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Team Suzuki Race Report

Debise scores victory, Hayden and Elias on podium, and great race for Viñales

June 9, 2016

Team Suzuki stands out in America and Spain with Valentin Debise getting his first MotoAmerica Supersport victory, Roger Hayden and Toni Elias earned podium finishes at Road America SBK, and Maverick Viñales finished strong in Round 7 of the MotoGP World Championships in Spain.

“My plan was to stay in second for most of the race,” Debise explained. “At the end I knew I had a place to overtake at the beginning of the lap, so I did it. Then I pushed hard to make a gap so he could not pass me before the finish line. My plan worked well and I got this first win, so thanks to Suzuki and my team.”Photo Courtesy of Suzuki

Frenchman Valentin Debise broke through Sunday in Supersport race two at Road America to earn his first MotoAmerica Supersport victory on the M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki GSX-R600. His teammate Cameron Petersen also grabbed a podium finish in race one.

Roger Hayden and Toni Elias also had a successful race at Road America SBK! Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Roger Hayden and Toni Elias came away from Elkhart Lake, Wis., each having earned podium finishes aboard their Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000s. Hayden finished second in race one and Elias did the same in race two. Both riders are still very much in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship hunt.

“Both races went really good,” Hayden said. “The team gave me a great bike for the races. I was up there battling for the win in both and I’m happy with that. I can’t remember the last time we had four riders battling for a Superbike win.”Photo Courtesy of Suzuki

“I fought in the final meters and took second," said Elias after the race and his strong bid for the lead on the final lap. "It was good for the points. We are alive in the championship and I think we are working really well.”Photo Courtesy of Suzuki

And heading across the Atlantic, Maverick Viñales had a great MotoGP result for Team Ecstar Suzuki in Spain. Viñales turned in yet another strong outing by finishing fourth aboard the Team Suzuki Ecstar GSX-RR in round seven of the MotoGP World Championships at Catalunya. Viñales is currently ranked fifth in the world championship standings.

“I’m happy with the final result of the race,” Viñales said. “We still have room for improvement, but overall I can say I’m happy with this fourth place; it’s a good way to remember my friend Luis Salom who passed away on Friday.”Photo Courtesy of Suzuki