MotoAmerica: Royal Enfield B.T.R. Women’s Race Returns For 4th Year

John Ulrich

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February 5, 2025

MotoAmerica: Royal Enfield B.T.R. Women’s Race Returns For 4th Year

Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Series Readies For 2025 MotoAmerica Season

The Popular All-Female Championship Will Feature An International Flavor In Its Fourth Year As A MotoAmerica Class

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. program is returning to the 2025 MotoAmerica Championship with four rounds and eight races on the schedule.

The all-female championship will also open its arms to international racers as Brazil will be represented in the series for the very first time in 2025.

The 2025 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. series will get started at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, April 4-6, with round two slated for Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, May 30-June 1. A few weeks later, the truck full of Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s will pull into Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, for the penultimate round with the series set to conclude at VIRginia International Raceway, August 1-3.

“The racing in the 2024 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. season was some of the best we’ve ever seen, and we’re excited to see even better competition on the track and teamwork in the pits this year,” said Adrian Sellers, Royal Enfield’s head of custom program and motorsport. “We’re also very excited to welcome our first participants from Brazil, as BTR begins to open its unique format of learning, teamwork and competition outside of North America.”

With two-time series champion Mikayla Moore moving out of the class for 2025, a new champion will be crowned as the women competing this season will begin the series with a clean slate and ready to battle for the vacated title of 2025 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Champion.

“The Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. series will begin its fourth season of racing in the MotoAmerica Championship, and we always look forward to seeing the next group of racers come through the program,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Mikayla Moore won two successive titles in the class, and she’s now moving up the ladder to compete in the Twins Cup series in 2025. That shows that the Royal Enfield series is the perfect place for women to gain the racing experience necessary to continue in other classes. We’re excited to see who steps up to take the title in 2025.”

About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

Canadian MiniGP Founder Toni Sharpless wins CMA Ambassador Award

John Ulrich

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February 5, 2025

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Canadian MiniGP Founder Toni Sharpless wins CMA Ambassador Award

Veteran motorcycle road racer, Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2011) and racer coach/series founder Toni Sharpless has been belatedly given the Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA) Ambassador Award she actually earned in 2023, which would have been given to her last year if the 2024 CMA Annual General Meeting (AGM) had not been cancelled.

The CMA is the National sanctioning group for motorcycle activity in Canada, affiliated with international authority Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The CMA supports several National series, including the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK).

The CMA Ambassador Award “recognizes exceptional effort or achievement which reflects favourably on the CMA,” and was awarded by the CMA’s boss, Ross de St. Croix, during the recent CMA AGM.

Sharpless was a multi-discipline racer growing up, travelling with her two famous brothers, Todd and Blair, out of their parent’s Toronto-suburb bike shop, Scarborough’s Sonic Cycle. In the early 1980s Sharpless focused on road racing, starting with a then-ubiquitous two-stroke Yamaha RD350LC. Moving up to the fearsome RZ500, Sharpless soon turned Pro and competed aboard Suzuki and Yamaha Superbikes, including a strong effort in the Daytona 200.

That performance in Florida earned Sharpless an opportunity with Yamaha International, riding in the World Endurance Championship in Europe and Japan. She then took a long sabbatical from competition but continued to work in the Powersports industry.

Sharpless returned to the pavement at the start of most recent decade, after a chance encounter with a mini road racer Ohvale at a Toronto Motorcycle Show. Soon, Sharpless was running Schools at a variety of small venues but focused on the Lombardy Go-Kart track north of Kingston, Ontario.

At the same time, unretired racer Sharpless joined the new Pro Lightweight Sport Bike category in Bridgestone CSBK competition with Yamaha R3 twin equipment.

On the small-wheeled side of things, Sharpless used the family shop name to start the Super Sonic Roadrace School, working with both youth and adult riders. The next step was to launch a racing series for the smaller machines, so Sharpless and associates, including husband Jamie, started the MiniSBK tour.

Toni’s next target was to send top Canadian youngsters to the FIM World Championship MiniGP series in Spain, so Sharpless headed to Valencia on a fact-finding/hand-shaking mission in the fall of 2022. This initiative succeeded, and Canada joined the FIM’s World Series for 2023, sending Michael Galvis and Ben Hardwick as the CMA’s representatives for the televised final event.

N2 Track Days Announces Partnership with Bridgestone

John Ulrich

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February 4, 2025

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N2 Track Days Announces Partnership with Bridgestone

N2 Track Days, the premier motorcycle track day provider on the East Coast, is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone). Bridgestone will be the “Official Tire Brand of N2 Track Days” with exclusive tire distribution at all N2 Track Day events.

