Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider Danilo Petrucci has been issued two rider penalty points and a three-position grid penalty in his next race for his actions at the end of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Ridge Motorsports Park.
It was a troubled day for the former MotoGP race winner. At the end of Free Practice One on Friday morning, his Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike went up in a cloud of smoke and he pulled off the track.
When it came time for Qualifying One, Petrucci didn’t immediately go out on track as his crew was apparently still finishing repairs or possibly a motor swap in his bike and then he had an issue with his clutch on pit lane.
Petrucci finally got out on track with just under 18 minutes remaining in the 40-minute Q1 session.
Once out on track, Petrucci and Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz ended up running together trying to follow each other.
After the checkered flag ended the session, Scholtz and Max Flinders stopped side-by-side in the designated Practice Start area of the track to do practice starts, but before they could Petrucci rode into the narrow space between the two riders, making hard contact with both and bending Flinders’ right handlebar.
Petrucci then turned and gave Scholtz the middle finger while looking back at him.
This was all shown live on the MotoAmerica Live+ streaming service followed by several replays from multiple angles.
Scholtz responded by raising his hands as if to ask, “What?”
“In the qualifying session, he was trying to follow me and I was trying to follow him, nothing out of the ordinary,” Scholtz told Roadracingworld.com. “And then on the cool-down lap I just passed him normally, I went to do a practice start, and then he just came through and elbowed me and Max Flinders.
“Then he accused me of clipping his handlebar on the cool-down lap, but unfortunately that’s not true. We’ve got video footage [showing] I wasn’t even remotely close to him.
“I know emotions are running high. It’s just one of those things. I know he is a good guy. We’re obviously racing for the Championship, and people just get caught up.”
MotoAmerica Race Direction spoke to both riders after the incident, reviewed video from the session, and then penalized Petrucci. In short, MotoAmerica ruled that Petrucci was not riding in a “responsible manner.” See MotoAmerica’s full Notice of Sanction below.
Petrucci did not respond to an attempt by Roadracingworld.com to contact him prior to post time.
If Petrucci accumulates four rider penalty points within a 365-day period he will be forced to start his next race from the back of the grid.
Featured In the June 2022 issue of Roadracing World:
“The human mind can perform multiple tasks at once, but only one of them can be language. In other words, you can’t listen to more than one conversation at a time, or you can’t read and listen at the same time. If you try, your brain switches back and forth between the two language inputs, ignoring one while de-encrypting the other. (All language is symbolic encryption, but that’s a topic for another motorcycle review.)
“So when I’m grading student submissions, I listen to instrumental music. Lately it’s been techno cyberpunk mixes on You Tube. And on one of my latest favorite mixes, something called ‘Neo Tokyo—Cyberpunk Mix,’ someone commented: ‘To fully appreciate this music, I need a black leather jacket with some bright LED lights on it, a sick futuristic motorcycle that talks in Japanese, and a light saber katana (I can use) to kill the local cyber thug robots.’
“I read that and thought—I have that bike sitting in the garage. And in a very real way, it speaks Japanese. Suzuki has upgraded the GSX-S1000 for 2022 with better electronic rider aids—notably a quickshifter that works in both directions—and with a new look…”
—Quick Look: 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000, by Michael Gougis
The new Suzuki GSX-S1000 is unabashedly angular and harsh, with MotoGP styling cues, and the look might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely a design with a focused artistic vision. After riding it on the street and on the track, I found a solid bike that shows its GSX-R1000R roots, is easy to ride fast, encourages enthusiastic behavior and is quite practical. Read the details of Suzuki’s latest super-standard in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the June 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technologywith your online subscription. Log in HERE
Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.
Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld
Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world
More, from a press release issued by North America Talent Cup:
ROUND 3 OF NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP SERIES GETS UNDERWAY WITH MOTOAMERICA AT THE RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK IN WASHINGTON
For the third round of the 2022 North America Talent Cup the young up-and-coming road racers will be a part of the MotoAmerica™ race weekend at The Ridge.
SHELTON, WA, June 24, 2022 – After completing two action packed weekends, the third round of the 2022 season of the North America Talent Cup will join MotoAmerica™ and America’s top professional road racers for the Dynapac Superbikes round at The Ridge Motorsports Park, June 24-26.
