Ryusei Yamanaka was fastest in the first free practice session for Moto3 machines at the Grand Prix of Thailand. Yamanaka was under the race lap record but more than three-tenths off of the all-time lap record set by David Alonso in 2024.
Moto3 FP1 Classification
Manuel Gonzalez took his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex to a new lap record and topped the first Moto2 World Championship practice at the Grand Prix of Thailand. Deniz Oncu and Diogo Moreira were second and third. America Joe Roberts was 26th.
Moto2 FP1 Classification
Marc Marquez was quickest in the first practice session at the season-opening Grand Prix of Thailand. The top 20 riders were under the race lap record set by Marco Bezzecchi in 2023. Franco Morbidelli was second, ahead of Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller and Bezzecchi.
MotoGP FP1 Classification
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
2025 fires up: Marc Marquez blasts ahead of Morbidelli in Buriram FP1. The opening 45 minutes of 2025 have been banked and whilst it was the #93 out front, five manufacturers in the top nine sets us up for a belting weekend.
The talking stops, the action HAS BEGUN! Welcome to MotoGP™ in 2025 as the chequered flag comes out on the first session of the PT Grand Prix of Thailand at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram. The 25th different circuit to host a season-opening Grand Prix, it wasn’t without storylines. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) picked up from where he left off after the test and rocketed to the top of the timesheets but that doesn’t tell the full story.
With the first runs of 2025 under their belt, Marc Marquez was in full flow at the head of the field with a rapid pace, with a tenth and a half advantage over the opposition. That opposition featured some surprises though as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) continued his outstanding performances from pre-season and was in P2. Behind, the pack was led by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) who like Morbidelli, continued strong signs from pre-season in P3, as he and Morbidelli were two of many late session improvers. There were headline makers behind too: Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP™ made it two Yamahas in the top four ahead of Aprilia’s pre-season hero Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).
Another Aprilia recruit was in P6 with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP™ Team) taking top rookie honours. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP™) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) were P7, P8 and P9 respectively, with Viñales back on-track after technical gremlins kept him in the pits for the majority of the session before ensuring all five manufacturers were inside the top ten. That top ten was completed by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who as we’ve often seen, didn’t feature at the front in Friday’s first action. He ran off at Turn 4 a couple of times and had more than seven tenths to find in comparison to new teammate Marquez.
Honda’s hard work and progress in the pre-season seemingly paid dividends as both of the Honda HRC Castrol machines featured inside the top six for most of the session. Working together on track, Luca Marini and Joan Mir were P5 and P6 respectively going into the final third of the session, before ultimately taking 12th and 13th. They were pipped by a late-improving Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) who took P11 whilst home-hero Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) concluded his first MotoGP session at home in P17, just over a second behind Marquez at the top and having featured in the top ten at points.
MotoGP’s all-important Practice session gets underway at 14:05 Local Time (UTC +7); get the full results to FP1 here!
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during March 2025.
This list includes 30 opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of March in the U.S.A
To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.
3/1-2 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets Of Willow Course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
3/1-2 Precision Track Days, Altanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA
3/6-7-8 MotoAmerica AMA/ FIM North America Road Racing Series, Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
3/6 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Daytona Short Track I, Daytona Intl. Spdwy, Daytona Beach, FL
3/6-10 Precision Track Days, Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA
3/6-7 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA
3/7 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Daytona Short Track II, Daytona Intl. Spdwy, Daytona Beach, FL
3/8-9 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, North Las Vegas, NV (All Levels)
3/8-9 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA
3/8-9-10 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
3/9 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 3, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
3/14-16 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
3/15-16 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA
3/15-16 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-N,M,rs,
3/15-16 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-N,M,rs,
3/15-16 SFLminiGP Championship Series, T4 KartPlex, Palmetto, FL (Round 2)
3/15-16 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
3/21 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Track Drill 1-on-4, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
3/21-23 CVMA Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA
3/21-22 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course, North Las Vegas, NV
3/22 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Track Drill 1-on-4, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
3/22-23 CMRA Series, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, Oklahoma
3/22-23 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow Springs , Rosamond, CA (Level Five)
3/22-23 Precision Track Days, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA
3/23 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Track Drill 1-on-4, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
3/28 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Novice School)
3/29 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Senoia Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA
3/29-30-31 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
3/29-30-31 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
3/30 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Supermoto Race Class, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
Defending MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin will miss the first two rounds of the 2025 season after suffering a second preseason training injury and undergoing surgery, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said.
“For sure he won’t be in Argentina. And then we will see. We want to have him in very good shape. I don’t want to rush his recovery,” Rivola said ahead of the season-opening round in Buriram, which Martin will miss as well.
Martin crashed heavily on the first day of 2025 testing in Sepang, injuring his left foot and right hand. Just before leaving for Buriram, he was training on a supermotard when he crashed again, injuring his left hand. He underwent surgery on Feb. 25th. Martin will be replaced in Buriram by test rider Lorenzo Savadori.
The Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team is prepared to open the 14-race 2025 MotoAmerica™ Mission Foods King of the Baggers road racing series on March 6-8 on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. For 2025, the team will field three riders on race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycles. Kyle Wyman returns for his fifth season with the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team, joined by James Rispoli in his second year with the team, and a newcomer to the team and series, English road racing and MotoGP veteran, Bradley Smith.
Race fans can preview the season with a new Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team launch video featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the team and bar-to-bar, bag-to-bag racing action from the Mission Foods King of the Baggers series. The video debuts today on the Harley-Davidson YouTube Channel and other social channels.
“The Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Race Team is anticipating another season of intense King of the Baggers competition,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Director Jason Kehl. “There are some very talented riders and incredibly fast bagger motorcycles in this class, which makes for great racing for our fans. We are excited to have a talent like Bradley Smith bring his road racing experience to the team. With Kyle, Bradley, and James I think we have the most dynamic team of riders in the series to win races and the 2025 championship title.”
The Mission Foods King of The Baggers series offers exciting competition between American V-Twin touring motorcycles prepared for competition and equipped with stock frames and a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. The 2025 King of The Baggers series features 14 races over seven doubleheader weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
Dynojet Research Inc. joins the Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team partner roster for the 2025 season which also includes Rockford Fosgate®, Mission® Foods, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Akrapovič, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
Kyle Wyman (#33) rode a Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team Road Glide motorcycle to six race victories and finished on the podium seven times in the 18-race 2024 Mission Foods King of the Baggers road racing series. He finished the season second in series points. Since joining the team 2021, Wyman leads the series with 18 race victories and claimed the 2021 championship. Wyman began racing professionally in flat track aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750, formed KWR Racing at the age of 21 and won the 2019 Daytona 200. His KWR team fields race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycles in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan Championship.
