BMW Motorrad Motorsport in WorldSBK: Heading to the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ at Assen.
Round two of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship.
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider Michael van der Mark plans his comeback at his home round.
Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty from the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team aim to build on the good basis from the season opener.
Assen. The next stop of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) will lead BMW Motorrad Motorsport to the famous ‘Cathedral of Speed’. The TT Circuit at Assen (NED) will host round two of the season this coming weekend (22nd to 24th April). Michael van der Mark (NED) from the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, who had to sit out the season opener at MotorLand Aragón (ESP), plans his comeback at his home round. The final decision will be made at a medical test on Thursday.
Van der Mark suffered a fractured leg in a training accident with his mountain bike in early March. After surgery, he fully focused on his healing process that went very well. If he gets green light from the WorldSBK medical team, van der Mark will race at the weekend in the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team next to his new team-mate Scott Redding (GBR).
In the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, riders Loris Baz (FRA) and Eugene Laverty (FRA) head to Assen with great confidence. They want to build on the strong results the team achieved at the Aragón season opener.
Quotes ahead of the Assen round.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Assen is always something special and I don’t say that just because I am Dutch. It is great that Michael recovered so well and we hope that he gets green light to ride his BMW M 1000 RR at the Assen races. Of course it won’t be an easy weekend for him as he has not been on the World Superbike for a long time but it would be a first step into the season for him. In addition, his feedback can be valuable for our work with all our M 1000 RRs, particularly with Scott’s bike. After the difficult season opener we have analysed the data and Scott and the entire team are working very hard to improve the situation for Assen. The Bonovo action BMW Racing Team demonstrated at the season opener that they have a very good base and I am confident that they can make the next step forward at Assen.”
Michael van der Mark, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “After the forced break of several weeks I feel ready to return at my home round in Assen. Of course it depends on the final medical check on Thursday but I am confident I can get back on my BMW M 1000 RR at the weekend. The healing process after the surgery went very well. I also had several treatments that additionally seem to have helped to speed up my recovery. I regularly trained in the gym, with an adjusted programme, and that enabled me to keep my fitness at a high level. Of course, I am not expecting to ride at the top at Assen. I know that it will be a challenge, as I haven’t ridden my WorldSBK BMW M 1000 RR since the end of last year and I missed all the pre-season tests in spring time so I also don’t know all the developments made over winter and I first need to understand them before I can benefit from them. In addition, I am feeling very well but am not back to 100 per cent fitness yet, so for me, the most important thing would be to be back in action without focusing on any results. Then we move forward step by step.”
Scott Redding, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “Assen is a good track for me, a track that I had a lot of good results on in the past. It’s a track I really enjoy to ride. I love going to Holland, the atmosphere is always amazing with the fans there. I also lived there for a while, so I have some friends there and it feels very good for me to go to Assen. I think it is maybe a circuit a little bit better for our bike, so I hope to work on better results than in Aragón and work from there. So I look forward to the weekend.”
Loris Baz, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “I’m looking forward to Assen. It’s one of my favourite tracks in the world and I love racing there! It’s a long time since I have raced there, although I was there testing in 2019 and 2020. I’m looking forward to it! It’s always full of fans and definitely one of the best circuits in the calendar. I think also it suits the BMW M 1000 RR a little bit better than Aragón, so I will try to keep the same direction, making some improvements on the bike and continue the good job we are doing with the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team together with BMW. So, let’s go rock one of the most amazing tracks of the world!”
Eugene Laverty, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “We had a reasonable start to the season at Aragón. I’ve gelled fantastically well with the Bonovo action BMW Team and we will build from here on. Next up is the flowing circuit of Assen and while I’ve yet to ride the BMW M 1000 RR there I believe that the circuit is better suited to the strengths of our bike. Our aim will be to qualify better to give a better track position during the early laps of the race. The fight at the front is currently out of reach but I’m confident that we can fight to finish between 6th and 8th position. That is our target right now.”
Progressive AFT Returns to Missouri for Inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – The 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season resumes this weekend with the inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City on Saturday, April 23 in Odessa, Missouri.
The stop at the newly revived I-70 Motorsports Park represents Progressive AFT’s long-awaited return to Missouri, some 17 seasons after the championship last visited Sedalia. To celebrate that return, along with Saturday’s championship round, Kansas City-area fans are invited to come out to the venue on Friday, April 22 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. local time to attend the day’s test session free of admission.
The young ‘22 season has already taken on an interesting shape. It was widely expected that the premier Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle class would once again be a battle for supremacy waged by reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and his great rival, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).
That has proven true to an extent, as the Indian Wrecking Crew superstars have split the season’s two available wins and are currently separated by a single point atop the championship standings.
However, the efforts to level the playing field have yielded early dividends, as five different riders out of a possible six, representing three different manufacturers, have stood upon the podium already in 2022.
In fact, it’s Yamaha-mounted JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who stands as the only rider with a perfect podium record thus far. And his teammate, heralded rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), has proven nearly as successful, and the two threaten to collect race wins in the near future.
That sort of parity and unpredictability has added an extra dimension to the season’s title fight, and promises to continue this weekend on a track new to the tour.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), who put Harley-Davidson back up on the box in the season opener, Mission Roof Systems teammates Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and last year’s finale winner, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), are just a sampling of the riders with the potential to factor up front this weekend.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines king Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) rebounded like a champion at the Texas Half-Mile following a difficult opener. Despite tricky conditions and a series of stoppages, Texter controlled the Main Event at Texas Motor Speedway to remind everyone exactly why he’s the one brandishing the #1 plate on his machine.
That said, Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) provided evidence that his virtuoso performance at the opening round was no fluke, logging a fourth-place result as an encore. That result puts him in front of the early-season championship chase heading into Odessa.
Meanwhile, a number of the category’s usual suspects – Ben Lowe (No. 25 Helipower Racing/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction, Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) – have already marked up podium finishes this season.
Some others have yet to break into the top three, but it’s likely only a matter of time before the likes of multi-race winners Chad Cose (No. 49 DPC Racing/Voodoo Ranger Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Ryan Varnes (No. 68 Schaeffer’s Motorsports/Rausch Fuel & Oil KTM 890 Duke) make their presences felt in a major way.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Top honors Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER are seemingly always up for grabs, as the class features a deep pool of both hard-charging youngsters and battle-proven veterans aboard a range of equipment backed with factory support from multiple manufacturers.
However, while the list of potential winners extends into the double digits, an early pecking order headlined by the preseason favorites is already starting to take shape.
Sophomore ace Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and his two-time class runner-up teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), currently sit first and third in the championship standings.
Meanwhile, American Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) – the riders many would have pegged as the most likely to prevent this year’s title hunt from turning into a factory KTM intrateam affair – are currently ranked second and fourth.
While those four expect to continue to jockey for position as the championship campaign develops, a number of others could easily work their way into the mix as well.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R), Michael Inderbitzin (No. 54 1st Impressions Services of Florida Honda CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and Brandon Kitchen (No. 80 Vance & Hines/Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna FC450), among several others, all have the requisite speed and ability to walk away from I-70 Motorsports Park with the winner’s trophy.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well. Along with numerous vendors, food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone, the high-energy three-piece group Pompous Jack, will be performing their blend of ‘80s rock, blues, and country. And the night will conclude in fitting fashion thanks to a post-event fireworks display.
Along with the action at the track on Saturday night and the free test day on Friday, fans are invited to attend the I-70 Half-Mile American Flat Track Rider Meet & Greet at RideNow Kansas City in Olathe, Kansas, where fans can meet their favorite riders and enjoy Mission Foods chips and salsa, on Thursday, April 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Fans who would like seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, including seat-backs in all sections, can select seats in the Reserved Grandstand for just $10 more. The Indoor Suite Reservation ticket provides exclusive viewing above the grandstand in private, climate-controlled accommodations for $150.
Paddock Access Upgrades are available for purchase (and come included with Indoor Suite Reservation tickets), which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the racebikes and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Other options include the Party Deck Add-On for fans 21+ and a range of Multi-Day Camping Passes.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. local time with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event.
The I-70 Half-Mile will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET/7:00 a.m. PT., including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
Schneider starts the Northern Talent Cup season on top
The German was quickest on both days of testing, with Moor for closest company on the timesheets
Tuesday, 19 April 2022
The Northern Talent Cup recently concluded two days of pre-season testing at Oschersleben, with the class of 2022 now ready to race and looking ahead to the season opener alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans.
Two days of dry weather gave the grid – with a whole host of rookies joining this season – chance to maximise track time, but it was Dustin Schneider (Goblin Racing) top of the pile on both days as the German threw down the gauntlet early in 2022 in terms of laptime.
Germany’s Dustin Schneider (20), seen here leading Martin Vincze (12) and others, posted the quickest lap time during the Northern Talent Cup pre-season test. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The field also did a race simulation on Day 2, and once again it was Schneider on top – pulling away by some margin. Second went to a stunning rookie performance from Rocco Sessler (MCA Racing), with experienced Hungarian Tibor Varga (Forty Racing) completing the podium.
