The North America Talent Cup, a new path on the road to MotoGP™, will begin in 2022.
Dorna Sports is pleased to announce a new path on the Road to MotoGP™: The North America Talent Cup. Following the plan of other Talent Cup programs, the category will be a single-make competition, with race weekends planned across the United States. The promoter and organizer will be a joint effort between MotoAmerica and Rise Moto. Rise Moto is a full partner of MotoAmerica in the FIM MiniGP North America series.
The new North America Talent Cup will be a partnership with MotoAmerica and aims to provide riders from the Americas a vital link on the Road to MotoGP™, creating a stepping stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship. The sanctioning body will be the American Motorcyclist Association and FIM North America.
Riders will race on Aprilia RS 250 SP2 machines identical and will be between 13 and 16 years old for the first season, the minimum age increasing to 14 years from 2023 as will be the case at world level for similar competitions.
Rob Dingman, President of the AMA and FIM North America: “ The North America Talent Cup perfectly complements MotoAmerica's development efforts and will provide an essential element in the development of young road racers in North America. »
Wayne Rainey, President of MotoAmerica: “ The new North America Talent Cup will most certainly help us achieve our goal of advancing more young riders who aspire to race and represent the United States at the international level, and we are excited to work with Dorna, Aprilia and Rise Moto to achieve it. This program allows us to continue to build a system where young pilots can develop their talents within a program designed to give them the tools they need to succeed. We look forward to the first race at Circuit of The Americas in April and to having the North America Talent Cup join us for the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in September. »
Massimo rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing: “ The North America Talent Cup, as a forge of future talents, fully reflects Aprilia's racing philosophy of training technicians and riders who then enter the history of sports motorcycling. Young American talents can count on a product that we are proud of, the RS 250 SP2, already very popular as an intermediate step between MiniGP and "big wheel" motorcycles, thanks to its combination of performance and ease of handling. 'use. I am sure we will see fun and educational races, truly able to launch new talents. »
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “
We are excited to announce this new project with Rise Moto and MotoAmerica, creating a vital new path on the Road to MotoGP™. After the incredible success of the inaugural FIM MiniGP World Series, we are more committed than ever to creating the best possible pathway for young riders around the world to further their careers, and the new North America Talent Cup, as well as the MotoAmerica Championship , will complete the road to MotoGP for riders from this continent.
Aprilia's support allows a new manufacturer to become a key player on the Road to MotoGP™, and all our partners will ensure the series is competitive and affordable, removing as many barriers as possible for those wishing to start a career in the race and ensuring that young talents have the best possible stage on which they can shine. »
Aprilia Racing Technical Director Romano Albesiano (left) and Rise Moto CEO Brandon Cretu.
EQUIPMENT AND PARTNERS
Riders will race on identical Aprilia RS 250S P2 machines, with a comprehensive and affordable racing package, priced specifically for competitors.
The only official tire supplier will be Dunlop. Seven sets of tires will be provided per driver, per season.
KYT will be the helmet supplier and will provide two helmets per driver per season, as well as on-track support.
THE CALENDAR
The North America Talent Cup will take place in the United States as a national amateur series. The series will be limited to 20 riders in the first year, with the aim being to increase the number of riders allowed to 26 by 2023.
The season opener is scheduled to take place at the same time as MotoGP™ at Circuit of the Americas. The remaining rounds will be run in partnership with AMA-sanctioned racing organization WERA, and the final round will be run with MotoAmerica at their season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
OPPORTUNITIES ON THE ROAD TO MotoGP™
Drivers accepted into the North American Talent Cup will receive on-track coaching at each round from professional drivers, as well as training in communication, fitness and nutrition.
The FIM MiniGP North America Series champion will automatically earn a place on the North America Talent Cup grid the following season.
The top two finishers from each North America Talent Cup season will be invited to participate in the selection event for the following Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season.
APPLICATIONS
Applications for the inaugural Cup will open on December 1 and close on December 31, 2021.
To find out more about this new series and how to apply, go to www.northamericatalentcup.com.
