Team Roberts is proud to announce their MotoAmerica Talent Cup rider Kensei Matsudaira’s confirmation to also race in the FIM Moto4 Latin Cup in 2026.
The Moto4 Latin Cup is a new, official step in the MotoGP “Road to MotoGP” program, evolving from the Latin America Talent Cup in 2026 to provide young riders (ages 14-19) a clear path to MotoGP on identical Honda NSF250R bikes ensuring fair competition and offering training, logistics, and global visibility. It aims to develop talent for the next step in international competition in series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and Moto3 Junior World Championship.
Building upon his years of racing experience in North America, Europe and Asia, it will be Kensei’s first time competing in Latin America where he hopes to fight for wins and podiums in another new challenge in his career.
Kensei Matsudaira: “I’m very excited to be able to join the new Moto4 championship in Latin America. I’ve never been to this part of the world but have always loved the culture and especially the enthusiasm for motorsport, and I can’t wait to race there. I already know some of the riders from racing in America and Spain and know the level will be high. It’s going to be a new challenge with completely new circuits and a new environment, but I have a good amount of experience on these bikes and I’m really looking forward to fighting at the front with the best riders from Latin America.”
This also signals a long-awaited return to South America for Team Roberts where Kenny Roberts himself had spent significant time with his team in Brazil in the 1980s and 1990s doing testing and development contributing to the success of world champions like Wayne Rainey and John Kocinski. The team is excited to bring the Team Roberts name back to South American venues and fans in 2026.
Kensei Matsudaira is a 4-time MotoAmerica Mini Cup champion, taking the crowns across all 3 categories (GP 110, GP 160, and GP 190) between 2021-2025 and is also a FIM Mini Cup World Series North America champion in both 160cc and 190cc categories. He is a MotoAmerica Talent Cup podium finisher in 2025 and has extensive racing experience in Europe, having raced at the national level in Spain since 2019. He is a Spanish Cup Moto5 race winner and vice champion, a podium finisher in ESBK Moto4, a top 5 finisher in ESBK PreMoto3, and had a best result of P20 last year in the highly competitive European Talent Cup in the FIM JuniorGP World Championship.
Team Roberts represents generations of racing excellence. Led by team principal Kenny Roberts, one of the most influential riders in motorcycle history, our program blends raw talent, relentless ambition, and a championship mindset that refuses to settle for second. From AMA dirt tracks to global GP circuits, the Roberts name has become synonymous with speed, innovation, and riders who race with heart. Today, Team Roberts carries that flame into MotoAmerica, shaping the next era of champions, one race weekend at a time.
Team Roberts is currently supported by Fastrack Racing, Slacker, and Liqui Moly.
New partnership opportunities are always welcome, please contact: arney@team-roberts-racing.com