N2 Track Days was founded in 2014 with a mission to grow the sport of motorcycling through safe, structured motorcycle track events. State of the art tire technology and world class tire service are a critical component of this goal.

Bridgestone vendors will be on site to offer expert advice, tire service, and a range of BATTLAX HYPERSPORT and RACE products for sale at N2 Track Day events, including:

· BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23: Bridgestone’s newest hypersport tire for street use that is engineered to meet the requirements of sport riders, featuring increased levels of wet and dry grip performance whether riding on the track or street.

· BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11: Bridgestone’s most aggressive street sport tire that adopts technology used in Bridgestone’s highest performing race tires and is designed for enhancing cornering grip and stability on the street or track.

· BATTLAX V02: Bridgestone’s flagship racing slick available in multiple compounds and sizes to suit a wide range of track conditions and bikes.

“We are excited to be working with Bridgestone.” says N2 CEO Jim Curtis. “Tires can really make a big difference in helping riders get to the next level. Our members will now benefit from having a dedicated tire partner that can supply, service, and educate them about Bridgestone’s top-tier products at every N2 event.”

“Partnering with N2 is an opportunity for riders and racers alike to experience Bridgestone world-class products at all of their track day events,” said Jared Williams, General Manager Bridgestone Motorcycle Tire business in the United States and Canada. “As huge fans of N2 Track Days, we look forward to having riders experience the high level of performance Bridgestone BATTLAX tires provide on the track.”

About N2: N2 – Ride, Learn, Race.

Founded in 2014, N2’s mission is to build a sustainable motorcycle community through safe, structured motorcycle track days, and advanced rider training programs based on Yamaha Champions Riding School teaching methods. In 2017, N2 successfully resurrected Motorcycle Endurance Racing in America creating the N2 National Endurance Series. The N2/BobbleHeadMoto Professional Race Team is two national champion in the MotoAmerica Pro Racing Series with rider Blake Daivs. N2 is also a major contributor to the Roadracing World Action Fund through fundraising efforts and support from its large member base.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

N2 Track Days is proudly sponsored by: Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Bridgestone, Dainese, KYT Helmets America, Woodcraft Technologies, BobbleHeadMoto, Pit-Lane Moto, and Yamaha Champions Riding School.

For more information:
www.n2td.org
www.bridgestonemotorcycletires.com

CSBK: Canadian Series Cancels RMM Debut Race

John Ulrich

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February 4, 2025

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CSBK: Canadian Series Cancels RMM Debut Race

CSBK Cancels RMM Race Debut, Revises 2025 Schedule

The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship has officially revised its 2025 provisional race schedule, removing the fourth round at Rocky Mountain Motorsports near Calgary, Alberta.

The difficult decision was made due to external factors that would have prevented the championship from operating in a normal fashion.

The venue limitations, set by city council, were unable to be overcome for the 2025 season. CSBK organizers would like to thank RMM officials for their collaboration during this process, which included a successful mid-season test during the 2024 season.

The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship remains committed to exploring potential events at RMM in the future.

“It’s an unfortunate situation” said series owner Ross Millson. “We’ve worked to expand CSBK for our competitors, supporters, and fans, but setbacks and challenges are always possible.”

The decision means that the 2025 schedule will revert to four rounds, with a longer break between round three at Alberta’s RAD Torque Raceway and the season finale in Ontario at CTMP in August.

However, the third round at RAD Torque will now become a triple-header for the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike and Economy Lube Pro Sport Bike classes, meaning each championship will maintain at least nine races in 2025.

The rest of the supporting Bridgestone CSBK classes will remain doubleheaders, with their 2025 schedules to eight races.

Series organizers would like to thank riders, teams, and fans for their support ahead of the 2025 campaign and look forward to another exciting season of national racing.

More information can be found on the series’ official website.

For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email [email protected].

World Supersport: Yamaha Introduces YZF-R9 Race Teams

Michael Gougis

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February 4, 2025

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World Supersport: Yamaha Introduces YZF-R9 Race Teams

History will be made in Australia later this month as the all-new Yamaha R9 makes its race debut as the 2025 FIM Supersport World Championship gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Ahead of the final two-day test before the first event in Australia, Yamaha Motor Europe has uncovered the colours of the three supported teams set to lead the charge into the ‘Next Generation’ of Supersport with the three-cylinder R9.

