Get ready to see a lot more American riders on Motogp machines

Talented riders in the United States have always needed a fuel system for MotoGP, and MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup will provide it.

Every runner deserves the chance to follow a route as long and wide as their talent allows. At least, that’s how things would be in a perfect world.

Earlier this year I was talking to my racing coach about the lack of diversity in MotoGP, and in particular the lack of American riders. There is no shortage of tracks in the United States and racing requires money, which is also plentiful in the United States. So why haven’t we had an American MotoGP rider since Nicky Hayden? The answer: there is no power system.

Nicky Hayden came to MotoGP straight after winning an AMA Superbike championship, but that doesn’t happen anymore. Those days are over. In reality, if you don’t go through Moto3 and Moto2, you won’t have a chance in MotoGP. But even getting a spot in Moto3 or Moto2 is incredibly difficult, if not nearly impossible, if you don’t compete in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, a series filled with European riders.

Soon, talented young American riders will have the opportunity to get closer than ever to MotoGP, thanks to the MotoAmerica Talent Cup.

The Talent Cup is a partnership between MotoGP and MotoAmerica and is part of the “Road To MotoGP” program. It will replace MotoAmerica’s Junior Cup class and use motorcycles more in line with the models used in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and Moto3. The course is open to riders aged 14 to 21.

“We know that racing high-performance motorcycles provides our young athletes with more opportunities and better prepares them to race at higher levels on the ‘Road to MotoGP,’” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “This is the first time MotoAmerica has created a class for our young riders that are on the same level of performance as other “Road to MotoGP” Talent Cups around the world. MotoAmerica was founded on the very idea of ​​racing Moto3-style bikes, and now we are finally making this concept a reality. I am really excited because up to five riders will receive an invitation to participate in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup selection. My MotoAmerica partners are also excited. offer this opportunity to our young pilots.

Talent Cup racers will ride the Krämer APX-350 MA, which makes more than 50 horsepower, weighs less than 255 pounds (wet), features a fully adjustable chassis and suspension, and runs on Dunlop tires. More details on the bike and additional images will be released in August. The bike will sell for $22,495 and is expected to arrive in the United States in mid-February 2025.

“Krämer Motorcycles is proud to be the specific motorcycle supplier for the MotoAmerica Talent Cup and to help the next generation of American road racers on their path to the world stage,” said Jensen Beeler, CEO of Krämer Motorcycles USA. “Together with our partners at MotoAmerica, we believe we have created a machine that will elevate motorsport for American riders and be the tool that prepares riders for the Red Bull Rookies Cup, FIM Moto3 World Championship and beyond .”

But the question is: where are the MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders going? Well, for starters, up to five MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders per year will receive invitations to try out for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup selection. Even riders who fail to qualify for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup have a better chance of making a name for themselves and competing in a European series.

“I couldn’t be happier than when I saw that we will finally have a real ‘Road to MotoGP’ in the United States next year,” said FIM President Jorge Viegas. “We need more talented American pilots, and this is the way forward. MotoAmerica will allow young talents to climb all the steps until they reach MotoGP and the FIM can only applaud this initiative.

These are the kind of initiatives that give me hope for the future of motor racing. If done correctly, I have no doubt that this Talent Cup will result in more American riders riding MotoGP bikes. And I hope this will serve as a road map for other countries to implement the same style of collection system.

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