone with his experience to the program adds another layer of quality and racing experience to an already strong foundation at Triumph Racing here in the US. In 2014 I had the privilege to have Ivan as a team member and pro-rider on one of my previous racing programs before he retired. During that time, I personally had the opportunity to work with him as a rider, experience his attention to detail as a test rider, and more importantly see first-hand how he works and would mentor upcoming riders.

Today is a great day and I’m very excited to add “Hot Sauce” to the program. I truly believe this is another example that the future here at Triumph Racing is very bright!”

RICKY CARMICHAEL – TRIUMPH OFF-ROAD AMBASSADOR

“This is so exciting. It’s just another example of Triumphs dedication to the development of the off-road line of motorcycles.  I have no doubt, that with guys like Ivan Tedesco and Clément Desalle and the knowledge they bring to the table from an R&D standpoint, that these bikes will be top of the line, from a race bike perspective as well as a production model.  These guys know what it takes to win at the highest level and will be a huge asset to the development of a great product!”

CLÉMENT DESALLE – TRIUMPH RACING MXGP/MX2 TEAM

Clément Desalle (‘MX Panda’) competed at the highest level in the MXGP World Championship for 15 years. One of the most consistent racers in the series, he claimed three Vice Champion finishes, was third in the World Championship three times and twice finished fourth. The Belgium national finished on the top step of the podium 23 times in his career, as well as being crowned the Pro open Belgian champion in 2009. He retired from racing in 2020 and turned his attention to test riding and developing race bikes, and is already making a major contribution to Triumph’s progress with its new race bike.

 

Clément Desalle. Photo courtesy Triumph.
Clément Desalle. Photo courtesy Triumph.

 

Clément Desalle:

“Joining the Triumph MX2 program allows me to make use of my years of experience as a professional racer to help take the stock bike to a full factory race bike, ready for the MX2 season in 2024. Working with Thierry and Vincent, I know that Triumph have joined with the best people possible to deliver winning results in the quickest possible time and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Vincent Bereni: Triumph Racing Team Manager – MXGP:

“When Triumph asked us to join this MX project, we knew that the bike R&D and testing was a going to be major part of the success. Clément has a lot of experience of MXGP tracks, the requirements for the race disciplines and is still very fast.

We have worked with Clément for many years and he is a very demanding rider, who pays attention to every aspect of the motorcycle, so in our opinion he is the perfect candidate. We know and understand each other very well and he has already brought a lot to bike development, for both the production and racing application. We are very pleased that he joined the program.”

ABOUT TRIUMPH RACING’S OFF-ROAD PROGRAM:

SMX: Triumph Motorcycles will enter the Monster Energy AMA SuperMotocross World Championship at the start of the 2024 season, with a fully supported factory race program established in the United States to run motocross operations under the all-new global Triumph Racing banner.

Set-up and operated in partnership with Bobby Hewitt, this new Triumph Racing team will field three of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship West and East Coast series before entering the 450cc premier class in 2025.

MXGP: Similarly in 2024, Triumph Racing will also debut in the prestigious FIM Motocross World Championship with a factory supported race programme.

This landmark new Triumph Racing Team has been set-up in partnership with Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, one of the sport’s most experienced and successful team owners, who will field two of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 MX2 class and will add an entry into the 450cc MXGP class in 2025.

Triumph Racing is based at Triumph’s Global Headquarters in Hinckley, UK, where the brand’s off-road design engineering department is located – responsible for the concept and development of the powertrains and chassis for the all-new Motocross and Enduro motorcycle range.

The MXGP/MX2 World Championship team will be based at Thierry’s race facility near Eindhoven in Holland, while the SuperMotocross World Championship operation will be based at a dedicated new state-of-the-art race facility in the USA.

Engineering groups at the Triumph factory and the race teams are working closely together on continuously enhancing chassis and engine performance through an intensive testing schedule, led by Ivan Tedesco and Clément Desalle, underway in the USA, UK and Europe, building towards the competitive World Championship debut in 2024.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2023: Damian Jigalov

Damian Jigalov (78). Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo.

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (12 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

The entire Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2023 is featured in the April 2023 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

Damian Jigalov (right) with 3D Motorsports Team Owner Dustin Dominguez (left). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.
Damian Jigalov (right) with 3D Motorsports Team Owner Dustin Dominguez (left). Photo courtesy 3D Motorsports.

 

Damian Jigalov 

Age: 18.

Current home: Schaumburg, Illinois.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/145 pounds.

Current school grade level: Graduated High School.

Began riding at age: 3 years.

First road race: 2013, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Northwoods GP, Ultralight Superstock, 3rd place.

Current racebike: Suzuki GSX-R750.

Current tuner/mechanic: Dustin Dominguez.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Supersport.

