MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Six Other Classes Racing At Laguna Seca (Updated)

David Swarts

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July 7, 2022

MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Six Other Classes Racing At Laguna Seca (Updated)

Ready, Set, Go: Six Support-Class Thrillers Slated For WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Round

Everything From King Of The Baggers To Junior Cup To Super Hooligans Set For GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey, July 8-10

IRVINE, CA (July 7, 2022) – So what class features the closest title fight as the 2022 MotoAmerica Championship heads to WeatherTech Raceway for the GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey? Well, that would be the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Championship with just eight points separating the top four riders – and just 19 points separating the top five – in the class where youth is most definitely served.

The Yuasa Stock 1000 class is also anyone’s title with 10 points separating the top three; the Mission King Of The Baggers class returns to the racetrack at Laguna with eight points separating the top three; and just four points separate the three riders at the top in the Roland Sands Design’s Super Hooligan National Championship.

So how important is the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round as the MotoAmerica Championship barrels into its second half? Read on.
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – It’s A Rodio At The Top

Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Gus Rodio didn’t start his 2022 Junior Cup campaign with a flurry, but he did make sure he put gobs of points in the bank until things turned around. And they have turned around. After starting the season with a pair of fifths and a fourth-place finish, Rodio has been on a tear of late with five podiums in a row, including his lone victory coming two weeks ago at Ridge Motorsports Park.

His consistency, speed and zero non-finishes (the only rider in the class to pocket points in every race) has Rodio at the top of the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Championship, albeit by just two points in what is the most hotly contested points battle in the series.

Rodio leads Alpha Omega’s Cody Wyman and SportbikeTrackGear.com’s Joseph LiMandri Jr. by just two points with those two tied for second. Wyman is the class leader with three wins, but an off weekend in the Pacific Northwest knocked Wyman out of the points lead. LiMandri, like Rodio, has had the hot hand of late with four podiums in a row, including his lone victory at Road America.

Hot off her first career MotoAmerica victory is Kayla Yaakov, and she comes to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca just eight points out of the championship lead and hungry for more wins.

Yuasa Stock 1000 – Alexander vs. Gillim vs. Wyman

Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander has won every race that he’s finished in the Yuasa Stock 1000 class in 2022 and those four wins have him atop the championship point standings. Alexander’s bogey on his scorecard came at VIR when he crashed in qualifying and suffered a concussion that kept him out of the two races.

Those two races were won by Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim and the pair arrives on the Monterey Peninsula just eight points apart. Next up, and just 10 points behind his points-leading teammate, is Travis Wyman. Wyman has finished every single round thus far (with four podiums) and he’s likely to stick around for the long haul and fight for this championship.

Wyman’s confidence should also be buoyed coming into the Laguna round by the fact that he beat Alexander by .032 of a second last year to win the race. Gillim, meanwhile, was off the couch for the weekend but racing in the Mission King Of The Baggers class and not Stock 1000.

Forty-one riders have entered the Yuasa Stock 1000 class for Laguna.

Mission King Of The Baggers: Indian vs. Harley

The Indian vs. Harley-Davidson rivalry in the MotoAmerica paddock isn’t a made-up public relations ploy. It’s real. And it picks back up this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with Sunday’s eight-lap finale that will mark the fifth race of the series.

Leading the way in the title chase is Mission Foods/S&S Cycle/Indian Challenger Team’s Tyler O’Hara with the Petaluma resident making the 150-mile drive south with a seven-point lead over his teammate Jeremy McWilliams, the Ulsterman making the 5000-mile trip from Belfast second in the championship with a victory and three other podiums to his credit.

O’Hara leads the championship by virtue of a victory, a second, a third and a fourth – in that order – from the first four races.

The first of the Harleys is the HD Screamin’ Eagle Road Glide ridden by Travis Wyman, the Las Vegas resident taking his first win in the class the last time out at Road America. Travis Wyman has also finished all four races and it’s him and not his brother, defending series champion Kyle, who sits just eight points behind O’Hara.

Kyle Wyman’s defense of his Baggers title is all about a comeback has he fights to gain back the points from his non-finish in race two at Daytona International Speedway. Since Daytona, Kyle Wyman has finished first and second at Road Atlanta and Road America. Kyle is 13 points behind O’Hara as he comes to the track where he won his championship a season ago.

Two riders are tied for fifth and they are the two Vance & Hines Harley riders – James Rispoli and Taylor Knapp. Rispoli showed he had the pace of the top four at Road Atlanta when he finished second to Kyle Wyman. Knapp, meanwhile, has been the more consistent of the two with three fifths and a sixth in the four races.

REV’IT! Twins Cup – Barry’s Blight

Veloce Racing’s Jody Barry was running away with the 2022 REV’IT! Twins Cup Championship right up until the time that he wasn’t. That time was at the last round at Ridge Motorsports Park when he scuttled away with just 13 points from the two races while Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Anthony Mazziotto filled his pockets with 50 points, thus gaining 37 on Barry.

And just like that we have a battle for the REV’IT! Twins Cup Championship.

Cycle Tech’s Hayden Schultz is third, 39 points behind Barry and 17 ahead of N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis, the two men who won races at Daytona but haven’t won since. The top four in the championship are also the four who have won races in 2022: Barry (four), Mazziotto (two), Schultz (one) and Davis (one).

A rider to keep your eye on at WeatherTech Raceway in Twins Cup may be Team Yoshimura’s Ari Henning, the racing journalist set to compete on a highly visible and technically tricked-out Yamaha YZF-R7 straight from Yoshimura’s race shop.

Supersport – All Herrin

Sixty-eight points is a big lead at the end of the season. At the halfway mark, it’s massive. With four rounds and eight races in the bank, Josh Herrin and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V2 is 68 points ahead of his nearest competitor after winning five of the eight races held thus far in 2022. He’s also finished every race and has been on the podium in every round bar one – and that was a fourth-place finish in race one at VIR.

If beating Herrin elsewhere has been difficult, beating him at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca may be impossible. Let’s not forget that it’s one of Herrin’s favorites. Oh, yeah, and he’s also the outright Superbike lap record holder at the circuit.

It’s the battle for second in the title chase that will likely bring the suspense in Supersport and right now it’s Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers holding that spot with finishes in every round and four podiums.

Landers is just three points clear of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott, the rookie winning his first race in the class at Road America and scoring podium finishes in three other races.

N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Kevin Olmedo has also finished in the points in every race and he’s coming off his first podium of the year at Ridge a few weeks ago. Olmedo is 15 points behind Scott and just five ahead of Sam Lochoff. Lochoff, however, will miss the Laguna round after undergoing surgery on a fractured ankle. He will be replaced on the second Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki for the weekend, though no announcement has been made yet.

