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#23
Derek Sanchez
Nation
Dominican Republic
Team
Real Steel Honda
Bike / Class Detail
Krämer APX-350 MA
Home Club
Asra
Segment Name
Talent Cup
Date of Birth
March 4, 2010
Hometown
Wilkes Barre, PA
Physical Stats
Height
5’9"
Weight
132 lbs
Eye Color
Black
Hair Color
Black
Derek Sanchez
Rider Stats
0
Championships
0
Wins
0
Podiums
0
Poles
0
Points
Biography
Originally from the Dominican Republic and now hailing from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, DerekSanchez King enters the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup season as a premier championship contender, joining the prestigious Real Steel Honda squad. The 16-year-old phenom transitioned to the professional ranks after a historic 2024 campaign, where he earned the AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award and dominated in the club racing event at Daytona International Speedway.
In his 2025 debut season with Team Envy, Sanchez King proved his pedigree by finishing eighth overall, highlighted by a breakthrough maiden podium at New Jersey. Now armed with the Krämer APX-350 MA and backed by Real Steel Honda’s professional infrastructure, Sanchez is focused on the title.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Real Steel Honda team for giving me this opportunity,” Sanchez said. “It means a lot to be part of such a strong team, and I’m excited to give it everything I have as we fight for the championship.”
Little Known Fact:
Derek is a graduate of MotoAmerica Mini Cup racing. Derek road raced in the Dominican Republic. His dad Jose is a former Dominican Republic Superbike Champion and works with Derek as trainer and mechanic. Derek said Nicky Hayden was his racing hero when he was growing up and calls COTA his favorite track. Derek enjoys running track when he’s not racing.
Derek is a graduate of MotoAmerica Mini Cup racing. Derek road raced in the Dominican Republic. His dad Jose is a former Dominican Republic Superbike Champion and works with Derek as trainer and mechanic. Derek said Nicky Hayden was his racing hero when he was growing up and calls COTA his favorite track. Derek enjoys running track when he’s not racing.
MotoAmerica Stats
Wins:
Podiums: 1 (Talent Cup)
Wins:
Podiums: 1 (Talent Cup)
Career Highlights:
2025 – Finished ranked 8th in MotoAmerica Talent Cup racing for Team Envy Powered By Warhorse Group Racing. The highlight of the year was a podium, his first in MotoAmerica at the New Jersey round of Talent Cup. 2024 – Ran selected rounds of MotoAmerica Junior Cup and earned a best result of 13th at Mid-Ohio. Named the 2024 Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, which honors the late Nicky Hayden and recognizes the racers with the necessary skill and determination to excel in the professional ranks, during the AMA Road Race Grand Championship at Daytona in October.
2025 – Finished ranked 8th in MotoAmerica Talent Cup racing for Team Envy Powered By Warhorse Group Racing. The highlight of the year was a podium, his first in MotoAmerica at the New Jersey round of Talent Cup. 2024 – Ran selected rounds of MotoAmerica Junior Cup and earned a best result of 13th at Mid-Ohio. Named the 2024 Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award, which honors the late Nicky Hayden and recognizes the racers with the necessary skill and determination to excel in the professional ranks, during the AMA Road Race Grand Championship at Daytona in October.