(American Racing is continuing its push to return American riders to MotoGP with new initiatives in the FIM JuniorGP and the MotoAmerica Championship. Photo courtesy of American Racing)
The American Racing Moto2™ Team enters its seventh consecutive season in the MotoGP World Championship, continuing its mission to return American riders to the top level of international motorcycle racing. Since 2019, the team has consistently featured at least one American rider in its Moto2 lineup. This year, it expands its commitment through major new initiatives in the FIM JuniorGP World Championship and the MotoAmerica Championship.
New Development Projects: JuniorGP & MotoAmerica
In JuniorGP, American Racing has partnered with Andifer to field two riders in both the European Talent Cup (ETC) and European Moto2 categories. Veteran Ricard Jové joins as Team Director to lead this effort. For the 2025 season, rising American star Mickey Sanchez has been signed to compete in the ETC—a major step in developing U.S. talent on the international stage. The team is actively scouting for additional American riders to join the program in 2026.
Warhorse Ducati Partnership and MotoAmerica Talent Cup
In the U.S., American Racing has launched a new team in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup, in partnership with Factory Ducati-Supported Superbike Team, Warhorse Ducati. Leading the Talent Cup Program for the Warhorse Ducati American Racing effort will be legendary tuner Eraldo Ferracci, who is no stranger to the paddock and developing riders. Piloting the MotoAmerica Talent Cup motorcycle will be Alessandro Di Mario. Warhorse Ducati team manager Eraldo Ferracci says: “I’m excited for this partnership with American Racing. I have watched the success the team has had over the years in the World Championship, and we look to develop a rider together from the American championship with the intent of getting back to the World Championship for America.”
As part of the collaboration, American Racing will provide the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup champion with a fully-funded ride in the 2026 ETC season with American Racing’s JuniorGP team—providing a clear progression from national to international competition, and potential to progress into the Moto2 World Championship.
This initiative is further supported by Wayne Rainey, President of MotoAmerica, whose leadership has been essential in creating this new path for American riders.
“The Talent Cup has been a very important initiative for MotoAmerica this year, and for me personally. American Racing Team providing a fully funded ride for one of our riders to race in the 2026 JuniorGP Championship is a great opportunity,” says Wayne Rainey.
Officially Part of the Road to MotoGP™
American Racing is also proud to announce its official inclusion into the “Road to MotoGP” program, highlighting the team’s long-standing dedication to develop American riders to world-class levels.
“We’re honored by this recognition and thankful to Carlos Ezpeleta and MotoGP for their continued support,” said Team Principal Eitan Butbul. “It reaffirms our commitment to helping American riders reach their full potential at the highest level.”
“We’re very happy to welcome American Racing to the Road to MotoGP,” says Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports. “This is a very valuable project to thread together a real path for young American riders to take into the MotoGP paddock. A presence in the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup will provide a great stepping stone, as does the Cup itself as it debuts this weekend, and it’s fantastic to see the opportunities extend even further into the ETC and European Moto2 categories. From grassroots to Grand Prix, it’s great to see the opportunities for American riders on the Road to MotoGP continue to expand and specially in such an important market for the sport. I want to thank everyone at American Racing for their support and effort in this project”
A Clear Path for American Talent
With their new initiatives, American Racing has created the first, clear pathway for American riders to progress from the grassroot level to the world championship with its programs in MotoAmerica Talent Cup, JuniorGP, and Moto2, respectively. “Our long-standing project, which began in 2019 with the mission of bringing American talent to the world stage, is gaining real momentum,” said Butbul. “Our goal is to provide American riders with a genuine opportunity to develop, progress into the World Championship, and ultimately reach their full potential as professional athletes.
MotoAmerica | American Racing | Photo: American Racing
