Red Clay Rivalries: Five MotoAmerica Support Class Championships Continue At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

Elite Showcase Features Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, and the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. Program

BRASELTON, GA – April 14, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – As the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship rolls into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, five of the series’ ultra-competitive support classes—Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, and Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race.—join the premier class to deliver a full weekend of bar-to-bar action.

While Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and Talent Cup arrive in Georgia to continue their respective championships, Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. opens its 2026 season at Road Atlanta, adding a new layer of anticipation to an already stacked lineup at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

“Road Atlanta always delivers, and this weekend’s support classes are a big part of that,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Supersport comes in with real momentum after an exciting DAYTONA 200, and I expect that intensity to carry right into this round. Twins Cup continues to produce close, competitive racing every time out, and Talent Cup is giving us a great look at the next generation coming through the system. It’s also our first look at a new crop of Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. competitors, which has become a real fan favorite. And of course, Mission King Of The Baggers never disappoints here — those races are always a highlight at Road Atlanta.”

The famous “esses” section at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Supersport

The Supersport class took a much-needed break after the DAYTONA 200. The 57-lap affair stands apart from all other races on the Supersport calendar as a unique event. As the series moves to more traditional road courses and smaller lap counts, fans are in store for a dynamic sprint to the checkers in each of the weekend’s two 18-lap races.

Josh Herrin leads the pack into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta aboard his Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila Ducati Panigale V2. The 35-year-old Californian started the season with his fourth DAYTONA 200 win in a row and fifth overall, putting him on top of the points. Herrin looks to extend his championship lead at a track where he typically excels.

Josh Herrin joins the legends. With his latest Supersport victory, Herrin is now tied with AMA Hall of Famers Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel for the most career DAYTONA 200 wins at five. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Tyler Scott sits in second with 20 championship points, trailing Herrin by five heading into round two. Scott’s notoriously strong qualifying runs and calculated passes should keep him in striking distance of the lead, and he will be looking to capitalize at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, challenge Herrin, and stake his claim for the top step of the podium.

After a pole-setting performance at the DAYTONA 200 season opener, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott aims to bring that qualifying heat to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight’s Kayla Yaakov comes to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta third in points, just nine back from the leader. The Pennsylvania-born 18-year-old is intense and focused, combining fearless cornering with razor-sharp racecraft. Yaakov has shown a remarkable ability to learn quickly from every lap and will be a constant threat in the front group as the championship battle heats up.

Kayla Yaakov has already entered the history books as the first woman to win a MotoAmerica race and the first to podium at the DAYTONA 200. Now, she’s hunting for more as she aims to become the first female Supersport Champion in American road racing history. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

MotoAmerica Supersport newcomer Darryn Binder heads to Road Atlanta sitting fourth in the standings with 13 points despite his rookie status. After a strong debut and successful pre-season testing at this circuit, the former MotoGP rider looks to put his Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse Ducati Panigale V2 on the podium.

Rounding out the top five in points is Rahal Ducati Moto with Roller Die + Forming rider and 2025 Talent Cup and Twins Cup Champion Alessandro Di Mario. The Kentuckian finished fifth at the first round putting him 14 points out of first after racing in his first DAYTONA 200. The rising young star looks poised to run up front and contend for podiums.

Mission King Of The Baggers

The MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Championship heads into round two at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta with a close championship battle after an intense weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The pair of gritty feature races on the high banks rewarded fans with another thrilling showdown between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson, and the battle now moves to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian’s Troy Herfoss tops the early championship standings with 45 points aboard his Indian Challenger. Herfoss combined speed and savvy at the opening round to consistently put himself in points-scoring positions and now carries that momentum into a circuit that will test both rider and machine.

Following his race one victory at Daytona last month, Troy Herfoss praised the power of his Indian Challenger. He now looks to stretch the big V-twin’s legs on the long Road Atlanta backstraight. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Also riding an Indian Challenger for J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian, Hayden Gillim sits second in the standings with 32 points. Gillim displayed commanding pace in Daytona’s opening race and backed it up with competitive finishes throughout the weekend. Gillim will be looking to leverage that speed into his first double win of the year.

After a strong showing at the season opener, Hayden Gillim is looking to hunt down his points-leading teammate this weekend at Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson. 

Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman holds 32 points, tied for second with Gillim after strong first-round performances aboard his Harley-Davidson Road Glide. As the winningest rider in the class, Wyman’s experience makes him a perennial title threat as the series heads into more technical territory.

Defending class champion Kyle Wyman heads to Georgia on the hunt for a victory to close the points gap and shift the momentum back in Harley-Davidson’s favor. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Also aboard a Harley-Davidson Road Glide for Harley-Davidson x Dynojet Factory Racing, Bradley Smith sits fourth in the standings with 26 points. Smith’s consistency in the Daytona races allowed him to remain close to the leaders, and he’ll be aiming to capitalize on his experience and put himself into contention for the victory at Road Atlanta.

Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s James Rispoli is fifth in the championship on 22 points after solid results at Daytona. Riding his Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Rispoli has the pace to stay in the hunt, and he’ll look to build on his Daytona performance as the series transitions to the more technical challenges of Road Atlanta’s elevation changes and braking zones.

