Italian rider Yari Montella renewed his contract with Barni Spark Racing Team (Barni Ducati) through the end of the 2027 World Superbike (WorldSBK) season, officials confirmed during World Ducati Week. The multi-year extension secures Montella?s place for a third WorldSBK season with Barni, following two prior World Supersport campaigns, ensuring continuity on the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid.
Montella?s multi-year contract extension with Barni Spark Racing Team, confirmed during World Ducati Week, secures his place on the team through the 2027 World Superbike season, marking his third consecutive year in the premier class with Barni Ducati. According to WorldSBK.com, the Italian rider, who races under number 5, had already been contracted through 2026, and the recent renewal extends that agreement by an additional year. The partnership between Montella and Barni now spans five consecutive seasons, including two years in the World Supersport Championship (2023 and 2024) followed by the current and future WorldSBK campaigns from 2025 to 2027, officials said.
At the time of the announcement, Montella was ranked third in the 2026 WorldSBK Riders? Championship standings, reflecting his strong performances throughout the season.
Motorsport media outlet CorseDiMoto reported that Montella had achieved eight podium finishes since the opening round at Phillip Island, demonstrating consistent form that contributed to his elevated championship position. These results, combined with his development trajectory, prompted Barni team principal Marco Barnabò to extend Montella?s contract beyond the 2026 season, sources confirmed. Barnabò described the renewal as a vote of confidence in the 25-year-old rider?s progress and maturity within the team.
Montella?s rise through the ranks has been closely tied to Barni Ducati, a Bergamo-based independent team led by Barnabò. The team competes on the Ducati Panigale V4 R, and Montella?s continued presence ensures stability in one of the two seats Barni fields in WorldSBK. Spanish and Italian motorsport reports emphasized that Barni?s confirmation of Montella for 2027 anchors their WorldSBK project amid ongoing negotiations concerning other Ducati riders, including Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci. Montella?s role as a leading independent Ducati rider is underscored by his long-term commitment and technical familiarity with the Panigale V4 R, which he first piloted in his WorldSBK debut season in 2025 alongside Petrucci.
Before stepping up to WorldSBK, Montella established himself as a front-runner in the World Supersport Championship with Barni Spark Racing Team. Records show he finished as vice-champion in the 2024 WorldSSP season, securing seven wins and 19 podium finishes over two years with the team. This strong Supersport performance laid the foundation for his promotion to the premier class. Montella?s career progression from WorldSSP to WorldSBK within the same team reflects a strategic development plan by Barni, according to team insiders and media reports.
The contract extension was officially announced on WorldSBK.com under the headline ?Montella stays put: The #5 renews with Barni Ducati, continuing their agreement through 2027,? and corroborated by specialist outlets including CorseDiMoto and SAPO. These sources highlighted that the renewal is a continuation of an existing relationship rather than a new signing, emphasizing the multi-year nature of the agreement that clarifies Montella?s future in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid. The extension also aligns with Barni?s broader strategy to maintain a competitive presence with two Ducati Panigale V4 R machines in the championship.
Montella, born on January 5, 2000, is currently 26 years old and has developed into a key rider within the Ducati ecosystem. His long-term commitment to Barni Ducati positions him as a medium-term project rider, providing a stable platform to build on his Supersport success and further establish himself among WorldSBK front-runners. With the renewal in place, media coverage indicates that attention within Ducati?s WorldSBK structure is now shifting towards resolving contracts for other riders, including Bautista and Petrucci.
The extension through 2027 ensures Montella remains an integral part of the Ducati rider pool in WorldSBK, competing alongside factory-backed teams such as Aruba.it and other Ducati-powered independent outfits. His continued development on the Panigale V4 R is expected to benefit from the technical consistency and team familiarity that a long-term contract with Barni provides, according to industry analysts and team statements.
Italian rider Yari Montella renewed his contract with Barni Spark Racing Team (Barni Ducati) through the end of the 2027 World Superbike (WorldSBK) season, officials confirmed during World Ducati Week. The multi-year extension secures Montella?s place for a third WorldSBK season with Barni, following two prior World Supersport campaigns, ensuring continuity on the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid.
