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AMA Pro Superbike
AMA SBK: Top 10 Riders Of 2012
No spoiler warning required here… Josh Hayes towered over the paddock in 2012, but where does everyone else stack up?
Monster Energy Graves Yamaha's Josh Hayes (Photo: Brian J Nelson)
Last year at this time, naming a clear-cut #1 in AMA Pro Road Racing was hard work. Not so in 2012…
10. Tommy Hayden
Had he retained his Superbike ride with Yoshimura, Tommy Hayden would have entered 2012 a legitimate title contender and almost certainly ranked in the top three at the end of the year (both in the points standings and on this list). However, it didn't work out that way, and the cerebral and ever-improving pilot only earned a (undercard) seat a day into '12 season. All the time he put in transforming his ultra-smooth style into one that meshed with the characteristics of a point-and-shoot Superbike actually worked against him when he found himself back on a 600, but Hayden still notched up a number of podiums and finished fourth in the SportBike points.
9. Dane Westby
The hard-charging Westby worked tirelessly to up his game in '12, refining his starting line technique and adjusting his body lean to improve his corner exits. The easy-going Oklahoman was rewarded for his efforts, registering numerous podium results, including another Mid-O win, en route to second in the Daytona SportBike standings.
8. Danny Eslick
Danny Eslick proved that his courage, bravado, and innate skills transferred over just fine to the Superbike class as the two-time SportBike champ graduated to premier-class duty on the EBR. While his overall campaign was an up-and down affair and he only finished 8th in the final season standings, the charismatic Eslick took the EBR1190RS to its first ever Superbike podium in an brilliant early-season ride in Sonoma and then backed that up with a stirring runner-up performance in Miami. Now a known quantity in Superbike, Eslick will throw his leg over the #23 Michael Jordan Motorsports entry in 2013.
7. Geoff May
Geoff May continues to quietly maximize his opportunities. Not nearly as flashy on or off the track as (former) teammate Eslick, May was actually the team's top performer in 2012. May scored a podium finish of his own at Sonoma and was a regular in the top five, claiming those honors on nine separate occasions in addition to the final season rankings. The upstart EBR effort is just now starting to reap the rewards of May's determined development work and is now a serious player, not just a pretty addition to the grid.
6. Cameron Beaubier
Cameron Beaubier was the breakout performer of 2012 in AMA Pro Road Racing. From future star to full-blown superstar, the up-and-comer strung together multiple victories and proved to be a constant threat for checkered flags whenever he lined up in the hotly-contested Daytona SportBike class. Despite seeing his title hopes upended early on due to an away-from-the-track injury, in the end he boasted seven victories and finished on the podium every time he crossed the finish line.
5. Josh Herrin
Josh Herrin finally made his long-awaited transition to big bike racing and proved his sublime 600-honed talents could translate. While he still has some fine-tuning to do in order to push for wins, Herrin was competitive on the works R1 from day one and flashed the ability to run teammate Josh Hayes' pace, at least when everything was going just right. Herrin notched up double digit podium finishes and will be expected to take another big step forward in 2013.
10. Tommy Hayden
Had he retained his Superbike ride with Yoshimura, Tommy Hayden would have entered 2012 a legitimate title contender and almost certainly ranked in the top three at the end of the year (both in the points standings and on this list). However, it didn't work out that way, and the cerebral and ever-improving pilot only earned a (undercard) seat a day into '12 season. All the time he put in transforming his ultra-smooth style into one that meshed with the characteristics of a point-and-shoot Superbike actually worked against him when he found himself back on a 600, but Hayden still notched up a number of podiums and finished fourth in the SportBike points.
9. Dane Westby
The hard-charging Westby worked tirelessly to up his game in '12, refining his starting line technique and adjusting his body lean to improve his corner exits. The easy-going Oklahoman was rewarded for his efforts, registering numerous podium results, including another Mid-O win, en route to second in the Daytona SportBike standings.
8. Danny Eslick
Danny Eslick proved that his courage, bravado, and innate skills transferred over just fine to the Superbike class as the two-time SportBike champ graduated to premier-class duty on the EBR. While his overall campaign was an up-and down affair and he only finished 8th in the final season standings, the charismatic Eslick took the EBR1190RS to its first ever Superbike podium in an brilliant early-season ride in Sonoma and then backed that up with a stirring runner-up performance in Miami. Now a known quantity in Superbike, Eslick will throw his leg over the #23 Michael Jordan Motorsports entry in 2013.
7. Geoff May
Geoff May continues to quietly maximize his opportunities. Not nearly as flashy on or off the track as (former) teammate Eslick, May was actually the team's top performer in 2012. May scored a podium finish of his own at Sonoma and was a regular in the top five, claiming those honors on nine separate occasions in addition to the final season rankings. The upstart EBR effort is just now starting to reap the rewards of May's determined development work and is now a serious player, not just a pretty addition to the grid.
6. Cameron Beaubier
Cameron Beaubier was the breakout performer of 2012 in AMA Pro Road Racing. From future star to full-blown superstar, the up-and-comer strung together multiple victories and proved to be a constant threat for checkered flags whenever he lined up in the hotly-contested Daytona SportBike class. Despite seeing his title hopes upended early on due to an away-from-the-track injury, in the end he boasted seven victories and finished on the podium every time he crossed the finish line.
5. Josh Herrin
Josh Herrin finally made his long-awaited transition to big bike racing and proved his sublime 600-honed talents could translate. While he still has some fine-tuning to do in order to push for wins, Herrin was competitive on the works R1 from day one and flashed the ability to run teammate Josh Hayes' pace, at least when everything was going just right. Herrin notched up double digit podium finishes and will be expected to take another big step forward in 2013.
AMA SBK Miller Motorsports Park
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