Day 1
Schneider was quickest with a 1:36.024 to lay a marker down on the first day of action, with Rossi Moor (Fairium Next Generation Riders Team) second but only 0.073 off. Valentino Herrlich (Busch und Wagner Racing Team) was third on Saturday, although a full second further back as the order got much closer behind the leading duo.
Loris Veneman (TeamNL Open Line) was within a tenth of Herrlich, and it was a rookie completing the top five as Sessler started impressing early to end the day 0.060 off the more veteran Dutchman ahead of him.
There were a number of crashes and some technical incidents on Day 1, but all riders ok.
Day 2
Schneider made it both days on top as the German improved his best laptime down to a 1:35.913, becoming the only rider into the 1:35s at the test. Herrlich improved to a 1:36.567 to go second on Day 2, and although he remained third overall, the gap got cut in half in a good step forward.
Varga moved up into third quickest on the second day of action, the Hungarian another in a group of riders who all managed to get into the mid or high 1:36s. Veneman was fourth once again on Day 2, with Lennoxx Phommara (Team Phommara) completing the top five. From second to tenth, however, was split by only half a second.
Some big news saw Moor suffer a crash that ended his testing early, rider ultimately ok following a full check up at local hospital. The number 92 is already looking ahead to Le Mans, hoping to be back fully fit.
Danish rookie Julius Frellsen (Frellsen RR) and Swiss rookie Levin Phommara (Team Phommara) also crashed and headed for the Medical Centre, riders both passed fit.
That’s a wrap on first touch with 2022, now it’s time for the field to go into race mode as the NTC saddles up for the first time alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans. Don’t miss it!
Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools in the bottom left corner to better see all pages and all sessions, including the race simulation, of the result sheets.
Kawasaki Ninja® Models To Be Featured In “Top Gun: Maverick”
Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell returns to the big screen, once again riding a Kawasaki Ninja®.
There are few motorcycle movie scenes more iconic than Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell riding his Kawasaki Ninja®GPZ 900R along the flight line at United States Navy Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California back in 1986. That scene helped cement Mitchell’s “Maverick” image as a TOPGUN hero. 36 years later, Maverick is not only back at TOPGUN, but back riding a Kawasaki, only today he chooses to ride the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2™ Carbon in the new Paramount Pictures blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” opening May 27th, 2022.
“Working with the “Top Gun: Maverick” team has been amazing,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Vice President, Marketing, Chris Brull. “When we had the chance to jump onboard and see our Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles on the big screen again, we had to be involved. We know that Maverick is a dedicated Kawasaki rider and we made sure he had a full garage of Kawasaki models.”
To celebrate “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kawasaki has partnered with Paramount Consumer Products to launch limited edition t-shirts exclusively sold at participating Kawasaki dealers in the U.S.A. These t-shirts feature both the iconic Ninja GPZ 900R featured in the original Top Gun as well as the supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon. Visit your local Kawasaki dealer while supplies last.
A total of four supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon machines and two restored Ninja GPZ 900R motorcycles were provided to the “Top Gun: Maverick” production team along with some additional surprise models that may appear in Maverick’s personal hanger featured in the film.
“Top Gun: Maverick” will premiere in theaters nationwide on May 27th, 2022 and fans can now experience the breathtaking power of the world’s only supercharged production hypersport motorcycles by owning a Ninja H2™, Ninja H2 Carbon or Ninja H2™R.
About Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and JET SKI® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and Showtime. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. Additionally, Paramount Consumer Products oversees the online direct-to-consumer business for CBS and Showtime programming merchandise, as well as standalone branded ecommerce websites for Star Trek, SpongeBob, South Park, and MTV.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Rossi Moor. Photo courtesy Northern Talent Cup.
Rossi Moor
Age: 14.
Current home: Budapest, Hungary (originally from Portland, Oregon).
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, finished 3rd in Northern Talent Cup Championship (3 wins and 6 total podiums in 14 races), finished 22nd while racing as a wild card in the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship event at Valencia; 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM Ohvale 190 Mini Road Racing Championship; 2019 season, placed 2nd in CIV (Italian) Ohvale GP-0 190 National Championship, won MotoAmerica Ohvale Talent Cup at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won Ohvale GP-0 190 races in Hungarian National Championship, earned pole position and led a race at Ohvale World Championship, finished 25th in European Talent Cup race at Jerez (was youngest participant).
2022 racing goal: Win Northern Talent Cup Championship.
Racing career goals: Win World Championships in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP.
Race Registration for 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Presented by Royal Enfield, is Now Open
AMA VMD race registration, schedules and information available
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycles Days, presented by Royal Enfield, is fast approaching, and race registration is now open for those looking to be part of all the vintage-racing action.
AMA VMD offers everyone — from weekend warriors to Hall of Famers to pro riders — a chance to go back in time and compete on the beloved two-wheeled machines of the past.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship, running in conjunction with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, includes motocross, hare scrambles, road racing and trials — as well as a round of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series — and class winners in each discipline are recognized as AMA national champions.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship also crowns the AMA Vintage Grand Champion and the AMA Vet/Senior Vintage Grand Champion, special recognitions that combine the points from the off-road disciplines — motocross, trials and hare scrambles.
All racers must have general admission tickets in their possession prior to gate entry, and only pre-registered riders with entry confirmation will receive access to Mid-Ohio on Thursday, July 21, at 9 a.m. Gates open for general admission at 5 p.m.
Participating racers compete on vintage motorcycles from across different eras in the many different racing disciplines showcased each year at AMA VMD. Vintage racing includes motocross, road racing, hare scrambles, trials, flat track and pit bike racing. Be aware that pit bike racing has moved from its usual Saturday slot to Friday evening.
Youth riders can also participate in the action. The age requirement for competitors in each discipline is as follows:
Trials: 4 years and up
Motocross and Hare Scrambles: 9 years and up
Flat Track: 12 years and up (Youth riders are not allowed to participate in the dirt-track brakeless class)
Road Race: 14 years and up
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the preeminent — and longest-running — vintage motorcycle event in the country, with over 40,000 attendees each year enjoying off-road and road racing, bike shows, AMA Hall of Fame exhibits, camping, Laps For History on the legendary Mid-Ohio circuit and, of course, the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet.
Running from July 22-24, this year’s event promises to be the best yet, with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz serving as Grand Marshal.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Strap in! MotoGP™ revved up and ready for the rollercoaster
The paddock returns to Portugal after an incredible first four races, with Bastianini back in the hot seat
Monday, 18 April 2022
As the dust settles after a headline maker in Austin, the European leg of the season is just around the corner. The destination is the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as the first of a back-to-back sees the paddock head for Portugal, and there is plenty to talk about on the way in after another shake-up last time out.
Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the natural place to start as the ‘Beast’ blasted back to the top step in style in Texas. In so doing, the Italian also took back the Championship lead and made quite a statement taking Ducati’s first win at the track, backing up a season opener in Qatar that was impressive but on Borgo Panigale happy hunting grounds. COTA was different, and Bastianini is, according to Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller with whom he shared the podium in Austin, also different – with rider not machine making the difference on, amongst other things, tyre life. That bodes well as the Bologna bullets face down Portimão.
The aforementioned Miller took his first podium of the season last time out though, and it wasn’t a win but it was a nevertheless impressive and hard-fought third place. He has been on the podium twice in Portugal too, and after it more being bad luck denting his place in the standings so far, he’ll want to stay in the podium postcode. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, also has two podiums at the track and one was a win – with the Italian having proven a masterful opponent last season. As he rebuilds some good form after a a fairly nightmare first two races, will familiar and successful turf see him take another step forward?
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) had a likewise difficult opening two races before then fighting for the win in Argentina, but COTA saw both he and teammate Johann Zarco fade slightly in the latter stages. Martin will want to put bad memories of the venue to bed as well as get back in the podium fight as he pushes to make up lost ground, and the number 89 can never be counted out – especially on Saturdays, where he’s on quite a run of front rows.
The man who beat Miller to that second place will also feel more confident heading into Portimão. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pitched it to perfection to get Suzuki to 500 Grand Prix podiums and open his count for the season, on top of some solid consistency from the Hamamatsu factory overall this season. He’s had incredible speed on the Algarve before, before disaster struck, but the 2022 GSX-RR seems to have reset those limits Rins was all too often overstepping in 2021, allowing the Spaniard’s pace to shine again.
2020 Champion Joan Mir will also feel confident heading into Portugal. Although still looking for that first podium of the season, the number 36 has been close and, just like Rins, consistent. His record at the rollercoaster is an impressive one too, with two podiums from our two visits to the track last year. Is the time now for Mir’s classic consistency to kick up a gear as we head into Europe?
Behind the Ducati-Suzuki lock out of the top five at COTA came an almighty comeback from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The number 93 – never previously defeated if reaching the finish line in Austin – suffered a mechanical problem on his Honda that dropped him to dead last off the line, and then came a choice: a conservative return to competition as hinted at ahead of the event (and which may even have been enough to fight for the win without the extra hurdle) or a somewhat more rocket-fuelled push back to the front? Marc Marquez is Marc Marquez, and what followed was a goosebumps-inducer.