Montella?s multi-year contract extension with Barni Spark Racing Team, confirmed during World Ducati Week, secures his place on the team through the 2027 World Superbike season, marking his third consecutive year in the premier class with Barni Ducati. According to WorldSBK.com, the Italian rider, who races under number 5, had already been contracted through 2026, and the recent renewal extends that agreement by an additional year. The partnership between Montella and Barni now spans five consecutive seasons, including two years in the World Supersport Championship (2023 and 2024) followed by the current and future WorldSBK campaigns from 2025 to 2027, officials said.
At the time of the announcement, Montella was ranked third in the 2026 WorldSBK Riders? Championship standings, reflecting his strong performances throughout the season.
Motorsport media outlet CorseDiMoto reported that Montella had achieved eight podium finishes since the opening round at Phillip Island, demonstrating consistent form that contributed to his elevated championship position. These results, combined with his development trajectory, prompted Barni team principal Marco Barnabò to extend Montella?s contract beyond the 2026 season, sources confirmed. Barnabò described the renewal as a vote of confidence in the 25-year-old rider?s progress and maturity within the team.
Montella?s rise through the ranks has been closely tied to Barni Ducati, a Bergamo-based independent team led by Barnabò. The team competes on the Ducati Panigale V4 R, and Montella?s continued presence ensures stability in one of the two seats Barni fields in WorldSBK. Spanish and Italian motorsport reports emphasized that Barni?s confirmation of Montella for 2027 anchors their WorldSBK project amid ongoing negotiations concerning other Ducati riders, including Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci. Montella?s role as a leading independent Ducati rider is underscored by his long-term commitment and technical familiarity with the Panigale V4 R, which he first piloted in his WorldSBK debut season in 2025 alongside Petrucci.
Before stepping up to WorldSBK, Montella established himself as a front-runner in the World Supersport Championship with Barni Spark Racing Team. Records show he finished as vice-champion in the 2024 WorldSSP season, securing seven wins and 19 podium finishes over two years with the team. This strong Supersport performance laid the foundation for his promotion to the premier class. Montella?s career progression from WorldSSP to WorldSBK within the same team reflects a strategic development plan by Barni, according to team insiders and media reports.
The contract extension was officially announced on WorldSBK.com under the headline ?Montella stays put: The #5 renews with Barni Ducati, continuing their agreement through 2027,? and corroborated by specialist outlets including CorseDiMoto and SAPO. These sources highlighted that the renewal is a continuation of an existing relationship rather than a new signing, emphasizing the multi-year nature of the agreement that clarifies Montella?s future in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid. The extension also aligns with Barni?s broader strategy to maintain a competitive presence with two Ducati Panigale V4 R machines in the championship.
Montella, born on January 5, 2000, is currently 26 years old and has developed into a key rider within the Ducati ecosystem. His long-term commitment to Barni Ducati positions him as a medium-term project rider, providing a stable platform to build on his Supersport success and further establish himself among WorldSBK front-runners. With the renewal in place, media coverage indicates that attention within Ducati?s WorldSBK structure is now shifting towards resolving contracts for other riders, including Bautista and Petrucci.
The extension through 2027 ensures Montella remains an integral part of the Ducati rider pool in WorldSBK, competing alongside factory-backed teams such as Aruba.it and other Ducati-powered independent outfits. His continued development on the Panigale V4 R is expected to benefit from the technical consistency and team familiarity that a long-term contract with Barni provides, according to industry analysts and team statements.
Honda HRC riders Takumi Takahashi, Jonathan Rea and Somkiat Chantra won the 47th Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race Sunday at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan. The victory marked Honda?s fifth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win and its 32nd overall, extending the manufacturer?s record at the event, officials said.
Riding the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the No. 30 Honda completed 188 laps in 7 hours, 54 minutes and 19 seconds, finishing approximately 94 seconds ahead of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team No. 21, according to race classification reports. The winning margin over the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team No. 37 was about 104 seconds, with some sources noting slight discrepancies in exact gaps but confirming Honda?s clear lead.
The Honda HRC team, comprised of Takumi Takahashi, Jonathan Rea and Somkiat Chantra, claimed victory at the 47th Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race held Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan.
