WSBK 2017: Jake Gagne on Nicky Hayden’s Honda at Laguna Seca
The aptly named Jacob Gagne, American Supersport and Superstock 1000 champion, will participate in the eighth round of the World Superbike 2017, organized this weekend in Laguna Seca (California, USA). He is the first rider to get back on the Honda of the late Nicky Hayden… Portrait and statements.
Died six weeks ago following an unfortunate road accident, had not been replaced during the last two World Superbike events in then in. The WSBK American round held this weekend is an opportunity for the Honda Red Bull team to take this painful step…
The riders of the World Superbike – those of the Supersport and the Superstock 1000 are already on vacation – indeed go to Laguna Seca, on the Californian circuit which had allowed the "Kentucky Kid" to shape his legend: the n ° 69 had won there. two of his three MotoGP victories !
Honda, the Ten Kate team and its title sponsor Red Bull have decided to entrust the Fireblade to another American champion: Jake Gagne – pronounced "Gagne" -, winner of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2010, then contested on KTM FRR Grand Prix 125…
After a discreet 2011 season in the Spanish Moto2 Championship (17th) as in Moto2 World (two posts far from the points), Jacob decides to return to the United States to compete in the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Championship (American equivalent of Supersport) within the new RoadRace Factory team.
On the handlebars of his Yamaha R6, the American "teenager" – born August 27, 1993 – completed a first season in 11th place and is already opening his victory counter. He confirmed the following season by finishing second behind a certain Cameron Beaubier (double American Superbike champion since …) and pocketed the title in 2014 !
In 2015, still within the team led by pilot-instructor Danny Walker and sponsored by Red Bull, Jake moved up to the Superstock 1000 category at the controls of an R1 that he mastered quickly and to perfection: the n ° 32 s’ awarded 13 wins in 18 races, just that !
Gagne is logically promoted to Superbike the following year but does not meet the same success, unfortunately for him … and for the company "Genuine Broasted Chiken" – yes! – which now appears on the fairings of the Yamaha.
According to the official MotoAmerica website, the motorcycle enthusiast – speed and cross, but also fishing and surfing – is drooling because of the lack of competitiveness of his machine. He finally closes the Top 10 of the US Superbike 2016, very far from the fantastic four: Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes on R1 however, Toni Elias and Roger Hayden on GSX-R1000.
In order to get closer to the forefront in 2017, Jake "the winner" and his team change mounts and select the new Fireblade. But again, the bike does not allow the rider to shine in the race: he is currently 12th in the championship with a total of 51 points, against 210 for the leader Elias..
This weekend, Jake will clearly not "win" against the official Kawasaki and Ducati of Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes, Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri. On the other hand, two solid races in the points could open the doors to the World Superbike which, since the tragic disappearance of Nicky, no longer has an American rider in its ranks … "Stay tuned on MNC!"
Declaration
Jake Gagne, n ° 32:
"For me it is a dream come true and a great honor to have the opportunity to participate in the Superbike World Championship with such a prestigious team. It is a great opportunity and I will do my best to accomplish good job and learn as much as possible. Losing Nicky has been very difficult for all of us but I know he will be watching us and I hope I can make him proud. Laguna Seca will remain a very special track for him and I am honored to race in front of our home crowd and show what i am capable of. It is a great chance to be able to drive a Honda here in the United States, which is also sponsored by Red Bull as they have supported me throughout my career. I would like to thank Honda, Red Bull and Ten Kate very much for this incredible opportunity. ".
Ronald ten Kate, Honda Red Bull team manager:
"Jake is a young and talented rider who already knows the Fireblade quite well as he rides it in the MotoAmerica Supermike Championship and has raced – and won – many times at Laguna Seca. We look forward to welcoming him to the team. team and give him the best possible support for his debut in World Superbike. I have no doubts that he will benefit from the experience and do his best at home in front of his home crowd. Nicky was known for his great rapport with young riders – especially his fellow Americans – and was always available to chat, offer advice, so I think it’s a great way to pay homage to him at Laguna Seca ".
Danny Walker, Brosater Chicken Honda Team Director:
"We consider that it is to create that kind of opportunity that we work with our pilots. We have put together this team to promote the pilots through the categories, so that they can get opportunities like these and to Preparing them to take full advantage of it. Working with the Ten Kate team has been a pleasure, and we are really excited for Jake. We will clearly be watching and cheering him on! We are also very happy to have Tomas (Puerta) alongside us for this race. He raced in Superbike in Colombia. Tomas has always ridden really well in the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and we are delighted to have him back this weekend ".
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