Gagne Claims Championship Lead with Back-to-Back Superbike Victories
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing score a stellar 1-2 finish in MotoAmerica Superbike Race 1 at Barber Motorsports Park / May 20, 2023 /
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne rode superbly, scoring his second-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike win of the season in today’s Race 1 at the Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. The victory also strengthened the reigning champ’s title defense, giving him a 12-point lead over his rival. Teammate Cameron Petersen finished comfortably in second to give the team a decisive 1-2 finish.
Gagne showed strength straight away, topping all three sessions and earning his second pole position of the season. When the lights went out, he got a flying start to take the holeshot and threw down some fast laps early to build a gap up front and remain unchallenged. His 31st- career Superbike victory brought in a valuable points haul, giving him a 12-point lead after starting the weekend tied in points.
Petersen also got a great start from the number-two spot on the grid and was right on the heels of his teammate. Although Gagne was able to put some distance on him, the South African ate away at the gap in the final laps. In the end, Petersen crossed the line in the runner-up spot, four seconds clear of his countryman Matthew Scholtz on the Westby Racing Yamaha R1.
The Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team is looking for a repeat in tomorrow’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 on Sunday, May 21, at the Barber Motorsports Park
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager“Today went exactly as planned. The cooler weather made the tire choice a bit challenging, but the decision became very easy when the sun came out and the track surface reached 40º C (104º F). Jake and Cam, of course, rode a perfect race to finish 1-2, and Mat Scholtz did a good job to finish third, making it a Yamaha R1 sweep. We will work tonight to make another step forward and look to do more of the same tomorrow.”
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing“It was kind of a crazy day. This morning I think everybody expected it to be a wet race, but the weather cooperated. It warmed up a lot right before the race, so it was a last-minute decision on the tires, but I got off to a great start, put in some good laps, and brought it home. Cam rode awesome and kept me honest the whole race. I know both he and Scholtz will step it up, but hopefully, we’ll get another one tomorrow. It was a great day for the team with a 1-2 finish and a good day for Yamaha with a podium sweep.”
Cam Petersen – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing/strong>“It was a great day for Yamaha and the team. For myself, it was just really nice to bounce back from Atlanta, finish on the podium, and get second place. Obviously, I want to be in this championship, and Jake’s leading it right now. So he got some more points on me, but again, it’s just really nice to get some confidence back and get the season rolling and started the way we wanted to. We’re just going to build on this momentum and keep the ball rolling.”
2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Barber Race 1 Resultshttp://www.motoamericaregistration.com/2016-results/
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USAYamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company`s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.- based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