Roland Sands Design’s Super Hooligan National Championship – DiBrino, Barely

Last year, Andy DiBrino and Chris Fillmore battled to the bitter end in the Roland Sands Design’s Super Hooligan National Championship race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with Fillmore winning by just .045 of a second. Since then, Fillmore has gone back to his day job at KTM and DiBrino has made hay while the sun has shined to lead this year’s championship heading to Monterey.

Guess what? Now he must face Fillmore again. And this race will mark the series finale for the series so there’s plenty to play for.

With a day of Supermoto practice under his belt, Fillmore makes his return to racing on his KTM 890 Duke R and will more than likely face-off against JLC Concrete/KTM/DiBrino Racing’s Andy DiBrino and his similar Duke.

Saddlemen/Lloyd’z Garage’s Cory West is the rider closest to DiBrino in the 2022 title chase and he’s only three points behind with a victory at Road Atlanta. West, in turn, is just one point ahead of Roland Sands Design’s Tyler O’Hara, the third of the three riders to score victory in 2022. O’Hara will be aboard his RSD Indian FTR1200.

The consistent Nate Kern sits fourth in the championship, 26 points behind after a fourth and two fifth-place finishes. Then comes O’Hara’s teammate Jeremy McWilliams, the Ulsterman missing Daytona but finishing fourth and second at Road Atlanta.

Pre-Race WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Support Class Notes…

As noted above, one of the closest of all the races last year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was the Roland Sands Design’s Super Hooligan National Championship race between Chris Fillmore and Andy DiBrino. The race was hotly contested and ultimately won by Fillmore by just .045 of a second.

Sean Dylan Kelly won both Supersport races at Laguna Seca last year, besting his rival Richie Escalante in both. Kelly went on to win the Supersport Championship and now races as a teammate to Cameron Beaubier on the American Racing team in the Moto2 World Championship. Escalante, meanwhile, has moved to the Medallia Superbike class on a Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki.

The Twins Cup race last year was won by Kaleb De Keyrel over Anthony Mazziotto and Jody Barry. The top three were covered by just 1.071 seconds at the conclusion of their 13-lap race.

Travis Wyman rode his BMW to victory in the Yuasa Stock 1000 race in 2021 by just .032 of a second over Corey Alexander. Jake Lewis, meanwhile, was third and only .286 behind with less than a second covering first to fourth-placed Andrew Lee. Lee wasn’t slated to ride Stock 1000 this year, but he’s signed up to replace the injured Michael Gilbert on the Cycle World/Octane/Chuckwalla Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the Laguna round.

Both SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup races a year ago were won by Tyler Scott, the youngster who would go on to take the title. Scott, who now races in the Supersport class, topped Benjamin Gloddy in both races. Gloddy now competes in the REV’IT Twins Cup Championship.

Kyle Wyman beat Tyler O’Hara by 4.3 seconds to win the Mission King Of The Baggers Race in 2022 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. With the win, Wyman sealed the championship.

One thing to watch for this weekend is the lap times of the Mission King Of The Baggers as lap records have tumbled at each of the rounds so far in 2022. Last year, O’Hara qualified on pole at Laguna with a 1:32.327 but that was bettered by Kyle Wyman’s 1:31.983 during the race.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:

MotoAmerica Supersport Round 5 – Herrin Heads to His Favorite Hunting Ground at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Josh Herrin aiming to extend his commanding lead in the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship at Laguna Seca this weekend

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) heads to the famed grounds of Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca a massive 68 points clear of his nearest rival in the MotoAmerica Supersport title chase.

The Californian’s dominant double victory at round four at The Ridge in Washington State put the field on notice he is now the firm favorite to add to his previous triumph in 2013 AMA Superbike Championship.

A good performance at Laguna Seca will see Herrin with one hand effectively on the title as the team welcomes Medallia as a title sponsor for this event on the 2022 MotoAmerica schedule.

Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati – #2): “I’m super excited to go to Laguna Seca,” Herrin said. “I still have the outright MotoAmerica Superbike lap record there at a 1:22.908, so that’s something I’ve always been proud of. Laguna Seca is very similar to The Ridge, which I predicted before that we would have a really good race, so I think we’ll see the same here, Pittsburgh and Barber. These are all tracks I’m really looking forward to racing on the V2. We also have Medallia stepping up as the title sponsor and we’re super excited to have them as a partner for the year and be a part of a company as large as they are.”

Round five of the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship kicks off with practice on Friday, July 8 with race one scheduled for 2:10 pm PST on Saturday, July 9. Race two is scheduled for 2:10 pm PST on Sunday, July 10.

World Supersport: Debise Racing As Wild Card At Most

David Swarts

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July 7, 2022

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World Supersport: Debise Racing As Wild Card At Most

Valentin Debise, the current leader in the French Superbike and Supersport 600 Championships, will race his Team33accessoires.fr by VRT81 Yamaha YZF-R6 as a wild card in the FIM Supersport World Championship round July 29-31 at Autodrom Most, in the Czech Republic.

Debise will compete with his own team but will be supported with technical and logistical assistance from the GMT94 Yamaha team.

Canadian Superbike: Dion, Lafortune Lead Support Classes Into Calabogie

David Swarts

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July 7, 2022

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Canadian Superbike: Dion, Lafortune Lead Support Classes Into Calabogie

Dion, Lafortune lead unpredictable support classes into Calabogie this weekend

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Superbike Championship returns for more thrilling action in round two at Calabogie Motorsports Park, and with it comes more opportunities for the five wide-open support classes to steal the show this weekend, July 9-10.

The biggest spotlight amongst them is on the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class, where emerging star Trevor Dion carries a slim 12-point advantage into the second-round doubleheader over Elliot Vieira and just another point clear of David MacKay.

Dion made plenty of headlines for his Pro Superbike efforts in Grand Bend as he produced a historic rookie debut while “doing the double” in the two Pro categories, but it was his performance in the Sport Bike class that he will likely be more pleased with as he won race one and followed it up with a third-place finish in race two.

His home track advantage gave him the early benchmark he needed, especially given Dion’s lack of experience at Calabogie. The LDS Consultants Kawasaki rider has yet to appear at the track as a Pro, and in fact has not raced at CMP since his Lightweight days back in 2019, a key story to watch as he hopes to exit the first four races with a championship lead intact.

The betting favourite on race days may instead be Vieira, something the former Guyanese champion has likely not heard in some time. The Snow City Yamaha rider has made steady progress since moving to Canada in 2017, but luck has rarely gone Vieira’s way – most notably last season in Calabogie when he suffered a mechanical failure whilst pushing Sebastian Tremblay for the win.

