Westby Racing Completes Preseason Test Schedule On A High Note
Tulsa, OK – April 11, 2023 – Last week at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California, Westby Racing and its rider Mathew Scholtz completed their fourth and final preseason test in the lead up to round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike season, which will take place on April 21-23 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
According to Westby Racing crew chief Ed Sullivan, it was the best and most-productive test so far for Mathew and the team. Not only were the weather conditions favorable, but everything the team had been working on over the previous three tests came to fruition, with updates to the #11 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike’s electronics, engine, front and rear suspension, chassis settings, and new-spec Dunlop tires all working in harmony to help make Mathew comfortable and fast leading into the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship.
In addition to the positive changes on the bike, Ed mentioned that the addition of data technician Freddy Carswell of Superbike Unlimited and chassis technician Quentin Wilson has enabled Westby Racing to jell quickly as a cohesive unit with incumbent members Robert Jensen, Olli Rajasaari, and of course, team manager Chuck Giacchetto and team owner Tryg Westby.
“The final Buttonwillow test was our best one this year,” Mathew said. “We have a really good understanding of the new electronics package, and I now feel like I can ride the bike in a manner that better suits my style. Our testing has opened up a new level of performance, and it’s also increased my level of trust in the bike. I’m excited to see how everything works and feels next week at Road Atlanta.”
Mathew and the Westby Racing team are ready to make their season debut at round one of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta next weekend. Be sure to join them there and/or subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+ for streaming coverage of practices, qualifying, and two feature races.
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
Marc Marquez to miss Americas GP and continue recovery
Following a final CAT scan, Marc Marquez and his medical team, led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña, at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid have confirmed the first metacarpal is still in the healing process. After close collaboration with the Repsol Honda Team and HRC, all involved have elected to let the injury fully heal and avoid any unnecessary risks.
Marquez will continue to work through his rehabilitation program at home in order to return at full fitness as soon as possible.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE DELIVERS SOPHISTICATED STYLE & BEST-IN-CLASS V-TWIN TOURING PERFORMANCE WITH NEW INDIAN PURSUIT ELITE, ANNOUNCES RETURN OF HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE CHIEFTAIN ELITE
Crafted as the Ultimate in American V-Twin Style & Exclusivity, Indian Pursuit Elite & Chieftain Elite Combine Eye-Catching Style with Premium Componentry
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (April 11, 2023) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today introduced the Indian Pursuit to its limited-edition Elite class of motorcycles and announced the return of its ultra-premium Chieftain Elite. Featuring premium componentry, each Elite model is crafted as the ultimate in American V-Twin style and exclusivity.
“When we first introduced the 2018 Chieftain Elite, we wanted to create an offering that was not just limited in quantity, but exclusive in nature with custom details straight from the factory,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “Today, with jewel-like finishes, our Elite line of baggers and touring models truly represent the best-of-the-best and deliver a statement like nothing else on the road.”
Indian Pursuit Elite
A 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite. Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
With only 150 units available worldwide, 2023 marks the debut for the Indian Pursuit Elite. Known as the most capable and refined American touring machine on the road, the Indian Pursuit Elite offers sophisticated style and unparalleled comfort and performance. Designed for riders who value the journey as much as the destination, the Indian Pursuit Elite is packed with premium amenities and advanced ride-enhancing technology to achieve a more comfortable ride.
Sophisticated Style
The Pursuit Elite’s premium Super Graphite Metallic and Black Metallic paint with Shadow Bronze Chrome accents exude sophistication. Color-matched Elite badging and premium components complete the bike’s beautiful design.
Best-In-Class Performance
Taking center stage of the Indian Pursuit Elite is the 108 cubic-inch, liquid cooled PowerPlus engine. With best-in-class 122 horsepower and 128 ft-lbs. of torque, the Indian Pursuit Elite delivers incredible V-twin touring performance with unmatched passing power.
Premium Amenities & Ride Enhancing Technology
The Indian Pursuit Elite allows riders to enjoy long, epic rides in comfort and style. Electronically adjustable rear suspension preload from Fox® allows riders to adjust their preload for optimal comfort and handling under varying conditions. Whether riding solo, two-up or carrying more cargo – the electronically adjustable rear suspension preload is managed from the convenience of the bike’s infotainment system. Plus, the Indian Pursuit Elite offers Smart Lean Technology using a Bosch® Inertial Measurement Unit to tune traction control, ABS, and torque for even more control and unsurpassed handling. Backlit switch cubes improve the rider’s ability to see the bike’s controls at night, while the Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight combined with Pathfinder S LED driving lights and saddlebag lights deliver improved visibility and more eye-catching style in dark conditions. Providing a luxurious ride experience, both rider and passenger get a heated seat with adjustable controls on the seat and infotainment system, and premium styling.
In addition, each Indian Pursuit Elite is equipped with an industry-leading seven-inch touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND and offers Apple CarPlay® integration, turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth® connectivity, one year of RIDE COMMAND+ connected features and more. Riders can cut through road and engine noise with Powerband Audio which works seamlessly with the RIDE COMMAND system to set the mood for the trip. Built-in amplifiers, a 9-band equalizer, and 16 speakers provide crystal clear sound at any speed. Equipped with remote-locking storage, riders can keep all cargo protected inside the spacious, weatherproof saddlebags and trunk. For riders looking to achieve further customization, a quick release low profile trunk is available as a color-matched accessory.
Chieftain Elite
A 2023 Indian Chieftain Elite. Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
Designed for riders who demand the best of the best and want to stand out from the crowd, the 2023 Chieftain Elite features meaner and more aggressive styling with custom-inspired details straight from the factory. With only 175 units available globally the Chieftain Elite is a limited build and highly exclusive.
Custom-Inspired Style
The new Chieftain Elite’s eye-catching paint scheme featuring Super Graphite Smoke is complemented by premium Shadow Bronze chrome finishes and Indian Motorcycle headdress floorboards.
Offering an even more custom look, the Chieftain Elite’s open fender showcases a new 10-spoke precision machined front wheel. Standard to the Chieftain Elite is fender-to-fender, as the Adaptive Pathfinder LED headlight and rear saddlebag LED lights provide head-turning style at night. An adjustable tinted flare windshield raises or lowers to the rider’s preferred position with the push of a handlebar-mounted button for ultimate comfort.
Unmatched, Air-Cooled Performance
Packing the most powerful Indian Motorcycle air-cooled engine, the Thunderstroke 116, the Chieftain Elite delivers 126 ft-lbs of torque. Rear cylinder deactivation improves rider comfort when riding through slower traffic, while three selectable ride modes, including Tour, Standard and Sport, allow riders to adjust the bike’s throttle response to match their riding style.
Premium Amenities & Ride-Enhancing Technology
Like the Indian Pursuit Elite, the Chieftain Elite features the seven-inch touchscreen display powered by RIDE COMMAND with Apple CarPlay®, GPS with navigation, and RIDE COMMAND+ features, like live traffic and weather overlays, and a vehicle locator feature. As standard equipment, the 2023 Chieftain Elite features backlit switch cubes, an integrated PowerBand audio system, and includes ABS, keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, as well as weatherproof and remote-locking saddlebags with more than 18 gallons of storage. For riders looking to personalize their ride, color matched accessories are available including a quick release touring and low-profile trunk, as well as hard lower fairings.
Pricing for Indian Pursuit Elite and Chieftain Elite begin at $39,999 and $35,499, respectively, and will begin shipping to dealers around the world in spring 2023.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc.
Apple CARPLAY® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
BOSCH® is registered to Robert Bosch GmbH
FOX® is a registered trademark of Fox Factory Inc.
Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
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.