The number 93 got back into the top ten with speed that those he was passing could have considered a professional affront, but it wasn’t quite enough to get back into the podium postcode. Bastianini’s win was the fastest ever at COTA by a margin, so it was by no means going to be easy had the problem not occurred, but Marquez did end up in another great battle against reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
It was seemingly not simply about taking that sixth place in one race, with plenty more on the line in something akin to a 2019 rematch. For those watching, a round of it at a more Diablo-ruled venue would be a welcome second bout too, because it lit the latter stages on fire ahead of Rins’ launch on Miller. Marquez vs Portimão will most definitely be an interesting one though, as it’s a venue the number 93 has not yet mastered as he has so many. What will he have in the locker? And can Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) get back those Qatar podium vibes?
If there ever was a Diablo-ruled venue though, the Algarve has been such. When Quartararo won at the track in the Portuguese GP last season, it looked effortless – with five seconds in hand by the flag for a statement win. Then, later in the year the points were much more precious than a full push for glory. So what will the number 20 have in store this time around? It’s one podium so far after a difficult start to the season for Yamaha, and Quartararo has so far been a lonely presence in the upper echelons for the Iwata marque. Will the return to Europe hail a little more for the factory, and its reigning Champion? Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will also be hoping so after a tough start to the season, and the number 21 is no stranger to the podium in Portugal.
That can also be said of another up and down starter to the season: home hero Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 88 has that awe-inspiring wet win under his belt from Indonesia, but has otherwise had a tougher time of it so far compared to teammate Brad Binder. KTM overall also had a tougher time of it in Texas, with the top ten remaining out of reach on race day. Oliveira absolutely gassed it on first touch with his home track though, disappearing in a real masterclass – so can he find more form on home turf and, perhaps importantly for KTM, can they find consistency again at a venue where they have a few more laps? Binder’s position in the Championship took a dent last time out, and they’ll want to make sure it’s one duff weekend only seeing a handful of points slip away.
Aprilia also had a tougher time of it in Texas. The Noale factory have struggled at the venue before but, coming from victory, they will still have wanted more than 10th and 11th. Having said that, just like KTM, an outlier if remaining an outlier is no reason to expect that form to continue on European turf. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) tasted the highs of winning and being Championship leader, now sure to be aiming to get back amongst the podium fight, but teammate Maverick Viñales also made an important step in Texas despite it being a tougher result on paper: he finished ahead of the number 41. What will they have in their arsenal as the paddock returns to Portugal?
It’s been said many a time that it’s when the European leg of the season starts that the picture really starts to become clearer, and after a record breaking range of riders on the podium already this season there’s certainly room for many to find some better consistency. But the show is guaranteed to remain a stunner as MotoGP™ heads to the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal and the golden era continues, so make sure to tune in as the lights go out on Sunday at 13:00 local time (GMT +1), which is 14:00 in much of Europe but an hour earlier for Lisbon and London.
MotoGP™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – 61
Moto2 racers Aron Canet (40), Celestino Vietti (13), Tony Arbolino (14), and Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Early pacesetters vs maiden success: Moto2™ resets for the rollercoaster
The intermediate class heads for Portimão with some new podium players and the two early favourites looking to bounce back
The Circuit of the Americas saw some milestones for two Moto2™ riders: Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took his Moto2™ maiden win – incidentally also his first visit to the rostrum in the class – and Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) took a maiden Grand Prix podium in any class. Arbolino has been quick before as a rookie but has taken a definitive step forward this season, and Dixon has been there or thereabouts a few times before bad luck and trouble put paid to the podium. This time, the battle between bringing it home and pushing on to fight it out – in this case with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – saw the Brit tick the box and complete an impressive trajectory from British Superbike to Moto2™ podium.
That makes for an interesting conundrum as to what to expect on the Algarve. Arbolino and Dixon will arrive with a shot of confidence, and the latter certainly has a weight off knowing that first part of the job is done. So can they fight at the front again? It wasn’t just COTA where they were quick, so all signs point to yes. Dixon, in fact, eyes Portugal as a good chance to achieve even more.
Ogura can’t be counted out either. The Japanese rider has made a habit of bothering the podium fight all year and if in doubt, will send – having also unburdened himself fairly early of the need to tick that first Moto2™ podium box. He’s now second in the standings too, although he seems to want a win more than much else, so if in doubt, will still send. Teammate Somkiat Chantra, meanwhile, arrives from a little too much send as the Thai rider came crashing back down to Earth from a stunning first couple of races, and he’ll want to bounce back and overcome his Long Lap Penalty given for that incident as quickly as he can. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), one high profile name caught up in it, will also be keen to head back onto familiar turf and stake a claim back on the frontrunners.
Speaking of bouncing back, Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up) is on a mission to do the same having similarly overcooked it in Texas, although having been judged to have had a lot less time to react after the Chantra incident ahead. It’s now a lot of speed and a lot of bad luck for the 54 so far in 2022, but the key is the first bit because the second seldom lasts forever. Portimão is turf he knows much better too, so that is a warning sign for the rest if ever there was.
And now, Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40). Having tipped themselves favourites to fight for the crown throughout the season, Texas was the first big hurdle for both. First, it seemed like Canet’s lucky day in the standings as his main rival faced his first DNF of the season, and then the pendulum swung swiftly back and the chance was lost – of gaining serious ground and of taking that first Moto2™ win. It’s likely both will be straight back at the sharp end though and Vietti still leads the standings, with the gap between the two unchanged but a few riders gaining ground in between. What can they do on the Algarve? Their past form at a venue seems to matter little so far in 2022, although Canet has already visited the podium, so don’t bet against it.
Finally, Red Bull KTM Ajo. 2022 has been a far cry from 2021 so far, but the season is early and the time is plenty. Augusto Fernandez will likely be looking for a points haul in Portugal and to keep it within the limits as he looks to rebuild some consistency, and rookie teammate Pedro Acosta will be an interesting watch. This is the venue the number 51 blitzed in pre-season, and a venue he’s already more than mastered in Moto3™. If the more difficult start to Moto2™ has left Acosta feeling he needs to pull a rabbit out the hat, the Algarve seems to set a good stage for him to try.
Moto2™ race last this time around, with the schedule a little different to the usual. The lights go out for the intermediate class at 14:30 local time, which is GMT +1 as summer time begins – an hour behind much of Europe as Lisbon lines up with London.
Moto2™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – Kalex – 70
2 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – 56
3 Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – Kalex – 54
Moto3 racers Jaume Masia (5), Dennis Foggia (7), Andrea Migno (16) and others in action. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Can Foggia, Migno and Masia keep it pinned in Portugal?
The first two have form and the latter arrives from his first win of the year, but if some rookies have already been gaining headlines so far, we’re now heading onto more familiar turf…
The Moto3™ race in Texas boiled up into another classic encounter, and from the unique COTA the grid now heads for the differently unique Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) arrives having put some bad luck to bed and fresh from the top step, and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) was likewise back on the podium – with the two making amends from a more dramatic encounter in Argentina. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), meanwhile, was once again fast, consistent and drama free – something he’s making a habit of in 2022, and something that’s put him 16 points clear in the standings.
Portimão has already been a good hunting ground for the Italian too, with his speed having been consistently impressive and any bad luck purely that. Migno has also been on the rostrum in Portugal more than once and will be hoping to repeat the feat, and it’s now Masia who arrives looking to prove flashes of speed at the venue can return some big points this time around.
On the other side of the coin, Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) is looking to bounce back from bad luck at COTA and find some more podium form on the Algarve, and teammate Izan Guevara will want to be right back in that rostrum fight. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) heads in with his form seemingly ironed out and shouldn’t be discounted, and the names of the potential frontrunners go on. But then there are the rookies.
There have been some standout performers so far, but on speed alone the honours until this point have to go to Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The Brazilian has had a mix of bad luck and mistakes, to be expected in a first World Championship season, but the pace has been stunning – and the veterans on the grid will be sarcastically pleased to know that on his debut in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season in Portimão, he promptly put it on pole and then came second in the first race. That’s a good omen, and he’ll be hoping to arrive in good shape after his crash in Texas left him needing to be passed fit ahead of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal.
Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) is also putting together a quietly impressive campaign and gaining traction, and he’ll want more on more familiar ground. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), meanwhile, has had some serious speed of late – but also a few extra and unwanted adventures. He’ll want to iron that out and make pace pay for points in Portugal.
The schedule is another slightly different one this weekend, but Moto3™ are racing first once again as the European leg of the season begins. The lights go out at 11:20 in GMT +1, which is Lisbon and London time.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Yandel Medina. Photo courtesy Yandel Medina.
Yandel Medina
Age: 14.
Current home: Bronx, New York.
Current height/weight: 5’6”/125 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2019, Palm Beach, Florida, CCS, Moto3 Novice, 1st place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuner/mechanic: Juaner Ortiz (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CCS.
Top sponsors: New York Safety Track, Heroic Apparel, Edwin Design, Sunblue Window Film, Hope Farm, Carlo’s Track Day, Certified Knee Draggers, Mark Tenn, Street & Competition, Moto-D, Spears Racing, Robert Mechanic, Ride On Time Limousine, Shellbys Powersport.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, won Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won 4 CCS National Championships (Moto3, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike, GT500), won 2 AMA Grand Championships (500 Supersport & 500 Superbike), finished 2nd in AMA Moto3 Grand Championship race, won ASRA Moto3 race at Daytona, won CCS Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic overall Regional Championships, won 4 CCS Atlantic class Championships (Moto3, GT500, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike).
