The MotoGP Silly Season is in full swing at Sepang, with rumors and speculation swirling. But there is also the first official and confirmed signing, with Aprilia announcing a contract extension of two years with Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian will remain with Aprilia for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

The news does not come as a surprise. At the Aprilia launch in Milan in January, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said that they were already talking with Bezzecchi and expected to sign a deal soon. Bezzecchi's strong 2025 season, and especially the second half of last year when he outscored everyone to finish third behind the Marquez brothers, was a testament to how well Bezzecchi fitted at Aprilia. So it was a natural step for both parties to continue.

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Zarco's Castrol Honda LCR & Moreira's all-new Pro Honda LCR liveries revealed.

The French veteran and the Brazilian rookie takes the covers off their machinery for our record-breaking 2026 season.

LCR took the covers off their stunning colour schemes for 2026 on Sunday, with the online show revealing a few updates for Johann Zarco's popular Castrol Honda LCR livery and an all-new look on the other side of the garage as Brazilian Diogo Moreira prepares to roll out with Pro Honda LCR for his rookie MotoGP season.

Zarco remains with the team - with whom he won the 2025 French GP in awesome style - for his third season, ready to fight at the front once more as his experience only continues to pay off. Moreira arrives fresh from becoming the first Grand Prix champion from Brazil after claiming the 2025 Moto2 title, one of the two exciting rookies joining this season.

Take a look through the new liveries below!

Lucio Cecchinello, Team Principal: "I was the first rider to kick off the LCR journey, which is not just my dream, but also the place I call home. Over the years, we've had the privilege of watching various riders evolve, each one leaving their mark with impressive results and unforgettable moments. For2026, I am incredibly proud to have Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira on board, fighting with the Pro Honda LCR team. He has consistently shown his exceptional ability to adapt to any bike, and his dedication, work ethic, and personality are a perfect fit for the values we uphold at LCR. I am really proud to have Johann Zarco on the team, fighting and defending the colours of Castrol Honda LCR. The experience Johann has gathered over the years is a great contribution to our results, and over the past years with him, we've built a strong bond with a common goal and a united synchrony.

"2026 marks LCR's 30th anniversary. Since 1996, we've earned 133 podiums, 41 wins, and 36 pole positions. As Team Principal, I cannot wait to see those numbers grow. We are fully committed and motivated to fight for it."

The first ride out for Zarco is the Sepang Test on Tuesday, with Moreira having already completed the Shakedown and ready to take back to the track. Tune in as the full MotoGP grid gets back in action!

The post MotoGP: Honda LCR Unveils Its 2026 Colors appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

HOUSTON - The fourth race of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship held its first stop of the 2026 season outside the state of California as Round 4 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship traveled to the Lone Star State and the domed confines of NRG Stadium. The first Triple Crown race of the stadium campaign produced the most unpredictable action of the young season as three different riders took race wins during the trio of 450SMX Class sprint races. However, none of those racers sat atop the overall podium at night's end as reigning 450SMX Class Champion Cooper Webb parlayed a consistent night into his first win of the season, providing a much-needed boost to what has been a frustrating start to the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider's title defense.

• 450SMX Class Results - Houston
• Western Divisional 250SMX Class Results - Houston

Defending Champion Cooper Webb Emerges with First Victory of Season After Triple Crown Showdown in Houston.

Race 1 was dominated by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki's Ken Roczen, as the German grabbed the holeshot and rode to an uneventful wire-to-wire win where he never faced a serious challenge for the lead. Roczen took the first checkered flag of the night by 1.9 seconds over Monster Energy Kawasaki's Chase Sexton, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Eli Tomac in third. Webb began the night with a fourth-place result, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jorge Prado rounded out the top five. Honda HRC Progressive's Hunter Lawrence saw a podium finish slip away when a late miscue and tip over relegated him to seventh.

 
The second race of the evening got underway with Prado out front for the holeshot, followed closely by Lawrence and Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance's Jason Anderson. Webb started fourth, with Roczen a few positions back in eighth. Both Tomac and Sexton were mired outside the top 10, with Tomac 11th and Sexton 17th. Prado impressed out front and led more than half of the race before Lawrence made the move in the closing stages and carried on to take the win. Webb battled his way into the top three and slipped by Prado as well to finish second, 2.1 seconds behind Lawrence. Prado held on for third, followed by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Justin Cooper in fourth and Roczen in fifth. Sexton did well to claw his way up to ninth, while the biggest moment of the race came when Tomac crashed while running sixth. The championship leader remounted and soldiered home to a 13th-place finish. After two races, Webb and Roczen sat tied for the lead, while Lawrence and Prado were tied for second.