Top sponsors: Robem Engineering, The Center for Plastic Surgery, Aprilia, The Big S, Arai Helmets, American Supercamp, Penguin Racing School, MotoLiberty/RS Taichi, Woodcraft Technologies, Atlantic Cruising Yachts, Fast By Ferracci, Stump Racing Kids.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 8th in MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship (3 podium finishes), finished 8th in Italian CIV Aprilia RS 660 Trophy Cup race at Vallelunga, set a new NEMRR Lightweight Lap Record of 1:12.183 at New Hampshire International Speedway; 2021 season, finished 2nd in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (4 wins and 16 total podium finishes in 18 races); 2020 season, finished 4th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (8 podium finishes); 2019 season, finished 9th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup (competed in 11 of 17 races, 1 podium, 3 top-5 finishes), won 2 LRRS Championships (12 race wins), won NESBC Lights Championship; 2018 season, named LRRS Rookie of the Year (youngest to ever receive the award), won 24 LRRS races and earned 46 podium finishes, won NESBC Intermediate B Championship; 2017 season, named NJMiniGP Rookie of the Year.
2023 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Make it to Superbike World Championship.
Racing hero: Jamison Minor.
Favorite track: Barber Motorsports Park.
Favorite hobby: Downhill mountain biking.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Downhill mountain biking.
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;
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.
West Coast distributor for Dunlop racing tires Racers Edge Performance and Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) have entered into an agreement for the 2023 season that will see members of the MRA provide trackside service and sales for Dunlop racing tires.
At the end of 2022, the current Dunlop representative (Louden David) decided to pursue other ventures outside the motorcycle industry, so this opened up an opportunity for the MRA to step in and ensure that their racers would continue to benefit from having the proper selection of race tires and services available at the track.
“The MRA board is built from a passionate group of racers and motorcycle enthusiasts that are dedicated to providing the best for their racing organization,” says Racers Edge Performance owner Dale Kieffer, “and I feel this is just stepping up to another level in providing better service for the racers in the club.”
“We are very excited about this venture with Racers Edge Performance and Dunlop,” says Chris Nami, President of the MRA. “We want to provide the best things for our racers and we feel with providing this service in-house it will ensure the riders will always have the best selection of tires possible.”
Event preview: EWC 2023 all set for lift-off at Le Mans
April 10 2023
*It’s 24 Heures Motos time as famous race opens FIM Endurance World Championship
*12 former EWC champions and 12 former winners of 24 Heures Motos in action
*Interest strong in Formula EWC and Superstock with 37 permanent teams due to race
*Extensive live global broadcasting with non-stop coverage on Eurosport Player
The waiting is over in the all-action FIM Endurance World Championship. From 13-16 April, the Circuit Bugatti at Le Mans in France will host the 46th 24 Heures Motos as the latest chapter in the ultimate test of rider and machine begins.
A sky-high 38 permanent EWC teams have registered for the 2023 season, which marks a 22 per cent increase compared to 2022. Of the 54-bike line-up assembling at Le Mans, a total of 37 permanent EWC teams will be in action split between the Formula EWC and Dunlop-equipped Superstock categories.
With 12 EWC world champions and 12 winners of the 24 Heures Motos taking part, there will be no shortage of talent taking to the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti during four days of intense track activity, which begins with Free Practice followed by First Qualifying on Thursday 13 April ahead of the race beginning at 15h00 CET on Saturday after Second Qualifying on Friday.
Multiple rider changes, teams switching bike manufacturers, plus new teams and riders entering the EWC for the first time – many of whom have MotoGP or World Superbike experience – has created an exciting unknown prior to the 2023 season getting underway.
The 24 Heures Motos is the first of four ultra-challenging day and night races featuring on the 2023 EWC calendar. Following the Le Mans season opener, the 24H SPA EWC Motos takes place in Belgium from 16-18 June, with the 43rd Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in Japan up next from 4-6 August. The 24-hour Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard in France completes the 2023 EWC season from 14-17 September.
Mike Di Meglio, part of the F.C.C. TSR Honda France line-up that won the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2022, said: “In Le Mans if you need to find the way to ride with not too much pushing but with good riding. The most difficult thing in the night for me is because I sleep between my stints so when my manager is trying to wake me up this is the worst part of the night. But when I get on the bike I enjoy because the bike in the night is very fast, there is more power, the tyre is more stiff so you have more grip, you just need to adapt with the visibility. But Le Mans is a very good track and you can see very well. It’s not so difficult.”
Sylvain Guintoli, who is vying to help Yoshimura SERT Motul win the 24 Heures Motos for a third year running, said: “There’s no pressure on us to win three seasons in a row but we’ve been thinking and talking about it because it would be pretty cool to do that and not many people have. Cold temperatures is something you always have to expect at Le Mans and you’ve got to make the bike work and be efficient with the cold temperatures as well because it changes quite a lot, especially for the tyres.”
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team rider Niccolò Canepa, said: “The only thing we need is to have more luck because we have all what we need to perform well and to be successful. We have a great team, great bike, great tyres, great team-mates so we are ready to fight, we just need luck. Myself I have trained a lot, I feel fit, I feel ready. In the last couple of years, it has been more difficult because before I get an injury during a winter test. Last year in January the screws and plates that I had in my ankle were taken out so that meant surgery again. It means this year is actually the first time in three years that I have been able to prepare the way I want for the season so I feel good and full of energy to start the season.”
STEINMAYR READY TO FIGHT HARD TO DEFEND SUPERSTOCK CROWN
Philipp Steinmayr won’t be able to back off as he bids to win the FIM Endurance World Cup for Superstock teams for the second season running. The Yamaha-powered Austrian, who partners new recruits Enzo De La Vega and Axel Maurin at Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore, is expecting plenty of tough competition in 2023: “Superstock is very competitive to be honest. Already last year you could see it was very close racing and also with the gaps in lap time. Having Dunlop as a mono-brand tyre supplier is a very good concept to make it as similar or as fair as possible for everyone. I expect this year it will even stronger because the championship is gaining momentum with more and more people and more and more riders entering. I can see from my colleagues in the IDM series that there are more and more riders coming to EWC and I expect it to be a really interesting season.” While Steinmayr is aiming for more Superstock category success, his 2022 team-mates Hugo Clere and Baptiste Guittet are graduating to Formula EWC with TATI Team Beringer Racing.
HANIKA ON A HIGH WITH SUB-LAP RECORD RUN AT EWC 24 HEURES MOTOS TEST
Karel Hanika will head to the 24 Heures Motos as the rider to beat after he completed an astonishing sub-lap record run for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team during the final day of the Pre-Test for round one of the 2023 FIM EWC season (29 March). The Czech star, riding a Bridgestone-shod Yamaha YZF-R1 and backed up by team-mates Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Robin Mulhauser, clocked a best effort of 1m34.759s around the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti, which eclipsed his record-breaking qualifying run of 1m34.878s set during last April’s 45th 24 Heures Motos.
RECOVERING HERO REA READY FOR PARADE LAP
Gino Rea, who was seriously injured in a practice crash ahead of the Suzuka Hours last June, will complete a Parade Lap shortly before the start of the 24 Heures Motos on Saturday. “It’s going to very exciting but very emotional because I want to be at Le Mans racing, that’s a given,” said Rea, who is recovering from serious head injuries. “I’ve seen people doing these Parade Laps before after they’ve come back from similar things. I’ve always looked up to them doing it and now it’s me doing it. I feel very appreciative that they’ve allowed me to do it. It’s going to be emotional for me because I can’t believe I’m going to be there and they’ve given me a Parade Lap. But the amount of people that know I’ve had this accident is quite mind-blowing really, I’ve had messages from famous motorcycle racers.”
Following two years without spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans were back in their thousands for the 45th edition in April 2022. And they witnessed a thriller with Suzuki-powered Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Siméon combining in style for Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul. Rather than the 13.626-kilometre Circuit de La Sarthe, the traditional EWC curtain-raiser takes place on the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti. It comes complete with the famous Le Mans start/finish straight, Dunlop Esses and Ford Chicane, while a twisty infield section ensures there’s little respite, nevertheless. Riders also face the prospect of competing during shorter daylight hours.