“Riding for the H-D Factory Team has been a dream, and I’m so happy to continue on with them in my fifth season,” said Wyman. “Each year the series continues to grow, and we keep working hard as a team to get the best results possible. I look forward to the opportunity to chase the #1 plate once again and bring it home to Milwaukee.”
Bradley Smith (#38) brings a wealth of road racing experience to the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team. Road racing as a professional since 2006, Smith has placed on the podium in all four classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, with top-three finishes in the 125/Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP, and MotoE World Cup. He raced in the premier MotoGP class for eight seasons and a combined 119 starts with Monster Tech3 Yamaha, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and Aprilia Racing Team. In 2024, Smith was a test rider for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK team. He is a founder with racer Claudio Corti of #Project 109, a race team built to coach, train and guide riders and racers.
“It’s great to be welcomed into the Factory Harley-Davidson Race Team,” said Smith. “I am very excited to be racing in the US and joining King of the Baggers. The class has gone from strength to strength over the last four years and Harley-Davidson and its factory riders have done a tremendous job since the project began in creating a great motorcycle. I hope my knowledge and experience from around the world will help to bring the bike back to Victory Lane in 2025/2026.”
James Rispoli (#43) scored four podium finishes and placed sixth in Mission Foods King of the Baggers season points in 2024, his first with the Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team. In 2023, Rispoli won two races and was second in Mission Foods King of the Baggers season points while racing for the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team. Rispoli began racing in flat track as a teenager and earned the nickname “Hogspoli” while winning the 2020 American Flat Track Production Twins championship aboard a Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R. He won back-to-back AMA Pro Racing Supersport championships in 2011-2012. Rispoli will be a full-time test rider for the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team in 2025 and is expected to compete in select races, including Daytona and Road America. He will also be aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle for KWR Racing in the 2025 Mission Foods Super Hooligan Championship.
“I’m so stoked to be back with the factory H-D team,” said Rispoli “I’ll do everything possible to win races and have a Harley win the championship. I’m also very excited with the new challenge of gunning for the title in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship riding KWR H-D Pan America race bikes.”
Harley-Davidson also announced a new sponsorship of MotoAmerica’s 2025 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The class, which features 750cc+ twin cylinder, up to 900cc triples, and electric bikes, all with a claimed 128 horsepower or less, with no bodywork, and high-handlebars, was created by Roland Sands Design in conjunction with MotoAmerica. The Super Hooligan National Championship will be “Powered by Harley-Davidson and the Championship-Winning Pan America ST – Official Motorcycle of SHNC.” Two Harley-Davidson factory supported Super Hooligan teams will compete in the series aboard Pan America ST-based race bikes: Saddlemen Racing, and Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR). Saddemen Racing has the defending National Champion in the Super Hooligan Series, Cory West (#1), who will be joined by Jake Lewis (#85), and Travis Wyman (#10). KWR will field Cody Wyman (#34), Hayden Schultz (#49), and new addition to the team and class, James Rispoli (#43).
MP13 Racing is thrilled to announce Aiden Sneed’s return to Supersport and welcomes rising star Ella Dreher to the team for the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Championship.
MP13 Racing, a growing team in the MotoAmerica series, has confirmed that Aiden Sneed will return for his third consecutive year with the team, and second season in Supersport, while promising talent Ella Dreher will join the squad to compete in the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup. This announcement marks a significant step for MP13 Racing as they continue with the focus of developing new talent in US roadracing.
Sneed will once again race the highly competitive MV Agusta F3-800 in the Supersport Next Generation class. With a best finish of 11th in 2024, Sneed spent his off season hard at work training alongside Champions Josh Hayes and Jason Pridmore. Early results look promising with his best times at the official MotoAmerica test at Podium Club within a half a second of the quickest Supersport time. He had this to say about the opportunity to continue with MP13 Racing, “I’m grateful to my whole team for the continued support over the last two seasons. I am super motivated to get the results that I know we are capable of”.
Ella Dreher, an up-and-coming rider who gained attention with impressive results in her maiden season of MotoAmerica’s Junior Cup in 2024 (three visits to the podium), is set to make her debut in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup aboard the all new Kramer APX-350 with MP13 Racing. Dreher has quickly become one of the most talked-about prospects in the sport. “I’m super excited to be joining MP13 Racing for the 2025 season. Melissa and I have been talking about doing something like this for years now and I am so happy that we are finally making it happen. My goal for 2025 is to win a championship and I can’t think of a better opportunity to do that than with MP13 Racing.” stated Dreher.
Team Principal Melissa Paris had this to say: “I can’t say I’ve ever been this excited heading into a race season. I’ve had my eye on Ella since she was racing on mini-bikes and I knew she would be a force on the racetrack. I’m thankful for her trust in my team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with her.” She continued. “Likewise, seeing Aiden grow up with our team has been a privilege. He has impressed me this winter with his work ethic. I can honestly say I don’t think there are many other riders who are putting in the work I’ve seen from him over the last few months. I am absolutely sure he’ll be seeing the results of that effort soon”.
With Aiden Sneed’s return and the addition of Ella Dreher, MP13 Racing is poised for a strong and competitive 2025 MotoAmerica season. Both riders are committed to pushing their limits and representing the team with pride as they aim for success on the track.
The team looks forward to making an exciting sponsor announcement soon.
MP13 Racing is a premier motorsports team competing in the MotoAmerica series. With their commitment to the sport and fostering young talent, MP13 Racing aims to be a leading force in the sport of motorcycle racing. With a history of success and a forward-thinking approach, MP13 Racing remains dedicated to achieving podium finishes and nurturing future champions.
Pop-up museum to document legendary touring model’s rich history
Schedule includes a host of customer-focused activities
Also planned: demo rides with Gold Wings and other Honda on-road bikes
American Honda has announced an expanded activation area at the upcoming Bike Week event in Daytona Beach, Florida, celebrating 50 Years of Flight with the Gold Wing touring bike. Situated outside Daytona Speedway from February 28 to March 9, the space will cover a total of nearly 32,000 square feet and will include a massive display tent and a demo-ride staging area.
Earlier this month, Honda unveiled the 2025 Gold Wing platform, which features special colors and logos commemorating the iconic model’s half-century milestone. Originally offered in 1975, the Gold Wing arguably invented the touring category, inspiring a dedicated culture and community that has participated in the model’s progression over the years.
