2025 MA Round 1 & 2: A Whirlwind Start to the Season
Back on home soil for barely a breath, the bags were repacked, and I was wheels up again – this time headed for the Lone Star State and the roar of MotoGP at the Circuit of the Americas. The first round of the MotoAmerica Talent Cup awaited, and as many of you already know, this season marks my participation under the esteemed banner of American Honda. This opportunity isn't just exciting; it's a genuine honor and a dream realized!
Arriving at the circuit, the striking machine, adorned with the iconic Honda wings, sat waiting in the Jones Honda team garage. A quick hop onto the saddle offered a preliminary sense of comfort. While Tim and Cam diligently prepped the bike for the weekend's challenges, I navigated the flurry of media obligations, including the annual headshots. Despite the initial excitement, there was still work to be done on the bike before the anticipated wet first practice session on Friday morning.
Interestingly, I've always held a fondness for wet conditions, and in this instance, I genuinely believed it could be advantageous. The rain offered a unique opportunity to quickly acclimate to both the new bike and the demanding COTA circuit. From the moment I exited pit lane, a positive feeling resonated with the bike in the wet. Progressing steadily throughout the session, I ultimately finished in P3. Considering I wasn't pushing the limits, being a mere 0.3 seconds off the pace was a promising sign. Then, the track dried.
We had been informed that this new Kramer machine was akin to a GP prototype. Following this understanding, Tim and I approached the setup with a familiar strategy, aiming for a front-heavy balance, a characteristic of true GP prototypes where you steer with the front and allow the rear to follow. However, as soon as I rolled out for Q1 and Q2, that initial positive feeling vanished. An immediate and pervasive chatter and vibration engulfed the bike across the entire circuit, making it incredibly difficult to ride.
Returning to the pits, a debrief with Tim and Cam led to a setup change for Q2. Yet, the relentless chatter and vibration persisted, escalating to a point of being genuinely treacherous. Through the long, sweeping corners, the bike bucked and weaved beneath me. Following the qualifying sessions, a crucial conversation took place in parc ferme with the Kramer representatives. Their revelation was startling: our GP-inspired setup was fundamentally wrong and beyond the bike's capabilities. As a team, we were taken aback. Given the "GP prototype" claims, our setup approach seemed logical. We were then informed that the bike's balance was significantly different than anticipated. In essence, the bike proved to be far closer to a production model than the widely circulated perception.
Faced with this unexpected reality, we opted for a significant gamble, implementing a substantial change for Saturday's races. Heading out for Race 1, the familiar chatter immediately resurfaced on the sighting lap, a concern I relayed to the team on the grid. A minor adjustment was made, but it proved insufficient. The entire race became a battle against the bike's unsettling behavior. Despite starting from P12, I fought my way to a P5 finish – a result far from my expectations. We retreated to the drawing board, determined to find a solution.
For Race 2, we implemented another significant setup change. On the sighting lap, a slight improvement was noticeable, though the underlying issue remained. To articulate the sensation, imagine clinging to a jackhammer or riding with a severely bent wheel. Regardless of the corner or riding style, the relentless vibration threatened to rattle your teeth loose. I pushed through to finish in P4, again not the desired outcome, but we held onto hope for the upcoming round at Barber Motorsports Park.
Despite the challenging riding conditions, it's important to remember that we had zero track time on this new machine prior to the weekend. We undoubtedly made the most of the situation. Furthermore, being within the MotoGP paddock and reconnecting with familiar faces was a fantastic experience. Having my mom and Gray there to share the GP weekend was also a huge boost. A particular highlight was the opportunity to meet several individuals from HRC – a truly memorable part of the weekend.
Now, all focus shifts to Barber…
As a team, our intention for the Barber weekend was clear: maximize our potential. The first hurdle was addressing the persistent bike issues. The initial practice session mirrored the struggles at COTA, with the unsettling chatter plaguing the fast corners. The presence of the MotoAmerica paddock proved invaluable, and I extend immense gratitude to Mr. Chris Ulrich for generously dedicating his time to assist us. His insightful feedback, both on the bike and my riding, was instrumental in our progress throughout the weekend. There were definitely changes I needed to do to help the bike perform as well and I made sure to get those handled immediately. Specifically my shifting style...
Q1 saw the bike feel its best yet, still exhibiting chatter but undeniably a step in the right direction. Returning to the pits for further adjustments, we unfortunately took a wrong turn, and the unfavorable feeling returned. While our qualifying position wasn't what we aimed for, we had another opportunity in the morning with fresh ideas. Following another significant bike adjustment, Q2 revealed that the desired feeling was still elusive. The quick corners and sweeping sections continued to feel as though the rear wheel was lifting off the ground.
Knowing a change was imperative for Race 1, we put our heads together. On the sighting lap, it was immediately apparent that the bike was still reacting erratically. I communicated this to the team on the grid, and a minor adjustment was made. However, the battle against the chatter persisted. I found myself in a three-rider fight for fourth place but unfortunately incurred a jump start penalty, ultimately finishing P6. The question of how to improve the bike remained a significant challenge, but Sunday presented a new variable: rain.
A substantial storm rolled in on Sunday, causing a delay until the afternoon. For me, this delay offered an unexpected advantage, allowing me to observe track conditions and lap times in comparison to the dry. As mentioned earlier, I thrive in wet conditions, and I was confident in my potential for a strong race. Despite being told about the exceptional wet grip at Barber, the track familiarization laps revealed a surprising lack of grip, with significant rear-end movement. Nevertheless, I maintained my confidence and finished the session in P2, a mere 0.2 seconds behind the leader.
The race start was strong, slicing through the pack and slotting in behind the leading group. I patiently waited for opportunities, and they soon presented themselves. Di Mario had a significant save, elevating me to P2. A lap later, Paige made a pass, slightly tagging his rear. Two corners later, he suffered a nasty high-side, which I narrowly avoided, allowing me to continue. The red flag then came out, confirming my P2 finish!
This result was crucial for the team, and I was immensely pleased with the collective effort that led to this podium. A massive thank you to Tim and Cam for their unwavering hard work and dedication over the past two weekends. I'm incredibly grateful to have been able to, in some small way, repay their efforts with this podium finish!
Now, it's time to channel all focus and energy towards the upcoming BTC tests and the first two rounds. Time to give it our absolute all!