Honda HRC secured pole position based on combined Friday qualifying times after the scheduled Top 10 Trial was canceled due to rain. Jonathan Rea set the fastest lap of 2:04.422, complemented by Takumi Takahashi?s 2:05.055, resulting in a combined pole time of 2:04.738, officials said. The race began at 11:30 a.m. JST in a traditional Le Mans-style start, with Honda leading the field from the front. Despite intermittent and sometimes heavy rain causing fluctuating track conditions, Honda HRC managed the race effectively, adapting tire and pit strategies as necessary. The event concluded under safety-car conditions, which preserved Honda?s lead after a previously held gap of roughly 20 seconds, according to race reports.
Jonathan Rea, serving as a Honda test rider following his retirement from full-time competition at the end of the 2025 World Superbike season, secured his third career Suzuka 8 Hours victory. Rea contributed significantly to the team?s qualifying performance, topping the timesheets on Friday, sources confirmed. Somkiat Chantra was officially listed as one of the three winning riders, although multiple reports indicate he did not participate in race stints but remained a registered member of the winning crew, as permitted under endurance racing regulations.
Takumi Takahashi extended his own record with his fifth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win, bringing his career total at the event to eight victories. This marks an unprecedented achievement in the history of the race, according to Honda?s official communications and race records. French rider Johann Zarco, initially linked to Honda?s endurance program, was absent due to ongoing recovery from a crash in Catalunya in May 2026, sources said. Despite Zarco?s absence, Honda HRC maintained dominance through the combined efforts of Takahashi and Rea, with Chantra included in the lineup.
The 47th Suzuka 8 Hours served as the third round of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship, known officially as the ?Coca-Cola? Suzuka 8 Hours Road Race. The event is recognized as one of the world?s most prestigious endurance motorcycle races, according to Honda and international media outlets. The victory marked Honda?s fifth consecutive win at Suzuka since 2022 and its 32nd overall, extending the manufacturer?s longstanding record at the event. Official Honda statements released on July 5 and 6, 2026, confirmed the team?s achievement and underscored Honda?s continued success in endurance motorcycle racing.
The race?s challenging weather conditions, including periods of heavy rain, required teams to adjust strategies dynamically. Honda HRC?s ability to maintain control and pace throughout the event contributed to their sustained lead. The safety-car finish prevented further on-track battles in the closing stages as daylight waned, securing the Honda No. 30?s victory. The Suzuka 8 Hours remains a key fixture on the FIM Endurance World Championship calendar, drawing top riders and manufacturers each year.
Honda HRC riders Takumi Takahashi, Jonathan Rea and Somkiat Chantra won the 47th Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race Sunday at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan. The victory marked Honda?s fifth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win and its 32nd overall, extending the manufacturer?s record at the event, officials said.
Riding the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the No. 30 Honda completed 188 laps in 7 hours, 54 minutes and 19 seconds, finishing approximately 94 seconds ahead of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team No. 21, according to race classification reports. The winning margin over the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team No. 37 was about 104 seconds, with some sources noting slight discrepancies in exact gaps but confirming Honda?s clear lead.
The Honda HRC team, comprised of Takumi Takahashi, Jonathan Rea and Somkiat Chantra, claimed victory at the 47th Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race held Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan.
Honda HRC secured pole position based on combined Friday qualifying times after the scheduled Top 10 Trial was canceled due to rain. Jonathan Rea set the fastest lap of 2:04.422, complemented by Takumi Takahashi?s 2:05.055, resulting in a combined pole time of 2:04.738, officials said. The race began at 11:30 a.m. JST in a traditional Le Mans-style start, with Honda leading the field from the front. Despite intermittent and sometimes heavy rain causing fluctuating track conditions, Honda HRC managed the race effectively, adapting tire and pit strategies as necessary. The event concluded under safety-car conditions, which preserved Honda?s lead after a previously held gap of roughly 20 seconds, according to race reports.
Jonathan Rea, serving as a Honda test rider following his retirement from full-time competition at the end of the 2025 World Superbike season, secured his third career Suzuka 8 Hours victory. Rea contributed significantly to the team?s qualifying performance, topping the timesheets on Friday, sources confirmed. Somkiat Chantra was officially listed as one of the three winning riders, although multiple reports indicate he did not participate in race stints but remained a registered member of the winning crew, as permitted under endurance racing regulations.