That performance was especially notable as it represented one of the only legitimate challenges to Tremblay, who bagged a perfect season en route to the title. With the reigning champion now out of the picture, good luck may be all that stands in Vieira’s way of a first career Pro national victory.

Benefitting most from that mechanical issue a year ago was MacKay, who went on to finish second in the race and the championship overall. The disappointment of a race one DNF at his home track will still sting, but a race two victory has kept the Fast Company Kawasaki rider firmly in the title mix with six races to go.

With consistency proving to be key in the support classes, this weekend could be especially crucial for MacKay, who has proven to be a sure-fire podium threat at every track on the calendar. The same could almost be said of Hornblower, but the fourth-place runner in the championship has yet to score national points at Calabogie, putting the pressure on the 2019 champion and Bickle Racing Yamaha rider this weekend.

Another name to watch out for in ‘Bogie will be the return of Phillippe Masse, who finished third in the overall standings a year ago thanks to podiums in both CMP rounds (and three of four races overall). Masse did not contest round one in Grand Bend, but has continued his local dominance in the Pro 6 GP regional series and will look to carry that momentum back onto the podium this weekend.

As for the Amateur ranks, a familiar name will look to overcome two differing rivals, as Julien Lafortune leads the AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike class and Sebastian Hothaza paces the Amateur Sport Bike category – both ahead of Nathan Playford.

Lafortune got the better of Playford in the opening round at Calabogie last season, qualifying on pole position and eventually finishing third for Kawasaki, while Playford could only muster seventh aboard his Honda, but both riders have shown increased pace to begin the 2022 campaign.

However, both may have to deal with the return of local BMW star Guillaume Lavalee, who finished second in both races at Calabogie last season and has continued his expertise in the Pro 6 GP series.

As for in the Sport Bike category, its Hothaza who will carry a slim lead over Playford, but the Grand Bend local is questionable for round two in Calabogie. Regardless, Playford may be the overwhelming favourite to take over the title chase, having finished third in round one at CMP last season and running at the front again in round three before crashing out.

The most wide-open class remains the Super Sonic Race School Lightweight category, even if the round one results would suggest otherwise. Championship leader Evan Moriarity dominated Grand Bend with pole position and a pair of victories, but a win at the recent Pro 6 GP event has been his only ever experience at Calabogie.

His biggest challenger may be Kawasaki veteran Jacob Black, who finished second in all four races he finished last season but had his championship challenge ruined by a pair of crashes. Black has continued his strong form regionally at Calabogie, and remains just six points off second in the national championship through round one.

As for the Pro/Am ranks, the inaugural series will head to CMP for the first time after a successful debut weekend in round one. Jared Walker will lead the Pro ranks after a pair of overall victories, though his two closest competitors, Istvan Hidvegi and Harvey Renaud, both have far more experience around the Calabogie circuit.

The Amateur division will carry the closest margin of any class into round two, as Vincent Wilson leads Grant Nesbitt by just a single point. Nesbitt would be the more experience of the pair at Calabogie, though both will have to contend with Black at the front in the combined series.

The full schedule of the support class action can be found on the series’ official website.

American Mikey Lou Sanchez On The Moto4 Podium In Spain

David Swarts

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July 6, 2022

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American Mikey Lou Sanchez On The Moto4 Podium In Spain

CIV (Campeonato Interautonomica de Velocidad)

Circuito de Navarra, Spain

July 3, 2022

Mikey Lou Sanchez finishes on the podium at Circuito de Navarra.

American Mikey Lou Sanchez raced in the Spanish CIV Series this past weekend, July 3, at the Circuito de Navarra in the Moto4 category on his personal training bike.

Friday consisted of four practice sessions during which Mikey was able to get his bike set up for this track. On Saturday, he had two qualifying sessions and he qualified P2.

During the warm-up session on Sunday morning, Mikey was able to improve his lap time by 0.8 second over his qualifying time.

In the race, Mikey improved his lap times by another 0.6 second and finished in second place.

“We have decided to do some of the Spanish CIV rounds to prepare Mikey for the ESBK Championship rounds coming up, including when he races here at Navarra in September. His next race is in two weeks at Motorland Aragon on July 23-24,” said Mikey’s father Mike Sanchez.

Mikey Lou Sanchez would like to thank these people for their support: Shawn Knoche, Roadway Traffic Control, Williams Custom Painting, San Marcos Iron Doors, Texas Motorcycle Academy, Fondu, Niemi Fine Art, and Paul Stamper.

Moto2 & Moto3: Holeshot Devices Outlawed, Hand Grips Regulated

David Swarts

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July 6, 2022

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Moto2 & Moto3: Holeshot Devices Outlawed, Hand Grips Regulated

FIM Grand Prix World Championship

Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Biense Bierma (MSMA), in the presence of Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting) and Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), in a meeting held in Assen on 24 June 2022, made the following decisions:

Sporting Regulations – Effective Season 2023

Moto3/Moto2 Test Restrictions.

Requests had been received from Moto3 and Moto2 class teams to reduce the number of days permitted for private testing, primarily due to the increase in the number of events on the calendar.

With effect from the 2023 season, testing will be restricted to:

• 1 x 3-day official test Prior to the start of the season. (No change)

• 4 additional days of private testing. (Currently 7 days).

There will be no restriction on testing with rookie riders between the last event of the season and 30 November.

The Commission agreed to provide an exception to Moto2 class teams using machines provided by a chassis constructor that has not achieved six concession points in the two previous years. Such teams will be classified as “Concession Teams” using a similar procedure as in MotoGP.

Concession Points are based on race results:

• First Place = 3 Concession Points

• Second Place = 2 Concession Points

• Third Place = 1 Concession Points

Such Concession Teams are permitted:

• 1 x 3-day official test prior to the start of the season

• 7 additional days of private testing.

Age Limits Moto2 Class

From 2023 the minimum age limit for all GP Classes (Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP) will be 18 years old.

An exception already applies to the winners of the Rookies and/or Junior GP who are allowed to enter Moto3 when they are 16 (2023) or 17 (2024).

The exception will now also apply to the winner of the European Moto2 Championship, allowing them to enter the Moto2 World Championship at 17 (2023).

Technical Regulations

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Handlebar Grips – Moto3 and Moto2 Classes

It has recently been noticed that some Moto3 teams have been fitting extended handlebar grips. The purpose is to allow their riders to slide their hand further towards the forks to try to improve the aerodynamic effect of the rider’s body along the straights.

This practise is considered extremely dangerous due to the fact the rider has less control of the motorcycle when in this position.

