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The leaderboard was ever-changing at Barber Motorsports Park on Friday, but when all was said and done it was two-time MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Champion Jake Gagne who earned provisional pole position for the weekend’s two Superbike races.
But it was close. Just the way Gagne likes it.
At the end of the 40-minute Q1 session, Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Gagne was on top with his 1:22.805 coming on his 16th lap to best Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz by just .390 of a second. Gagne’s best was a bit off his lap record of 1:22.035, set in Q2 in last year’s season finale in September.
Scholtz’s fast lap also came at the end of the session with his 1:23.195 also coming on his 16th lap.
Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier ended up third fastest to complete the provisional front row with the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion just a tick over half a second slower than Gagne. Hot on Beaubier’s heels was Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen, with the South African .783 of a second behind his teammate.
Beaubier’s teammate PJ Jacobsen jumped to fifth fastest, moving past Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin near the end of the session.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante got as high as third on the timesheets before dropping to seventh and 1.3 seconds off Gagne’s best.
Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Corey Alexander and Wrench Motorcycles rider David Anthony rounded out the top 10 on Friday.
“It’s going to be close no matter where we go,” Gagne said. “We’re gonna go to a lot of different tracks and with all these bikes running really good now it will be cool to see what bikes have strengths and where. It was a good day. Sunday looks okay, but I think tomorrow we probably will have to get ready for a wet race. It’s fun. It keeps us on our toes and I’m having fun with the team and having fun knowing it’s going to be close racing with all these guys. It’s a good start to the weekend.”
Tyler Scott in the Supersport 'Extended'
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott was the fastest of the fast in Q1 for Saturday’s “Extended” Supersport race at Barber Motorsports Park. Scott lapped at 1:26.605 and was the only rider to dip into the 1:26s.
Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa was second fastest, .810 of a second behind Scott, with Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Xavi Fores third fastest and .840 of a second behind Scott.
Squid Hunter Racing’s Josh Hayes closed the session in fourth with Scott’s teammate Teagg Hobbs fifth at the end of the 30-minute session.
Photo courtesy MotoAmerica by Brian J. Nelson