24 HEURES MOTOS FAST FACTS:
*The first 24 Heures Motos took place from 22-23 April 1978 with Jean-Claude Chemarin and Christian Léon riding a Honda to victory.
*It followed the Bol d’Or – the other French 24-hour classic bike race appearing on the EWC schedule – relocating to Circuit Paul Ricard after the 1977 event.
*However, event organiser, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, staged its first race for motorbikes in 1912, long before the Bugatti Circuit’s inauguration in September 1966.
*After starting at 14h00 local time in 2020 and 2021, the 2022 edition of the 24 Heures Motos was flagged-off at 15h00.
*As well as hosting the EWC, Circuit Bugatti is home to the MotoGP Grand Prix de France.
RECENT WINNERS:
2022: Yoshimura SERT Motul (Gregg Black, Xavier Siméon, Sylvain Guintoli) 840 laps
2021: Yoshimura SERT Motul (Gregg Black, Xavier Siméon, Sylvain Guintoli) 855 laps
2020: F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Mike De Meglio) 816 laps
2019: Team SRC Kawasaki France (Jérémy Guarnoni, David Checa, Erwan Nigon) 839 laps
2018: F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Alan Techer) 843 laps
EWC MEDIA SPORTITY APP CHANNEL REMINDER
A dedicated Sportity app channel is now available to media reporting on the FIM Endurance World Championship. It includes timetables, a calendar refresher, track details, entry lists, press release archive, results, standings, rider profiles, key contacts and other essential information to assist media reporting on the EWC onsite or remotely. Users are made aware of new information becoming available through push notifications and the app can be downloaded for free via the App Store or Google Play. Once the Sportity app has been downloaded, the EWC Media Sportity channel can be accessed using the following password: 2023FIMewc-media.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team prepares for Grand Prix of The Americas
The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is gearing up for the third round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, set to take place at the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The team is eagerly awaiting the event and hopes to have a full squad on hand to compete.
Miguel Oliveira, who suffered an unfortunate injury at his home round less than three weeks ago, is ready to come back to racing this week and is traveling to the United States full of expectations. However, he needs to pass a medical test on Thursday to be declared fit to race after damaging tendons in his right leg. Despite the setback, Oliveira has some good sensations regarding his recovery and aims to make a touch-and-go landing.
Raul Fernandez, who scored the first points of this season and managed to keep up with his fellow Factory Aprilia colleagues in Argentina last time out, is also eager to keep the momentum going. The young Spaniard is aware that the COTA isn’t an easy circuit for the MotoGP class, but he is determined to build on his performance and understanding of his Aprilia RS-GP from round two of 2023.
The American weekend starts this Friday with the first two Free Practice sessions at 10:45 local time (17:45 CET) and 15:00 local time (22:00 CET) for the premier class ahead of a busy Saturday with the new Sprint Race format, which riders and teams still need to get used to.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m obviously excited to start the trip to the US. It was a shame for me to have missed the Argentina GP, but I’m really looking forward to start again working with the team and discover the bike again on this track. It has not been an easy track for me in the past, so I hope that this year I can start turning things around and start the weekend strong. To score points in both the Sprint and the main Race would be really nice and of course important after not being able to do anything the last three opportunities basically. So, overall, I’m very excited.”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“We had a difficult race Sunday in Argentina. All of us Aprilia riders together with our crews are working a lot to understand what was happening there. Anyway, I think COTA is a good track for me. I really want to enjoy riding and that is the main target, plus trying to understand why we were slower in the race in Argentina. Nevertheless, I think we did a step during the last weekend and in Texas, we aim to confirm this step.”
Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“We are looking forward to the return of Miguel, which is of course still subject to the medical check on Thursday, but we are confident that he will be cleared to race during the weekend. So, we are back to nearly full strength for the Americas Grand Prix. The COTA is a demanding track with 20 corners and a traditional track that in the past hasn’t been too friendly to the Aprilia.”
“We will continue our work with Raul. He is getting to grips with the RS-GP, has a better understanding now and we hope that in Austin he can be even better. Overall, we look forward to the return of Miguel, continue the development with Raul and aim to score points.”
Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“After a rainy race in Argentina, we hope we come to a sunny Texas. As we are back together with two riders, we are looking forward to this third round. Missing Miguel in the second round, was very sad for the whole team, being reduced by half. Raul did his best in the rain though, we scored two points. But now we are looking forward to have both crews there and both riders, so we are able to fight together to get good results.”
“Austin is quite a special race track, I’d say. It’s difficult to judge what we can expect there, as both riders have never ridden the circuit with the Aprilia, so we are pretty blind going into that weekend. Also, when we arrive in Austin, it’s always a bit unsure what they have done with the track, as it’s usually quite bumpy. So, let’s see how things look when we arrive in in America. First of all, we hope that Miguel gets declared fit and that the weather is nice and dry throughout the whole weekend. Of course, it’s a long trip again, but we hope everybody is arriving safe and sound in sunny Texas.”
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.
Alexander Enriquez on the North America Talent Cup podium at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Alexander Enriquez
Age: 15.
Current home: Daly City, California.
Current height/weight: 5’4”/105 pounds.
Current school grade level: 9th grade.
Began riding at age: 4 years.
First road race: 2012, Atwater, California, Mini Moto USA, MiniMoto Beginner, 3rd place.
Current racebikes: Honda, NSF250R, Kawasaki, Ninja 400, Aprilia RS250 SP2, Ohvale GP-0 160cc and 190cc.
Current tuners/mechanics: NorCal Cycles, Edmund Enriquez (father), Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Primary race series: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Top sponsors: Red Bull, KTM, Alpinestars, Ipone, HJC, Dunlop, KYT Helmets, California Mini Grand Prix, Dainese, Cycle Gear, Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning, Galfer USA, NorCal Cycles, Woodcraft Technologies, Motion Pro, Global Racing Oils.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, selected to join 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, placed 3rd in North America Talent Cup Championship (2 wins, 5 total podiums), placed 23rd in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 top-10 finishes in 4 starts), placed 3rd in AFM Formula III Championship; 2021 Season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Race Two at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won AFM Formula III Championship, placed 2nd in AFM Formula Singles, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship, took 3rd in WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, won GP1 and GP2 Supermoto USA Asphalt Mini Championships.
2023 racing goals: Learn tracks, improve, keep my spot in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for 2024.
Racing career goal: Become a professional motorcycle racer.
Racing hero: Valentino Rossi
Favorite track: Laguna Seca.
Favorite hobby: Skateboarding.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Skating or playing basketball with friends.
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;
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.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to Test Yamaha YZR-M1 at Jerez MotoGP Test
2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will have a new opportunity to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP machine during a planned development test at the Jerez circuit in Andalucía, Spain.
Razgatlıoğlu will join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow, for two days of testing on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th April in Jerez.
It will be the Turkish star’s second test aboard the YZR-M1, after his first outing at Motorland Aragon in June last year was cut short by inclement weather.
The characteristics of the 4.428 km Jerez circuit are well suited to Razgatlıoğlu’s riding style and the test should provide an ideal opportunity for him to accrue plenty of track time and adapt himself to the YZR-M1.
Lin Jarvis – Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1. I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend. Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the chance to ride alongside Cal who will be there for the ongoing development testing of our 2023 YZR-M1.”
Andrea Dosoli – Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.
