2019 MotoAmerica storylines

I can’t remember being more excited for a roadracing season than I am this year. I’m typing this up for a couple of reasons. Primarily, I’m posting it to get those who aren’t ‘in the know’ up to speed and excited about what’s to come. I’m also putting it up for posterity; it’ll be interesting to look back at the end of the year and see what storylines were significant and which weren’t. Let me know what I am missing, and I’ll add it to the original post. Also, feel free to post up your predictions and what you’re most excited about.

For the record, I get 95% of my information from RoadracingWorld.com, MotoAmerica.com, and Greg’s Garage Pod (a podcast hosted by Greg White and Jason Pridmore).


Josh Herrin on the Yoshimura superbike
This is the big one. Have you seen this guy’s Instagram? He’s making some bold claims, and he’s even got other pro riders chiming in with some (mostly) friendly trash talk. The funniest part is watching him argue with his fans in the comments section. 42% of me just wants him to let his riding speak for itself, 66% of me loves the entertainment value associated with the self-promotion, and 14% of me is terrible at math. Josh has noted that his feedback is consistent with Toni’s as far as where the bike needs to go development-wise, and his times were really competitive when they tested at Chuckwalla last month.


JD Beach on the Attack Performance R1
I was really excited about this when it got announced. JD was at the test with Herrin and Elias last month, and he was already showing some insane speed on the superbike. He’s also running the entire flat track season except for what I think are 2 rounds that conflict with MotoAmerica. He did note that MotoAmerica is the priority, though. Can he stay healthy running at the front in 2 series?


Mathew Scholtz – Westby Yamaha
Scholtz has shown a ton of promise, and he had some great results last year. The team is taking advantage of MotoAmerica’s relaxed electronics rules, and they’re running a Magneti Marelli system this year. Chuck noted on Greg’s Garage Pod that they’re really confident about the new electronics and think it will move them in a positive direction.


Kyle Wyman – Ducati V4
Besides being interested in seeing Ducati return to American roadracing, I’m also curious to see how Wyman gets along with the platform. Everyone knows he’s one of the hardest workers in the paddock, and I know he’ll come to round 1 as prepared as possible given the short(ish) timeframe. Will he do better on the V4 than the R1, or is all of the hype around the Ducati a byproduct of the company’s marketing prowess?


PJ Jacobsen returning to the States
PJ is coming to MotoAmerica on the HSBK / Celtic Racing R6. This kid was killing it on a Honda a couple of years ago in World Supersport and got 2nd in the championship in 2015. He struggled a bit when he moved to MV Augusta, and his World Superbike ride with Honda last year was rough. He is insanely talented, though, and I have no doubt that he’s going to be a multi-race winner and possibly take the championship. On Greg’s Garage Pod, he mentioned that he has never ridden a Yamaha R6 before, and he’s excited to finally be racing on one instead of racing against one. He'll also be doing a bunch of flat tracking this year.


Young Guns
Cory Ventura went straight from the Junior Cup to the 600 class with Omega Moto on a Yamaha R6, and Alex Dumas (last year’s Junior Cup champion) signed with Team Hammer to ride a Suzuki SV650 in the Twins class. Loaded question: which path is a better move career-wise? Team Hammer’s involvement in the Twins class will lend some legitimacy to that grid, and Alex’s participation should help to prove its viability as a good stepping stone to the bigger bikes. I’ll be watching these 2 kids specifically, but I’ll also be watching the Junior Cup races closely to see who steps up. Westby is fielding what might be a ‘ringer’ with a new entry in this class on a Yamaha R3 – Sam Tryg. Again, it’s awesome to see another superbike team fielding an entry in a different class and helping to grow the sport.


600 class
There are so many talented riders in this class, and I’m always a bit surprised when the races aren’t as competitive as you might expect. On paper, there should be a dozen riders in the lead pack, and we should see a bit more diversity on the top step of the podium. The absence of Graves’ formal involvement might shake that up a bit, and JD’s departure from the class obviously opens things up. Is Hayden Gillim going to run away with it, or are we going to see some bigger battles for the lead in this class? I actually have no idea what Valentin Debise is doing this year, and I feel like I’ve heard quite a few rumors about where he will end up.


Twins class
I’ve heard that this grid is going to be inordinately larger than it was last year. When I did the event at Laguna Seca last year, I was honestly really disappointed that we only had 12 riders on the grid. I like big grids and I cannot lie, you other brothas can’t deny… you get the point. I already mentioned that I’m excited about Alex’s entry, but the racing in this class should be really good this year if it can draw 20+ riders each round.


Other series
I don’t have the time to get as in depth with World Superbike and MotoGP, but I’m just as excited about those series. Lorenzo and Marquez – 2 alphas under the same tent and on the same bike is going to be insane. Petrucci on the factory Ducati is a great move and one to watch. The new team communication options could make things pretty cool from a fan’s standpoint; we’ll have to see if it plays into strategy enough to affect the racing. In WSBK, I’m curious to see how Davies does on the V4, and Bautista is already incredibly competitive on it after testing – someone needs to challenge Rea for the entire season. Sykes is on a BMW this season; that may or may not make for a good storyline.

 

Don’t forget the unknown.

Good summary, minus adding in the half ass other series when the title is MA!

 

I think the twins class is gonna see a lot of Dumas vs Turner....

Parrish will mix it up also!

 

Cant wait for the season to begin!

 

When’s the first race? Serious question.

 

April 5th - 7th. Road Atlanta.

 

Depends on the series (only because the initial post referenced the other series as well)....the first MA race is Road Atlanta as mentioned above....the first in general would be WSBK @ P.I. on Feb 24th, followed by MotoGP @ Qatar March 10th

 

Nice write up, can't wait for the racing to start.
Any word on the MA TV/Internet broadcasting package this season?

 

Great question, and unless I missed a major announcement, I haven't heard specifically. I've got MotoGP covered through the subscription on their website. Totally ready to pay extra if MA does something similar, but would obviously prefer to see those races broadcasted somewhere more mainstream.

 

That was a pretty darn good summation. Well done.

 

I’ve been told the ink is drying on the agreement, until then no announcement. It’s not a matter of if but a matter of when . Stay tuned sports fans, waiting sucks I know.

 

The wait is the hardest part.

 

I’m not made to wait!!! I need instant gratification

 

Coming from the king of teasing announcements lol

 

Very good write up, and I agree 122%!

 

I wish they’d hurry up with the tv package info so I can deal with directv.

 

Yer so cute! Like Ryan Carson's favorite one hit wonders, Milli Vanilli!

We won't be under a big tent for 2019, same program but a very powerful weapon, stay sharp my friends....

 

Sums it up pretty good. Thanx.

 

I'll throw beauchamp in that mix

 

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