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Laguna Seca and AMA VIntage Motorcycle Days Weekends at a Glance

Toni Elias, Valentin Debise at Laguna Seca and Hall of Famer Wes Cooley at Vintage Motorcycle Days

July 14, 2016

Here's a quick look at last weekend's races where Elias won the pole and finished with two podiums, Debise scored his ninth podium with a second-place finish, and Hall of Famer Wes Cooley was honored at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days weekend at Mid-Ohio.

Pole Position and 2 SBK Podiums for Yoshimura Suzuki at Laguna:

Toni Elias won the pole and stood on the podium after both races in MotoAmerica Superbike action at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Elias finished second aboard his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 in race one and followed that up with a third-place finish in race two. Teammate Roger Hayden finished fourth in race two after crashing in the first race. Elias is still in the championship hunt going into the final MotoAmerica round in New Jersey on Sept. 9-11.

2013 Kawasaki KX450F

“It was one of the hardest races of the season,” said Toni Elias, Yoshimura Suzuki racer. “At the start I tried to go, but everybody followed me and then I understood it was going to be a group race. I tried maximum every lap. I was pushing 120 percent and risking a lot. Now I can say I’m happy. I’m happy because I gave all I had and tried very hard the last few laps. We’ll keep working.”Photo Courtesy of Suzuki

Debise Races GSX-R600 to Second Place at Laguna Seca:

M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki's Valentin Debise scored his ninth podium of 2016 in the Laguna Seca MotoAmerica Supersport contest. The Frenchman showcased his command on his Suzuki GSX-R600 both on the brakes and firing out of the corners. He seized second place and defended the position to the checkered flag following a spirited battle.

2013 Kawasaki KX450F: Slim frame design

"This track is more about exit corner and that's where I'm good on my bike," explained Valentine Debise. "I used everything I could on my GSX-R to be the best. I was hoping to go and stay in the fight for the win, but I ended up having a great battle for second. I had a lot of fun. I want to say thanks to my M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki team."Photo Courtesy of Suzuki

Coming up: The national road racing season now takes a break before heading to the New Jersey Motorsports Park on September 9-11 for the series finale.

Superbike Legend Wes Cooley Honored at Mid-Ohio:

Two-time AMA Superbike Champion and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Wes Cooley was the Grand Marshal of this weekend’s big AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of AMA Superbike, Cooley rode the 1980 Yoshimura Suzuki GS1000 in parade laps and met with thousands of admiring fans over the course of the weekend.

2013 Kawasaki KX450F: Front fender & number plate

“I wondered if people would still remember me from 35-40 years ago,” said the ever-modest Wes Cooley. "On Friday, I walked in here and went: 'Great smell, great noise!' It was just like being back from all those years ago."Photo Courtesy of Suzuki