The tent will house a pop-up museum displaying each milestone generation of the Gold Wing, as well as historic images and memorabilia documenting both the evolution of the model and the ways that it has been used by customers. Attendees are welcome to explore the museum on their own, or to participate in periodic guided walkthroughs.
Honda is organizing an extensive series of activities at the display. Among them: Several “story-time” and Q&A sessions with Lee Edmunds and Matthew Miles, creators of a beautiful new coffee-table book celebrating five decades of the Gold Wing (a limited number of autographed editions of the book will be available for sale, as will a commemorative 1:12 scale tabletop model featuring the original 1975 GL1000 Gold Wing on one side and the 2025 GL1800 Gold Wing Tour on the other); live appearances by Japanese artist Makoto Endo, who will use chopsticks to create a truly unique image of the Gold Wing; and more. Of course, Honda will have a long list of current powersports models on display as well.
In the demo area, Honda will also stage for customer rides on a local route with the 2025 50th Anniversary Gold Wing (standard and Tour versions), along with many other on-road motorcycles, including the Rebel 1100 and 500 cruisers; Africa Twin, Transalp NC750 and NX500 adventure bikes; CBR650R and CBR1000RR sport bikes; CB650R naked bike; and CRF300L dual-sport bike. In addition, a roller demo will give attendees a chance to try Honda’s E-Clutch technology.
“The Gold Wing is an extremely significant model in Honda’s history—particularly in the U.S.—and we’re excited for our customers to help us celebrate its 50th birthday,” said Colin Miller, Manager of Experiential Marketing at American Honda. “Over the past five decades, enthusiasts have helped guide the Gold Wing’s development as they used it to celebrate their love of motorcycle touring. What better way to mark this important milestone than by gathering together, and what better place than Daytona Bike Week?”
About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and Side-by-Sides in the United States. American Honda’s Power Sports & Products Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through independent authorized Honda retail dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.
Waters sizzles from start to finish in 2025 ASBK Championship opener
Josh Waters has made light work of his opposition with a brilliant clean sweep in round one of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island.
Waters won all three races in the SW-MOTECH Superbike class, with two of them coming on Sunday as he completed a flawless season opener on the McMartin Racing Ducati.
Waters’ fellow hard-nosed veterans Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) were second and third overall in round one, while Archie McDonald (Stop and Seal Yamaha) and Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) were the leading point-scorers in the Kawasaki Supersport and Race and Road Supersport 300 classes after three days of scintillating high-speed action.
“I could not be happier with how this weekend has gone, although it certainly wasn’t as easy as it looked,” said Waters. “But I was super happy with how my McMartin Ducati performed, and this result has certainly put down a very solid foundation for the 2025 season. Racing is still a huge passion for me, and I enjoy competing – and celebrating success – with family and friends.”
PHILLIP ISLAND ASBK RESULTS: https://www.computime.com.au/Web%20Services/Computime%20-%20WebServer%20Meetings/Resultspage?MeetID=17378
The ASBK Championship opener was held in conjunction with the FIM Superbike World Championship, providing local fans the chance to cheer on Aussies Remy Gardner, Luke Power, Oli Bayliss and Harrison Voight in the international categories under brilliant Phillip Island sunshine.
Round two of the 2025 ASBK Championship will be held under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 28-29, with the Superbike Masters and bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup categories also joining the fray for the first time this season.
SW-MOTECH Superbike
Josh Waters’ 17th and 18th SW-MOTECH Superbike victories at Phillip were achieved with brutal efficiency, as he sling-shotted off the line on both occasions and then immediately knuckled down to building unassailable leads.
Waters’ three wins and a pole position saw him bank a maximum 76pts (there’s a bonus point for pole position) in round one, from Mike Jones (58), Anthony West (56), Max Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team 43) and John Lytras (Yamaha).
In race two, Waters was again in runaway mode, but this time Jones turned the tables on West as Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) edged out race one faller Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha) in a gripping battle for fourth. Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati), Stauffer and Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Yamaha) completed the top eight.
It only took about 10 seconds into race three for the first flashpoint, with Pearson – who came home with a wet sail in race two – going down at turn one after being clipped and forced wide. Halliday (flat tire) and Allerton (mechanical) also failed to finish race three, leaving Waters, Jones and West to be followed home in the 11-lapper by the fast-starting Dunker, Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha), Lytras, Stauffer and Ryan Yanko (Addicted to Track Yamaha).
Kawasaki Supersport
In a sometimes wild and woolly Kawasaki Supersport finale, Jack Mahaffy snapped Stop and Seal Yamaha teammate Archie McDonald’s two-race winning streak to bring up his third win in the category.
The start of the race saw Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki), Mahaffy, McDonald and Tom Bramich (Yamaha) constantly swap positions, and on lap seven Mahaffy and McDonald nearly collided at turn four.
That was the trigger point to take a deep breath and, with Simpson soon losing the tow, it boiled down to a race of three.
Bramich then cooked his goose on the final lap, crashing three corners from home, with a delighted Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki) filling the void. Meanwhile, Mahaffy held off McDonald to win by 0.619 seconds, with both riders on the limit as they set their fastest laps on the final lap. Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) and Simpson were fourth and fifth, followed by Declan van Rosmalen (Yamaha) and rookies Cameron Swain (Yamaha) and Will Nassif (Yamaha).
McDonald (71pts) takes the championship lead into round two at Sydney Motorsport Park, followed by Mahaffy (65), Simpson (51), Farnsworth (46) and Van Rosmalen (43).
Archie McDonald enjoys the Supersport spoils
Race and Road Supersport 300
Sam Drane’s already a junior dirt track star, and now he’s a Race and Road Supersport 300 winner! The 14-year-old – yes, you read correctly – won another extraordinarily tight battle in Sunday’s third and final race on his Yamaha to make it three different winners across the round. Again, the race came down to precious millimeters as 18 riders flashed across the finish line 2.2 seconds apart.
After being in the mix in the first two races without quite getting the job done, this time Drane wouldn’t be denied as he inched his way to the front on the second last lap and then kept down the shutters.
Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) was second from 15-year-old Hudson Thompson, followed by Jordy Simpson (Yamaha), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki) and Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha).
Simpson (2-3-4) was the overall round winner from Nicholson (3-3-2), who defeated Morrison (1-6-5) on a countback after they both finished on the same points. Thompson (5-2-3) and Drane (8-8-1) saw out the top five.