Accordingly, with immediate effect, the maximum permitted overall length of the handlebar grip in Moto3 and Moto2 is 130mm.

The handlebar grip must be fitted at the end of the handlebar, with the only exceptions being the handlebar end plug and/or the fittings of the brake lever protection.

EFFECTIVE 2023

Moto3 Rolling Chassis Cost

The price of a complete rolling chassis (requiring only engine, ECU/ Datalogger, transponder and radio data transmitter/receiver to be functioning and compliant with the organiser’s prescriptions), will be capped at €87,000 (excluding VAT and freight charges). This is only a slight increase on the current price of €85,000.

Teams wishing to carry over their 2022 machines to 2023 may purchase a crash detection/alarm updating kit. (Unified IMU + unified power module + harness) at a price of €2,000. (excluding VAT).

Moto3 and Moto2 Ride Height Devices

Any device that modifies or adjusts the motorcycle’s static ride height whilst the motorcycle is moving are already forbidden. This ban now also applies to devices that only operate once at the race start (i.e. hole-shot devices).

WorldSBK: Hickman Racing As Wild Card At Donington Park

David Swarts

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July 6, 2022

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WorldSBK: Hickman Racing As Wild Card At Donington Park

FHO RACING SET FOR WSBK WILDCARD AT DONINGTON PARK

THE FHO Racing BMW team is set to make its FIM Superbike World Championship debut with rider Peter Hickman at Donington Park later this month.

The squad will join the WSBK grid after securing a wildcard entry for the Prosecco DOC UK round when the series roars into Donington Park over the weekend July 15-17, 2022.

The event will mark the first time Faye Ho’s team has appeared in a World Championship ship event, although it will be Hickman’s third time as a wildcard.

The multiple TT, international roads and BSB winner took part in both the 2012 and 2019 race weekends, but both times had been very late invitations on machines he wasn’t familiar with.

However, this year he will take to the track aboard the FHO Racing BMW M 1000 RR he has been riding all season in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and international road races, although it will feature a different WSBK-spec electronics package.

Peter Hickman:

“I’m mega excited to get a chance to have a go at the World superbikes. I’ve done it twice – once in 2012 with Worx Suzuki and again in 2019 with the BMW World Superbike team but both times were last minute arrangements, jumping on bikes I had never seen before.

“This time I’ll be riding my FHO Racing BMW which I race in the British Superbike Championship so that will be good. We are having to work on raising the electronics package to World Superbike spec which will change things quite a lot which could be interesting but we’ll see.

“I think it’s fantastic that we’re getting the chance to do this as a team and it’s all down to Faye. She’s owned the team for a year and a half and we’ve already done BSB, North West 200, Isle of Man TT and now we’re getting to do a World Superbike wildcard which is pretty cool.

“It’ll be good for everyone in the team to get to do a World Superbike round together, we’ve all done bits here and there not as a team so I think it’s going to be a really great thing for us all.”

Team Principal Faye Ho:

“I’m thrilled to be able to announce FHO Racing’s participation in the UK round of the FIM Superbike World Championship. We have already had a very busy 2022 but this opportunity has presented itself and as a team, we’ve jumped at it.

“The team has already demonstrated its strength in British Superbikes and on the roads but we are always keen to push ourselves and expand into new areas where possible, so joining the WSBK grid at Donington Park was the next step.

“Peter has some experience, having taken part in this event twice before and many of the crew have worked in the series before so we will be arriving with some knowledge and we are looking forward to learning more as we go.

“We will be heading into this event mainly for the experience but we are eager to learn and continue to grow as a team and this is something I feel will benefit the whole team going forward.”

World Endurance: Kawasaki’s Lowes, Rea Test At Suzuka

David Swarts

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July 6, 2022

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World Endurance: Kawasaki’s Lowes, Rea Test At Suzuka

Positive Suzuka 8 Hours Test For Kawasaki

Regular Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes swapped one race spec Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR for another as they took part in a recent two-day test at the Suzuka circuit in Japan, in readiness for the famous 8 Hours race there in early August.

As well as the two KRT riders, who are both team-mates and rivals on track at the WorldSBK rounds, several regular KRT/Provec technical and management staff joined the Japan-based KMC personnel to work on the co-operation they will rely on when they all come back to race for real at the famous Suzuka circuit. Over 30 people will be involved in the process come race weekend.

Leon Haslam will also join Jonathan and Alex in the official Kawasaki Suzuka 8 Hours team for race weekend itself.

This test gave the assembled personnel the chance to get to know each other, refine new combined working processes to maximise efficiency in the pits, as well as improving the potential of the bike and riders on track. Both Alex and Jonathan enjoyed their new partnership as they worked towards a common goal of winning what is arguably the single biggest racing event in Japan.

The greatly revered Suzuka venue does not feature particularly large pit boxes so a lot of planning and practice goes into the choreography required for rapid wheel changes, refuelling and logistics. In the world of EWC competition, time saved in the pits is at least as important as time won on the track.

The processes in getting the European-based staff to Japan for this test have been extensive and exhaustive but it proved well worth the effort of all involved, especially as track conditions ranged from fully wet to dry, and all points in between. This gave everyone a wide spread of working conditions to understand before the racing starts for real a month from now.

As well as optimising overall settings and getting used to the different technical package required by the EWC regulations, the team will use Bridgestone tyres at Suzuka, not the sole-supplier Pirelli tyres used in WorldSBK.

Both Rea and Lowes have won the Suzuka 8 Hours in their own right before, but this is the first time they have been paired-up to be on the same bike. This is also Alex’s first Kawasaki ride at the Suzuka 8 Hours. Track surface and layout familiarisation was also important for the riders, especially as the global pandemic has cancelled the two most recent attempts to run this iconic race meeting.

Jonathan Rea (10) at speed during testing at Suzuka. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “First and foremost it is always nice to be back in Japan and ride the Ninja ZX-10RR in Endurance format. It is very different from the WorldSBK bike, especially in electronics, fuel mapping strategy and tyres. The circuit is quite new so the first day was a bit of a learning process to get back up to speed. Step-by-step I felt better and better. Every run we were able to do I was going faster, so we will keep the link towards race weekend. It is really nice to have the KRT team there and also to share the garage with Alex. It is really nice, everything is calm, everybody knows each other. I am looking forward to going back in a few weeks to see all the fans and really absorb the race atmosphere. It is one of the biggest challenges of the season. I am excited about it, especially after this positive test.”