Top sponsors: 3D Motorsports, Dunlop, LS2 Helmets, 4SR Leathers.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 2nd 600 Superstock and 600 Superbike WERA National Challenge Championships (2 wins, 8 total podium finishes), finished 3rd in C Superbike AMA Grand Championship; 2021 season, finished 2nd in WERA National Challenge Series Open Superbike and Open Superstock Championships, finished 2nd in WERA Sportsman North Central Open Superbike and Open Superstock Championships (2 wins, 14 podiums with WERA in 2021); 2020 season, raced in European Talent Cup (best race finish was 22nd); 2019 season, finished 7th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (1 podium finish, 6 top-5 finishes); 2018 season, finished 12th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 Championship (best race finish of 6th), finished 13th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup (best race finish was 2nd, twice), won WERA Sportsman D Superstock National Championship, won 18 WERA races; 2017 season, placed 8th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 4T Championship (best race finish was 5th), placed 4th in Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Cup Final; 2016 season, placed 10th in CIV (Italian) Pre-Moto3 Championship (best race finish was 5th).

2023 racing goals: Run at the front in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

Racing career goal: Make a living racing motorcycles.

Racing hero: Marc Marquez.

Favorite track: Mugello.

Favorite hobby: Fitness.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Working as a salesman at Motor Cycle Center, in Villa Park, Illinois.

 

Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);

2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;

five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier;

MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;

former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;

three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;

former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;

2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;

2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;

four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);

Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;

two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;

2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;

2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;

two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;

2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;

2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;

2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);

2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;

eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;

2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;

MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;

AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;

2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;

2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;

2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;

Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;

two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;

2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;

MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;

MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;

AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;

Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;

AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;

2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;

2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;

2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;

2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;

AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;

two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;

former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;

three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;

multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;

MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;

2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;

Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;

former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;

MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;

and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.

Video: Airfence Saves Lives

Corey Alexander (23). Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing.
Corey Alexander (23) benefitted from soft barriers supplied by the Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) during the 2022 MotoAmerica season. Photo courtesy Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing.

John Ulrich talks about how and why he started the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund, Inc. (RWAF) two decades ago, raising money to deploy Airfence and Alpina soft barriers. The effort changed the culture of motorcycle road racing in the U.S. for the better, by making attention to rider safety accepted and expected. If you see soft barriers at a racetrack in America, the chances are good that the 501(c)(3) Roadracing World Action Fund raised the money needed to pay for it.

Also, thanks to MotoUp for running a fund-raiser for RWAF this weekend at COTA.

 

MotoGP: Dorna Previews Red Bull Grand Prix Of The Americas At COTA

Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Circuit of The Americas.
Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Circuit of The Americas.

3, 2, 1… RODEO! MotoGP™ saddles up to take on Texas

The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas is ready to rock & roll in Austin

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

Argentina was another showdown overflowing with headlines and this time, the field have had a weekend off to get suited, booted, and ready to go. Now we saddle up for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas as the paddock heads for Austin, TX, with both a new Championship leader and MotoGP™ winner in the field: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). Another Tissot Sprint and another surefire show await us at the horsepower rodeo!

MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM

What to say about Marco Bezzecchi? The number 72 was on another level on Sunday last time out, and that’s earned him both the points lead and his maiden win. The question now is, can he follow it up? With his track record it seems likely the answer is yes, but when and where remains to be seen as yet. Teammate Luca Marini, meanwhile, also arrives from a first after taking a podium in the Tissot Sprint, and he’ll be more motivated than ever looking over to the other side of the garage…

DUCATI LENOVO TEAM

It started perfectly for Francesco Bagnaia in Portugal, but it continued with a couple of bumps in the road in Argentina. On Saturday it was a safe sixth in the Sprint, and then on Sunday it looked like a well-controlled podium… until it slid away. Resetting now will tell us much about what the reigning Champion has in the locker for 2022. For last year’s COTA winner Enea Bastianini, meanwhile, it’s sadly another event on the sidelines as he waits for his shoulder to heal, with test rider Michele Pirro stepping in.

PRIMA PRAMAC RACING

It was a somewhat anonymous Sprint for both Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin in Argentina, but Zarco certainly hit back on Sunday with that late race charge for the podium. He’ll want more as his search for that maiden win continues, and Martin will want to take a big step back to the front after a tougher weekend in Termas. His goal this year isn’t a win, it’s wins plural. Can Texas get the mission back on track with a little more time to heal up, too?

GRESINI RACING MotoGP™

After a slightly scrappy Portimao, it came good for Alex Marquez in Argentina as the number 73 took his first premier class pole position and turned it into a first podium with Ducati on Sunday. Can he keep or improve on that pace once again in Austin? He’s aiming to become a perennial presence in the fight for the rostrum. On the other side of the box, teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will want a lot more as he watches the likes of Bezzecchi win races, but the number 49 also took a step in Termas. Can he keep it rolling to the flag this time round?

APRILIA RACING

Friday in Argentina made for ominous reading for the rest of the field as Aprilia Racing ended the day first and second, but it just didn’t quite come together in the end. A year after the same venue staged his first win, Aleix Espargaro left Termas this time around with only 12 points in total, and he’ll be absolutely focused on gaining some more in Austin. Maverick Viñales, meanwhile, has a pretty good haul of 32 but won’t want to stay AWOL from that front group. The stars seem to threaten to align and then change their mind as he aims for that first win with Aprilia, so will it be a lucky visit to the Lone Star State or another wait?