“I would like to thank both Yamaha Motor Company and Yamaha Motor Racing for giving Toprak the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again. As the reigning Superbike World Champion, Toprak’s test aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 last year was highly anticipated by many in both the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks. Unfortunately, it was difficult for him to fully familiarise with the YZR-M1 at the Aragon test due to the disruption caused by the weather. This time around at Jerez, a track at which Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Toprak’s focus at this test will, once again, be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres, whereas we are very interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his calibre can adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu
“I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot. The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time. It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”
Eli Tomac Takes Glendale Supercross Win and Championship Points Lead
Jett Lawrence Wins His First 250SX Class Triple Crown Overall
Glendale, Ariz., (April 9, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took the win at Round 12 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and with it broke clear of the championship points tie. Tomac is now the sole holder of the red plate. Tomac earned the victory with 1, 2, 1 race scores in the third Triple Crown-format event of the season.
Eli Tomac (1) took the win in Glendale and pulled seven points clear in the points lead with five races remaining in the Supercross season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton earned second place points inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona with 4, 1, 3 race scores and with it earned the 2023 Triple Crown Championship – a secondary championship held within the Supercross season. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia finished third at the event that pays points not only into the Triple Crown and the 17-round Supercross season, but also toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In Round 6 of the Western Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his first Triple Crown win and extended his points lead in that regional series.
In race one of the 450SX Class Eli Tomac grabbed the Holeshot with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb right behind. Webb moved up into second place before the first lap was completed. Roczen quickly took over third place but Justin Barcia was the rider on the move early in the race. Two and a half minutes into the 12-minute plus one lap race, Barcia took over third while Webb worked to close the 1.3 second gap to Tomac. After a bad start, Chase Sexton passed Anderson to take over fifth spot with just under seven minutes left on the race clock. The tension grew as Webb inched closer to Tomac on the high-speed Arizona track. Sexton pulled up to Roczen’s rear fender at the white flag then made the pass for fourth in final corner. The race ended with Tomac, Webb, and Barcia on the podium.
Chase Sexton jumped into the lead off the start of Race 2. He was followed by Tomac, Roczen, Anderson, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, Webb, and Barcia. Sexton looked to have the field covered but stalled the engine in the early laps. Tomac grabbed the lead position but only held it down one rhythm lane; Sexton blitzed back past in the whoops and began steadily inching away. With just under four minutes left Webb bumped past Anderson for fourth. Anderson charged back, took Webb high in the next bowl turn, and got back the spot. The move clipped Webb’s momentum and Barcia also got around Webb. Sexton was clear of the group but spots two through five tightened again on the final lap. Webb took fifth from Barcia. Then, late in the lap, Anderson made a big move in the whoops in an attempt to take third from Roczen, but Roczen battled back into the final corner and held the spot. Sexton got the race win ahead of Tomac, and Roczen. Going into the final race Tomac held three points, Sexton had five, Webb carried seven, Roczen sat with eight, Barcia had nine, and Anderson had ten.
Colt Nichols was the first racer across the Holeshot stripe in Race 3. Tomac blitzed into the lead on the first pass through the whoops with Barcia following along to secure second place. Sexton was ninth at the Holeshot stripe but moved up to fourth in the first minute of racing. In another lap Sexton reached third. As the race neared the halfway point Jason Anderson, running fourth, had a big crash in the whoops. Webb took over the spot with Roczen right behind. Barcia made a push for the lead but never got within true striking distance of Tomac. Sexton held steady in third. In the final laps Roczen applied heavy pressure on Webb for fourth and what would mean fourth place between the two riders in the overall. Tomac grabbed the race win and his 51st career 450SX Class win. Barcia took second in the race for a third place overall on the night. Sexton’s third in the race gave him the runner-up spot overall in Glendale. The finish also earned Sexton the 2023 three-race Triple Crown Championship. Webb held strong in fourth to earn that same position in the night’s overall.
The victory broke Tomac from his tie with James Stewart for most career Supercross overall wins. Tomac now solely holds the spot for second-most career wins with 51; he sits 21 behind Jeremy McGrath with 72. The overall results earned Tomac seven points over Webb in the 2023 title chase. And Tomac’s win delivered two more designations. Tomac extended his Triple Crown career-most win record with seven overall wins. He is also now the winningest rider in Phoenix-area Supercross races with a total of five, breaking the previous tie with both James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael.
Jett Lawrence captured a win that had eluded him: a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Race 1 for the Western Regional 250SX Class started with two passes in the opening laps as Jett Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen traded the lead with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire right behind. A red flag stopped the race for a full-reset. The racers lined up again and the race clock went back to its full 10-minutes. Kitchen grabbed the holeshot with Lawrence right behind and Hampshire in third. Lawrence waited nearly until the race’s midpoint before he made his move for the lead exiting the whoops. The lead change spurred Hampshire, who immediately attacked Kitchen. Hampshire took over the second place spot as the race clock ticked to five minutes remaining. Lawrence never let Hampshire shave off much of his 2.4 second lead and the top three held their positions to the checkered flag.
Levi Kitchen holeshot Race 2 of the 250SX Class with RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Carson Mumford, and Red Bull KTM’s Max Vohland on his tail. Hampshire took over the lead and Vohland moved into second. Kitchen reclaimed second place and Lawrence was settled into fourth before one minute had expired off the race clock. Lawrence was soon around Vohland for third while Hampshire put down fast laps out front. The white flag came out and Lawrence put in a sprint to catch Kitchen; he made it close but didn’t better his spot. Hampshire took the win ahead of Kitchen and Lawrence, setting the three riders up with 3 points for Hampshire, 4 points for Lawrence, and 5 points for Kitchen.
Levi Kitchen was three-for-three on starts with the Holeshot in Race 3. Lawrence, Partzilla PRMX Racing’s Hunter Yoder, AJE Motorsport GASGAS’s Mitchell Harrison and Hampshire were right behind. In less than a lap Hampshire was up to third. Early in the race Hampshire pushed too hard in the whoops; what normally would have been a crash turned into a miraculous save. Just a few seconds later, further up the track, Lawrence took over the lead from Kitchen. From there Lawrence rode smoothly and maintained a comfortable gap. With Lawrence moving up to the 450SX Class next season it was his final opportunity to win a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall. The win also extended his points lead to 26 with only three races remaining in the Western Regional 250SX Class.
The racers line up again at Atlanta Motor Speedway on April 15th for a daytime race, then battle each Saturday after that for the following four consecutive weekends. The five remaining Monster Energy Supercross rounds will take place inside open-air stadiums and raceways, adding weather as an additional variable in one of the tightest Supercross title battle in the sport’s history.
Each round also pays points toward the brand-new SuperMotocross World Championship, which combines 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross rounds, 11 AMA Pro Motocross rounds, two SMX Playoff events and one SMX World Championship Final scheduled for September 23rd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The 450cc Class SuperMotocross World Champion will earn a cool $1,000,0000 championship win bonus, and the 250cc champion will claim a $500,000 title win bonus.
All 31-rounds are streamed live on PeacockTV with select rounds also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage is available at SuperMotocrossTV. For results, highlight videos, power rankings, and ticket sales please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers from left) Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (1-2-1)
2. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill. Honda (4-1-3)
3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (3-6-2)
4. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (2-5-4)
5. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (5-3-5)
6. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (7-7-7)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (9-9-6)
8. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Oak., Honda (8-8-8)
9. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Honda (10-10-9)
10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (6-4-21)
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (274)
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (267)
3. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (249)
4. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (217)
5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (216)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (212)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (196)
8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (150)
9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (139)
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (127)
250SX Class podium (racers from left) RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, and Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Mathew Scholtz (11) at speed on the Westby Racing Yamaha. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.
Westby Racing Completes Preseason Test Schedule On A High Note
Tulsa, OK – April 11, 2023 – Last week at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California, Westby Racing and its rider Mathew Scholtz completed their fourth and final preseason test in the lead up to round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike season, which will take place on April 21-23 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
According to Westby Racing crew chief Ed Sullivan, it was the best and most-productive test so far for Mathew and the team. Not only were the weather conditions favorable, but everything the team had been working on over the previous three tests came to fruition, with updates to the #11 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike’s electronics, engine, front and rear suspension, chassis settings, and new-spec Dunlop tires all working in harmony to help make Mathew comfortable and fast leading into the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship.
