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BOBBY FONG | BAZZAZ SUPERSTOCK 1000
Fong wasn’t able to replicate his qualifying performances from the first couple of rounds as he eventually finished Superpole with the tenth fastest time, a 1:25.648, as the third fastest Superstock 1000 rider. His worst qualifying position of the season only seemed to motivate him when the lights went out on the first race as the Californian barrelled into the first corner, making up a handful of positions in the process. Fong found himself in seventh place on the opening lap, clinging onto the tail-end of the leading group. He eventually worked his way past Kyle Wyman and took advantage of mistakes from both Factory Yamaha riders in order to move into fourth position, doing his best to stick with the leading trio of Superbike riders. He manhandled his Kawasaki ZX-10R through the esses as
he remained in touching distance of the leading group, fending off pressure from the second placed Superstock 1000 rider, Mathew Scholtz, behind him. Fong became involved in a hectic battle with the South African as the laps wound down which only allowed Hayes and Beaubier to rejoin the group.
In just two laps, he went from second place to fourth, but he was determined to stand on the overall podium for the second time this season. In an incredible display of last lap heroics, he drafted Hayes’ YZF-R1 to the finish line and pulled out of the slipstream in order to take the final overall podium spot, and the Superstock 1000 victory. On Sunday, Fong was able to execute two exceptional opening laps yet again as he moved up to fifth place by the second lap of the race. The Californian stayed with the Superbikes as long as he could, laying down a much quicker pace than any of his fellow Superstock 1000 riders, but he lost touch with the leading group in the second half of the race. Fong turned consistent lap times for the remainder of the twenty-three lapper, eventually coming across the line
in fourth position overall with a healthy gap on both sides of his Kawasaki, subsequently doing the double in the Superstock 1000 class in commanding fashion in order to extend his championship lead.
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