This morning I got the same press release from three different organizations – MotoGP, MotoAmerica, and Krämer Motorcycles. Sounds like something interesting is afoot…
The short story is that MotoAmerica is bringing back the Talent Cup for 2025, and it will be part of Red Bull’s “Road to MotoGP” program. Obviously I’m big fans of the folks over at Krämer and I want them to succeed, but the main reason I’m excited about announcement is because it has the potential to help young American riders that have the desire to make it to MotoGP but don’t have the resources to move to Europe to compete in the feeder leagues.
My business partner and I are big fans of this concept and we sponsor a couple of American youths that are trying to make their dreams happen. Maybe they’ll end up on one of these soon…
Kensei Matsudaira
Solomon Mervis
Check out the Kramer website for details on the new bike (which uses a 350cc, 50 hp single from a KTM XC-F off-roader) or keep reading to get the full press release (from MotoGP) if you’re curious:
MotoAmerica Talent Cup ready for launch in 2025
The all-new Cup will become the newest path on the Road to MotoGP™ next season – providing a new opportunity for young riders in North America
Friday, 14 June 2024
The all-new MotoAmerica Talent Cup will begin in 2025! This exciting addition to the Road to MotoGP™ programme is designed to provide a new, competitive platform for young riders in North America to hone their skills and get valuable racing experience.
The MotoAmerica Talent Cup takes the place of the current Junior Cup class at MotoAmerica’s Championship rounds and is for riders aged 14 to 21. The inaugural season will feature a pre-season test and a minimum of six events comprising 12 races. The majority of the events will be held alongside MotoAmerica, with one taking place alongside MotoGP™ at COTA.
Participants will race on Krämer APX-350 MA machines, featuring a Krämer chassis and a KTM 350 engine. The motorcycles will have a fully adjustable chassis and suspension, equipped with a Mectronik MKE5 racing ECU, and will run on Dunlop tyres. Riders will be responsible for purchasing and maintaining their bikes, with on-site technical assistance and spare parts provided by the manufacturer.
Age depending, the top 160cc and 190cc class riders from the MotoAmerica Mini Cup National Championships will be provided free season entry in the Talent Cup, as well as the top 190cc and 160cc participants from the FIM MiniCUP USA. Riders competing in MotoAmerica Talent Cup will also have plenty of opportunities to make the most of the Road to MotoGP™, with five places at the Selection Event for the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup also available to MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders, providing access to another valuable platform to show their talent.
MotoAmerica is committed to fostering the next generation of racing talent, and the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup will be an incredible new addition to the Road to MotoGP™!
“We know racing high-performance motorcycles provides our young athletes 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’s on the same performance-level bike as other Road to MotoGP Talent Cups worldwide. MotoAmerica was founded on the very idea of racing Moto3-type motorcycles, and now we’re finally making that concept a reality. I’m really excited because up to five riders will get an invitation to participate in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup selection. My MotoAmerica partners are also excited to provide our younger riders this opportunity.”
“Krämer Motorcycles is proud to be the spec-bike supplier of 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 in MotoAmerica, we believe we have created a machine that will elevate motorsport for American riders and be the tool that readies racers for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, FIM Moto3 World Championship, and beyond.”
“Like all of our motorcycles, the Krämer APX-350 MA is built with the single-minded purpose of winning on the racetrack, and without the compromises that come with a production-based machine,” said Markus Krämer, Founder of Krämer Motorcycles. “We believe this motorcycle is the ideal training platform for riders who are looking to advance to the international stage, and we will be proud to say one day that a World Champion started their career on a Krämer.”
“We’re very happy to welcome the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup to the Road to MotoGP™,” added Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer at MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna Sports. “America has a huge history in our sport, and we want to see more of that made in the future. The best way to do that, we know from experience across the Road to MotoGP, is to create an environment that provides valuable and relevant experience – but pairing it with the opportunity to progress. The new MotoAmerica Talent Cup will do that, providing a next step for those in the lower levels as well as the chance to move up and show their skills at the next level in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Selection Event. The Road to MotoGP is all about widening access to our sport and creating these kinds of opportunities, so we’re excited to see the Cup begin and look forward to welcoming the inaugural season alongside us at COTA next year.”