2022 racing goals: Win MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, race in European Talent Cup, race as a wild card in Supersport 300 World Championship.
Racing career goal: Race in MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Jorge Martin.
Favorite track: Roebling Road Raceway.
Favorite hobby: Cycling.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A baseball player.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Terrific treble for Glenn Irwin and Honda Racing UK at Silverstone opener
Jason O’Halloran (22) leads the start of a British Superbike race Sunday at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin celebrated his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone today, following up his win in yesterday’s opening race to score a sensational double for Honda Racing UK as the Japanese manufacturer celebrates their 30th anniversary year of the Honda Fireblade.
Glenn Irwin had claimed the opening race win of the season yesterday, and in the second race of the weekend, he held off an incredible last lap attack from Kyle Ryde to win the drag to the line by just 0.079s.
Glenn Irwin had carved his way through the pack and was handed the lead courtesy of Bradley Ray crashing dramatically out of the lead, with Ryde and Rory Skinner in close contention.
Ryde was piling on the pressure, but Glenn Irwin was defensive and did just enough to hold him off to the chequered flag.
Skinner claimed FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s first podium finish of the season with a strong third place, whilst his FS teammate Lee Jackson secured fourth after getting ahead of Andrew Irwin on the leading SYNETIQ BMW.
Jason O’Halloran completed the top six, breaking away from Peter Hickman, Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan as Christian Iddon completed the top ten.
In the final race of the weekend, the target was on Glenn Irwin’s back, but he was able to hold off his rivals to celebrate his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Skinner had launched into the lead on the opening lap from his front row start ahead of his Honda rival and Andrew Irwin.
On lap four, Glenn Irwin captured the lead as his brother Andrew moved into second place two laps later as they bid to make it a family affair at the front of the field.
The leading group was a freight train of seven riders with McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha pairing of Ray, Ryde plus Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan.
Ray had been dicing with Andrew Irwin throughout the closing stages, but the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider emerged ahead. Ray had enough pace to hold off Andrew Irwin who became the fifth different podium finisher of the opening round.
Buchan was also in the mix and trying to move ahead of his SYNETIQ BMW teammate, but on the penultimate lap, he ran wide at Brooklands and lost ground. Skinner and O’Halloran seized their opportunity to move ahead and the pair held on to fourth and fifth ahead of Buchan as they crossed the line for the final time.
Bridewell was seventh on the leading Ducati to hold off Lee Jackson whilst Peter Hickman and Kyle Ryde completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.079s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.994s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.032s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +4.321s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +4.979s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +7.798s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +8.586s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +8.642s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.553s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.864s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.487s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +2.550s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.693s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.969s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +4.183s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.242s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.017s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.257s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 75
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 46
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 42
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) 37
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 36
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 32
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 28
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 26
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin on the podium at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK
“Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and today is a new day’.
“I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this.
“I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – all positive in great team work – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes.
“Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
“To come away with three wins, we rewrote the script this weekend. I am buying the beers tonight!”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing UK:
Hat-trick for Honda Racing UK at Silverstone
The opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship has been a dream start to the season for Honda Racing UK, with Glenn Irwin dominating the weekend and winning all three races at Silverstone’s National Circuit aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Claiming victory in yesterday’s first race of the weekend in superb style leading from start to finish, Glenn started today’s second race from the second row of the grid in fourth place. Moving through the pack and making up places with just ten laps to go Glenn was second and fast closing the gap to race leader Bradley Ray, who just two laps later crashed out of the lead. With a clear track ahead, and a chasing Superbike field behind, Glenn crossed the line making it a double win.
The final race of the weekend Glenn lined up fifth, but once the race started he quickly made his way into second place. On the fourth lap, the Honda-man made his move on Rory Skinner to take over the lead, where again he dominated proceedings to cross the line picking up his first treble victory. After the success of the weekend the Honda Racing squad head into the next round at Oulton Park leading the BSB championship with 75 points.
Meanwhile teammate and BSB rookie Tom Neave had a solid point scoring weekend finishing today’s races 14th and 12th respectively. Throughout all races Tom was battling in groups with experienced riders including Josh Brookes, Tom Sykes as well as Leon Haslam. Learning so much this weekend off and on-track, Tom leaves Round 1 13th overall in the championship.
After yesterday’s disappointment in Race 1 where he was forced to retire from the running, Ryo Mizuno enjoyed two race finishes today in 17th and 20th, while teammate Takumi Takahashi finished just outside the points in 16th and 17th places.
The team will now look forward to the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park across the May Bank Holiday weekend 30 April – 2 May.
#2 Glenn Irwin
Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and tomorrow is a new day’. I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this. I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes. Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I love all my teammates and I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
#88 Ryo Mizuno
It was a difficult weekend for me and I’m sorry to the team that I couldn’t bring out the best in both races today. I am very honoured that my teammate Glenn has won three races in a row. Congratulations to Glenn. The only way to break through is to keep going, so we’ll just keep trying to make progress.
#13 Takumi Takahashi
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone in the team who helped me complete my bike in the short time between Race 2 and Race 3. In the second race, I lost position after the start and I couldn’t make a good pace and it was difficult. In the final race, of course, it’s still not enough, including the results, but I had a bit of a feeling I could race in BSB for the first time. I felt that last year’s experience was not in vain. I want to improve on what I’m missing for the next race.
#68 Tom Neave
I really don’t know where to start, it’s been an unbelievable weekend, I’ve hit all my goals and expectations I had of Superbike racing, I’ve actually exceeded them a little. Sitting behind Josh [Brookes], Tom [Sykes] and Leon [Haslam] for some laps, not only did I learn so much from them, but also in myself and where I can be stronger than them. I followed them in Race 2 and wasn’t able to pass, but to be able to pick them off one by one in Race 3 just felt unbelievable with their experience and career history, it really boosted my confidence. The Honda team has been amazing and I absolutely love the new team environment and working with all the guys.
More, from a press release issued by Buildbase Suzuki:
Points on the board for Iddon at Silverstone
Christian Iddon leaves the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone with some points on the board and more data gathered from three solid days of track action, after missing out on valuable testing time in preseason.
The Buildbase Suzuki rider looked good throughout free practice, and felt he had a good rhythm ahead of the races, despite qualifying 11th with a crash in the session.
From the fourth row of the grid in race one he made a lightning start and after six laps he was holding fifth place. However, as the race progressed he dropped a few positions, and eventually crossed the line in eighth.
Sunday’s two races followed a similar pattern, as he made strong getaways off the line and battled for the top six early on, but was unable to maintain the pace and dropped back to take 10th and 11th at the flag.
Christian Iddon, “The weekend started really positively, I felt we had a good rhythm and I was genuinely looking forward to the races. In race one I was aggressive early on to try and get up to the group that I felt we should be in, but I couldn’t maintain the pace, lost that rhythm, and it was difficult. We made some changes this morning but they didn’t have the impact we were hoping for, and then you start riding differently and try and pinch a tenth here and there and lose two or three. But the pace is so hot, we’ve seen some big guns struggle this weekend.
“I felt we were more racey in the last one. We were just off that front group of riders and hanging in there. We picked up an electrical issue which cost a couple of spots in the end, and dropped us outside of the top 10. It would have been nice to have crossed the line and seen the podium positions at least, but it is what it is is. I expected more this weekend but I’m aiming high; I know there’s more potential in the bike and in me. It’s only round one, but next week’s test will be important, I’m keen to get to that and see how the bike behaves on a circuit that’s different in every aspect.”
Danny Kent made his return to racing for the first time after missing the second half of last season with injury. Already on the back foot, a lack of testing time only exacerbated the fact.
Still, he worked hard and made improvements over the course of the weekend, and fought for points in the three races. He finished 17th, 18th, and 15th.
Danny Kent, “It wasn’t the weekend I was hoping to start the year off with. I had higher expectations going into this weekend, even after missing the two-day test, but the pace was really fast compared to previous years. The positive we can take is that we kept closing the gap in each race. The team made some changes for the final race that made the biggest difference, and it was the best the bike felt all weekend. Of course the results aren’t what we want but it was good to race the bike again and get some laps in. The focus is now the Oulton test and look at where we need to improve.”
Race one: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Bradley Ray, 8. Christian Iddon, 17. Danny Kent
Race two: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Rory Skinner, 10. Christian Iddon, 18. Danny Kent
Race three: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Bradley Ray, 3. Andrew Irwin, 11. Christian Iddon, 15. Danny Kent
Michael van der Mark. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK Team.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport in WorldSBK: Heading to the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ at Assen.
Round two of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship.
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider Michael van der Mark plans his comeback at his home round.
Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty from the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team aim to build on the good basis from the season opener.
Assen. The next stop of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) will lead BMW Motorrad Motorsport to the famous ‘Cathedral of Speed’. The TT Circuit at Assen (NED) will host round two of the season this coming weekend (22nd to 24th April). Michael van der Mark (NED) from the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, who had to sit out the season opener at MotorLand Aragón (ESP), plans his comeback at his home round. The final decision will be made at a medical test on Thursday.
