I would think she needs to set the world on fire over here first? Other US riders have dominated over here: Joe Roberts, Garret Gerloff, SDK, Cameron Beaubier, JD Beach, etc and still had a pretty rough go of it over there. She hasn’t dominated here YET, but I think she is on the proper path. EDIT: all those riders I mentioned are incredible, so please don’t think I’m bagging on them. They all have a career that any of us should be very proud of. If any of them were my kid, I know I would be super proud of what they accomplished in America and Europe. Even though some of them seemed to have gotten screwed while in Europe.
I agree - she hasn't accomplished enough to warrant actual GP Paddock interest and you are correct in that the riders listed had much more decorated resumes before heading over - BUT, other than Cam and JD who went for the RB Rookies, Gagne as well, the others were much older than she was when they made the move over so she has time on her side. Also - to her favor, she is literally going bar to bar and wheel to wheel this year with a known GP paddock racer still in his prime - Darryn has raced in all three classes and on equal machinery Kayla is showing the world that she can carry his pace and occasionally get the better of him heads up like at Daytona. That's gotta bode well for any Euro eyes on her as they have a known quantity to measure her against.
Guarantee she has garnered interest in Europe - has she done enough to warrant a ride? No idea, they all have different criteria and needs/wants for riders. Personally I'd like her to stay where she is and develop her skills as she is doing for a bit longer but could also see her learning a lot overseas too. Don't think either one would be a bad choice if the opportunity is there.
Plus her Dad. Dave has gotten her to where she is on and off the track, and from my view done an excellent job. Just listen to an interview with her. I can see teams interest in her just based on how well she would represent a sponsor. Not taking anything away from her riding, she's competitive and gets moreso every year, but she carries herself above many.
Given the successes the above riders achieved here and then the rough go they found overseas, I could make the argument that Kayla would be better off going sooner rather than later. She’s proved she can learn and is coachable, motivated, and talented. I think EU should bring her over now before she learns any perceived bad habits over here. Knowhatimean?
Honestly, she should already be over there. Obviously, that is easier said than done. It would be great to see her get a WSSP or WSBK seat in '27 and then move to Moto 2 or the new Moto 3 class in '28. I think the new Moto3 class in '28 would a reasonable target if she can spend a year in WSSP getting used to the style of racing in an international series and getting exposure to the European teams and infrastructure.
Moto3 2 years from now, she will be 20, won't she be too old for that class? Also if she is in WSSP or WSBK in 27, moto3 is a step backwards, isn't it? I don't follow Moto3 so could be way off base and am happy to be educated. EDIT: I remembered it being the 16 year old class, but I see they now changed it to 18-28.
I'm thinking more about the overall awareness of a series. MotoGP is better known than World Superbike and Supersport.Being under the MotoGP tent, in Moto3, is at worst a lateral coming from WSSP. For a young rider. They're "in the big show." Coming from WSBK and going to Moto3 would be a down grade I'd think. But that depends the rider's goals, their age, etc. My thought process was more about the fact that most people that jump straight into Moto2, from national championships, struggle. It's a meat grinder. Conversely, going into WSSP or into Moto3 in '28, will still be hard. But there would be less pressure and more reasonable expectations to figure out the tracks, living in Europe, which teams are what, who to align yourself with, etc. IMO if she were to jump straight into Moto2 expectations to perform would be high, the level of racing would likely be much higher, and she would be racing against class incumbents who are all trying to get to MotoGP. That's not a bad thing, but it's a lot of extra pressure. With this new Moto3 series, there would likely be fewer incumbents; partially because it is all new and partially because it is meant to be a gateway for new riders into MotoGP. Also, given the regulation change, she wouldn't be the only one totally new to the bike, the tracks, the pace, etc. I think that would allow for a smoother transition to international level racing. Regardless, it would be great to see her make the move sooner than later. If that's what she wants to do.
For Kayla, the sooner the better to get to Europe, if that is even a goal. Plenty of riders don't want to go live overseas or travel constantly and the idea of floundering and struggling in that environment versus remaining around friends and family and having a good life racing nationally is their preferred route. If I remember correctly, that sounded like what Beaubier decided after his time in Moto2. It wasn't that he had no future over there, but the struggle wasn't worth the sacrifice. If Kayla wants a MotoGP career, there are support systems available through her network, I'm sure, to race in a similar class in CIV or CEV at least. She could continue to develop race craft and skills on similar equipment while also gaining incredibly valuable knowledge of those tracks and get a taste for what that life is like. That would be a smoother, easier, quicker transition than jumping straight into WSSP/WSBK/Moto2.
The first time I spoke with Kayla at a track day a few years ago(she was coaching for the day at 14yo!), she mentioned that her goal was to go race moto2. I had only just started following MotoGP at the time, so I had no context for what that meant or I might have had a few follow-up questions. Instead I gave her a confused look. No idea if that's still a goal of hers, but I don't think it's out of reach or too late yet. I'm glad to see she has the opportunity to go rub elbows with people in that community. My hope is that she'll either come back with a renewed vigor for that goal, or with enough perspective to know it isn't something she wanted after all.
The only caveat I’d prose is: is there a Euro clamor for a female to break into the ranks of the WSS or WSBK or even the GP paddock? I’m sure there’s been a one-off estro who’s made a grid but have we seen a femme fatale like Kayla burst onto that scene? Is there a bias that might hinder her chances? I hope not but I’m not even hip to that vibe.
My current pessimistic view is that if you aren’t in the Spanish or Italian meat grinder from a very young age, with the frequency, support, and coaching intensity available there, then you likely aren’t going to be successful. Spies was a lightning bolt. As talented as anyone that ever raced anywhere, but the systems have evolved.
Funny enough people said the same thing about it all when Ben went. For about one practice session....
She's obviously not ready for MotoGP, but I think it's awesome she's making contacts over there and on their radar. When guys like Ben Spies and Casey Stoner are in your corner, AND you have talent and good work ethics, there's light at the end of that tunnel.
Line her up against Herrera & Carrasco and cut the bullshit of who's who. If she beats them then let's see what's what.