Editorial Note: Yamaha’s next generation R9 racebike won in its World Supersport debut last weekend. But it won’t be racing in the Daytona 200, because World Supersport electronics are not compatible with MotoAmerica rules and MotoAmerica-legal electronics are not yet available; other racing parts are not yet available; and bikes for most Yamaha support teams were late arriving in the U.S. The R9 will make its MotoAmerica debut at Barber Motorsports Park on the weekend of April 4-6. Meanwhile, R9 streetbikes may not be imported into the U.S. and available for purchase from dealers until the third quarter of 2025.
From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Race Win for Yamaha R9 on WorldSSP Debut as Manzi Victorious in Phillip Island
History was made in Australia as Stefano Manzi took the all-new Yamaha R9 to a maiden victory in its debut outing in the FIM Supersport World Championship at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
It was poetic for Yamaha, as Manzi opened the R9’s World Championship account with victory just 126 days after closing the iconic R6’s chapter in the history books with a win in Jerez back in October.
It hasn’t been a straightforward week ‘down under’ for the Italian, who struggled initially in the two-day official test but, working hard with the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate team, he made progress session by session. The twice vice-champion qualified eighth for the R9’s debut race but being on the third row of the grid didn’t hinder Manzi as he launched off the line to join the battle for the podium on the opening lap.
It was Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing’s Can Öncü who took the holeshot from fourth on the grid, with Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) holding his third-place starting position in the opening exchanges.
As the race reached the halfway point with the mandatory pit stop window opening, it was Öncü, Manzi and Jaume Masia fighting for the lead. Entering the pits on the same lap, Masia seemed to gain an edge on the two R9s on the restart but was later handed a 3.5 second penalty for leaving pit lane too early.
Following the pit stops, Marcel Schroetter and Tom Booth-Amos joined the fight for the lead making it a five-way scrap at the front. Manzi asserted himself at the head of the field, but was unable to make a break, leading to a dogged battle with Masia in the closing stages. A pass at the bottom of Lukey Heights was enough to secure the Italian enough breathing room to cross the line first and make history with the R9’s maiden win on its race debut.
Öncü crossed the line fifth for Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing, with 2017 champion Lucas Mahias completing his race in ninth. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (GMT94 Yamaha), who had looked to have pace to fight for a podium, retired with a technical issue on lap six.
Having shown impressive pace as a rookie, reigning WorldSSP300 champion Aldi Satya Mahendra’s (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing) WorldSSP debut came to an early end as he crashed unhurt at turn ten on the opening lap.
In WorldSSP, the grid for the second race is set by the fastest laps in the opening race meaning Manzi, who set the third fastest lap, will start from the front row. Mahias moves to sixth on the grid with Öncü ninth.
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) – 1st
“It is amazing to open the era of the new R9 with a win! There are not many words at the moment, I need to thank Yamaha and the team as they have put a lot of effort in to this project to make this possible. It was not easy, because it was a hard fight and the pit stop also made things challenging, but I am happy to be able to say I finished first! In the winter tests in Spain, the test earlier this week and even yesterday I was not super quick, but in the end we were able to close the gap. When we left the pits and Masia had a gap on me, I thought either I’ve done something wrong, or he did something wrong, so my only goal was to catch him and win. It was a hard fight, like always in this class, but I am a fighter, so in the end it was good for me!”
Niccolò Canepa – Road Racing Sporting Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“This is an incredible result for Yamaha, for the R9 to take the win in its first WorldSSP race is a dream. We felt confident in the package heading into the season, but pre-season testing was hampered by bad weather and our WorldSSP teams participated in private tests away from their rivals. Since we arrived in Australia, our teams have made progress session after session and fighting for the podium was our target. Stefano rode an incredible race in true ‘Manzi style’ and he will now go down in history as the last winner on the R6 and first on the R9. Congratulations to him, the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team and all of the engineers who have worked so hard on this project over the last year. We still have work to do, but we could not have made a better start!”
More, from another press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Manzi Completes Successful Debut for Yamaha R9 with Second on Sunday in Phillip Island
After taking victory in the opening race of the season, Stefano Manzi rounded out a successful debut weekend for the new Yamaha R9 in the FIM Supersport World Championship with a second-place finish in Race 2.
Conditions for Sunday’s 18-lap race were cooler and wind speeds were higher, presenting different challenges for the Supersport riders but Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) got off to a good start to lead into the first corner from third on the grid. Fellow R9 rider Can Öncü slotted in behind the Italian.
By the time of the pit stops at mid-race distance, Manzi and Öncü had lost some ground. Öncü returned to the track in sixth but Manzi lost more positions in the pits, returning to the track tenth. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (GMT94) was one of the biggest benefactors of a slick stop as he joined the battle for the lead in the second half of the race, even taking the number one spot when Marcel Schroetter crashed out of the lead.
A close battle ensued, but ultimately it was Manzi and Tom Booth-Amos who came through to fight for the win. Manzi took the lead at turn one on lap 14, but the British rider fought back hard. The duo exchanged the lead several times in the closing laps. Booth-Amos had built a small gap with two laps to go, but Manzi looked to have a chance of closing this down until a mistake at the hairpin made the gap insurmountable with the Italian crossing the line 0.6 seconds from the winner.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s pace paid off with a fourth-place finish while GMT94 Yamaha team-mate Lucas Mahias, who had lost time after he’d got caught up in another rider’s crash, finished sixth.
Can Öncü (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing) crashed out while battling for a top four finish on the final lap, but rookie team-mate Aldi Satya Mahendra enjoyed better fortune on Sunday as he secured his first WorldSSP points in 13th.
Manzi’s 1-2 scorecard sees him leave Australia joint championship leader with Booth-Amos on 45 points. Mahias sits sixth, Rinaldi eighth and Öncü ninth.
The second round of the season takes place between 28-30 March at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão.
RACE 1 RESULTS: https://resources.worldsbk.com/files/results/2025/AUS/SSP/001/CLA/Results.pdf?version=5378bfa11357e4b3269387f9ca7b781f&_ga=2.27588085.891106535.1740119521-1594232413.1726744531&deliveryName=DM1505457
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) – 2nd
“I can say in the end it has been a great, great weekend with the win yesterday and second today. Today I was struggling a little bit more, especially with the wind, but it was good to finish second and I was close to first but one mistake on the last lap, when I hit a false neutral, meant I couldn’t fight for the win in the last few corners. It is a good start, but there is still room for improvement so this is encouraging as I think the team and Yamaha can further improve the bike and hopefully we will be in a strong position as we return to Europe.”
2025 Daytona 200 Entry List
Ryusei Yamanaka was fastest in the first free practice session for Moto3 machines at the Grand Prix of Thailand. Yamanaka was under the race lap record but more than three-tenths off of the all-time lap record set by David Alonso in 2024.
Moto3 FP1 Classification
Manuel Gonzalez took his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex to a new lap record and topped the first Moto2 World Championship practice at the Grand Prix of Thailand. Deniz Oncu and Diogo Moreira were second and third. America Joe Roberts was 26th.
Moto2 FP1 Classification
Marc Marquez was quickest in the first practice session at the season-opening Grand Prix of Thailand. The top 20 riders were under the race lap record set by Marco Bezzecchi in 2023. Franco Morbidelli was second, ahead of Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller and Bezzecchi.
MotoGP FP1 Classification
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
2025 fires up: Marc Marquez blasts ahead of Morbidelli in Buriram FP1. The opening 45 minutes of 2025 have been banked and whilst it was the #93 out front, five manufacturers in the top nine sets us up for a belting weekend.
The talking stops, the action HAS BEGUN! Welcome to MotoGP™ in 2025 as the chequered flag comes out on the first session of the PT Grand Prix of Thailand at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram. The 25th different circuit to host a season-opening Grand Prix, it wasn’t without storylines. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) picked up from where he left off after the test and rocketed to the top of the timesheets but that doesn’t tell the full story.
With the first runs of 2025 under their belt, Marc Marquez was in full flow at the head of the field with a rapid pace, with a tenth and a half advantage over the opposition. That opposition featured some surprises though as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) continued his outstanding performances from pre-season and was in P2. Behind, the pack was led by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) who like Morbidelli, continued strong signs from pre-season in P3, as he and Morbidelli were two of many late session improvers. There were headline makers behind too: Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP™ made it two Yamahas in the top four ahead of Aprilia’s pre-season hero Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).
Another Aprilia recruit was in P6 with Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP™ Team) taking top rookie honours. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP™) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) were P7, P8 and P9 respectively, with Viñales back on-track after technical gremlins kept him in the pits for the majority of the session before ensuring all five manufacturers were inside the top ten. That top ten was completed by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who as we’ve often seen, didn’t feature at the front in Friday’s first action. He ran off at Turn 4 a couple of times and had more than seven tenths to find in comparison to new teammate Marquez.
Honda’s hard work and progress in the pre-season seemingly paid dividends as both of the Honda HRC Castrol machines featured inside the top six for most of the session. Working together on track, Luca Marini and Joan Mir were P5 and P6 respectively going into the final third of the session, before ultimately taking 12th and 13th. They were pipped by a late-improving Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) who took P11 whilst home-hero Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) concluded his first MotoGP session at home in P17, just over a second behind Marquez at the top and having featured in the top ten at points.
MotoGP’s all-important Practice session gets underway at 14:05 Local Time (UTC +7); get the full results to FP1 here!
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during March 2025.
This list includes 30 opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of March in the U.S.A
To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.
3/1-2 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets Of Willow Course, Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
3/1-2 Precision Track Days, Altanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA
3/6-7-8 MotoAmerica AMA/ FIM North America Road Racing Series, Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
3/6 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Daytona Short Track I, Daytona Intl. Spdwy, Daytona Beach, FL
3/6-10 Precision Track Days, Virginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA
3/6-7 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA
3/7 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Daytona Short Track II, Daytona Intl. Spdwy, Daytona Beach, FL
3/8-9 California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, North Las Vegas, NV (All Levels)
3/8-9 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA
3/8-9-10 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
3/9 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 3, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
3/14-16 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
3/15-16 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA
3/15-16 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-N,M,rs,
3/15-16 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-N,M,rs,
3/15-16 SFLminiGP Championship Series, T4 KartPlex, Palmetto, FL (Round 2)
3/15-16 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL
3/21 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Track Drill 1-on-4, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
3/21-23 CVMA Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA
3/21-22 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course, North Las Vegas, NV
3/22 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Track Drill 1-on-4, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
3/22-23 CMRA Series, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, Oklahoma
3/22-23 California Superbike School, Streets of Willow Springs , Rosamond, CA (Level Five)
3/22-23 Precision Track Days, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA
3/23 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Track Drill 1-on-4, Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA
3/28 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Novice School)
3/29 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Senoia Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA
3/29-30-31 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)
3/29-30-31 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL
3/30 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Supermoto Race Class, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
Defending MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin will miss the first two rounds of the 2025 season after suffering a second preseason training injury and undergoing surgery, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said.
“For sure he won’t be in Argentina. And then we will see. We want to have him in very good shape. I don’t want to rush his recovery,” Rivola said ahead of the season-opening round in Buriram, which Martin will miss as well.
Martin crashed heavily on the first day of 2025 testing in Sepang, injuring his left foot and right hand. Just before leaving for Buriram, he was training on a supermotard when he crashed again, injuring his left hand. He underwent surgery on Feb. 25th. Martin will be replaced in Buriram by test rider Lorenzo Savadori.
The Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team is prepared to open the 14-race 2025 MotoAmerica™ Mission Foods King of the Baggers road racing series on March 6-8 on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. For 2025, the team will field three riders on race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycles. Kyle Wyman returns for his fifth season with the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team, joined by James Rispoli in his second year with the team, and a newcomer to the team and series, English road racing and MotoGP veteran, Bradley Smith.
Race fans can preview the season with a new Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team launch video featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the team and bar-to-bar, bag-to-bag racing action from the Mission Foods King of the Baggers series. The video debuts today on the Harley-Davidson YouTube Channel and other social channels.
“The Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Race Team is anticipating another season of intense King of the Baggers competition,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Director Jason Kehl. “There are some very talented riders and incredibly fast bagger motorcycles in this class, which makes for great racing for our fans. We are excited to have a talent like Bradley Smith bring his road racing experience to the team. With Kyle, Bradley, and James I think we have the most dynamic team of riders in the series to win races and the 2025 championship title.”
The Mission Foods King of The Baggers series offers exciting competition between American V-Twin touring motorcycles prepared for competition and equipped with stock frames and a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. The 2025 King of The Baggers series features 14 races over seven doubleheader weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
Dynojet Research Inc. joins the Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team partner roster for the 2025 season which also includes Rockford Fosgate®, Mission® Foods, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Akrapovič, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
Kyle Wyman (#33) rode a Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team Road Glide motorcycle to six race victories and finished on the podium seven times in the 18-race 2024 Mission Foods King of the Baggers road racing series. He finished the season second in series points. Since joining the team 2021, Wyman leads the series with 18 race victories and claimed the 2021 championship. Wyman began racing professionally in flat track aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750, formed KWR Racing at the age of 21 and won the 2019 Daytona 200. His KWR team fields race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycles in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan Championship.
“Riding for the H-D Factory Team has been a dream, and I’m so happy to continue on with them in my fifth season,” said Wyman. “Each year the series continues to grow, and we keep working hard as a team to get the best results possible. I look forward to the opportunity to chase the #1 plate once again and bring it home to Milwaukee.”
Bradley Smith (#38) brings a wealth of road racing experience to the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team. Road racing as a professional since 2006, Smith has placed on the podium in all four classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, with top-three finishes in the 125/Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP, and MotoE World Cup. He raced in the premier MotoGP class for eight seasons and a combined 119 starts with Monster Tech3 Yamaha, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and Aprilia Racing Team. In 2024, Smith was a test rider for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK team. He is a founder with racer Claudio Corti of #Project 109, a race team built to coach, train and guide riders and racers.
“It’s great to be welcomed into the Factory Harley-Davidson Race Team,” said Smith. “I am very excited to be racing in the US and joining King of the Baggers. The class has gone from strength to strength over the last four years and Harley-Davidson and its factory riders have done a tremendous job since the project began in creating a great motorcycle. I hope my knowledge and experience from around the world will help to bring the bike back to Victory Lane in 2025/2026.”
James Rispoli (#43) scored four podium finishes and placed sixth in Mission Foods King of the Baggers season points in 2024, his first with the Harley-Davidson® Factory Race Team. In 2023, Rispoli won two races and was second in Mission Foods King of the Baggers season points while racing for the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team. Rispoli began racing in flat track as a teenager and earned the nickname “Hogspoli” while winning the 2020 American Flat Track Production Twins championship aboard a Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R. He won back-to-back AMA Pro Racing Supersport championships in 2011-2012. Rispoli will be a full-time test rider for the Harley-Davidson® x Dynojet Factory Race Team in 2025 and is expected to compete in select races, including Daytona and Road America. He will also be aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle for KWR Racing in the 2025 Mission Foods Super Hooligan Championship.
“I’m so stoked to be back with the factory H-D team,” said Rispoli “I’ll do everything possible to win races and have a Harley win the championship. I’m also very excited with the new challenge of gunning for the title in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship riding KWR H-D Pan America race bikes.”
Harley-Davidson also announced a new sponsorship of MotoAmerica’s 2025 Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The class, which features 750cc+ twin cylinder, up to 900cc triples, and electric bikes, all with a claimed 128 horsepower or less, with no bodywork, and high-handlebars, was created by Roland Sands Design in conjunction with MotoAmerica. The Super Hooligan National Championship will be “Powered by Harley-Davidson and the Championship-Winning Pan America ST – Official Motorcycle of SHNC.” Two Harley-Davidson factory supported Super Hooligan teams will compete in the series aboard Pan America ST-based race bikes: Saddlemen Racing, and Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR). Saddemen Racing has the defending National Champion in the Super Hooligan Series, Cory West (#1), who will be joined by Jake Lewis (#85), and Travis Wyman (#10). KWR will field Cody Wyman (#34), Hayden Schultz (#49), and new addition to the team and class, James Rispoli (#43).
MP13 Racing is thrilled to announce Aiden Sneed’s return to Supersport and welcomes rising star Ella Dreher to the team for the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Championship.
MP13 Racing, a growing team in the MotoAmerica series, has confirmed that Aiden Sneed will return for his third consecutive year with the team, and second season in Supersport, while promising talent Ella Dreher will join the squad to compete in the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup. This announcement marks a significant step for MP13 Racing as they continue with the focus of developing new talent in US roadracing.
Sneed will once again race the highly competitive MV Agusta F3-800 in the Supersport Next Generation class. With a best finish of 11th in 2024, Sneed spent his off season hard at work training alongside Champions Josh Hayes and Jason Pridmore. Early results look promising with his best times at the official MotoAmerica test at Podium Club within a half a second of the quickest Supersport time. He had this to say about the opportunity to continue with MP13 Racing, “I’m grateful to my whole team for the continued support over the last two seasons. I am super motivated to get the results that I know we are capable of”.
Ella Dreher, an up-and-coming rider who gained attention with impressive results in her maiden season of MotoAmerica’s Junior Cup in 2024 (three visits to the podium), is set to make her debut in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup aboard the all new Kramer APX-350 with MP13 Racing. Dreher has quickly become one of the most talked-about prospects in the sport. “I’m super excited to be joining MP13 Racing for the 2025 season. Melissa and I have been talking about doing something like this for years now and I am so happy that we are finally making it happen. My goal for 2025 is to win a championship and I can’t think of a better opportunity to do that than with MP13 Racing.” stated Dreher.
Team Principal Melissa Paris had this to say: “I can’t say I’ve ever been this excited heading into a race season. I’ve had my eye on Ella since she was racing on mini-bikes and I knew she would be a force on the racetrack. I’m thankful for her trust in my team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with her.” She continued. “Likewise, seeing Aiden grow up with our team has been a privilege. He has impressed me this winter with his work ethic. I can honestly say I don’t think there are many other riders who are putting in the work I’ve seen from him over the last few months. I am absolutely sure he’ll be seeing the results of that effort soon”.
With Aiden Sneed’s return and the addition of Ella Dreher, MP13 Racing is poised for a strong and competitive 2025 MotoAmerica season. Both riders are committed to pushing their limits and representing the team with pride as they aim for success on the track.
The team looks forward to making an exciting sponsor announcement soon.
MP13 Racing is a premier motorsports team competing in the MotoAmerica series. With their commitment to the sport and fostering young talent, MP13 Racing aims to be a leading force in the sport of motorcycle racing. With a history of success and a forward-thinking approach, MP13 Racing remains dedicated to achieving podium finishes and nurturing future champions.
Pop-up museum to document legendary touring model’s rich history
Schedule includes a host of customer-focused activities
Also planned: demo rides with Gold Wings and other Honda on-road bikes
American Honda has announced an expanded activation area at the upcoming Bike Week event in Daytona Beach, Florida, celebrating 50 Years of Flight with the Gold Wing touring bike. Situated outside Daytona Speedway from February 28 to March 9, the space will cover a total of nearly 32,000 square feet and will include a massive display tent and a demo-ride staging area.
Earlier this month, Honda unveiled the 2025 Gold Wing platform, which features special colors and logos commemorating the iconic model’s half-century milestone. Originally offered in 1975, the Gold Wing arguably invented the touring category, inspiring a dedicated culture and community that has participated in the model’s progression over the years.
The tent will house a pop-up museum displaying each milestone generation of the Gold Wing, as well as historic images and memorabilia documenting both the evolution of the model and the ways that it has been used by customers. Attendees are welcome to explore the museum on their own, or to participate in periodic guided walkthroughs.
Honda is organizing an extensive series of activities at the display. Among them: Several “story-time” and Q&A sessions with Lee Edmunds and Matthew Miles, creators of a beautiful new coffee-table book celebrating five decades of the Gold Wing (a limited number of autographed editions of the book will be available for sale, as will a commemorative 1:12 scale tabletop model featuring the original 1975 GL1000 Gold Wing on one side and the 2025 GL1800 Gold Wing Tour on the other); live appearances by Japanese artist Makoto Endo, who will use chopsticks to create a truly unique image of the Gold Wing; and more. Of course, Honda will have a long list of current powersports models on display as well.
In the demo area, Honda will also stage for customer rides on a local route with the 2025 50th Anniversary Gold Wing (standard and Tour versions), along with many other on-road motorcycles, including the Rebel 1100 and 500 cruisers; Africa Twin, Transalp NC750 and NX500 adventure bikes; CBR650R and CBR1000RR sport bikes; CB650R naked bike; and CRF300L dual-sport bike. In addition, a roller demo will give attendees a chance to try Honda’s E-Clutch technology.
“The Gold Wing is an extremely significant model in Honda’s history—particularly in the U.S.—and we’re excited for our customers to help us celebrate its 50th birthday,” said Colin Miller, Manager of Experiential Marketing at American Honda. “Over the past five decades, enthusiasts have helped guide the Gold Wing’s development as they used it to celebrate their love of motorcycle touring. What better way to mark this important milestone than by gathering together, and what better place than Daytona Bike Week?”
About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and Side-by-Sides in the United States. American Honda’s Power Sports & Products Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through independent authorized Honda retail dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.
Waters sizzles from start to finish in 2025 ASBK Championship opener
Josh Waters has made light work of his opposition with a brilliant clean sweep in round one of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island.
Waters won all three races in the SW-MOTECH Superbike class, with two of them coming on Sunday as he completed a flawless season opener on the McMartin Racing Ducati.
Waters’ fellow hard-nosed veterans Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) were second and third overall in round one, while Archie McDonald (Stop and Seal Yamaha) and Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) were the leading point-scorers in the Kawasaki Supersport and Race and Road Supersport 300 classes after three days of scintillating high-speed action.
“I could not be happier with how this weekend has gone, although it certainly wasn’t as easy as it looked,” said Waters. “But I was super happy with how my McMartin Ducati performed, and this result has certainly put down a very solid foundation for the 2025 season. Racing is still a huge passion for me, and I enjoy competing – and celebrating success – with family and friends.”
PHILLIP ISLAND ASBK RESULTS: https://www.computime.com.au/Web%20Services/Computime%20-%20WebServer%20Meetings/Resultspage?MeetID=17378
The ASBK Championship opener was held in conjunction with the FIM Superbike World Championship, providing local fans the chance to cheer on Aussies Remy Gardner, Luke Power, Oli Bayliss and Harrison Voight in the international categories under brilliant Phillip Island sunshine.
Round two of the 2025 ASBK Championship will be held under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 28-29, with the Superbike Masters and bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup categories also joining the fray for the first time this season.
SW-MOTECH Superbike
Josh Waters’ 17th and 18th SW-MOTECH Superbike victories at Phillip were achieved with brutal efficiency, as he sling-shotted off the line on both occasions and then immediately knuckled down to building unassailable leads.
Waters’ three wins and a pole position saw him bank a maximum 76pts (there’s a bonus point for pole position) in round one, from Mike Jones (58), Anthony West (56), Max Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team 43) and John Lytras (Yamaha).
In race two, Waters was again in runaway mode, but this time Jones turned the tables on West as Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) edged out race one faller Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha) in a gripping battle for fourth. Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati), Stauffer and Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Yamaha) completed the top eight.
It only took about 10 seconds into race three for the first flashpoint, with Pearson – who came home with a wet sail in race two – going down at turn one after being clipped and forced wide. Halliday (flat tire) and Allerton (mechanical) also failed to finish race three, leaving Waters, Jones and West to be followed home in the 11-lapper by the fast-starting Dunker, Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha), Lytras, Stauffer and Ryan Yanko (Addicted to Track Yamaha).
Kawasaki Supersport
In a sometimes wild and woolly Kawasaki Supersport finale, Jack Mahaffy snapped Stop and Seal Yamaha teammate Archie McDonald’s two-race winning streak to bring up his third win in the category.
The start of the race saw Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki), Mahaffy, McDonald and Tom Bramich (Yamaha) constantly swap positions, and on lap seven Mahaffy and McDonald nearly collided at turn four.
That was the trigger point to take a deep breath and, with Simpson soon losing the tow, it boiled down to a race of three.
Bramich then cooked his goose on the final lap, crashing three corners from home, with a delighted Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki) filling the void. Meanwhile, Mahaffy held off McDonald to win by 0.619 seconds, with both riders on the limit as they set their fastest laps on the final lap. Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) and Simpson were fourth and fifth, followed by Declan van Rosmalen (Yamaha) and rookies Cameron Swain (Yamaha) and Will Nassif (Yamaha).
McDonald (71pts) takes the championship lead into round two at Sydney Motorsport Park, followed by Mahaffy (65), Simpson (51), Farnsworth (46) and Van Rosmalen (43).
Archie McDonald enjoys the Supersport spoils
Race and Road Supersport 300
Sam Drane’s already a junior dirt track star, and now he’s a Race and Road Supersport 300 winner! The 14-year-old – yes, you read correctly – won another extraordinarily tight battle in Sunday’s third and final race on his Yamaha to make it three different winners across the round. Again, the race came down to precious millimeters as 18 riders flashed across the finish line 2.2 seconds apart.
After being in the mix in the first two races without quite getting the job done, this time Drane wouldn’t be denied as he inched his way to the front on the second last lap and then kept down the shutters.
Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) was second from 15-year-old Hudson Thompson, followed by Jordy Simpson (Yamaha), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki) and Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha).
Simpson (2-3-4) was the overall round winner from Nicholson (3-3-2), who defeated Morrison (1-6-5) on a countback after they both finished on the same points. Thompson (5-2-3) and Drane (8-8-1) saw out the top five.
