Sonoma, CA – May 4, 2014 – Everything came up smelling like roses for Roseville, CA, resident Cameron Beaubier as he started from the pole and won Round Two of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented By Yamaha at his home track, Sonoma Raceway. Cameron’s teammate and three-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes came in second in Sunday’s Pro Superbike race to make it a 1-2 finish for the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team.
Cameron, who was last year’s AMA Pro Racing Daytona Sportbike Champion, is having a phenomenal rookie season on his #2 Yamaha YZF-R1. Already a winner at Daytona in March in the AMA Pro SuperBike series, the northern Californian has now added a victory to his resume in the Superbike Shootout, as well.
When the race went green, Cameron got off to a good start, but he got balked on the inside in turn one, which shuffled him back to fifth. Undaunted, he went to work and began to make rapid and smooth move progress back to the front. He managed to pass Josh who was, as always, his toughest competitor on track, and then he managed to stretch out a fairly comfortable lead.
Following his win, Cameron commented, “I started on the pole, which is on the inside here at Sonoma Raceway, so I kind of got pinched off in the first turn, which shuffled me back to fifth. This track is very technical, and I’m glad I’ve upped my training this year because it’s helped me handle the big R1. I was able to work myself back up to Josh, who was in the lead, and it wasn’t easy to get around him. It’s great to get this win on my home track and in front of my family and friends.”
After Cameron got balked at the start, Josh was able to work himself into the lead where he stayed for a number of laps until he made a little mistake with Cameron right behind him. That brief lapse enabled Cameron to take the lead where he stayed all the way to the checkers.
“I don’t feel like I can be unhappy with my race after the way the weekend started,” Josh said. I was riding smooth, putting together the best race I could. I made a little mistake, and it really cost me. I rode hard to try to catch back up to Cameron. He rode a great race. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten beaten like that, so congrats to my teammate. He’s riding really well.”
After two rounds of the Superbike Shootout, Cameron is leading the championship and Josh is currently third. The final round of the Shootout will be May 24 and 25 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT.
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