 
The third and deciding race provided a captivating end to the night and began with Tomac out front for the holeshot, followed by Anderson and Lawrence. Webb started seventh, while Roczen (11th) and Prado (14th) were forced to battle back from outside the top 10. As riders jockeyed for position early, Webb made a costly error off the finish line jump that took him off track and back to eighth, behind each of his contending foes. Out front, Anderson charged by Tomac into the lead, as Lawrence followed through into second. The KTM rider settled back in and mounted an attack, which saw him get back by Lawrence for second and reclaim the lead from Anderson. Roczen, meanwhile, had fought his way up to fourth, just behind the leaders, in position for the overall. Lawrence then got by Anderson for second, which positioned the Honda rider for the overall. Behind them, Webb had overcome his early misfortune and was on the cusp of the top five. As he looked to pass his teammate for third, Roczen mistimed a rhythm section, which allowed Sexton and Webb to drop the Suzuki rider to sixth. Sexton then moved by Anderson for third but also mistimed a rhythm, which allowed Anderson, Webb, and Roczen to get by. Webb then went on the attack and made what became the winning move with a pass for third. Out front, Tomac bounced back from the adversity in the second race and cruised to the Race 3 win by 4.3 seconds over Lawrence. Webb successfully kept a hard-charging Roczen at bay for third, in what became the battle for the overall victory.

 
Webb's 4-2-3 finishes and nine total points sealed the 31st win of his decorated career and his sixth Triple Crown triumph. Lawrence came up a single point shy of a maiden victory with 10 points on 7-1-2 finishes but netted a third consecutive runner-up result. Roczen rounded out the overall podium after 1-5-4 finishes tied him with Lawrence but placed him in third via Lawrence's better Race 3 result. Tomac's victory in the final race was significant in the overall standings as he finished fourth with 17 points on 3-13-1 finishes. Sexton rounded out the top five (2-9-6), one week after he claimed victory at Anaheim 2.

 
By missing the podium for the first time in 2026, Tomac's lead in the 450SMX Class standings dropped to just four points over Lawrence, while Roczen moved to within 12 points of the lead. Sexton sits fourth (-14), while the win vaulted Webb up to fifth (-17).

Hunter Lawrence - 2nd Place - 450SMX Class:

"The first [race] is where it all went bad for me. Just a silly little mistake. I'm happy with how the night went from that point on, honestly. I rode really well and this format is one of the tougher ones for me. Short duration sprints don't come easy to me. I'm pretty happy with how it went after the first [race] and what could have been. We did good damage control and pulled four points back on the lead. We live to fight another day."

• 450SMX Class Point Standings

Haiden Deegan Sweeps Triple Crown Races for Third Straight 250SMX Win.

The Western Divisional 250SMX Class was much more straightforward as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Haiden Deegan was the class of the field in each race. The reigning champion made a statement in Race 1 after he grabbed the holeshot and ran away with a wire-to-wire win by a margin of 2.0 seconds over Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen and his teammate Cameron McAdoo. In Race 2 Deegan secured another top three start and methodically worked his way forward. He made clean passes around McAdoo, who earned the holeshot, and Kitchen, who led most of the race, to bring home his second win of the night by 3.9 seconds. The third and final race was Deegan's most challenging, as he and Kitchen engaged in a cat-and-mouse fight for third place early on. The Kawasaki rider made an aggressive dive under Deegan, but the Yamaha rider fought back and gave Kitchen a nudge as he reclaimed the spot. Deegan then tracked down his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammate Max Anstie for second and was patient before he made the pass on ClubMX Yamaha's Max Vohland, who captured the holeshot, for the race lead. Once out front, Deegan never looked back and completed the hat trick by 1.3 seconds over Anstie. Kitchen and McAdoo followed in third and fourth.

 
The Triple Crown sweep proved to be a statement in Deegan's title defense as he's now in the midst of a three-race win streak and continues to add to his lead in the championship standings. After a difficult start to the season that produced 6th, 4th, and 21st-place finishes, Kitchen broke through for his first podium result with a runner-up finish with 7 points on 2-2-3 finishes. McAdoo landed on the podium for the second time in three races and the 25th time in his career following 3-3-4 finishes for 10 points. Deegan's lead in the Western Divisional standings over his Star Yamaha teammates now sits at 19 points over Anstie, who finished sixth in Houston following 10-6-2 finishes, and 20 points over Michael Mosiman, who endured through his toughest race of the season in an eighth-place effort following 4-14-8 finishes.

