AMA Congratulates Road Race Grand Championship Award Winners

Alessandro Di Mario takes home Horizon Award

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates a host of winners from the AMA Road Race Grand Championship, held Oct. 21-23 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.

Chief among them is Lexington, Ky., native Alessandro Di Mario, who not only rang up top finishes in the 400 Superstock Expert, Lightweight Twins Superstock Expert, and Lightweight Twins Superbike Expert classes at Barber, but who earned the prestigious 2022 AMA Nicky Hayden Road Race Horizon Award — an award given to the rider best suited to excel at the professional level based on attitude, enthusiasm and performance.

“When I got the award, it was pretty cool because not many people get it,” Di Mario said. “I’ve looked up to [former winners] Eric Wood and Anthony Mazziotto. They’re cool people and fast. I want to be like them.”

While Di Mario laid claim to the expert classes, Landen Smith made his mark at the novice level, finishing first in the 400 Superstock Novice class. The Florida native was presented with the AMA Amateur Road Racer of the Year award.

In the veteran landscape, William Posse of Moncure, N.C., was awarded the AMA Vet/Senior Road Racer of the Year.

“Every season brings about great competition and individual performances,” said AMA Road Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “Among many great riders this year, Alessandro, Landen and William proved to be more than deserving of their awards.”

To learn more about the AMA Road Race Grand Championship, visit https://americanmotorcyclist.com/ama-road-race-grand-championship/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

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