AMA Pro Racing testing wrapped up today at Homestead Miami Speedway with Yoshimura Racing’s Blake Young on top of the Superbike leaderboard with a time of 1:21:987. Fellow Suzuki GSXR1000 pilots Roger Hayden (1:22:132) and Ben Bostrom (1:22:159) rounded out the top three while defending champion Josh Hayes finished the final session of the day in 4th position with a time of 1:22:567 aboard his Monster Energy Graves Yamaha.
In AMA GoPro Pro Sportbike action, Daytona 200 contender Cameron Beaubier completed the day with a fastest time of 1:24:887 aboard his Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S) Graves Yamaha, while Geico Suzuki’a Martin Cardenas (1:25:673) and Y.E.S. Graves Yamaha stand-in Tommy Hayden (1:25:786) rounded out the top three.
Hayden, who was called in at the last minute to replace injured Y.E.S. Graves Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff, is testing with the team at Homestead and has been confirmed to race at Rounds 2 & 3 at Road Atlanta and Infineon in place of Gerloff, who is recovering from a broken femur sustained during the first practice session at Daytona.
According to Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha, “Garrett is on the mend and in good spirits after his unfortunate injury last Thursday. We’ll continue to monitor his progress, and we’re looking forward to his return to the team. He fractured his right femur, and that’s a serious injury. We all want to make sure the bone heals properly. Garrett just turned 16 last summer, so he’s obviously a very young rider. He’s also very talented, too. Garrett, his family, and all of us at Yamaha want to make sure he’s back to 100% before he climbs back aboard his R6. Meanwhile, we’ve got a very experienced and capable replacement rider in Tommy Hayden, who rode for us a few years ago, so we’re at Homestead today and tomorrow, and Tommy is getting more and more comfortable on the R6 with each lap he takes.”
In the AMA Pro Motorcycle Superstore Supersport class, it was rocket James Rispoli who led the charge at Homestead with a fastest laptime of 1:27:082 aboard his Celtic Racing Suzuki GSR-600.
Canadian Darren James was on hand for the XR1200 test, putting in a best time of 1:38:089 aboard his Ruthless Racing Deeley Harley-Davidson XR1200.
AMA Pro Racing testing continues tomorrow at the Homestead-Miami raceway. Detailed results can be found at www.amaproracing.com
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