Page 14 - ISSUE2GRIDFINAL

ATLANTA!
TONI ELIAS : MOTUL SUPERBIKE
The second race was no different as a heated dogfight for the podium immediately broke out between the usual suspects. Elias exchanged positions with his Yoshimura Factory Suzuki teammate, Roger Hayden, throughout the first couple of laps, but the two of them eventually settled into a rhythm as the Kentuckian led the way. It wasn’t long until the defending champion, Beaubier, joined the fray after finally ridding himself of the pesky Meen Motorsports R1 of Josh Herrin as he looked to repeat his victory from the opening race. The #24 Suzuki rider was determined to stand on the top step of the podium for the third time this season and he made a move past Hayden at the end of the back straight on the thirteenth lap, refusing to surrender the lead for the rest of the race. His teammate acted as a buffer between himself and the race one winner, the two of them crossing one another up as Elias built a small advantage at the head of the field, which he was able to maintain until the checkered flag.
14 GRIDMOTO • MAY 2017
TONI ELIAS : MOTUL SUPERBIKE