Kensei Matsudaira

Kensei Matsudaira enters the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup as a standout title contender, joining the prestigious Team Roberts. Despite his young age, Matsudaira possesses a formidable racing resume, having spent the last five seasons competing internationally across Asia, Europe, and the United States. A dominant force in the youth ranks, he has already secured multiple MotoAmerica MiniCup national titles, establishing a reputation for technical precision and race craft.

Last season, Kensei made a stunning Talent Cup debut at Circuit of The Americas, capturing a third-place podium finish against a field of seasoned competitors. Now embarking on his first full season in the class, Matsudaira looks to leverage his vast experience and the support of a legendary team to climb the ranks of the Road to MotoGP program.

Little Known Fact: Calls Marc Marquez and Daijiro Kato his inspirations in MotoGP. He races with the number 74 in honor of Daijiro. Enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and working in the gym. In the winter he likes to ski and snowboard. His father Kuni raced and he put Kensei on a minibike when he was three years old.

Career Highlights:
2025 – MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup GP 190 National Champion. Matsudaira also raced in Spain in the FIM JuniorGP World Championship European Talent Cup, raced in China in the one-off Ohvale Guangzhou Supercup, raced in Japan in the Asia Talent Cup support race at the MotoGP World Championship round at Motegi, and finished on the podium (3rd) in a wildcard MotoAmerica Talent Cup entry at Circuit of The Americas. 2024 – Finished 15th in the RFME ESBK PreMoto3 Championship (best race finish was fifth, three top-10 finishes); 2023 – 11th in RFME ESBK Moto4 Spanish National Championship (one podium, three total top-five finishes). Finished fourth while riding injured in Race Two in Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Cup event in Thailand. Placed eighth overall in SGP4 at FIM Speedway World Cup. 2022 – Won MotoAmerica 190 Mini Cup Championship (four wins, eight total podiums in eight races), placed second in RFME Copa de Espana de MiniVelocidad Spanish National Championship (one win, four total podium finishes), placed fifth in Cuna De Campeones Moto5 Championship (one win, three total podium finishes, led five of six races), won Youth 150cc AMA National Speedway Championship; 2021 – Won FIM MiniGP North America Championship, won MotoAmerica Mini Cup 110cc and 160cc Championships, won Mini 80 WERA West Sportsman Championship, raced in Cuna de Campeones MiniGP 110 Championship with a best race finish of eighth, placed third in Youth 150 AMA Speedway Championship;

2020 – Won Mini 50 WERA West Sportsman Championship, won 65cc AMA Supermoto National Championship.