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/1545630
ROUND 4 / JUNE 26-28, 2026 RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK / SHELTON, WASHINGTON ROAO RACE I MOTOAMERICA AMA/FIM NORTH AMERICAN ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP P88 enough to secure third place. Gouker inherited the win ahead of Drane, with Matsudaira completing the podium. Race two proved even closer. Matsudaira grabbed the early lead ahead of Gouker, while Sawyer Lafayette Racing's Sawyer Lafayette and Paige gave chase. Gouker and Matsudaira soon broke clear, repeatedly exchanging the lead as Paige settled into third. The front two traded positions 10 times over the course of the race, setting up a dramatic finish. Matsudaira appeared on course for redemption until running slightly wide at turn 15 on the final lap. The mistake allowed Gouker to square off the final chicane and launch alongside the Team Roberts rider in a drag race to the finish. Gouker edged past Matsudaira by just eight- thousandths of a second to complete the weekend sweep, extending his championship advantage to 14 points. Real Steel Honda's Derek King. The lead group traded fastest laps throughout the race while Drane briefly set the benchmark pace. Paige's podium hopes ended with a highside crash, although the Team Hammer rider remounted to salvage some championship points in eighth place. The closing laps became a duel between championship co-leaders Gouker and Matsudaira. Gouker survived a huge highside moment to stay in contention before the race was decided on the final lap as Matsudaira crashed exiting the final corner while fighting for victory but remounted quickly rider crossed the finish line nearly two seconds ahead of Alexander, with Kornbau completing an all-Yamaha podium in third. The victory marked Yamaha's first-ever Mission Super Hoo - ligan win and elevated DiBrino into the championship fight. Rodio left Ridge retaining the series lead by five points over Rispoli, with DiBrino 15 points behind as the championship heads into its final three rounds. Talent Cup In the one-make Kramer APX- 350 MA Talent Cup, Quarterley Racing's Nathan Gouker com- pleted a perfect weekend by winning both races after a pair of dramatic battles with Team Roberts' Kensei Matsudaira. Saturday's race one produced one of the closest contests of the season to date as Matsudaira led an early five-rider breakaway featuring Gouker, Team Hammer's Jake Paige, Yamaha bLU cRU Estenson Racing's Sam Drane and Blink and you'll miss it. Nathan Gouker (19) had to really work for it in race two but made it another clean sweep in the Talent Cup. Andy DiBrino came through for a maiden Super Hooligan win on the BPR Yamaha in front of his family and friends at his home track.