Van der Mark suffered a fractured leg in a training accident with his mountain bike in early March. After surgery, he fully focused on his healing process that went very well. If he gets green light from the WorldSBK medical team, van der Mark will race at the weekend in the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team next to his new team-mate Scott Redding (GBR).
In the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, riders Loris Baz (FRA) and Eugene Laverty (FRA) head to Assen with great confidence. They want to build on the strong results the team achieved at the Aragón season opener.
Quotes ahead of the Assen round.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Assen is always something special and I don’t say that just because I am Dutch. It is great that Michael recovered so well and we hope that he gets green light to ride his BMW M 1000 RR at the Assen races. Of course it won’t be an easy weekend for him as he has not been on the World Superbike for a long time but it would be a first step into the season for him. In addition, his feedback can be valuable for our work with all our M 1000 RRs, particularly with Scott’s bike. After the difficult season opener we have analysed the data and Scott and the entire team are working very hard to improve the situation for Assen. The Bonovo action BMW Racing Team demonstrated at the season opener that they have a very good base and I am confident that they can make the next step forward at Assen.”
Michael van der Mark, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “After the forced break of several weeks I feel ready to return at my home round in Assen. Of course it depends on the final medical check on Thursday but I am confident I can get back on my BMW M 1000 RR at the weekend. The healing process after the surgery went very well. I also had several treatments that additionally seem to have helped to speed up my recovery. I regularly trained in the gym, with an adjusted programme, and that enabled me to keep my fitness at a high level. Of course, I am not expecting to ride at the top at Assen. I know that it will be a challenge, as I haven’t ridden my WorldSBK BMW M 1000 RR since the end of last year and I missed all the pre-season tests in spring time so I also don’t know all the developments made over winter and I first need to understand them before I can benefit from them. In addition, I am feeling very well but am not back to 100 per cent fitness yet, so for me, the most important thing would be to be back in action without focusing on any results. Then we move forward step by step.”
Scott Redding, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “Assen is a good track for me, a track that I had a lot of good results on in the past. It’s a track I really enjoy to ride. I love going to Holland, the atmosphere is always amazing with the fans there. I also lived there for a while, so I have some friends there and it feels very good for me to go to Assen. I think it is maybe a circuit a little bit better for our bike, so I hope to work on better results than in Aragón and work from there. So I look forward to the weekend.”
Loris Baz, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “I’m looking forward to Assen. It’s one of my favourite tracks in the world and I love racing there! It’s a long time since I have raced there, although I was there testing in 2019 and 2020. I’m looking forward to it! It’s always full of fans and definitely one of the best circuits in the calendar. I think also it suits the BMW M 1000 RR a little bit better than Aragón, so I will try to keep the same direction, making some improvements on the bike and continue the good job we are doing with the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team together with BMW. So, let’s go rock one of the most amazing tracks of the world!”
Eugene Laverty, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “We had a reasonable start to the season at Aragón. I’ve gelled fantastically well with the Bonovo action BMW Team and we will build from here on. Next up is the flowing circuit of Assen and while I’ve yet to ride the BMW M 1000 RR there I believe that the circuit is better suited to the strengths of our bike. Our aim will be to qualify better to give a better track position during the early laps of the race. The fight at the front is currently out of reach but I’m confident that we can fight to finish between 6th and 8th position. That is our target right now.”
Progressive AFT Returns to Missouri for Inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – The 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season resumes this weekend with the inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City on Saturday, April 23 in Odessa, Missouri.
The stop at the newly revived I-70 Motorsports Park represents Progressive AFT’s long-awaited return to Missouri, some 17 seasons after the championship last visited Sedalia. To celebrate that return, along with Saturday’s championship round, Kansas City-area fans are invited to come out to the venue on Friday, April 22 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. local time to attend the day’s test session free of admission.
The young ‘22 season has already taken on an interesting shape. It was widely expected that the premier Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle class would once again be a battle for supremacy waged by reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and his great rival, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).
That has proven true to an extent, as the Indian Wrecking Crew superstars have split the season’s two available wins and are currently separated by a single point atop the championship standings.
However, the efforts to level the playing field have yielded early dividends, as five different riders out of a possible six, representing three different manufacturers, have stood upon the podium already in 2022.
In fact, it’s Yamaha-mounted JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who stands as the only rider with a perfect podium record thus far. And his teammate, heralded rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), has proven nearly as successful, and the two threaten to collect race wins in the near future.
That sort of parity and unpredictability has added an extra dimension to the season’s title fight, and promises to continue this weekend on a track new to the tour.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), who put Harley-Davidson back up on the box in the season opener, Mission Roof Systems teammates Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and last year’s finale winner, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), are just a sampling of the riders with the potential to factor up front this weekend.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines king Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) rebounded like a champion at the Texas Half-Mile following a difficult opener. Despite tricky conditions and a series of stoppages, Texter controlled the Main Event at Texas Motor Speedway to remind everyone exactly why he’s the one brandishing the #1 plate on his machine.
That said, Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) provided evidence that his virtuoso performance at the opening round was no fluke, logging a fourth-place result as an encore. That result puts him in front of the early-season championship chase heading into Odessa.
Meanwhile, a number of the category’s usual suspects – Ben Lowe (No. 25 Helipower Racing/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction, Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) – have already marked up podium finishes this season.
Some others have yet to break into the top three, but it’s likely only a matter of time before the likes of multi-race winners Chad Cose (No. 49 DPC Racing/Voodoo Ranger Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Ryan Varnes (No. 68 Schaeffer’s Motorsports/Rausch Fuel & Oil KTM 890 Duke) make their presences felt in a major way.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Top honors Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER are seemingly always up for grabs, as the class features a deep pool of both hard-charging youngsters and battle-proven veterans aboard a range of equipment backed with factory support from multiple manufacturers.
However, while the list of potential winners extends into the double digits, an early pecking order headlined by the preseason favorites is already starting to take shape.
Sophomore ace Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and his two-time class runner-up teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), currently sit first and third in the championship standings.
Meanwhile, American Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) – the riders many would have pegged as the most likely to prevent this year’s title hunt from turning into a factory KTM intrateam affair – are currently ranked second and fourth.
While those four expect to continue to jockey for position as the championship campaign develops, a number of others could easily work their way into the mix as well.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R), Michael Inderbitzin (No. 54 1st Impressions Services of Florida Honda CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and Brandon Kitchen (No. 80 Vance & Hines/Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna FC450), among several others, all have the requisite speed and ability to walk away from I-70 Motorsports Park with the winner’s trophy.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well. Along with numerous vendors, food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone, the high-energy three-piece group Pompous Jack, will be performing their blend of ‘80s rock, blues, and country. And the night will conclude in fitting fashion thanks to a post-event fireworks display.
Along with the action at the track on Saturday night and the free test day on Friday, fans are invited to attend the I-70 Half-Mile American Flat Track Rider Meet & Greet at RideNow Kansas City in Olathe, Kansas, where fans can meet their favorite riders and enjoy Mission Foods chips and salsa, on Thursday, April 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Fans who would like seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, including seat-backs in all sections, can select seats in the Reserved Grandstand for just $10 more. The Indoor Suite Reservation ticket provides exclusive viewing above the grandstand in private, climate-controlled accommodations for $150.
Paddock Access Upgrades are available for purchase (and come included with Indoor Suite Reservation tickets), which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the racebikes and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Other options include the Party Deck Add-On for fans 21+ and a range of Multi-Day Camping Passes.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. local time with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event.
The I-70 Half-Mile will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET/7:00 a.m. PT., including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.
Hungarian-American Rossi Moor (92) in action during the Northern Talent Cup pre-season test at Oschersleben. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Schneider starts the Northern Talent Cup season on top
The German was quickest on both days of testing, with Moor for closest company on the timesheets
Tuesday, 19 April 2022
The Northern Talent Cup recently concluded two days of pre-season testing at Oschersleben, with the class of 2022 now ready to race and looking ahead to the season opener alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans.
Two days of dry weather gave the grid – with a whole host of rookies joining this season – chance to maximise track time, but it was Dustin Schneider (Goblin Racing) top of the pile on both days as the German threw down the gauntlet early in 2022 in terms of laptime.
Germany’s Dustin Schneider (20), seen here leading Martin Vincze (12) and others, posted the quickest lap time during the Northern Talent Cup pre-season test. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The field also did a race simulation on Day 2, and once again it was Schneider on top – pulling away by some margin. Second went to a stunning rookie performance from Rocco Sessler (MCA Racing), with experienced Hungarian Tibor Varga (Forty Racing) completing the podium.
Day 1
Schneider was quickest with a 1:36.024 to lay a marker down on the first day of action, with Rossi Moor (Fairium Next Generation Riders Team) second but only 0.073 off. Valentino Herrlich (Busch und Wagner Racing Team) was third on Saturday, although a full second further back as the order got much closer behind the leading duo.
Loris Veneman (TeamNL Open Line) was within a tenth of Herrlich, and it was a rookie completing the top five as Sessler started impressing early to end the day 0.060 off the more veteran Dutchman ahead of him.
There were a number of crashes and some technical incidents on Day 1, but all riders ok.
