MotoAmerica Twins : 2020 Predictions

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The 2019 Champ has moved on to greener pastures (Alex Dumas to Stock 1000). The departure of Alex Dumas, Kris Turner, Michael Barnes, Joe Blasius and Draik Beauchamp leaves the top group of front runners looking completely different for 2020.

2020 is the Jr Cup take over.

Jackson Blackmon, who raced the 2019 NJMP and Barber Twins rounds , will be competing the entire season on the Robem Engineering/RBoM Racing Suzuki SV650. Jackson recently broke the lightweight lap record at Roebling Road Raceway after he set the NJMP lap record in the Twins Cup race; so I believe it is safe to say Blackmon and the SV650 get along quite nicely. Front running will be the Action Jackson way in 2020.

Right next to Jackson in the stable will be another former Jr. Cup racer, Toby Khamsouk. This will be Toby’s first year in the Twins cup after spending some seasons in the Jr Cup. Toby’s first weekend shaking down his new SV650 went very well. He was not too far behind Jackson in lap times. I expect Toby to be fighting in the top 5 every weekevvnd.

Rocco Landers will now be thrown into the Twins Cup Mix. The 2019 Jr Cup Champion and 2020 RebBull Rookies cup rider will be novvv slouch. To make him even more powerful, he will be riding the RoadRacingWorld M4 Suzuki SV650 that is prepped nearly the same as the one Alex Dumas won the 2019 Twins Cup Championship on. I think it’s safe to say Rocco will be up front.

A former Jr Cup racer who disappeared for a bit is back. He’s fast, for this I know. Rocking the tuning forks as the machine, Hayden Schultz could be on the podium often if the program is there. I don’t know much more than that.

One more Jr Cup rider, why not? Trevor Standish is almost coming into the Twins Cup class on a Suzuki SV650. His pre-season test at Roebling Road went very well, he was right there with Toby and Jackson in terms of lap times. Contend for wins? Maybe, top 5’s with Toby? Absolutely.

I love that more and more JR Cup riders are using this class as a stepping stone. It’s exactly what the class should be. But it’s not all young kids gunning for the W’s.

Our 2018 Chap is coming back and will be ready to win on the APMotoArts Yamaha MT07. Chris Parrish won the final race of 2019 in Barber after making the switch from his SV650 to the Yamaha parallel twin. I know the veteran will be more hungry than ever. Last year was not the year he wanted dealing with drama on the track and results he knows are subpar to what the #128 is capable of. Top 5’s, Podiums and Wins for Parrish in 2020. The old school endurance racer never gives up.

Jason Madama found himself with way too many 6th and 7th place finishes in 2019 after getting 2nd in the series in 2018. Madama will be back with the same but slightly stronger Yamaha FZ07. Podiums? Top 10s? Wins? Any of the above depending on what the Coloradoian brings at any given weekend. At round 1? I think very strong result.

Kaleb De Keyrel – This is a rider I am very excited to watch in 2020. The ride he put on at Laguna Seca in 2019 was out of this world, simply stellar. Kaleb will be back on the 1-833-CJ-KNows Yamaha FZ07 built by Roaring Toyz. Bike is nice and De Keyrel’s riding skills are even nicer. He takes his time to get going through out the weekend but by the end he is flying. Backing it in everywhere, it’s just a treat to watch. Wins and podiums for Kaleb in 2020.

A few wildcards; Cooper McDonald, Darren James, and Daniel Adams. These riders have speed. Cooper at times seems to outride the bike, but it works for him. The kid needs to put consistent laps in every race and results will follow. Darren James is fast and again will be on a Yamaha MT07. He will miss the first round due to traveling from Canada and Covid-19 pandemic. Daniel Adams is just a hair off the podium guys. His 2019 season was plagued with bike problems. I could see all three of these riders getting top 5’s and podiums. PS: Kris Lillegard will get 10th place every race.

Round 1 predictions are tough because there are a few key players which their status is a mystery. I think picking Rocco Landers for the win is a no brainer. Jackson, Toby, Trevor, Parrish and others will NOT be far behind.

Round 1 prediction:
1: Rocco Landers
2: Jackson Blackmon
3: Chris Parrish
4: Kaleb De Keyrel
5: Toby Khamsouk
6: Trevor Standish
7: Jason Madama
8: Hayden Shultz
9: Cooper McDonald
10: Kris Lillegard (He has to be penciled in here.. he just has to)

This post has already been read 827 times!