Takumi Takahashi extended his own record with his fifth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win, bringing his career total at the event to eight victories. This marks an unprecedented achievement in the history of the race, according to Honda?s official communications and race records. French rider Johann Zarco, initially linked to Honda?s endurance program, was absent due to ongoing recovery from a crash in Catalunya in May 2026, sources said. Despite Zarco?s absence, Honda HRC maintained dominance through the combined efforts of Takahashi and Rea, with Chantra included in the lineup.
The 47th Suzuka 8 Hours served as the third round of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship, known officially as the ?Coca-Cola? Suzuka 8 Hours Road Race. The event is recognized as one of the world?s most prestigious endurance motorcycle races, according to Honda and international media outlets. The victory marked Honda?s fifth consecutive win at Suzuka since 2022 and its 32nd overall, extending the manufacturer?s longstanding record at the event. Official Honda statements released on July 5 and 6, 2026, confirmed the team?s achievement and underscored Honda?s continued success in endurance motorcycle racing.
The race?s challenging weather conditions, including periods of heavy rain, required teams to adjust strategies dynamically. Honda HRC?s ability to maintain control and pace throughout the event contributed to their sustained lead. The safety-car finish prevented further on-track battles in the closing stages as daylight waned, securing the Honda No. 30?s victory. The Suzuka 8 Hours remains a key fixture on the FIM Endurance World Championship calendar, drawing top riders and manufacturers each year.
Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton split the 450 Class moto wins Sunday at round five of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship held at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. Roczen secured first place in the second moto after finishing sixth in the opening race, while Sexton won the first moto, with overall results determined by combined moto scores, officials said.
He finished sixth in the opening moto, resulting in combined moto scores of sixth and first place, or 6?1, which placed him second overall for the day in the 450 Class at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. The overall winner was determined by the combined points from both motos under the AMA Pro Motocross scoring system, which awards points on a descending scale from 25 for first place, 22 for second, and so forth, officials said. Despite winning the second moto, Roczen?s lower placing in the first moto kept him from claiming the overall victory.
Roczen?s victory in the second moto marked the 39th 450 Class moto win of his AMA Pro Motocross career, according to race officials.
Chase Sexton won the first moto of the 450 Class on Sunday, splitting the moto wins with Roczen, sources confirmed. Sexton?s performance added to his record as a rising contender in premier-class AMA Pro Motocross competition. The combined moto results placed Sexton differently in the overall standings than Roczen, consistent with the AMA points system. While Sexton secured the first moto win, his placing in the second moto was not sufficient to earn the overall victory at this round, officials said.
The RedBud AMA Pro Motocross National is the fifth round of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 Class season, held annually near the July 4 holiday at the RedBud MX track. The event follows a two-moto format, with overall results determined by the combined finishing positions in both motos. According to MX Sports Pro Racing, which oversees the championship, the RedBud round is a key midseason stop that often influences the championship standings as riders accumulate points toward the season-long title.
Ken Roczen, a German-American rider born April 29, 1994, is a two-time 450cc AMA Motocross Champion and a multiple-time AMA Supercross winner. His 39th 450 Class moto win at RedBud contributes to his standing among the top ten all-time winners in AMA Pro Motocross premier-class history, records show. Roczen?s 6?1 moto finishes at RedBud reflect his consistent competitiveness in the premier outdoor motocross division.
Chase Sexton, an American rider who has since become AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Champion with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, continued to build his résumé with his moto one victory at RedBud. Sexton?s performance at this round is part of his progression as a top-tier competitor in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, according to KTM?s official racing communications.
Both riders? moto wins at RedBud fit within a broader pattern of multi-manufacturer success at the track. Honda, which has historically fielded title-contending 450 riders including Roczen and Sexton in different seasons, maintains a strong presence at RedBud. Team Honda HRC?s official reports highlight RedBud as a venue where their riders frequently achieve podium finishes and moto victories. Similarly, KTM and other manufacturers have recorded wins at this nationally recognized circuit.
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association, is the premier outdoor motocross series in the United States. The season typically runs from late May through late August, with RedBud serving as a central midseason event. The RedBud MX track is known for its challenging terrain, including large jumps and deep ruts, and draws a passionate spectator base. It has hosted both national rounds and major international motocross events.