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING

‘Sunday rider’ was always a compliment to Brad Binder, but it just isn’t true anymore after that stunning Saturday in Argentina. From 15th to 1st, the South African was simply not going to be stopped and put in a serious statement ride. Sunday saw bad luck hit early and makes COTA the follow up performance… so can we expect an encore? For Jack Miller, meanwhile, Argentina was another solid round. He’s adapting, the project is putting those pieces together and some solid consistency – as well as flashes of serious speed – put him sixth overall as it stands. Will COTA be another step forward as he continues to impress and enjoy proving his doubters wrong?

MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MotoGP™

Franco Morbidelli had a fantastic return to form in Argentina, and eyes will be on the number 21 to see if he can repeat the feat at another venue. Impressive in qualifying, the Sprint, and on Sunday, it was a weekend he’s needed and one he’ll be keen to back up. Teammate Fabio Quartararo was no slouch though. Despite yet more bad luck, Sunday especially saw the Frenchman prove his quality once again as he sliced through from well down the order after a little close attention earlier in the race. COTA has never been the best venue for Yamaha, but in 2023 anything can and has been happening… with both riders on form, what will the Iwata marque deliver in Austin?

LCR HONDA

As we head into a venue he’s ruled before, it’s Alex Rins holding the honour of top Honda after two pretty solid first rounds in his new home. With more and more track time we can likely expect more and more from the proven frontrunner, and COTA has some good memories from that previous win, his very first. What can Rins do this time out? Teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) will be hoping to cut the gap and get back on terms too.

REPSOL HONDA TEAM

The huge news ahead of the weekend was the withdrawal of Marc Marquez as his broken hand continues to recover. He’ll be replaced by test rider Stefan Bradl, and despite Honda having a tougher pre-season than some and Marquez having been injured in Portimao, his absence may seem a reprieve for some, such is the pure quality of his record at the track.

On the other side of the garage, Joan Mir, after that crash on Saturday in Argentina, will be hoping to get back into the learning curve and make more progress. Said progress was going pretty well in Portimao so we can be sure there’s much more to come from the 2020 World Champion.

GASGAS FACTORY RACING Tech3

There will be a new face on the grid for GASGAS in Austin, or more a new face for 2023. Jonas Folger joins the fold as the replacement for the recovering Pol Espargaro, and he’ll be an interesting addition after some time on the sidelines. He did test in pre-season, however. Rookie Augusto Fernandez, meanwhile, has already scored some points and diced it up in the mix with much more experienced riders, so COTA is another chance to double down on his progress.

CRYPTODATA RNF MotoGP™ TEAM

It was a tough Round 2 for the RNF squad and Raul Fernandez certainly will be eager to get more from the Americas GP. He arrives with only a couple of points so far but some good flashes of speed shown, so can he start to turn it around in Texas? On the other side of the garage, Miguel Oliveira is heading to Austin hoping he passes a medical test on Thursday at the circuit. If that happens, the Portuguese rider will be back in action after such bad luck in the season opener, looking to pick up where he left off in terms of pace.

SHOWTIME

Friday’s two practice sessions decide entrants to Q2, before the MotoGP™ grid qualify on Saturday morning. The Tissot Sprint then gets in gear at 15:00 on Saturday, before we rodeo on Sunday at 14:00. Don’t miss it!

Tissot Sprint: Saturday 15:00 (GMT -5)

Grand Prix Race: Sunday 14:00 (GMT -5)

See you there!

Can Arbolino keep the lead in Austin?

On the road to Austin, it’s now Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) who leads the way in the intermediate class… and guess who won at COTA last year? He was also joined on the podium by another rostrum finisher in Argentina, Jake Dixon (Asterius GASGAS Aspar), so the two have form. Meanwhile Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools Speed Up) hasn’t even ridden the track in Moto2™, but that’s not stopped him taking podiums and wins last year as a rookie either.

Speaking of last year’s rookies, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had a tougher time of it in the rain last time out and will want to reassert his speed, and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) will very much want to stop him. Despite a jump start and two Long Laps at Termas, the number 40 still took a top finish and will want more at COTA. Join us for another chapter of Moto2™at 12:15 (GMT -5) on Sunday!

Moto3™ tee up to take on COTA

He just missed out on the podium in Argentina, but Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) is still the Championship leader heading into Round 3… by just two points. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) remains the rider on the chase though, and after two podiums to start the year he’ll be looking for another as a minimum as he seeks that first win.

Meanwhile, Argentina winner Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) will be aiming to stay in the game, and teammate Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), last year’s Americas GP winner, wants that first visit to the rostrum this season. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) haven’t really got off the mark yet either, whereas Andrea Migno (CIP Green Power) already has a podium as a replacement rider… and was on the box last year at COTA. It’s an intriguing mix already, so get ready for more Moto3™ at 11:00 (GMT -5) on Sunday!