Day 2
Schneider made it both days on top as the German improved his best laptime down to a 1:35.913, becoming the only rider into the 1:35s at the test. Herrlich improved to a 1:36.567 to go second on Day 2, and although he remained third overall, the gap got cut in half in a good step forward.
Varga moved up into third quickest on the second day of action, the Hungarian another in a group of riders who all managed to get into the mid or high 1:36s. Veneman was fourth once again on Day 2, with Lennoxx Phommara (Team Phommara) completing the top five. From second to tenth, however, was split by only half a second.
Some big news saw Moor suffer a crash that ended his testing early, rider ultimately ok following a full check up at local hospital. The number 92 is already looking ahead to Le Mans, hoping to be back fully fit.
Danish rookie Julius Frellsen (Frellsen RR) and Swiss rookie Levin Phommara (Team Phommara) also crashed and headed for the Medical Centre, riders both passed fit.
That’s a wrap on first touch with 2022, now it’s time for the field to go into race mode as the NTC saddles up for the first time alongside MotoGP™ at Le Mans. Don’t miss it!
Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools in the bottom left corner to better see all pages and all sessions, including the race simulation, of the result sheets.
A restored Kawasaki Ninja GPZ 900R and a Kawasaki Ninja H2 Carbon will be seen in the new "Top Gun: Maverick" feature film. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Kawasaki Ninja® Models To Be Featured In “Top Gun: Maverick”
Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell returns to the big screen, once again riding a Kawasaki Ninja®.
There are few motorcycle movie scenes more iconic than Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell riding his Kawasaki Ninja®GPZ 900R along the flight line at United States Navy Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California back in 1986. That scene helped cement Mitchell’s “Maverick” image as a TOPGUN hero. 36 years later, Maverick is not only back at TOPGUN, but back riding a Kawasaki, only today he chooses to ride the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2™ Carbon in the new Paramount Pictures blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” opening May 27th, 2022.
“Working with the “Top Gun: Maverick” team has been amazing,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Vice President, Marketing, Chris Brull. “When we had the chance to jump onboard and see our Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles on the big screen again, we had to be involved. We know that Maverick is a dedicated Kawasaki rider and we made sure he had a full garage of Kawasaki models.”
To celebrate “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kawasaki has partnered with Paramount Consumer Products to launch limited edition t-shirts exclusively sold at participating Kawasaki dealers in the U.S.A. These t-shirts feature both the iconic Ninja GPZ 900R featured in the original Top Gun as well as the supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon. Visit your local Kawasaki dealer while supplies last.
A total of four supercharged Ninja H2 Carbon machines and two restored Ninja GPZ 900R motorcycles were provided to the “Top Gun: Maverick” production team along with some additional surprise models that may appear in Maverick’s personal hanger featured in the film.
“Top Gun: Maverick” will premiere in theaters nationwide on May 27th, 2022 and fans can now experience the breathtaking power of the world’s only supercharged production hypersport motorcycles by owning a Ninja H2™, Ninja H2 Carbon or Ninja H2™R.
About Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and JET SKI® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and Showtime. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. Additionally, Paramount Consumer Products oversees the online direct-to-consumer business for CBS and Showtime programming merchandise, as well as standalone branded ecommerce websites for Star Trek, SpongeBob, South Park, and MTV.
Rossi Moor (92) won Northern Talent Cup Race Two at Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Rossi Moor. Photo courtesy Northern Talent Cup.
Rossi Moor
Age: 14.
Current home: Budapest, Hungary (originally from Portland, Oregon).
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, finished 3rd in Northern Talent Cup Championship (3 wins and 6 total podiums in 14 races), finished 22nd while racing as a wild card in the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship event at Valencia; 2020 season, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship, won FIM Ohvale 190 Mini Road Racing Championship; 2019 season, placed 2nd in CIV (Italian) Ohvale GP-0 190 National Championship, won MotoAmerica Ohvale Talent Cup at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, won Ohvale GP-0 190 races in Hungarian National Championship, earned pole position and led a race at Ohvale World Championship, finished 25th in European Talent Cup race at Jerez (was youngest participant).
2022 racing goal: Win Northern Talent Cup Championship.
Racing career goals: Win World Championships in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP.
Motocross riders at the starting gate during a past AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (VMD) at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Stephanie Vetterly, courtesy AMA.
Race Registration for 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Presented by Royal Enfield, is Now Open
AMA VMD race registration, schedules and information available
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycles Days, presented by Royal Enfield, is fast approaching, and race registration is now open for those looking to be part of all the vintage-racing action.
AMA VMD offers everyone — from weekend warriors to Hall of Famers to pro riders — a chance to go back in time and compete on the beloved two-wheeled machines of the past.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship, running in conjunction with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, includes motocross, hare scrambles, road racing and trials — as well as a round of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series — and class winners in each discipline are recognized as AMA national champions.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championship also crowns the AMA Vintage Grand Champion and the AMA Vet/Senior Vintage Grand Champion, special recognitions that combine the points from the off-road disciplines — motocross, trials and hare scrambles.
All racers must have general admission tickets in their possession prior to gate entry, and only pre-registered riders with entry confirmation will receive access to Mid-Ohio on Thursday, July 21, at 9 a.m. Gates open for general admission at 5 p.m.
Participating racers compete on vintage motorcycles from across different eras in the many different racing disciplines showcased each year at AMA VMD. Vintage racing includes motocross, road racing, hare scrambles, trials, flat track and pit bike racing. Be aware that pit bike racing has moved from its usual Saturday slot to Friday evening.
Youth riders can also participate in the action. The age requirement for competitors in each discipline is as follows:
Trials: 4 years and up
Motocross and Hare Scrambles: 9 years and up
Flat Track: 12 years and up (Youth riders are not allowed to participate in the dirt-track brakeless class)
Road Race: 14 years and up
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the preeminent — and longest-running — vintage motorcycle event in the country, with over 40,000 attendees each year enjoying off-road and road racing, bike shows, AMA Hall of Fame exhibits, camping, Laps For History on the legendary Mid-Ohio circuit and, of course, the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet.
Running from July 22-24, this year’s event promises to be the best yet, with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz serving as Grand Marshal.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
Enea Bastianini (23) taking the checkered flag at COTA. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Strap in! MotoGP™ revved up and ready for the rollercoaster
The paddock returns to Portugal after an incredible first four races, with Bastianini back in the hot seat
Monday, 18 April 2022
As the dust settles after a headline maker in Austin, the European leg of the season is just around the corner. The destination is the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as the first of a back-to-back sees the paddock head for Portugal, and there is plenty to talk about on the way in after another shake-up last time out.
Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is the natural place to start as the ‘Beast’ blasted back to the top step in style in Texas. In so doing, the Italian also took back the Championship lead and made quite a statement taking Ducati’s first win at the track, backing up a season opener in Qatar that was impressive but on Borgo Panigale happy hunting grounds. COTA was different, and Bastianini is, according to Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller with whom he shared the podium in Austin, also different – with rider not machine making the difference on, amongst other things, tyre life. That bodes well as the Bologna bullets face down Portimão.
The aforementioned Miller took his first podium of the season last time out though, and it wasn’t a win but it was a nevertheless impressive and hard-fought third place. He has been on the podium twice in Portugal too, and after it more being bad luck denting his place in the standings so far, he’ll want to stay in the podium postcode. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, also has two podiums at the track and one was a win – with the Italian having proven a masterful opponent last season. As he rebuilds some good form after a a fairly nightmare first two races, will familiar and successful turf see him take another step forward?
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) had a likewise difficult opening two races before then fighting for the win in Argentina, but COTA saw both he and teammate Johann Zarco fade slightly in the latter stages. Martin will want to put bad memories of the venue to bed as well as get back in the podium fight as he pushes to make up lost ground, and the number 89 can never be counted out – especially on Saturdays, where he’s on quite a run of front rows.
The man who beat Miller to that second place will also feel more confident heading into Portimão. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pitched it to perfection to get Suzuki to 500 Grand Prix podiums and open his count for the season, on top of some solid consistency from the Hamamatsu factory overall this season. He’s had incredible speed on the Algarve before, before disaster struck, but the 2022 GSX-RR seems to have reset those limits Rins was all too often overstepping in 2021, allowing the Spaniard’s pace to shine again.
2020 Champion Joan Mir will also feel confident heading into Portugal. Although still looking for that first podium of the season, the number 36 has been close and, just like Rins, consistent. His record at the rollercoaster is an impressive one too, with two podiums from our two visits to the track last year. Is the time now for Mir’s classic consistency to kick up a gear as we head into Europe?
Behind the Ducati-Suzuki lock out of the top five at COTA came an almighty comeback from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The number 93 – never previously defeated if reaching the finish line in Austin – suffered a mechanical problem on his Honda that dropped him to dead last off the line, and then came a choice: a conservative return to competition as hinted at ahead of the event (and which may even have been enough to fight for the win without the extra hurdle) or a somewhat more rocket-fuelled push back to the front? Marc Marquez is Marc Marquez, and what followed was a goosebumps-inducer.
