Another fork on the Road to MotoGP sees the North America Talent Cup commence action in 2022, alongside MotoAmerica.

Following the blueprint of other Talent Cup programmes, the series will be a one-make competition, with race weekends set to take place across the USA. The promoter and organiser will be a collaborative effort between MotoAmerica and Rise Moto - already an integral partner to MotoAmerica in the FIM MiniGP North America Series.

Creating the stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship, the new North America Talent Cup will partner with MotoAmerica to provide riders across the continent with a vital link on the Road to MotoGP.

The Cup will utilise Aprilia RS250 SP2 bikes and riders must be between 13 and 16 years of age for the first season, with the minimum age raising to 14 from 2023 due to new FIM global rules. Grids will be limited to 20 riders for the debut year with aims to expand the amount of riders permitted to 26 by 2023.

The season opener is planned to take place alongside MotoGP at the Circuit of the Americas in early April 2022.  The remaining rounds will be held in partnership with AMA sanctioned racing organization WERA, and the final round will be with MotoAmerica at their season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.

"The new North America Talent Cup will most definitely help us with our goal of developing more young riders who aspire to compete and represent the U.S. internationally, and we’re happy to be working with Dorna, Aprilia and Rise Moto to help make this happen,” Wayne Rainey, MotoAmerica President said on the announcement.

“This program ensures that we will continue to build a system where young racers can advance their talents in a program designed to give them the tools they need to succeed. We look forward to the first race at Circuit of The Americas in April and to having the North America Talent Cup join us in our season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in September."

NATC riders will race on equal Aprilia RS250SP2 machinery, thanks to an affordable, complete race package priced especially for competitors. Two KYT helmets will be provided per rider, per season, along with trackside support. While Dunlop, the official tyre supplier will provide seven sets of tyres per rider, per season.

"The North America Talent Cup, as a forge of future talent, fully reflects Aprilia’s racing philosophy of training technicians and riders who have gone on to make sports motorcycling history,” Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing confirmed.

“Promising young American talent can count on a product we are proud of, the RS 250 SP2, already extremely popular as an intermediate step between MiniGP bikes and 'high wheel' bikes, thanks to its combination of performance and easy operation. I’m certain that we’ll see fun and educational races truly capable of launching new talent."

Riders accepted into the North American Talent Cup will benefit from professional trackside coaching at each round, as well as training in communication, fitness and nutrition.  

The top two in each season of the North America Talent Cup will be invited to take part in the selection event for the following season of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. The Champion of FIM MiniGP North America Series will automatically gain a place on the North America Talent Cup grid the following season.

Applications for the inaugural Cup will open on the 1st of December and close on the 31st of December, 2021.

Find out more about the new series, and how to apply, at www.northamericatalentcup.com.