JAKE GAGNE LEADS BRYCE KORNBAU AND BOBBY FONG IN THE TURNS AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK! – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong and Jake Gagne finish second and third, respectively, in MotoAmerica Superbike Race at Barber Motorsports Park
BIRMINGHAM, AL (April 6, 2025) – Attack Performance Progressive
Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong enjoyed a strong debut with his new team,
scoring a runner-up finish in the first MotoAmerica Superbike race of
the season at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. Jake Gagne had
a strong first race back, finishing third to give the team a double
podium.
It was a warm, humid day in Leeds, Alabama, to kick off the MotoAmerica
Superbike season, which also marked Fong’s debut race with the team.
The Northern Californian got off to a great start, coming .160 of a
second from pole position. When the lights went green for the first race
of the weekend, he got a good start from the front row into the
runner-up spot. Fong kept the leader in his sights and closed in, making
the pass for the lead at the halfway point. He kept cool under pressure
and continued to hold off advances from the competition but ultimately
was passed in the final laps and would cross the line second to start
the season off with 20 points.
As for Gagne, it was a strong first race back after being sidelined last
season with an injury. The Colorado rider qualified fourth and, from
there, got a great start and slotted into third behind his teammate. He
then ran a strong pace to maintain the position and closed the gap to
the front runners before the halfway point. The duo up front would
ultimately extend a gap again, and Gagne would ride on to secure the
final podium position and score 16 points.
Although there is rain in the forecast for the final day of racing at
the opening round, the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team
is excited for today’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at Barber
Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team
Manager
“We’re pretty happy to see both bikes on the podium. Bobby got his
first podium with the team in his first race, and Jake got back on the
podium. I think it was a good start to the season. It’s a long season.
I thought we had a winning motorcycle, but we just came up a little
short in the end. We’re pretty excited about racing in the rain
tomorrow because our bikes go really well in the wet.”
Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50
“I thought it was a good race. It’s good to get two Yamahas on the
box. I know Richard and the whole team are very excited. We’re just
getting started. A win would’ve been nice, but I’m happy to get some
points on the board. It’s going to be a fun year of battling with a
lot of fast guys.
“It was definitely a seesaw between me and Cam, and Jake was right
there, studying us. I know if we would’ve made a mistake, Jake
would’ve been there for sure. Cam Beaubier is one hell of a rider.
He’s one of the best out there, and I knew what he was doing. I felt
like maybe at the end of the race, I could’ve done something, but it
never happened. He rode one hell of a race, and I’m looking forward to
battling with the guy this year.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #32
“To start the year off with a podium is pretty awesome. We want to
win. We wanted to be fighting for the win, but we were pretty close, and
the pace was good. About halfway through, those guys at the front made
another push, and to be honest, I was happy with a third place today.
After last year and the struggles we had, to start the year off in third
is awesome. Consistently being on the podium is going to be really
important this year. We want to fight for the championship, so it was a
really good start. I also learned a lot. Some of which was with my
riding, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to ride
with some intensity. I feel good, and I feel like we learned a lot about
the bike. It’s most likely going to be really wet tomorrow. That will
be alright for us because this bike really likes the wet.”