By Chandler Dahl, MRA Rider Rep


James Wilkerson (#98) puts the pressure on Brad Hendry (#1) in turn 1. Photo by Kelly Vernell.

Precision, Pressure, and Perfect Weather:

Under partly cloudy Colorado skies and high-70’s sunshine, the Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) kicked off its 2025 championship season on May 10th at High Plains Raceway, using the full course configuration. With the air electric and the grid packed, round 1 delivered exactly what fans have come to expect from these tight-knit but fiercely competitive premiere classes.

Race of the Rockies GTO: Hendry Defends #1 Plate

The front row for Race of the Rockies was a bit of a shakeup in action for qualifying. James Wilkerson (#98) claimed pole with a blistering 1:48.317 lap in qualifying, edging out Brad Hendry (#1) and Justen Behmer (#4). But when the lights dropped, it was Hendry who reacted first.

Launching his BMW off the line, Hendry edged ahead of Behmer as they barreled into Turn 1, with Wilkerson right on their tail. The trio wasted no time pushing the pace, but unfortunately for Behmer—despite his aggressive early pace—began to lose ground due to a sprocket issue. Wilkerson took full advantage by quickly applying pressure to Hendry early on.

By lap five of the twelve-lap contest, Behmer had begun to slip backwards as Mathew Cunha (#95), who had been quietly building momentum, took full advantage. Showing impressive mid-race pace, Cunha reeled in Behmer and made a clean pass, securing third with confidence.

Out front, Hendry proved untouchable. Once clear of pressure, he dropped the hammer and gapped the field with authority, showcasing the kind of composure and racecraft that’s made him a perennial front-runner. Hendry said “I knew if I could keep my laps in the 48’s, I could probably stay out front”. Wilkerson, meanwhile, held strong in second, managing the race from a distance and keeping Cunha at bay in the final laps.

When the checkered flag flew, it was Brad Hendry who took a dominant victory In the Fay Myers Motorcycle World Race of the Rockies GTO, with Wilkerson and Cunha rounding out the podium.


Brad Hendry (#1) – Race of the Rockies GTO winner. Photo by Kelly Vernell.

Final Race of the Rockies GTO Results:
1. Brad Hendry (#1)
2. James Wilkerson (#98)
3. Mathew Cunha (#95)

Race of the Rockies GTU: Rizzo Recovers and Rises

If the GTO race was defined by dominance, Apex Auto Glass Race of the Rockies GTU was a story of recovery, persistence, and late-race heroics.

Salvatore Rizzo (#9) had a rough start—literally. A massive wheelie off the line cost him several positions, dropping him back to 4th or 5th and nearly derailing his race before it began. “It was mildly embarrassing,” Rizzo later joked. “But I knew I had the pace — I just had to get to work.”

And work he did. With Tyrel Diekmann (#724) ahead, the two engaged in a spirited back-and-forth, trading positions over several laps. Rizzo eventually took advantage of Diekmann’s lack of a functioning quick shifter and began laying down mid-to-low 1:53 lap times, creating a gap and setting his sights forward.

By lap eight or nine, another rider loomed ahead—Rizzo initially assumed it was a 1000cc bike, but as he closed the distance, he realized it was Jeremiah Walker (#562) aboard the Mv Augusta F3 RR. “That lit a fire under me,” Rizzo said. “I knew he’d be a threat late in the race.”

After catching and passing Walker around lap ten, Rizzo went into defensive mode. The MV pilot stayed glued to his rear wheel, launching a last-lap lunge into Turn 10 in a bold bid for the win. But Rizzo stayed composed, holding his line and fending off the dive-bomb to secure a hard-fought victory in Race of the Rockies GTU by only .300 of a second.


Sal Rizzo (#9) – Race of the Rockies GTU winner. Photo by Kelly Vernell.

Final Race of the Rockies GTU Results:
1. Salvatore Rizzo (#9)
2. Jeremiah Walker (#562)
3. Tyrel Diekmann (#724)

Amateur GTO: Evans Executes a Textbook Win

The Amateur GTO class, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Family Dental & Implant, brought its own brand of fire to Round 1, with a tightly contested front group and impressive pace throughout the grid. When the lights went out, John Evans (#154) fired off the line and took immediate control of the race on his BMW 1000cc superbike. Ryan Reasoner (#88) on the R6 slotted into second through Turn 1, determined to stay in touch.

Evans made the most of the BMW’s straight-line power, stretching a gap down the back straight. But Reasoner wasn’t giving in—closing the distance through the technical midsection of the track and keeping the pressure on. Behind them, Robert Brown (#41) ran a clean and steady race, staying within striking distance and never more than six seconds off the lead battle.
Despite Reasoner’s mid-race push, Evans maintained composure and pace, eventually crossing the line five seconds clear to take the checkered flag and a commanding win.


John Evans (#154) – Amateur GTO winner. Photo by Kelly Vernell.

Final Amateur GTO Results:
1. John Evans (#154)
2. Ryan Reasoner (#88)
3. Robert Brown (#41)

More Than Just a Race

While the premier classes drew the most eyes, every grid at Round 1 reflected what makes the MRA special: a commitment to competitive excellence and community-driven racing. Whether it was a rider making their club debut or a veteran hunting tenths, the spirit of the sport was alive and well in every paddock, pit lane, and corner.

With Round 1 now in the books, the 2025 MRA season promises to be one of the most exciting yet—full of new rivalries, technical evolution, and the relentless pursuit of faster laps.

Explore our website to catch all the action, live timing, photos, and future event info.
Next event: Round 2, June 8th at Pueblo Motorsports Park.