[MotoAmerica Twins Cup] Suzuki GSX-8R Achieves 1-2 Finish! Bodhi Paige Wins at Mid-Ohio

2026 MotoAmerica Mid-Ohio Round Twins Cup Class: M4 ECSTAR Suzuki's Bodie Paige Wins Race 1, Teammate Matthew Chapin Takes Second for a 1-2 Finish. Here are the race results and rider comments from the Suzuki camp across each class.

GSX-8R Achieves a One-Two Finish! Superbike and Supersport Face Challenges but Show Promise

The 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM National Road Race Championship was held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Ohio, where M4 ECSTAR Suzuki (Team Hammer) achieved remarkable results in the Twins Cup class.

In Race 1 of the class, amidst challenging conditions with intermittent rain, young Australian rider Bodie Paige attacked aggressively from the start, taking the lead on the first lap and extending it for a dominant victory. His teammate Matthew Chapin held off the chasing pack to finish second, marking the team's first 1-2 finish in the Twins Cup. In Race 2, Chapin secured second place by a narrow 0.250-second margin, with Paige finishing third, showcasing the potential of the Suzuki GSX-8R.

Bodie Paige x GSX-8R

Matthew Chapin x GSX-8R

In the premier Superbike class, Brandon Paasch, riding the GSX-R1000R, steadily improved his setup throughout the weekend. After finishing 11th in Saturday's Race 1, starting from 12th on the grid, he moved up in Sunday's Race 2, reaching 7th place by the time the race was declared at the scheduled distance due to a red flag. Meanwhile, Richie Escalante, who qualified strongly in 4th, was battling for third on Sunday but crashed out with a low-side, missing a podium opportunity.

It was an unfortunate weekend for Tyler Scott in the Supersport class aboard his GSX-R750. Although he climbed to fourth in Saturday's Race 1, he was forced to retire after contact from a following rider. In Sunday's Race 2, he ran as high as fifth at one point but experienced issues with power delivery, causing him to fall back and finish 12th. The next round will be held at Virginia International Raceway from August 14th to 16th.

Brandon Paasch x GSX-R1000R

Richie Escalante x GSX-R1000R

Comments from the Riders Competing in Each Class

Bodie Paige, who secured victory in Race 1 of the Twins Cup, reflected on his achievement: "I knew the track was slippery early on, so it was a battle of confidence. Seeing others being cautious, I decided to push from the start and managed to lap smoothly. It's the first time Chapin and I have achieved a 1-2 finish, and it feels great." Matthew Chapin, who finished second in both races, commented, "Although I didn't get the win, it was the most enjoyable race of the season where we pushed each other. My goal is to win every weekend, so I'll give it my all in the next round."

Brandon Paasch, who finished 7th in the Superbike class, expressed his satisfaction: "We made significant progress in terms of setup and electronics. On Sunday, I was able to maintain a position where I could see the leading group, so next time I want to fine-tune the bike to my style and close the gap to the front." Richie Escalante, who was hampered by a crash, stated, "The choice of a hard compound front tire just before the race might have been a factor. I want to convert this speed into a podium finish next time."

Tyler Scott, who had a disappointing result in the Supersport class, commented, "On Saturday, contact damaged the bike significantly, and on Sunday, I struggled with power delivery issues. However, my race pace itself was good, so I want to regain my true performance in the next round and fight for the top positions." He is determined to bounce back, citing his six podium finishes this season.

Suzuki Racing Information Site: https://suzukicycles.com/racing/road-racing

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