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders aged between 13 and 16 in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.
The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.
The current points leader is Jesse James Shedden with 95 points. With 77 points, Alessandro Di Mario needs to take the fight to Shedden straight away and prevent him from getting out front early on. A consistent and calculating Jayden Fernandez rounds out the top three with 56 points.
We’ve seen incredible action in all four races over the first two race weekends. The technical layout of The Ridge will offer new challenges for the young talents. There is no telling who will rise to the top step on their RS250 SP2. With the added pressure of racing in front of America’s best, it can be anyone’s race to win.
The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner with America’s premier road racing series, MotoAmerica™, to support the future of American road racing talent.
“We’re excited to watch the North America Talent Cup competitors race this weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park,” said Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica COO. “This series is important to give young riders additional exposure and track time as they work toward the professional ranks. Hopefully, the championship comes down to the final round when they join us again at our season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in September.”
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
Aegerter, Granado, Ferrari: the top three lock out the front row
The TT Circuit Assen sees some veteran firepower line up on the front row for this weekend’s two races
Friday, 24 June 2022
The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup is back in action this weekend at the Motul TT Assen and it’s shaping up as a titanic contest if qualifying is anything to go by. The top three in the standings will share the front row for both races at the TT Circuit Assen, although it is World Cup leader Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) who once again has the edge over his rivals. The Swiss rider came from Q1 to claim pole position for Round 4 with a lap time of 1:43.643, ahead of Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) and Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™).
The weather conditions in Assen created the high-pressure scenario whereby the MotoE™ riders would not turn a lap on a dry track until they started qualifying. FP1 was a wet session and FP2 was cancelled due to the conditions, but the rain had long cleared by the time Q1 started.
In that Q1 was Aegerter, after the Swiss rider ended the morning in P12, but he safely cleared the first stanza of qualifying and headed through – with some extra dry track knowledge to boot. Still, Granado and Ferrari were not going to let Aegerter have it all his own way, and they traded fastest laps for much of Q2.
Aegerter went to the top for the first time with just seconds remaining before the chequered flag, beating Granado’s 1:43.749 by 0.106 seconds, and that would prove the decisive moment in the battle for pole. Ferrari improved on his final lap, to a 1:44.047, and while that effort did not yield a better position, it would ensure that he kept his front row.
Had he not improved, the Italian would have been bettered by compatriot Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40), who set a 1:44.074 with the chequered flag out which moved him up to fourth and shifted Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) to the middle of the second row. Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™ Team) makes the top six a perfect match for the World Cup standings.
Rounding out the top 10 are second Q1 graduate Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing), Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™ Team), Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team), and Xavi Fores (Octo Pramac MotoE™).
Smith is making a belated start to his MotoE™ season this weekend, after injury sidelined him for the first three rounds of 2022, but got through to Q2 directly. Reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) didn’t quite, but it was close and he’s also back from injury.
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE™) suffered a highside at the Geert Timmer Chicane. Seventh in the World Cup standings, he was the highest-ranked rider to not get into Q2, having crashed on his out lap in Q1. Experiencing leg pain, the Japanese rider went to the medical centre for a check-up and has been declared fit, but will start from the back of the grid given he failed to set a lap time in qualifying.
After two Grand Prix weekends off, the MotoE™ riders will be raring to go for Race 1 at Assen. Catch all the electrifying action from 16:25 (GMT +2) on Saturday afternoon!
Dominique Aegerter: “For sure, I have a lot of experience on this track. I rode successfully here two months ago in Supersport with Ten Kate – two wins and also a pole position. This morning was wet, the second practice was cancelled, I was in P12 so I needed to go through Q1, and for sure, it helps when you have five laps more track time, so we could check quickly the data, I could speak with my crew. The Dynavolt Intact GP Team did a fantastic job, they made a small change, and I felt a little bit better, I could go faster. For sure, it’s important for the next two races, tomorrow and Sunday, to start from pole position, and try to fight for the podium or the victory.”
