The STRANGE Reason Why There Are NO Americans in MotoGP

MotoGP: From the 1980s through the early 2000s, American riders were among the most formidable competitors in MotoGP, with legends like Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, and Nicky Hayden achieving iconic status. Their success did more than fill trophy cases; they inspired a generation and put American motorcycle racing on the global map. However, the past decade has seen a stark absence of American riders at this elite level. So, what caused the rapid rise and subsequent decline of American competitors in MotoGP?
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Golden Era Begins
2:07 Decade of Dominance
2:23 Technological Advancements and Sponsorship
3:04 End of an Era
3:30 Nicky Hayden's Championship
4:58 The Decline in American Participation
5:14 The 2008 Financial Crisis and AMA's Sale to DMG
6:12 Rebuilding and Rebranding
7:20 Current State and Future Prospects
8:11 New American Hope in MotoGP
Copyright Disclaimer: This video was created under the fair use policy and is meant for educational and discussion purposes. My opinions are based on extensive research and personal love for the sport.
Motogp,Joe Roberts,motoamerica,motoamerica 2024

[@SuperbikeJohn]

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[@scottburgle4889]

Just letting you know…..I looked into buying the air compressor. It states it’s not available in the US but then shows the exact same one I can buy in the US. I’d be quite surprised if you earned any commission from it.

[@stewartmckinley7058]

I say Richie Escalante is the new Valentino if he heals well enough.

[@Juan_van_Eeden977]

​@@stewartmckinley7058Nope.

[@Juan_van_Eeden977]

​@@stewartmckinley7058Look what happened to Cameron and SDK...went to moto2 and gone nowhere. Europeans are on a different level.

[@BillJones]

Because the AMA handed superbike to DMG who tried to NASCARize the series, making it so different from FIM that it was no longer a route to the world stage.

[@SuperbikeJohn]

Yep, all in the video.

[@BillJones]

@@SuperbikeJohn ... eventually - you count on punters to sit through eight minutes of history when the answer is eight seconds long. This video is a test of patience. If you had any faith in your ability to tell a story, you'd say up front what the story was about. I reckon you're selling yourself short. Your storytelling is good. But despite your skill, you're click-baiting. Start with the thesis. "America NASCAR'ed itself off the world stage of motorcycle racing!" - that's at least as provocative as your presentation which amounts to "the Shocking Truth about grand prix motorcycle racing that American dentists don't want you to hear! (plus five ways Spanish motorcycle racers are having more sex than your mum!)" You can write. Don't be a wanker.

[@gloriathomas3245]

The way I see things, MotoAmerica is basically on the level or WSS

[@GT1Vette]

​@@gloriathomas3245In what way? Motoamerica bikes are slower and the riders aren't as fast either. Ben Spies is probably the last to make it from ama to motogp

[@PhilipBurton-dn3ce]

Nicky Hayden is the reason I ride a '06 cbr1000rr........everytime I'm at Phillip Island doing track days he's in my thoughts...🇦🇺

[@SuperbikeJohn]

He was a wonderful man. Such a sad loss.

[@christopherking9338]

Nicky is why I never wear earbuds while riding........

[@JRTC88]

Why not a RC51

[@PhilipBurton-dn3ce]

@@JRTC88 They a very rare in Australia and ridiculously expensive.....more of a collector's item....Track bikes for me are a "disposable item".....I'd be devastated dumping an RC51...AU$30,000 average price......for that money I can kill 2 fireblades and still buy a third one 👍

[@JRTC88]

@PhilipBurton-dn3ce wow that's a lot of $$$ there still around 10K usd here. Superhawk around 4k.

[@mattcrad8605]

Watching the Hayden brothers, Mat Mladin and Ben Spies battle it out on the SPEED channel in AMA was the glory days of motorsports television. Between the AMA supersport/superbike class, FIM world superbike and MotoGP there was always a race on.

[@SuperbikeJohn]

May Mladin is probably the fastest rider the rest of the world has never heard off. Those were awesome days.

[@user-gf2xp9fr2k]

I miss the good old days!

[@Bryan-jd7os]

​@@user-gf2xp9fr2kthose were great times!!

[@josephreisinger33]

Cheers mate. Tanks from a Yank on this side of the pond. It would be great to have a US racer in the running again. 👍💪🌭🏁🇬🇧🇺🇲

[@mtnolan0307]

Haven’t watched a single race since DMG took over and made the races basically pay per view. My dad and I used to watch every race together.

[@cryogeneric]

I've just sort of accepted that the we lack the appropriate feeder series to compete at the highest level at the moment. Spain got it right and implemented the rider development programs for youth and it's paid off immensely. But that also required a lot money, patience, and interest. I'm not sure the US has any of that right now.

