SBK, MotoAmerica: Hayden-Elias 1-2 in qualifying on the Suzuki

14th for rookie Claudio Corti, Gerloff and Yamaha score pole in Supersport

Submitted by Riccardo Guglielmetti on Sat, 09/04/2016 - 12:30

SBK: MotoAmerica: Hayden-Elias 1-2 in qualifying on the Suzuki

Austin is not only hosting the MotoGP this weekend, but also the first event of the MotoAmerica season. This is the main Superbike Championship in the USA, featuring former MotoGP names such as Tony Elias and also Claudio Corti, both former riders with Giovanni Cuzari's team Forward.

Qualifying took place on Saturday, with Roger Hayden snatching Superpole with the Suzuki, thanks to an incredible time of 2’09”151: “I didn't think I'd be so fast – commented the Yoshimura team rider – the team has worked well and I want to be competitive right from the first race, rather than waiting for the next races”. There was a gap of less than three tenths between him and his team-mate Tony Elias, who finished second ahead of the first Yamaha, ridden by Jake Gagne.

Josh Hayes was forced to settle for fifth, preceded by current champion Cameron Beaubier, on the Yamaha. Taking part in this first round is also Italian rider Claudio Corti. A series rookie, riding an Aprilia Stock, Corti just missed out on the Superpole. At the end of the session, the Aprilia rider had set a best of 2’12”600, translating into fourteenth on the race grid. The race gets underway on Saturday, at 5pm local time.

In the Supersport category it was Garret Gerloff on the Yamaha who led the way, setting a best of 2’11”199. Alongside him JD Beach and the Suzuki of Valentin Debise.

Superbike – Qualifying times: 1. Roger Hayden (Suzuki) 2:09.151; 2. Toni Elias (Suzuki) 2:09.423; 3. Jake Gagne (Yamaha) 2:09.460; 4. Cameron Beaubier (Yamaha) 2:09.683; 5. Josh Hayes (Yamaha) 2:09.962; 6. Bobby Fong (Kawasaki) 2:10.345; 7. Josh Day (Yamaha) 2:10.637; 8. Josh Herrin (Yamaha) 2:10.909; 9. Hayden Gillim (Suzuki) 2:10.931; 10. Steve Rapp (BMW) 2:12.818.

Supersport – Qualifying times: 1. Garrett Gerloff (Yamaha) 2:11.999; 2. JD Beach (Yamaha) 2:12.895; 3. Valentin Debise (Suzuki) 2:13.582; 4. Cameron Petersen (Suzuki) 2:14.277; 5. Joe Roberts (Yamaha) 2:14.302; 6. Benny Solis (Honda) 2:14.316; 7. Travis Wyman (Yamaha) 2:15.121; 8. Xavier Zayat (Suzuki) 2:15.400; 9. Dakota Mamola (Yamaha) 2:15.845; 10. Jay Newton (Yamaha) 2:19.619.