• Western Divisional 250SMX Point Standings

For the second week in-a-row, the action of the 450SMX and 250SMX classes was complemented by the budding stars of SMX Next - Supercross. An elite group of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross took to the track once again with a field of 21 racers, with last week's winner Kayden Minear missing in action after the 18-year-old Australian crashed aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine during qualifying and was forced to sit out. As the gate dropped on the 8 Minute + 1 Lap race, it was 16-year-old Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Vincent Wey who put himself out front early with the holeshot. It wasn't long before 17-year-old Triumph Racing America rider Deacon Denno, a Texas native, took the lead to the delight of the home crowd. As the race wore on, all eyes were on another Texan, 16-year-old Caden Dudney, who charged to the lead aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing ride and stormed to his first SMX Next victory by a margin of 1.5 seconds over Denno for a Texas 1-2. Wey crashed out of third in the closing laps while he attempted to pass Denno for second, which allowed 18-year-old Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Landed Gordon to finish third.

The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday for the fifth race of the season from Glendale, Arizona's State Farm Stadium. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET.Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).

 
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final will go on pre-sale Tuesday, Jan. 27, with general tickets on-sale to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.

• Instagram: @supermotocross
• Facebook: @supermotocross
• X: @supermotocross
• YouTube: @supermotocross
• TikTok: @supermotocross

The post Supercross : Results From Houston, Texas appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The long wait is over. MotoGP takes to the track again, in public at least. The shakedown test is supposed to be held behind closed doors, though the few journalists and photographers who attend are only allowed into the paddock and the service road, and access to riders is limited. No times are published, leaving journalists reliant on screenshots of timing screens from team staff who are feeling generous.

On Tuesday, though, it all starts for real. The entire MotoGP grid will roll out of pit lane for their first laps of 2026. Well, not quite the entire MotoGP grid: Jorge Martin will be absent as he recovers from surgery in December to correct previous operations on scaphoid and collarbone, and Fermin Aldeguer is missing after breaking his femur in a training crash at the Aspar circuit in Valencia.

• Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP Test Preview: What Each Factory Hopes To Achieve
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The Gresini Ducati team held the online launch of their 2026 MotoGP campaign on Saturday, and issued the following press release:

BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP - PURE ESSENCE

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Kuala Lumpur, January 31, 2026 - The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team officially unveiled its new project for the 2026 season in a brand-new international setting. For the first time, the team presentation took place in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by title sponsor BK8 News, marking a significant step in the team's growth and global expansion.

Alex Márquez took centre stage at the event, attending in person alongside team management and partners, while Fermín Aldeguer joined via live connection from home due to an injury. A purely physical absence that did not limit the young Spanish rider's involvement in the sporting project, which will see him back on his Desmosedici as soon as possible.

The new livery represents a coherent evolution of Gresini Racing's identity: an essential and modern design, clean surfaces and enhanced volumes, with the team's iconic light blue interpreted in a richer, more solid finish. A clear stylistic choice that completely abandons chrome details to express an even stronger racing character.

The presentation was also an opportunity to remember Fausto Gresini and to retrace the moments that have shaped the history of the Faenza-based team, which this year enters its 30th MotoGP season.

ALEX MARQUEZ #73:  "I'm very happy with the new bike and really excited to start a new season with this team. This year the presentation in Kuala Lumpur was very special; it's a different and very important market. We hope it will be a season full of success, and on our side we will put in all the commitment and hard work needed to achieve our goals. We are absolutely ready to challenge ourselves."

FERMÍN ALDEGUER #54: "It is obviously a great disappointment not to be here in Kuala Lumpur for the team presentation. We've had a small setback and are working tirelessly to return as soon as possible. I miss the team and I miss the bike; unfortunately we need to do things properly and recover. That is the only goal at the moment: to get back to 100%, and then we will think about getting back on the bike. One step at a time. The bike is even more beautiful than last year's, and there is a strong desire to return".

NADIA PADOVANI - TEAM OWNER GRESINI RACING: "We leave behind a 2025 season full of confirmations and look ahead to 2026 with enthusiasm and great determination. Expectations remain high: we have a solid team, with a lot of experience behind us, and two extremely talented riders ready to continue the growth path we have built over the years. Fermín has joined the project with natural confidence and personality, immediately showing he has the right values and approach, and even though he is currently on the sidelines, he will be back with us very soon. Alex has everything it takes to be a consistent front-runner and to fight for the positions that matter every race weekend. We strongly believe in this pairing and in the work we are doing together. We are truly proud of this new project: a bike with a strong, essential character that perfectly reflects our identity and our desire to keep surprising."