Gagne Leads Drama-Filled Opening Day At Ridge Motorsports Park
Defending MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Champion Having Things His Way In Pacific Northwest
SHELTON, WA (June 24, 2022) – Jake Gagne seems to find another gear when he shows up at Ridge Motorsports Park. The winner of both MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races a year ago in the Pacific Northwest, Gagne put a close to Superbike action on Friday afternoon with the fastest lap in Q1, his 1:40.035 three quarters of a second faster than his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Cameron Petersen.
Gagne is the lap record holder on the 2.47-mile track with his 1:39.568 coming in Q2 last year.
“We still have some work to do to fine-tune some things,” Gagne said. “Fun day at the track. Good weather, a lot better than last year, and it seems like another hot weekend, but we’re ready to roll.”
They don’t come more laid back than Gagne and he readily admits he’s not keeping track of the championship point standings. In fact, he’s not sure how many points he’s behind.
“It can’t go as easy as last year,” Gagne said of his dominant 2021 season “There’s no doubt we’ve still got the speed to win, we’ve got the bike to win, and we just need to put it together. I’ve made some mistakes this year so a lot of it has been on me. But I have no idea how far back in points we are. I know we’re not first or second and we’ll just keep cranking out some races and getting some wins. I’m having fun. I’m racing motorcycles so it’s a good day no matter what.”
Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz struggled for most of the day, but it all came good for the South African at the end of Q1 when he jumped to third – .856 of a second off Gagne’s best.
Scholtz, however, was involved in a little post-session drama when he was given a bit of a shoulder bump from Danilo Petrucci while waiting to do a practice start. Scholtz was parked next to Max Flinders when Petrucci, who said that Scholtz had passed him too close on the cool-down lap, ran the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V4 R between the two riders, bumping shoulders as he did so. Petrucci then turned and gave Scholtz the middle finger.
Petrucci, who was forced to go to his back-up bike after his number-one bike suffered a mechanical problem in free practice, had a difficult session with his crew having to put in a new clutch on the second bike in pit lane. By the time Petrucci took to the track there were only some 15 minutes left in the session.
Both riders were addressed by Race Direction.
Petrucci would end up fifth overall, one spot behind Spaniard Hector Barbera on the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M1000 RR.
Supersport
Just .122 of a second separates Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin from Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers after the first day of qualifying for the Supersport class at Ridge Motorsports Park.
Herrin’s best came late in the session, his 1:43.595 knocking Landers from the top spot provisionally. N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Kevin Olmedo was third fastest and just ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott with North East Cycle Outlet Racing’s Benjamin Smith qualifying fifth.
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup
Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Gus Rodio led SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Q1 on Friday, with the New Jerseyan topping Calshine Racing’s Aden Thao by .747 of a second. Altus Motorsports’ Kayla Yaakov completed the provisional front row.
Yuasa Stock 1000
Fresh off his win at the last round at Road America two weeks ago, Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander led the way in the first Yuasa Stock 1000 Qualifying session with his 1:42.006 – .371 of a second faster than Disrupt Racing Suzuki’s Hayden Gillim, who was racing for the first time at Ridge.
Alexander’s teammate Travis Wyman was third fastest ahead of local rider Andy DiBrino on the Precision Iron Works/DiBrino Racing Kawasaki ZX-10RR.
Hayden Schultz (49). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Twins Cup
The top four Twins Cup racers were covered by just .296 of a second in Q1 on Friday afternoon with Cycle Tech Yamaha’s Hayden Schultz on top of the heap with his 1:47.076 – just .066 of a second faster than defending series champion Kaleb De Keyrel and his Veloce Racing Aprilia RS 660. Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Anthony Mazziotto completed the provisional front row and is .280 of a second from pole position.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Petrucci Learning Fast at The Ridge in Washington State
The Italian adapting well to the demands of the undulating 2.5-mile venue with the fifth fastest time on day one
Danilo Petrucci (9). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 24, 2022 – Danilo Petrucci set about protecting his lead in the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with a fifth-place finish on day one of competition at The Ridge in Washington State.
On the Italian Stallion’s first visit to the undulating 2.5 mile circuit nestled between the pine forests, Petrucci produced a 1:41.278 lap to finish 1.4 seconds behind pacesetter Jake Gagne after 22 laps of the venue over two practice sessions.
Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5
P1 – Jake Gagne (Yamaha) 1:40.035
P2 – Cameron Petersen (Yamaha) 1:40.741
P3 – Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha) 1:40.891
P4 – Hector Barbera (BMW) 1:41.278
P5 – Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 1:41.509
Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) : “Today was not an easy day,” Petrucci said. “I was learning the track but this morning we had a technical problem, so in the second session, we just did a few laps, but tomorrow is a new day and we’ll come back ready to go and try to improve our position.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Herrin Blitzes to P1 on Friday at The Ridge
Herrin’s on a charge as he heads into Saturday as the fastest Supersport rider in Washington State
Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 24, 2022 – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider, Josh Herrin, laid down the marker for all others to beat at The Ridge in Washington State, setting the fastest time in both practice sessions.
The Californian resident turned the screws on the Ducati Panigale V2 to set a fastest time of 1:43.595 to better Yamaha’s Rocco Landers by 0.122 seconds with El Salvador’s Kevin Olmedo third, 0.7 seconds off Herrin’s searing pace.
Confident with the Panigale V2, Herrin believes he’s got the right tool for the job as he embarks on increasing his 51-point championship lead heading into race one tomorrow.
Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 1:43.595
P2 – Rocco Landers (Yamaha) 1:43.717
P3 – Kevin Olmedo (Yamaha) 1:44.337
P4 – Tyler Scott (Suzuki) 1:44.501
P5 – Benjamin Smith (Yamaha) 1:44.551
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) : “The day went super well,” Herrin said. “Both sessions we ended up P1, so the team is really stoked. We tested some tires for Dunlop in the second session which were good, but not as good as the first option I had from the morning session. We’ll use the morning session tires for tomorrow’s morning practice and the race, and I feel I can go faster than what I did today with that. I’m happy with how the day, team and bike went, now I just want to get going in the race tomorrow.”
Mathew Scholtz (11) and Danilo Petrucci (9) on track together Friday at Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider Danilo Petrucci has been issued two rider penalty points and a three-position grid penalty in his next race for his actions at the end of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Qualifying One (Q1) Friday afternoon at Ridge Motorsports Park.
It was a troubled day for the former MotoGP race winner. At the end of Free Practice One on Friday morning, his Ducati Panigale V4 R Superbike went up in a cloud of smoke and he pulled off the track.
When it came time for Qualifying One, Petrucci didn’t immediately go out on track as his crew was apparently still finishing repairs or possibly a motor swap in his bike and then he had an issue with his clutch on pit lane.
Petrucci finally got out on track with just under 18 minutes remaining in the 40-minute Q1 session.
Once out on track, Petrucci and Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz ended up running together trying to follow each other.
After the checkered flag ended the session, Scholtz and Max Flinders stopped side-by-side in the designated Practice Start area of the track to do practice starts, but before they could Petrucci rode into the narrow space between the two riders, making hard contact with both and bending Flinders’ right handlebar.
Petrucci then turned and gave Scholtz the middle finger while looking back at him.
This was all shown live on the MotoAmerica Live+ streaming service followed by several replays from multiple angles.
Scholtz responded by raising his hands as if to ask, “What?”
“In the qualifying session, he was trying to follow me and I was trying to follow him, nothing out of the ordinary,” Scholtz told Roadracingworld.com. “And then on the cool-down lap I just passed him normally, I went to do a practice start, and then he just came through and elbowed me and Max Flinders.
“Then he accused me of clipping his handlebar on the cool-down lap, but unfortunately that’s not true. We’ve got video footage [showing] I wasn’t even remotely close to him.
“I know emotions are running high. It’s just one of those things. I know he is a good guy. We’re obviously racing for the Championship, and people just get caught up.”
MotoAmerica Race Direction spoke to both riders after the incident, reviewed video from the session, and then penalized Petrucci. In short, MotoAmerica ruled that Petrucci was not riding in a “responsible manner.” See MotoAmerica’s full Notice of Sanction below.
Petrucci did not respond to an attempt by Roadracingworld.com to contact him prior to post time.
If Petrucci accumulates four rider penalty points within a 365-day period he will be forced to start his next race from the back of the grid.
