AMA Superbike News
Team Graves Yamaha rider Josh Hayes reclaimed the top spot in the 2010 AMA Superbike Championship after leading all 21 laps of Race 1 at Mid-Ohio Saturday.
The win was his fourth this season, and he now has a 10-point lead over the man in second place, Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider Tommy Hayden. Joining Hayes on the podium was Pat Clark Motorsports rider Ben Bostrom and Hayden, respectively.
Starting from the pole, Hayes was beat to turn 1 by Bostrom and Foremost Insurance Ducati rider Larry Pegram. But by the end of the first lap, Hayes had three bike lengths on Bostrom, and kept the position to the checkered flag. Following in fourth was Hayden and National Guard Jordan Suzuki rider Jake Zemke.
By lap 5, Hayes and Bostrom began pulling away from the pack. Behind, Pegram was holding off Zemke, who appeared much better on the brakes. On lap 7, the top five of Hayes, Bostrom, Pegram, Zemke and Hayden pulled away from sixth-place rider Jake Holden (M4 Monster Suzuki) by 2.685 seconds.
The two leaders began battling for first, but Hayes kept a tight line and held off Bostrom. Meanwhile behind, Hayden passed Zemke for fourth. On lap 11 Bostrom went wide and lost two bike lengths on the top of turn 14.
On lap 12 the only accident of the 21-lap race occurred as RidersDiscount.com Yamaha rider Kurtis Roberts went down at the keyhole. On that same lap, Zemke kept falling behind, and on lap 14 M4 Suzuki rider Jake Holden took over fifth.
Hayden began a charge on Pegram, finally passing him on lap 19 on the back straightaway. Hayden began pulling away, attempting to chase down the leaders. But he would not catch them.
Hayes held off Bostrom by 0.219 of a second, and Hayden arrived in third alone, followed by Pegram and Holden.
2010 AMA Superbike: Mid-Ohio, Race 1
1. Josh Hayes, Yamaha YZF-R1
2. Ben Bostrom, Yamaha YZF-R1
3. Tommy Hayden, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
4. Larry Pegram, Ducati 1098R
5. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
6. Jake Zemke, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
7. Brett McCormick, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
8. Eric Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
9. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R 1000
10. Jordan Szoke, Honda CBR 1000 RR