[@poolking123]

Colin Edwards said, the american tobacco money funded americans to ride and progress through the ranks. Thats why you dont see americans anymore because it was around 2010 they banned visual sponsorship on the bike. Like at schwantz (lucky strike) rainey (malboro) times for example. In 2007 there was 4 american riders with hayden, edwards, hopkins and roberts jnr. Motogp is just a smaller version of f1 where money talks. Obviously being a spanish championship you have a huge advantage being spanish progressing. And now with Vr46 academy thats an easy route for italians. But for any other country, its difficult. Especially brits, aussies and americans which jave shown such great talent before and still do incredible at superbike championships

[@viarnay]

Just excuses EEUU is plenty of circuits and championships

[@poolking123]

@@viarnay you're clueless

[@viarnay]

@@poolking123 Tobacco sponsors are prohibited in all sports genius

[@poolking123]

@@viarnay so why in 2007 ducati had its main sponsor on the bike Malboro? Where you had Colin Edwards, John Hopkins, Kenny Roberts jnr and nicky hayden all in motogp all American? I don't think you understand what I am saying. When it was legal, the American tobacco money funded Americans into the sport. When it became illegal to advertise, no Americans advanced because no money to fund them so it became only Spanish and Italians mainly

[@viarnay]

@@poolking123 You are plenty of sponsorhip on EEUU that's only a cheap excuse..

[@A-FrameWedge]

One reason is that most American GP racers were from California, and California with its extreme environmental policies closed down most of the motocross and other tracks.

[@user-pi6ro7ye5q]

Another issue is that back in the day of Roberts, Spencer, etc., is that there were still true privateers following the circuit, as it was more affordable to race back then. That, coupled with the lack of grass-roots racing in the US, due to the lack of "neighbourhood" tracks, has had a big impact on the sport. Don't forget that Roberts, Spencer, Lawson, Rainey, Schwantz, and Hayden were all dirt trackers, before they road raced.

[@nickarnold8417]

We don't have nearly enough childhood motorcycle programs or following in USA to be competitive. My state only has ONE track. Italians, Spaniards, and Europeans start much earlier with professional training and have a MUCH larger following. I wish it wasn't the case so I could get my son started.

[@tracklife971]

USA is dirtbike culture more than street racing

[@jamesleyda365]

🤘🏴‍☠️🤘

[@marksmart9754]

A lot of champions had dirt bike backgrounds. It’s not the skill set that’s lacking. It’s the popularity of the sport and the lack of opportunities due to lack of interest.

[@Crash276]

Italy and Spain have development programs from childhood and have had since the early 2000s. The rest of the world doesn't. America has one of the lowest quality national series in the world. There is no way MotoAmerica can produce a motoGP star.

[@paultruesdale7680]

Not yet, it’s early days.

[@supermccnasty4176]

Joe Robert’s is currently leading the Moto2 championship and looks like the real deal. I know you are referring to Moto America but Robert’s is definitely the real deal…. Hopefully we see him on a Trackhouse Aprillia next year

[@samuelgarrod8327]

But America is the best at everything! 😂

[@MrBlindbird]

@@samuelgarrod8327 Sir,while reading your comment,my sarcasm sensor exploded,you ow me a new one 😁

[@Happy_2_Wheels]

Exactly.

[@kjpr00]

A big thing in the 70's and 80's especially was that you could race a US domestic championship and get noticed and get a MotoGP ride. That path just doesn't exist anymore, and for good reason. Kenny Sr got on the radar of MotoGP teams by winning the national flat track championship! Incomprehensible these days, it just doesn't prepare you to be a grand prix rider. You have to go through either the Spanish CEV or Italian CIV ladder systems to get the skills and be taken seriously for a Moto3 ride. Without greater American commercial interest, American junior riders will never get the funding to do this en masse, though hopefully Liberty will help with that.

[@cristheojon4884]

don't count on liberty media to bring an American rider, they didn't even let Anretti in F1

[@rexthewolf3149]

That wasn’t Liberty Decision it was FOM and the teams.

[@headlibrarian1996]

They treated him like crap as a driver, it isn’t surprising they didn’t want him as an owner.