In addition to the positive changes on the bike, Ed mentioned that the addition of data technician Freddy Carswell of Superbike Unlimited and chassis technician Quentin Wilson has enabled Westby Racing to jell quickly as a cohesive unit with incumbent members Robert Jensen, Olli Rajasaari, and of course, team manager Chuck Giacchetto and team owner Tryg Westby.
“The final Buttonwillow test was our best one this year,” Mathew said. “We have a really good understanding of the new electronics package, and I now feel like I can ride the bike in a manner that better suits my style. Our testing has opened up a new level of performance, and it’s also increased my level of trust in the bike. I’m excited to see how everything works and feels next week at Road Atlanta.”
Mathew and the Westby Racing team are ready to make their season debut at round one of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta next weekend. Be sure to join them there and/or subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+ for streaming coverage of practices, qualifying, and two feature races.
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
Marc Marquez to miss Americas GP and continue recovery
Following a final CAT scan, Marc Marquez and his medical team, led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña, at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid have confirmed the first metacarpal is still in the healing process. After close collaboration with the Repsol Honda Team and HRC, all involved have elected to let the injury fully heal and avoid any unnecessary risks.
Marquez will continue to work through his rehabilitation program at home in order to return at full fitness as soon as possible.
Indian's 2023 Chieftain Elite (left) and Pursuit Elite (right). Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE DELIVERS SOPHISTICATED STYLE & BEST-IN-CLASS V-TWIN TOURING PERFORMANCE WITH NEW INDIAN PURSUIT ELITE, ANNOUNCES RETURN OF HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE CHIEFTAIN ELITE
Crafted as the Ultimate in American V-Twin Style & Exclusivity, Indian Pursuit Elite & Chieftain Elite Combine Eye-Catching Style with Premium Componentry
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (April 11, 2023) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today introduced the Indian Pursuit to its limited-edition Elite class of motorcycles and announced the return of its ultra-premium Chieftain Elite. Featuring premium componentry, each Elite model is crafted as the ultimate in American V-Twin style and exclusivity.
“When we first introduced the 2018 Chieftain Elite, we wanted to create an offering that was not just limited in quantity, but exclusive in nature with custom details straight from the factory,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “Today, with jewel-like finishes, our Elite line of baggers and touring models truly represent the best-of-the-best and deliver a statement like nothing else on the road.”
Indian Pursuit Elite
A 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite. Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
With only 150 units available worldwide, 2023 marks the debut for the Indian Pursuit Elite. Known as the most capable and refined American touring machine on the road, the Indian Pursuit Elite offers sophisticated style and unparalleled comfort and performance. Designed for riders who value the journey as much as the destination, the Indian Pursuit Elite is packed with premium amenities and advanced ride-enhancing technology to achieve a more comfortable ride.
Sophisticated Style
The Pursuit Elite’s premium Super Graphite Metallic and Black Metallic paint with Shadow Bronze Chrome accents exude sophistication. Color-matched Elite badging and premium components complete the bike’s beautiful design.
Best-In-Class Performance
Taking center stage of the Indian Pursuit Elite is the 108 cubic-inch, liquid cooled PowerPlus engine. With best-in-class 122 horsepower and 128 ft-lbs. of torque, the Indian Pursuit Elite delivers incredible V-twin touring performance with unmatched passing power.
Premium Amenities & Ride Enhancing Technology
The Indian Pursuit Elite allows riders to enjoy long, epic rides in comfort and style. Electronically adjustable rear suspension preload from Fox® allows riders to adjust their preload for optimal comfort and handling under varying conditions. Whether riding solo, two-up or carrying more cargo – the electronically adjustable rear suspension preload is managed from the convenience of the bike’s infotainment system. Plus, the Indian Pursuit Elite offers Smart Lean Technology using a Bosch® Inertial Measurement Unit to tune traction control, ABS, and torque for even more control and unsurpassed handling. Backlit switch cubes improve the rider’s ability to see the bike’s controls at night, while the Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight combined with Pathfinder S LED driving lights and saddlebag lights deliver improved visibility and more eye-catching style in dark conditions. Providing a luxurious ride experience, both rider and passenger get a heated seat with adjustable controls on the seat and infotainment system, and premium styling.
In addition, each Indian Pursuit Elite is equipped with an industry-leading seven-inch touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND and offers Apple CarPlay® integration, turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth® connectivity, one year of RIDE COMMAND+ connected features and more. Riders can cut through road and engine noise with Powerband Audio which works seamlessly with the RIDE COMMAND system to set the mood for the trip. Built-in amplifiers, a 9-band equalizer, and 16 speakers provide crystal clear sound at any speed. Equipped with remote-locking storage, riders can keep all cargo protected inside the spacious, weatherproof saddlebags and trunk. For riders looking to achieve further customization, a quick release low profile trunk is available as a color-matched accessory.
Chieftain Elite
A 2023 Indian Chieftain Elite. Photo courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
Designed for riders who demand the best of the best and want to stand out from the crowd, the 2023 Chieftain Elite features meaner and more aggressive styling with custom-inspired details straight from the factory. With only 175 units available globally the Chieftain Elite is a limited build and highly exclusive.
Custom-Inspired Style
The new Chieftain Elite’s eye-catching paint scheme featuring Super Graphite Smoke is complemented by premium Shadow Bronze chrome finishes and Indian Motorcycle headdress floorboards.
Offering an even more custom look, the Chieftain Elite’s open fender showcases a new 10-spoke precision machined front wheel. Standard to the Chieftain Elite is fender-to-fender, as the Adaptive Pathfinder LED headlight and rear saddlebag LED lights provide head-turning style at night. An adjustable tinted flare windshield raises or lowers to the rider’s preferred position with the push of a handlebar-mounted button for ultimate comfort.
Unmatched, Air-Cooled Performance
Packing the most powerful Indian Motorcycle air-cooled engine, the Thunderstroke 116, the Chieftain Elite delivers 126 ft-lbs of torque. Rear cylinder deactivation improves rider comfort when riding through slower traffic, while three selectable ride modes, including Tour, Standard and Sport, allow riders to adjust the bike’s throttle response to match their riding style.
Premium Amenities & Ride-Enhancing Technology
Like the Indian Pursuit Elite, the Chieftain Elite features the seven-inch touchscreen display powered by RIDE COMMAND with Apple CarPlay®, GPS with navigation, and RIDE COMMAND+ features, like live traffic and weather overlays, and a vehicle locator feature. As standard equipment, the 2023 Chieftain Elite features backlit switch cubes, an integrated PowerBand audio system, and includes ABS, keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, as well as weatherproof and remote-locking saddlebags with more than 18 gallons of storage. For riders looking to personalize their ride, color matched accessories are available including a quick release touring and low-profile trunk, as well as hard lower fairings.
Pricing for Indian Pursuit Elite and Chieftain Elite begin at $39,999 and $35,499, respectively, and will begin shipping to dealers around the world in spring 2023.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc.
Apple CARPLAY® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
BOSCH® is registered to Robert Bosch GmbH
FOX® is a registered trademark of Fox Factory Inc.
Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
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.