The number 93 got back into the top ten with speed that those he was passing could have considered a professional affront, but it wasn’t quite enough to get back into the podium postcode. Bastianini’s win was the fastest ever at COTA by a margin, so it was by no means going to be easy had the problem not occurred, but Marquez did end up in another great battle against reigning Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
It was seemingly not simply about taking that sixth place in one race, with plenty more on the line in something akin to a 2019 rematch. For those watching, a round of it at a more Diablo-ruled venue would be a welcome second bout too, because it lit the latter stages on fire ahead of Rins’ launch on Miller. Marquez vs Portimão will most definitely be an interesting one though, as it’s a venue the number 93 has not yet mastered as he has so many. What will he have in the locker? And can Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) get back those Qatar podium vibes?
If there ever was a Diablo-ruled venue though, the Algarve has been such. When Quartararo won at the track in the Portuguese GP last season, it looked effortless – with five seconds in hand by the flag for a statement win. Then, later in the year the points were much more precious than a full push for glory. So what will the number 20 have in store this time around? It’s one podium so far after a difficult start to the season for Yamaha, and Quartararo has so far been a lonely presence in the upper echelons for the Iwata marque. Will the return to Europe hail a little more for the factory, and its reigning Champion? Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will also be hoping so after a tough start to the season, and the number 21 is no stranger to the podium in Portugal.
That can also be said of another up and down starter to the season: home hero Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 88 has that awe-inspiring wet win under his belt from Indonesia, but has otherwise had a tougher time of it so far compared to teammate Brad Binder. KTM overall also had a tougher time of it in Texas, with the top ten remaining out of reach on race day. Oliveira absolutely gassed it on first touch with his home track though, disappearing in a real masterclass – so can he find more form on home turf and, perhaps importantly for KTM, can they find consistency again at a venue where they have a few more laps? Binder’s position in the Championship took a dent last time out, and they’ll want to make sure it’s one duff weekend only seeing a handful of points slip away.
Aprilia also had a tougher time of it in Texas. The Noale factory have struggled at the venue before but, coming from victory, they will still have wanted more than 10th and 11th. Having said that, just like KTM, an outlier if remaining an outlier is no reason to expect that form to continue on European turf. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) tasted the highs of winning and being Championship leader, now sure to be aiming to get back amongst the podium fight, but teammate Maverick Viñales also made an important step in Texas despite it being a tougher result on paper: he finished ahead of the number 41. What will they have in their arsenal as the paddock returns to Portugal?
It’s been said many a time that it’s when the European leg of the season starts that the picture really starts to become clearer, and after a record breaking range of riders on the podium already this season there’s certainly room for many to find some better consistency. But the show is guaranteed to remain a stunner as MotoGP™ heads to the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal and the golden era continues, so make sure to tune in as the lights go out on Sunday at 13:00 local time (GMT +1), which is 14:00 in much of Europe but an hour earlier for Lisbon and London.
MotoGP™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – 61
Moto2 racers Aron Canet (40), Celestino Vietti (13), Tony Arbolino (14), and Jake Dixon (96). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Early pacesetters vs maiden success: Moto2™ resets for the rollercoaster
The intermediate class heads for Portimão with some new podium players and the two early favourites looking to bounce back
The Circuit of the Americas saw some milestones for two Moto2™ riders: Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took his Moto2™ maiden win – incidentally also his first visit to the rostrum in the class – and Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) took a maiden Grand Prix podium in any class. Arbolino has been quick before as a rookie but has taken a definitive step forward this season, and Dixon has been there or thereabouts a few times before bad luck and trouble put paid to the podium. This time, the battle between bringing it home and pushing on to fight it out – in this case with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – saw the Brit tick the box and complete an impressive trajectory from British Superbike to Moto2™ podium.
That makes for an interesting conundrum as to what to expect on the Algarve. Arbolino and Dixon will arrive with a shot of confidence, and the latter certainly has a weight off knowing that first part of the job is done. So can they fight at the front again? It wasn’t just COTA where they were quick, so all signs point to yes. Dixon, in fact, eyes Portugal as a good chance to achieve even more.
Ogura can’t be counted out either. The Japanese rider has made a habit of bothering the podium fight all year and if in doubt, will send – having also unburdened himself fairly early of the need to tick that first Moto2™ podium box. He’s now second in the standings too, although he seems to want a win more than much else, so if in doubt, will still send. Teammate Somkiat Chantra, meanwhile, arrives from a little too much send as the Thai rider came crashing back down to Earth from a stunning first couple of races, and he’ll want to bounce back and overcome his Long Lap Penalty given for that incident as quickly as he can. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), one high profile name caught up in it, will also be keen to head back onto familiar turf and stake a claim back on the frontrunners.
Speaking of bouncing back, Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Speed Up) is on a mission to do the same having similarly overcooked it in Texas, although having been judged to have had a lot less time to react after the Chantra incident ahead. It’s now a lot of speed and a lot of bad luck for the 54 so far in 2022, but the key is the first bit because the second seldom lasts forever. Portimão is turf he knows much better too, so that is a warning sign for the rest if ever there was.
And now, Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40). Having tipped themselves favourites to fight for the crown throughout the season, Texas was the first big hurdle for both. First, it seemed like Canet’s lucky day in the standings as his main rival faced his first DNF of the season, and then the pendulum swung swiftly back and the chance was lost – of gaining serious ground and of taking that first Moto2™ win. It’s likely both will be straight back at the sharp end though and Vietti still leads the standings, with the gap between the two unchanged but a few riders gaining ground in between. What can they do on the Algarve? Their past form at a venue seems to matter little so far in 2022, although Canet has already visited the podium, so don’t bet against it.
Finally, Red Bull KTM Ajo. 2022 has been a far cry from 2021 so far, but the season is early and the time is plenty. Augusto Fernandez will likely be looking for a points haul in Portugal and to keep it within the limits as he looks to rebuild some consistency, and rookie teammate Pedro Acosta will be an interesting watch. This is the venue the number 51 blitzed in pre-season, and a venue he’s already more than mastered in Moto3™. If the more difficult start to Moto2™ has left Acosta feeling he needs to pull a rabbit out the hat, the Algarve seems to set a good stage for him to try.
Moto2™ race last this time around, with the schedule a little different to the usual. The lights go out for the intermediate class at 14:30 local time, which is GMT +1 as summer time begins – an hour behind much of Europe as Lisbon lines up with London.
Moto2™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5
1 Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – Kalex – 70
2 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – 56
3 Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – Kalex – 54
Moto3 racers Jaume Masia (5), Dennis Foggia (7), Andrea Migno (16) and others in action. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Can Foggia, Migno and Masia keep it pinned in Portugal?
The first two have form and the latter arrives from his first win of the year, but if some rookies have already been gaining headlines so far, we’re now heading onto more familiar turf…
The Moto3™ race in Texas boiled up into another classic encounter, and from the unique COTA the grid now heads for the differently unique Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) arrives having put some bad luck to bed and fresh from the top step, and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) was likewise back on the podium – with the two making amends from a more dramatic encounter in Argentina. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), meanwhile, was once again fast, consistent and drama free – something he’s making a habit of in 2022, and something that’s put him 16 points clear in the standings.
Portimão has already been a good hunting ground for the Italian too, with his speed having been consistently impressive and any bad luck purely that. Migno has also been on the rostrum in Portugal more than once and will be hoping to repeat the feat, and it’s now Masia who arrives looking to prove flashes of speed at the venue can return some big points this time around.
On the other side of the coin, Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) is looking to bounce back from bad luck at COTA and find some more podium form on the Algarve, and teammate Izan Guevara will want to be right back in that rostrum fight. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) heads in with his form seemingly ironed out and shouldn’t be discounted, and the names of the potential frontrunners go on. But then there are the rookies.
There have been some standout performers so far, but on speed alone the honours until this point have to go to Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The Brazilian has had a mix of bad luck and mistakes, to be expected in a first World Championship season, but the pace has been stunning – and the veterans on the grid will be sarcastically pleased to know that on his debut in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season in Portimão, he promptly put it on pole and then came second in the first race. That’s a good omen, and he’ll be hoping to arrive in good shape after his crash in Texas left him needing to be passed fit ahead of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal.
Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) is also putting together a quietly impressive campaign and gaining traction, and he’ll want more on more familiar ground. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), meanwhile, has had some serious speed of late – but also a few extra and unwanted adventures. He’ll want to iron that out and make pace pay for points in Portugal.
The schedule is another slightly different one this weekend, but Moto3™ are racing first once again as the European leg of the season begins. The lights go out at 11:20 in GMT +1, which is Lisbon and London time.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Yandel Medina. Photo courtesy Yandel Medina.
Yandel Medina
Age: 14.
Current home: Bronx, New York.
Current height/weight: 5’6”/125 pounds.
Current school grade level: 8th grade.
Began riding at age: 7 years.
First road race: 2019, Palm Beach, Florida, CCS, Moto3 Novice, 1st place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Current tuner/mechanic: Juaner Ortiz (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CCS.
Top sponsors: New York Safety Track, Heroic Apparel, Edwin Design, Sunblue Window Film, Hope Farm, Carlo’s Track Day, Certified Knee Draggers, Mark Tenn, Street & Competition, Moto-D, Spears Racing, Robert Mechanic, Ride On Time Limousine, Shellbys Powersport.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, won Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, won 4 CCS National Championships (Moto3, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike, GT500), won 2 AMA Grand Championships (500 Supersport & 500 Superbike), finished 2nd in AMA Moto3 Grand Championship race, won ASRA Moto3 race at Daytona, won CCS Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic overall Regional Championships, won 4 CCS Atlantic class Championships (Moto3, GT500, 500 Supersport, 500 Superbike).