[@paultruesdale7680]

The Americans have only had limited participation in recent years , only finding rides in WSBK and championship support classes. I was disappointed that Garrett Gerloff did not get offered the number two in the works BMW next Toprak Razgatlioglu, he had a superb season the year before. I had the opportunity to see Pat Hennen race back in the day along with the likes on Baker , Robert’s and Mamola. It was cool to see the yellow and black livery of Robert’s against the red and black of Baker. The Americans brought a larger than life persona to the paddock, having only seen Americans on tv at that point in my life. The racing today has a lot to thank the Americans for in its professionalism and better safety standards and better pay for the riders. The safety and organization was amateur before Barry Sheene and Kenny Robert’s formed the riders collective. The Americans brought motor homes and proper facilities for the mechanics. I hope Moto America can build a solid foundation and attract attention for the present and new generation of riders capable of competing in the MotoGP and WSBK championships.

[@lorentzinvariant7348]

You are right about Gerloff. He crushed the 2023 season. He was consistently the top BMW rider that year. Sometimes by a good margin. He was also on pole once. I was disappointed they didn’t put him next to Toprak too.

[@GT1Vette]

Hoping Joe Roberts can get a MotoGP ride. Maybe Trackhouse, I know they want an American rider.

[@user-sw5ne9by2h]

After US riders with dirt riding experience revolutionized moto GP with their techniques and started to dominate, European riders started adopting the techniques and training. With the much greater interest in the sport and access to tracks, Europeans took back the sport.

[@zogzoogler]

Pulled out my late Dad’s photo album, loads of photos of the American transatlantic series (here in UK) Kenny Roberts, Randy Mamola, Dave Aldana etc then later pics with me as a kid with Schwantz and Rainey, lets not forget Edwards and Hayden (pics from Goodwood), a mixed international grid is missing from motogp the personality of Edwards and Hayden sorely missed.

[@Rycerz49]

I love MotoGP…but every time I see 5 Spaniards and 3 Italians in the top ten i see why MotoGP doesn’t have a bigger world following. We need more Americans, British, Japanese, Australians..more everything apart from these two nations.

[@Gawernator]

Great video! The lack of sponsorship is really hurting a lot of MotoAmerica riders

[@aydinvideo]

Well made video- sub'd.

[@MMarkTheSharkH]

You're too slow that's what happened. Looking back, Hayden was fast enough to be on the heels of Rossi. I don't care what people say about the 2006 title, Hayden WON because he was able to be competitive and consistent. More recently, Gagne is nowhere near as fast as he'd need to be to compete and his wildcard proved that. Cam crashed out of every single podium chance he'd had in moto2; Roberts is the best hope for an American in the premier class because he is both FAST and CONSISTENT.

[@wanr5701]

Another thing to consider; the type of racebike they raced since the riders' formative years. Specifically; pure race machine vs production bikes. Europeans (and Japanese to the lesser extent) have their riders race with pure race bike similar to Moto3 and Moto2 since their formative years in domestic championships. These thoroughbreds, while faster but also more rigid and less forgiving to ride thus requiring a more precise and higher level of ability to master. On the other hand, young Americans (and the British to the lesser extent) raced production bikes from the very beginning in their domestic series. Production bikes are tamer to ride and the chassis are generally more flexible and forgiving in the sense that it suits to a wider variety of riding style for the masses, which is opposite to the pure race bikes that require specific way of riding. Yes modifications can be done here and there, yet in the end they still retain many production characteristics. They still feel "production" instead of a race bike. That explains why European and Japanese riders are able to be competitive straight way in GP after coming from their domestic championships because their bikes are relatively similar, while Americans tend to struggle a lot despite racing in bigger capacity bikes in domestic championship. Just ask Josh Herrin and Cameron Beaubier. On the other hand, Americans tend to be more competitive straight away in WSBK after jumping from MotoAmerica, because both series use production bikes. Just ask Garrett Gerloff. Related to the production bikes, are there any sub-300cc single cylinder production sport bike sold in USA? Such bike is popular in Asia. That alone can answer why it is so difficult for young American riders to start and hone their racecraft in the most affordable way possible while still able to be competitive and have wheel to wheel combat like in Moto3. At least domestically.

[@PeacefulRallyCar-pw3cs]

The motocross scene has far more appeal to teens in USA. Motogp is as far away as the moon. While supercross is bigger than mxgp and it's in their backyard.

[@wanr5701]

@@PeacefulRallyCar-pw3cs looking at history, anything that raced on gravel and/or unpaved, dirt (with mostly public) roads tend to appeal more towards working class people. Middle-upper and higher class people tend to prefer a refined and controlled environment like tarmac circuit racing. Not surprised should those American teens that interested in Motocross come from middle or working class background. As for supercross vs mxgp, if not mistaken their bikes are basically the same with some notable exceptions. Yet it is relatively easier for AMA Supercross riders to jump to MXGP and be competitive straight away, compared to their road racing counterparts. Which is rather pity, because their skills in Motocross racing could well transferred to road racing. And historically in bigger capacity bikes, racers with history of dirt track or motocross tend to perform better than those that race pocketbike or minibike.