Having finished runner-up in the WorldSSP championship for the last two seasons, Italian rider Stefano Manzi will again front Yamaha’s effort with the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate WorldSSP Supported Team. Finishing just 24-points from the eventual champion in 2025, Manzi is hoping to go one step further in 2025 with the new R9 at his disposal.

Manzi is joined in the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate team by reigning All Japan Road Racing JSB1000 Champion Yuki Okamoto, who prepares to make his debut on the world stage.

The GMT94 Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team will return to a two-bike effort in the 2025 WorldSSP championship with five-time WorldSBK race winner Michael Ruben Rinaldi lining up alongside 2017 WorldSSP champion Lucas Mahias.

Evan Bros Racing will use their world championship-winning pedigree to nurture the next generation of Yamaha talent as they become the BLU CRU Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team for 2025. Dynamic Turkish youngster Can Öncü joins the team alongside Indonesia’s Aldi Satya Mahendra, who steps up to the WorldSSP class after winning the WorldSSP300 championship in 2024 following his second place finish in the 2023 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup.

Engineers at Yamaha Motor Europe Motorsport Research and Development have been working for over a year to turn the new R9 into a genuine WorldSSP challenger. The 2025 rider line-up got their first taste of the R9 WorldSSP machine in a shakedown test at Cremona in November, before teams embarked on a thorough pre-season testing programme at various circuits in Spain. Competitive lap times suggest the R9’s potential and with a further two-day test at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (17-18 February) – there are high hopes for the new project in the opening round, which takes place between 21-23 February.

“It will be a significant moment for Yamaha when the R9 makes its race debut in Australia later this month. This is an important new model for Yamaha and we have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure we can have a strong a start as possible when the lights go out at Phillip Island. The R6 was a WorldSSP legend and it was winning right until the end, so our goals with R9 are the same – we want to be competitive from the very first season and the combination of the hard work from our engineers and teams with the strong rider line-up gives us confidence ahead of the season’s start. A big thank you to all of the engineers for the substantial effort which has gone into this project so far, and finally I’d like to wish our riders and teams a great season.”

— Andrea Dosoli, Division Manager, Motorsport Division, Yamaha Motor Europe

“We are very excited to see the R9 compete in its first WorldSSP race weekend. Our diverse rider line-up features a mix of experience and youth, giving us a strong chance in the R9’s first season. Of course, Stefano Manzi finished runner-up in WorldSSP for the last two seasons, so he is keen to fight for the title this year. Michael Ruben Rinaldi comes to WorldSSP from WorldSBK and wants to show his speed straight away, putting his ‘big bike’ experience to use. Can Öncü has been impressive in testing, as has Lucas Mahias – a former World Champion with Yamaha in 2017, so we have reason to be confident given the depth of talent and potential across our three teams. For Yuki Okamoto and Aldi Mahendra, the start of the season is about learning the new bike and class, and in Yuki’s case brand new tracks too. “Our teams have been testing throughout January and the initial signs are positive as we head to Phillip Island for one final test before the race weekend. As this is a completely new project starting from scratch, it is difficult to make precise targets but our goal is to be as competitive as possible from the very start.”

— Niccolò Canepa, Road Racing Sporting Manager, Motorsport Division, Yamaha Motor Europe

MotoAmerica: Official Dunlop Preseason Test Open To Spectators

John Ulrich

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February 3, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Official Dunlop Preseason Test Open To Spectators

Official MotoAmerica Dunlop Preseason Test Open To Spectators

Fans Can Purchase Tickets To Watch Testing Action At The Podium Club In Arizona, February 22-23

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, and the Podium Club racetrack in Casa Grande, Arizona, have announced that fans can purchase tickets to watch all the on-track action at the Podium Club during the official MotoAmerica Dunlop preseason test, February 22-23.

The test will feature sessions for Superbike, Motovation Supersport, SC-Project Twins Cup and Stock 1000 with each class allotted four 20- to 30-minute sessions per day. Superbike Cup/Stock 1000 riders will also have a shared session with Mission King Of The Baggers testers.

Spectators will be able to take in the action for just $15 per person.

Designed by Rose Design of Arizona and engineered by England’s Apex Circuit Design, the Podium Club’s racetrack was created to meet FIA and FIM safety standards. The course features up to 18 different configurations.

