Roger Hayden came within a blink of an eye of winning in a thrilling finish in the MotoAmerica AMA Superbike second race on his Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing GSX-R1000 at Laguna Seca on Sunday.
Hayden actually passed for the lead on the final turn, only to run wide and was passed back. At the chequered flag Hayden was nipped by 0.084 seconds by Cameron Beaubier. It was an exciting race for the fans and agonizingly close for Hayden, who has been edging ever closer to victory this season.
The Laguna Seca weekend, a combined World Superbike/ MotoAmerica event, was struck by tragedy when racers Bernat Martinez and Daniel Rivas Fernandez died from injuries sustained in a multi-rider crash at the start of MotoAmerica Superbike Race two.
Hayden finished on the podium in both MotoAmerica Superbike legs at Laguna Seca, moving him up to third in the series standings. Jake Lewis finished fourth in both Superbike rounds at Laguna Seca, fighting back after running off the track in the second race.
Hayden qualified on the front row at Laguna with a time of 1:24.776 in Superpole. Rookie team-mate Lewis clocked a 1:25.514 on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to qualify fourth and head-up the second row.
Hayden and Lewis finished third and fourth in Race one, which was run in half-wet, half-dry conditions. In race two Hayden actually led portions of the race, passing early leader Josh Hayes to take the point. Hayden was then passed by Cameron Beaubier, but fought back hard and on the final lap made a pass attempt going through the final corner. He temporarily got into the lead, but ran just wide and was repassed. Hayden tried one last time to get around Beaubier, but came up short by mere inches.
Lewis talked about his first outing in Monterey on a Superbike. "It wasn't the Laguna Seca I was hoping for,” Lewis said. “I was a little off all weekend, but the team and I did our best. Race one was in difficult conditions and I had a nice battle with Roger for the podium spot. Race two I struggled quite a lot throughout the race then ran off the track late which cost me a few positions. My condolences go out to the families of the two fallen riders in our race yesterday."
For Hayden battling for victory was a boost to his confidence.
“The second race it was so much fun battling for the win,” said Hayden, who now has 11 podium finishes in 14 races. “I got a great start and had an awesome race. The bike was working so good – I’ve got to thank my team for that. We led a lot of laps. I tried to make a pass on the last corner on the last lap, but I just couldn’t make it stick. It’s a little disappointing to get second after being that close, but it was good to be battling for the win all the way to the end.
“I want to send my condolences to the family, friends and teams of Bernat Martinez and Daniel Rivas (Fernandez). May they find peace during this difficult time.”
Next up for Yoshimura Suzuki is the combined MotoGP/ MotoAmerica event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 7-9th.
Laguna Seca MotoAmerica Superbike Race one Results:
1. Josh Hayes (Yam) 2. Cameron Beaubier (Yam) 3. Roger Hayden (Yoshimura Suzuki) 4. Jake Lewis (Yoshimura Suzuki) 5. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki) 6. Bernat Martinez (Yam) 7. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw) 8. Elena Myers (Suzuki) 9. Chris Fillmore (KTM) 10. Daniel Rivas (BMW)
Laguna Seca MotoAmerica Superbike Race two Results:
1. Cameron Beaubier (Yam) 2. Roger Hayden (Yoshimura Suzuki) 3. Josh Hayes (Yam) 4. Jake Lewis (Yoshimura Suzuki) 5. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki) 6. Elena Myers (Suzuki) 7. Chris Fillmore (KTM) 8. Mathew Orange (BMW)
2015 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Points:
1. Josh Hayes (Yam), 286 2. Cameron Beaubier (Yam), 286 3. Roger Hayden (Yoshimura Suzuki), 205 4. Jake Lewis (Yoshimura Suzuki), 197 5. Bernat Martinez (Yam), 127 6. Elena Myers (Suzuki), 112 7. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki), 103 8. Danny Eslick (Honda), 92 9. Chris Fillmore (KTM), 82 10. Mathew Orange (Honda), 40