[@PeacefulRallyCar-pw3cs]

Gp bikes used bias ply tires until 1980. This along with 2T engines meant the bikes were constantly sliding. No surprise the flat track riders did well. Once radials began, the game changed. This effectively ended the reign of Kenny Roberts.

[@aldo_1326]

I think the problem is the difference between growing up competing with street motorcycles or competing with prototypes is very big and for this reason riders like Ben Spies Colin Edward did not finish performing, the key is to create riding schools and promotional cups that Use prototypes like in Spain and Italy. In Spain at the end of the 90s, a very good promotional cup was created from which riders like Stoner and Pedrosa immediately emerged and 30 years later we have seen how Spain dominates the MotoGP World Championship by work done for this, if the USA does the same as Spain did in a couple of years the results will be seen

[@dealwolfstriked272]

Yeah the riders in MotoGP live this life from early age. We Americans are just not that into motorcycle racing. I have been watching for a decade and can tell you I am completely alone. If I mention MotoGP I know its moot save for the very odd person here and there.

[@victormaholik594]

There are kids riding in Europe as children, they far more developed and have far more experience on bikes.

[@avijitchander]

Audio is peaking too much, Kindly look into it for your next video

[@rapid13]

It’s no mystery. MotoGP changed the bikes to emphasize a riding style better suited to Euro racers than the dirt track style that allowed American riders to dominate for over a decade.

[@rwsix5892]

Joe Roberts is a standout title contender in Moto2 this year. Expect to see him next year in GP!

[@GT1Vette]

Maybe with Trackhouse. He is doing well this season but it's early. I hardly see anyone naming Joe Roberts, almost like they have no idea an American is in moto2.

[@djmerchant]

You put together an AWESOME video. In the late 90's and early aughts there was no better motorcycle road racing series on the planet than the AMA superbike series. The depth of talent on the starting grid at any round wasn't even matched by the 500cc World Championship. The races were almost alway competitive until the years of Mladin vs Spies (because they just left the rest of the field in their dust). A superbike back then cost more than a neighborhood of houses because they were made out of shit like "unobtanium" and the racetracks were lined with people as far as the eye could see. The manufacturers took up a good deal of real estate to show their entire lineup of bikes to entice would-be buyers. I have SOO many good memories and stories from those days as Mid-Ohio was only about a 20 minute drive from my house and I spent all weekend at the track when the AMA races came to town. MotoAmerica is planning a return to Mid-Ohio this year after a 10 year hiatus and I have no urge to go watch the races at the track when I can watch them on multiple platforms. *SIGH*

[@donaldhipple4921]

The best riders of that time learned their skills in the GNC. I believe that combining dirt track and road racing skills gave us the great racers of the recent past.

[@paultruesdale7680]

There also used to be the trans Atlantic races, mixing Americans against the Commonwealth riders, it would be cool to see Moro America riders against British Superbike, Canadian Superbike and Australian Superbike, surely then any of the top riders would be recognized and possibly picked up for MotoGP.

[@jenpsakiscousin4589]

The American riders in the 70s 80s 90s came from dirt track. The 500cc bikes of GP required a rider to be comfortable at sliding the rear and steering with the throttle, point and shoot style. A dirt tracker has these skills as muscle memory from the dirt track. Todays bikes a totally different and to be fast requires a different technique.

[@charlesterrell-bu3lq]

I believe the track day events in the US hurt club racing which up thru the late 80s supplied several world champions. Club racing participation went down and then the AMA sold off road racing to a private company and well that was that.

[@josephandreuccetti7270]

It’s strange how we have ZERO american sport bikes outside of buell in this massive country and we cant build a sport/motor GP bike. But we can build Lemans winning corvettes and ford GTs

[@frankxaoz1286]

Fun fact on that 06’ season… Troy led more laps in the season than Hayden. Troy only race on the last race of the season, he went from start to finish in the lead at Valencia

[@mylexicon2]