2022 racing goals: Win MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, race in European Talent Cup, race as a wild card in Supersport 300 World Championship.
Racing career goal: Race in MotoGP World Championship.
Racing hero: Jorge Martin.
Favorite track: Roebling Road Raceway.
Favorite hobby: Cycling.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: A baseball player.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Terrific treble for Glenn Irwin and Honda Racing UK at Silverstone opener
Jason O’Halloran (22) leads the start of a British Superbike race Sunday at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin celebrated his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone today, following up his win in yesterday’s opening race to score a sensational double for Honda Racing UK as the Japanese manufacturer celebrates their 30th anniversary year of the Honda Fireblade.
Glenn Irwin had claimed the opening race win of the season yesterday, and in the second race of the weekend, he held off an incredible last lap attack from Kyle Ryde to win the drag to the line by just 0.079s.
Glenn Irwin had carved his way through the pack and was handed the lead courtesy of Bradley Ray crashing dramatically out of the lead, with Ryde and Rory Skinner in close contention.
Ryde was piling on the pressure, but Glenn Irwin was defensive and did just enough to hold him off to the chequered flag.
Skinner claimed FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s first podium finish of the season with a strong third place, whilst his FS teammate Lee Jackson secured fourth after getting ahead of Andrew Irwin on the leading SYNETIQ BMW.
Jason O’Halloran completed the top six, breaking away from Peter Hickman, Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan as Christian Iddon completed the top ten.
In the final race of the weekend, the target was on Glenn Irwin’s back, but he was able to hold off his rivals to celebrate his first treble victory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Skinner had launched into the lead on the opening lap from his front row start ahead of his Honda rival and Andrew Irwin.
On lap four, Glenn Irwin captured the lead as his brother Andrew moved into second place two laps later as they bid to make it a family affair at the front of the field.
The leading group was a freight train of seven riders with McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha pairing of Ray, Ryde plus Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan.
Ray had been dicing with Andrew Irwin throughout the closing stages, but the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider emerged ahead. Ray had enough pace to hold off Andrew Irwin who became the fifth different podium finisher of the opening round.
Buchan was also in the mix and trying to move ahead of his SYNETIQ BMW teammate, but on the penultimate lap, he ran wide at Brooklands and lost ground. Skinner and O’Halloran seized their opportunity to move ahead and the pair held on to fourth and fifth ahead of Buchan as they crossed the line for the final time.
Bridewell was seventh on the leading Ducati to hold off Lee Jackson whilst Peter Hickman and Kyle Ryde completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.079s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.994s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.032s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +4.321s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +4.979s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +7.798s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +8.586s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +8.642s
Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.553s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK)
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.864s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.487s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +2.550s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.693s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +2.969s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +4.183s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +4.242s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.017s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.257s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Silverstone:
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 75
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 46
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 42
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) 37
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 36
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 32
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 28
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 26
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin on the podium at Silverstone. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK
“Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and today is a new day’.
“I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this.
“I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – all positive in great team work – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes.
“Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
“To come away with three wins, we rewrote the script this weekend. I am buying the beers tonight!”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing UK:
Hat-trick for Honda Racing UK at Silverstone
The opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship has been a dream start to the season for Honda Racing UK, with Glenn Irwin dominating the weekend and winning all three races at Silverstone’s National Circuit aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Claiming victory in yesterday’s first race of the weekend in superb style leading from start to finish, Glenn started today’s second race from the second row of the grid in fourth place. Moving through the pack and making up places with just ten laps to go Glenn was second and fast closing the gap to race leader Bradley Ray, who just two laps later crashed out of the lead. With a clear track ahead, and a chasing Superbike field behind, Glenn crossed the line making it a double win.
The final race of the weekend Glenn lined up fifth, but once the race started he quickly made his way into second place. On the fourth lap, the Honda-man made his move on Rory Skinner to take over the lead, where again he dominated proceedings to cross the line picking up his first treble victory. After the success of the weekend the Honda Racing squad head into the next round at Oulton Park leading the BSB championship with 75 points.
Meanwhile teammate and BSB rookie Tom Neave had a solid point scoring weekend finishing today’s races 14th and 12th respectively. Throughout all races Tom was battling in groups with experienced riders including Josh Brookes, Tom Sykes as well as Leon Haslam. Learning so much this weekend off and on-track, Tom leaves Round 1 13th overall in the championship.
After yesterday’s disappointment in Race 1 where he was forced to retire from the running, Ryo Mizuno enjoyed two race finishes today in 17th and 20th, while teammate Takumi Takahashi finished just outside the points in 16th and 17th places.
The team will now look forward to the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park across the May Bank Holiday weekend 30 April – 2 May.
#2 Glenn Irwin
Three doesn’t come often for anyone and it’s a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, ‘put it away now and tomorrow is a new day’. I had a good chat with him this morning again and it’s a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don’t come a lot and we’re going to enjoy this. I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don’t think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend – but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes. Those three wins were for the team, there’s no ‘my’ team in this, I love all my teammates and I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
#88 Ryo Mizuno
It was a difficult weekend for me and I’m sorry to the team that I couldn’t bring out the best in both races today. I am very honoured that my teammate Glenn has won three races in a row. Congratulations to Glenn. The only way to break through is to keep going, so we’ll just keep trying to make progress.
#13 Takumi Takahashi
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone in the team who helped me complete my bike in the short time between Race 2 and Race 3. In the second race, I lost position after the start and I couldn’t make a good pace and it was difficult. In the final race, of course, it’s still not enough, including the results, but I had a bit of a feeling I could race in BSB for the first time. I felt that last year’s experience was not in vain. I want to improve on what I’m missing for the next race.
#68 Tom Neave
I really don’t know where to start, it’s been an unbelievable weekend, I’ve hit all my goals and expectations I had of Superbike racing, I’ve actually exceeded them a little. Sitting behind Josh [Brookes], Tom [Sykes] and Leon [Haslam] for some laps, not only did I learn so much from them, but also in myself and where I can be stronger than them. I followed them in Race 2 and wasn’t able to pass, but to be able to pick them off one by one in Race 3 just felt unbelievable with their experience and career history, it really boosted my confidence. The Honda team has been amazing and I absolutely love the new team environment and working with all the guys.
More, from a press release issued by Buildbase Suzuki:
Points on the board for Iddon at Silverstone
Christian Iddon leaves the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone with some points on the board and more data gathered from three solid days of track action, after missing out on valuable testing time in preseason.
The Buildbase Suzuki rider looked good throughout free practice, and felt he had a good rhythm ahead of the races, despite qualifying 11th with a crash in the session.
From the fourth row of the grid in race one he made a lightning start and after six laps he was holding fifth place. However, as the race progressed he dropped a few positions, and eventually crossed the line in eighth.
Sunday’s two races followed a similar pattern, as he made strong getaways off the line and battled for the top six early on, but was unable to maintain the pace and dropped back to take 10th and 11th at the flag.
Christian Iddon, “The weekend started really positively, I felt we had a good rhythm and I was genuinely looking forward to the races. In race one I was aggressive early on to try and get up to the group that I felt we should be in, but I couldn’t maintain the pace, lost that rhythm, and it was difficult. We made some changes this morning but they didn’t have the impact we were hoping for, and then you start riding differently and try and pinch a tenth here and there and lose two or three. But the pace is so hot, we’ve seen some big guns struggle this weekend.
“I felt we were more racey in the last one. We were just off that front group of riders and hanging in there. We picked up an electrical issue which cost a couple of spots in the end, and dropped us outside of the top 10. It would have been nice to have crossed the line and seen the podium positions at least, but it is what it is is. I expected more this weekend but I’m aiming high; I know there’s more potential in the bike and in me. It’s only round one, but next week’s test will be important, I’m keen to get to that and see how the bike behaves on a circuit that’s different in every aspect.”
Danny Kent made his return to racing for the first time after missing the second half of last season with injury. Already on the back foot, a lack of testing time only exacerbated the fact.
Still, he worked hard and made improvements over the course of the weekend, and fought for points in the three races. He finished 17th, 18th, and 15th.
Danny Kent, “It wasn’t the weekend I was hoping to start the year off with. I had higher expectations going into this weekend, even after missing the two-day test, but the pace was really fast compared to previous years. The positive we can take is that we kept closing the gap in each race. The team made some changes for the final race that made the biggest difference, and it was the best the bike felt all weekend. Of course the results aren’t what we want but it was good to race the bike again and get some laps in. The focus is now the Oulton test and look at where we need to improve.”
Race one: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Bradley Ray, 8. Christian Iddon, 17. Danny Kent
Race two: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Kyle Ryde, 3. Rory Skinner, 10. Christian Iddon, 18. Danny Kent
Race three: 1. Glenn Irwin, 2. Bradley Ray, 3. Andrew Irwin, 11. Christian Iddon, 15. Danny Kent
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