Top sponsors: Robem Engineering, The Center for Plastic Surgery, Aprilia, The Big S, Arai Helmets, American Supercamp, Penguin Racing School, MotoLiberty/RS Taichi, Woodcraft Technologies, Atlantic Cruising Yachts, Fast By Ferracci, Stump Racing Kids.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 8th in MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship (3 podium finishes), finished 8th in Italian CIV Aprilia RS 660 Trophy Cup race at Vallelunga, set a new NEMRR Lightweight Lap Record of 1:12.183 at New Hampshire International Speedway; 2021 season, finished 2nd in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (4 wins and 16 total podium finishes in 18 races); 2020 season, finished 4th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (8 podium finishes); 2019 season, finished 9th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup (competed in 11 of 17 races, 1 podium, 3 top-5 finishes), won 2 LRRS Championships (12 race wins), won NESBC Lights Championship; 2018 season, named LRRS Rookie of the Year (youngest to ever receive the award), won 24 LRRS races and earned 46 podium finishes, won NESBC Intermediate B Championship; 2017 season, named NJMiniGP Rookie of the Year.
2023 racing goal: Win MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Make it to Superbike World Championship.
Racing hero: Jamison Minor.
Favorite track: Barber Motorsports Park.
Favorite hobby: Downhill mountain biking.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Downhill mountain biking.
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;
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.
Dunlop motorcycle racing tires. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
West Coast distributor for Dunlop racing tires Racers Edge Performance and Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) have entered into an agreement for the 2023 season that will see members of the MRA provide trackside service and sales for Dunlop racing tires.
At the end of 2022, the current Dunlop representative (Louden David) decided to pursue other ventures outside the motorcycle industry, so this opened up an opportunity for the MRA to step in and ensure that their racers would continue to benefit from having the proper selection of race tires and services available at the track.
“The MRA board is built from a passionate group of racers and motorcycle enthusiasts that are dedicated to providing the best for their racing organization,” says Racers Edge Performance owner Dale Kieffer, “and I feel this is just stepping up to another level in providing better service for the racers in the club.”
“We are very excited about this venture with Racers Edge Performance and Dunlop,” says Chris Nami, President of the MRA. “We want to provide the best things for our racers and we feel with providing this service in-house it will ensure the riders will always have the best selection of tires possible.”
The start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
Event preview: EWC 2023 all set for lift-off at Le Mans
April 10 2023
*It’s 24 Heures Motos time as famous race opens FIM Endurance World Championship
*12 former EWC champions and 12 former winners of 24 Heures Motos in action
*Interest strong in Formula EWC and Superstock with 37 permanent teams due to race
*Extensive live global broadcasting with non-stop coverage on Eurosport Player
The waiting is over in the all-action FIM Endurance World Championship. From 13-16 April, the Circuit Bugatti at Le Mans in France will host the 46th 24 Heures Motos as the latest chapter in the ultimate test of rider and machine begins.
A sky-high 38 permanent EWC teams have registered for the 2023 season, which marks a 22 per cent increase compared to 2022. Of the 54-bike line-up assembling at Le Mans, a total of 37 permanent EWC teams will be in action split between the Formula EWC and Dunlop-equipped Superstock categories.
With 12 EWC world champions and 12 winners of the 24 Heures Motos taking part, there will be no shortage of talent taking to the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti during four days of intense track activity, which begins with Free Practice followed by First Qualifying on Thursday 13 April ahead of the race beginning at 15h00 CET on Saturday after Second Qualifying on Friday.
Multiple rider changes, teams switching bike manufacturers, plus new teams and riders entering the EWC for the first time – many of whom have MotoGP or World Superbike experience – has created an exciting unknown prior to the 2023 season getting underway.
The 24 Heures Motos is the first of four ultra-challenging day and night races featuring on the 2023 EWC calendar. Following the Le Mans season opener, the 24H SPA EWC Motos takes place in Belgium from 16-18 June, with the 43rd Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in Japan up next from 4-6 August. The 24-hour Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard in France completes the 2023 EWC season from 14-17 September.
Mike Di Meglio, part of the F.C.C. TSR Honda France line-up that won the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2022, said: “In Le Mans if you need to find the way to ride with not too much pushing but with good riding. The most difficult thing in the night for me is because I sleep between my stints so when my manager is trying to wake me up this is the worst part of the night. But when I get on the bike I enjoy because the bike in the night is very fast, there is more power, the tyre is more stiff so you have more grip, you just need to adapt with the visibility. But Le Mans is a very good track and you can see very well. It’s not so difficult.”
Sylvain Guintoli, who is vying to help Yoshimura SERT Motul win the 24 Heures Motos for a third year running, said: “There’s no pressure on us to win three seasons in a row but we’ve been thinking and talking about it because it would be pretty cool to do that and not many people have. Cold temperatures is something you always have to expect at Le Mans and you’ve got to make the bike work and be efficient with the cold temperatures as well because it changes quite a lot, especially for the tyres.”
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team rider Niccolò Canepa, said: “The only thing we need is to have more luck because we have all what we need to perform well and to be successful. We have a great team, great bike, great tyres, great team-mates so we are ready to fight, we just need luck. Myself I have trained a lot, I feel fit, I feel ready. In the last couple of years, it has been more difficult because before I get an injury during a winter test. Last year in January the screws and plates that I had in my ankle were taken out so that meant surgery again. It means this year is actually the first time in three years that I have been able to prepare the way I want for the season so I feel good and full of energy to start the season.”
STEINMAYR READY TO FIGHT HARD TO DEFEND SUPERSTOCK CROWN
Philipp Steinmayr won’t be able to back off as he bids to win the FIM Endurance World Cup for Superstock teams for the second season running. The Yamaha-powered Austrian, who partners new recruits Enzo De La Vega and Axel Maurin at Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore, is expecting plenty of tough competition in 2023: “Superstock is very competitive to be honest. Already last year you could see it was very close racing and also with the gaps in lap time. Having Dunlop as a mono-brand tyre supplier is a very good concept to make it as similar or as fair as possible for everyone. I expect this year it will even stronger because the championship is gaining momentum with more and more people and more and more riders entering. I can see from my colleagues in the IDM series that there are more and more riders coming to EWC and I expect it to be a really interesting season.” While Steinmayr is aiming for more Superstock category success, his 2022 team-mates Hugo Clere and Baptiste Guittet are graduating to Formula EWC with TATI Team Beringer Racing.
HANIKA ON A HIGH WITH SUB-LAP RECORD RUN AT EWC 24 HEURES MOTOS TEST
Karel Hanika will head to the 24 Heures Motos as the rider to beat after he completed an astonishing sub-lap record run for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team during the final day of the Pre-Test for round one of the 2023 FIM EWC season (29 March). The Czech star, riding a Bridgestone-shod Yamaha YZF-R1 and backed up by team-mates Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Robin Mulhauser, clocked a best effort of 1m34.759s around the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti, which eclipsed his record-breaking qualifying run of 1m34.878s set during last April’s 45th 24 Heures Motos.
RECOVERING HERO REA READY FOR PARADE LAP
Gino Rea, who was seriously injured in a practice crash ahead of the Suzuka Hours last June, will complete a Parade Lap shortly before the start of the 24 Heures Motos on Saturday. “It’s going to very exciting but very emotional because I want to be at Le Mans racing, that’s a given,” said Rea, who is recovering from serious head injuries. “I’ve seen people doing these Parade Laps before after they’ve come back from similar things. I’ve always looked up to them doing it and now it’s me doing it. I feel very appreciative that they’ve allowed me to do it. It’s going to be emotional for me because I can’t believe I’m going to be there and they’ve given me a Parade Lap. But the amount of people that know I’ve had this accident is quite mind-blowing really, I’ve had messages from famous motorcycle racers.”
Following two years without spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans were back in their thousands for the 45th edition in April 2022. And they witnessed a thriller with Suzuki-powered Gregg Black, Sylvain Guintoli and Xavier Siméon combining in style for Le Mans-based Yoshimura SERT Motul. Rather than the 13.626-kilometre Circuit de La Sarthe, the traditional EWC curtain-raiser takes place on the 4.185-kilometre Circuit Bugatti. It comes complete with the famous Le Mans start/finish straight, Dunlop Esses and Ford Chicane, while a twisty infield section ensures there’s little respite, nevertheless. Riders also face the prospect of competing during shorter daylight hours.