The DMG era is misunderstood and improperly characterized by most fans. The balance of performance rules and eligible equipment list DMG imposed is very similar to the current FIM rules for Superbike and Supersport, though DMG was balancing bikes without the benefit of throttle by wire. The DMG rules were characterized as NASCAR hillbilly racing by the American marketing executives at the Japanese distributors who were accustomed to running the show and controlling the rulebook. They were not happy to see DMG in charge, and some of them had lingering personal animus towards Roger Edmondson for conflicts that occurred decades before DMG took over AMA Pro. The decline of US presence in Grand Prix is complex and multi-faceted. The US has philosophical differences with Europe, preferring to protect the notion of sport by restricting technical sophistication. The old AMA tried to ban traction control and focus on rider ability. Furthermore, the old AMA was an infomercial that required perpetual sales increases to operate. That ended abruptly in 2008 with the global financial crisis. Since the US emphasizes sales in motorsport, the lack of sales is drastically reducing interest in US road racing. In Europe it seems that motorsport has a looser affiliation with sales volume. Lastly, Superbike and GP are divergent. In the golden era, riders could jump between series. Today, the bikes are too different. GP bikes are too stiff and technically specialized. Superbike-based national series struggle to make GP riders.

[@HoodlumMoto]

Great video!!! There is a reason why the Italians and Spanish rule grand prix racing. They are starting with minimoto and then progressing through the classes. So comparing them to a usa rider will never be equal. They could literally have 5+ more years of road racing experience against the other best riders in the world. The pros (VR46 Academy) still frequently run the trainer bikes at cart tracks and help young riders. Same thing with supermoto. Marquez brothers have been doing the same thing as well at indoor dirt tracks in Spain. I know that an AMA Superbike champ went to a cart track in Mississippi to play supermoto for some light training almost 20 years ago but he's the only one I know. I currently only know of a couple usa kids that have a similar path. But the real problem is once you get to the top, you have to keep progressing. New styles, new bikes, new tires, etc. and some people can do this on their own but it will always be easier with a group. You will never know how fast you are until you play with the big boys and that is what VR46 does all the time. Rossi said a decade ago that "Pecco was coming" after he destroyed them all on pocketbikes. For those of you that don't know and for most humans that is the closest we'll ever get to riding a grand prix bike. Every weekend they are all home you have 10-15 world champions together working on different aspects of racing and fitness. In the end it is an argument that cannot be won. But it is fun. MotoGP is run by the Spanish and only a blind and deaf person wouldn't know that. All the journalist and commentators push Spanish riders above all others. Could you imagine if a usa rider was given the kind of treatment they receive. John Hopkins tucked the front in a turn 1 incident years ago taking out another rider and was penalized and fined. That same rider did it to him a few races prior with no consequences. Spain's golden boy has knocked down more riders than Ernie McCracken has knocked down bowling pins and the media laugh and joke about how that is racing until someone bitch slaps him back to his place. Maybe you remember or maybe not but there was the a guy named Marco Simoncelli years ago who rode the same way but he was constantly complained about by Spanish riders so Dorna was always on his back about aggressive riding. Joe Roberts is fluchenfast - hoodlum

[@miroslavm2553]

It is a real shame that we don’t have a representative in Moto GP, neither than in WSBK and F1 for many years. It is too bad we can’t just identify as a “motorcycle racer” and get on a race bike. 😂

[@YouT860]

😂

[@FenderMarko47]

Nope, its a safety thing, if none of you are any good then you're not worth paying are you?

[@taylorhorner1065]

Actually you can do exactly that. You just won't be in MotoGP

[@DroneStrike1776]

Hey, everyone else is identifying as someone else these days, so I wanna identify as Pecco's older and faster brother. Maybe I'll get a seat on a Ducati GP25.

[@DroneStrike1776]

​@@FenderMarko47it's a joke dude. "I identify as........".

[@shareeve7597]

I watch few race series of MotoAmerica! It's absolutely entertaining...they even race in heavy rain !

[@BrokeLifeEU]

This is such a good channel! Thank you for a great video yet again!

[@chapusa100]

YOU FORGOT COLLIN EDWARDS THE TEXAN!!

[@fepatton]

Very interesting! I watched Nicky (RIP!) race in at Laguna Seca over several years, but lost interest in motorcycle racing after I hung up my own boots. I've started watching again recently and was wondering what happened to the American contingent!

[@ssamirye7259]

Hit the breaks a little on your delivery, sounds like speed reading. We got time on our hands.

[@giganoob1968]

The American superbikes are too restricted to train the riders for MotoGP. Additionally, the Europeans come across as educated, they all can speak 3 languages, the American sound like hick compared to them. Finally, the Americans can't stand the pace and after about a third through the season they quit. And you can't forget the insurance costs of having a sports bike, nobody hardly buys them anymore, so who learns to ride?

[@graemesydney38]

Its going to be hard to beat the Spanish - they junior racing is deep and competitive, and formative. They, closely followed by the Italians, are the benchmark for any nation who want a world motorcycling champ in any class.