Big torque and easy handling make the Suzuki GSX-S1000 fun to ride at a track day. Dunlop Roadsport 2 radials provide enough grip for knee-down cornering, and deliver decent street mileage. Photos by Caliphotography.
Featured In the June 2022 issue of Roadracing World:
“The human mind can perform multiple tasks at once, but only one of them can be language. In other words, you can’t listen to more than one conversation at a time, or you can’t read and listen at the same time. If you try, your brain switches back and forth between the two language inputs, ignoring one while de-encrypting the other. (All language is symbolic encryption, but that’s a topic for another motorcycle review.)
“So when I’m grading student submissions, I listen to instrumental music. Lately it’s been techno cyberpunk mixes on You Tube. And on one of my latest favorite mixes, something called ‘Neo Tokyo—Cyberpunk Mix,’ someone commented: ‘To fully appreciate this music, I need a black leather jacket with some bright LED lights on it, a sick futuristic motorcycle that talks in Japanese, and a light saber katana (I can use) to kill the local cyber thug robots.’
“I read that and thought—I have that bike sitting in the garage. And in a very real way, it speaks Japanese. Suzuki has upgraded the GSX-S1000 for 2022 with better electronic rider aids—notably a quickshifter that works in both directions—and with a new look…”
—Quick Look: 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000, by Michael Gougis
The new Suzuki GSX-S1000 is unabashedly angular and harsh, with MotoGP styling cues, and the look might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely a design with a focused artistic vision. After riding it on the street and on the track, I found a solid bike that shows its GSX-R1000R roots, is easy to ride fast, encourages enthusiastic behavior and is quite practical. Read the details of Suzuki’s latest super-standard in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the June 2022 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technologywith your online subscription. Log in HERE
Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.
Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld
Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world
More, from a press release issued by North America Talent Cup:
ROUND 3 OF NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP SERIES GETS UNDERWAY WITH MOTOAMERICA AT THE RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK IN WASHINGTON
For the third round of the 2022 North America Talent Cup the young up-and-coming road racers will be a part of the MotoAmerica™ race weekend at The Ridge.
SHELTON, WA, June 24, 2022 – After completing two action packed weekends, the third round of the 2022 season of the North America Talent Cup will join MotoAmerica™ and America’s top professional road racers for the Dynapac Superbikes round at The Ridge Motorsports Park, June 24-26.
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders aged between 13 and 16 in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.
The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.
The current points leader is Jesse James Shedden with 95 points. With 77 points, Alessandro Di Mario needs to take the fight to Shedden straight away and prevent him from getting out front early on. A consistent and calculating Jayden Fernandez rounds out the top three with 56 points.
We’ve seen incredible action in all four races over the first two race weekends. The technical layout of The Ridge will offer new challenges for the young talents. There is no telling who will rise to the top step on their RS250 SP2. With the added pressure of racing in front of America’s best, it can be anyone’s race to win.
The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner with America’s premier road racing series, MotoAmerica™, to support the future of American road racing talent.
“We’re excited to watch the North America Talent Cup competitors race this weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park,” said Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica COO. “This series is important to give young riders additional exposure and track time as they work toward the professional ranks. Hopefully, the championship comes down to the final round when they join us again at our season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in September.”
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
Aegerter, Granado, Ferrari: the top three lock out the front row
The TT Circuit Assen sees some veteran firepower line up on the front row for this weekend’s two races
Friday, 24 June 2022
The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup is back in action this weekend at the Motul TT Assen and it’s shaping up as a titanic contest if qualifying is anything to go by. The top three in the standings will share the front row for both races at the TT Circuit Assen, although it is World Cup leader Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) who once again has the edge over his rivals. The Swiss rider came from Q1 to claim pole position for Round 4 with a lap time of 1:43.643, ahead of Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) and Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™).
The weather conditions in Assen created the high-pressure scenario whereby the MotoE™ riders would not turn a lap on a dry track until they started qualifying. FP1 was a wet session and FP2 was cancelled due to the conditions, but the rain had long cleared by the time Q1 started.