24 HEURES MOTOS FAST FACTS:
*The first 24 Heures Motos took place from 22-23 April 1978 with Jean-Claude Chemarin and Christian Léon riding a Honda to victory.
*It followed the Bol d’Or – the other French 24-hour classic bike race appearing on the EWC schedule – relocating to Circuit Paul Ricard after the 1977 event.
*However, event organiser, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, staged its first race for motorbikes in 1912, long before the Bugatti Circuit’s inauguration in September 1966.
*After starting at 14h00 local time in 2020 and 2021, the 2022 edition of the 24 Heures Motos was flagged-off at 15h00.
*As well as hosting the EWC, Circuit Bugatti is home to the MotoGP Grand Prix de France.
RECENT WINNERS:
2022: Yoshimura SERT Motul (Gregg Black, Xavier Siméon, Sylvain Guintoli) 840 laps
2021: Yoshimura SERT Motul (Gregg Black, Xavier Siméon, Sylvain Guintoli) 855 laps
2020: F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Mike De Meglio) 816 laps
2019: Team SRC Kawasaki France (Jérémy Guarnoni, David Checa, Erwan Nigon) 839 laps
2018: F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Alan Techer) 843 laps
EWC MEDIA SPORTITY APP CHANNEL REMINDER
A dedicated Sportity app channel is now available to media reporting on the FIM Endurance World Championship. It includes timetables, a calendar refresher, track details, entry lists, press release archive, results, standings, rider profiles, key contacts and other essential information to assist media reporting on the EWC onsite or remotely. Users are made aware of new information becoming available through push notifications and the app can be downloaded for free via the App Store or Google Play. Once the Sportity app has been downloaded, the EWC Media Sportity channel can be accessed using the following password: 2023FIMewc-media.
Miguel Oliveira (88). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team prepares for Grand Prix of The Americas
The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is gearing up for the third round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, set to take place at the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The team is eagerly awaiting the event and hopes to have a full squad on hand to compete.
Miguel Oliveira, who suffered an unfortunate injury at his home round less than three weeks ago, is ready to come back to racing this week and is traveling to the United States full of expectations. However, he needs to pass a medical test on Thursday to be declared fit to race after damaging tendons in his right leg. Despite the setback, Oliveira has some good sensations regarding his recovery and aims to make a touch-and-go landing.
Raul Fernandez, who scored the first points of this season and managed to keep up with his fellow Factory Aprilia colleagues in Argentina last time out, is also eager to keep the momentum going. The young Spaniard is aware that the COTA isn’t an easy circuit for the MotoGP class, but he is determined to build on his performance and understanding of his Aprilia RS-GP from round two of 2023.
The American weekend starts this Friday with the first two Free Practice sessions at 10:45 local time (17:45 CET) and 15:00 local time (22:00 CET) for the premier class ahead of a busy Saturday with the new Sprint Race format, which riders and teams still need to get used to.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m obviously excited to start the trip to the US. It was a shame for me to have missed the Argentina GP, but I’m really looking forward to start again working with the team and discover the bike again on this track. It has not been an easy track for me in the past, so I hope that this year I can start turning things around and start the weekend strong. To score points in both the Sprint and the main Race would be really nice and of course important after not being able to do anything the last three opportunities basically. So, overall, I’m very excited.”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“We had a difficult race Sunday in Argentina. All of us Aprilia riders together with our crews are working a lot to understand what was happening there. Anyway, I think COTA is a good track for me. I really want to enjoy riding and that is the main target, plus trying to understand why we were slower in the race in Argentina. Nevertheless, I think we did a step during the last weekend and in Texas, we aim to confirm this step.”
Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“We are looking forward to the return of Miguel, which is of course still subject to the medical check on Thursday, but we are confident that he will be cleared to race during the weekend. So, we are back to nearly full strength for the Americas Grand Prix. The COTA is a demanding track with 20 corners and a traditional track that in the past hasn’t been too friendly to the Aprilia.”
“We will continue our work with Raul. He is getting to grips with the RS-GP, has a better understanding now and we hope that in Austin he can be even better. Overall, we look forward to the return of Miguel, continue the development with Raul and aim to score points.”
Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“After a rainy race in Argentina, we hope we come to a sunny Texas. As we are back together with two riders, we are looking forward to this third round. Missing Miguel in the second round, was very sad for the whole team, being reduced by half. Raul did his best in the rain though, we scored two points. But now we are looking forward to have both crews there and both riders, so we are able to fight together to get good results.”
“Austin is quite a special race track, I’d say. It’s difficult to judge what we can expect there, as both riders have never ridden the circuit with the Aprilia, so we are pretty blind going into that weekend. Also, when we arrive in Austin, it’s always a bit unsure what they have done with the track, as it’s usually quite bumpy. So, let’s see how things look when we arrive in in America. First of all, we hope that Miguel gets declared fit and that the weather is nice and dry throughout the whole weekend. Of course, it’s a long trip again, but we hope everybody is arriving safe and sound in sunny Texas.”
Alexander Enriquez (25) in action at COTA in 2022. 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.
Alexander Enriquez on the North America Talent Cup podium at COTA in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Alexander Enriquez
Age: 15.
Current home: Daly City, California.
Current height/weight: 5’4”/105 pounds.
Current school grade level: 9th grade.
Began riding at age: 4 years.
First road race: 2012, Atwater, California, Mini Moto USA, MiniMoto Beginner, 3rd place.
Current racebikes: Honda, NSF250R, Kawasaki, Ninja 400, Aprilia RS250 SP2, Ohvale GP-0 160cc and 190cc.
Current tuners/mechanics: NorCal Cycles, Edmund Enriquez (father), Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Primary race series: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Top sponsors: Red Bull, KTM, Alpinestars, Ipone, HJC, Dunlop, KYT Helmets, California Mini Grand Prix, Dainese, Cycle Gear, Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning, Galfer USA, NorCal Cycles, Woodcraft Technologies, Motion Pro, Global Racing Oils.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, selected to join 2023 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, placed 3rd in North America Talent Cup Championship (2 wins, 5 total podiums), placed 23rd in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (2 top-10 finishes in 4 starts), placed 3rd in AFM Formula III Championship; 2021 Season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Race Two at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won AFM Formula III Championship, placed 2nd in AFM Formula Singles, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship, took 3rd in WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, won GP1 and GP2 Supermoto USA Asphalt Mini Championships.
2023 racing goals: Learn tracks, improve, keep my spot in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for 2024.
Racing career goal: Become a professional motorcycle racer.
Racing hero: Valentino Rossi
Favorite track: Laguna Seca.
Favorite hobby: Skateboarding.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Skating or playing basketball with friends.
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;
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.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) in action on his Pata Yamaha YZF-R1 in Indonesia. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to Test Yamaha YZR-M1 at Jerez MotoGP Test
2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will have a new opportunity to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP machine during a planned development test at the Jerez circuit in Andalucía, Spain.
Razgatlıoğlu will join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow, for two days of testing on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th April in Jerez.
It will be the Turkish star’s second test aboard the YZR-M1, after his first outing at Motorland Aragon in June last year was cut short by inclement weather.
The characteristics of the 4.428 km Jerez circuit are well suited to Razgatlıoğlu’s riding style and the test should provide an ideal opportunity for him to accrue plenty of track time and adapt himself to the YZR-M1.
Lin Jarvis – Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1. I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend. Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the chance to ride alongside Cal who will be there for the ongoing development testing of our 2023 YZR-M1.”
Andrea Dosoli – Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.
