Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1543676
P122 FEATURE I 2026 AMERICAN FLAT TRACK SEASON PREVIEW However, and with all due respect to Saathoff and Brunner, it's not unreasonable to sug - gest that Drane's biggest threat might come from Kage Tadman, who signed up to join fellow super-soph Walker Porter at the American Honda-backed Turner Racing team. Tadman shocked the pad - dock a year ago when he won in stunning fashion in his first two attempts after joining the tour four races in. In the end, he managed five podiums and nine top-fives, finishing fourth in the final season ranking. Riders often make the single biggest improvement of their careers between their rookie and second seasons. If Tadman follows that same development curve, he could prove a force to be reck - oned with indeed. made the move to 1st Impres- sions Husqvarna, where he has multi-title-winning tuner Andrew Butler in his corner, not to men- tion Jared Mees, who is watch- ing over the team in an advisory capacity. Trevor Brunner is back as well, now riding a KMA Racing Yamaha YZ450F. It took a bit to get his 450 legs back in '25 following his single-season dal- liance in SuperTwins. But by the end of the season, he was rack- ing up podiums with regularity and scored a win at Lucas Oil Speedway to further his streak of earning at least one victory in all six of his AFT Singles cam- paigns. on favorite in Tom Drane. Unlike Daniels, Drane made good on the predictions of a blowout, ultimately erasing all champion - ship drama with an eight-win, 15-podium, 86-point drubbing of the field. And even though the Austra- lian proved himself capable of mixing it up with the lead pack in his late-season Mission AFT SuperTwins debut, he's back to defend the number one plate in single-cylinder duty in 2026. Still, there's hope for a more exciting title fight this time. Arguably, the best news about Drane staying put is the chance for another chapter in his ongo - ing rivalry with Chase Saathoff. Saathoff's championship hopes were extinguished by injury last season, but he's back to full strength now. He's Can Kage Tadman give Drane a run for his money? Many think he can.