Up-and-coming MotoAmerica star Jason Aguilar dies in mountain biking accident

Up-and-coming MotoAmerica racer Jason Aguilar, 25, dies weeks after announcing plans to graduate to the MotoAmerica Superbike class

Jason Aguilar

Jason Aguilar, considered one of the United States’ up-and-coming MotoAmerica Superbike stars, has died following an accident while mountain biking training.

A prominent figure in the MotoAmerica paddock, 25-year old Aguilar achieved the Superstock 600 title in 2017 and was a multiple podium-winner in the Supersport class too, peaking with a run to fourth overall in 2020.

After taking a year out in 2021, Aguilar had within the last couple of weeks announced a return to racing with his first full season in the MotoAmerica Superbike class this year, aboard the RiderzLaw Aguilar Yamaha R1

However, while training on his mountain bike in Laguna Seca, Aguilar suffered a serious head injury following a heavy fall on Saturday morning.

Airlifted to Mission Viejo Hospital to undergo emergency surgery on stop the bleeding on the brain, despite the operation’s success, the absence of oxygen to the brain resulted in irreversible brain damage. The decision was taken to take him off life support.

“Jason was involved in a terrible accident on Saturday morning in Laguna Seca with his mountain bike ,” read a statement from his father, Bob Aguilar. 

"Friends, Alex and Anthony, quickly intervened to allow him to be flown to Mission Viejo's Mission Hospital. Here he underwent an emergency surgery to relieve the bleeding in the brain.

"Although the operation was successful in stopping the bleeding, the prolonged absence of oxygen in the brain prior to surgery resulted in irreversible brain damage. 

“Jason is an organ donor, so the hospital is making arrangements to donate his organs. Once this process is complete, Jason will be removed from life support. 

“We hope Jason survives in everyone's memories and that donating his organs will allow his memory to live on in other people.”