“I would like to thank both Yamaha Motor Company and Yamaha Motor Racing for giving Toprak the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again. As the reigning Superbike World Champion, Toprak’s test aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 last year was highly anticipated by many in both the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks. Unfortunately, it was difficult for him to fully familiarise with the YZR-M1 at the Aragon test due to the disruption caused by the weather. This time around at Jerez, a track at which Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Toprak’s focus at this test will, once again, be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres, whereas we are very interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his calibre can adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu
“I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot. The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time. It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”
55,614 fans packed into State Farm Stadium for an exciting evening of great racing and sport history milestones. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac Takes Glendale Supercross Win and Championship Points Lead
Jett Lawrence Wins His First 250SX Class Triple Crown Overall
Glendale, Ariz., (April 9, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac took the win at Round 12 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and with it broke clear of the championship points tie. Tomac is now the sole holder of the red plate. Tomac earned the victory with 1, 2, 1 race scores in the third Triple Crown-format event of the season.
Eli Tomac (1) took the win in Glendale and pulled seven points clear in the points lead with five races remaining in the Supercross season. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton earned second place points inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona with 4, 1, 3 race scores and with it earned the 2023 Triple Crown Championship – a secondary championship held within the Supercross season. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia finished third at the event that pays points not only into the Triple Crown and the 17-round Supercross season, but also toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In Round 6 of the Western Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his first Triple Crown win and extended his points lead in that regional series.
In race one of the 450SX Class Eli Tomac grabbed the Holeshot with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols, and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb right behind. Webb moved up into second place before the first lap was completed. Roczen quickly took over third place but Justin Barcia was the rider on the move early in the race. Two and a half minutes into the 12-minute plus one lap race, Barcia took over third while Webb worked to close the 1.3 second gap to Tomac. After a bad start, Chase Sexton passed Anderson to take over fifth spot with just under seven minutes left on the race clock. The tension grew as Webb inched closer to Tomac on the high-speed Arizona track. Sexton pulled up to Roczen’s rear fender at the white flag then made the pass for fourth in final corner. The race ended with Tomac, Webb, and Barcia on the podium.
Chase Sexton jumped into the lead off the start of Race 2. He was followed by Tomac, Roczen, Anderson, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, Webb, and Barcia. Sexton looked to have the field covered but stalled the engine in the early laps. Tomac grabbed the lead position but only held it down one rhythm lane; Sexton blitzed back past in the whoops and began steadily inching away. With just under four minutes left Webb bumped past Anderson for fourth. Anderson charged back, took Webb high in the next bowl turn, and got back the spot. The move clipped Webb’s momentum and Barcia also got around Webb. Sexton was clear of the group but spots two through five tightened again on the final lap. Webb took fifth from Barcia. Then, late in the lap, Anderson made a big move in the whoops in an attempt to take third from Roczen, but Roczen battled back into the final corner and held the spot. Sexton got the race win ahead of Tomac, and Roczen. Going into the final race Tomac held three points, Sexton had five, Webb carried seven, Roczen sat with eight, Barcia had nine, and Anderson had ten.
Colt Nichols was the first racer across the Holeshot stripe in Race 3. Tomac blitzed into the lead on the first pass through the whoops with Barcia following along to secure second place. Sexton was ninth at the Holeshot stripe but moved up to fourth in the first minute of racing. In another lap Sexton reached third. As the race neared the halfway point Jason Anderson, running fourth, had a big crash in the whoops. Webb took over the spot with Roczen right behind. Barcia made a push for the lead but never got within true striking distance of Tomac. Sexton held steady in third. In the final laps Roczen applied heavy pressure on Webb for fourth and what would mean fourth place between the two riders in the overall. Tomac grabbed the race win and his 51st career 450SX Class win. Barcia took second in the race for a third place overall on the night. Sexton’s third in the race gave him the runner-up spot overall in Glendale. The finish also earned Sexton the 2023 three-race Triple Crown Championship. Webb held strong in fourth to earn that same position in the night’s overall.
The victory broke Tomac from his tie with James Stewart for most career Supercross overall wins. Tomac now solely holds the spot for second-most career wins with 51; he sits 21 behind Jeremy McGrath with 72. The overall results earned Tomac seven points over Webb in the 2023 title chase. And Tomac’s win delivered two more designations. Tomac extended his Triple Crown career-most win record with seven overall wins. He is also now the winningest rider in Phoenix-area Supercross races with a total of five, breaking the previous tie with both James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael.
Jett Lawrence captured a win that had eluded him: a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall victory. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Race 1 for the Western Regional 250SX Class started with two passes in the opening laps as Jett Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen traded the lead with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire right behind. A red flag stopped the race for a full-reset. The racers lined up again and the race clock went back to its full 10-minutes. Kitchen grabbed the holeshot with Lawrence right behind and Hampshire in third. Lawrence waited nearly until the race’s midpoint before he made his move for the lead exiting the whoops. The lead change spurred Hampshire, who immediately attacked Kitchen. Hampshire took over the second place spot as the race clock ticked to five minutes remaining. Lawrence never let Hampshire shave off much of his 2.4 second lead and the top three held their positions to the checkered flag.
Levi Kitchen holeshot Race 2 of the 250SX Class with RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Carson Mumford, and Red Bull KTM’s Max Vohland on his tail. Hampshire took over the lead and Vohland moved into second. Kitchen reclaimed second place and Lawrence was settled into fourth before one minute had expired off the race clock. Lawrence was soon around Vohland for third while Hampshire put down fast laps out front. The white flag came out and Lawrence put in a sprint to catch Kitchen; he made it close but didn’t better his spot. Hampshire took the win ahead of Kitchen and Lawrence, setting the three riders up with 3 points for Hampshire, 4 points for Lawrence, and 5 points for Kitchen.
Levi Kitchen was three-for-three on starts with the Holeshot in Race 3. Lawrence, Partzilla PRMX Racing’s Hunter Yoder, AJE Motorsport GASGAS’s Mitchell Harrison and Hampshire were right behind. In less than a lap Hampshire was up to third. Early in the race Hampshire pushed too hard in the whoops; what normally would have been a crash turned into a miraculous save. Just a few seconds later, further up the track, Lawrence took over the lead from Kitchen. From there Lawrence rode smoothly and maintained a comfortable gap. With Lawrence moving up to the 450SX Class next season it was his final opportunity to win a 250SX Class Triple Crown overall. The win also extended his points lead to 26 with only three races remaining in the Western Regional 250SX Class.
The racers line up again at Atlanta Motor Speedway on April 15th for a daytime race, then battle each Saturday after that for the following four consecutive weekends. The five remaining Monster Energy Supercross rounds will take place inside open-air stadiums and raceways, adding weather as an additional variable in one of the tightest Supercross title battle in the sport’s history.
Each round also pays points toward the brand-new SuperMotocross World Championship, which combines 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross rounds, 11 AMA Pro Motocross rounds, two SMX Playoff events and one SMX World Championship Final scheduled for September 23rd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The 450cc Class SuperMotocross World Champion will earn a cool $1,000,0000 championship win bonus, and the 250cc champion will claim a $500,000 title win bonus.
All 31-rounds are streamed live on PeacockTV with select rounds also broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage is available at SuperMotocrossTV. For results, highlight videos, power rankings, and ticket sales please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers from left) Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (1-2-1)
2. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill. Honda (4-1-3)
3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (3-6-2)
4. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (2-5-4)
5. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (5-3-5)
6. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (7-7-7)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (9-9-6)
8. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Oak., Honda (8-8-8)
9. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Honda (10-10-9)
10. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (6-4-21)
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (274)
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (267)
3. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (249)
4. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Ger., Suzuki (217)
5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, GASGAS (216)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (212)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (196)
8. Christian Craig, Clermont, Fla., Husqvarna (150)
9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (139)
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (127)
250SX Class podium (racers from left) RJ Hampshire, Jett Lawrence, and Levi Kitchen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
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November 11, 2026
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