“We think it’s great that the Podium Club is going to open its doors to our fans who want to come out and watch some of our teams and racers test before the start of the 2025 season,” said MotoAmerica’s COO Chuck Aksland. “The atmosphere at our tests is normally laid back with the teams getting a lot of work done as they prepare for the opening rounds. It also allows our riders to test the latest Dunlop tires. Spectating at a test gives our fans an even closer look at the teams and riders in action.”

John Mabry, General Manager at the Podium Club, expressed his excitement about the upcoming event: “We are thrilled to be hosting the official MotoAmerica preseason test and its world-class riders as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 season. This event is a testament to the quality of our circuit and the growing reputation of the Podium Club as a destination for professional motorsports. We look forward to providing an ideal testing environment and hope this is the start of a lasting relationship with MotoAmerica.”

For tickets, visit: Podium Club MA Test Tickets

About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

MotoAmerica: Industry Veteran Shane Pacillo Hired As Vice President, Media And Promotions

John Ulrich

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February 3, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Industry Veteran Shane Pacillo Hired As Vice President, Media And Promotions

Industry Veteran Shane Pacillo Joins MotoAmerica As Vice President, Media And Promotions

Industry Stalwart Will Spearhead MotoAmerica’s Media And Promotions Team As It
Begins Its Second Decade

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has named 20-year marketing professional Shane Pacillo as Vice President, Media and Promotions, effective immediately.

Pacillo has worked extensively in agency and OEM sectors in a career that has included management in music, art, automotive, and powersports, providing him with a unique ability to fuse motorcycling and racing with cultural relevance.

Recently, Pacillo spent a decade with Piaggio Group Americas, where he oversaw iconic brands such as Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Vespa as Piaggio’s Chief Marketing Officer. Following his 10 years with Piaggio, Pacillo founded Heartwork, an agency focused on lifestyle brands with a specialization in motorcycling. His expertise in media innovation, strategic partnerships, and brand development makes him a crucial asset to MotoAmerica’s vision for the future.

“As MotoAmerica continues to grow, Shane’s experience and passion for racing makes him the perfect guy to help drive our media and promotional efforts,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “His knowledge of MotoAmerica’s teams, riders, and industry partners will serve him well as we work together to keep moving forward this year and beyond.”

Pacillo will spearhead MotoAmerica’s veteran team, working together to optimize the series’ media strategies, enhance promotional activations, and strengthen partnerships to further amplify its MotoAmerica’s presence across digital, broadcast, and live-event platforms.

“MotoAmerica is growing, and Shane’s experience in media, branding, and audience engagement is going to be a huge asset as we keep expanding the series,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “He brings a fresh perspective and a good understanding of the powersports industry. We’re confident he’ll help us create new opportunities and add even more value for our partners, teams, and sponsors.”

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

MotoGP Previews The Three-Day Official Sepang Test

Michael Gougis

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February 3, 2025

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MotoGP Previews The Three-Day Official Sepang Test

After three days of Shakedown testing in Sepang, a new era of MotoGP™ is about to officially get going in 2025 as the three-day Official Sepang Test rapidly approaches over the Malaysian horizon – and there’s plenty to look forward to.

THE HEADLINE ACTS

2025 boasts fascinating storylines everywhere you look on the grid, but there are a few that stand out above the rest as we roll into testing.

For the first straight season, the famous #1 plate is in play. But it’s not on a Ducati this year. The off-season question was, ‘Will he, won’t he?’. It was only ever going to be the #1 slapped on the front of Jorge Martin’s Aprilia Racing RS-GP in 2025 and after a positive initial dip in the Noale factory waters at the Barcelona Test, the World Champion – and Aprilia in general – will be occupying plenty of the spotlight in Sepang.

How quickly will Martin get up to speed on his new thoroughbred? How fast is the 2025-spec RS-GP? Those are just two of the obvious questions we’ll be getting answered in the upcoming three days.

Two riders that will be on Martin’s radar throughout 2025 will be his 2023 and 2024 sparring partner, Pecco Bagnaia, and the latter’s new teammate – Marc Marquez. The dream team? Ducati Lenovo Team hierarchy certainly think so. And it’s hard to disagree. 11 Grand Prix World Championship titles are shared between the #63 and #93 as Ducati look to pick up where they left off in 2024. But how much better can the GP25 be than the ludicrously good, world-beating GP24? That’s something everyone will be looking at intensely, as well as how the two multiple World Champions gel as teammates.