MICHAEL GATT - BK8 NEWS MANAGING DIRECTOR: "Bringing the team launch to Kuala Lumpur is not simply a change of location. It reflects how BK8 News approaches this partnership. We are not involved only as a title sponsor. We are here to actively support Gresini Racing's global growth and connection with new audiences. BK8 News is built on credibility. Our role is to strengthen the visibility of Gresini Racing's values, heritage, and racing identity, while giving fans clearer access to the people, decisions, and effort behind the results. As the 2026 season begins, this project marks a shared commitment to long-term progress, on track and beyond, with the ambition to keep building together at the highest level."

The post MotoGP: BK8 Gresini Racing Launches Its 2026 Season appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The MotoGP Shakedown Test had barely got underway or a series of rider contract bombshells arrived. Fabio Quartararo heading to factory Honda, Jorge Martin to replace him at Yamaha, and Pedro Acosta to join Marc Marquez in the Ducati Lenovo team. It is all heating up, so Neil, David, Steve and Adam try to pick it all apart and make sense of it.

And of course we are on the eve of the Sepang MotoGP test, so the crew dissect what we can expect to see at the test, what each factory has to do, and answer some questions from our Patreon backers.

Please join our merry band of supporters by signing up to the Paddock Pass Podcast Patreon to get access to our Discord server and a host of exclusive content. Show you are listening to the world's smartest racing podcast by getting your t-shirts, caps, hoodies and more from our merch store. Enjoy the show!

• Read more about Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 535: MotoGP Silly Season Explodes, And Sepang Testing Preview
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The most intriguing times posted at the Sepang Shakedown test were set by KTM's reliability test rider Mika Kallio. The Finnish veteran's times on Thursday and Friday were 5 and 6 seconds off the best times, whereas today, on Saturday, he was just 2.6 seconds behind. That kind of variation is a sign of something going on.

The most obvious explanation would be that KTM are testing their 850 at Sepang. I have approached KTM for comment, but frankly, do not expect a reply. The shakedown test is a private test, and factories typically don't comment on private tests. Two things I did notice from looking at photos, however, just add to the confusion. Here's one, from Hazrin Yeob Men Shah's instagram feed:

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The MotoGP Shakedown Test at Sepang is over, and it is Aleix Espargaro who ended the three days as fastest, the Honda test rider roughly seven tenths off the outright testing lap record set here last year by Alex Marquez. Brother Pol Espargaro was a tenths slower on the KTM RC16, while Fabio Quartararo was the fastest of the Yamahas, half a second slower than the Honda test rider.

• Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test Day 3: Aleix Espargaro Fastest, Moreira Makes Big Step
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Foto: vsource.org 

The second private WorldSBK test at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve continued under difficult conditions on Day 2, with intermittent rain and strong winds once again restricting track time as teams worked through their final European outing before the Official Test at Phillip Island.

• Despite the lack of consistent dry running, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.itRacing - Ducati) topped the timesheets with a 1'59.144, narrowly ahead of teammate Iker Lecuona, who also dipped into the 1'59s as he continued his adaptation to the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati): "Unfortunately, this winter we were very unlucky with the weather. Today was the last day and it was raining again, so we decided to do some laps even in wet conditions. Honestly, though, the conditions were quite extreme: cold, very windy and very wet. I did a few laps just to check that everything was okay before heading to Australia. The bike is new, so it was still important to ride a little, even in the wet, but these conditions are not very useful. When you have a new bike, you really need to do a lot of laps to understand it, and also for the guys in the box to check that everything is working properly. Unfortunately, we couldn't really try anything this winter, so we'll go to Australia like this and see how it goes. The Official Test at Phillip Island will be very important. The goal will be to stay on track as much as possible and complete a lot of laps."

• Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) completed a structured programme across two machines, posting a best lap of 2'00.111 to finish the day inside the top three overall.

• Further down the order, Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) made the most of the limited opportunities available, setting a 2'00.757 as he continued his learning process ahead of his rookie WorldSBK campaign.
   

• Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) also returned to the track, adding mileage during a second consecutive day of testing at Portimao and recording a best lap of 2'01.610.
   

• Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) also took advantage of the test to log steady mileage aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R, with a best time of 2'04.442 as he focused on set-up work rather than outright pace.
   

• Meanwhile, Xavi Fores continued his development role with bimota, completing valuable laps on the KB998 Rimini.
   
• With wet weather limiting track time at Portimao, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team chose to relocate its test to Valencia to benefit from dry conditions. 
   
• In WorldSSP, Philipp Oettl was the sole representative on track, using the mixed conditions to continue preparations ahead of the Australian season opener.
   
• Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) were both present at Portimao, having completed their running on Wednesday, as Yamaha teams chose not to make use of their testing days in the challenging conditions.

