PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN J. NELSON
J
ake Gagne made it nine wins in a row in the
2021 MotoAmerica Honos Superbike Cham-
pionship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca. After out-dueling a pesky Loris Baz for
the win on Saturday in race one, Gagne, on the
Fresh N' Lean Attack Performance Yamaha, again
felt steady pressure by Baz (Warhorse HSBK
Racing Ducati New York) in race two, but Gagne
was still the man in charge both days.
On Saturday, Gagne captured his eighth-
straight win, but Baz kept him honest the whole
way. It was the first time all season that Gagne
felt serious pressure before taking the check-
ered flag, having led the way. Only 1.173 seconds
separated the two as they crossed the finish line.
Pole-sitter Gagne jumped to the front of the
pack on Saturday only to be called back to do it
again after a red flag. But that didn't faze Gagne,
who repeated the process a second time.
"After that red flag with the heat cycle on
those tires, we were all sliding around pretty
good, I think more than we had all weekend,"
said Gagne. "So, when that happens you kind of
run into some new issues. The bike feels a little
bit different. I was pushing hard, though. I kept
watching that pit board. I saw those guys were
right there within a second, so I had nothing to do
but go and go. That race went by quick. It's been
a while since we had a red flag, so I think after 15
laps it flies by so quick."
ROAD RACE
FIM NORTH AMERICAN ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 5/ JULY 10-11, 2021
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY / MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
P72
JAKE GAGNE CHALKS UP NINTH STRAIGHT
WIN, AND KYLE WYMAN WRAPS UP KING OF
THE BAGGERS CHAMPIONSHIP
NINE
