AMA Pro Superbike title rivals Josh Hayes and Blake Young (Photo: Evan Williams)

Hayes got away in second, content to bide his time while looking for a way past teammate Josh Herrin before relegating him to second.

Young was on a tear, making his way up to fourth in one lap and quickly caught up to Hayes. The two traded positions on the last lap, with Young ultimately drafting by down the straight and then defending over the hill. Hayes tried a move coming out of the last corner but it did not work.

Young’s triumph was one for the history books. It demonstrated his talent once again.

But he also waved a red flag at a bull.

After that race, Hayes pulled out all the stops to keep Young from even getting close. It’s almost as if Hayes said, “Never again.” Josh won on Sunday and every other race throughout the remainder of the year with two exceptions when he crashed early while pushing like crazy.

The Yamaha was improved in 2012 but so was Hayes. He’d trained harder and smarter and had a plan. He’s the one who had to face the facts after he won just three races to Young’s seven in 2011. Eventually, he broke his rival's confidence after Young couldn’t keep up and crashed trying several times. History will say it wasn’t close in 2012 but that’s because Hayes destroyed Young’s game.

There’s a lot of pride under the Yoshimura Suzuki tent and their record over the last 15 years is unmatched. Not only did Young lose confidence in himself, but some in the team lost confidence in him, too.

Young is still the most talented rider in the AMA Pro Superbike paddock but he was taught a valuable lesson in 2012. At this level, it’s not enough to be talented.

Now the onus is on Young to rally. We know Hayes is going to bring it again in 2012 and there are others capable of making a jump to the front, too.

We know he can do it. After all, he’s the guy who won from the back of the grid in Atlanta.