Alex Lowes, stated: “It has been great to be here in Japan. My first time in green at the Suzuka 8 Hours! We had a good couple of days work with our preparations for this year’s race. It is nice to work with Jonathan, as normally I am racing against him. So to work together to try and improve the bike set-up has been really good, as has the atmosphere in the team. I am looking forward to coming back for the race. I felt better on the bike every lap that we did. Adjusting from WorldSBK obviously takes a little bit of time, and this race is a little bit different. But overall, it was a really positive test and I am really excited to be joining Johnny and Leon next month for the 2022 Suzuka 8 Hours.”

Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “For our first riding day we completed four sessions; the first one was in the rain and other three in the dry – or near dry conditions. In fact, for the last ten minutes of fourth session there were some small drops of rain so we decided to stop early. On the technical side we are working alongside KMC to find a good chassis set up for the Ninja ZX-10RR and to define the best engine strategy that will fit with the overall race and riding strategy. Endurance racing is real science, and you have to consider many factors as part of an overall strategy plus everyone involved has to understand this and the role they play. In terms of the riders both Jonathan and Alex are building a rhythm gradually with the bike, tyres and track. Both are former winners here, so they know how to work methodically towards the race itself. In the pit box, the main focus is to create an efficient environment for us to all work together; the KRT Provec members with KMC engineers working as one support team for this particular race. Our combined years of experience and understanding of efficient organisation makes this task easier than it might seem. It is encouraging and motivating to have the support of KMC Japan and we will combine to build something solid using KRT’s WorldSBK project as base. Our mission for the 2022 Suzuka 8hours is simple, we want to create a very strong, stable and successful project and this goal is progressing well.”

MotoAmerica: Close Superbike Championship Heads To Laguna Seca

David Swarts

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July 6, 2022

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MotoAmerica: Close Superbike Championship Heads To Laguna Seca

Just 17 Points Separate Top Three In Battle For MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca And The GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey Set To Play A Big Role In Title Chase, July 8-10

IRVINE, CA (July 6, 2022) – Eleven points. Seventeen points. Thirty-seven points. That’s the margin between Danilo Petrucci and Jake Gagne, Petrucci and Mathew Scholtz and Petrucci and Cameron Petersen in the point standings as the ultra-competitive MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship rolls into WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the 2022 GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey.

A year ago, this wasn’t the case.

Gagne came to the Monterey Peninsula in 2021 riding a high. He’d won seven races in a row and was seemingly unbeatable with a 44-point lead. Gagne then won both races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to run his win streak to nine in a row and he would go on to win every race until the final round – 16 races in row and a total of 17 on the season, which led to him being crowned champion in the penultimate round.

However, Gagne’s victories in the 2021 GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey were by the slimmest of margins with wins over Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Loris Baz by just 1.173 and 1.789 seconds, respectively in the two races. Those were the closest two races of the season.

This year Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Gagne comes in with two wins in a row and five total in the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship and no one has won more races. Yet he trails Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Petrucci by 11 points in the championship.

Petrucci has been fast and consistent, winning the first three races of the year. Since taking victory in the opening two races at Circuit of The Americas and the first race at Road Atlanta, the Italian former MotoGP star has been winless. His consistency has proven valuable, however, as Petrucci has podium finishes in the past five races and still has just the one DNF when he suffered an engine failure in race two in Georgia. But it’s victories that he wants and for just the second time this season (COTA was the first), Petrucci will race on a road course on which he’s competed before – albeit on a MotoGP bike in 2012 (a DNF) and 2013 (13th).

Even though he still leads the title chase by 11 points, Petrucci considers it a push. In his view, they are tied at the top. He also knows his immediate goal is simple to say, but harder to do: just win races.

“It’s a track that I know,” Petrucci said of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “It’s 10 years ago, but at least I know where are the corners. I hope that it (the Ducati Panigale V4 R) works a little bit better than here (Ridge Motorsports Park). We managed to do our best and now the championship is tied, but we are just halfway through. We don’t need to think about the championship, we need to win again because it’s long time ago that we win.”

Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz comes to the Monterey Peninsula after a rather lackluster (for him) round in the Pacific Northwest. Scholtz scored a pair of fourths, but he lacked the pace to race with the top three. He will be hoping to rectify that as he trails Petrucci by 17 points and Gagne by six.

Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen, on the other hand, drives north from Southern California to a racetrack he likes and hot off two podium finishes at Ridge Motorsports Park. Petersen is hoping to continue to build on the second- and third-place finishes from Ridge and climb back into championship contention. Petersen is 20 points behind fellow South African Scholtz and 37 behind Petrucci.

Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Hector Barbera continues to have a stranglehold on fifth in the championship as he maintains his consistent run on the team’s new BMW M 1000 RR. Barbera was fifth in both races in Washington and those two finishes pulled him clear of those giving chase. He is now 23 points ahead of sixth-placed Richie Escalante, the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider crashing and remounting to finish 10th in race one and following that up with a sixth in race two.

Escalante’s teammate Jake Lewis dropped out of contention for fifth when he crashed in race one at Ridge, injuring a thumb badly enough for it to need surgery. He will miss the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round with hopes of being fit by Brainerd.

Barring two non-finishes, Lewis will be passed this weekend at Laguna by Tytlers Cycle Racing’s PJ Jacobsen and Aftercare Hayes Scheibe Racing’s Ashton Yates. Jacobsen is just two points behind Lewis and Yates is nine points in arrears of the injured Kentuckian.

Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander is 10th in the Medallia Superbike Championship with his teammate Travis Wyman 11th and just three points behind. In turn, Wyman leads Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim by just a single point.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Pre-Race Superbike Notes…

Jake Gagne won both MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca last year, besting Frenchman Loris Baz by 1.173 seconds and 1.789 seconds, respectively, in the two races.

Gagne not only won both races, but he also earned pole position via his 1:23.709 lap in Qualifying 2. The MotoAmerica Superbike lap record at WeatherTech Laguna Seca is still held by Josh Herrin, who set the mark at 1:22.908 during Superpole in 2018. The Superbike race lap record is held by Cameron Beaubier who clicked off a 1:23.185 in race three in 2020.

Beaubier is the all-time AMA Superbike wins leader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with his seven-career wins at the undulating racetrack in the hills east of Monterey. Josh Hayes is second on the list with six wins. Beaubier will be on hand this weekend at Laguna, supporting his former competitors and also his brother Ezra, who will compete in both Medallia Superbike and Yuasa Stock 1000. Cameron Beaubier is on summer break from the Moto2 World Championship.

The first-ever Superbike race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was held in 1976 and was won by Reg Pridmore.

Forty-one entrants will attempt to qualify for the two MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races, and they will do so when action kicks off with the first Superbike practice session on Friday at 10:20 a.m. Qualifying 1 will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday with Q2 set for 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. The first 20-lap Medallia Superbike race will begin at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday with race two slated for 3:10 p.m. on Sunday.

Don’t forget to stick around after Saturday’s final race of the day – REV’IT! Twins Cup – for the Party at the Podium on the stage in the paddock area at 5:30 p.m. The party will be hosted by MotoAmerica commentator Michael Hill.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

French Superbike: Debise Dominates Again, At Magny-Cours

David Swarts

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July 6, 2022

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French Superbike: Debise Dominates Again, At Magny-Cours

The 5th round of the FSBK-FE French Superbike Championship, organized on the Magny-Cours circuit by MC Nevers de la Nièvre and the FFM, kept all its promises. In addition to the favorites having confirmed their good form, some drivers climbed to the top step of the podium for the first time. The competition never ceases to amaze!

SUPERBIKE COURSE 1: DEBISE ESTABLISHES ITSELF AS THE SUPERBIKE LEADER

Starting from the first position on the grid, Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin) made the holeshot and completed the first lap at the controls of the race. Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin), Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) and Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli) also took off at the same pace.

DEBISE quickly tries to attack TECHER, passes him, but his rival recrosses the trajectory. While FORAY remains in contact, GINES is slightly distanced after 3 laps. The reigning French champion, however, has a margin of safety over Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli) and Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli).

On the 6th lap, Valentin DEBISE seized first position to the detriment of Alan TECHER, finding himself immediately under the direct threat of Kenny FORAY. The three leaders then have a three-second lead over GINES.

6 laps from the finish, RENAUDIN stole 5th place from MAURIN. This fight suits Grégory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli) who is slowly picking up his predecessors.

The pace is hellish at the head of the race and mistakes are forbidden. TECHER takes control 4 laps from the checkered flag, but DEBISE responds the next lap. In aspiration, FORAY is the privileged spectator of this battle.

MAURIN imitated the leaders by overtaking RENAUDIN in turn. Behind these men, the fight is also raging between local driver Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) and Maximilien BAU (BMW – Michelin) for 8th place.

If Valentin DEBISE managed to get to safety in the final loops, Alan TECHER was overwhelmed by Kenny FORAY on the penultimate lap. Mathieu GINES, 4th after a lonely race, finished 9”814 behind the winner, his direct competitor in the championship.

Completing the top 5, Axel MAURIN finally finished 1”8 ahead of Martin RENAUDIN. The first challenger driver lacked speed in the last laps, without finding himself threatened by the 7th Grégory LEBLANC.

There are two other challengers in the top 10 with Maximilien BAU, 8th, and Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli), 9th.

RACE 2: DEBISE TAKES A DOUBLE AT MAGNY-COURS

On the strength of the fastest time in the race during the first event, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) took advantage of pole position to take the holeshot.

Alan TECHER (Honda CBO – Michelin), Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Pirelli) and Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) did not see it that way, however, overtaking him before the end of the first lap. Combative, FORAY responds instantly by placing GINES in his rear wheel.

In the 3rd lap, Valentin DEBISE deprived TECHER of the first position. While FORAY is only a few meters behind, GINES, still diminished due to fractures in his right hand, already sees his opponents moving away.

For their part, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto&GP Addict – Pirelli) and Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Pirelli) repeated the morning match for 5th position. Unleashed, the two men even come dangerously close to GINES.

Halfway through the race, DEBISE still prances in the lead with a slight advantage over TECHER. FORAY does not let go of the Honda pilot. Fourth, GINES tried to maintain his lead over MAURIN, while RENAUDIN was pushed back to 1”2 behind the rider of Yamaha n°89.

Four laps from the finish, Kenny FORAY seriously upped the pace to take the lead. Third, TECHER cannot follow and is half a second behind DEBISE.

The attack of the Yamaha n°153 is perfect the next lap. However, he does not get rid of the BMW n°78. The two men, clearly at the limit, were then the only ones to go below the 1’40 per lap mark.

There was only one lap left when Valentin DEBISE set another time of 1’39, allowing him to give himself a small margin of safety… and another victory. Kenny FORAY had to settle for 2nd place ahead of Alan TECHER, 3rd.

Despite his efforts, Axel Maurin could not come back to Mathieu GINES, who finished again at the foot of the podium. Sixth at the finish, Martin RENAUDIN offers himself a 10th success as a challenger.

The top 10 is completed by Maxime BONNOT (BMW Tecmas – Michelin), 7th, David MUSCAT (Ducati – Michelin), 8th, Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki Junior Team LMS – Pirelli), 9th and Grégory LEBLANC (Ducati TWR – Pirelli). Maximilien BAU (BMW – Michelin), 11th, is on the last step of the challenger podium.

SUPERBIKE PROVISIONAL SITUATION:

1– Valentin DEBISE – 204 points

2 – Kenny FORAY – 165 points

3 – Mathieu GINES – 163 points

4 – Alan TECHER – 147 points

5 – Martin RENAUDIN – 122 points

SUPERSPORT 600 RACE 1: DEBISE CONTAINS GIMBERT TO THE END

If the poleman Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) climbed directly into the lead, Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) managed a very good start from 4th place on the grid. Accompanied by Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli), the two men escaped on the second lap.

The chasing group is led by Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli), closely followed by Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli), Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop), and Cédric Tangre (Yamaha – Pirelli).

Halfway through the race, DEBISE and GIMBERT are wheel to wheel after breaking away from GREGORIO and ARBEL. For his part, DE LA VEGA gradually secures his 5th place against LUSSIANA, 6th.

At just 17 years old, Johan GIMBERT impresses by not letting go of the provisional leader. Despite its experience, DEBISE is not immune. It’s a duel of pure speed between the two drivers.

While DEBISE increased the pace five laps from the finish, ARBEL overtook GREGORIO to gain 3rd position. GIMBERT responds directly with the best lap in the race to stay in contact. The rider of Yamaha n°77 has never been so close to victory.

Despite his efforts, GIMBERT could not finally compete with DEBISE in the final loop. His rival achieved the lap record there in 1’42”447 to establish his domination. The reigning French champion thus offers himself a ninth victory in the category this season.

Distanced by Loic ARBEL, 3rd, Mathieu GREGORIO misses the scratch podium for only the second time this season.

In Challenger, Johan GIMBERT thus won his first victory ahead of Mathieu GREGORIO and Bartholomé PERRIN, 7th in this first Supersport race.

RACE 2: VALENTIN DEBISE REMAINS UNDEFEATED

Quicker to release the clutch when the lights went out, Valentin DEBISE (Yamaha – Michelin) immediately took the lead over Johan GIMBERT (Yamaha – Pirelli), Matthieu GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin), Enzo DE LA VEGA (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha – Pirelli).

Although the positions remained fixed during the first six laps, DE LA VEGA and ARBEL were however left behind by the leading men. Shortly after, it is GREGORIO who slowly loses contact with the first two.

Halfway through the race, the duel for victory boils down to a confrontation between Valentin DEBISE and Johan GIMBERT. The young challenger pilot does not let go of the rear wheel of his elder.

6 laps from the finish, Matthieu GREGORIO fell, thus offering a place on the podium which seemed to him promised to Enzo DE LA VEGA. However, nothing is done for the latter who sees Loic ARBEL increase the pace.

In the final laps, DEBISE managed the feat of escaping at the head of the race. Johan GIMBERT has then just lost one of these sliders and proves to be lacking in reference points.

At the same time, Loic ARBEL drastically reduced the gap between him and Enzo DE LA VEGA, but finally had to settle for 4th place by one tenth.

By completing the top 5, Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha – Pirelli) takes 2nd place in the challenger ranking ahead of a newcomer to the podium: Florent DA CUNHA (Kawasaki – Pirelli), 7th in the event.

PROVISIONAL SITUATION SUPERSPORT 600:

1– Valentin DEBISE – 257 points

2 – Matthieu GREGORIO – 168 points

3 – Loïc ARBEL – 134 points

4 – Johan GIMBERT – 117 points

5 – Enzo DE LA VEGA – 101 points

Clt Course 1 SBK
Clt Course 2 SBK
Situation SBK
Clt course 1 SSP600
Clt course 2 SSP600 R1
Situation SSP600

New Names, New Colors For 2023 Triumphs

David Swarts

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July 5, 2022

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NEW NAMES FOR MODERN CLASSICS RANGE & EXCITING NEW COLORS FOR FULL RANGE

Introducing for model year 2023, a new and exciting range of color options for the entire Triumph range. These build on the great success of last year’s Gold Line Editions, which responded to customer requests for brighter, more distinctive, and more elegant color options across the line-up.

These new colors come hand-in-hand with new names for two of the class-defining 900cc models, chosen to better represent the family connections across Triumph’s iconic Bonneville line-up, and their specific engine capacities. From model year 2023, the Street Twin is re-named Speed Twin 900, and the Street Scrambler is re-named the Scrambler 900.

Speed Twin 900 (previously Street Twin)

For model year 2023, the newly re-named Speed Twin 900 comes in three colors, including classic Triumph Jet Black, a Matte Ironstone and a sophisticated new Matte Silver Ice option, with silver and yellow accents. This new paint scheme includes a Matte Silver Ice fuel tank with silver and yellow graphics, Jet Black side panels with new Speed Twin 900 logo and Jet Black front and rear mudguards.

Scrambler 900 (previously Street Scrambler)

For model year 2023, the newly re-named Scrambler 900 comes in three colors, with a classic Triumph Jet Black, a new Carnival Red and Jet Black scheme with striking and contemporary new graphics, plus a new Matte Khaki scheme that celebrates the Scrambler’s iconic off-road heritage.

The new Carnival Red and Jet Black paint scheme includes a Carnival Red fuel tank with contemporary Jet Black stripe detailing and Jet Black side panel, frame cowl and mudguards.

The iconic new Matte Khaki color scheme features a Matte Khaki fuel tank with Matte Jet Black side panel, frame cowl and mudguards.

Bonneville T100

The iconic Bonneville T100 for model year 2023 comes in three colors, with a timeless Triumph Jet Black, and a classic Carnival Red and Fusion White scheme, plus a stylish interpretation of the original 1959 design, with a stunning new Meriden Blue and Tangerine option, with hand-painted silver coach line detailing on the tank. This striking new color scheme also features Meriden Blue side panels and mudguards.

Bonneville T120

For model year 2023, the legendary Bonneville T120 comes in three colors, with a stylish Triumph Jet Black, and a sophisticated Cordovan Red and Silver Ice scheme, plus a stunning new Aegean Blue and Fusion White option, with hand-painted gold line detailing on the tank. The new heritage-inspired color scheme also features Aegean Blue mudguards, and Jet Black side panels and headlight bowl.

Bonneville T120 Black

The classic Bonneville T120 Black comes in two colors for model year 2023, with a timeless Triumph Jet Black, and a sophisticated new Sapphire Black and Matte Sapphire Black split scheme across the tank, accentuated with carefully hand-painted silver coach line detailing. The new scheme also features Sapphire Black mudguards, side panels and headlight bowl.

Speed Twin 1200

For model year 2023, Triumph’s performance classic Speed Twin 1200 comes in three colors – the classic Jet Black, a striking Red Hopper, and now an exciting new Matte Baja Orange scheme, with stylish Storm Grey and Aluminum Silver tank graphics. The new scheme also features Matte Storm Grey side panels and headlight bowl, matched with Matte Silver Ice fork protectors.

Scrambler 1200 XE and Scrambler 1200 XC

Triumph’s class-defining Scrambler 1200 line-up, for model year 2023, comes in three colors – the sophisticated Sapphire Black, a classic Matte Khaki Green and Matte Jet Black scheme, and a stunning new Carnival Red and Jet Black scheme that features a Carnival Red fuel tank with Jet Black tank stripe design, plus Jet Black side panel and headlight bowl.

Bonneville Bobber

Triumph’s original custom icon, the Bonneville Bobber, comes in three colors for model year 2023, with a classic Jet Black, a sophisticated Matte Storm Grey and Matte Ironstone scheme, and a striking new Red Hopper option. This new paint scheme includes a Red Hopper fuel tank and Jet Black side panels and mudguards.

Bonneville Speedmaster

The British custom classic icon, Triumph’s Bonneville Speedmaster, comes in three colors for model year 2023, with a classic Jet Black, a stylish Sapphire Black and Fusion White scheme, and a sophisticated new Cordovan Red option which features a rich Cordovan Red fuel tank, with Jet Black side panels, mudguards and headlight bowl.

Thruxton RS

For model year 2023 the iconic Thruxton RS café racer comes in two colors, with a timeless Jet Black, and a stunning new Competition Green and Silver Ice scheme. This sophisticated new scheme features a Competition Green and Silver Ice fuel tank and seat cowl, with gold graphic detailing on both. This is matched with Jet Black mudguards, headlight bowl and side panels and Matte Silver Ice fork protectors.

Speed Triple 1200 RS

For model year 2023, the ultimate performance naked sports bike, the Speed Triple 1200 RS, now comes in three colors, including the sophisticated Matte Silver Ice and Sapphire Black options, plus an all-new striking and dynamic Matte Baja Orange, complemented by distinctive Silver Ice and Graphite ‘RS’ graphics.

