Gagne Scores Runner-Up Finish at MotoAmerica Superbike Opener
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne takes runner-up finish in a hard-fought MotoAmerica Superbike battle at Road Atlanta / Apr 21, 2024 /
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne scored a runner-up finish in challenging conditions at yesterday’s first MotoAmerica Superbike race of the 2024 season at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. His teammate Cameron Petersen unfortunately crashed in the latter half of the race but rejoined in 15th, where he would finish.
Gagne qualified fourth, coming just shy of a spot on the front row in the combined times. When the lights went green, he got a good start and slotted into fourth, and then made the pass for third on Lap 2. The reigning three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion rode a calculated race in that final podium spot and advanced to second just before the start of Lap 8 when the frontrunner ran off track in the final corner. Shortly after, he passed fellow Yamaha rider Bobby Fong to claim the lead and ran a strong pace up front. It was a three-rider fight with the competition hot on his heels. Gagne held them off but unfortunately was dealing with arm pump issues, and in the final laps, he was passed by the competition. The Colorado rider countered to reclaim the lead, and the duo exchanged the lead a few times, but ultimately Gagne would cross the line second.
After being sidelined last Summer to repair a wrist injury, Petersen had a solid return to action at the season opener and qualified sixth. He was sixth after the start of the race and had the lead group in sight. The South African made the pass for fifth on Lap 5 and advanced to fourth after the race leader went off track. Unfortunately, he was assessed a two-position penalty for passing under a waving yellow flag and was shuffled back to sixth. Petersen worked on making his way back into the top five but crashed on Lap 13. Undeterred, he rejoined in 15th and rode on to score inside the points with that position.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team looks forward to this afternoon’s Race 2 of the MotoAmerica Superbike season opener at Road Atlanta.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“Jake was on track for another race win, but unfortunately he had an arm pump issue and ended up second. Cameron was trying to make his way back into the top five and then crashed trying to avoid another rider. It’s not how we wanted to start the season, but our R1s are running great, and our guys have the pace to run up front. We look forward to getting back on top of the podium, in the wet or dry.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #1
“It’s the first race of the season, and everybody’s excited, so you never really know where you are going to be, but the bike was working really well. I got a good start, and I was trying to stay smooth, and I led a lot of the race. I just struggled really badly with arm pump after the halfway point. I’m happy in a way because we got a podium with how I was feeling. The bike was really good. I just didn’t have much fight there in the end.”
Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45
“It was a little bit disappointing. After waiting all that time, I was hoping for more, but taking away the positives from the day, I ran at the front and had the pace to battle for the podium, and I felt really good. I got hit with the penalty – honestly, I didn’t see the yellow flags – and I had to drop two positions. I was trying to make my way back and then almost ran into the back of (Loris) Baz. It put me into a spot on the track that nobody really wants to be in, and I went down. Tomorrow’s a new day. It’s supposed to be wet. I’m looking forward to it.”
2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Results
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