Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1507015
had been in his factory Indian days when the two went tooth- and-nail for GNCs. With a full season of develop - ment under their belt, the team, rider and bike should pose a huge threat to Mees' supremacy in '24. Likewise for Daniels, who gave Mees everything he could handle right up until the finale. The Estenson Racing prodigy scored five wins, while register - ing an average finishing position of 2.3 (tied for third-best of the modern era) and put together the second-longest podium streak of that span with 13 top- threes in a row. It's unfortunate that the only time he truly lacked race- winning potential in 2023 was at the finale, when he needed it the most. Prior to Springfield, Dan - iels only failed to finish on the podium when he crashed out of second just over a lap from the finish in Peoria. But at the Illi - nois State Fairgrounds, he faded to a distant fifth on Saturday. He year, we grinded it out. This one here feels really special." Despite an injection of talent to go with renewed depth and increased parity in the premier class, Mees still managed to notch up nine wins, achieve an average finishing position of 2.1 (second best in the modern era), and string together a still-active 14 podium streak (longest in the modern era). In other words, there's plenty of evidence suggesting that nine is just a temporary stop in Mees' ultimate Grand National Cham - pionship treasure hoard. That said, the level of diffi- culty associated with adding to that tally should only increase. Two-time Grand National Champion Bauman flashed re- peatedly throughout an up-and- down season aboard the Rick Ware Racing KTM Duke 790. But in Springfield, he looked every bit the match for Mees that he ROUNDS 17-18 / SEPTEMBER 2-3, 2023 ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS / SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS FLAT TRACK I AMA/PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP P78 3 BRIAR BAUMAN 2ND-1ST SUPERTWINS Rick Ware Racing's Briar Bauman rounded out an up-and-down first season for the Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke with the ultimate up—a win at the Springfield Mile just inches ahead of Grand National Champion Jared Mees. The strong conclusion to 2023 also served as a warning shot ahead of 2024. Bauman said, "I didn't really expect to be good all weekend because every track is new for us. To stay with Jared both days, when you do that, you know you're in a good spot. There's been a lot of emotion all year, and the whole team is just tired. Everyone is tired. We're ready to go home and go on vacation. Huge thank you to Rick Ware Racing and everyone who backs the team and myself. It's an honor to be here." 88 CHASE SAATHOFF 3RD-2ND SINGLES At Springfield, Turner Racing Honda's Chase Saathoff continued to add to one of the most impressive winless resumes in Progressive AFT his- tory. While it remains only a matter MYOWNRACE Mees and family celebrate Mees' third consecutive SuperTwins title.