We aren’t short of riders venturing into new beginnings in 2025. Last year’s rookie sensation, Pedro Acosta, is back donning the orange of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing this year as the 20-year-old hunts that sought-after debut MotoGP victory. Acosta and teammate Brad Binder will be spearheading the KTM project as factory riders, with expectations high for both to put the Austrian manufacturer back on the top step of the premier class rostrum.But there are also big changes in the next stable along.

Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales make up the 2025 Red Bull KTM Tech3 outfit, and both bring a bucket load of experience from rival manufacturers. How much can their valuable input and speed help shape the RC16 into a fearsome race-winning package?They’ve got the riders. Three MotoGP race winners and the most exciting young talent on the grid in Acosta. So can the Sepang Test spring positive vibes from KTM?

Elsewhere, Marco Bezzecchi is out to put 2024’s low-key campaign behind him as the 2023 MotoGP bronze medallist joins reigning Champion Martin in the factory Aprilia box. Both riders – hopping off a Ducati onto an Aprilia – complimented the RS-GPs front-end feel after the Barcelona Test, so can the duo act as Aprilia’s key to consistent success in 2025?The speed of ‘Bez’ compared to teammate Martin will be an interesting duel straight from the green flag in Sepang. But it’s also going to be fascinating to see and hear from the Italian about his adaptation, and how he compares to his rivals.

Another eye-catching change is Prima Pramac’s switch to Yamaha’s official factory Independent Team. The World Champions have Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira at the controls of their new YZR-M1s in 2025, and both the riders and team personnel will be laser-focused on getting to know every detail of the Yamaha as quickly as possible.(add something about shakedown comments/results here).

After taking part in the three-day Shakedown Test, it was Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura who stole the headlines from the rookies as he was on a pace comparable to Maverick Viñales’ Aprilia showing at the same test 12 months previous. He completed a 17-lap run where he was actually quicker than the Spaniard, leaving reason for the Japanese rider and American team to be excited for 2025. Fermin Aldeguer was the next-best rookie but did have the unwanted label of only crasher during the three-day Shakedown Test whilst Thai debutant Somkiat Chantra continues his adaptation with two days of track action previous, having sat out Day 1.

It’s a pivotal pre-season for the two sleeping giants of MotoGP – Honda and Yamaha. Starting with the latter, Fabio Quartararo’s late 2024 surge in form and the subsequent P2 finish at the Barcelona Test – plus the general positive tunes he and Yamaha were singing – signalled progress was being made by the Iwata factory heading into the winter. The Frenchman and Yamaha are desperate to be back at the front fighting for victories every week; that goes without saying.

On the other side of the box, it will be intriguing to see how Alex Rins fares in 2025. The #42 was also able to bag a couple of top 10s in the latter half of the season to back up Yamaha’s gradual progress, and following a winter of getting more strength in his leg and after a year of experience on the Yamaha, the six-time MotoGP race winner will be hoping 2025 is the year he is a frontrunner again. The Sepang Test will give us a first indication as to whether or not Yamaha are in the ballpark of being able to challenge for the big points hauls this season. And with Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP helping steer the ship in the right direction, those extra hands – both on and off track – could prove to be the missing ingredient.

Let’s flip the page to HRC now. And the first question that stares us in the face is, ‘Can Honda give their riders a much-improved RC213V?’ We all hope that’s a very firm ‘yes’ after Honda HRC’s Joan Mir and Luca Marini scored a combined 35 points last season.There were some signs of encouragement in 2024 though. Castrol Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco was the shining light in HRC’s ranks last season, and the Frenchman’s performance and comments during the Sepang Test will be listened to with keen interest. Hearing from those three, plus new test rider Aleix Espargaro, will enable us to learn some key bits as to how Honda’s preparations are going.

MotoGP: Quartararo Fastest As Shakedown Ends

Michael Gougis

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February 2, 2025

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MotoGP: Quartararo Fastest As Shakedown Ends

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) ends a busy Shakedown Test in Malaysia as the fastest, the only rider to dip into the 1:57s with a 1:57.794. That gave him three tenths of breathing space over new Yamaha stablemate Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) in second, with Honda HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro making a late lunge into third with his last lap of Day 3. But the stories go beyond the timesheets!

THE ROOKIES

Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) kept impressing, fourth overall and 0.414 off Quartararo on Day 3. He was fastest rookie – and second overall – on Day 1, before the Yamaha race riders joined the test, and he stayed ahead of Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing MotoGP) on Day 2 too, by a few thousandths.

