YOSHIMURA SUZUKI’S ELIAS WINS ELKHART LAKE, EXPANDS MOTOAMERICA SUPERBIKE POINTS LEAD

Hayden Wins Pole on 2017 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
and Scores Two Podiums

Chino, CA (June 5, 2017) – Toni Elias took a hard-fought victory in Sunday’s MotoAmerica Motul Superbike Race 2 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Teammate Roger Hayden, who earned Superpole on Saturday, finished second in Sunday’s race putting the 2017 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 in first and second at the checkered flag.

It marked the third time this season that Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing has finished 1-2.

Elias’ win was a series leading fourth of the season and expanded his lead in the series standings to 14 points (160-146) over Cameron Beaubier after eight races. Hayden is a close third with 140 points.

For Elias, the win was especially memorable since his mom and dad came over from Spain to watch their first MotoAmerica event in person.

On Saturday Hayden won Superpole for the second time this season, turning in a time of 2:12.864. The four-mile, 14-turn road course puts a premium on power and top speed and the new 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000 came through with flying colors in its first run at one of the premier road racing circuits in the country.

“Road America is usually not my strongest track,” Hayden admitted. “but the team gave me a great bike in qualifying and I was able to put it on the pole.”

Hayden was strong and sprinted to an early lead and led the most laps in Saturday’s race, but ultimately finished the day in a close third, just 0.153 seconds out of the lead.

Elias again made a great charge from 10th on the grid to finish second. He pulled up in the draft on the final straight, but came up short by just 5-1000ths of a second, marking one the closest finishes in series history.

Sunday’s race ran under sunny and warm conditions drawing a big crowd to the classic Wisconsin circuit. Hayden and Elias once again put their Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes up front and swapped the lead numerous times. The race was red flagged with two laps to go due to a competitor’s bike spilling oil going into the first turn.

Elias was leading at the time, giving him the victory.

“It’s not the way we like to win,” Elias said afterwards, “but I am grateful for the victory and to build our points lead. Roger was very strong today and we had a good race and were trying to break away. It was wonderful to have my family here from Spain this weekend. I want to dedicate my win to Nicky Hayden and the entire Hayden family.”

The series next moves to the Utah Motorsports Complex in Tooele, Utah, for the Championship of Utah on June 23-25.

For additional details on the upcoming event visit www.MotoAmerica.com