[@morri03]

What are you talking about? The last 3 titles have been been won by an Italian and a Frenchman. So no Spanish domination

[@william5159]

I heard a chronology, but not sure I heard a “strange reason why”…? Maybe I missed it. Listen again tomorrow.

[@terryhunt2659]

John, your chart at 5:26 is a projection for investment in the period 2022-2032 showing a trend exactly opposite to the period after 2008 that you're actually narrating. Doesn't really work.

[@jrock9687]

Sean Dylan Kelly was a superstar talent here in The State and looked uber promising. Won MotoAmerica SuperSport Championship straight to Moto2. But things just never evolved? And we are going to hold our breath with F1/Liberty Media management being 'Pro American'. Look at how they are treating the Andretti family & General Motors trying to make their way into F1. They are all about venues, marketing and profit, not the drivers/riders nationalities.

[@GT1Vette]

SDK couldn't even compete with Joe Roberts.

[@ns6397]

MotoGP had crossover appeal in the early 2000's with Edwards and Hayden. The championship felt like the best riders from around the world competing. Now, the grid if full of young riders coming straight from Moto2 / Moto3. I couldn't care less honestly. I really came here to find out why the sport doesn't capture my attention anymore. Am I just old? or is MotoGp really a shadow of what is once was? Seems to me that the academy system, much like F1, just delivers in better results for the teams / manufacturers ....not better entertainment for the fans.

[@jamesodonoghue]

Great content. Sad American's can't compete these days. I thought Ben Spies would have a better time in GP. I don't see why many of the more successful US riders can't make a good start in Moto3 then work their way up.

[@jpesicka999]

They are too busy going 140mph down the freeway on their Hayabusa to know about real racers like MotoGP.

[@philipkeohane2652]

200+mph ; we have bigger freeways ;)

[@everss02]

road racing is too expensive here, for a kid to get any time they need to start on dirt, tracks are disappearing all the time.

[@gloriathomas3245]

Cam was the best shot ever since Spies retired to have an American back on the grid however I blame Yamaha for prioritizing Vinales over Cam. Now some people would say that Joe Roberts is the next big opportunity but I beg to differ. Like I said that ship done sailed when Yamaha decided to sideline Cam.

[@GT1Vette]

Do you watch moto2? Cam couldn't compete against Joe Roberts and so far Roberts has been doing well.

[@rooster72886]

Eddie lawson and nick hayden made a name for themselves in motogp plus if we started developing kids at 5 like europe does bet your ass with the right bike and crew a American would be crown champion but remember the loosest nut on a motorcycle is the one holding the handle bars

[@Nick169x]

I think why you don't see Americans in motogp is you need to come through the ranks on prototypes nowadays not production bikes. And almost all Americans start with and stick with production bikes

[@noodle3384]

its ok im finding the motoamerica series to be a fun watch.

[@stephankl632]

We are all waiting for American riders coming back to MotoGP and Superbike. Its a must for the series that Americans are joining again. USA has such a great history on superb riders. US bring your talents back 👍

[@jimdiamond8246]

It's because if you don't have an Spanish or Italian passport you don't get onto any of the top teams .just look at what happened to Remy Gardner.

[@kadasrichard]

Yeah it is sad. Dorna has been prefering the Spanish,and the Italians have always been a motorcycle nation. Dorna also curiously dropped the rookie rule when Marc Marquez came to GP. I personally would like to see a good American or Australian rider. GP nowadays feels more like a Nations cup.

[@ivangarciaferrer4921]

Dorna is doing everything to promote other countries, they even created the asian cup, and push David Alonso to take the Colombian nationallity instead of representing Spain, its hard to develope youth when you dont have racetracks with FIM rules, the only one is Austin. And US has a lot more money than Italy and Spain to built tracks, they are just not interested.

[@DrtyALGreen]

I think it boils down to our series here not being a good feeder system anymore but mainly that our riders are soft. Theyd rather make 100k here while being on the podium than going around the world and being uncomfortable. The kind of stuff that pays of when you do get to MotoGP. Also only one or two manufacturers always win the titles and the AMA is incompetent and sides with manufacturers over even their own interests.

[@alex-E7WHU]

Distinct lack of Spaniards at the IOM TT though..