The post WSBK: Rain-disrupted Portimao Test appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Inside One of Road Atlanta's Most Influential Figures: Donnie Rowe | Candy's World On Wheels Ep. 17.

Our guest Donnie Rowe shares behind-the-scenes stories from MotoAmerica weekends, Road Atlanta, and a lifetime immersed in motorcycle racing culture. A former road racer and longtime fixture at Road Atlanta (Donnie Rowe Boulevard), Donnie talks racing history, fan culture, and how MotoAmerica weekends grew into the high-energy community experience fans know today.

The post Candy's World On Wheels: Ep. 17 with Donnie Rowe appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

By John Ulrich

There is a lot to be said for award banquets held by racing organizations. AFM, the club I started racing with in 1973, held a 2025 banquet last Saturday in Benecia, Californa. ASRA and NJMiniGP had a combined award banquet scheduled in Hammonton, New Jersey on the same day, but rescheduled it to February to avoid the giant snowstorm that battered a huge swath of the country last weekend and early this week.

Over the years I have been to many awards banquets, big and small, hosted by AFM, AMA Pro Racing, WSMC, WERA, CMRA, MRA, Formula USA, ASRA, MotoAmerica, and others. Most of them were really fun for me, with the best part catching up with other racers and old friends.

The biggest annual banquets I have been to were hosted by the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1940 and now run by a 15-member board. For 15 years (through 2025) the organization was led by President and Daytona 200 winner Don Emde; the newly-elected 2026 President is Norm Bigelow. The Trailblazers Club has its own Hall of Fame covering all sorts of motorcycle racing and gives out various awards. The annual banquet is held in Carson, California and draws about 700 people (last year's event sold out at 720!) and a ticket costs $135. The times I have attended it's been fun seeing and hanging out with all sorts of racing and motorcycle industry luminaries; I usually sit at a table with Ron Pierce, one of my best racing friends, and his lovely wife Carol. Another Trailblazers event coming up this spring.

As fun as they can be, fewer organizations seem to be holding award banquets, so it you get a chance, go to one, applaud the champions and award winners, and enjoy yourself!

If your organization has an award banquet, send in (or ask the organizers to send in) photos of the event and at least some of the awardees, to pressreleases@roadracingworld.com. 

The post A Tribute To Motorcycle Racing And Industry Award Banquets appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Homestead, Florida (2026) — Karns / TST Industries Racing opened its 2026 campaign by bringing the full race team together for the first time at Homestead, completing a productive multi-rider test and officially unveiling its rider line-up for the new season. Returning to the squad are Isaac Woodworth (#27). New additions Kevin Olmedo (#116) and Solomon "Solly" Mervis (#25) as the team continues development of its Suzuki GSX-8R program.

Isaac Woodworth is back for 2026 after delivering strong performances last season and showing frontrunning potential.

"The test at Homestead was really productive. We made good progress with the setup, got solid data, and I felt very comfortable the whole time." — Isaac Woodworth

Olmedo returns to competition for the first time since 2022 after working to overcome a serious illness, arriving at Homestead focused and motivated.

"I really appreciate the opportunity that Jason Karns and the rest of my sponsors are giving me. We went to Homestead for some testing. The bike felt really good although the riding style is different than I'm used to. Lap by lap we got confidence and better pace. I am really happy with the team, I know how hard they have been working, and I am ready to start the season at Daytona." — Kevin Olmedo

Mervis (known to most as "Solly") becomes the newest addition to the rider roster after previously testing with the team and racing NJMP in 2025.

"I had a lot of fun getting back on the bike after being in the classroom so much and it felt great to get back into the rhythm of racing. We tested a range of different setups and found some direction with the bike that I know I will like moving forward. I'm very excited to be part of the Karns Team,and I can learn a lot from Kevin, and Isaac." — Solomon 'Solly' Mervis

Team Principal Jason Karns on 2026 Momentum

With rider and crew additions, the team leaves Homestead confident in its direction and ready for the season opener.

"I am very confident in the Suzuki GSX-8R that we have been developing for some time now and I am excited to get the season started. With new additions to both the riders and the crew, morale is high." — Jason Karns, Team Principal

2026 Team Partners

•Karns Performance

•TST Industries

•Meck's Auto Body

•IceBarn Racing

•Bobblehead Moto

•Andreani USA / Nitron Suspension

•NG Brakes

•Spiegler Brake Lines

•Blumanstock Machine

•M4 Exhaust

•Blud Lubricants

•Vesrah brake pads

•Woodcraft Technologies

•Nutter Block 3D

About Karns / TST Industries Racing

Karns / TST Industries Racing is a competition motorcycle road racing team committed to rider development, professional preparation, and ongoing performance engineering—centered around continued development of the Suzuki GSX-8R platform.

