Agilita-Backed Rider Bags Maiden Victory At Donington Park
Luca Hopkins celebrates his maiden victory. Credit: Michael Wincott Photography
Agilita-backed motorcycle racer Luca Hopkins ended his debut season in the 1pMobile National Junior Sportbike Championship on a high, claiming his maiden victory at Donington Park and finishing just three points short of the championship title.
The 18-year-old Yorkshire rider, who has been supported by Agilita Digital throughout the 2026 season, produced one of his strongest performances of the year at the Donington Park finale, taking pole position, setting a new class lap record and winning the final race of the season.
Riding for Team SBR powered by DKS Direct Drilling, Luca arrived at Donington third in the championship and with an outside chance of taking the title. After finishing third fastest in Friday practice, he secured pole position on Saturday with a 1:39.736, just 0.050 seconds clear of Tristin Pienaar.
The lap also established a new Junior Sportbike class record around the Donington Park GP circuit.
A Dramatic Start To The Weekend
Starting Saturday's opening race from pole, Luca took the holeshot and immediately became involved in a close fight at the front involving Pienaar, Laken Payne, Lewis Mullen and Ben Jolliffe.
The lead changed hands repeatedly throughout the race, with Luca returning to the front on several occasions and beginning the final lap ahead of the chasing group.
Payne moved ahead into the Esses, but Luca remained in contention and looked set to challenge again under braking for Melbourne. His opportunity disappeared when a late move from Mullen resulted in contact with Payne, forcing Luca and Pienaar wide as they avoided the incident.
Luca eventually crossed the line fourth, just 0.116 seconds away from the podium, while championship leader Marley Mackenzie recovered from a pit-lane start to keep himself firmly in the title fight.
The result left Luca third in the standings heading into Sunday's season finale, 20 points behind Mackenzie with 35 still available.
Maiden Victory In The Season Finale
Sunday provided one final opportunity to end an already impressive debut campaign on a high.
Starting third, Luca initially dropped to around eighth before steadily working his way back towards the front. By lap four he had recovered to third and soon used the slipstream to move past both Pienaar and Payne and into the race lead.
Another close battle followed as Luca, Payne, Jolliffe and Mullen exchanged positions, but Luca remained patient and put himself back at the front at the crucial stage of the race.
Having taken the lead into the Esses on the penultimate lap, Luca began the final tour at the head of the field and this time held his nerve all the way to the chequered flag.
He crossed the line just 0.135 seconds ahead of Jolliffe to secure his first victory in the 1pMobile National Junior Sportbike Championship, with Mullen only 0.317 seconds behind in third.
The top six were separated by little more than a second.
Speaking after the race, Luca said:
"We did it! What a way to finish the season.
"It was a brilliant race. I tried to use my head, manage it properly and make sure I put myself in the right position when it mattered. After everything that happened yesterday, to come back today and win the final race means so much.
"I honestly can't thank everyone enough who has helped get me here. Team SBR powered by DKS Direct Drilling, my family, every one of my sponsors and everyone who has supported me throughout the season. This win is just as much yours as it is mine."
Three Points From The Championship
The victory brought Luca's final championship tally to 312 points, leaving him just three behind Mackenzie and Jolliffe, who finished tied on 315 points.
Mackenzie was ultimately crowned 2026 champion on countback, with Jolliffe second and Luca completing the championship top three.
It represents an impressive result from Luca's first season in the class. Across the campaign he secured one victory, six second-place finishes and one third-place finish, establishing himself as a regular contender at the front of the field and remaining in mathematical championship contention until the final race of the year.
His Donington weekend provided a fitting demonstration of that progress. Pole position, a new class lap record, leading both races and finally standing on the top step of the podium brought his debut campaign to a memorable conclusion.
Agilita Digital has proudly supported Luca throughout the 2026 season, working alongside him to develop his profile away from the circuit through PR, digital content and his online presence.
Alex Humphries, Managing Director of Agilita Digital, said:
"We've loved being part of Luca's journey this season and seeing the progress he's made throughout the year. To go into the final weekend still in contention for the championship in his first season at this level was already a fantastic achievement, so to then take pole, set a lap record and finally get that first win made it even more special.
"The results speak for themselves, but we've also seen Luca develop considerably away from the bike over the course of the year. Building his profile and making sure his achievements get the attention they deserve is an important part of helping him progress through the sport, and we're incredibly proud to play a small part in that.
"Missing the championship by three points will obviously hurt, but there should be a huge amount of pride in what Luca, his family and Team SBR have achieved this year. He's certainly given us plenty to write about!"
With his first national championship victory now secured and a top-three championship finish to his name, Luca signs off 2026 having firmly established himself as one of the young riders to watch.