Editorial Note: Yamaha’s next generation R9 racebike won in its World Supersport debut last weekend. But it won’t be racing in the Daytona 200, because World Supersport electronics are not compatible with MotoAmerica rules and MotoAmerica-legal electronics are not yet available; other racing parts are not yet available; and bikes for most Yamaha support teams were late arriving in the U.S. The R9 will make its MotoAmerica debut at Barber Motorsports Park on the weekend of April 4-6. Meanwhile, R9 streetbikes may not be imported into the U.S. and available for purchase from dealers until the third quarter of 2025.
From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Race Win for Yamaha R9 on WorldSSP Debut as Manzi Victorious in Phillip Island
History was made in Australia as Stefano Manzi took the all-new Yamaha R9 to a maiden victory in its debut outing in the FIM Supersport World Championship at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
It was poetic for Yamaha, as Manzi opened the R9’s World Championship account with victory just 126 days after closing the iconic R6’s chapter in the history books with a win in Jerez back in October.
It hasn’t been a straightforward week ‘down under’ for the Italian, who struggled initially in the two-day official test but, working hard with the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate team, he made progress session by session. The twice vice-champion qualified eighth for the R9’s debut race but being on the third row of the grid didn’t hinder Manzi as he launched off the line to join the battle for the podium on the opening lap.
It was Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing’s Can Öncü who took the holeshot from fourth on the grid, with Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) holding his third-place starting position in the opening exchanges.
As the race reached the halfway point with the mandatory pit stop window opening, it was Öncü, Manzi and Jaume Masia fighting for the lead. Entering the pits on the same lap, Masia seemed to gain an edge on the two R9s on the restart but was later handed a 3.5 second penalty for leaving pit lane too early.
Following the pit stops, Marcel Schroetter and Tom Booth-Amos joined the fight for the lead making it a five-way scrap at the front. Manzi asserted himself at the head of the field, but was unable to make a break, leading to a dogged battle with Masia in the closing stages. A pass at the bottom of Lukey Heights was enough to secure the Italian enough breathing room to cross the line first and make history with the R9’s maiden win on its race debut.
Öncü crossed the line fifth for Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing, with 2017 champion Lucas Mahias completing his race in ninth. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (GMT94 Yamaha), who had looked to have pace to fight for a podium, retired with a technical issue on lap six.
Having shown impressive pace as a rookie, reigning WorldSSP300 champion Aldi Satya Mahendra’s (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing) WorldSSP debut came to an early end as he crashed unhurt at turn ten on the opening lap.
In WorldSSP, the grid for the second race is set by the fastest laps in the opening race meaning Manzi, who set the third fastest lap, will start from the front row. Mahias moves to sixth on the grid with Öncü ninth.
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) – 1st
“It is amazing to open the era of the new R9 with a win! There are not many words at the moment, I need to thank Yamaha and the team as they have put a lot of effort in to this project to make this possible. It was not easy, because it was a hard fight and the pit stop also made things challenging, but I am happy to be able to say I finished first! In the winter tests in Spain, the test earlier this week and even yesterday I was not super quick, but in the end we were able to close the gap. When we left the pits and Masia had a gap on me, I thought either I’ve done something wrong, or he did something wrong, so my only goal was to catch him and win. It was a hard fight, like always in this class, but I am a fighter, so in the end it was good for me!”
Niccolò Canepa – Road Racing Sporting Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
“This is an incredible result for Yamaha, for the R9 to take the win in its first WorldSSP race is a dream. We felt confident in the package heading into the season, but pre-season testing was hampered by bad weather and our WorldSSP teams participated in private tests away from their rivals. Since we arrived in Australia, our teams have made progress session after session and fighting for the podium was our target. Stefano rode an incredible race in true ‘Manzi style’ and he will now go down in history as the last winner on the R6 and first on the R9. Congratulations to him, the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team and all of the engineers who have worked so hard on this project over the last year. We still have work to do, but we could not have made a better start!”
More, from another press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Manzi Completes Successful Debut for Yamaha R9 with Second on Sunday in Phillip Island
After taking victory in the opening race of the season, Stefano Manzi rounded out a successful debut weekend for the new Yamaha R9 in the FIM Supersport World Championship with a second-place finish in Race 2.
Conditions for Sunday’s 18-lap race were cooler and wind speeds were higher, presenting different challenges for the Supersport riders but Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) got off to a good start to lead into the first corner from third on the grid. Fellow R9 rider Can Öncü slotted in behind the Italian.
By the time of the pit stops at mid-race distance, Manzi and Öncü had lost some ground. Öncü returned to the track in sixth but Manzi lost more positions in the pits, returning to the track tenth. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (GMT94) was one of the biggest benefactors of a slick stop as he joined the battle for the lead in the second half of the race, even taking the number one spot when Marcel Schroetter crashed out of the lead.
A close battle ensued, but ultimately it was Manzi and Tom Booth-Amos who came through to fight for the win. Manzi took the lead at turn one on lap 14, but the British rider fought back hard. The duo exchanged the lead several times in the closing laps. Booth-Amos had built a small gap with two laps to go, but Manzi looked to have a chance of closing this down until a mistake at the hairpin made the gap insurmountable with the Italian crossing the line 0.6 seconds from the winner.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s pace paid off with a fourth-place finish while GMT94 Yamaha team-mate Lucas Mahias, who had lost time after he’d got caught up in another rider’s crash, finished sixth.
Can Öncü (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing) crashed out while battling for a top four finish on the final lap, but rookie team-mate Aldi Satya Mahendra enjoyed better fortune on Sunday as he secured his first WorldSSP points in 13th.
Manzi’s 1-2 scorecard sees him leave Australia joint championship leader with Booth-Amos on 45 points. Mahias sits sixth, Rinaldi eighth and Öncü ninth.
The second round of the season takes place between 28-30 March at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão.
RACE 1 RESULTS: https://resources.worldsbk.com/files/results/2025/AUS/SSP/001/CLA/Results.pdf?version=5378bfa11357e4b3269387f9ca7b781f&_ga=2.27588085.891106535.1740119521-1594232413.1726744531&deliveryName=DM1505457
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) – 2nd
“I can say in the end it has been a great, great weekend with the win yesterday and second today. Today I was struggling a little bit more, especially with the wind, but it was good to finish second and I was close to first but one mistake on the last lap, when I hit a false neutral, meant I couldn’t fight for the win in the last few corners. It is a good start, but there is still room for improvement so this is encouraging as I think the team and Yamaha can further improve the bike and hopefully we will be in a strong position as we return to Europe.”
2025 Daytona 200 Entry List