The new Matte Baja Orange color is featured on the tank, side panels, headlight finisher, rear bodywork, seat cowl and belly pan, while the carbon fiber front mudguard underlines the Speed Triple’s sporty character and attitude.

Street Triple 765 RS

For model year 2023, the category benchmark-setting Street Triple RS is now available in an all-new mean Carbon Black scheme across the tank, front mudguard, fly screen, side panels, rear bodywork, seat cowl, belly pan and radiator guard. The scheme also features unique Bronze wheels and a distinctive Bronze and Jet Black graphics design, adding a premium and sporty touch to the Street Triple RS’s new look.

Trident 660

Triumph’s sporty and agile triple-powered Trident 660 comes, for model year 2023, in four color options, including a sophisticated Sapphire Black, plus the stylish and distinctive Silver Ice, and the Matte Jet Black scheme, both featuring the contemporary Triumph logo tank graphics, and introducing for the first time, a striking new Matte Baja Orange scheme.

The bold and exciting new Matte Baja Orange scheme features a Matte Baja Orange tank and front mudguard, Storm Grey Triumph logo tank graphics, Matte Storm Grey radiator cowl and rear bodywork and a Jet Black headlight bezel.

Rocket 3 R

For model year 2023, Triumph’s world-leading Rocket 3 R, the ultimate muscle roadster, comes in three colors, including a sophisticated Phantom Black, a stylish Silver Ice and Cranberry Red scheme, and a stunning new Matte Silver Ice option. This new scheme features Matte Silver Ice fuel tank, front mudguard and rear bodywork together with Jet Black side panels, headlight bowls, fly screen and radiator cowls.

Rocket 3 GT

Triumph’s incredible Rocket 3 GT comes in two new color schemes: a sophisticated new Sapphire Black, and stunning new Carnival Red and Sapphire Black scheme, with hand-painted silver coach line detailing.

The sophisticated new Carnival Red and Sapphire Black scheme features a Carnival Red tank, front mudguard and rear bodywork, premium hand-painted silver coach lining and Sapphire Black side panels, fuel tank infill, headlight bowls, fly screen and radiator cowls

Tiger 900 GT and GT Pro

For model year 2023, Triumph’s award-winning road-focused adventure line-up, the Tiger 900 GT and Tiger 900 GT Pro, both come in three colors, including the current Sapphire Black, and sophisticated Pure White options, plus a distinctive and contemporary new Caspian Blue and Matte Graphite scheme.

The striking new scheme features a Caspian Blue tank, seat panel, beak, tank end panel, and front mudguard, matched with Matte Graphite radiator cowls.

Tiger 900 Rally and Rally Pro

For model year 2023, the incredibly capable all-terrain Tiger 900 Rally and range-topping Rally Pro, both come in three colors, including the sophisticated Pure White, a signature Matte Khaki Green with white frame, plus a stunning new Sandstorm scheme.

The new Sandstorm paint scheme features a Sandstorm fuel tank, beak and seat panel with a Matte Jet Black tank end panel and radiator cowls.

Tiger 850 Sport

Triumph’s adventure all-rounder, the Tiger 850 Sport comes, for model year 2023 comes in three distinctive colors, including a contemporary Graphite and Caspian Blue scheme, and the Graphite and Diablo Red scheme, plus a bold new Graphite and Baja Orange option, featuring Graphite fuel tank and seat panel, and striking Baja Orange front mudguard, beak, tank end panel and radiator cowls.

2023 Triumph Model & Color Summary

Speed Twin 900 (previously Street Twin)

o Matte Silver Ice NEW

o Matte Ironstone

o Jet Black

Speed Twin 1200

o Matte Baja Orange NEW

o Red Hopper

o Jet Black

Scrambler 900 (previously Street Scrambler)

o Carnival Red & Jet Black NEW

o Matte Khaki NEW

o Jet Black

Scrambler 1200 XE and Scrambler 1200 XC

o Carnival Red & Jet Black NEW

o Matte Khaki Green & Matt Jet Black

o Sapphire Black

Bonneville T100

o Meriden Blue & Tangerine NEW

o Carnival Red & Fusion White

o Jet Black

Bonneville Bobber

o Red Hopper NEW

o Matte Storm Grey & Matt Ironstone

o Jet Black

Bonneville T120

o Aegean Blue & Fusion White NEW

o Cordovan Red & Silver Ice

o Jet Black

Bonneville Speedmaster

o Cordovan Red NEW

o Sapphire Black & Fusion White

o Jet Black

Bonneville T120 Black

o Sapphire Black & Matte Sapphire Black NEW

o Jet Black

Thruxton RS

o Competition Green & Silver Ice NEW

o Jet Black

Speed Triple 1200 RS

o Matte Baja Orange NEW

o Matte Silver Ice

o Sapphire Black

Street Triple 765 RS

o Carbon Black NEW

Rocket 3 R

o Matte Silver Ice NEW

o Silver Ice and Cranberry Red

o Phantom Black

Tiger 1200 GT Pro and GT Explorer

o Snowdonia White

o Sapphire Black

o Lucerne Blue

Tiger 900 GT and Tiger 900 GT Pro

o Caspian Blue & Matte Graphite NEW

o Pure White

o Sapphire Black

Tiger 850 Sport

o Graphite & Baja Orange NEW

o Graphite & Caspian Blue

o Graphite & Diablo Red

Speed Triple 1200 RR

o Crystal White Storm Grey

o Red Hopper Storm Grey

Trident 660

o Matte Baja Orange & Matte Storm Grey NEW

o Silver Ice and Diablo Red

o Matte Jet Black and Silver Ice

o Sapphire Black

Rocket 3 GT

o Carnival Red & Sapphire Black NEW

o Sapphire Black NEW

Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and Rally Explorer

o Snowdonia White

o Sapphire Black

o Matte Khaki Green

Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 Rally Pro

o Sandstorm NEW

o Matte Khaki Green

o Pure White

Tiger Sport 660

o Lucerne Blue and Sapphire Black

o Korosi Red and Graphite

o Graphite and Sapphire Black

MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Six Other Classes Racing At Laguna Seca (Updated)

July 7, 2022

The Mission King Of The Baggers (KOTB) series is back in action this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as part of the GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey. Here, Tyler O'Hara (29) is seen leading Jeremy McWilliams (99), Travis Wyman (10), and Kyle Wyman (1) during the KOTB race at Road America. Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — Tyler O'Hara (29) leading Jeremy McWilliams (99), Travis Wyman (10), and Kyle Wyman (1) during the Mission King Of The Baggers race at Road America in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.