In that Q1 was Aegerter, after the Swiss rider ended the morning in P12, but he safely cleared the first stanza of qualifying and headed through – with some extra dry track knowledge to boot. Still, Granado and Ferrari were not going to let Aegerter have it all his own way, and they traded fastest laps for much of Q2.
Aegerter went to the top for the first time with just seconds remaining before the chequered flag, beating Granado’s 1:43.749 by 0.106 seconds, and that would prove the decisive moment in the battle for pole. Ferrari improved on his final lap, to a 1:44.047, and while that effort did not yield a better position, it would ensure that he kept his front row.
Had he not improved, the Italian would have been bettered by compatriot Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40), who set a 1:44.074 with the chequered flag out which moved him up to fourth and shifted Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) to the middle of the second row. Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™ Team) makes the top six a perfect match for the World Cup standings.
Rounding out the top 10 are second Q1 graduate Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing), Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE™ Team), Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team), and Xavi Fores (Octo Pramac MotoE™).
Smith is making a belated start to his MotoE™ season this weekend, after injury sidelined him for the first three rounds of 2022, but got through to Q2 directly. Reigning Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) didn’t quite, but it was close and he’s also back from injury.
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE™) suffered a highside at the Geert Timmer Chicane. Seventh in the World Cup standings, he was the highest-ranked rider to not get into Q2, having crashed on his out lap in Q1. Experiencing leg pain, the Japanese rider went to the medical centre for a check-up and has been declared fit, but will start from the back of the grid given he failed to set a lap time in qualifying.
After two Grand Prix weekends off, the MotoE™ riders will be raring to go for Race 1 at Assen. Catch all the electrifying action from 16:25 (GMT +2) on Saturday afternoon!
Dominique Aegerter: “For sure, I have a lot of experience on this track. I rode successfully here two months ago in Supersport with Ten Kate – two wins and also a pole position. This morning was wet, the second practice was cancelled, I was in P12 so I needed to go through Q1, and for sure, it helps when you have five laps more track time, so we could check quickly the data, I could speak with my crew. The Dynavolt Intact GP Team did a fantastic job, they made a small change, and I felt a little bit better, I could go faster. For sure, it’s important for the next two races, tomorrow and Sunday, to start from pole position, and try to fight for the podium or the victory.”
Gagne Leads Drama-Filled Opening Day At Ridge Motorsports Park
Defending MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Champion Having Things His Way In Pacific Northwest
SHELTON, WA (June 24, 2022) – Jake Gagne seems to find another gear when he shows up at Ridge Motorsports Park. The winner of both MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races a year ago in the Pacific Northwest, Gagne put a close to Superbike action on Friday afternoon with the fastest lap in Q1, his 1:40.035 three quarters of a second faster than his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Cameron Petersen.
Gagne is the lap record holder on the 2.47-mile track with his 1:39.568 coming in Q2 last year.
“We still have some work to do to fine-tune some things,” Gagne said. “Fun day at the track. Good weather, a lot better than last year, and it seems like another hot weekend, but we’re ready to roll.”
They don’t come more laid back than Gagne and he readily admits he’s not keeping track of the championship point standings. In fact, he’s not sure how many points he’s behind.
“It can’t go as easy as last year,” Gagne said of his dominant 2021 season “There’s no doubt we’ve still got the speed to win, we’ve got the bike to win, and we just need to put it together. I’ve made some mistakes this year so a lot of it has been on me. But I have no idea how far back in points we are. I know we’re not first or second and we’ll just keep cranking out some races and getting some wins. I’m having fun. I’m racing motorcycles so it’s a good day no matter what.”
Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz struggled for most of the day, but it all came good for the South African at the end of Q1 when he jumped to third – .856 of a second off Gagne’s best.
Scholtz, however, was involved in a little post-session drama when he was given a bit of a shoulder bump from Danilo Petrucci while waiting to do a practice start. Scholtz was parked next to Max Flinders when Petrucci, who said that Scholtz had passed him too close on the cool-down lap, ran the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V4 R between the two riders, bumping shoulders as he did so. Petrucci then turned and gave Scholtz the middle finger.
Petrucci, who was forced to go to his back-up bike after his number-one bike suffered a mechanical problem in free practice, had a difficult session with his crew having to put in a new clutch on the second bike in pit lane. By the time Petrucci took to the track there were only some 15 minutes left in the session.