[@Juaza]

A question for those who think electronics babysit the riders and that makes them inferior to 500cc riders (or any 2-stroke class): If modern machines are so easy to control, why do you need literally decades of experience to be competitive? If these bikes vary the power output depending on the turn they are at each track (therefore having autopilot when compared to a NSR500), why don't we have many more riders getting 100% out of the bikes? C'mon, you just need to floor it and GPS and TC will do the rest. Heck, these toys even change ride height on the go, they drive themselves! Jokes aside, motorcycling is like any elite sport: if you want to have world class competitors you need to invest in them. Raw talent without preparation is not enough, and nowadays a tenth of a second later is too late

[@highdadd6526]

Nobody said they were easy, but they are much easier to ride than they used to be, just like race cars were much harder to drive than today's, it's simply moderation, nothing more, nothing less.

[@paultruesdale7680]

Don’t forget Wayne Gardner 1987 500cc world champion and Barry Sheene 1976-77 500cc world champion.

[@morri03]

They aren’t American

[@SuperbikeJohn]

Err, Wayne's Australian, and Barry was British...Great riders though!

[@paultruesdale7680]

I’m aware that they are not American, but you failed to mention them while you were reciting the dictation. You started with the late Pat Hennan then went on chronologically mentioning all the champions, missing Sheene and Gardner. You mentioned that Doohan was the one to break up the American domination. I just wanted them mentioned, that’s all.

[@paultruesdale7680]

I’m aware of that.

Corrupt the same as all sport. It’s all about connections!

[@chrisanderson9157]

Agreed! Now a days with the GPS running the bikes it's way too easy to cheat and put on the podium whomever they like. Always about the money. Competition is a facade for the fans.

[@gertscheper9653]

Without a shred of evidence.

[@chrisanderson9157]

@@gertscheper9653 Humans been cheating in sports since "Day 1." What's changed?

[@gertscheper9653]

@@chrisanderson9157 humans been claiming crap without a shred of evidence since dawn of humanity, what's changed ?

[@tumshiewhacker4498]

Boy ! do you talk piss !! away and scurry under a rock and maybe do a bit of reading on the subject,if you can read that is

[@jaiman3107]

Come’on Joe Roberts… we need you now!

[@FurryestX]

If joe robberts has hood results maybe track house can sign him up

[@louismartin4446]

I don’t see many europeans excelling in Football, Hockey, Baseball, basketball….uhm….but Americans are trying it all!

[@cmdr.sypher1820]

I grew up with Eddie Lawson telling folks to not even show up if you cant steer with the rear wheel and didn't have a six axes IMU to do it for him. A bigger question for me is why isnt there an American Motorcycle Manufacturer kicking Ducati's ass. King of the baggers is nice but I own one but where's the kick ass American made moto GP bike? You dont think sales would be good, I own it and people would wait in line to ride it at home and in competition!

[@fulldrawscarps730]

We do have joe Robert's in moto2 he come up to motogp next year or following

[@geraldselvey7687]

Silly really. To keep the competition amongst European only riders is really limiting marketing opportunities

[@viarnay]

that's fake..Moto GP roster has people from all over the world..

[@christianhardwick6530]

Colin Edward , Ben Spies Hopkins ,

[@Icem4n84]

Hopefully Joe Roberts will come up and do well. It needs more nationalities in there.

[@Zeta9465]

audio is terrible

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Yes, that is the result of a sport becoming a boardroom choice. The sport dies.

[@frankxaoz1286]

Easy, traction control. Murikans like to slide amd rise in a controlled/out of control motorcycle. Heck I heard, John K said he would lightly high side his bike on the laguna cork screw to make that drop fast. CRAZY

[@viarnay]

MotoGP bikes are insanely overpowered, around 300 bhp and 155 kg and only the rear wheel to push..

[@StarkRaven59]

Arguably the biggest reason the US is lagging behind is the economy. The middle class is generally where the race fans are. It used to be where the racers were. The middle class is suffering in the US. That means less disposable income, which means less money for watching races, or going racing. A double-edged sword that cuts sponsorship, and reduces the talent pool. Which also reduces the quality of the racing, which reduces interest in the sport and series.

[@I_Evo]

You're talking about the last 2 or 3 years there, how about the previous 10 plus years? And you don't think the rest of the world has suffered with high inflation, vastly increased prices for everything from food, to fuel, to energy.

[@ileutur6863]

This would make sense if the middle class wasn't disappearing everywhere. Its not a US problem, inflation has fucked Europe hard too

[@juanrodriguez-ry6yt]

you think the economy in Spain or Italy is in better shape?

[@deanbrantley]

It has very little to do with inflation. More so us Americans have gotten beyond lazy. I see more kids riding ebikes than regular pedal bikes, if they arent sititng on the newest phone trying to figure out how to be an influencer they are eating every carb they can find. Its a sad state Usa is in amd getting worse.

[@StarkRaven59]

@@deanbrantley Okay, boomer.