The post MotoAmerica: Karns Racing Announces 2026 Rider Line-Up appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Miller takes Yamaha's V4 to the top as Shakedown Test Day 2 concludes. 

Putting Yamaha's new project through its paces in Malaysia, the Australian topped the times by just 0.025s

It's time to keep on shaking down as the Day 2 of the Sepang Shakedown Test draws to a close and we take another step closer to the first racing month of the year. With the factory test riders, manufacturers from Rank D - Yamaha and their full-time riders - and rookies on track, it's vital track time which is almost impossible to replicate at any other time of the season. Hotter and far more humid today compared to day one, sunny skies greeted riders for their second day of 2026 action.

It was a positive day for Yamaha as Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) topped the timesheets and dipped into the 1'57 bracket, setting a 1'57.908, nearly a second quicker than Alex Rins' day two-topping time from 2025's shakedown. Just a couple of tenths behind him in P4, we got our first look at Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in 2026 and the 2021 World Champion hit the ground running. He put both his bikes in the top five, whereas teammate Alex Rins wasn't far behind in P7 on the times but fifth fastest rider.

Rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) knocked seven tenths off of his day one lap time as he continued to learn the V4 Yamaha, Michelin tyres and Sepang. Finally for the Iwata manufacturer, their test team were hard at work again but this time with two riders: Augusto Fernandez and MotoGP Legend Andrea Dovizioso. Between them, a best of 1'59.351.

Hot on the heels of the Japanese manufacturer, the KTM clan were once again near the top of the times. Pol Espargaro was up in P2 at the chequered flag and into the 1'57s too, just 0.025s away from Miller at the top. 'Polyccio' wasn't the only KTM on track on day two though as Dani Pedrosa continued his work long into the afternoon, setting 47 laps and putting both of his RC16s in the top ten fastest times. Along with Pedrosa and Espargaro, Mika Kallio also joined in, setting a best lap time of 2'04.376.

Onto Honda and it was Espargaro of the Aleix variety who was their fastest rider. Aleix Espargaro posted a 1'58.066 to put himself third and just 0.133s away from brother Pol. He did have a technical issue though but that's what testing is for after all, to give all the new equipment a good run out before the full-time race team takes over. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) continued his adaptation, knocking off nearly a second from day one and now into the 1'59s.

Ducati's sole rider Michele Pirro continued putting in his hard yards. 46 laps bagged and a best of a 1'59.155 meant he was only 1.2s off Miller's best time of the day and took off six and a half tenths from his opening day banker. After the aero breakout of day one, it seemed a calmer day for the Italian manufacturer.

Finally, onto probably the busiest test rider on track: Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia. He's in charge of dialling in all the bikes that will be used during pre-season testing; that's eight across the board - two per full-time rider. He spent day two mainly focussing on the bikes from Trackhouse whilst on the technical front, it seems the chassis that Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) ended his 2025 campaign so strongly with and that teammate Jorge Martin liked in Valencia will now become the standard one for 2026. It's just the small matter of aero that needs to be finalised.

Three different manufacturers in the top three, covered by around a tenth and a half and Yamaha not just leading the way but seemingly finding their V4 feet. One more day awaits in the heat and humidity of Sepang before a couple of days 'rest' to gather up the energy for the full-time riders to tackle the track!

The post MotoGP: Results of the Shakedown Test Day 2 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The group of investors led by former F1 team boss Günther Steiner have completed their purchase of the Tech3 team from Hervé Poncharal and the other owners of the squad. The proposed purchase was announced last summer, with Steiner giving a press conference at Barcelona. It has taken until January to finalize and complete the deal.

The press release issued by the investor group offers an insight into their ambitions, and perhaps a view into why Liberty Media purchased MotoGP. The group see the potential for MotoGP to grow and to expand outside of its European base. The press release underlines this in the following statement: "MotoGP has a unique opportunity to grow its North American and Asian footprint, draw widespread appeal to a sport that has traditionally attracted European fans and motorcycle enthusiasts, and invest in the institutionalization efforts necessary to build the value of the World Championship and its competing teams."

• Read more about Steiner-backed Group Completes Takeover Of Tech3 Team
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The Thai rider continues to take steps in his recovery; however, Japanese Honda HRC test rider Tetsuta Nagashima will race in his stead in Australia

B2B News | Source: NUUK Mobility | NUUK Mobility has crossed a significant milestone: more than 30,000 vehicles under management, reinforcing its position as one of Spain's most relevant players in professional delivery and connected fleet mobility.