Points earned at RedBud contribute to the overall 450 Class championship standings, influencing riders? trajectories as the season progresses. Officials and broadcasters frequently use results from RedBud to analyze rider form and predict outcomes for subsequent rounds, including the SuperMotocross World Championship. The split of moto wins between Roczen and Sexton at this round is consistent with RedBud?s history of competitive races where multiple riders secure individual moto victories.
Both Roczen and Sexton have also demonstrated success in indoor supercross competition. Roczen is a two-time FIM World Supercross WSX Champion and the 2026 AMA Supercross 450 Champion, while Sexton has secured multiple AMA Supercross wins. Their performances at RedBud and similar outdoor events continue to be closely followed as indicators of their form across motocross disciplines.
Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton split the 450 Class moto wins Sunday at round five of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship held at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. Roczen secured first place in the second moto after finishing sixth in the opening race, while Sexton won the first moto, with overall results determined by combined moto scores, officials said.
He finished sixth in the opening moto, resulting in combined moto scores of sixth and first place, or 6?1, which placed him second overall for the day in the 450 Class at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. The overall winner was determined by the combined points from both motos under the AMA Pro Motocross scoring system, which awards points on a descending scale from 25 for first place, 22 for second, and so forth, officials said. Despite winning the second moto, Roczen?s lower placing in the first moto kept him from claiming the overall victory.
Roczen?s victory in the second moto marked the 39th 450 Class moto win of his AMA Pro Motocross career, according to race officials.
Chase Sexton won the first moto of the 450 Class on Sunday, splitting the moto wins with Roczen, sources confirmed. Sexton?s performance added to his record as a rising contender in premier-class AMA Pro Motocross competition. The combined moto results placed Sexton differently in the overall standings than Roczen, consistent with the AMA points system. While Sexton secured the first moto win, his placing in the second moto was not sufficient to earn the overall victory at this round, officials said.
The RedBud AMA Pro Motocross National is the fifth round of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 Class season, held annually near the July 4 holiday at the RedBud MX track. The event follows a two-moto format, with overall results determined by the combined finishing positions in both motos. According to MX Sports Pro Racing, which oversees the championship, the RedBud round is a key midseason stop that often influences the championship standings as riders accumulate points toward the season-long title.
Ken Roczen, a German-American rider born April 29, 1994, is a two-time 450cc AMA Motocross Champion and a multiple-time AMA Supercross winner. His 39th 450 Class moto win at RedBud contributes to his standing among the top ten all-time winners in AMA Pro Motocross premier-class history, records show. Roczen?s 6?1 moto finishes at RedBud reflect his consistent competitiveness in the premier outdoor motocross division.
Chase Sexton, an American rider who has since become AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Champion with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, continued to build his résumé with his moto one victory at RedBud. Sexton?s performance at this round is part of his progression as a top-tier competitor in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, according to KTM?s official racing communications.
Both riders? moto wins at RedBud fit within a broader pattern of multi-manufacturer success at the track. Honda, which has historically fielded title-contending 450 riders including Roczen and Sexton in different seasons, maintains a strong presence at RedBud. Team Honda HRC?s official reports highlight RedBud as a venue where their riders frequently achieve podium finishes and moto victories. Similarly, KTM and other manufacturers have recorded wins at this nationally recognized circuit.
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association, is the premier outdoor motocross series in the United States. The season typically runs from late May through late August, with RedBud serving as a central midseason event. The RedBud MX track is known for its challenging terrain, including large jumps and deep ruts, and draws a passionate spectator base. It has hosted both national rounds and major international motocross events.
Points earned at RedBud contribute to the overall 450 Class championship standings, influencing riders? trajectories as the season progresses. Officials and broadcasters frequently use results from RedBud to analyze rider form and predict outcomes for subsequent rounds, including the SuperMotocross World Championship. The split of moto wins between Roczen and Sexton at this round is consistent with RedBud?s history of competitive races where multiple riders secure individual moto victories.
Both Roczen and Sexton have also demonstrated success in indoor supercross competition. Roczen is a two-time FIM World Supercross WSX Champion and the 2026 AMA Supercross 450 Champion, while Sexton has secured multiple AMA Supercross wins. Their performances at RedBud and similar outdoor events continue to be closely followed as indicators of their form across motocross disciplines.