Twins Cup

The MotoAmerica Twins Cup championship heads to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta following a dramatic season opener at Daytona International Speedway, where drafting battles and razor-thin margins defined the opening round.

Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane arrives at Road Atlanta as the championship leader after piloting his Yamaha YZF-R7 to a dramatic race two victory in Daytona. The young Australian showed poise in the draft, but he will now face a different challenge at Road Atlanta, where precision is key.

Pulling double duty at Road Atlanta, Sam Drane leads the Twins Cup standings while also sitting tied for third in Talent Cup points. Drane looks to maintain his momentum in both classes as he continues his impressive charge through the 2026 season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Robem Engineering Aprilia’s Hank Vossberg sits second in the standings with 41 points after a strong Daytona showing aboard his Aprilia RS 660. With a race win already to his name, Vossberg has proven he has the pace to contend and will look to carry that momentum into a circuit that rewards rhythm and technical execution.

Hank Vossberg looked smooth and calculated in the first round and now looks to use his class experience to regain the points lead in Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bodie Paige holds 29 championship points, putting him third in the title chase entering the Atlanta round. After consistent results at Daytona aboard the Suzuki GSX-8R, the Australian teenager has established himself as a reliable frontrunner and will be looking to take the next step to battle for a win at Road Atlanta.

Bodie Paige leans into turn one at Daytona International Speedway. After a strong opening round, the young Aussie looks to carry that momentum into Road Atlanta. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Matthew Chapin sits fourth in points after narrowly missing a victory in Daytona’s race two on his Suzuki GSX-8R. Chapin’s speed and racecraft make him a clear contender, and he will be aiming to convert that pace into a win through the rolling hills of the Atlanta circuit.

While fifth in the standings is technically held by two riders, the first of the two, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Michel Agazzi will not compete at Road Atlanta. Agazzi has returned to Italy to focus on this year’s Suzuki GSX-8R Cup—the very series that earned him his one-off Daytona opportunity. With Agazzi absent, riders ranked below fifth will be eager to capitalize and close the gap on the championship leaders.

Karns/TST Industries Racing rider Kevin Olmedo occupies the fifth spot alongside Agazzi in the standings after a consistent Daytona outing aboard his Suzuki GSX-8R. Olmedo’s steady performance positions him well heading into Road Atlanta, where it seems he will break the tie in points, and continue to reel in the lead group.

Talent Cup

The Talent Cup points chase is likely to be a close battle all year long. After the Circuit of The Americas opener, the points standings show a two-way tie for first and a two-way tie for third heading into the picturesque Georgia road course.

Team Roberts rider Kensei Matsudaira won the most recent Talent Cup race two in Texas last month. Matsudaira came into the season with quiet confidence and a racer’s maturity well beyond his years. The Southern Californian instantly proved he belongs in the front group. With a smooth and calculated style, his performance demonstrated a rider capable of controlling races without overextending himself or the equipment. Expect him to be a factor for podiums all season long.

Kensei Matsudaira turned heads at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the United States last month, showcasing impressive speed at the opening Talent Cup round alongside MotoGP®. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Quarterley Racing’s Nathan Gouker showed flashes of brilliance in the opening round, using aggressive lines and late braking points to gain positions when it counted most. His give-it-all riding style sometimes walks the fine line between spectacular and risky, and he displayed his bike-control skills with multiple saves at the Austin circuit. After winning race one and swapping to second in race two, Gouker enters the Atlanta round tied for first in points with Matsudaira.

Nathan Gouker made a bold statement for Quarterley Racing at the season opener. The North Carolinian’s hard-charging style and first Talent Cup victory have already marked him as a title favorite for 2026. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Team Hammer’s Jake Paige currently sits tied for third in points. The Australian ripper finished third and fourth, respectively, in the two COTA races, leading laps in the process and gaining valuable race experience in his first full Talent Cup season. Paige knows he can run in the front group, and he brings that confidence to Road Atlanta in search of his first career MotoAmerica Talent Cup win.

After a breakout performance at the Circuit of The Americas last month, Jake Paige firmly established himself as a frontrunner in the Talent Cup. His pace in the lead pack suggests he’ll be a podium threat throughout the 2026 season. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing rider Sam Drane shares the third step in points with Paige. Drane and his three previously mentioned competitors have formed an early “front four” in the class. Drane showed patience at the opening round, was firmly in the lead group in both races, and he begins round two right in the middle of the points chase.

Heading east for round two, Texas native Rossi Garcia and his Rossi Motorsports team are carrying 22 championship points into Atlanta. Currently sitting fifth in the standings, Garcia aims to climb higher after grinding out two fifth-place finishes at his home track during the season opener.

Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race.

The 2026 Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. (BTR) program kicks off its sixth season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta with an all-female lineup of 10 riders. This year’s roster highlights the program’s global reach, featuring an even split between five American competitors and five international athletes, including four from Brazil and one from Canada.

These participants personally transform their Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s into race-spec machines before undergoing professional coaching and competing on a national stage. By combining mechanical fabrication with high-speed track execution, the series continues to foster a diverse, inclusive environment for women to develop their skills in professional road racing.

For the full 2026 MotoAmerica schedule, and to purchase tickets for MotoAmerica events, CLICK HERE

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About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com, and MotoAmerica’s social platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on-demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

Source: MotoAmerica

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