[@kaismith-tx3gz]

he may not be in MotoGP but hes in moto2. joe roberts!!

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Because it's the F1 of motorcycle racing, and requires $$$$$$ to make the events, even national racing in America requires that, and MGP is international....

[@I_Evo]

And the US is the richest country in the world with more billionaires per capita than anywhere else. Someone needs to ask why nearly all branches of US motorsports struggle to keep and maintain both large corporate and 'sugar daddy' sponsors.

[@rowdstar]

The US would need the number of racetracks in the country to triple. First problem to solve is simply making places to race accessible and visible for kids.

[@afroghair6793]

You have to be a runt to be competitive in mgp generally.

[@viarnay]

This is racing, not basketball

[@viarnay]

Joe Roberts is good but not enough..When the spanish DORNA bought it was in the brink of extinction..

[@BikeStandByMe]

In the 70s and the 80s kids road and raced more than they do today. Now it’s all scooters and video games.

[@taylorhorner1065]

Hot take here. Man blames the kids.

[@jackmorrison8269]

Your talking kids or adults??? 😂 👍

[@StarkRaven59]

Scooters and video games are what people can afford. If the question is, "why aren't people doing [X] or buying [X]", it's because they can't afford it. Economy's messed up, dude. And that hurts racing.

[@basedgodstrugglin]

Before the video started I assumed it was the ladder system here yet you managed to blame it on video games, that’s incredible.

[@mikepalmer2219]

Being able to afford it is a huge factor as well.

[@kfmathew]

Erm.....maybe because for Americans, "racing" only means going straight and turning left?

[@subaruwrx3381]

Mick doohan that's what happened

[@abdo19code]

Joe Robert Trackhouse

[@YABBAHEY1]

NASCAR Hillbillies for the most part don't care about motorcycles & Motorcycle race fans see stock car events about as exciting as rush hour traffic cams. Add to that we don't produce GP bikes in America. Indian or Harley Davidson participating would go a long way in promoting the sport. We'll be back sooner or later. Besides does it really matter ? I enjoy the European flair (lack of a better word) found in MotoGp, it has it's own panache (again lack of better word) plus Irish/Scottish commentators !

[@GT1Vette]

NASCAR destroys everything, they bought ALMS and it became a joke. It's getting better but they took massive steps backwards.

[@dancor8380]

US local tracks suck. Bottom line 🤨

[@dericmac4030]

Motoamerica superbike/supersport is so much better then motogp, I don't bother with motogp. Viewing access is far better, bikes are more stock and therfor relatable to common man, rules keep it very competitive, whereas money cannot buy championships , anyone who has not followed a season should look them on KZbin for free. You won't be disappointed

[@viarnay]

MotoAM is close to WSBK but not to Moto GP by any means..

[@jaime55924]

The power is in the pasta

[@pjp80s]

So stupid nascar killed ama? Makes sense!

[@silntstl]

I stopped caring or watching when it was painfully obvious that the Spanish were controlling who would get the best bikes/teams (factory) and would change the rules on a whim to suit them. Marquez on a factory bike as rookie even though there was a rule in place the season prior (Ben Spies) that kept him off a factory bike even though he clearly deserved it. A satellite ride was a death knell back then. You had no chance of competing with the factories. What a joke.

[@uchihamadara3065]

They are all in wsbk😂

[@guido7624]

Non si capisce niente. Perché non parla inglese normale?

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

Not fast enough yet. Easy

[@rodya_malverde]

We just dont have the system to groom young riders like they do in europe. Theres no money invested in bringing up that talent. A lot of kids start as dirt trackers and that move into road racing can be succesful, but with the modern bikes and tech behind it, that transition is way more difficult than it was. Modern road racing is an entirely different beast.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

I'm sure America is great at grooming.

[@Chiefnugnam]

Your audio is real bad and you mumble too much

[@dg8062]

I don't even need to watch the video and tell you that we have an absolute 💩tty feeder system compared to almost all of Europe. As hard as motoamerica tries, when that's all you have over here, obviously you're not going to produce the world's top level racers.

[@LTW530]

😂😂😂😂

[@ChristopherBecker-ye3jm]

moto 2

[@ericdenexter8703]

They are just not good enough

[@chuckyboy6977]

Enjoy Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP while you can, as now that Liberty is now the owners it’ll soon becoming a copy of the 💩 show F1 now is.

[@viarnay]

DORNA quitted? I think they are still ruling it..F-1 sucks but they have money to spare they couldn't do the same to Moto GP

[@GT1Vette]

​@@viarnayLiberty Media bought MotoGP.