MotoAmerica's 2017 season is in full swing as North America's premier motorcycle road-racing series roars into Road Atlanta for the Suzuki ECSTAR Championship on April 28-30. Led by three-time 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey, MotoAmerica is in its third year of competition and continues to revitalize Superbike racing in the US.
Arguably the biggest change this season is the introduction of rules changes that will ultimately align MotoAmerica with the FIM Superbike World Championship. These changes, focused primarily on the Motul Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes, provide a platform for the continued growth of MotoAmerica, in which more manufacturers and riders from around the world can seamlessly join the championship by utilizing a familiar platform from which to compete.
One of those international riders who made the move from MotoGP and World Superbike to MotoAmerica last season was Spaniard Toni Elias. With his many years of overseas experience, Elias found immediate success with the Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing squad and won the first three races of 2016, including the opening race at Road Atlanta. He'll head to Georgia looking to defend his win and mount a run toward a Superbike title in 2017.
Another rider who enjoyed the spoils of victory in Road Atlanta last season is reigning Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier and his Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing machine. While Elias is poised to be one of Beaubier’s biggest threats to defending his title, as well as his Road America win, the Yamaha rider’s confidence is proven and that is ultimately why he carries the number-one plate on his motorcycle.
Another MotoAmerica rider looking to make his presence felt at Road Atlanta is defending Superstock 1000 Champion Josh Herrin, who also took a win at the track last season. The former AMA Pro Superbike champion is back in the premier division with the Wheels in Motion/Western Services/Meen Yamaha team.
In Supersport, defending champion Garrett Gerloff will not only continue defending his class title at Road Atlanta, but also his clean sweep of the doubleheader at the track last season. The Monster Energy/Yamalube/Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha rider will have his hands full with teammate and former class champ JD Beach but is no stranger to having a target on his back.
Road Atlanta’s scenic surroundings, various elevation changes, and infamous esses are sure to provide an action-packed weekend of exceptional competition, which will also include the popular Superstock 600 and spec KTM RC Cup classes. MotoAmerica’s crucial early season run will ultimately set the stage for the championship title chases at season’s end, and there isn’t a more dynamic track to watch the battle unfold.
Visit the MotoAmerica website to get your tickets for the round at Road Atlanta.
Here's a second video to prepare you for Round 2:
