Hayes earns third AMA Pro Superbike race victory of the year

Hayes Sweeps AMA Pro Superbike races at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio — Josh Hayes earned his third win of the year, and he and the Factory Yamaha crew swept the AMA Pro American Superbike doubleheader weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a second victory on Sunday.

It marked the first time in 15 years that a Yamaha rider has earned three wins in an American Superbike season. The last to do it was two-time World Superbike champion Colin Edwards in 1994.

Hayes lost the lead only momentarily on two occasions during the 21-lap sprint race, falling behind Factory Yamaha teammate Ben Bostrom’s No. 2 Yamaha before regaining the point in the next corner. Bostrom held off the remainder of the lead pack to finish .987 seconds behind Hayes.

“This is what Superbike racing is supposed to be,” Hayes said. “This is what you feel good about: when you go home, you know that you put it all out there, that these guys were having a good day, too, and you came out on top. It doesn’t matter how much you win by, it’s the difference between racing and just going fast around a race track.”

The final podium spot was claimed by the No. 22 Suzuki of Tommy Hayden. Championship leader Mat Mladin finished seventh on the No. 7 Suzuki and leads Hayden by 126 points in the American Superbike championship standings.