Ogura, the reigning Moto2™ champion, also did a longer run of laps in a race simulation. Amazingly, he was a few tenths quicker over the course of 17 laps than the top Aprilia finisher here last year.

Aldeguer was two tenths off Ogura and 0.627 off the top. He was the only rider to crash all test, but no harm done after he tipped off and rejoined at Turn 9 on Sunday. Had Ogura not been on track, his performance would have been the rookie star turn.

Thai rider Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) remained a little further off as he put in his second day on track at the Shakedown, having sat out Day 1, saying he’s starting to get back in the groove – and giving a rocket review of his first MotoGP practice starts.

FACTORY TALKING POINTS AT A GLANCE

Yamaha reportedly had new chassis and swingarm for Quartararo and teammate Alex Rins, and updated aero on Day 3. Quartararo was top and Rins seventh.

Miller’s adaptation was notable. His final laptime was only half a second off his qualifying at the Malaysian GP last year on a different machine. At the Barcelona Test, his laptime on the Yamaha was 1.2 seconds off his quali at the venue on his previous bike. His Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP teammate Miguel Oliveira was P8, and the final Yamaha on track on Day 3 was new test rider Augusto Fernandez, who was also focusing on adapting to the bike.

At Honda, Aleix Espargaro led the charge on Day 3, his name appearing on the timesheets three times after splitting his workload across different machines. To compare his 1:58.106, the fastest Honda in Q2 at the 2024 Malaysian GP which was Johann Zarco with a 1’57.971 for CASTROL Honda LCR.

Amazingly, Aleix Espargaro’s Q2 lap that day was a 1:58.107 on his previous machine – a single thousandth slower than his Shakedown Day 3 with Honda. Takaaki Nakagami didn’t head out on Sunday and neither did we see any of the race riders, although as much was already confirmed before. That will come on Wednesday.

Aprilia had test rider Lorenzo Savadori working on a different spec of 2025 machinery on Sunday, but notably it seems rookie Ogura was also trying some new parts – already.

Pol Espargaro was fifth for KTM and Dani Pedrosa ninth on Day 3. The biggest thing to break cover so far from the Red Bull KTM camp is the new rear items spotted on Saturday.

Michele Pirro continued shaking down everything to prep for the arrival of Ducati Lenovo Team duo Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. Later on Day 3, updated aero broke cover, as well as the chassis seen on one of MM93’s runs at the Barcelona Test.

Now it’s two days R&R – ish – in Malaysia as action starts again with the Official Test from the 5th to the 7th of February at this same circuit.

February 2025

Magazine Issue

Trudy Ulrich

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February 1, 2025

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On the Front Cover: Bobby Fong, 34, started racing as a little kid. He re-ignited his career in 2019, when he won the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. Now, five years later,
he has earned the Superbike ride of his dreams. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

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Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the February 2025 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

FEBRUARY 2025 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: 1160cc Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS; KTM 390 SMC R
and 390 Enduro; 1890cc Indian Sport Chief RT; KTM sells stake in MV;
Loudon Classis gets a $400,000 purse and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1971 Norvil Production Racer

Quick Look: The 2025 Aprilia RS 457 May Be A Game Changer

Intro: The 2025 Husqvarna 801 Vitpilen, A Bigger & Badder Roadster

RACING

MotoGP Analysis: Moving MotoGP Takes 200 Semi-Trucks

Superbike World Champion: Toprak On How He Rides Like That

MotoGP Analysis: Pedro Acosta Just Wants To ‘Go Flat-Out’

Hanging With: MotoAmerica Superbike Winner Bobby Fong

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Putting Wings On A Yamaha TZ750 In The 1970s

10 Years Ago, February 2015: 10 Years Ago: American Kenny Noyes was the new Spanish Superbike Champion and was on the cover; Nova Racing Transmissions was featured; we profiled the Monlau Competition Technical School (a.k.a. “MotoGP University”) for future racing mechanics; MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looked back at the career of 250cc World Champion Carlos Lavado.

New Products: Racebike Chain Adjusters, Subframes, Brake Discs, and more…

The Crash Page: Corey Alexander Airborne At Chuckwalla

The Kids’ Page: Kendall Leonard

2025 Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Reuniting With SDK

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MotoAmerica: Royal Enfield B.T.R. Women’s Race Returns For 4th Year

February 5, 2025

0225 MA BTR PR 52aab780-2d00-8f9c-9a99-4f7d2e768b32 — The Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. program will begin its fourth season as a MotoAmerica series this year. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.