Both riders were addressed by Race Direction.
Petrucci would end up fifth overall, one spot behind Spaniard Hector Barbera on the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M1000 RR.
Supersport
Just .122 of a second separates Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin from Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers after the first day of qualifying for the Supersport class at Ridge Motorsports Park.
Herrin’s best came late in the session, his 1:43.595 knocking Landers from the top spot provisionally. N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Kevin Olmedo was third fastest and just ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott with North East Cycle Outlet Racing’s Benjamin Smith qualifying fifth.
Gus Rodio (96). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup
Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Gus Rodio led SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Q1 on Friday, with the New Jerseyan topping Calshine Racing’s Aden Thao by .747 of a second. Altus Motorsports’ Kayla Yaakov completed the provisional front row.
Yuasa Stock 1000
Fresh off his win at the last round at Road America two weeks ago, Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander led the way in the first Yuasa Stock 1000 Qualifying session with his 1:42.006 – .371 of a second faster than Disrupt Racing Suzuki’s Hayden Gillim, who was racing for the first time at Ridge.
Alexander’s teammate Travis Wyman was third fastest ahead of local rider Andy DiBrino on the Precision Iron Works/DiBrino Racing Kawasaki ZX-10RR.
Hayden Schultz (49). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Twins Cup
The top four Twins Cup racers were covered by just .296 of a second in Q1 on Friday afternoon with Cycle Tech Yamaha’s Hayden Schultz on top of the heap with his 1:47.076 – just .066 of a second faster than defending series champion Kaleb De Keyrel and his Veloce Racing Aprilia RS 660. Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Anthony Mazziotto completed the provisional front row and is .280 of a second from pole position.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Petrucci Learning Fast at The Ridge in Washington State
The Italian adapting well to the demands of the undulating 2.5-mile venue with the fifth fastest time on day one
Danilo Petrucci (9). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 24, 2022 – Danilo Petrucci set about protecting his lead in the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with a fifth-place finish on day one of competition at The Ridge in Washington State.
On the Italian Stallion’s first visit to the undulating 2.5 mile circuit nestled between the pine forests, Petrucci produced a 1:41.278 lap to finish 1.4 seconds behind pacesetter Jake Gagne after 22 laps of the venue over two practice sessions.
Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5
P1 – Jake Gagne (Yamaha) 1:40.035
P2 – Cameron Petersen (Yamaha) 1:40.741
P3 – Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha) 1:40.891
P4 – Hector Barbera (BMW) 1:41.278
P5 – Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 1:41.509
Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) : “Today was not an easy day,” Petrucci said. “I was learning the track but this morning we had a technical problem, so in the second session, we just did a few laps, but tomorrow is a new day and we’ll come back ready to go and try to improve our position.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Herrin Blitzes to P1 on Friday at The Ridge
Herrin’s on a charge as he heads into Saturday as the fastest Supersport rider in Washington State
Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 24, 2022 – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider, Josh Herrin, laid down the marker for all others to beat at The Ridge in Washington State, setting the fastest time in both practice sessions.
The Californian resident turned the screws on the Ducati Panigale V2 to set a fastest time of 1:43.595 to better Yamaha’s Rocco Landers by 0.122 seconds with El Salvador’s Kevin Olmedo third, 0.7 seconds off Herrin’s searing pace.
Confident with the Panigale V2, Herrin believes he’s got the right tool for the job as he embarks on increasing his 51-point championship lead heading into race one tomorrow.
Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 1:43.595
P2 – Rocco Landers (Yamaha) 1:43.717
P3 – Kevin Olmedo (Yamaha) 1:44.337
P4 – Tyler Scott (Suzuki) 1:44.501
P5 – Benjamin Smith (Yamaha) 1:44.551
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) : “The day went super well,” Herrin said. “Both sessions we ended up P1, so the team is really stoked. We tested some tires for Dunlop in the second session which were good, but not as good as the first option I had from the morning session. We’ll use the morning session tires for tomorrow’s morning practice and the race, and I feel I can go faster than what I did today with that. I’m happy with how the day, team and bike went, now I just want to get going in the race tomorrow.”
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
April 13, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
