Hayden wins AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge

Honda's Hayden Claims First Superbike Victory at 
Sears Point in Supercuts Superbike Challenge

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Honda's Nicky Hayden captured his first Superbike victory at Sears Point Raceway on Saturday with a decisive win in the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, presented by Honda of Milpitas.

Hayden (Honda), who started in fourth position, passed pole-sitter Anthony Gobert (Yamaha) on lap 8 and maintained the lead for the remainder of the 26-lap main event.  Teammate Miguel Duhamel placed second with Petaluma native Eric Bostrom (Kawasaki) third. 

It was Hayden's seventh victory in eight U.S. Chevy Trucks Superbike races dating back to last season.  It was also Honda's first Superbike win at Sears Point Raceway since 1998. Hayden was able to make what turned out to be the winning move entering Turn 7 on lap 8.

"Coming out of the Carousel (Turn 6) I had a good run and was able to get by Miguel and I used the draft to get by (leader) Gobert," said Hayden.  "Our win today shows the improvement of the bike, me and the team over last year.  The race was awesome."

Duhamel, a four-time Superbike winner at Sears Point, was never able to challenge Hayden, who won going away.  

"The bike's working really good and the race went well," Duhamel said.  "I tried to stay close to Nicky, but I just didn't have enough to get by him.  I was able to close on him, but closing is one thing and passing another."

With his win on Saturday, Hayden maintained the lead in the AMA U.S. Chevy Trucks Superbike championship chase over Gobert (Yamaha), who placed fourth on Saturday.  Gobert was the defending champion at Sears Point.

In other main-event action, Lee Acree (Suzuki) took the victory in the 16-lap Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock feature, with Calistoga's Brian Parriott (Suzuki) second and Kawasaki's Tommy Hayden third. 

Action resumes at Sears Point Raceway on Sunday with the second AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge feature. This marks the first Superbike doubleheader at Sears Point. In addition, there will also be feature races in three other divisions. For ticket information, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.searspoint.com.