Specialised in end-to-end fleet management and the design and commercialisation of light electric vehicles, NUUK has become a key operator for professional distribution, working with nearly 50 major clients nationwide. Its business model combines electric vehicles purpose-built for professional use with a comprehensive ecosystem of services, delivered as a flexible, turnkey solution that allows companies to fully outsource fleet operations and focus on scaling their core business.

Today, NUUK manages a highly diverse fleet of two-, three- and four-wheel vehicles, providing services such as maintenance, roadside assistance, logistics support and geolocation, among other value-added solutions. The fleet includes mopeds, motorcycles, vans and even trucks, both electric and combustion-powered.

This scale, combined with strong technological capabilities and nationwide coverage, positions NUUK as a reference in connected professional mobility, with particular strength in the fast-growing urban delivery (last-mile) segment.

Among its most notable partners are leading organisations in logistics and food service. One standout example is Correos, Spain's national postal service, which has already incorporated more than 2,500 units of NUUK's cyber-secure electric motorcycle, the CARGOPRO, into its operations. NUUK also works closely with several major restaurant chains, where it has established itself as a long-term strategic mobility partner.

Headquartered in Bizkaia, with operational hubs in Galdakao and Madrid, NUUK coordinates fleet management, engineering and technological development for the entire Iberian Peninsula. In line with its strategic roadmap, the company has also expanded beyond its traditional two-wheel focus, strengthening its presence across multiple vehicle categories.

That evolution is exemplified by one of NUUK's most significant recent achievements: being awarded the management of almost the entire Correos delivery fleet.

Under this agreement, NUUK will manage close to 12,000 Correos vehicles, a clear signal of the confidence placed in the company by large-scale public and private operators. The fleet includes more than 6,500 light vehicles, electric and combustion motorcycles, as well as over 5,000 four-wheel vehicles, ranging from cars and vans to trucks of various sizes, both electric and conventional.

"We are proud to be the trusted partner of Spain's leading delivery fleets," says Gorka Lozano, CEO of NUUK Mobility. "Our commitment is to support companies by solving their day-to-day operational challenges, deploying, connecting and managing their fleets so they can operate at maximum efficiency."

One of NUUK's key differentiators lies in its proprietary telematics and fleet management platforms, operated by specialised in-house teams. Through NUUK Connectivity, technicians monitor vehicle location in real time, routes, alerts, user profiles and customised reporting for clients.

Roadside assistance is managed through the NFM app, enabling immediate response to incidents. NUUK's contact centre has direct access to real-time vehicle data and coordinates with the nearest workshop to provide on-site assistance or repairs, improving both safety and operational uptime.

Together, these platforms offer a 360-degree view of fleet operations, supported by expert teams and tools for predictive maintenance, operational cost control, ITV management, fines administration and full document handling.

Looking ahead, NUUK is also developing an innovative battery-swapping locker system, designed to optimise electric vehicle usage in urban delivery operations and significantly reduce downtime. Already piloted in Madrid, the project underlines NUUK's ongoing commitment to faster, more efficient and more sustainable urban mobility.

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during February 2026.

This list includes 38 opportunities to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of  February in North America.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by emailing to calendar@roadracingworld.com or to pressreleases@roadracingworld.com.

Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it's going to be held as publicized.

2/1-2 Florida Track Days (FTD), Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

2/1-2 American Supercamp, Double Check Arena, Eaton, CO - Special 30th Anniversary Racer Camp

2/5 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, Semi Private Supermoto School

2/7 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

2/7 Race Pace Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CW, Desert Center, CA

2/7 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, Firebird Motorsports Park CCW, Phoenix, AR

2/7-8 FIM MotoMini USA East/SFLMiniGP Championship, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL (Round 1)

2/8 Race Pace Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Rcwy., CW, Desert Center, CA

2/8 Superbike-Coach Corp. (School), Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

2/7-9 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL (Track Days)

2/7-8-9 Precision Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

2/9 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, Semi Private Supermoto School

2/10-11 Rich Oliver's Mystery School (Dirt Track School), POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course

2/12 Racers Edge Track Days And Private Coaching Days, Private day with training, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

2/12-15 AHRMA National Road Racing Series, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

2/12-15 AHRMA Academy of RoadRacing (AAR) & Sidecar Racing School (SRS), Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA (BOTH AAR & SRS)

2/13-15 Chuckwalla Valley Motorcycle Association (CVMA) Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA (CW)

2/14-15 Trackdaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Circuit (New Track), Buttonwillow, CA

2/14-15 ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, Firebird Motorsports Park East, Chandler, AZ

2/15 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

2/16 Let's Ride Track Days & Schools, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

2/16 Rich Oliver's Mystery School (Dirt Track School), PSR Day

2/16-22 Colin Edward's Texas Tornado Boot Camp (Dirt Track School), 7-Day Camp, Montgomery, TX (Beginners are not eligible for Racer Camp)

2/17 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA, Semi Private Supermoto School

2/18-19 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

2/20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

2/20-21 Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) Series, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

2/21-22 WERA Sportsman Series Mid Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL

2/21-22 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL

2/21-22 Precision Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

2/22 Superbike-Coach Corp. (School), Cornering School Day 2, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

2/22 Socal Supermoto School, Apex Motorsports Park, Perris, CA

2/22 XCEL Trackdays Track days, Firebird Motorsports Park, Chandler, AZ, West Track

2/23 2Wheels Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

2/24-25 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

2/1-2 American Supercamp, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA - Non-Racer Camp

2/28 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

2/28 Superbike-Coach Corp. (School), Track Drill 1-on-4 Coaching, Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, CA

The post Where To Ride In February 2026 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

• Read more about 2026 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test Day 2: Jack Miller Fastest As Yamaha Joins The Fray
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The Italian rider has looked strong so far in testing, and hopes to get the most out of his new 2026 bike through more productive days of testing in Australia

Source: sponsored press release GR1T Motorcycles | GR1T Motorcycles announces the launch of Raider, a new electric motorcycle concept developed as a dual-use platform for military, law-enforcement, and civilian riders operating in demanding environments.

Raider is built on GR1T's proven G1 electric motorcycle platform, combining robust off-road capability with advanced electric powertrain performance. The concept reflects GR1T's ongoing focus on modularity, resilience, and adaptability, delivering a vehicle designed for operational flexibility across a wide range of use cases.

The GR1T Raider has been conceived as a multi-role electric motorcycle, capable of supporting professional security and defence requirements while remaining suitable for civilian riders who prioritize durability, range, and functionality.

At its core, Raider utilizes GR1T's G1 platform architecture, delivering:

• Up to 150 km operational range, depending on configuration and usage;
• 2 removable batteries (with cargo capacity for up to 4 more);
• Top speed of approximately 130 km/h;
• A compact, torque-optimized electric drivetrain suited to urban, rural, and off-road environments.

The electric powertrain offers low acoustic and thermal signature advantages, alongside reduced maintenance requirements and simplified logistics compared to conventional internal-combustion alternatives.

Building on the G1 platform, the Raider concept integrates a series of targeted enhancements intended to support more demanding operational scenarios:

• Enhanced infra-red (IR) shielding of the motor and powertrain to reduce thermal visibility;
• Advanced waterproofing of critical powertrain components, improving reliability in adverse weather, wet conditions and crossing shallow rivers or streams;
• Extended rear seat and reinforced load area, designed to accommodate heavy-grade equipment and cargo;
• Additional attachment points for modular cargo solutions, including tank bag and rear-mounted side saddle and top box systems;
• Leg and grip protection, improving rider stability and comfort during extended or off-road operation;
• Additional side lighting to enhance visibility and situational awareness;
• Master light kill switch, enabling rapid control of visible lighting when required;
• Increased ground clearance paired with heavy duty off-road tyres, extending capability beyond tracks, dirt roads and off-road conditions. 

Together, these features position Raider as a platform suitable for patrol, reconnaissance, logistics support, and specialist civilian applications.

Raider has been designed with flexible rear-section architecture, allowing for specialized storage systems and attachment points. This configuration supports the carriage of additional riders or equipment on the rear section, subject to configuration and regulatory requirements.

This modular approach enables the platform to be adapted for different missions, roles, and user needs without fundamental redesign.

With Raider, GR1T continues its platform-based development strategy: designing core vehicle architectures that can be adapted, configured, and evolved to meet the needs of different markets without compromising performance or reliability.

"Raider is not a finished product: it is a statement of intent," said Omar Abukhlal, CEO of GR1T Motorcycles. "It reflects how we think about electric motorcycles: as adaptable, modular platforms that can support real-world operational needs, whether civilian or professional."

The GR1T Raider concept has been presented to the public at the Verona Motorcycle Exhibition, where attendees will had the opportunity to view the platform and engage with the GR1T team. Further technical details and development updates will be released in subsequent announcements.

GR1T is an electric motorcycle company focused on the development of modular, high-performance electric platforms designed for demanding real-world use. GR1T's approach combines advanced electric drivetrain technology with robust mechanical design, enabling applications across civilian, industrial, and professional sectors.

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The newest member of the factory Ducati squad was pleased with their progress on his testing regimen so far this preseason