Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Enjoys Double Podium at Superbike Opener
Jake Gagne and Cameron Petersen finish first and third, respectively, in MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at Road Atlanta / Apr 22, 2024 /
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne executed a superb race in tricky conditions to return to the top step of the podium yesterday in MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 in Braselton, Georgia. The reigning three-time premier class champion’s 2-1 finish at the opening round at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta puts him tied at the top with 45 points on the weekend. His teammate Cameron Petersen bounced back from a tough Race 1 with a third-place finish for an emotional return to the podium in his first race weekend after months of being sidelined with injury.
In contrast to Saturday’s hot, greasy track conditions, riders were met with wet conditions on Sunday with steady rain at the 2.5-mile track in Braselton, Georgia. However, just before the start of the second Superbike race, the clouds lightened up, and the rain stopped, but the track was still pretty wet. When the lights went green, Gagne got a flying start from the second row of the grid to grab the holeshot and have a bit of a gap up front. Around the halfway mark, it was once again a three-rider fight at the front. The Colorado rider was shuffled to the runner-up spot on Lap 9, but a couple of laps later, the lead group came upon some lapped traffic, and Gagne positioned to reclaim the lead. As the track continued to dry out, the Colorado rider rode superbly in the tricky conditions. In the final laps, he kept cool under pressure and held off his title rival to take his first win of the season and his 41st career MotoAmerica Superbike victory. Gagne leaves the opening round tied at the top with 45 points.
After a tough race on Saturday, Petersen was looking to rebound and put his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing R1 in the winner's circle at Road Atlanta. Not comfortable in the tricky conditions, the South African didn’t get the start he was looking for and was seventh after the first lap. A few laps into the race, he started to find his comfort zone and made his way into the top five and then to fourth a couple of laps after the halfway mark. With four laps to go, Petersen advanced to the final podium spot after a rider ahead crashed. He continued to ride a smart race in the tricky, mixed conditions to give the team a double podium with his third-place finish.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team returns to action next month for a MotoAmerica Superbike Tripleheader at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, on May 17- 19.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“Jake earned that one 100%. It puts us pretty even now in the championship going into a track we really like - Barber. For Cameron, it was his first race back where he’s been competitive, so I think it was good for him too, especially after being off the bike so long. So I think it was mission accomplished for us to leave here without a points deficit on a track where guys with horsepower can do well because of that back straight away. We’re pretty happy with this result.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #1
“At the first round, the priority is always not do anything stupid - get some podiums, get some points, and we did that. The Yamaha was perfect. It was really tricky conditions out there. It was pretty wet, but the track started drying really quickly. These conditions have been tricky for me in the past, but the bike was really working great. It came down to the last lap, which I figured it would. I just kept the door closed and luckily held off Cam (Beaubier); I didn’t want the same thing happening as yesterday. It’s a great way to start the season, and now we are rolling into Barber for a tripleheader at a track that’s always good to us. It’s just nice to get the year started after testing and the off-season; it’s good to get into the swing of it.”
Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45
“It feels good to get this podium. It’s been a rough nine months. A few weeks ago, I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to do this. So to bounce back after the day I had yesterday and get back on the podium - it just feels so good. I’m very thankful to Yamaha and everyone in my corner who trusted in me, trusted in the process, and never gave up on me. Here we are back on the podium. I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season. I think we’re up to the challenge, and I’m ready to do it in the dry.”
2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Results
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