The Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing team’s Garrett Gerloff finally checked that bucket list item off this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with his first career MotoAmerica Superbike win on Sunday, July 14. It was a solid weekend for the team as a whole with Gerloff and reigning Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier making podium appearances in both race one and race two.
It was almost a perfect weekend for Gerloff. The Texan took Superpole and got off to a great start in race one. He led the first lap, but it was an intense battle for the lead, and he ultimately took second at the end of the 23-lap race. His teammate Beaubier followed behind in third, his ninth podium of the season, and the fifth double podium for the team this season.
In race two, Gerloff didn’t waste time. He took the lead in the corkscrew on the first lap and knocked down fast laps to create an insurmountable lead while the others fought for podium positions behind him. That battle behind him was absolutely fever-pitched and went down to the wire. It was a frustrating battle for his teammate Beaubier, but being a multi-time champion, he kept fighting to the finish to try to finish ahead of his title rival. Although he fell short in third place, a pair of podiums was an important points haul going into Sonoma Raceway, a track where he has a history of being dominant.
Up next on the schedule for the Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing team is round seven of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Sonoma Raceway, August 10-11.
Garrett Gerloff
Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing
“It’s hard to put into words. It feels so good to get that first win because I’ve had a tough kind of year-and-a-half or so, and to finally do it, it just brings up a lot of emotions. It just feels so good.
“The weekend was perfect! Well, not perfect, but it feels that way right now. Getting the Superpole, that was really awesome. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do here more than any other track, so I was really happy to be able to do that. From then on, the bike just felt really good, the R1. In the first race, I didn’t have the tire I felt like to be able to battle for the win, or to actually make the pass for the win, at the end of the race, but today everything felt perfect. Honestly, it was just kind of a perfect day. So I couldn’t be happier. Big thanks to the team and everybody who has been behind me. I’m ready to go on to the next one. I hate to have to wait a month.”
Cameron Beaubier
Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing
“This weekend was a rough one. I was pretty confident going into the races. I felt really good in practice and had good pace, but in Saturday’s race that all went out the window. We did our homework and made some adjustments for Sunday’s race. I had a really good bike but got caught up in a battle for second and was unable to get up front early. All in all, two podiums is important for the championship. We will keep working and move forward!”
2019 MotoAmerica Superbike Laguna Seca Race One Results
1. Toni Elias
2. Garrett Gerloff
3. Cameron Beaubier
4. JD Beach
5. Jake Lewis
6. David Anthony
7. Cameron Petersen
8. Sam Vederico
9. Jeremy Coffey
10. Max Flinders
2019 MotoAmerica Superbike Laguna Seca Race Two Results
1. Garrett Gerloff
2. Toni Elias
3. Cameron Beaubier
4. Josh Herrin
5. JD Beach
6. Mathew Scholtz
7. Jake Gagne
8. Jake Lewis
9. Cameron Petersen
10. Jayson Uribe
2019 MotoAmerica Superbike Standings
1. Toni Elias 246
2. Cameron Beaubier 207
3. Garrett Gerloff 181
4. JD Beach 135
5. Josh Herrin 132
6. Jake Lewis 116
7. Mathew Scholtz 110
8. Cameron Petersen 81
9. David Anthony 76
10. Jake Gagne 62
Tom Halverson
Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager